I’m a Christian with stylistic Gothic tendencies. I hardly know what I should write about on this blog. I know that there are plenty of social networking opportunities for the Christian Goth elsewhere, so I don’t seek to be yet another venue in that regard. And I am definitely not seeking to be the next Christian Goth.com or Gothic Christianity.com, so what is it I’m trying to do here?
I have a heart for my brothers and sisters within the Gothic community. I know that there exists ever present dangers that seek to hinder them in their course. I know the discouragement, personally, that they can experience from well intentioned Believers. I know what it is to see Christians turn this community into an idol and a hindrance to their own walk with Christ; to watch the many who simply do not belong here.
I have seen, too many times, bad theology taught by well intentioned, yet ill informed, Christian Goths who fancy themselves preachers. I have witnessed little boys stand with Bible in hand and make a mockery of the Word of God, relying solely upon themselves and what they want to accomplish. It. Breaks. My. Heart.
How can we be a LIGHT to the world around us when we don’t even want the Truth reigning in our lives? How can we proclaim Christ with our lips, but deny Him in our refusal to submit wholly to His LORDSHIP.
I am nobody. I am nobody special. I am nobody worthy of notice. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. I have been burned by my own foolishness more times than I can count, and Christ Jesus has seen me safely through more than I can ever communicate. And maybe this is why I’m here. To share studies and reflections on God and Scripture. To encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to look to Jesus, always. To point the lost to the cross, always.
I suppose, unless anyone leaves a topic or a question for me to respond to, I think I’m going to focus on sharing Scripture verses, reflections, studies, and prayers. I don’t know what else to offer. This is what I have. This is who I am; a servant of Christ…
…And if that is not who I am first, then certainly I shouldn’t be here trying to contribute to the Christian Gothic community.
My only prayer: May this bring glory to our Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria!,
~Michael
October 11, 2009 at 7:40 pm |
I will be honest, I was not aware there was such a thing as a Christian Gothic Community haha.
Just wanted to know that I like what you have to say!
October 11, 2009 at 9:56 pm |
Seab4zz,
I think it is much smaller now than it was when I was younger, but it is still there.
I appreciate the encouragement greatly.
Blessings,
~Michael
October 12, 2009 at 2:57 pm |
When it comes to the christian gothic community the majority of people don’t understand it and what they don’t understand they run from or ignore. The danger in this very small community is the mixing of christianity of aspects of the occult. Just like the religion of santeria.
A christian goth is very imaginative just like a child is. With that you can use gothic imagery and words to express the gospel in those realms.
One little example that I have done shortly after I became a believer………. I took a regular nail, about 4″ and tied it around a string to be like a necklace. Then I took dark red finger nail polish and painted 3/4 of the nail. This creates a 2 fold message. It would fit neatly into the genre of the underground because of its look but it also causes the average person out there to ask “why are you wearing a nail around your neck” So, if you should choose to do this be ready for a witness because it will happen when you least expect it.
October 12, 2009 at 6:20 pm |
John,
Agreed.
“The danger in this very small community is the mixing of [C]hristianity of aspects of the occult.”
Which is all the more reason that we especially must be on guard and hold to the truth of God’s Word. I have seen this all too often; those who would “borrow” imagery in the name of faith, and soon fall quickly to error; delving into something that they should have had no part in to begin with. I cannot stress how crucial it is for us to be on guard.
“So, if you should choose to do this be ready for a witness because it will happen when you least expect it.”
This is the most wonderful thing about our walk, for even among the gothic community we are unique and provoke all manner of opportunity for sharing the Gospel. I have had the opportunity, and still get the opportunity, to share Christ with some of – what I call – the most unlikely people. I call them unlikely because normally these individuals would have nothing to do with a person sharing the Gospel, yet by the grace of God they’ll not only give me an ear and opportunity, but also engage and ask questions.
I think that is the underlining motivation for this site. To help encourage our small community to stand fast in their faith; to make Christ the focus of their lives, and to look to His word for truth, and not to fables or strange aberrant amalgams created by mixing our most holy Faith with other religions and/or spiritualities. This is where I have seen us lack.
I don’t think I’m here to “fix” anything. I only desire to point all to Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria!,
~Michael
October 16, 2009 at 12:47 pm |
[...] Gothic Perspective.com is a revived project that I’ve been working on for a short time now. My intentions…well you’ll just have to see for yourself. Check it out and let me know what you [...]
December 31, 2009 at 12:17 am |
Hey dude, I don’t see myself as a goth though I do so love the scene with all it’s messed up and broken ways and people. I’m replying, because the words you wrote here that I randomly stumbled upon struck home and because it stands as a warning to people like me. I started a FB group about 2 years ago which turned into more than just a FB group. Yes, there are MANY pitfalls, but as aware as I am of many of them(because I fell into most), I have also realized that one of the biggest mistakes that the alternative scene makes is to focus solely on the negative. Roosevelt said something brilliant about “the man in the arena”. We fall and we screw up often, in serious ways and in ways that affect others(if only it could be limited to ourselves). But so it goes when one tries to do something. We can’t be so scared of doing something wrong that we do nothing. Humility I think is key…though so hard to walk and not just to preach!
I don’t know what I’m here to say other than that your words rang true, so thank you for that.
January 23, 2010 at 1:44 am |
Thanks for this article. I am a Christian with an interest in the gothic culture. Stylistically I can be very different than typical/stereotypical gothic leanings but I really am intrigued by the gothic mindset and intellect. I agree, we need to not only contextualize the truth to all cultures and subcultures.
Questions:
How can I better understand the logic process of the typical gothic mind? I mean in terms of politics, music, art, etc. Usually when I think goth I think of something borderline macabre but I really don’t think this does justice to gothic culture.
Also, how can I relate to goths as a non-goth? I feel like I share a fair amount of similarities but I do major differences with the subculture, one small aspect being a difference in physical dress.
How can I be more informed on what goths are concerned/interested in? This question is especially geared towards life/existential/philosophical questions.
And finally… mixing Christian apologetics with Christian witness with goths….. any suggestions or references? Books, articles, blogs??? ^^
Thanks again for sharing your burden.
January 24, 2010 at 2:08 pm |
Jenny,
Your questions are wonderful and well thought out. They deserve more attention than a simple reply here. I will take some time to consider them carefully and -most importantly- prayerfully. I will answer these in my next post.
Blessings,
Michael