All branches of Christianity share the Apostle's Creed as a summary of
the Faith.
Catholics use the Creed as the basis for their Baptismal
Promises. The Promises also
include statements about the rejection of
sin, the rejection of the "glamor of evil"
and the rejection of Satan.
What a profound phrase -- the glamor of evil!
Yes, evil is very glamorous, and we can see its grasp on the Christian Heavy Metal scene.
As an example, take a look at "Heaven's Metal" magazine. Recent issues
of this Christian
music magazine feature Alice Cooper, Frost Like Ashes,
Warrior, Slechtvalk, etc. -- all
looking like demons from Hell!
I have heard the argument that even though these bands are in the style
of Satanic bands,
the lyrics are Christian (or the artist is Christian) so
it is really a form of evangelism
toward fans of Satanic music.
Well, I've never heard of a conquering army adopting the culture of the enemy.
If it looks like Satan, sounds like Satan, sings like Satan, there is a
good chance it IS
Satan. But (I hear the objection), the death/black
vocals are preaching Christian themes!
Yes, maybe so, if the listener
can decipher any of the vocals or bothers to read the lyric
sheet.
Whatever else one might say about these so-called Christian bands,
their whole persona
depends upon the glamor of evil.
Jesus told us not to hide our lamps under a bushel, but to let our
light shine -- so why
hide our Christ-inspired countenances under the
greasepaint horror masks of the Satanic
style?
Bands like "Frost Like Ashes" with their Kiss/Alice Cooper greasepaint
look like a bunch
of adolescents trying to impress adolescents. It is
time for them to grow-up! "When I was
a child, I spake as a child, I
understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I
became a man, I put away childish things." (1Cor.13:11)
If a Christian Heavy Metal band wants to project a powerful image, let
it embrace our
Lord Jesus Christ during his Passion, forlorn and bleeding
on the Cross.
Mortification's Steve Rowe once sung: "You know we don't need the fame
on an image
of evil ways"* -- and that is good advice for all Christian bands!
***
notes:
*Mortification: "I am a Revolutionary" from "The Silver Cord is Severed" CD
------------------------------
Baptismal Promises
Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God
I do.
Do you reject the glamor of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?
I do.
Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?
I do.
Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
I do.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of
the Virgin Mary,
was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the
dead, and is now seated at the right
hand of the Father?
I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the
communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
I do.
This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to
profess it, in Christ
Jesus our Lord. Amen.
www.osv.com/teachingcatholicyouth/ pdf_archives/activity020705.pdf
August 25, 2005