Skillet’s John Cooper Responds to Critics of Band's Rendition of 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel'

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Skillet frontman John Cooper has issued a response to criticism of the band’s recent rendition of the well-known Christmas hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

The song, which has over 800,000 views on YouTube, is the band’s first Christmas song and has the No.1 spot on iTunes’ rock and Christmas charts. At the same time, however, the song has been met with criticism online.

Cooper, who founded the band in 1996, responded to the critics by acknowledging their understanding while also stressing the work that Skillet has done in sharing the gospel.

I'm not angry or even offended by those who believe my music is somehow satanic,” Cooper told Church Leaders.

“Perhaps it’s because I grew up with godly parents who believed that rock music was inherently from the devil,” he explained. “I was taken to Bill Gothard seminars and preached to about the evils of Christian rock profusely.” Cooper said that his parents were “were just doing what they believed was right because they loved me and wanted to protect me.”

“And I assume that those who criticize Skillet have the same motive—and I assume they are brothers.” Cooper added, “But, I do wish they could hear the stories of how God has used our music to bring the light and hope of the gospel into broken lives, and it is because of the call of the Lord that I easily ignore these voices. They don’t slow me down—they ramp me up.”

Quoting from one of his favorite Christian rock bands, Petra, Cooper concluded, “In the words of Petra, who blazed a trail for us: ‘Don’t wanna be a man-pleaser, I wanna be a God-pleaser.’”

The song was met with a polarizing response on social media.

“If the Bible is true, music like this will be banned during the Millennium. This does NOT give glory to God at all. If the Devil sang hymns, and sometimes he does, this is what it would sound and look like. Watching with sound off really drives this point home,” an X account known as Now The End Begins (NTEB) wrote in response to a clip of the song.

“So demonic,” and cited Matthew 7:21-23. Another said, “Can’t imagine Jesus standing in their midst and doing anything but driving them out with a whip and overturning it all, another critic wrote.

Meanwhile, others came to Skillet’s defense, including James White, Pastor of Apologia Church in Arizona and the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, who described himself as the band’s official theologian.

“Let me add my voice. I ate dinner with John and Korey in their kitchen a few months ago We talked church and challenges and hard things in life. My wife and I have fellowshipped with them and Jen in their home when they were still in Wisconsin,” White commented. “I have spent HOURS in the Skillet bus before concerts, talking theology. They are the real thing. Ignore Engel. He lives for clicks by saying outrageous, stupid things for which he will answer someday.”

Alisa Childers, podcast host and former member of the band Zoe Band, also defended Skillet’s rendition of the song.

“So, I didn’t have defending Skillet to Christian X on my bingo card for today. But here we are,” Childers wrote. “I would recommend that before you criticize this rendition, listen to the whole song. It begins reverently and melodically beautiful. This honors the original beauty of the song that expresses a tension and longing for the coming Messiah.”

“Then, Skillet goes hard,” Childers continued. “This represents a longing that still exists and is intensified…now for the return of Christ in a world that has lost its ever loving mind. It’s the same tension. The same longing. The intensity is appropriate.”

“In fact, it’s fantastic. (And as a singer, I appreciate the otherworldly vocals of Jen Ledger that take it over the top),” Childers added. “One more thing. Everybody whines about the lack of quality Christian art. These are four phenomenal musicians and performers who have created something that is provoking deep thought and reflection. That’s art.”

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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.