Brian Welch, former guitarist for Korn, tells his story, including the way our extraordinary God used ordinary means to bring him to himself:
Justin Taylor, PhD
Justin Taylor is executive vice president of book publishing and book publisher for Crossway and blogs at Between Two Worlds. You can follow him on Twitter.
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Between 2 Worlds:
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YES
Glad the guy’s been reconciled to God, but I can’t help but say to myself “Great! Yet another celebrity-Christian”…
We wouldn’t want too many celebrity Christians, now would we. Better they just stay pagans, probably.
Could you please clarify what it is you’re trying to say?
DJ are you stupid?
No, I don’t think so… but thanks for your concern. i just don’t think you get what I am trying to say. Matter of fact it seems you may be proving my point I just made… I said that I’m glad he is reconciled! Does it make me stupid that I am reluctant at having another celebrity christian? Why? Is it because you see “evangelism” written all over this conversion of Welch? Then you certainly don’t get what I’m trying to say.
The American tendency to promote the conversion of someone “famous” (a celebrity) and point and say “look! it’s true it’s true”. I would rather see posts high-lighting stay at home mom’s faithfully loving their husbands, changing poop diapers, teaching the gospel, etc. than promoting another “celebrity” Christian who runs a huge risk of bringing wide-spread shame on the name of our Savior due to their celebrity status.
DJ, if I were to tell my girlfriend, “I love you, but you really should put on less makeup. The last thing this world needs is more fake women.” Would she feel like I loved her, or would she feel like I was complaining about her? You say you are glad, but the nature of your words here says the opposite. “I’m glad, but…” is equal to “I’m glad, but I’m not.” Perhaps thats why you are getting a negative reaction. People are celebrating someone finding contentment in Christ as creator and end of life, but shoot darn he’s a celebrity. Everybody stop partying.
The problem I see Kyle is that he is being promoted as a “Christian celebrity”. In other words, since he is a celebrity, let’s highlight his conversion to give legitimacy to the gospel and maybe others will get saved too. That is what I see is the problem. I care not if I get negative reactions.
DJ I don’t see how it is wrong to give legitimacy to people’s responses to the gospel. It is no different than Saint Augustine’s conversion who was greatly influenced by the testimonies of men who were in high status and yet had made public professions of faith. If we can celebrate his conversion, we can surely celebrate the methods by which God gave him an existential understanding of his need for repentance.
We applaud the ways God brings others to faith; even though they are “celebrity Christians.” I understand your attitude, but I think it would be foolish in the light of Christian history or God’s grace to stay there.
And I see and understand your concerns too. However, in American Christianity, I see this as problem of epidemic proportions. In a culture that automatically puts on a pedal-stool anyone that is a celebrity and then is converted, we should be very, very careful about who we bring attention to, and I would argue, if any at all.
I think I know where DJ is going with this…
Someone repented and turned to Christ. That is fantastic and praiseworthy and should never be diminished. Praise God!!
However.
Should the church really be making a big deal about THIS conversion when there are lots out there (that are just as great)?
I think off Anne Rice, who converted, got tons of publicity, wrote some books about Jesus and then said she was against organized religion and not a ‘Christian’, partly because of the way Christians treated other people.
Maybe some thought needs to go into 1 Tim 3. Maybe Brian and Anne are not deacons or elders in a church ‘officially’ – but when we have them up onstage (and on video) talking to 10’s of thousands of people (as I’ve seen in both cases) don’t imagine that we haven’t already made them elders – and very likely premature! Why else are they on stage/video? It’s NOT because they were converted – otherwise a lot of people would have videos and on stage speeches. It’s because of their non-Christian status, and we’ve transfered it over to Christian status, and it most definitely is not.
If that’s what you’re trying to say DJ, I agree, 100%.
You nailed it, Adam. Thanks.
DJ – Why would you throw a statement, speaking of your original post, out there like that without qualifying it in the first place? You prob have a good point somewhere in this mess of comments, but you obviously see how much this angered people because of how this initially appears? Use some discernment next time and don’t just throw words around…will save you some trouble too.
God is amazing!! I love the way he said everything is created by Christ and for him.
DJ, angels are going nuts about this, no reason to be less excited than them. Celebrity or not.
Highly encouraging. Thank you Jesus for choosing people from every social class, walk of life, musical preference, public profile, etc etc. There’s nothing so beautifully diverse as the body of Christ.
Thanks so much for sharing this. Instantly reminded of Romans 1:16 that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation to EVERYONE who believes.”
Sounds sort of like, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
I meant this as a reply to “Scott” below. sry.
I don’t doubt that Brian Welch is a Christian but his Testimony on this video lacks any kind of description of his realization for his sinfulness and need of Jesus as a savior from the wrath of God. Praying to God to fix a drug addiction is not a prayer that is repentance and faith necessarily…
Thanks for your discernment Scott. I didn’t take time to watch the video, as I actually have known about this for years now. I have heard welch give a testimony previously and found it very, well, typically shallow. For someone who was supposed to not be promoted immediately, and learn some doctrine first before he interacted with the public (google the history if you want), you would think he would be better equipped to clearly enunciate the gospel.
