|
Post by SLAVE_HEART on Dec 3, 2018 13:36:39 GMT -6
Christian Extreme Metal, Goth, Etc. and spiritual warfare;
I have read books from people like John Ramirez of Cornerstone church of David Wilkerson, and others who study everything from cult knowledge to catholic demonology and most believe the church is on a retreat of the war against witchcraft, magick and the devil and the realm of the demonic. I would agree.
Yet, one of the main themes of Extreme Christian Metal is the "dark age warrior" mentality of aggression to the devil, world and flesh. Where many Christians 'tolerate" or accept, we push through the front lines with aggression against the enemy.
I will put it in an analogy. In recruiting an army of justice vs. outlaws, they would report to the commander and say "we have eighty boys, and twenty fighting men". Though there is no cause greater than fighting for the cause of truth, justice, etc. There are those who trained themselves for battle, armed fully.
I'm not saying there aren't other people who are trained fully, I'm just pointing out that extreme christian metal is aggressively about the field of battle.
If a demon were to throw down against the band ANTI-DEMON in manifestation, we would see it's impaled head on a cd on their next album, and maybe it's entrails stuffed down it's throat.
While most christian music praises God in worship of exaltation, Christian Extreme Metal also focuses on praising God in the midst of Battle.
If you live in hell mentally, and the brutal grinding sound is pulsing forth in riffs and you hear the battle roar, the war cry, your zoned out.
Extreme Christian Metal focuses on killing the devil, world and flesh and as to quote from braveheart;
Singing our outlawed tunes on our outlawed pipes.
"WE ARE THE BROTHER/SISTERHOOD OF WAR AND ARE A FAMILY OF BLOOD"
And we bleed our all for this world, that's why we call it family.
Kill Devil, Hail Jesus!
|
|
|
Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 3, 2018 14:53:43 GMT -6
[facepalm1]
Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is MINE sayeth the Lord. Romans 12:18-19 - You should live in peace with everyone. Do not take vengeance into your own hands, leave righteous anger to God because it is written, "Vengeance is MINE" sayeth the Lord.
Sorry to drop it like its hot bro, but making Christian metal about blood, battle and gore is just flat out going against scripture. In my opinion, its UN-CHRISTIAN behavior. Christ said vengeance is His, so it just seems like a heaping pile of pride/ego/a-psychotic-lust-for-violence that a Christian would be eager to take that "battle" from our Savior, into their own hands.
Also, Christian metal isn't war. Its entertainment. There aren't any Christian metal folks out there plunging steel into demons or demon worshipers. If they talk about that, then their lyrics are fiction. If a Christian band has the opportunity to share about Christ in their jams, but instead talks about personal vengeance against evil, then they have been corrupted and fooled.
Period.
|
|
|
Post by _ on Dec 3, 2018 15:21:51 GMT -6
This seems like a great topic and conversation thus far. I might post more later but probably not (<--none of these words are sarcastic). I say, at least simplistically, I fall in between the beliefs about which your posts seem to speak. I think there is a spiritual realm through which evil forces can exert their will, to an extent, against humankind. In that sense, I try to fight for holiness in my life, to fight against my flesh (as well as the world and Satan's INFLUENCE on my flesh -- that effect is much easier for me to understand than a separate and distinct "entity/force", so to speak, of the world and Satan). To equip myself for this fight, I get to know who God is, I get to know who I am as a son of God, I try to build skills that can be used towards this purpose (e.g., self-control and other fruits of the Spirit, logic thinking and other human capacities, therapy and other sociological/scientific assists); as I do these things, I often, though certainly not always, will use extreme Christian metal as inspiration, much like I might use Lord of the Rings as encouragement to press on, or other motivations in life (e.g., love for my family). Welp, my ~20min of sleep last night does not leave me fit to continue this coherently or conclude in any similar manner. *smirks, snaps and points finger gun at the reader*
|
|
|
Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 3, 2018 17:21:08 GMT -6
