Tag Archives: punk rock

During my first year of college, I attended a “Why Knock Rock Seminar” at a local church. Why some of the theories that were espoused by the various speakers had a degree of merit, to demonize Christians who felt called to reach young people with rock music was moronic. One of these groups considered dangerous by the Puritans of the 1980’s was the Altar Boys. The Altar Boys’ punk rock sound was enhanced by Gut Level lyrics that spoke to my heart.

And her prophets have daubed them over with whitewash, seeing false visions and divining lies to them, saying, Thus says the Lord God—when the Lord has not spoken. ²⁹ The people of the land have used oppression and extortion and have committed robbery; yes, they have wronged and vexed the poor and needy; yes, they have oppressed the stranger and temporary resident wrongfully, Ezekiel 22:28-29.

While doing some research for my new series Sing A New Song, I stumbled upon the song I Question It. Although the particular sound of this song hasn’t aged well, the lyrics were prophetic. When the church elite was busying condemning and judging those aspects of the youth culture that they didn’t like, the Altar Boys were trying to warn Christians through their Gut Level Music album in 1986. Instead of listening, complacency set in as liberals and progressives quietly worked behind the scenes to take over.

And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. ³¹ Therefore have I poured out My indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their own way have I repaid [by bringing it] upon their own heads, says the Lord God, Ezekiel 22:30-31.

I guess it’s a little too late for the members of the Altar Boys to exclaim “I told you so!” Yet, the conditions of today remind me of the words of the prophet Ezekiel. God wanted someone to stand in the gap: a leader, a parent or students to defend that which is right and true. Unfortunately, no one rose to this occasion. Nonetheless, I sense a similar call to stand up for the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and for Religious liberties. Will the church sit back and watch from their pews or start reminding their neighbors of America’s heritage of faith? Time is of the essence so stand now or we too will be destroyed.

by Jay Mankus