In the mid nineties, I had a little red Buick and a big ol’ bass box in the trunk, and would listen to “Christian Rock”, cranked to 11.
(What did you say? Huh? Can you say that again, I didn’t hear you….)
I have gotten away from that genre for many reasons, the least of which may be a loss of hearing, but some songs have stuck with me over the decades.
The artist’s I listened to sought to reflect Scriptural teaching for the most part. They ranged from “preaching” pop culture religion to significant theological teaching. As I listened to the lyrics, I found some to be quite challenging.
To be honest, I listened because I could justify the rock beat with “sanctified lyrics”.
Occassionaly I will post a song, supply the lyrics and make a comment or two. If you decide to listen to the tune, turn the speaker down unless you are already deaf. Some of the songs tend to have a certain “volume” about them!
This post will consider Cleansed by Fire, by Alice Cooper.
I was chatting with a peer at work yesterday, speaking of the trememdous advances in the life sciences. I had heard that some discoveries were promising a reversal of the aging process, and as a theoretical discussion, asked him if he would ever consider living for a thousand years. After all, this is what the science is promising.
After a somewhat surprising discussion, especially regarding the potential fallout of such a discovery, I mentioned that as I walk through the last half of my journey on this planet, I have found that the promises of technology, even of this old world, seem hollow and full of disapointment.
Alice seems to be discovering the same in this song, and the subject of the sang is fighting against the promises of the world.
Consider the second stanza, for it rings of the very topic my work peer and I were discussing.
Cleansed by Fire – by Alice Cooper
I don’t know but I’ve been told the streets of hell are paved with gold
Crazy, crazy
You told me that nothing’s free except my own insanity
Crazy, maybe
Wake me, shake me
Wake me, shake me
You offer me the world and all its wealth
All for myself
You promised me a life eternally
And drink to my health
I may seem only half-glued but I can see right through you
Burn it up, burn it down
Burn this sucker to the ground
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Going, going, going, gone
There’s a party going on
And on, and on, and on
Do you think I don’t know who you are
A fallen star
When I feel my soul scream out at night
I know you’re not far
You need a better disguise, this one won’t win any prize
Burn it up, burn it down
Burn this sucker to the ground
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Going, going, going, gone
There’s a party going on
And on, and on, and on
Cleansed by fire
Cleansed by fire
I may seem only half-glued but I can see right through you
What about dark, what about light?
What about wrong, what about right?
What about death, what about sin?
What about the web you’re trying to spin?
What about truth? What about life?
What about glory? What about Christ?
What about peace? What about love?
What about faith in God above?
What about war? What about Hell?
What if I stumble? What if I fell?
What about blood? What about greed?
And all of these things you’re offering me
Yeah, what about me
Little me
You lose
And I win
You couldn’t suck me in
It’s over
You have no power
You’re lost
And I’m found
And I’m Heaven bound
Go back to where you belong
To where you fell
Go to hell, no
What think thee?
Have you found the promises of the world fulfilling, or are you feeling empty, aimless and without purpose? The one promising cannot fulfill, for the Savior is the truth, and the life and the way. He is the One we can trust, and that will complete all the promises He has spoken! He is the Lord!
Take a listen to the song.
Let me know what you think, eh?
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion
Come join us at Considering the Bible
Considering the Bible 