One Punk Under God

While we're on the subject of religion on TV: I've watched the first couple episodes (out of six total) of "One Punk, Under God" (trailer), a documentary/reality series about Jay Bakker (son of Jim and Tammy Faye) on the Sundance Channel. The show follows Jay and (from the World of Wonder Productions web site):

his Revolution ministry in Atlanta, as he faces the struggles of putting together a new generation of Christian punk rockers.

The 6 episodes will structure around a story arc where Jay examines and tests out a chosen Biblical scripture to discuss in his weekly sermon. We follow as he wrestles with the interpretations in his daily life, and finish the episode with his final sermon, as he preaches to his church members.

The first episode introduced us to Jay and his ministry (the Revolution church meets in a bar/music venue-The Masquerade-in Atlanta) and focused on him coming to terms with his family's history. In the second episode, he struggles with the dilemma that if he speaks out regarding his convictions about homosexuality (he seems to have concluded that homosexuality is probably acceptable and, regardless, that the way the church engages the homosexual community is wrong) his ministry risks losing the significant funding it receives from more traditional/conservative religious groups. In the end, he speaks his mind, and the second episode leaves the viewer wondering what the fall-out will be…both for Revolution and for Jay's (non-existent) relationship with his father which he's trying to rekindle. So far I've enjoyed it. Lke God or the Girl (on A&E, I wrote a paragraph about it here) before it, it makes for entertaining viewing and is encouraging…young, interesting people earnestly trying to make a difference for Jesus…and finding a temporary home on secular TV. There's a nice review on Slate.