Defense of Christian Metal

Dear Mr. Fisher,

I hope I am not out place by writing this e-mail, but I read the letter that you wrote Mr. Thompson of Bride. I have taken it upon myself, to defend my brother in Christ who is guilty of nothing, except for sharing the love of God and leading the lost to Christ.

First of all, I believe that the reason people are turned off by Christians, is because of people like you, who insist that we fight amongst ourselves, instead of being examples of Christ. They see our hate and not our so called "Love".

Second of all, the Bible says; "For not even the Father judges, for He has left all judgement unto the Son."

I may be going off the subject at hand, but I would like to share something with you about the ministry of Dale Thompson and Bride. When I was 15 years old, I went through a major time of depression and had decided to take my own life. I honestly felt I was at the end of my rope until God, used Bride to minister to me through their music and their walk with God. The lyrics of one of their songs, taught me that life is full of trials and that we all need a little "rain" in our lives. The song turned me on to the Christian life that I had strayed from. If it weren't for good Christian-METAL bands like Bride, people like myself and others who lived the "rock n roll" life, wouldn't know the glory of God. You see, the person I was at that time, would have outright assalted some preacher in a 3 piece suit that told me I was going to Hell, for listening to heavy metal, having long hair, and tattoos. Bride, showed me that God loved me, UNCONDITIONALLY. Churches (in general), don't do what the Bible says when it speaks of going into ALL the world, and preaching the gospel. They seem to stay away from the wild youthful types, who have problems with alcohol, drugs, and other vices. BRIDE and other Christian-METAL (oops, there's that word again) bands, go into those places, and share the lvoe of Christ because Christians in general refuse to go there. To make a long story short, Dale Thompson's ministry helped get me on the path that I am on now.

Obviously, I'm still alive.

As a matter of fact, I have to deal with people like you all the time now. Because I'm in the same position that Mr. Thompson is. I'm a minister in a Christian-DEATH METAL (oops, there's another interesting new word for you)-band. I have to deal with judgemental "Christians" like you, who continually bash my faith. I'm only doing what God has willed for me. Personally, I would love to stand behind a pulpit every sunday morning and teach and preach, the message to a congregation. But, I have to do what I'm called to do.

As for you referring to Mr. Thompson as a minister of Satan, PLEASE REPENT NOW!!!!!!! (True, God forgives you, but you need to ask for that forgiveness). But, I've learned from past experience, how to deal with people like you...... I will simply PRAY.

If you would like to accept, Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, please respond to this e-mail, and I would be more than happy to share the Word of God with you. Or you can visit our band's web-page, to learn more about Salvation. Here's the URL: DAY OF WRATH-The Dragon's Lair

His Servant,

Tempest

I admit, that may have seemed a little brutal, but now I will let you see his response to that:

Dear TempestDOW,

First of all, I don't wear a 3-piece suit and frequently preach in jeans and a t-shirt. Our church chucked religion out the door a long time ago to follow the Word of God. We are not legalists, King-James-only freaks, or any of the pictures whirling around in your mind. I know you do not listen to the Holy Spirit or you would know more about me since He knows me very well.

I also go into the highways and byways to win the lost. I started my ministry in prison and the streets and even bars and nightclubs, which sometimes freaks out orthodox Christians. You can't wash me off by painting a picture based on a total lack of knowledge. Have you been to my web site? I took the time to read everything I could find concerning Mr. Thompson before I wrote one word. do you do the same with me?

Finally, the argument you use for Mr. Thompson is exactly the same argument I heard several weeks ago. Two families left our church because I challenged and exposed another "minister" in much the same manner I challenged Mr. Thompson. They said, "you don't know him like we do." They went on to declare what a wonderful man of God he is and how powerfully God works in his life. This minister also "saved" the alcoholic Dad of one family over 18 years ago. The man went from being a stone cold drunk, to "believing" in God.

So what was my beef with the minister? He is a bi-sexual who will fornincate with man or woman, a drunkard and had to suspend his ministry to do 5 years prison time for arson, among other things. He is taking our area by storm with magic tricks and lying signs and wonders.

