Totally missed all the drama (just looked at this thread for the first time today) but I'm glad it has died down. I, like a few others was turned off when I first saw the artwork but I didn't want to overreact (something that I believes gives Christianity a bad name). The artist's explaination makes me feel better about getting the album which I am looking forward to. I don't think it's about Satan having power over Christ but just an illustration of the power of Satan which should NEVER be underestimated. Satan is much more powerful than any human being. Only God's power is able to overcome him. From a purley artistic opinion the cover is real good.
On a side note, as a Christian I don't know why we react the way we do sometimes. A lot of times art can be misunderstood. Some examples:
1. Saviour Machine has been attacked by Christians for their theatrics which are actually in support of Christianity.
2. Christian metal has been attacked by Christians as being evil because of what the music sounds like.
3. Tourinquet has gotten many critisism from Christians because of a severed arm as symbolism for their name.
And even in the case of art that does attack Christianity our reaction is overdone. First of all our overreaction is exactly what they want from us (Satan loves to use our overzealousness to paint people's perception of us) and secondly Christ himself told us we shouldn't take critisism too harsly:
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." Matthew 5:11
Remember, people will hate us. There is no way to get around it, instead of getting upset, pray for them and get on with your life.
Subject: Re: Heaven & Hell - Official cover art for The Devil You Know 
Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:21 pm
