Christian metalcore band Haste the Day has asked guitarist Jason Barnes to step down after months of spiritual searching by their close friend concluded with his loss of faith in God.
“This is going to come as a shock to many of you,” the group wrote to fans in their official MySpace page Friday. “After much prayer and thought given to the matter, we asked Jason Barnes to step down from his involvement with Haste the Day.”
In their statement, the seven-year-old band from Indianapolis explained that Barnes had been “searching and searching for real meaning in his existence.”
“After several months of reading literature and talking with friends, Jason had determined that he felt there was no God and certainly no Jesus,” the group revealed.
“We as a band do not have problem with those that do not believe in Jesus, nor do we cast judgement (sic) on those that do not believe in Jesus,” the band continued. “We just want to love on people like Jesus would and hopefully share a little bit about what he's done and doing in our lives.”
However, as the group identifies itself as a Christian band, the remaining band members felt they could not have someone “who didn’t agree with the band’s foundational drive,” even though Barnes was “one of our closest friends.”
Furthermore, the band acknowledged how the difference in belief had created a “tear” in their relationship with Barnes, which they said they are all working on mending.
“Jason's new found disbelief in what the rest of us have committed our lives to began to cause disunity within the band and as a result, we prayed and talked about it and felt like God was saying it wasn't time for Haste the Day to come to an end. [Thus], we asked Jason to leave.”
The now four-member band said they are not looking to replace Barnes with a new guitar player. Their friend, Dave Krysl, will instead be their full-time touring guitar player.
The surprising announcement comes three months before the Oct. 14 release of the band’s next album, “Dreamer,” and only two weeks before the Aug. 1 release of a new song from the album.
Known for its spiritual metal sound, which attracted fans nationwide, Haste the Day has produced albums containing Christian-oriented messages, with lyrics that are often introspective rather than “preachy.”
Its last album, Pressure the Hinges, debuted last year at number 89 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 10,000 copies in its first week.
The band is currently signed with Christian record label Solid State Records.
Comments
I have always had a problem when people refer to a form of music as "of the devil". Now don't get me wrong I am not passing judgment on any of you but my inquisitive nature is kicking in. When someone says that anything is "of the devil" I generally it seems to infer that Satan made something horrible to trick us with. Now I know Satan is a deceiver of men but he is limited in power and most certainly not a creator of anything of substance. The best he can ope to do assume that it means the devil is use something of God's creation in an improper or unintended way. Regardless of the form music is a art form that must be learned and refined. All the pieces that make "music" were created by God and were intended for us to use. Now Satan has perverted that and ruined some forms I agree but ultimately the forms belong to God.
I also have wondered about the statement "we shouldnt be copying the world" in regards to the different forms of music. Again it all belongs to God but I think the issue here is that as artists Christians stopped taking the lead long long ago and have left creativity and "pushing the boundaries" up to secular individuals. Christians for far to long have taken second best table scraps on that front.
I would venture to say also that most Christian artists don't play a style of music to be "like the world" but simply play what they know and what they like
Anyway I know I am late to this discussion but those are my thoughts
Star2,
I mostly agree. Some genres/styles seem worse than others for communicating the gospel. Secular metal thrash music seems to emphasize the disharmony, beat, + screaming; it's hard to hear Christian lyrics through the din. For most music, it's the lyrics that make it Christian + edifying.
We will keep our house + let a seminary family live there: not enough housing on campus for the # attending. As we have been blessed, we will be a blessing to others.
My PhD is in Christian Ed, focusing on leadership. Specifically, the pastor's role in managing church conflict. Sadly, no shortage of cases to research!
mathetes - You said that you were working on your dissertation. What kind of degree are you seeking and what is your dissertation on?
mathetes - Thanks for responding. I agree with you to a degree but I think some forms of music is not of God, is disrespectful to God, and is of the devil, such as heavy metal for example.
Music comes from the heart. What kind of heart would produce music like that?