I think there is a spiritual realm through which evil forces can exert their will, to an extent, against humankind. In that sense, I try to fight for holiness in my life I see this type of "fighting" as a good thing. Fighting for what's right, what's holy, is like fighting cancer. ...but this "fighting" doesn't include actual violence or words of violence. Its resisting, standing against evil. To me, violence and words of violence is the line I'm referring to. A line clearly drawn in scripture, and Christ's teachings. Extreme Christian Metal focuses on killing the devil, world and flesh Being an "aggressive army" "training for battle" out to "kill the devil, world and flesh" is not what Christ called us to do, literally. At all. If its exaggerated metal \m/ vernacular meaning to be interpreted as a non-violent standing up for what's right, then let me just say.... "Crushing the earth beneath my feet as I ripped open the vault to plunder the gifts that wise oracles sent from afar" is just as ridiculously grandiose a way to describe "I got the mail", as "kill the devil" is to "standing for holiness". Christians are about as well equipped to kill demons, as a toddler with a bubble toy is as equipped to mow the yard. We can't just walk up to a demon and shank them. So what's that leave - kill the world. Does this mean killing people and vandalizing organizations? It just sounds like vandals pillaging in the name of the Lord to me - all that's missing from the list is rape. Here's the irony about "killing the flesh". Wrath is a "deadly sin" because the flesh cries out for anger, violence and aggression. Violent behavior toward or violent words to the flesh, is also feeding it. Anyone who's truly aware will FEEL IT - I say this because I've been there, years ago. "Kill the flesh" is as close of a self-contradiction as "kill the violence", which literally (truthfully) makes about as much sense as hitting someone's head with a hammer to get their head to stop hurting. Welp, my ~20min of sleep last night does not leave me fit to continue this coherently or conclude in any similar manner. *smirks, snaps and points finger gun at the reader* Oh no buddy. I hope you sleep better tonight.
|
|
|
Post by _ on Dec 3, 2018 17:43:10 GMT -6
hitting someone's head with a hammer to get their head to stop hurting which is what people with trigeminal neuralgia do, as I have heard. it's like one of the most painful medical conditions ever, i believe yeah, feel you. i think the line should be very clear when -- well, let's just stick with myself, when I use expressive language in a context of violence. hmm. *thinking* ... So I have lots of problems but thank the Lord, genuinely and greatly, that thus far, violence is not even close to being one. I mean, actual violence is truly the antithesis of my disposition. So, that paired with my propensity towards and enjoyment of abstract/symbolic/poetic language, using a violent vernacular in a strictly spiritual sense works for me, if it is even called for in the first place. Hmm, lyrics might work well in this thread, as well as relevant interviews with artists (I vaguely recall Frost Like Ashes being exceedingly into spiritual battle at their shows...). But yeah, lyrics of violence/hatred/whatever, even in the name of othering unholiness from holiness, toward the world, i.e. REAL PEOPLE, is misplaced in the example contexts I can think of off the top of my head. Now SLAVE_HEART I believe, and please correct me if I am misrecalling or misinterpreting, you writing in a thread on one of your albums that Satan is often in your head, given your health/illness circumstances, and it is an relentless effort to keep that voice away. That is something that I cannot speak on because I have not experienced that and, if I had, perhaps I would see things differently.
|
|
|
Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 3, 2018 18:07:46 GMT -6
using a violent vernacular in a strictly spiritual sense works for me I see what your saying bro - you're appreciating the artistic creativity of the presentation. ...but if I'm not mistaken, you're also not seeing it as being literal dialogue? There are situations I could think of where "killing demon" lyrics would be enjoyable to me - if its CLEARLY tongue-in-cheek or shock humor. As strange as it is to say, the more over the top those types of lyrics would be, the more I'd probably enjoy them. A SERIOUS and LITERAL call to arms ala "we Christians need to go out there and kill" I find to be quite disturbing though....
|
|
|
Post by _ on Dec 3, 2018 19:01:41 GMT -6
Yeah. At some point one's theology would probably become relevant. As far as I recall from the Word, "killing demons" is not a thing as it is incongruent with the nature of demons. But where theology would be more helpful is if one believes Christians today can cast out demons as they did back in the day ('cast' being different than 'kill'). Even if yes, that's a whole thing and probably not best done generally via metal music -- I would imagine such an encounter would be specific to a circumstance, etc. But at THIS point, I am starting to talk pretty far away from my understanding and perhaps far from the original mark set my the OP.