I do not believe that Mr. Thompson is a bad man. I believe he is a good man who sincerely wants to serve the Lord. I believe God is convicting him about his music but he is too proud to repent and change. It is extremely difficult toadmit you are wrong when you are a leader and most never do. He set the tone for this debate with his "sermon" declaring secular rock music was sent by God because the Devil can't create, which is a false premise since what is in question is not creating but designing. His "sermon" also mocked men of God and lashed out at everyone who asks him to explain his ministry and motives. His whole organization follows the same immature pattern, including yourself.

You sound like the political liberals who accuse everyone who disagrees with them of hatred and dodges every question. I ask them to enter an ethical, honest, debate with me but they chose to lash out instead. They had a prime opportunity to prove their points in a rational way but chose to fight instead. this is immature and makes one appear suspiciously unconfident of their position. Now it appears Mr. Thompson wants to judge me by his false doctrine of "soul sleep" effectively changing the subject. Though I sent him biblical definitions that should have helped him understand he poses his question about "soul sleep" with another false premise; he seems incapable of understanding.

Back to those families. What happened to the Dad 18 years ago was false conversion. It wasn't conversion to Christ, but conversion to Mr. Jenkins, the minister who practices wickedness. The Dad never got rooted and grounded in the Church, but went around trying to emulate this false minister who "saved" him. Finally, he surrendered to valium addiction and lays on the couch watching TBN, smoking, and drinking coffee all day long. The only time he stirs is when the false minister comes to town. Then he is excited for the Lord.

Apparently, there are a number of programs in the world that one can believe in that will "deliver" people from their various bondage's and Satan does not oppose them. As long as they do not get connected to Christ Satan does not care who they give the glory to. Whether or not you are healed, delivered, changed, or whatever does not matter. Buddhists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and many others can make the same claims. The truth is you were "saved" by and to a demonic music fashioned in the pits of darkness even if you did actually come to believe in Jesus Christ. There is more to it than you belief, you know.

Satan will give up a person he has captured with suicide spirits, or drug addiction, or whatever, if they will do his greater ministry of decieving a generation that is rapidly producing one of the greatest apostasies in modern history. the Pharisee's also "saved" people, but Jesus told them their converts were two-fold more the children of hell. Can you imagine going from idol worship and sexual perversion to a strict religious life style and being called two fold more the child of hell?

I don't advocate going about trying to preach hellfire to lost souls. When I was in the world system I would either hit, cut, or shoot anyone who tried that approach with me. I also had long hair and a beard which is nothing to God anyway. I hated Christians because of the hypocrisy I had seen all my young life. I can remember going to see "The Exorcist" and Christians were picketing the theater. I wanted to beat them all to a pulp and cursed them. I love sinners and make sure they know where the love is coming from and it is Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus did, I only get harsh with hypocrites or those who are in error and refuse to quit influencing others to be in the same error. I refuse to use "Christianized" versions of illecit sex, drugs, violence, pornography, perverted music, New Age doctrines, pop psycology, false religious doctrines such as the "holy hell insurance" of once saved, always saved, or any other unbiblical thing to reach the lost. If pure Jesus is not powerful enough to reach them we're all stupidly following a myth. To me, "Christian" Rock or Metal music is the same thing as "Christian" prostitution or "Christian" homosexuality. Adding Christian to it does not make it right, neither can it be defended by lining up a billion converts that have been "saved" by it. It does not not can it be made to fit the Divine Continuim of God's nature or His Holy Word. I sometimes debate pagans on secular bulliten boards and talk to a varity of people who were delivered from a life such as yours and mine, but follow paganism. My testimony doesn't faze them. I have to defend my position with the truth, not experiences. For that reason I studied Christian apologetics.

You seem use experiences to validate your position so I will give you one. My flesh wants to listen to your style of music and other religous music whose styles were borrowed from the world. As a musician I have to fight with the flesh when I hear it. The Holy Spirit rises up in my warning me exactly as He does in other dangerous situations. Let me explain. I was in a pawn shop a few years ago looking for a router. I'm a carpenter which suppliments my income as a pastor and try to buy good tools as cheap as I can. As I was inspecting a router, the Holy Spirit told me to leave the pawn shop. All I know is that He said "the spirit of death is in here." I immedately put the router down and spun on my hells to leave and came face to face with three young men. I stared straight ahead and walked out brushing past them although they were obviously wanted to challenge me. I read in the newpaper the next day that they shot the pawn shop owner in the head killing him instantly. The same Holy Spirit warns me when I listen to your kind of "music ministry". Since I have natural urges to listen to it, I would obviously be more than willing to accept it if I thought it were a valid tool of God.

