Several years ago, while attending Cornerstone Music Festival, I heard about a book I thought I'd be intersted in. I searched out and purchased the book "Rock Stars on God" by Doug Van Pelt. A collection of interviews with 20 rock stars about their views on faith, the book was a big eye opener for me. Not all of them held Christian beliefs, not all were interesting, but many were surprising. The most surprising to me was Alice Cooper.
Most of us know who Alice Cooper is. Popular songs like "School's Out" and "No More Mr. Niceguy" have been broadcast over radios and movies since the band started in the late 60's. He's known as a pioneer in heavy metal, and still today is releasing albums and performing his typical shows, complete with costumes, fake blood, and dolls. But beyond the stage Alice Cooper what do we know about him? You'd be surprised if you knew more. Alice Cooper, first off, was born Vincent Furnier. Much less intimidating, huh? He was very smart, accepted into several big universities, all of which he turned down to pursue music. He is an avid golfer, with a 2 handicap (very good). He owns a restaurant. He's a sports fan. Oh, and he's a Christian. Yes, the Alice Cooper pictured above, full of makeup and fake blood, gave his life to Christ in the mid 80's, during his battle with alcohol and drugs, and never turned back.
It was astonishing to me that someone like Alice Cooper could be a Christian. I mean, look at him!! How could he stand on stage, perform and then praise the same God I do? In that interview though, and several others I've read since, he's done a pretty great job of clearing it up for me. First off, he's made mention multiple times that the Alice Cooper we see is his job. On stage, he's the Alice Cooper we know, but that's not the "real" him. Unless you are a pastor, or missionary, aren't many of us like this? I repair weld cables for a living, and I would guess that not a single customer who comes up to me at work would know I'm a Christian. Not because of the way I act, or what I say, but because they don't know me beyond my job. I don't wear a sign that says I'm a Christian.
The other thing I've noticed about Alice Cooper is that he's real. When he say's "I'm a Christian", I believe him. Things he says in interviews are the same things I say to people I talk to about my faith. In an interview I read, he had some great things he says.
"Being a Christian is something you just progress in. You learn. You go to your Bible studies. You pray."
"I was one thing at one time, and I'm something new. I'm a new creature now. Don't judge Alice by what he used to be. Praise God for what I am now."
If you want to read the entire interview, you can find it here.
As much as I'd love for this whole post to be about Alice Cooper, and other big rock stars that share my faith, it isn't. There are plenty of them, shocking, encouraging, but all are only one side of a double standard in Christianity that interests me. As crazy as it is to see Alice Cooper say those things, it's even crazier and disheartening to see Christians that choose secular music, and then deny their faith as if it's something that will strain any credibility they have among their fan base.
I read an interview this week by a girl born and raised as Christian. When she was in her late teens, she signed a contract with a Christian label, released several albums, was nominated for many Dove awards, was successful in the Christian music industy, and then decided to pursue a different angle when her contract was up. Over the past year, she's boomed as part of a duo in the music scene. I don't fault her for her choices. I think it's respectable to be a Christian in secular music. What I find astonishing is why then, in a recent interview, she danced around a question asking her if she was a Christian. Honestly, I believe she is, but for some reason it seemed fear was holding her from answering a simple question. Are you a Christian? The answer should be as simple as yes or no. If you want to ramble on for 7 minutes after that explaining your interpretation of the word "faith", by all means feel free, but don't skip the most important part. I don't think anything is more frustrating in music than someone who professes to be Christian, but tries to add a gray area for the benefit of reaching an audience. The answer is black and white. Yes I am, or no I'm not.
To me, it happens too often with this group of musicians. It's become a bit of a cliche for bands to say things like "we're not a christian band, but we're a band full of christians." That's great, but what will your answer be when you are asked specifically if you are a Christian? If it isn't yes or no, then reevaluate your stance. If you would rather talk about how faith means something different to you, and you don't committ to a yes or no, then why not step back and see where you fit? I have a hard time decifering what's most important in those answers. Is it a fanbase, money, fame, or is it God? I would love to know why yes or no wouldn't be a sufficient answer if anyone can tell me. Amy pointed a verse out when I was talking to her about this that is a clear message to everyone, whether you're a musician or a weld cable repair person.
But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 10:33
