Skillet’s lead vocalist John Cooper said he is “literally speechless” regarding last week’s Dove Awards controversy, concerning several Christian musicians who appeared dressed in drag.
Former Caedmon’s Call singer-songwriter, Derek Webb, went to the awards in a dress, alongside openly queer Christian artist Semler, and drag queen Flamy Grant. Webb also posted a picture of the trio on social media with the caption, “54th annual dove awards, here we come.”
54th annual dove awards, here we come. pic.twitter.com/USPiTnIT5n
— Derek Webb (@derekwebb) October 17, 2023
“Obviously, they’re just trying to get attention, they’re trying to disrupt, and they’re going about it in a clever way,” Cooper told Church Leaders. “And the truth is they are being the aggressors in this.”
Cooper added that artists like them wouldn’t show up a “Muslim music celebration to do the same” because that would be “a little bit too insensitive. You don’t want to go in and just start stomping on somebody’s religion. The laws of intersectionality would apply.”
Cooper, who co-founded the popular Christian rock band Skillet, believes that the Christian music industry should recognize that Webb and the others act as aggressors when they take actions like this. He feels “like the industry has set the groundwork to make people feel like they can bully us because we are so wimpy and weak,” which in turn makes Christians “apologetic about what we believe,” something he believes is an “absurdity.”
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The Dove Awards annually recognizes and awards artists in the Christian music industry. Held in Nashville, Tenn., this year, the event was open to the public.
Two days after the event, Webb defended his choice of attire in a video post.
“As a cis, straight, white man, I walk into a room like that and any room with an incredible amount of advantage and privilege,” Webb explained. “If I’m attending as an ally of friends and colleagues, I should do everything possible to surrender that privilege at the door.”
Webb, who has three Dove Awards of his own, continued, “If the way you look at my loved ones isn’t the way you’re looking at me, I’m not truly standing with them.”
Webb then cited progressive and LGBT-affirming Christian pastor Stan Mitchell, who has said, “If you claim to be someone’s ally but aren’t getting hit by the stones thrown at them, you aren’t standing close enough.”
He concluded the video by noting, “Plus, I have amazing legs.” The video has amassed more than 2.4 million views on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Webb was a former guitarist and songwriter for the folk-rock group Caedmon’s Call until he left the group in 2003 due to a shift in his beliefs and to focus on his solo career. Then, in 2013, he rocked the Christian music community when he and his wife, Sandra McCracken, divorced him over an alleged affair he had.
Earlier this year, Webb made headlines when he released a song with Grant, titled “Boys Will Be Girls.” The song is a part of Webb’s latest album, which he described as his “first Christian and gospel album in 10 years.”
In the lyrics, Webb sings, “I heard Jesus loved and spent his life with those who were abandoned by proud and fearful men / So if a church won’t celebrate and love you, they’re believing lies that can’t save you or them / ‘Cause you’re so beautiful by any name.”
The “Boys Will Be Girls” music video depicts Webb dressing in drag and performing alongside Grant, who was featured in Webb’s Dove Awards post.
Grant, a former worship leader also known by Matthew Blake, describes herself as a “shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen from western North Carolina,” on her website. Her 2022 debut record, Bible Belt Baby, reached the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Christian Charts.
The other artist featured in Webb’s post, Grace Baldridge, is known by her recording name is Semler. The singer, who is married to another woman, is known for her songs that discuss her Christian upbringing, such as “Preacher’s Kid.”
Both drag queen Grant and Semler have topped the iTunes Christian Music chart within the last couple of years and have expressed their desire to be recognized by the Gospel Music Association (GMA).
today, for the very first time, a drag queen has both the #1 single AND #1 album on the itunes christian charts.
of all the accomplishments in my career, being part of this is probably the thing i’m the most proud of.
my dear friend @FlamyGrant deserves every bit of this. pic.twitter.com/Z6gx3vRCg3
— Derek Webb (@derekwebb) July 28, 2023
In 2022, Semler campaigned on social media to be nominated for the GMA’s New Artist of the Year award and expressed disappointment when she didn’t receive one, according to Church Leaders.
Cooper said he was initially hesitant to respond to Webb, Semler and Grant’s post. He didn’t want to fuel the fire of a situation that didn’t need it, but he was encouraged by friends and pastors to speak out.