I'm saved, saved. Called out of the professional music darkness into His marvelous light! Called out of a quart of scotch whisky each night, half a case of beer each day, handfuls of all manner of speed, cocaine, heroine, hallucinatory drugs, a violent criminal nature, to serve Jesus with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Since the very first day in the established church I have been opposed by blind hypocrites who want me to accept the "Christianized" version of what I was delivered from. I see it clearly and know that little "christianettes" blindly follow the herd without questioning the direction. Until the day I go to stand before God I will oppose all forms of evil that si infiltrating the professing church.

I feel very sorry for you and the circle of deception you wander in. You cannot possible see the light when you attack with such venomous scorn anyone who tries to tell you the truth.

(2 Th 2:9-12 NKJV) "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, (10) and with all unrighteousness deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, (12) that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had the pleasure in unrightousness."

That's the day we are living in. You and I were warned! I'm listening...are you?

Respectfully,

C. H. Fisher

Dear Mr Fisher,

First of all, I would like to thank you for responding to my email. In this email I'm going to keep some of your quotes for my responses, so that I don't misquote you in anyway.

Our church chucked religion out the door a long time ago to follow the Word of God. We are not legalists, King-James-only freaks, or any of the pictures whirling around in your mind.

I would like to congradulate you and your church for making this step. All churches should be brave enough to get in the Word out of religion. But as for the King James version, that's all I read because a lot of the newer versions were written by homosexuals, atheists, and other lost souls.

I know you do not listen to the Holy Spirit or you would know more about me since He knows me very well.

Sorry to disappoint but I am guided by the Holy Spirit through all things unless I allow the flesh to guide me which I no longer do. (And don't think I'm trying to say I'm perfect, I do sin.)

I also go into the highways and byways to win the lost. I started my ministry in prison and the streets and even bars and nightclubs, which sometimes freaks out orthodox Christians.

I'm extremely glad to hear that. I've done prison ministry as well.

No, I have not. Please take the time to write back and give me the URL addresss and I will make sure I visit it. Have you visited ours?

Do you do the same with me?

No, I didn't. For that, I ask you for your forgiveness.

I do not believe that Mr. Thompson is a bad man. I believe he is a good man who sincerely wants to serve the Lord.

Correction, he WANTS and DOES.

I believe God is convicting him about his music but he is too proud to repent and change.

Please explain to me why you believe this.

He set the tone for this debate with his "sermon" declaring secular Rock music was sent by God because the devil can't create, which is a false premise since what is in question is not creating but designing.

I have an example for you... Say you have a gun. You can use it for bad or good. Yo ucan go out into the woods and shoot game to feed your starving family, or you can kick down your neighbor's door, and murder him in front of his wife and kids.

I know in the depths of my soul that God created rock 'n' roll, and I'll tell you why I hold this to be true...

Example # 1

Joshua 6:16 (KJV) "And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city" This is an example of THE Rock using rock. I seriously doubt there was a quiet little piano concerto going on outside the those walls!

Example # 2

Psalms 150:3-5 (KJV) "Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals." This is what the Bible tells us to do. So why are you condeming His children for doing this? It makes no sense to me that certain so called "Christians" attack me for doing what I am instructed to do in His own, Holy Word. When was the last time you danced before the Lord like David did? We're talking about David the musician, King David, a man after God's own heart who desired to be in His likeness. (I suppose you'll probably retaliate with an example of David's adultery, but that's to be expected.) You know, if we fail to praise Him, the rocks and trees will cry out in our place? I'm sorry, but I don't want some rock or tree to do my job.

Call it pride, call it insecurity, but that's how I feel.

His "sermon" also mocked men of God and lashed out at everyone who asks him to explain his ministry and motives. His whole organization follows the same immature pattern, including yourself.

If I came across as lashing out, I apologize. I understand that it's easy to misinterpret things through email. You can be more expressive through persona face to face conversations. Also, it's an honor for you to narrowmindidly put me in the same category as God sent men such as Mr. Thompson.

You sound like the political liberals who accuse everyone who disagrees with them of hatred and dodges every question.

I didn't accuse you of hating, I pointed out your judgemental spirit. Also, I will answer any question you ask me. You don't have to worry about me dodging questions.

