STRYPER:THE CELESTIAL CONNECTION

STRYPER:THE CELESTIAL CONNECTION

There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground when it comes to Stryper: our esteemed readers either love ’em or wouldn’t mind if they took a lifetime vacation to Pago Pago. The last is particularly true of the now-famous Brad Stone, who started this whole mess when he wrote a letter to our venerable “sister” mag, CREEM. As you’ll see, Brad wrote that the metallic evangelists are sissified wimps with talent you could fit in a pea pod, or something like that. Which would’ve been fine, had we not been stupid enough to print it. Here, you’ll reap the fruits of our blunder, as Christian rockers set us—and Brad—straight. You can write us, too; we won’t be cross.

LYRICALLY SPEAKING

I am 20 years old and have listened to such great bands as Led Zeppelin, Rush and Stryper. Ya, Stryper! We say that we never listen to the lyrics. The lyrics talk about love, sex, evil, Satan, torture and drugs. I find it very odd that when Stryper hits the scene with Christian positive lyrics, people get mad that they are pushing religion. I thought ya didn’t listen to the lyrics. By the way, they aren’t pushing religion. They are a billboard for all to see. A highway billboard doesn’t force you to buy something. It’s there for all to see. Also, why would that (Stryper) be blasphemous toward God? Christ is the center of that band and Stryper says that God called them to speak the word of God to this generation and the best way to do that is rock music. For those heavy metal fans, check out these guys as musicians and lyricists. Remember: you can accept it or reject it, but the Bible says choose or lose! Stryper had 1984’s biggest-selling independent heavy metal record in the world. If you don’t believe that, call Enigma Records.

Donald B. Wrenn

Brighton, Ml

ROLL AWAY THE STONE!

In response to Jay Liu’s letter to the effect that Jesus Christ, “The One Lord,” rocks (a statement which, incidentally, I would think would be blasphemous for an individual of religious persuasion), a letter which actually congratulated you for printing something about Christian metalmongers Stryper (and why you decided to do that I’ll never know; I’m just glad I missed that wonderful little tidbit), I’d like to offer some words from Depeche Mode. By way of introduction, I’d like to say that for those of us who have the strength to live life on our own, who realize both our achievements and our failures as our own responsibilities and no one (nothing?) else’s, who perceive the injustices of not only the world in general but, more importantly, of day-to-day life, and do not need any assistance from nonexistent “superior” beings—these words go quiteaways towards summarizing our stand against the inherent weakness of religion and, in Bowie’s words, the weakness in “Believing the strangest things/Loving the alien.”

“I don’t want to start any blasphemous rumors/But I think that God’s got a sick sense of humor/And when I die, I expect to find him laughing.”

Brad Stone

Miami, FL

HONEST METAL

I am writing in response to Brad Stone’s letter against Stryper and Christian rock or metal. I myself do believe in God! You can believe in what you want. Stryper is one of the best Christian bands and are a top premier metal band. If people like you would give them a chance, they would prove it. Stryper are not metalmongers, as you called them. Just listen to them if you haven’t yet, and give them a try. You may be surprised. Stryper are not a bunch of preachers, but a bunch of guys who play hard, honest heavy metal with a meaning. So, Brad, don’t put them down because of their beliefs. If you don’t like their music, say so. Don’t get down and out. They and many others believe. And, Brad, if you don’t like my opinion, go get a second opinion. Go ask Motley Crue. They’ll tell you all about Stryper. Brad, one more thing: when you die, as we all must, just if God does cough in your face, remember it’s your fault, not his. He gave us all a choice. I’ve made mine. Have you made yours? Hopefully in the near future, we will be seeing some more articles on Stryper in yours and other rock magazines.

Joe Spatafore

Woodstown, NJ

STRYPER RULES ENTIRETY OF METAL!

I just read what Brad Stone wrote, and all I can say is I feel sorry for him. Stryper is the best band I’ve ever heard or seen. I got to meet them in Dallas, and we never met a sweeter group. I’ve seen every band live: Ratt, Motley Crue, Metallica, etc., and Stryper is the best. I’m sure, Brad, God will laugh you all the way to hell! By the way, who is Depeche Mode anyway?

