Church to hear Heavy message (unconventional Canadian pastor to deliver Sermon on Metallica)

The Calgary Sun ^ | Wed, May 5, 2004

[presidio9]

Heavy metal will meet the Old Testament at a Calgary church this Sunday as an unconventional pastor bangs home the message of anger and forgiveness through the music of Metallica. Rather than listening to a sermon about honouring thy mother this Mother's Day Sunday, parishioners at New Hope Christian Reformed Church in northwest Calgary will be treated to 20 minutes of head-banging Metallica music and the band's DVD The Unforgiven -- complete with funky lights and fog machine.

"Seeing as Metallica is coming to town this week, we thought we'd preach a message on the heavy metal band this Sunday," said Pastor John Van Sloten.

The tour is titled: The Madly In Anger With the World tour. Metallica plays the Saddledome tomorrow.

"They're a lot like the Old Testament prophets who would rail against the crap that's going on in the world and somehow reflected the heart of God against the injustices and the brokenness and the hurt," said Van Sloten.

Van Sloten has hosted similar sermons before, focusing on bands U2 and Evanescence, crooner Johnny Cash, artist Vincent Van Gogh and other famous historical figures..

The pastor will be on CJAY 92 tomorrow morning to talk about the connection between heavy metal and teachings of the Bible.

"Some of these guys lived very tragic lives and it's no wonder they're so angry.

"But this is also about working through that anger and finding forgiveness."

[Notforprophet]

Creeping Death BUMP

[Phantom Lord]

Hetfield Bump!

[E Rocc]

Thou shalt not download? >:)

-Eric

[Severa]

Saw Metallica for the first time on Apr 26th at the Norfolk Scope....6th row seats....LOVED IT...

[newgeezer]

Ping.

[Phantom Lord]

Now you've done it!

[biblewonk]

I've always wanted to do a message like that.

[#1CTYankee]

What would he do if Alice in chains was still around?

[William Martel]

Sounds like the type of church you'd open up. lol

[SoothingDave]

So let it be written, so let it be done.

SD

[presidio9]

I thought about pinging him to this thread.


Then I thought better of it.

[P-Marlowe]

Here's their web site.

Frankly they seem like a pretty straightforward and orthodox church.

Just because the pastor uses pop-culture as a back drop to a gospel message does not mean the gospel message is necessarily compromised. It is often a hook to bring in the fish. We are called to be fishers of men. Fishermen use lures. There is no biblical rule against Pastors or lay ministers doing the same.

[Phantom Lord]

I don't know if you have followed the current tour at all or checked out the set lists. But for the first time in their history they are playing Dyers Eve! Not at all shows, but they have closed several with it.

[housethatruthbuilt]

if you like hearing them live, check out www.livemetallica.com

[Phantom Lord]

[Severa]

Aw man at our concert they played 'Battery', 'Whiplash', 'Jump in the Fire'...and only TWO songs from 'St Anger' My husband was THRILLED...

[Ciexyz]

Isn't this a more appropriate topic for the youth group Sunday evening session?

[general_re]

"And now, please rise for our opening hymn..." ;)

[presidio9]

"In The Garden OF Eden," by I. Ron Butterfly?