“They’ve been trying to antagonize the Christian music industry, including Christian artists, and have attempted to get them to affirm their views on the LGBTQ+ movement for years,” he said.
While Cooper was unable to attend the Dove Awards this year he said that if had he been there and seen Webb and company, he would have “ignored them” like the Apostle Paul instructs Christians to do in 1 Corinthians 5. If they weren’t claiming to be Christian, then it would be a different story, Cooper explained, sharing that he would have compassionate, gospel conversations with them.
“Those who still hold to biblical sexual ethics are getting more afraid to say something because they feel bullied, and they feel like the minority,” Cooper said. “And they’re not sure what’s gonna happen if they do, and they’re not sure if there’s going to be anyone in Christian music that has their back.”
Freelance journalist Liz Lykins writes for WORLD Magazine, Christianity Today, Ministry Watch, and other publications.
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71 Responses
“Grant, a former worship leader also known by Matthew Blake, describes herself as a “shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen from western North Carolina,” on her website.” Why would you use the feminine pronoun “her” in describing Matthew, a man who wants to dress like a woman? Patronizing someone who’s out of touch with reality is not being respectful, it’s being unloving. The loving thing to do is to show them as gently as possible that they are wrong and heading for greater trouble and suffering if they don’t repent.
Absolutely 100% correct. To use a feminine pronoun to describe a man is to lie. This isn’t a matter of personal preference. It’s a matter of truth. Lying lips, even in the name of “love” is an abomination to the Lord. Love and truth go hand in hand. One can speak the truth without love but one can’t ever be loving without speaking the truth.
Woe to these evildoers. God is not mocked.
The rest of Galatians 6:7 is that you’ll reap what you sow.
So, the hate you reap is the hate you sow…
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Also… Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Jon Travolta, Martin Lawrence, Tom Hanks… even Ronald Reagan… even Bugs Bunny have starred in a films that featured drag. It was a regular form of entertainment during WWII. Ever heard of the play- then movie “This is the Army”? Won an Oscar in 1944.
Is it not okay for generations of men and women to be entertained but all of the sudden, now- it’s not ok? Can we at least see the hypocrisy here?
I completely agree except for one thing. Today drags want to shove it on our children’s school and library and now church. I am 69YO and I know all about what you’re talking about. I’ve enjoyed their entertainment in the past. Now let’s get the drags and gays of yesterday and show them what todays gays and drags are doing and i think they would be so incensed they would be leaving a trail of hurt people for making a mockery of what they do and hurting children. See the BIG difference?
The “big” difference? Have you been to these children’s schools and libraries that are doing this? The big difference is conservative media consumption. See the hypocrisy yet?
No Rob actually i don’t. I see what fun and entertaining turn into satanic acts by schools was and now the “dove awards”. Dove awards. Hi, I’m a Christian and I love God but make a ton of money and pretend were humble and oh look it’s just like the Grammys. anybody notice Zelensky is shutting down Christan churches in the Ukraine and not a peep from the “dove awards people” and our mega churches.
Find the right side of history Gary. Good luck.
Completely different and you know it. The “cross dressing” you mention was obviously silly, comedic and innocent. This is kink. This is a push against convention, decency and the family. This is an attempt to redefine what is normal.
“This is kink” …?
You brought up sexuality. It’s only kinky for …. You?
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
“ different and you know it”…
Please refrain from trying to tell me or anyone else what it is I “know”.
What I know is this: the hypocrisy of the “christian” church is beyond pale.
While there are children literally dying in schools daily by gun violence, evangelicalism has gleefully wrapped its arms around the NRA and other money and power hungry organizations that tout “2nd amendment” rights and “freedom” and “anti-immigration”, “anti-LGBTQ” “anti, anti, anti, anti”….
Please spare me any “coming for the family” talk. I could write a book about the woeful discrimination, bigotry, racism, sexism and straight up hate that characterizes conservative christianity… but Katherine Stewart, Kristine Du Mez, and so so many other experts have already done so more eloquently that I could.
How many of these figures claimed to be queer christians, and celebrate their queerness? How many of these figures were trying to normalize and increase acceptance of unbiblical living? How many of these figures were men claiming to be christians living in sin with another man? How many paraded around in their sin?
That’s the difference.