Timmi Rhoads

Dallas, TX

EVERYBODY MUST GET STONE

My letter is in response to Brad Stone’s. First of all Mr. Stone, it’s about time that Christian rock was recognized (thank you, METAL). The Bible says, "Sing unto him a new song and play skillfully with a loud noise,” and that’s exactly what Stryper is doing. That probably doesn’t mean anything to you since you obviously don’t believe in God. Since you are a non-believer, I don’t think you have any right criticizing such music. Whether you choose to believe it or not, you get assistance from the superior being everyday. I don’t want to preach, I’m just trying to stick up for Stryper. Let’s face it, Brad, no matter what kind of music they play, Stryper is a band with a heck of a lot of talent, something your Depeche Mode could use desperately! They are just as sick as you. Maybe if they turned to God, they would get some help (boy, do they need it!). You have got real problems guy, and I really feel sorry for you. I’m sure your Depeche Mode will (in the words of Grim Reaper) see you in hell, my friend. And for all you Stryper fans: keep rockin’ for the the rock, because we know the truth!

Kevin Bartimus

Independence, MO

STONE DEAF?

Jay Liu’s letter was blasphemous? Your letter was blasphemous!!! You don’t know why this magazine printed something about Stryper? Did you ever think that it was because a lot of us love Stryper? You don’t believe us. Well, Stryper’s first fulllength album, Soldiers Under Command has far outsold such big names as Motley Crue’s first few recordings. (It shipped 100,000 the first day.) Stryper’s offices are busier than Van Halen’s were when they were at their biggest. Stryper gets more than 1,000 fan letters each week. Statistics don’t matter to you? Then look at it this way; at least Stryper is sending people a good, positive message that will help them, which is more than your beloved Depeche Mode, who you called the only band that really matter, is doing! As for the part of your letter that read...“for those of us who...do not need assistance from nonexistent superior being”: the Being Stryper speaks of is very superior to everyone else and is not nonexistent. As for the quotes from Bowie, we’re sorry he feels that way (and one day he will be, too).

Two Soldiers Under Command

Madison, FL

CASTS THE FIRST STONE!

This letter is in response to a letter written by a reader in Miami, FL by the name of Brad Stone. He wrote concerning the article you printed on the group Stryper. If you could print both of these letters together with a Stryper background, I think the readers would understand more clearly the controversy that rages here. The following is solely addressed to Brad: I read your response to the Stryper article. After reading it, I came to one conclusion. That is, I’m sure glad that no one pays you for your opinions, because they don’t matter. If you have ever had any influence of the gospels of the Bible, you would see that they tell God’s people to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, and that seems to be just what Stryper does.

If you really think that this is God’s sick sense of humor, then I guess we’ll see who gets to laugh in the end, the very end. I hope you realize the true way soon.

Jim Parrish

Cary, NC

STONE MOAN CONTINUES!

In response to Brad Stone’s letter, I fully agree religion is inherently weak. Religion is man’s futile efforts to reach God. Christianity is God reaching down to man, and someone that doesn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by nature would think Christianity is a lot of bull. I personally like David Bowie as a singer, songwriter, musician, and a master of gimmickry, but as a theologian, he has much to be desired. If Mr. Stone would listen to someone that knows what they’re talking about, he wouldn’t make such unfortunate statements about nonexistent superior beings and then contradict himself by saying, “God’s got a sick sense of humor, and when I die, I expect to find him laughing.” I find it ridiculous for God (“nonexistent”?) to laugh at the death of anyone; just like the guy who once told me, “When I die, bury me face down so the whole world can kiss my ass!” Mr. Stone didn’t start any blasphemous rumors either because that rumor has been around for nearly 2000 years. You’d think he’d be smart enough to start his own rumors instead of using “old wave” material.

I consider myself an authority on Stryper, because I have been fortunate to know the band members on a personal level. You’ll never meet a nicer bunch of guys in your lives, and that goes for their staff and road crew as well. Not only do they possess the good qualities already mentioned about David Bowie, they have a sweet spirit that can be envied by all people—Christian or non-believer. They’re darn good theologians too!! Along with Darin DePew, I challenge your mag to interview Stryper if you have the guts. I promise you and your readers will learn something worthwhile.

John E. Adams, Jr.

Redlands, CA

This is a response to the letter from Mr. Brad Stone of Miami, FL. He has a right to state his opinion, as it says in our United States Constitution, and now I’m going to state mine. How dare you say that our Father God is an “alien!” Or quote what David Bowie says! He put you on this earth didn’t he? I also think that Depeche Mode stinks! Stryper is a heck of a lot better than them, and I think that any metallers and any Christian metallers would agree. I think that you need help that no physiciatrist can offer. You say, quote: “I don’t want to start any blasphemous rumors.” I suggest that you quit while you're ahead, because you’re probably going to get a lot worse negative remarks from other people and it won’t be as mellow as I’m trying to make it. In conclusion, I don’t think you should expect anything from God, because He doesn’t need to prove anything to you! Thanks for letting me state my opinion.