|
|
|
Post by nocturnaliridescence on Dec 3, 2018 20:17:21 GMT -6
Also, Christian metal isn't war. Its entertainment. I don't view most Christian metal as entertainment. Some of it is is, sure: medieval fantasy stuff like Slechtvalk, A Hill to Die Upon, etc, but the majority of it, no. Then again, I never viewed secular metal as entertainment, either. Most of the music I've liked in my life has been a reflection of my lifestyle. In the past when my beliefs were more esoteric, I still listened to a large variety of things, but always favored things made by reclusive people with weird beliefs. There was a project based on communications someone had with a demon. I can't remember the name (not that I'd list it anyway) but that was the kind of thing that interested me, because it "helped" me on my spiritual journey. It was an extension of my research, plus it was an escape for me when I wanted to withdraw from the rest of the world. (Although it goes without saying, the "help" that past music provided me was false, like all of the devil's deceptions in our lives.) The reason I listen [almost exclusively] to Christian music now isn't just because I agree with it, but because it aids me on my new faith journey. It's one way that I worship; it's one way that I pray; it's one way I receive God's word; it's my message to all the evil beings that misled me in the past. We don't fight with weapons, or even with fists, no. But it's war nonetheless. We fight with intellect and spirit. I wrote some very extreme lyrics on War EP, but of course, they weren't written out of a desire for literal physical war either. Do I think people will be converted because of lyrics like that? Yes, actually. Some of the Christian music that inspired me the most, was the most vicious. Music that portrayed the strength of Christians, as opposed to the goody-goody weaklings we are often portrayed as. When I listen to things like this, from Wintersoul: "Upon the hills I see legions marching on under inspired command against the evil throne. Moonshine reflects on swords. Starlit shields glisten throughout the darkness. The enemy's blood will fall to the ground. The sound of war will break the silence", I don't feel entertained. I feel strengthened. This is how I view most things in life. Christians are about as well equipped to kill demons, as a toddler with a bubble toy is as equipped to mow the yard. We can't just walk up to a demon and shank them. Note about this: we can't literally kill demons, but we do have power over them. "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20. The problem is probably that too many Christians focus on the "spirits are subject to you" part. It never hurts to point out, for sure -- in the past, I felt powerless over the evil spiritual forces in our world. It was really powerful for me to see people denouncing them so boldly. But it's important for us not to let it go to our heads, which some of the people you're talking about are probably guilty of doing.
|
|
|
Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 3, 2018 21:32:35 GMT -6
I don't view most Christian metal as entertainment. Some of it is is, sure: medieval fantasy stuff like Slechtvalk, A Hill to Die Upon, etc, but the majority of it, no. Then again, I never viewed secular metal as entertainment, either. Most of the music I've liked in my life has been a reflection of my lifestyle. For the sake of clarity, I'd like to say that I consider "Christian metal is entertainment." to be a different statement than "Christian metal is just entertainment." Of course it is more than just an amusing thing. But the platform and medium is for enjoyment purposes. I recognize the influence of music, but... There's a spectrum. One man's "music defines who I am" is another man's "the inanimate sounds are fun". I wouldn't say being on either end or in the middle of said spectrum is inherently wrong. I guess something right or wrong would be if something else happens from that.. . I wrote some very extreme lyrics on War EP, but of course, they weren't written out of a desire for literal physical war either. Note about this: we can't literally kill demons, but we do have power over them. My concern of this whole matter is violence and words of violence, as the delivery approach in Christian metal. I would not consider those Windersoul lyrics to be even remotely violent. The destruction of evil, onward Christian soldiers, battle, war, death - can all be discussed in a non violent manner. Violence, and talk of it, wrapped in a Christian cloak, sends my spidey senses a tingling...
|
|
|
Post by barabbas on Dec 3, 2018 22:45:00 GMT -6
The destruction of evil, onward Christian soldiers, battle, war, death - can all be discussed in a non violent manner. Violence, and talk of it, wrapped in a Christian cloak, sends my spidey senses a tingling... This is the part I had a question about. I guess I'm wondering about how you see these things as being compatible. When Paul tells us to take up the armor of God, including the sword of the Spirit, what is a non-violent use of a sword and armor? Are those just metaphors? Is it just violence against people (and demons apparently) with which you take issue? This passage from II Cor. 10:4-6 seems to include violent/battle imagery (destroy, take captive, punish), but not directed at humans: [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. [5] We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, [6] being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. (ESV) Perhaps a human couldn't kill a demon, but there have been accounts in history of humans having physical altercations with them (For an example, see page 147 of this book). I'm not taking sides in this debate, I'm just wondering and seeking clarification.
|
|
|
Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 4, 2018 9:51:13 GMT -6
This is the part I had a question about. I guess I'm wondering about how you see these things as being compatible. When Paul tells us to take up the armor of God, including the sword of the Spirit, what is a non-violent use of a sword and armor? Are those just metaphors? Is it just violence against people (and demons apparently) with which you take issue? When I'm referring to violence and words of violence, I'm talking about actual physical violence in an aggressive manner/tone. Paul mentions the sword of the spirit being the word of God in Ephesians 6:17. It is a metaphorical sword. If someone wrote lyrics to take said sword and disembowel demons and decapitate sinners with it, that would be words of aggressive physical violence.