Secondly, calling disagreement or disapproval “hate” is a CHEAP shot, and an effective tool used by Satan.
I don’t hate people that cheat on their spouses, I don’t hate people that divorce their spouses for unbiblical reasons, I don’t hate women who abort their babies, I don’t hate people that steal or lie, I don’t hate people that cheat on their taxes, I don’t hate gossipers, I don’t hate prideful people, I don’t hate LGBTQ people, I don’t hate gluttons, I don’t hate greedy people, I don’t hate lustful people.
But I do not agree with, accept, embrace, or celebrate their sins.
I love them, so I tell them the truth, and encourage them to align themselves with God’s will to their benefit and blessing on this earth and in eternity, and I come alongside them to help them turn away from whatever idol is at the root of their sin, and turn to God.
If they are unsaved, I don’t tell them to clean up the outside, I simply share the gospel.
Their are a lot of believers like me, and we don’t appreciate being called hateful.
Sir,
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Stop defending this stuff Rob. It’s not defensible. It’s tacky and gross and it openly mocks God.
Gordon, “tacky”? Honestly, christianity has done itself in with “tacky”. I am in no way defending anything except equality being far greater than division.
“Mocking god”?
The rest of Galatians 6:7 is that you’ll reap what you sow.
So, the hate you reap is the hate you sow…
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Good luck Gordon. ☮️
Sorry, Rob, but I live by God’s word, not quotes by MLK, and certainly not quotes by MLK that are misapplied.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
God
Very well said. Thank you
I totally agree with all you said! Because we do not approve of their sin, they say we are haters. Christ did not hate the sinners, but he did hate the sin.
Very, very, well said. God bless you.
One Olson:
Modern homophobic Christians pick-and-choose their moral issues. They would never imagine that the Old Testament death penalty for adultery should be applied in today’s world, yet they insist that the Jewish ritual “uncleanliness” of male homosexuality should be made into law.
Probably the most important religious ritual in the bible was circumcision. No uncircumcised male was worthy to worship god. Yet we don’t see today’s right-wing Christians lobbying to deny the rights of uncircumcised men to get married or adopt children or join the military. And why not? It is because we all know this is not a moral issue; it was only a matter of religious identity.
The same is true with homosexuality.
I don’t live by gods word. I just went to seminary and know it is taken out of context many times to be used for hate, bigotry and racism.
You don’t know or understand what GOD’S grace is or about. CHRIST JESUS said repent or perish
I’ll save you a click: Isaiah 45:7 (King James Version)
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
The Bible literally says that God created evil (obviously, since he created all things), and therefore evil actions are inherently godly. Also, it says that he can and will wipe every species off the face of the Earth when it suits him, and just for kicks, all of his “greatest” creations (angels, man…) are 100% defective, yet solely to blame for their lack of faith and fealty.
Anyways, One Olson, living by “gods words” gets tricky sometimes.
John Cooper seems to be absolutely obsessed with this subject, to the point that it raises questions about his own sexuality. People don’t normally get this wound up about other people living their lives unless they’re dealing with inner conflict themselves. I hope he knows that real followers of Christ will accept him when he comes out of the closet.
This is nonsense, and I think you know it. These people were hardly just “living their lives.” The fact that you could even say that reveals your deep intellectual dishonesty. They showed up at a Christian event with the obvious intent of mocking Christianity and it’s teaching. To not see that is culpable ignorance.
This is a common progressive tactic though: first, push the boundaries of decency and engage in outrageous behavior, then when someone speaks out against it, accuse them of being “obsessed with this subject.” It’s completely dishonest and again, I think you know it.
Gordon,
“They showed up at a Christian event”…
It’s “christian” to celebrate money, greed, pride, vanity…
We can’t just say things are “christian” because we want them to be… isn’t that why Jesus said “don’t be like the hypocrites”….?
“We can’t just say things are “christian” because we want them to be”
I’m no fan of the Dove Awards (or Christian music generally), but you really have no ground to stand on here Rob. You are guilty of the very same thing you just accused me of.
