Cradle of Filth has been my favorite band since the mid 90's. My favorite album is Cruelty and the Beast, and my favorite song is Bathory Aria: Benighted Like Usher (though Nymphetamine comes in close second). In fact Cradle of Filth is the only band whose albums I buy regularly.

To my friends, family, co-workers, and just about everyone else who knows me in the real world this comes (usually) as quite the shock. Why are they so shocked? Well it might be the fact that I am as hardcore Christian as they come. I'm a reformed Southern Baptist, affirming five point Calvinist, student of theology -to include biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew), I maintain and run a Christian blog, share my Faith whenever possible, and have a passion for Christ. I would wager that I am not the typical Cradle of Filth fan.

Yet at the same time, there are those who are surprised to find that I am a Christian because apparently I don't look the part. (Really we dwell on some ridiculous things.)

So why is Cradle of Filth my favorite band, as opposed to....I don't know...DC Talk? A number of reasons.

1. Generally I am disgusted with modern "Christian" music. I have come to realize that, by and large, mainstream "Christian" is a little dishonest about itself. Theologically weak, focused on secular issues with secular answers at their core, it is made in the imitation of the "Top 40" bands that get played over and over and over again on the bloody radio, and honestly I think it only further reveals a content attitude towards the shallow nature of the modern American church (notice the little "c").

Again this statement is a general statement. There are exceptions.

2. I am absolutely enthralled with storytelling and good storytellers. What hooked me onto Cradle of Filth was that each album, from song one to song end, told a magnificent tale. Sure the stories are quite dark, gruesome, angry, and filled with all manner of blasphemy, but they are unique, intriguing, and well told.

3. In the world of black, doom, and goth metals, I truly tire of the same scrambled notes played in discordance with throbbing drums that give no sense of purpose. Cradle of Filth stands out in this regard as their music blends entropic chaotic outburst with haunting melodies. There is complexity and subtle nuances that engage and invite the listener to experience all the head banging glory they have to offer.

4. Finally and most importantly, Cradle of Filth has been a direct challenge to my Faith. As noted in above, Cradle of Filth shares epic stories that generally pay hommage to the flesh. Not solely to sexual desire, but also honoring the satisfaction of anger, lust, revenge, self destruction, and so on. I would almost say that they have an Anton LaVey, Satanic approach -which is a Satanism that does not worship Satan, but rather worships the Flesh and Carnality.

There are a lot of anti-Judeo-Christian lyrics and allusions throughout their music, and there is also a lot of anger that is directed at Christian and pseudo-Christian concepts, practices, and ideals. Some of that anger and some of the points that they make, I confess, I agree with. The music allows an insight into the perceptions of some of those who are outright and openly disgusted with us. It give me the opportunity to see how Christians (and cult groups claiming Christian/Christian-like) are seen by those who feel hurt, wounded, angry, enraged, hateful, resentful, spiteful, etc., etc. with the Church and the church.

Sometimes listening carefully is an invaluable tool. It allows me a glimpse into someone else’s world view. It is an opportunity to learn. Music doesn’t scare me, fringe social groups don’t scare me, fringe religions don’t scare me, but ignorance -and especially ignorance within the Church- terrifies me. I can’t reach out if I don’t understand. If I spent the past twenty years of your life abusing you, I would be out of my mind to expect that you would be willing to allow me to come to you with open arms and comfort away all your woes.

In general, for Christians I think that it is too easy to write the "fringe cultures" and "counter cultures" off. It is too easy to say, leave them to God. It is too easy to say, well let’s just pray for them. BUT listening, letting them say what they feel they have to get off their chests, approaching them ready to discuss the hurt, why it was awful men and women who hurt them (and not Christ), and meeting them on their ground and at their level is another story altogether.

This is not to say that Cradle of Filth or any of its fans have been hurt by the Church or not hurt by the Church, but it is to recognize and acknowledge that the frustration and anger exists.

BUT...the music of Cradle of Filth does remind me that there exists a large number of people who feel hurt, misled, wounded, deceived, rejected, hated, etc. by the Church. It reminds me that I am to be prepared to feel backlash directed at me for the wrongs of others who came to these people in the name of Christ. Their music also remind me that I need to live honestly and sincerely.

So in terms of my faith, my responsibility is to Love the LORD with my heart, mind, and soul; Love my neighbor; and plant the seed. Grace is not to the worthy, but to the unworthy…and all of us are unworthy.