|
|
|
Post by Borndead on Dec 4, 2018 9:52:43 GMT -6
Maybe not, but I think this might be relevant Psalm 144Also this thing about killing the devil & fighting demons..we´re definitely nothing to these creatures, the only reason we have a chance against them is God. Not even the Archangel Michael can kill the devil without God's help. I think we all should calm down & stay humble but if God calls us to fight (be it physical in this or against evil in the spiritual world, we definitely should answer).. n either case charging into conclusions and declaring war; without preparation, without the necessary tools/knowledge can have serious consequences. I´m not sure if I make any sense here, but regarding a war against spiritual forces I rather go to God and let Him fight, because I kinda feel like Job in this (I just don´t have the necessary knowledge). Just my 2cents ^__^
|
|
|
Post by barabbas on Dec 4, 2018 10:16:42 GMT -6
Paul mentions the sword of the spirit being the word of God in Ephesians 6:17. It is a metaphorical sword. If someone wrote lyrics to take said sword and disembowel demons and decapitate sinners with it, that would be words of aggressive physical violence. Why couldn't that language then also be metaphorical? Slaying evildoers and slaying demons could be effective metaphors for appealing to God's justice and destroying things to which one is in spiritual bondage, respectively. (Not trying to be difficult, just curious. These things don't always come across on forum posts.)
|
|
|
Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 4, 2018 14:51:33 GMT -6
Why couldn't that language then also be metaphorical? Slaying evildoers and slaying demons could be effective metaphors for appealing to God's justice and destroying things to which one is in spiritual bondage, respectively. (Not trying to be difficult, just curious. These things don't always come across on forum posts.) What's the different between a believer and a non-believer? The belief. What can make a nonbeliever into a believer? The belief. Talking about KILLING or TORTURING or INFLICTING VIOLENCE to a person who is one belief away from being one of us, I see (at a bare minimum) as a hugely disrespectful and a tacky AF thing to say. This also goes back to my first post in this thread. Vengeance is the Lord's. Discussion about God violently destroying evil - I have no issue with whatsoever, and that is not what I've been talking about at all. Its the thought of Christians (who are people) alluding-to/recommending/fantasizing-about violence on other people that is quite unsettling to me. I still see problems with even metaphorical Christian-on-nonChristian violence because 1) that's making vengeance ours, not the Lord's and 2) violence is a slippery slope. I think a Christian message expressed using (for example) sexually explicit metaphors would very much distract from the point, and I absolutely consider lyrics discussing person-on-person violence to being of the same caliber.
|
|
|
Post by nocturnaliridescence on Dec 4, 2018 16:00:16 GMT -6
Its the thought of Christians (who are people) alluding-to/recommending/fantasizing-about violence on other people that is quite unsettling to me. I had a thought that I think would help this discussion a fair bit: Could you give an example of the kind of lyrics you're talking about?