This is an old tactic. Twenty and more years ago, hundreds of Bible- and Prayer Book-adhering Episcopalians were often smeared with the same charge, of being “obsessed with sex.” They were rather standing up for the faith in the Holy Scriptures as delineated in their tradition. They left The Episcopal Church and relinquished property that had been originally given and built for the purpose of glorifying God. Many of them formed into a new ecclesial body, some joined other churches. The “faith once delivered to the saints” is still under attack, in the spiritual realm. Just because ex-vangelicals are deciding to leave the Christian faith doesn’t mean that they’re coming up with new tactics.
“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is TRUE.” – Martin Luther King Jr. March 8, 1965.
We have a world that has refused to stand up for that which is true and instead, reveals their hearts through the proclamations of their mouths (read Matthew 15:8-9). There is a lot of shouting about “justice” and “hate” and the rights for men and women to not only be allowed to do what they want, but to redefine it as right, true and honorable. Only God defines truth, for He created it.
John Cooper is a voice of Biblical truth, shouting to wake people up. Thank the Lord – there are not enough Christians willing to do so today, because many of them haven’t equipped themselves to do so.
Christian, what is it. A Christian is not Muslim, Buddhist, or any church goers. But, Roman Catholics are Christians, Jehova Witnesses, President Donald Trump and even the militant group that attack the White House are Christians. The U.S.A. are Christians. So why surprise by the Dove Awards Ceremony. Now ask how many of those Christians accepted Jesus as Lord and savior, repent and walk in Christ daily. Let me tell you, the Corinthian church was a mess and Paul had to rebuke them in love. The other thing missing in their life is the person of the Holy Spirit. Come soon Lord!
Derek Webb didn’t leave Caedmon’s Call in 2003 due to a shift in his faith. That didn’t happen until years later. And what’s the point of bringing up his affair other than to take a cheap shot?!?!
Love that Derek is standing in love with the oppressed, just like Jesus would do. It only makes sense that religious gatekeepers are misunderstanding and mad. What a beautiful modern parable.
By your reasoning, Jen, are we to conclude that Jesus doesn’t really care about righteousness or purity of heart or turning away from sin, just as long as people are nice to one another and accepting of whatever “choices” another person makes, regardless?
Call me a religious gatekeeper, but I’m not going to play fast and loose with what I “think” Jesus may have done when in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus said that out of the heart comes evil things.
We’re to flee sin and immorality, not embrace it.
Frank, do you feel the same about the pride, greed, vanity and all that is displayed in these events?
Tricia, your response to Frank is whataboutism, which is a fallacy of reasoning. Even of he doesn’t feel the same about those other things, that still won’t establish the behavior of Webb and others as acceptable.
Fallacy of reasoning? This is not whataboutism- this is not correct, sir. She asked if he felt the same about the pride, greed, vanity and all that is displayed in these events when the gentlemen pointed out “sin”. You’re trying to say one sin is greater than the other. What I believe Tricia what trying to point out is the hypocrisy of trying to say one “sin” is worse than another while being on full display of what your own beliefs and deity said were also “sins”.
Define irony sir.
It is whataboutism. Whataboutism attempts to detract from the argument being made by pointing to an inconsistency in the arguer, rather than dealing with the argument. As I said in my second sentence, which you completely ignored, “Even if he doesn’t feel the same about those other things, that still won’t establish the behavior of Webb and others as acceptable.”
Your motives here, which are clearly to reject Christian moral teaching and encourage others to do the same (Romans 1:32) are completely transparent.
Yes, Jesus loves the oppressed. He loves everyone. So much that He gave His life for the remission of our sins. However, to act like loving someone means we totally accepting their erroneous lifestyle, we are missing what Jesus often said to those He interacted with – GO AND SIN NO MORE. Furthermore, if the sinfulness in our lives didn’t need to be dealt with, why did He die? If it’s okay to live in our sin – lying, cheating, stealing, murdering, gossiping, being proudful, hateful or WHATEVER OUR SIN is, why would Jesus die? He gave His life in utter abandonment for us to be CHANGED. Not just the homosexual – but ANY SINNER – of which each and every one of us human beings tend to be. Yes, Jesus loves us! Yes, Jesus stands, sits, even weeps with the oppressed – but He also offers salvation, healing and deliverance. It’s up to us to believe in His great sacrifice, lay down our lives and follow Him.
These people are not oppressed. Get out of tiny western, American progressive bubble.
