Quotes out of context in press coverage...oh no!

I had a rather squeamish awakening today, due to some press coverage I just received. Later in October (Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th) I'll be performing at two Lutheran congregations in Marquette, MI, right near my hometown of Ishpeming.

The new issue of the Upper Peninsula arts magazine, Marquette Monthly, included an article about me in promotion of the upcoming concert. Of course, I'm very happy to have media coverage in my home region...and, as they say, any press is good press. However, there's one quote in the Marquette Monthly piece that's really taken out of context, so I feel the need to try to do some damage control using this blog.

You can read the Marquette Monthly article by CLICKING HERE. In general, the information is correct (except for the reference to my 2000 album as Theology, rather than its real title Sound Theology). My concern, however, is with the article's only quote from me personally, which is as follows:

“When I was in high school I attended several church camps, retreats and regional Lutheran youth gatherings. During these events, I’d get caught up in the powerful and emotional music, worship and fellowship—often resulting in a spiritual euphoria.”

This is indeed a quote from me, from an essay I wrote in the November 2005 issue of The Lutheran magazine. The article is no longer posted online, but you can still view it in Google's cache...it requires a bit of skilled searching. I've posted the entire text below so you can read it in its entirety. Here's the problem...used alone, that quote is way out of context.

Read alone, those two sentences sound to me like a positive endorsement of ultra-emotional religiosity in pursuit of spiritual euphoria. If you were to continue to read a few sentences later, however, you'd find this very important sentence:

"Upon returning home to my normal day-to-day schedule and community, I sometimes experienced a sense of disappointment in my faith life."

My essay that is being quoted is actually written about the dangers and disappointments of a faith-life driven by spiritual euphoria! Read the entire essay below for the intended context of that opening quote.

So, I'm hoping that the readers of Marquette Monthly don't come away with the idea that I'm some kind of emotionally manipulating holy roller. It's funny, of all the quotes and interviews I've given posted on the internet, is sure is funny that THAT one bit from the 2005 Lutheran magazine essay would be the one the writer chose. Oh well. Now I know a bit about how President Obama must feel every time he says or writes something in public. It sure is easy to pull a sentence or two out of a whole, and deliver a totally new message with it.

I love you with all of my mind:

FROM THE NOVEMBER 2005 ISSUE OF THE LUTHERAN MAGAZINE

When I was in high school I attended several church camps, retreats and regional Lutheran youth gatherings. During these events I’d get caught up in the powerful and emotional music, worship and fellowship—often resulting in a spiritual euphoria. Upon returning home to my normal day-to-day schedule and community, I sometimes experienced a sense of disappointment in my faith life. What had happened to that intimate connection between God and me that was so obvious at the youth event? I learned that basing my faith only on “heart” and “soul” wasn’t enough to sustain me through my daily life.

This Sunday’s Gospel text (Matthew 22:34-46) calls us to wholistic faith. As I observe contemporary Christian culture in America (especially the youth culture), it seems that heart and soul take precedent over mind.

I’m struck whenever I channel-surf onto that late-night infomercial for a “Songs of Praise and Worship” CD where the cameras pan over a sports arena filled with worshipers, arms raised, eyes closed, singing and swaying in blissed-out emotional ecstasy: certainly we’ve got heart and soul covered.

At the same time, when complex and potentially divisive faith-related issues arise in politics or science, I see many Christians recoil in fear and suspicion. What is it about these intellectual challenges that threaten the faith of so many people?

God gave us our minds for a reason. The intellect is an invaluable tool for building the foundations of faith. I appreciate our Lutheran commitment to learning and education and the freedom that we’re offered to ask questions, to debate, to doubt and to grow. I’m thankful that we don’t ask our parishioners to “check their brains at the door.”

Our congregations provide many different classes and forums each week for people of all ages and stages. Lutheran colleges and universities can be found in every corner of the U.S., encouraging the development of the mind as well as the heart and soul. Our church leaders attend rigorous biblical, pastoral and theological training at a variety of seminaries and graduate schools. I believe God rejoices in our quest to learn more about God and the universe.

Our Lutheran church family has many good role models for people to look to as they explore the intellectual issues of belief and religion. Martin Luther studied law and was a professor and musician, in addition to theologian and pastor. Paul knew his Scriptures inside and out, along with the intricacies of the cultural dynamics in the first century Mediterranean world. And of course, we look to Jesus who at age 12 was ditching his parents to hang out at the temple, discussing theology with his pastors for days at a time.

Thank you, God, for our wonderful and curious minds and for meeting us and engaging us intellectually.

I’ve written a song celebrating a brain-based approach to faith. Here are the lyrics:

I love you with all of my mind
lyrics by Jonathan Rundman, © 2000 Salt Lady Records (ASCAP)

old heart and soul, they’re so overrated
they only do two-thirds of the work that needs done
I wanna love you and love you completely
and use all my senses and beautiful reason

I love you with all of my mind
I love you with all of my mind
I’ve wondered and studied and I’ve come to find
I love you with all of my mind

some people say that I’m too calculating
that I bury my feelings and my heart’s gone cold
but I’ve seen emotion change like the weather
so I don’t just wanna feel, I wanna KNOW

I love you with all of my mind
I love you with all of my mind
I’ve wondered and studied and I’ve come to find
I love you with all of my mind