I can’t believe you’re populating the comment section with this stuff, DJ. Give glory to God for where he is at in his walk, just like the lame who lept for joy at their salvation, went away, and told everyone of what the Savior had done. It’s an incredible story that will resonate with many given his past influence on stage. Put off your cynicism, watch the video, and look at the grace in this beyond ‘glad this guy has been reconciled to God.’ I hat to say it, but the tone of your comments are aimed more at your opinion than gratitude. Welch cried out like the man who beat his breast, and God saved him. Absolutely incredible.
Scott,
One of the myths that we as Christians have projected is that when we are made alive in Christ (John 3:7-8) by the Grace of God “we have arrived”. That my friend is a myth… It would be better to say that we “have not arrived” but instead our journey as disciple and pilgrim from the city of man has just begun and now we are on our way to the city of God. Thank God our bibles are raw and real stories that include men and woman who have stumbled along the way. All of us should rejoice with Brian Welch and filter his words through the lens of our theological/life perspective. Maybe when he says, “I was a drug addict in need of rest” he is actually saying, “I was a broken dead soul because of my sin and I am in need of Jesus”. I can tell you that if God can use a real estate agent (not a seminarian with an Mdiv) with Matthew 11:28, than he can use Brian to preach the Gospel and I do hope that as he grows in maturity that he will articulate a Christ filled Gospel. Please remember that he may read this and maybe he needs exhortation in the Gospel and encouragement not a public dissecting of his faith. Scott I hope you get my drift and I hope that none of us get so articulate and polished that we lose the ability to smell and enjoy the all satisfying aroma of Jesus!
Please don’t be fooled by this guy. He is not a Christian. For one thing, he is supportive of Todd Bentley’s heretical foolishness.
Secondly, since becoming a “Christian”, he’s still making music videos with nudity, gore, and homosexuality. (If you need proof, look up his Youtube video “Flush”–I’m not going to put a link to it–it’s too evil. Use caution if you choose to watch!)
After being criticized by the Christian community about the content of one video in particular, he has this to say, “To be clear, I’m not going to apologize for my video!…As for me–I’m going to do everything I can do to KILL RELIGIOUS MINDSETS THAT CONTINUE TO BE PIGEON-HOLED IN THEIR THINKING!! DIE!!! RELIGION!!! DIE!!!!!!!!!!”
Also, isn’t it a red flag to anyone that in this “I am Second” video, he doesn’t talk about sin, repentance, the cross, etc? Google ALL you can about his so called conversion, and you WON’T hear about those things. All you will hear is that he wasn’t HAPPY with his life and what DRUGS had done to him. “Jesus, if you’re real, take this drug addiction from me.” That’s all.
Drugs are a big deal, believe me. But quitting drugs doesn’t get you to heaven. FAITH in Christ’s work on the cross and REPENTANCE are what this man needs.
“Please don’t be fooled by this guy. He is not a Christian.”
You could be right. Or you could be wrong.
But I won’t criticize you for forthrightly and honestly expressing your concerns.
Hmmm, the Bible tells us that a Christian has a new heart, and that he will not live a life of continually bearing evil fruit. God tells us to judge with righteous judgment.
Brian Welch still loves the things God HATES.
The Bible also tells us to expose false teachers. Welch is trying to spread a false gospel, a false Christianity.
Are you a person who thinks we shouldn’t say that Todd Bentley is not a true Christian? Creflo Dollar? Kenneth Copeland? Etc.?
This guy is every bit as dangerous. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the kind the Bible warns us about. And it’s not even subtle!!
If anyone watches the Youtube video I referenced in my previous comment, tell me, would you let your children watch it? Why not?
Your screen name is “Truth unites…and Divides”. Do you honestly believe that? Because this is one of those areas where it divides. And like I said, it’s not even subtle. His deviation from the truth is clear, outright, and blasphemous.
“Your screen name is “Truth unites…and Divides”. Do you honestly believe that?”
Yes.
Again, I’m not critizing your original comment.
Amber,
Though I appreciate your zeal for dotting the I’s and crossing the “T”‘s by using the right lingo, I would ask that your give this guy a break.
As a pastor who hears scores and scores of testimonies, one thing that I have realized is not everyone uses the same lingo to express the same idea, but that does not disqualify them from trusting Christ. I would speculate, just based on my experience, that if you could ask Brian a few follow up questions about sin, repentance, and the cross your anxiousness would be alleviated.
As far as his video, haven’t seen it and don’t care to, but I can tell you that many Christians who are new to their faith, even in the first few years have some huge blind spots in their walk. They simply need to be corrected by showing them that they need the Gospel as much after they trust Christ as before. This usually get them on the right path and over time that blind spot goes away.
Cheers.
