Skillet’s John Cooper says Christians who call rock music ‘demonic’ are ‘getting the gospel wrong’
John Cooper, the co-founder of the Christian rock band Skillet, is pushing back against the notion that hard rock music is inherently evil. Cooper argues that believers who label heavy music as demonic are fundamentally misunderstanding the core tenets of their faith.
At the center of his argument is the distinction between sound and intent. "Music does not belong to the devil. Music belongs to God and it's the intentionality," Cooper stated. He emphasized that the moral weight of a song lies in its lyrics and the mindset of the artist, not in the genre's auditory style. He went so far as to suggest that Christians who condemn a musical style based purely on its sound are "getting the gospel wrong."
Cooper's perspective is deeply rooted in his personal history. He admitted to growing up in a household where his parents viewed rock music as a tool of the adversary. "My mom very much, very much believed that like the loud guitars, anything with a drum beat really was Satanic, was from hell," he recalled. His mother, who passed away when he was 15, considered Christian rock to be the devil's instrument. Despite this upbringing, Cooper expressed no malice toward her or those who share her convictions. When demonstrators protest outside his concerts, labeling the band as servants of the devil, he chooses not to engage. He noted that he understands their warnings come from a place of concern and love, making him hesitant to speak out against them.
The musician grounded his defense of artistic expression in his theological beliefs, stating that God created humanity in His image, which inherently includes the capacity to create. He described the ability to write a song as an "amazing gift of freedom God has given all of humanity," noting that a divine creator grants powerful gifts and allows humans to choose how to use them. He firmly rejected the idea that a specific musical style is pagan, saying, "I just can't be down with that." He posited that the devil, if he existed, would likely use something beautiful and pleasant to disguise subversive lyrics, rather than relying on an overtly aggressive sound.
The debate comes as Cooper's band, Skillet, recently saw its 2009 hit "Monster" become the first song by a Christian rock band to reach one billion streams on Spotify—a milestone that shocked the group. The band has sold more than 23 million albums and averages 12 million monthly listeners. When asked about the song's massive appeal, Cooper suggested it resonates because listeners relate to its themes of isolation and anger. "I think that they like the idea of feeling like a monster," he explained, particularly noting its effect on teenage males experiencing hormonal changes and confusion. He added that the track is simple and highly relatable, making it an easy song for audiences to enjoy.