I ask them to enter an ethical, honest, debate with me but they chose to lash out instead. They had a prime opportunity to prove their points in a rational way but chose to fight instead. This is immature and makes one appear suspiciously unconfident of their position.

If I've been irational in anyway, please let me know how and I will ask both you and God for forgiveness. I probably was because I deal with this persecution everyday and it's starting to get to me. (Yes, I admit when I am wrong.)

Now it appears Mr. Thompson wants to judge me by his false doctrine of "soul sleep" effectively changing the subject. Though I sent him biblical definitions that should have helped him understand he poses his question about "soul sleep" with another false premise; he seems incapable of understanding.

I didn't hear the conversation so I don't totally understand what your saying.

Apparently, there are a number of programs in the world that one can believe in that will "deliver" people from their various bondage's and Satan does not oppose them. As long as they do not get connected to Christ Satan does not care who they give glory to.

Very true. I would never point someone to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous). I point them to the Word. And as a matter of fact, 2 of my band's fans have left those addictions behind because they heard one of our songs relating to that. Imagine that, the rock and roll you dispise, helping to turn someone away from the world and to the throne of God.

The truth is you were "saved" by and to a demonic music fashioned in the pits of darkness

I don't know about you, but I was saved by the grace of God. It so happens that God used music to get my attention. It worked. God used many methods. God allowed a friend of mine to lose everything he had, so that my friend would get his focus off the world and on the Word.

even if you did actually come to believe in Jesus Christ. there is more to it than belief, you know.

James 2:19 (KJV) "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." I hope you truly understand what you just said, for there is a lot more than just faith and belief. But faith is still important. Where are you without it?

Satan will give up a person he has captured with suicide spirits, or drug addiction, or whatever if they will do his greater ministry of deceiving a generation that is rapidly producing one of the greatest apostatsies in modern history.

Once again you've made a valid point and I don't disagree.

The Pharisee's also "saved" people, but Jesus told them their converts were two-fold more the children of hell. Can you imagine going from idol worship and sexual perversion to a strict religious life style and being called two fold more the child of hell?

Yes, and I pray that you aren't falling into that category.

I don't advocate going about trying to preach hellfire to lost souls. When I was in the world system I would either hit, cut, or shoot anyone who tried that apporach with me.

I have.

I love sinners and make sure they know where the love is coming from and it is Jesus Christ.

How can you show them love when you persecute those who follow the Lord with their whole heart?

Just as Jesus did, I only get harsh with hypocrites or those who are in error and refuse to quit influencing others to be in the same error.

Then be an example yourself.

There is no such thing as a "Christian" prostitute, or a "Christian" homosexual. The point that I have been trying to make is that rock n roll is a TOOL. It's something you can use. It's what my Heavenly Father has comanded me to use. When you go to the gastation, you can put 87 octane, 89 octane, or 93 octane in your vehicle. God has told me what "fuel" to use for His ministry, and I am doing it....no questions asked I simply put my faith in Him. (I told you faith was important.)

I have to defend my position with the truth, not experiences. For that reason I studied Christian apologetics. You seem to use experiences to validate your style of music and other religous music whose styles were borrowed from the world. As a musician I have to fight with the flesh when I hear it.

I use experiences because that's what the world sometimes wants. They have a believe it when I see it attitude so I create an illustration. God gave me those experiences to prepare me for things like that.

The Holy Spirit rises up in me warning me exactly as He does in other dangerous situations.

So you're saying that you live by the convictions that God lays on your heart? Guess what??? That's exactly what I'm doing and your practically calling me a servant of Satan!

Let me explain. I was in a pawn shop a few years ago looking for a router. I'm a carpenter which suppliments my income as pastor and try to buy good tools as cheap as I can. As I was inspecting a router, the Holy Spirit told me to leave the pawn shop. All I know is that He said "the spirit of death is in here." I immediately put the router down and spun on my heels to leave and came face to face with three young men. I stared straight ahead and walked out brushing past them although they were obviously wanting to challenge me. I read in the newspaper the next day that they shot the pawn shop owner in the head killing him instantly. The same Holy Spirit warns me when I listen to your kind of "music ministry."

I'm not asking you to listen to our music if it goes against your convictions. In fact, I don't every care if you ever pick up one of our albums. But don't tell other people it's wrong just because you say so. I don't care if you tell them that you feel you shouldn't listen to it, as long as you don't lay unjust judgement on us.