Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.So is it valid to become a heavy metal band to save the heavy metal fans?
Vaughan Gregory is a member of East Fremantle Baptist Church in Western Australia. He is young, committed and involved in out-reach programs. He is also a guitarist and vocalist for Christian metal band, Grave Forsaken. He featured in a recent story about this very issue in the Southern Cross Newsletter and can now be found on the Sydneyanglican.net website.
It also brings up another question that could bring varied responses. Can you really be Christian and be into Heavy Metal or be in a Metal band? I don’t know since hearing 1 Cor 9:19-22, I just never liked the genre (although a lot of Metal bands have really good drummers). I only know of one person that is interested in pretty heavy music and he seems legit to me in regards to his faith.
Just go and google for Christian Heavy Metal and I bet you’ll be surprised by the amount of websites out their on this somewhat unlikely merging of words.
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I'm going to have to lend you some of my Stryper CDs now, aren't I!
Interesting blog! I am interested as to who the "one" Christian person you know who is into heavy metal is?? I can already think of at least 2 people you know who like Christian metal!!
I think you definitely can be a Christian and be into Heavy Metal. You're gonna have to come along to Blackstump with us one year for a seriously different view of the world - including Christian metal - body painting & piercings included!! I think you can be almost anything and be a Christian and God puts his people into all different kinds of vocations for the sake of the gospel.
PS. I have some wonderful Christian metal albums next time you need something new to listen to! And I should also point out that "metal" is not all GRRR, GGRRRR, angry unrecognisable vocal music either - there are plenty of different kinds of metal (eg. thrash, goth, speed, black, death, 80's, progressive, hair, etc).
Heavy metal music does convey certain attitudes of anger, death, and destruction in both the lyrics and the music itself. 'Christianising' the lyrics does not change the music. I think Christians should avoid heavy metal music as it is not helpful. I understand some may say that not liking heavy metal music is a subjective matter of taste, but I think my view is an objective observation. I think so called ‘Christian’ heavy metal bands are doing a disservice to Christians.
People receive the Christian message is various ways, using different types of media. While Christian heavy metal music does not offer you anything, who's to say that it doesn't/hasn't/can't offer someone else salvation?
How can anyone provide such narrow minded 'objective observation' on an issue such as this?
(sigh) Well I can't help but think I'm being baited here - but for once I choose to bite...
True, mainstream heavy metal is often synonymous with anger, hatred & violence - but no more so than mainstream pop music is synonymous with sexual promiscuity, lust & scantily dressed women or mainstream techno/trance is synonymous with rave parties (orgies?), over-indulgence of alcohol & over-dosing on illicit drugs. Is any one of these really a better/worse image than the others? I doubt it. And yet for some reason it is heavy metal which raises the eye-brows the most in Christian circles. The Christian music market of the US (which is predominantly "pop") is estimated to be larger than the entire Australian music industry - so clearly there is a broad ranging acceptance that Christian pop music is OK. So if one style is acceptable - even though the mainstream equivalent has such a questionable image - why should any other style come under the spotlight for such harsh criticm?
A few decades ago the Christian music scene was changed forever with the release of Larry Norman's album "Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?". Larry's album (though extremely tame by today's standards) was effectively the birth of mainstream Christian Rock. However he completely divided the church at the time between those who agreed with him that Christians could listen to any type of music vs those who wanted to burn him at the stake for being a heretic! (For the record if anyone has some pre-Larry Christian records I recommend you spin them up on the turntable and cringe indefinitely). Fortuntaely the bible advises us to make a "joyful" noise onto the Lord (lots of Psalms). I suspect that "joyful" is in the ear of the beholder, no doubt God accepts any type of music that is genuinely dedicated to Him. Furthermore a number of Psalms request praises for God with "LOUD" instruments (eg. the cymbals in Psalm 150) - there is no doubt that Christian Metal has got that part right!!
