“One Punk Under God,” a new six-part documentary series on the Sundance Channel, follows Jay Bakker, son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Like his dad, Jay is a man of God, though that’s where the similarities end. Jay is covered in tattoos, supports homosexual rights, and loves Social Distortion. His church, Revolution, is more like a punk rock band than a religion –- relying heavily on grassroots support to get their message out and conducting sermons from a rock club stage not a pulpit.

Surprisingly, punk rock and religion go together better than you might expect. Bakker isn’t a zealot, and he embodies the spirit of a musician more than preacher. He doesn’t come off as judgmental or hypocritical, but rather, well-spoken, intelligent and passionate. His sermons are more like Henry Rollins spoken word performances than gospel, and his congregation looks more like AFI than the PTL.

Not exactly the byproduct of a normal family, Bakker succeeds in coming across as down to Earth and likable. After battling drugs as a teenager, Jay found solace in punk rock and started a church with similar sensibilities — a place for those who felt betrayed by religion, much like he had after his father’s very public scandals.

During the first few episodes of the series, we learn that Jay’s mother is battling her fourth round of cancer, and that relations with his father, who is now re-married and living in Branson, Missouri, are strained. But Bakker takes it all in stride — even the news that his wife has just been accepted to NYU medical school and which could mean leaving Atlanta for the skyscrapers of the Big Apple.

The series works well because Bakker’s personal beliefs are inclusive not exclusive, and because the episodes are never overly religious. The series is more intent on portraying drama than saving your soul. Because of this, the show will likely appeal more to fans of punk rock than Jesus, though up-and-coming bands could no doubt learn a thing or two from the passion and dedication of Bakker’s grassroots approach. If MxPx are a punk band who believe in the power of Christianity, perhaps Jay Bakker represents the other side –- a Christian who believes in the power of punk rock.

The series airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on the Sundance Channel. See a clip here, here and here.

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