On the misuse of God’s Law and the importance of a low Ecclesiology: “I was brainwashed in a Pentecostal church. I’m not against churches or religion, but I do believe, like I said in “Garden of Eden,” that most organized religions make a mockery of humanity. My particular church was filled with self-righteous hypocrites who were child abusers and child molesters. These were people who’d been damaged in their own childhoods and in their lives. These were people who were finding God but still living with their damage and inflicting it upon their children. I had to go to church anywhere from three to eight times a week. I even taught Bible school while l was being beaten and my sister was being molested. We’d have televisions one week, then my step-dad would throw them out because they were satanic. l wasn’t allowed to listen to music. Women were evil. Everything was evil. I had a really distorted view of sexuality and women. I remember the first time l got smacked for looking at a woman.”
On the genesis of GNR and the bondage of the will: “I have a lot of damage, and I’m not saying that like ‘Oh, pity me’ or anything. Instead of being myself, I was definitely a product of my environment, and that was something [GNR] has thrown back in the world’s face. ‘You don’t like us? [Shame on] you! You helped create us! Your ways of doing things helped make sure we exist the way we are.’ We didn’t have a choice to exist any other way.”
On the appeal of GNR and the role of Abreaction in Heavy Metal: “There’s a lot of people involved in rock n roll who were running from something. They got involved with drugs and alcohol to help ease the pain. A large portion – probably the majority – of rockers and metal fans are damaged people who are trying to find some way to express themselves. They can relate to the anger, the pain, the frustration of the band that’s performing.”
COMMENTS
17 responses to “The Wisdom Of W. Axl Rose, pt 1”
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Wisdom indeed. So cool.
Good Lord.
wow…
What a find…Dave Zahl, so hot right now.
Abreaction on a whole new level.
Genius!
a grain of salt is always tasty with a dish like this…
Michael! Don’t disrespect the Axl. He may name-check you in a song…
DZ, this post just made my day. What a blog!
I had no idea that he was raised a Pentecostal! How interesting. What a remarkable insight into the man. Thanks, David.
David, No disrespect intended, and please, please don’t tell him I made that comment. Falling into the hands of an angry “victim” is far worse than falling into those of an angry God.
Ahh… another Sam Kinison, what a surprise. If I’d known all that about Axl earlier in my life, I would have only liked him and his band more.
Another great post, thanks, David. I always wonder what it would be like for folks like this, who struggle so greatly with the burdens heaped on them from others, if they received even a small amount of consistently delivered Gospel.
But, then again, I’ve seen what happens… joy. Unrestrained, unbelievable freedom and joy. It just takes a long time to get there and come to the realization that the good news in the Gospel really is true.
It reminds me of something I believe C.S. Lewis remarked about describing what it’ll be like to enter heaven… we’ll be immeasurably joyful, like a calf leaping happily about after being release from the stall.
Of course, I always love the line from Aslan in “The Last Battle,” too… “You’re not yet nearly as happy as I mean you to be.”
Amen.
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But wait…Axl Rose may be just using his alleged (has there ever been any real proof of this?) abuse by the Pentecostal church/his family as a smokescreen to reject God, as many unbelievers do. Many Christians have been abused, molested, or neglected in their childhoods but don’t reject God. To reject the sinless, loving, all-wise God, creator of the universe, because of what mere sinful humans do is not wise. It is common knowledge that humans are sinful hypocrites, and the Bible acknowledges this. We don’t need Axl Rose to tell us this. While Axl Rose is demeaning others as sinful hypocrites; Axl Rose is a sinful hypocrite too. The extreme debauchery of Guns N’ Roses and particularly Axl Rose is public knowledge. When reading this article it is wise to remember that the actions of others ultimately don’t cause us to sin, we are all reponsible for our own sin:
James 1:14-15 “14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”
…and humans are sinful hypocrites, but God is not, therefore to reject God because of what mere sinful humans do is unwise & just a smokescreen unbelievers use so they can continue to lead the sinful lifestyle they enjoy rather than submitting to and obeying God
Romans 3:4 “Let God be true, and every man a liar.”
What Axl Rose is doing is straight from hell…shifting blame & responsibility for his own sinful lifestyle to Christianity and God Himself, since Axl has reportedly also said in past interviews that “God let him down.” Furthermore, the fact that Axl Rose has openly admitted in media interviews over the years that did many wrongful things like physically, sexually, and emotionally abuse his past lovers, among other things, and also attempted to cover it up, is proof positive that he knows his actions are morally wrong and he is guilty. Therefore, Axl has no real excuse & needs to assume personal responsibility & stop blaming others for his own actions.
In the end, the words to his song “November Rain” have more meaning to his life then he even realizes, as God Himself may wish to say to Axl:
“I know that you can love me when there’s no-one left to blame.”
Postscript to my post above:
That’s why God instructs us in Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Evil may have been done against Axl, as it has been to all of us, but he needs to not let it overcome him and lead him to do evil himself, but instead have victory over this evil in Christ…
Ephesians 6:10-17
“10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,15and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
I pray for the man. He has been through a lot. It wounded him. It’s probably hard for anyone to process through when he’s been through and probably even harder is that he has been a superstar, almost all his life after he suffered. It takes time to heal. God still absolutely loves him. He absolutely forgives him and so deeply wants to help him heal. I can only hope that my Christian sisters and brothers will pray Axl gives the Lord a chance and ask him to show him his limitless love, mercy , grace and healing. After all the only two requirements are to love the Lord and each other
Guns and roses was greatest band of my generation. Their first album and amazing one. Axel is honest he is damage. He very talent and not just a freak like me. His music will out last his life time. However he mess up his career. He lost a lot out waste time. Roses seem to been a dick and shame on him. I hope he find peace and rediscover God.