|
|
|
Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 4, 2018 17:48:56 GMT -6
Ok - here's a lyric example. Guarded by blood Supremacy, we slaughter and kill Waging war with demons "Decend, to the gates of hell!" Blood soaked blade A will of iron I cannot die My strength in weakness Wheeping and gnashing of teeth As my blade rips through their flesh
River of gore Warfare, knee deep in blood Inferior legions must bow Before our king Unblack hordes Merciless onslaught Crushing their rebellion Destroying the weak Forces of satan Fall To ruin Victorious death march We trample the serpents head
Blood, War, Supremacy
Flash of my blade None will escape Holy might Demonic filth slaughtered Eradicated by His will Blood soaked blade A will of iron I cannot die My strength in weakness Wheeping and gnashing of teeth As my blade rips through their flesh
Lucifer Impaled ~ Blood, War, Supremacy
You may point out that "their rebellion" and "inferior legions" are not people, but that honestly doesn't change much of the overall point of the song for me. This probably won't make one bit of difference to say, but I've struggled with violence in the past. I mean, I didn't get a felony aggravated battery and a handful of other battery charges over a decade ago for the lawls. Seeing "my struggle" embedded in lyrics that are supposed to be "safe" for Christians, sorry, but nothing you guys can say to make me any less uneasy about it. Bottom line, if you bros like these types of lyrics, enjoy them. To me, I'm not getting anything "Christian" out of it, because by the time I've waded through the artist's rage and bloodlust looking for something, I'm spent. It would be a billion times easier for me to enjoy this if I filed it under fiction like I do with secular metal. Speaking of spent, I'm done talking about this, and I'm done in this thread. If it gets sordid in here, this thread will be locked or destroyed. Good day,
|
|
|
Post by _ on Dec 4, 2018 18:58:21 GMT -6
*swoops in to shamelessly plug my fav rapper Sevin and a great Christian song about struggling with violence* theblackestlight.freeforums.net/post/21000"They don't know what it feels like to kill right Or be afraid everyday Cuz you still might You ever hunted for a human Like the hunger games? Because the beast that you unleashed Is feeling hunger pains?" Also while I'm here being more or less off-topic from the exact discussion, I'll submit that unless super substantiated otherwise or clearly in a clear theological lyric, I do not trust the word "supremacy" in the metal songs, especially those with violent lyrics. So far I have found a grand total of zero bands (I'm kidding, one -- I think it was jazzhead who posted about that Australian instrumental metal band about Aboriginal rights?) that fight against racism, and there are plenty that are quite racist ... so with such a close connotation of the word "supremacy" with 'white supremacy' .... I'm not with it, especially in lyrics which position the word as a means to kill.
|
|
|
Post by avjr on Dec 4, 2018 21:50:10 GMT -6
Everyone in this thread made interesting points. I went through my “Edgy/Rebel Christian” phase years ago, and I grown out of it. I can see why a lot of Christian Metalheads think like this. I might not agree with everyone fully, but I respect everyone’s views. You guys are awesome!
|
|
|
Post by barabbas on Dec 4, 2018 23:43:44 GMT -6
You may point out that "their rebellion" and "inferior legions" are not people, but that honestly doesn't change much of the overall point of the song for me. This probably won't make one bit of difference to say, but I've struggled with violence in the past. I mean, I didn't get a felony aggravated battery and a handful of other battery charges over a decade ago for the lawls. Seeing "my struggle" embedded in lyrics that are supposed to be "safe" for Christians, sorry, but nothing you guys can say to make me any less uneasy about it. Bottom line, if you bros like these types of lyrics, enjoy them. To me, I'm not getting anything "Christian" out of it, because by the time I've waded through the artist's rage and bloodlust looking for something, I'm spent. It would be a billion times easier for me to enjoy this if I filed it under fiction like I do with secular metal. Speaking of spent, I'm done talking about this, and I'm done in this thread. If it gets sordid in here, this thread will be locked or destroyed. Good day, Thomas, I'm really sorry. I have apparently been a pest. It wasn't my intention. I'm not defending these kinds of lyrics. I wouldn't even say I'm a fan of them. Your response helps me understand why you don't like them. Our experiences make a really big difference for these kinds of things. One friend of mine couldn't listen to Depeche Mode and The Cure after he became a Christian. For me, part of my curiosity comes from a question of how to understand many passages of Scripture like the imprecatory Psalms or Acts 1:20, etc. as a Christian and whether it makes sense to say those kinds of things in lyrics or otherwise. Apologies again.
|
|
|
Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 5, 2018 8:06:20 GMT -6
Thomas, I'm really sorry. I have apparently been a pest. It wasn't my intention. Not posting to continue the discussion, but I wanted to say you haven't been a pest bro. I'm cool with everything everyone said (except uh... concerns I have with the post that started this thread), but my "I'm done" has more to do with me getting a little too frustrated that "violent Christian metal" is actually a thing. If there existed Christian metal that talked about drinking every day, I'd be responding with the same volume of emotion... What with my past struggle with alcoholism. I know that wouldn't exist, but I still hope the analogy makes sense.
|
|
|
Post by xianmetaldoc on Dec 5, 2018 9:19:34 GMT -6
Yeah, I've gotta say I too went through a "kick Satan's ass" phase in my faith, but as my personal theology has evolved, that stuff didn't make the cut because I see absolutely zero evidence in Scripture that God calls us to confront, provoke, or in any way violently engage Satan or demons. Christ has called us to minister to people, not do battle with the principalities and powers. So I also disagree with the notion that the Church is "on a retreat of the war against witchcraft, magick and the devil and the realm of the demonic." I think as much as anything, the Church has realized it was never called to rid the world of evil, it was called to be the Kingdom of God in this world and to proclaim hope and truth and salvation to those who are perishing. That's how the "battle" is won. You don't drive out darkness by attacking the darkness, you drive out darkness by shining Light into it. People only fear darkness because they don't see the Light.