“These people “… yes I remember exactly where Jesus said that…
There’s just no hate like “christian” love.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
This is nonsense Rob. All you’ve done here is makes assertions based on your own preferences.
Gordon,
Ditto sir. Ditto.
Good luck. Take care of yourself.
Once this kind of behavior no longer has shock value, what will be the next thing?
Channeling Carol Doda? (See the Wikipedia page for Carol Doda, if you don’t know who she was.)
She didn’t have much of a voice (yes, I did see and hear her, the night before I reported to go to Vietnam) but the silicon made up for it – I guess. When she sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” I imagined the tug boat captain on the old TV show “Waterfront” singing like she did. I don’t know much about music.
True story.
Stand strong for the truth of the gospel,don’t give in , Jesus is coming for his bride not some prostitute fake example of a so called Christian.
““If you claim to be someone’s ally but aren’t getting hit by the stones thrown at them, you aren’t standing close enough.” [Stan Mitchell].
I agree with Stan on this.
Albeit I wouldn’t aggressively challenge the stone throwers, as that tends to entrench the understanding that sees the stones thrown.
Rather it’s the power of support to another that comes from “standing with” them, that is a better dynamic for change.
Standing with a marginalised human being, is usually enough to see stones thrown at you, and that allows you to deepen understanding of and empathy with the marginalised other, allows you to feel like the other feels.
Your self and their self come to share experience and resource. Does that qualify as loving neighbour as self.
I have seen photos of youth groups having boys dress in drag and cheeleader outfits.
Letting my inner Anabaptist rant here:
In light of everything Jesus taught and did, the Dove awards in and of themselves strike me as absurd. Imagine an awards ceremony for missionaries. I could nominate a couple who devoted their lives to orphans with mental disabilities in Mexico. Recognition in an awards ceremony would be embarrassing and unwanted to them, even though their lives reflect far more closely what Christianity is all about than the copy-cat “Christianized” version of what the world values. What values do the Dove awards promote, culture war issues aside? “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?”- John 9:44
Great thoughts, Loren Martin! I’d never thought of it like that before, but going back to the old, WWJD – would He attend the DOVE awards? If He did, what would He say, do, etc…
“WWJD – would He attend the DOVE awards?” [Erika]
The first question would be: would Jesus take Christianity (in all of its manifestations) to be the caretaker of what he believed and did and said in his lifetime.
Central to what he might say about our here and now human world, is the gulf of time and human occurrence, between his here and now and our here and now.
My sense is that the Bible provides little to allow answering Erika’s question. As the OT is so tightly tied to its here and now of authoring. As the NT is so tightly tied to its here and now of authoring. As Jesus was never directly involved in the authoring of the NT and its resultant Christianity and Church.
The mythology which has it that a “holy spirit” would husband the authoring of Christianity and Church, was authored by the human authors of Church and Christianity. Other than the reassurance this mythology offers, we have no independent guarantee that what was authored as Christianity and Church, does faithfully and accurately carry forward the ministry and truth offered by Jesus.
So, at the very least, there is no clear Biblical pathway to answering Erika’s question.
At a minimum, I think we could take the ethos of the Sermon on the Mount or consider that the one we Christian’s call “Lord” demonstrated and valued virtues such as humility and putting the other before self. I find the label “Christ like” doesn’t harmonize well with honoring entertainers as something special in God’s kingdom.
While I understand the sentiment of asking WWJD, this also borders on speaking where the Bible is silent. There are things we deal with today that are not discussed in scripture: social media, technology, dating, etc. We must be careful that we make the distinction between what WE believe Christ would/not do and what scripture actually SAYS. I’ve seen the two conflated to create horribly legalistic, controlling, judgmental takes.
Example: my industry has annual awards in which peers are nominated and honored for the quality and impact of their work on our field, our clients, and our communities. I’ve received one. I went to a gala and received the award, where I got a chance to acknowledge my family, coworkers, and SO many people who contributed. And yes, I got a chance to thank God, because to know my story is to know He has had His hand on me and paved some ways when literally there was none.
I see it as God gave me a platform to talk about Him and what He can do (my work is not my calling but it definitely has created platforms for my calling). To hear ya’ll tell it, I guess I’m not a Christian? This is why I say the church can be exhausting.
