American Band Rock: Jonathan Rundman's Protestant Rock Ethic

I cannot explain how much respect and love I have for Jonathan Rundman’s work—in particular, the dedication of years that went into Protestant Rock Ethic.

I, in part, would prefer to yell and shout for 42 postings about how each track on this double-disc release has artistry that breaks the half-butt efforts in most Gospel-lite offerings and how each song can yield a host of uses within the context of ministry and faith conversation. Rundman’s Sound Theology inspired a new approach to Bible study which utilized his music (and others) which then led to my companion site, SongDevotions, and ultimately has shaped how Music Spectrum seeks to find those crossroads of faith and culture.

Because of Rundman’s importance in shaping my understanding of what music can do to speak the truth of the faith, I have actually neglected to speak about his releases enough. Does that make sense? I have sometimes found myself having difficulty writing about releases that excite me beyond reviewer and into bright-eyed wonder of fandom, meaning that a review of a disc that is off the charts in my mind has often been delayed because I just couldn’t find a way to explain why you should also see that the disc is off the charts. ‘

Yet, with Rundman, there’s also a whole level of his work being off the charts in terms of its application to ministry, Bible study, and worship. I want to tell you about how Protestant Rock Ethic’s opening set called “A Heartland Liturgy” instantly provoked a whole Rundman Liturgy Sunday plan in my head (unfulfilled). Telling you the whole plan might take awhile.

I want to construct before your eyes a new evening Bible study series that brings together songs like “The Serious Kind,” songs in familiar rock/folk/country formats that also invoke mystery, devotion, prayer, and God’s Word amid dimmed lights, incense, and the altar of the Lord.

I want to write new Confirmation lessons based around Rundman-penned songs that are used as memory devices for Bible verses, such as “In the Book of John” (John 10:10). Here’s a rock song that simply repeats a Bible verse—with a bridge of interpretation—and places God’s truth within the grasp of the iPod-listening student.

I want to tell you all of these ideas and more that arise out of listening to Protestant Rock Ethic, but my work ethic keeps me spending more time on my day gig as a pastor. This is a good and honorable ethic, of course, considering they are the ones who have called me and pay me. Yet, that work ethic is related to Protestant Rock Ethic, because it doesn’t take many of Rundman’s songs before I’m ready to head back to the office—armed with music in my head that uplift my faith, ideas of how to share God’s Word in unique ways, and brainstorming (scheming) how I will finally raise enough money to make Jonathan Rundman our worship-leader-in-residence for two weeks.

I’m taking the disc out of my home CD player now, transferring it to my car stereo, so that I can drive to the church office where I’ll put the music on in my office as I see the ways that the Lord has opened up paths for me to teach in His Word in countless ways.

Thanks to Jonathan Rundman and Salt Lady Records for the review CD.