In this day & age Christian music has infiltrated the entire music market - regardless of genre. I mentioned in my previous post the Blackstump Christian Music & Arts Festival (Oct long-weekend every year at Cataract Park) which is a wonderful opporuntity to experience Christian music of all genres. There are many bands there full of passion for music, and more importantly passion for sharing the message of Christ through music, and they clearly understand what Paul meant to be "all things to all men for the sake of the gospel". You could ask if I have ever seen anyone saved through Christian Metal? The anwer is yes! This particular person was a hardcore metal-fan and I believe the best way to share faith with anyone is to meet them just where they are at (like Jesus did on countless occasions) and in this person case, Metal was where he was at. And through Christian Metal is where he found Jesus.
In terms of whether Christians should be listening to mainstream metal (or any type of mainstream music for that matter?), that is an interesting question. I personally don't have an issue with Christians listening to mainstream music which could be considered to have un-Godly themes (eg. sex, lust, hate, etc) - the bible does of course require us to be "in the world" and have an understanding of the people around us, however I draw the line at music that is clearly anti-God (eg. Satanic Metal) because I believe that would be too far down the path of being "of the world". This is obviously a fine-line and I think it is something that an individual should work out between themselves and God. I think if you dwell on Romans about food offered to idols and other stumbling blocks and pray about it then God can assist here. I have certainly done so and have made decisions about the music I do (and don't) listen to accordingly. For me that distinction is made between what is un-Godly and what is anti-Godly, although for other people that distinction may be made quite differently - the important thing is that you work that out between yourself and God and then having determined your own 'boundaries' do not use your own "freedom", which is available through Christ, as a stumbling block to anyone else.
Cheers,
Nathan A
PS. Danny perhaps you can give us a bit of a quick review on the last Christian metal band you caught live???
A couple of things:
1. Nathan - thanks for the history lesson on Christian heavy metal, it was an interesting read. It's obvious that you know a lot about it and feel strongly about the genre's legitimacy. Also, thanks for taking the bait, and biting hard.
2. Whoever 'Anonymous' is this time, I am all for conflicting opinions leading to healthy discussion. But I feel it is a big cop out, and quite frankly a little gutless, to have a go at someone's opinion without putting your name to it.
Tim, ease up on being anonymous, it's good to welcome all views, and discuss.
Anonymous, how does it help to identify my view as 'narrow minded'? I could also say that your mind was so open such that any number of eroneous ideas are capable of getting inside, but that would not advance the debate. One person's 'narrow minded' is another person's 'carefully considered opinion'. In order to argue, you must address the issue, not the width of the mind of the person making the argument. Is it not entirely reasonable that someone could have thought through something and come to a different conclusion than yourself?
I did offer an observation that heavy metal music conveyed certain attitudes of anger, death and destruction. Would you disagree? Would you claim that heavy metal music encourages feelings of contentment, peace, and a celebration of life?
I presume that 'Christian' heavy metal music would be trying to reach those who were already involved with secular heavy metal music? Surely there would be other ways of reaching these people. When they hear 'Christian' metal, are they meant to be inspired by someone speaking different lyrics to a style a music they like?
Nathan, just because there is broad ranging acceptance of a certain style of music, it doesn't mean it is helpful for a Christian to listen to it. I still think the style of the music itself conveys bad attitudes.
Danny – the use of the words “narrow minded” was simply to reflect that your comment was your opinion based on your research and experience with heavy Christian rock. I didn’t agree with the fact that you called your opinion an ‘objective observation’ as it your opinion is, by very nature, subjective. (My comment was just my subjective opinion on your wording – I wasn’t trying to be offensive, I just thought you were providing all encompassing conclusion without allowing others to provide an opinion. My apologies if you felt I was offensive.)
Based on my research and experience with heavy Christian rock, I have to say that this music does target a certain demographic. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I have not see any evidence of how heavy Christian rock has been a disservice to Christianity. Perhaps you could provide some evidence?
