Tag Archives: Stryper

The Crossover Connection Week 50: Christian Music’s Best Attempt at Metal

Posted on January 13, 2024 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO16teJtt1Q

As I draw near the end of a yearlong project, this journey has led me in directions I didn’t think I would go. Of the first 50 groups recognized, the first 35 were inspired by a specific secular artists or genres. However, 15 came from a variety of top ten and top twenty lists of best Christian bands of all time. From a metal perspective, Stryper was one of the first to bring this genre to a Christian audience.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole, Isaiah 53:5.

My brother-in-law brought me to a Stryper concert when I was in high school, “the Soldier’s Under God’s Command tour.” This one concert helped introduce me to the loyal followers of Stryper. The band put on a great show and gave the metal fans in the audience what they were longing. Before CD’s existed, I purchased several cassette tapes of Stryper’s newest albums. While some of their music hasn’t aged well, there are many classic songs attached in the above You Tube.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 225: Never Felt Better

Posted on September 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, there was a belief among conservative Christian churches that any form of Rock music was of the Devil. This ungodly belief was formed by preachers who didn’t understand the events of the sexual revolution of the late 1960’s. Never Felt Better by Barnabas touches on how this group was ostracized at the time this song was written, but the band members felt like they were following God’s will for their lives.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will, Romans 12:1-2.

The apostle Paul addresses how to discover God’s will in the passage above. As Christians begin to develop and share their earthly talents and spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit often places burdens on your heart in the form of a calling from God, Galatians 5:25. Whenever individuals are able to keep in step with the Spirit, spiritual blessings tend to follow. While Barnabas never received the attention of groups like Petra or Stryper, the members was faithful to God’s calling.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 181: Soldiers Under Command

Posted on August 1, 2022 by expressyourself4him

My brother-in-law took me to a local high school who was hosting one of his favorite Christian bands. At one point during the concert, Bibles were thrown into the crowd like a giveaway at a minor league baseball game. Between the outfits and stage set up, attending this Stryper concert was like watching one of the major secular metal bands of the 1980’s.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole, Isaiah 53:5.

Lead singer Michael Sweet shared his testimony that night. One of the things Michael mentioned was a pastor from his home church in Orange County, California who served as a mentor to keep Stryper on track spiritually while on tour. Soldiers Under Command is a byproduct of this accountability. While metal may not be for everyone, Soldiers Under Command is still a great tune to blast in your car.

by Jay Mankus

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