David,
As a pastor, would you recommend a celebrity of Welch’s status go out and become, in some areas of evangelicalism, a “leader”. He has a Christian CD, a book, get’s lot’s of airtime, etc. Do you see this as a good thing 1) for the Church 2) for Welch?
Yes and No DJ. How’s that for straddling the fence?
Yes. Many alienated and disenfranchised young people will relate to his testimony and be open to his message. These are people who I could never reach. It also is an eye opener to those Christians who look down with disdain on people who are tatted and pierced and shows them that God relentlessly pursues the heart of a man, not his appearance.
No. He and his story should never be held in higher regard than Christ. He should not be idolized or set upon a pedestal by the stream of Christianity he swims in. Like all of us, he is a dude full of sin with a deceitful heart and Satan is lurking to take advantage of it. Only by the grace of God will he not fall. I pray that he understands that.
Thanks for sharing this, Justin. My only regret is that I read the comments section where every ounce of joy one would have towards a drug addicted rock star coming to Christ was suffocated. If we carefully read the title of Justin’s post we will find that the emphasis is on the real estate agent more than it is the rock star. Further proof that it is possible to be so discerning that you’re really not very discerning at all. Thanks again Justin for another excellent post.
Couldn’t agree with your comment more.
ditto
Amen
“Glad the guy’s been reconciled to God” – OOPS. There’s some joy that missed your blanket condemnation of some of our concerns.
Amazing…thank you so much for sharing this. Praise God for that real estate agent and the boldness of Christ to welcome Him to the rest of Jesus.
… I really hope he carries on making amazing music.
Same here!
Reading these comments has left me with a couple of observations:
1.)It has been mentioned that Welch’s testimony is devoid of things like sin and repentance. Yet I see in Brian Welch’s (relatively short) testimony a Truth encounter (God’s truth is spoken to him by his real-estate agent), a power encounter (God’s love flooding his heart in the midst of a demonic act), and an allegiance encounter (he turns from drugs and his old band Korn to embrace a new lifestyle). So what if he doesn’t have the language? He gave up more idols and addictions than I have had to cast at Jesus’ feet, and he seemingly did that through the power of the Holy Spirit.
2.) I wish everybody on this comments section would familiarize themselves with Andrew Walls’ “indigenizing principle” and “pilgrim principle.” How many sins does someone need to confess in order to come to know Christ? All of them? Surely not! God meets us where we are at and saves us. Brian Welch seemed like he already knew that his life was in shambles that drugs were a dead end; God rescued him there. But God does not leave us there. He expects us as pilgrims to continue with Him towards the heavenly Jerusalem. If Brian Welch isn’t at Jerusalem yet, I am not worried, and neither should you.
3.) Finally, if the ambiguity of Brian Welch’s testimony and subsequent conversion leave you this panicked, then brother and sisters, you will miss out on how God is saving very different people in this world through his Church’s mission enterprise.
Just some thoughts from a pilgrim found where he was at.
He has come out of a very dark band and life. I will not presume upon his soul and will pray that he will find a solid mentor and Church.In his zeal to reach others who have been in the drug scene , maybe he will make many mistakes but lets not throw him under the bus because he doesn’t look like or acts like a upper middle class male church goer.I truly pray his conversion is true and in time , maturity will come.
I forgot I shouldn’t read comment sections…Always gets emotions going and often not in a good way. Nevertheless, Praise the Lord for Brian and the Real Estate agent!
Come on, guys. This conversion supposedly happened six years ago. Don’t you think that’s enough time for him to realize that making videos of women in their underwear on top of each other –rubbing and licking each other — isn’t pleasing to God?
OK– I get it: he doesn’t do drugs anymore. (Though you’d never know it by his “Christian” videos. Many brothers will be caused to stumble at the sight of them. A fact at which Welch laughs and scoffs.) But is that the gospel? Quit drugs to be reconciled to God?
This isn’t about “lingo” or whether he can recite biblical doctrine as from the Westminster Catechism. He clearly knows nothing about the gospel or repentance. He has no interest in the true God.
Isn’t SIX YEARS long enough for ANY repentance?
Isn’t that enough time to give up the GROSS sin at the very least? I’m disappointed in all the folks defending and promoting this guy. Especially on this site.
Robert,
Brian’s conversion was in 2005 this video was shot in 2008. By my math that is not six year.
Quitting drugs is not the gospel and I don’t think anyone is saying that, but if you read my comment above I think it does show an allegiance shift which is part of the gospel.
That all aside I wonder how any of your premises lead to the conclusion that he “clearly knows nothing about the gospel or repentance” and “he has no interests in the true God.” That seems less like a well-thought out conclusion and more like an axe to grind.
Finally, I don’t think we can judge someone with the experiences that Brian has had and what God is doing in his heart. It may take the rest of his life to reach “our level of sanctity” (I say that tongue-in-cheek), but God will work it out.
So I guess in the end you may be disgusted with me that is your call, but I believe your assertions cannot go unchallenged by another view.
God bless,
-Stephen