I personally think there is something wrong when a person copies the ways of the world when they become born-again. We are suppose to leave the gods of the world behind not keep them on our altar to worship along with our worship of God. To do so only makes us blind to the truth (Hosea 7:8-9). In my opinion, many Christians worship the demon inspired music they grew up on and that is what drives them to form many of these Christian Rock Bands and what partially drives listeners to want to listen to them. If they don't worship that style of music then they are, at the very least, in bondage to it.
I grew up in the 50's and 60's. If I should overhear someone play the secular music from back then I still like it but I have no interest and desire to entertain myself with that kind of music.
Maybe I am wrong about it but maybe I am not. I am teachable and I will allow God to correct my thinking about the matter of 'Christian' Rock Music.
Star2,
It looks like most everything has been said and the thread is dying out. Only thing I would say is I believe there's room in the Kingdom for music from many cultures. When I led worship in a Presb church, we had many members from other denoms who worshipped with various musical styles, while one family wanted to use the Psalter only. In a multicultural Bapt church we blended southern gospel, black gospel, and contemporary worship music - not easy, but probably what it will sound like in heaven times 1000.
As for personal listening, each Christian should follow his/her own convictions. As Paul wrote in Rom. 14:22, "The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve."
Prophet,
You will be missed. I've often been thankful for you + will continue to pray God blesses you + your family as you serve Him.
God bless you Prophet. I understand. I often wondered about you married guys about the amount of time you all spent on CP. I am single and it doesn't much matter. I'll email you. Hope you will answer my email I sent to you the other night. Would like to know about your accident.
prophet, saw your post to star2, just know we'll miss you but I for one totally understand and respect your need to be more with your family and pray nothing but God's will and blessing for you and them. Plus kids only grow up once and you want to miss as little of that as possible, be blessed as you serve Him, believer
Star,
You know I've always respected you. And I know you have a personal conviction about that type of music. I respect that as well. And if we were friends who lived in the same town and fellowshipped together, you can rest assured that I would not listen to that type of music around you because it bothers you. As Paul exhorts us to do.
I hope to be able to email each other yet. I know I've been kind of laxed in that area. Things have been hectic around here. But I am taking a sabbatical from CP indefinitely. In talking to God tonight, I felt that it was taking too much from my family and time with Him. I know you understand. And I am so thankful that God is blessing you and ministering to you as well. I pray His peace, wisdom, and love for you always. Keep in touch.
Prophet - That is good that God is working in your life. May He continue to do so. May God bless you.
I listened to some of the Christian Rock bands you listen to on youtube. Some are kind of mild compared to the metal band and I can see how God could use it in your life. But I still maintain that Christain Rock,on the order of metal, is not of God. I know you don't agree. We are each entitled to our opinions and the reasons for them.
star,
I've done that countless times too. It's okay. We got it figured out. The point I was making with that post, is that I've been listening to this music my whole life, and my relationship with God has grown daily, and He has moved and blessed me in all the areas of my life. But that is not taking away from having a strong prayer life and studying His Word consistently. But music has always been an encouraging source, and God moves in songs that glorify him.
Prophet: "That music you listen to did not bring healing and deliverance to your family."
I didn't say that."
I went back and reread your post and I agree with you.
And....as I've said already, God used that music to encourage me during the hard times, much like He did with David.
"That music you listen to did not bring healing and deliverance to your family."
I didn't say that. But it did strengthen my relationship with God, and boosted my faith in Him, which in turn, allowed God to work as He wills in my life. I hope that you do not the grave sin of attributing the work of the Holy Spirit in my life to Satan. Some would call that the impardonable sin. Be very careful of the words you speak.
I have a friend who thinks that television is of the devil, no matter what you watch on it. His personal conviction is that satan works through the tv to destroy us. I could bring him in here to debate with you about television and that anyone who watches any amount of tv (including your 1/2 hour a day) is allowing satan to havd a foothold.
But he, unlike you, knows that it is a personal conviction. And he doesn't argue with me that I am a sinner for watching tv (though, like you, I only watch educational or sports tv). We are good friends.
I just met a person at work who doesn't have the internet for the same reason. If he could talk to you, he'd probably give you all sorts of statistics to back his beliefs, but you would still continue to come to CP. Because you would call that his opinion. And he would still say that you need to repent.
Is he correct?