In answer to your other questions:
• ANGER vs PEACE: I would not deny that some heavy rock may convey certain attitudes of death & destruction, but it is in the ear of the hearer. Whacking drums with high intensity may sound like a noise to some, but sweet harmony to another. For me, it comes down to interpretation of the music. I do enjoy some heavy rock, but others are just painful. (Just a side thought, if a heavy Christian rock band were singing about sections of Revelation, the death & destruction attitude may be appropriate!?!)
• REACHING THE UNREACHABLE: What happens if the only exposure that rockers have to Christianity is heavy Christian rock, would you deny these people the opportunity to hear and respond about God? What’s wrong with being inspired by someone else’s lyrics? Yes, there is a definite need for follow up, but having that first connection is so important. Having a relationship with God needs to start somewhere.
Below are a few quotes from bands that would fall into the “Heavy Christian Rock” category. It may provide some insight into why they do the things they do.
Beanbag - "In terms of what we are, I think one of the best things about this band is that we are very honest with our music and our lyrics and the way we portray ourselves," said Hunz. "And that's something that a lot of teenagers relate to, the honesty they see with what we present. “
http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/beanbag.html
Earthsuit - "Christianity's role in modern society should be like a lighthouse. But too often the church has come across as judgmental, more like a courthouse. Our real calling is just to be salt and light, to show the world the truth. As a band, that's what we want to be about—just jumping right into the middle of everything and shining the light of truth where the world can see it." —Adam LaClave, Earthsuit http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/earthsuit.html
POD – “Music is our voice. On this record we never let go of that because it's the cornerstone of who we are as people. It just comes down to the love we have in our hearts to make music." http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/pod.html
Anonymous, my apologies for the late reply, I have been away for a week on holidays.
In no way did I feel offended by your use of 'narrow minded'. It is just that you seemed to be putting it forward as an argument as to why my view was incorrect. Take my words as a clinical attack on your argument, not you.
Regarding the objectivity of my observation, I am not an expert in the research in this area, but this is a blog, not a peer reviewed journal. I do not like the music, that much is subjective. Nevertheless, through my life I have met many people, some who are into heavy metal. I have found that the music does seem to be associated with a life that is angry. I would speculate that the music may be comforting to them because it reflects the anger present in there own life, much like anyone might listen to a sad song if they are sad, or an upbeat song if they are happy, or a love song if they are in love.
Again, I say the music itself (without lyrics) conveys attitudes of anger, death and destruction. Secular heavy metal musicians use that style of music because it compliments their message, that is one of anger, death and destruction. Changing the lyrics does not change the message of the music. 'Christian' heavy metal is sending a mixed message. Anger is not what the Christian life is about.
I have no doubt that God can use any situation to bring salvation. A person could be convicted of sin while feeding pods to the pigs (Luke 15:11-32), or while dividing the spoils from a robbery, or while visiting a prostitute. But this doesn't mean that Christians should bring on these situations. God can use all situations. Again, the use of 'Christian' heavy metal music is not the only way to reach people interested in secular heavy metal, it doesn't have to be involved at all. Are you suggesting that God will only choose to save a heavy metal fan if we present them with some 'Christian' heavy metal music?
I feel I may be joining the debate a bit late, but I too had to take the bait.
So are we all meant to act Tim Hughes-esque, as if everything is lovey dovey and I never feel anger, sadness, disappointment and other negative feelings? I am in awe of your ability to remain so uplifted, Danny. Sure, heavy metal might convey attitudes of death and distruction, but why is that bad? is the bible not one of the most deathly/destructive books you've read in your time? i agree that satanic metal is not the way to go but i don't see anywhere in the bible that claims pansy-pop (sorry, author's personal opinion) as God's style of music. if anything, we should be cracking out a lute and rocking out (King) David style.
It's only natural to feel negative in a sinful world. There are some psalms that are great examples of god's people feeling negative and even going so far as asking god to strike not only the offending person down, but following generations. I personally cannot survive in this world without having some sort of negative feeling. The fact is that if we have those feelings, we should consult God to be uplifted. heavy metal may be one way for people to do that. what may sound negative to you may be uplifting to another. it's all very personal. don't make me break out my music-emotions study!
Kate
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