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God Gave Rock & Roll To You

God Gave Rock & Roll To You

Written by: Matt Beaton
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About this listen

A podcast exploring the Christian Rock subculture of the late 20th Century: where it came from, what it was, and what it turned into. With hosts Matt Beaton, Doug Dickens, and Tony Hormillosa.

© 2025 God Gave Rock & Roll To You
Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Music Spirituality
Episodes
  • No Holds Bar-Mitzvah'd: Bob Dylan's Christian Rock Albums (#027)
    Jun 23 2025

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    We're back! In this episode we discuss the Christian Rock period of Bob Dylan's discography: the trilogy of albums Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love. Did you know that Dylan played harmonica on a Keith Green song? Also, learn how Dylan tried to convert his producer Jerry Wexler while recording Slow Train at Muscle Shoals. Is Bob Dylan still saved? Also, we touch on the Michael Tait controversy.

    Bands/ Artists discussed:

    Bob Dylan

    Grateful Dead

    Sinead O'Connor

    Keith Green

    Dire Straits

    Conor Oberst

    Elvis Presley

    Steve Taylor

    DC Talk

    Newsboys

    S.F.C.


    God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

    We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

    Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at godgaverockmail@gmail.com.

    Show and host information can be found on our website:
    https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

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    58 mins
  • Steve Taylor Blew Up The Clinic Real Good: The "I Predict 1990" Album, Side A (#026)
    Apr 28 2025

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    We finally get to Matt and Doug's all-time favorite Steve Taylor album, 1987's I Predict 1990. We cover the first three songs, beginning with "I Blew Up The Clinic Real Good", about an ice cream salesman who blows up an abortion clinic to make sure he still has a clientele to sell to. Next, "What Is The Measure Of Your Success" skewers the big business Wall Street culture of the 1980's, and remains even more relevant today. Finally, "Since I Gave Up Hope, I Feel A Lot Better" tackles higher education (maybe?) and explores how a nihilistic worldview leads to hopelessness, despair, and ultimately the exploitation of others for empty personal gain.

    Also, Doug describes his dream where he walks arm in arm with our current President and has a heartfelt conversation. Weird stuff.

    Bands/ Artists discussed:

    Steve Taylor

    The Doors

    Echo & the Bunnymen

    Michael Knott

    Lust Control

    The Smashing Pumpkins

    XTC

    God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

    We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

    Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at godgaverockmail@gmail.com.

    Show and host information can be found on our website:
    https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Steve Taylor Throws Grandpa Off The Lifeboat: The "On The Fritz" Album, Side B (#025)
    Apr 14 2025

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    We cover the second half of Steve Taylor's album On The Fritz, focusing on two songs: "I Manipulate", which tackles the warped theology of Bill Gothard, a minister who preached strict hierarchy in the family, and "Lifeboat", which critically discusses Values Clarification, a movement in the early 80's that emphasized personal values over values given from authority figures like parents or the Church. Plus, are Christians the new moral relativists? Is empathy a sin?

    Bands/ Artists discussed:

    Steve Taylor

    Documentary: Shiny Happy People, about the Duggar family and their involvement with Bill Gothard's Institute for Basic Life Principals.

    Video: Lifeboat - Steve Taylor, in which Steve dresses up as an old woman and gets murdered by her students.

    God Gave Rock & Roll To You is a podcast exploring the Christian rock subculture of the late 20th century, hosted by Matt Beaton with co-hosts Doug Dickens and Tony Hormillosa.

    We are friends who each grew up in a distinct version of this world, and we want to discuss what it was, where it came from, and what it turned into. We’ll be taking many side roads along the way, while listening to some of the best (and worst) music of the era..

    Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    You can submit questions or comments for the hosts at godgaverockmail@gmail.com.

    Show and host information can be found on our website:
    https://godgaverock.buzzsprout.com

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
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