Sacred Metalcore: A worship, culture, and missiology study of the Christian metal scene

My argument is that the Christian faith can be legitimately enacted within the subculture context of the modern metal music scene. Specifically, I survey important pieces of literature about both the secular and the sacred versions of the metal scene and examine how the Christian faith is put into practice within the scene in terms of worship style and evangelistic tactics. Some object that the metal scene is not fit for Christian practice because of its historical linkage with devil worship, explicit sexual references, profane language, rebellious attitude, violence, and church burnings, but I argue that the redemptive power of Christ and the Godhead is powerful enough to redeem a broken music scene and transform it into a new creation that can bring honor, glory, and praise to the one true God. In addition to surveying the scene and arguing for the legitimacy of it, I also discuss the pros and cons that accompany the translation of the Christian faith into a different cultural context. In the end, I determine that, while the Christian metal scene is not your traditional, Sunday morning church service, the scene is a legitimate form of Christian expression that must be carried out with care and caution because of the gravity and responsibility that accompanies bringing the gospel into a new realm.

Name thesis:degree_name

Bachelor of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

bachelors

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Religion

Grantor dc:publisher

Ashland University Honors Theses

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Lattimer, Paul

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hovey, Craig

• Religion
• Music
• Christian metal scene
• subculture study
• Christian worship
• missiology
• metalcore

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1366039234

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:auhonors1366039234