I love the heart behind Webb’s actions–he’s living out his allyship with more courage than I do. And I’ve been a fan of Semler for a long time…what a powerful artist. We need her voice!
Minor point–John Cooper says he’s “literally speechless” but then goes on to say lots of words. Hilarious.
Exactly. And he says if he’d been there he would have ignored them! What a hero!
haha–agreed! I don’t remember Jesus talking about ignoring people in the Sermon on the Mount.
How the American evangelicals have devolved into the world. Awards for allegedly doing gods will? And mighty profitable also. Sorry dove folks. You are your own worst enemy. You pretend to be Christian but love yourselves as much as any Grammy awards. God is not impressed. And technically since you’re using someone else’s work (the Bible) isn’t that a form of plagiarism? Fun lawsuit. I represent God in suing all writers and musicians that have profited off of Gods word and not any of you have a signed contract with god stating it’s ok. Reminder you’re profiting off someone else’s work. A thought.
“and not any of you have a signed contract with god stating it’s ok.”
No one has this sir. Not you, either.
A thought.
Wherever you fall on the argument regarding crossdressing or whatever, if you are a Christian, remember we are to hate the SIN but love the SINNER. We do such a terrible job of separating the two.
…and the most loving thing we can do is to share the gospel with unsaved sinners, and call saved sinners to repentance from their soul and eternity-damaging sin.
Yes, and it also means speaking up when we see them called hateful names and receive death threats. If we love the sinner, why do we defend that behavior (as condemning sin) or stay silent?
We can disagree without all that.
The problem is that many of today’s sinners have twisted the definition of love them to include loving the sin as well.
“we are to hate the SIN but love the SINNER” …that has to be one of the worst cliches ever invented by Evangelicals. The imaginary line between who and what we are and what we’ve done is not magically dissolved by some kind of love. That would be like God giving sinners a big hug right before He casts them into the Flames of Gehenna.
I wonder what type of christian youth are listening enough to earn the ‘queen’ the #1 Song and Album? CCM is a business and is more like luke warm Christianity.
Some of the best singers are country artists that sing of their faith or refashion hymns. There are good artists in CCM but it is a compromised genre. The country singers are not embarrassed of what they believe. Plus they have some of the best guitarists.
CCM is compromised but country music isn’t???? Define irony.
There are great artists that sing of their faith or refashion hymns across many genres. Look at the number of R&B/soul singers – past AND present – who started off in the church choir and STILL release amazing gospel albums. Aretha Franklin had some of the BEST gospel albums EVER (I challenge anyone to doubt her vocals), The Winans, etc.
While I am a person who prefers hymns (I’m easily moved to tears by songs like Great is Thy Faithfulness or How Great Thou Art), I think it’s crossing a line to challenge the Christianity of contemporary artists because of musical preference or receiving an award. Style or level of musicianship has ZERO to do with their salvation. And we all know that while man gives the award, God gives the reward.
You guys should look up Stryper.
Webb is an exvangelical atheist now so this is no surprise coming from him. He seems to be indulging in the usual over-the-top, childish rebellion, embrace, and celebration of everything wicked that typically characterizes those who reject God in our day. They’re never content to just leave the faith and live their lives. They always have to trumpet their unbelief, openly embrace and celebrate every vile thing that’s currently en vogue in the culture, and attempt to drag others down with them (Roms 1:32). It’s hard not to think Webb might also be another attention seeking narcissist, a problem that runs rampant in our social media age.
Sir,
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
I don’t recall Jesus ever calling anyone names or being hateful but this is a problem that runs rampant in our social media age.
Again, you’ve said nothing much of substance here. Nothing I said is hateful or name calling. It’s simply descriptive. And stop calling me sir. It sounds ridiculous.
Oh. You’re right sir. Yes sir. Yes sir.
Derick Webb did not have a “shift in beliefs.” This is either poor reporting, or an outright lie. Derick Webb is a now professed atheist (and quick online search will find this out…he’s very vocal about this) which makes a lot of since that he’s making “Christian” music and working for a “Christian” church. He also loves (literally his favorite) to tell genuine Christians what they *should* believe… all the while not believing in Jesus. And What Jesus Would Do. But if you think hard enough about it…maybe knowing that will help everyone understand exactly what is going on.
John Cooper, thanks for your words and be honest about what is actually going on. Keep it up.