Cindy Barnard

Sunland, CA

THE KING & I

In response to Brad Stone’s letter, I have a few words to say. You probably won’t print it because it’s from a Christian standpoint. And if you do have the guts to print it, Brad won’t have the guts to read it. I think it’s sorta funny that someone who says there is no God can’t explain how this world was created. If you want to be so naive as to believe you came from a monkey—which has very little intelligence—be my guest. As for me,

I was created by someone who understands me. Jesus Christ invented rock ’n’ roll. Perverts like you have just perverted God’s original use for it. Stryper is just here to do what God originally planned for rock ’n’ roll. God also created the humor. It’s you that’s perverted it. Also, God doesn’t have a sick sense of humor.

If he did, he would laugh at your jokes. The only blasphemous things in this world are people like you and Prince. When you die, you won’t see God. I hope you make that a lie.

Troy Piper

Payette, ID

UNBELIEVABLY

SUBTLE

SARCASM!

In response to Brad Stone’s letter about your article on Stryper, I want to commend Brad on his perception and bravado. He is truly a man of the ’80s. I must admit that I didn’t read the article on Stryper either, but I will say that guys like Brad and me have spent years of developing our fatalistic view of life and we take great comfort in the fact that these views are mirrored in the music of such giants as Depeche Mode and Bowie. We have convinced ourselves that fatalism is the only reality and we resent the fact that you would deliberately try to confuse us by writing about a band whose views differ from ours. Let’s keep pop music and pop culture confined to the basics. You know, sex, drugs, self-pity, self-indulgence, stuff like that! As Tina Turner has so eloquently said, “What’s love got to do with it”—or hope for that matter? I’d like to say more because I’m really steamed about this issue, but I better stop and stick my head back in the sand. A “New Ager” like myself can’t run the risk of getting exposed to too many divergent ideas about the meaning of life (I bet Brad feels that way too).

Rick Evans

Tampa, FL

THE LAST WORD

I’m a longtime reader of your interesting magazine, and it is, in my opinion, tops in its field. Anyhow, this is the first time I’ve felt sufficiently compelled to write to you. It is regarding the context of the letter written by a person called Brad Stone from Miami, FL. Our achievements and failures are our responsibilities as Mr. Stone says, but that’s as far as I can say I agree with anything Stone mentions. Sure, they’re our responsibilities, but in the end, we must account for all of our achievements and failures to the Lord, who is not as—Mr. Stone seems to think—“non-existent.” Here’s how it works: God gives us an incredible gift when we are born, the gift of life. It is our responsibility to use this gift, experience it, and utilize it to the fullest. Chances are to be taken; when you have a goal, go after it with all the courage and intestinal fortitude you have. And if things don’t work out, explain to the Lord that you are beginning to lose strength, slip to the dark side and ask him for his spirit to sustain you. If you continue to do your human best, the Lord will help you make it the rest of the way.

Of course, there are illegal and immoral shortcuts towards reaching any steps on the ladder. You can have a life that, materialistically, has everything. Without giving honor, thoughts and respect to the being who divested the gift of life onto you, even a life that seems to be full, materialistically, is in reality, as empty as a broken glass. If you think that an empty life like that is OK, think about this: the Lord has another gift in store for the chosen few who deserve life and that is an even greater gift than a mortal life. It is everlasting life. But if the Lord looks down to the earth and sees that a recipient of his gift has squandered it—by sitting back and watching it go by uncontestedly, even broodingly by choosing to be one’s own lawmaker and master; or by any other means, he will certainly not be very quick to give that mortal the second gift, the greatest gift of all.

Certainly we all have doubts sometimes, about the Lord and about ourselves. But faith is there for us to grab for whenever we doubt anything. With faith, mountains can be moved and mere mortals such as ourselves an achieve anything we set our minds to, as long as we hold onto our human spirit, and do whatever is necessary from our side. Remember this: faith is more than believing something regardless of the evidence. It is daring to do something, regardless of the consequences. In other words, full speed ahead, damn the torpedoes. With faith in ourselves and faith in the Lord, torpedoes certainly can’t touch us. I hope this letter can open a few eyes.

Thank you.

“Downtown” Bruno Lauer

Penn Hills, PA