Jesus Culture – Rooftops

In 1999, Bethel Church started a conference entitled “Jesus Culture” that grew into an entire ministry, led by youth pastor Banning Liebscher.  It grew into a nationwide event, spawning its own label and albums, mixing cover songs with original music.  Today, they are an international phenomenon, known as one of the most influential Christian youth movements around the globe.

Their album Come Away is recorded live from the Jesus Culture Encounter Conference held in Redding, California.  Said Liebscher during release,

Our prayer is that this album will be more than just another release from the Jesus Culture Band, but it will release a sound that will capture the hearts of a generation who are looking for something more.

Requested for review is Jesus Culture’s hit song Rooftops. Though nowhere to be found on Billboard, as of this writing, is worshipped in congregations today.  At least, this is true within my own local congregation which will remain unnamed.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

It is a demonstration of progressive worship, starting with speaking the truth about Jesus (His perfect grace to be specific) and transitioning into song, shouting from the rooftops, lifting hands, kneeling, and standing back up, with outstretched arms.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All of it lines up with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission;* however, I broke up several lines for more precise analysis.  To view each line in its original format, see https://genius.com/Jesus-culture-rooftops-lyrics.

[Verse 1]

Here I am before You,

Because God is everywhere (1 Kings 8:27, Psalm 139:7-12, Proverbs 15:3, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Colossians 1:17, and Hebrews 4:13).

falling in love

That is, an increasingly stronger desire to be with God.  The Scriptures riddled with passages that describe a longing and intense desire for God and His ways, including Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1, Psalm 73:25, Psalm 119:20, Psalm 119:81, Psalm 143:6, Isaiah 26:9, Amos 8:11, John 4:13-14, John 6:35, John 7:37, Revelation 21:6, and Revelation 22:17.  Water is often a metaphor for our devotion to God.

and seeking Your truth

That is, to seek Jesus, who is the Truth (John 14:6) and testifies to the truth (John 1:14, John 1:17, and John 18:37) that we must seek out and know (Psalm 25:5, John 4:24 and John 8:31-32).  We ought to handle the word of truth which much care (2 Timothy 2:15), as directed by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

Knowing that Your perfect grace

Though the phrase “perfect grace” is not explicitly stated in Scripture, it is nonetheless true.  God’s grace is indeed perfect because God and His ways are perfect (Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Deuteronomy 32:4, 2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 25:8, Psalm 92:15, Isaiah 26:7, Matthew 5:48, Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19, Romans 12:1-2, and 1 Peter 1:16).

has brought me to this place

Refers to the context by which Jesus Culture finds themselves in due to the grace of God.  This is unspecified; however, can become applicable to the present situation one might find themselves, by the grace of God.

Because of You I freely live,

That is, eternal life due to Christ’s sacrifice (Leviticus 17:11, Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).  Also, see Acts 17:28.

my life to You, oh God, I give

The second half of line 3 compliments prior statements, transitioning from freedom in Christ to complete and total surrender to God (Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

So I stand before You, God

See line 1a, above.

I lift my voice cause You set me free

Because God set Jesus Culture free, they can praise and worship God through their voices in song.  We can share the same attitude. Though there are many Bible passages referencing praise to God, Psalm 145-150 are the most comprehensive.  This line is the first instance of response to God through action.

[Chorus 1]

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

Referencing Matthew 10:27 and Luke 12:3, Jesus Culture proclaims unapologetically and with much boldness that they belong to Jesus, confessing Him to all men (Matthew 10:32 and Luke 12:8) calling others to join them.

[Verse 2]

All the good You’ve done for me, I lift up my hands for all to see

Continuing in their proclamation and praise, Jesus Culture acknowledges God’s goodness (Mark 10:18 and Luke 18:19) and displays an outward expression of inner-gratitude through worship, much like Aaron (Leviticus 9:22), Moses (Deuteronomy 32:40), David (Psalm 28:2, Psalm 63:4, and Psalm 141:2), Solomon (1 Kings 8:22 and 1 Kings 8:54), and other Israelites (Ezra 9:5, Nehemiah 8:6, Psalm 119:48, Psalm 134:2, Lamentations 2:19, and Lamentations 3:41).

You’re the only one who brings me to my knees

That is, to humble ourselves (1 Peter 5:6-10, James 4:7-10, Philippians 2:5-8, and 1 Peter 5:6).

To share this love across the earth, the beauty of Your holy worth

See Chorus 1, line 1.

So I kneel before You, God

See line 2, above.  Jesus culture increasingly progresses in devotion to a kneeling position.

I lift my hands cause You set me free

See line 1, above.  Also, see Verse 1, final line.  Within the kneeling position, Jesus Culture displays deep adoration to God in their posture with hands lifted in worship.

[Chorus 2]

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

Repeat from Chorus 1.

All that I am, I place into Your loving hands

Firm and established in their faith, Jesus Culture puts their trust in Jesus (1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 1:24, Ephesians 6:11, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:1, Colossians 1:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 10:23, and 1 Peter 5:9).

And I am Yours, I am Yours

Repeats Chorus 1, line 2.

[Bridge]

Here I am, I stand, with arms wide open
To the One, the Son, the Everlasting God

Jesus Culture has now stood up, in joyful praise with their arms stretched out towards Jesus, who in essence (though not in form) has always existed (John 8:58, Colossians 1:13-17, and Hebrews 13:8).  He is the recipient of exaltation throughout this entire song.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

It will be immediately apparent that Christ followers worship God; however, outsiders may not realize that such devotion is to Jesus without further research, a minor point.  Perhaps it will pique their curiosity and invite questions.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

With the bulk of the lyrics characterizing deep adoration to Jesus, it obviously and immediately brings God glory.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Jesus Culture describes in precise detail their worship of Jesus, proclaiming from the rooftops their allegiance and identity in Christ.  Glorifying God, they describe His grace and eternality.  My only quibble is that unbelievers may not understand that the “Son” refers to Jesus; however, they will understand that God is the recipient of worship.

Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Rooftops (listen to the song)

Artist: Jesus Culture

Album: Come Away (live)

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2010

Duration: 7:51

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2010 Tunes of Jesus Culture (SESAC) Jesus Culture Music (ASCAP) Capitol CMG Genesis (ASCAP) Capitol CMG Amplifier (SESAC) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/31/2022 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Jesus Culture’s theology.

03/24/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.