|
|
|
Post by nocturnaliridescence on Dec 5, 2018 10:54:28 GMT -6
You don't drive out darkness by attacking the darkness, you drive out darkness by shining Light into it. I don't agree. Thomas' testimony shows that these lyrics don't help everyone, but it seems really presumptuous to say they can't drive out any darkness. I can personally testify that the opposite is true. In the days when I feared the various spiritual forces in our world, feeling powerless against them because I didn't realize God was more powerful than them, I would have LOVED lyrics like "demonic filth slaughtered / eradicated by His will".
|
|
|
Post by SLAVE_HEART on Dec 8, 2018 13:31:29 GMT -6
The destruction of evil, onward Christian soldiers, battle, war, death - can all be discussed in a non violent manner. Violence, and talk of it, wrapped in a Christian cloak, sends my spidey senses a tingling... I'm saying that we as Christians should be armed for war against the devil, world and flesh with the armor of God, and beat our flesh into submission and fight a war against evil, and to say we should be equipped for battle, so I have no problem speaking of any action battle related as all wars and battles are violent. The thing is that there is a righteous ANGER, and ANGER is not veangeance. To love justice and protecting others, is a fundamental part of this. To kill and mutilate my flesh is saying that Christ may abound in my spirit all the more and thus I live - An analogy of truth. To kill the devil in ones life is to annihilate the things of witchcraft, the tools of the devil and knowledge of his schemes so that his fiery darts can be put out. To kill the world, in the passage in scriptures is to kill the desire for the things in this world like materialism, corrupt tactics meant to enslave the world and lead them from Christ. In every way of these it is a war. Their is a holy gore even in scripture. Their are Psalms which declare that God dips his feet i the blood of his enemies. Many Psalms are war themed and can be brutal and savage. The point in the whole Psalter is that there is nothing so brutal it can['t be brought before God. Many Priests, Pastors, and theologians have said this all throughout 2,000 years. The bible uses analogies like war, or like running a marathon, or other analogies to describe the Christian walk. To thus take one analogy and delve deep into that methodology to the details of that path, taking captive the analogies and symbology is part of what Christian Black Metal is about.
|
|
|
Post by julienbakerfan on Dec 13, 2018 0:21:35 GMT -6
I don't like listening to violent, "gory," or occult-themed lyrics from mainstream "secular" bands. I don't like listening to them from Christian bands either. I get tired of Christian bands whose lyrics are all about hell, Satan, punching demons, etc. It's spiritually immature and it's bad art.
My favorite metal and hard rock bands--Fair to Midland, Gojira, Between the Buried and Me, Refused, Prada, Torche--all have interesting lyrics that avoid rock and metal cliches and touch upon a variety of issues. I don't see why Christian bands and artists shouldn't do the same.
Any mainstream band that was seriously singing about violence, even metaphorical violence, in the way that some Christian (black) metal bands sing about violence (against demons, of course) would creep me out. I can understand singing about stuff that is obviously historical (Iron Maiden, Sabaton) or fictional (Iron Maiden, every Tolkien-loving power metal band), but glorifying violence is sinful.
|
|
|
Post by xianmetaldoc on Mar 4, 2019 10:06:19 GMT -6
You don't drive out darkness by attacking the darkness, you drive out darkness by shining Light into it. I don't agree. Thomas' testimony shows that these lyrics don't help everyone, but it seems really presumptuous to say they can't drive out any darkness. I can personally testify that the opposite is true. In the days when I feared the various spiritual forces in our world, feeling powerless against them because I didn't realize God was more powerful than them, I would have LOVED lyrics like "demonic filth slaughtered / eradicated by His will". It's a perspective thing I think. To me, that lyric would be an example of shining Light into the darkness. The hope in that lyric comes from the recognition that God's power can break the power of our demons. We aren't left to fight that battle on our own. Demons keep us down by convincing us we are on our own, that there is no one who can help us, they own us. That lyric shines the Light of Truth into that lie.
Look, I'm not saying I don't think there's a place for confrontational lyrics that speak of the ultimate fate of Satan and his forces under the Power of God. What I am saying is that if our emphasis is always on destroying demons and crushing evil under our feet and things like that, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that it is only through the power of God that we are victorious, and that is where our hope comes from.
|
|