Nate tackles Christian identity, progressive church heresy, and Skillet’s controversial Christmas carol.

Is Christian Rock Demonic? Skillet’s O Come Emmanuel Sparks Outrage

What happens when someone asks if Jesus was Asian, a church zip-ties baby Jesus in a nativity scene with ICE agents standing guard, and critics accuse Skillet of musical blasphemy for releasing a heavy metal Christmas carol? Nate tackles Christian identity debates, progressive church heresy, and the worship wars in one unhinged episode. From geographic confusion about the Middle East to defending electric guitars in worship, this episode covers whether ethnicity matters for salvation, why “spiritual Israel” frustrates everyone, and whether distortion pedals summon demons. Here is what unfolded.

Christian Identity Debates: The Biblical Bottom Line

Scripture is clear: salvation transcends ethnicity, geography, and cultural classification. Jesus was ethnically Jewish—a descendant of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob—born in Judea during Roman occupation. Modern geopolitical labels like “Middle Eastern” or “Asian” apply loosely based on continental boundaries. The Bible identifies Jesus as a Jew from the tribe of Judah. His mission was not limited to ethnic Israel but extended to all nations through the promise given to Abraham (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:28-29).

The confusion about “true Jews” stems from Romans 9-11. Paul explains that spiritual Israel includes all who believe in Christ—both ethnic Jews and Gentile believers grafted into God’s covenant people. Christians are adopted into the family of Abraham through faith, not DNA (Romans 11:17-24). God’s chosen people were set apart to usher in the Messiah, not because of racial superiority but to fulfill His redemptive plan for the world. The church is now the continuation of that mission, proclaiming Christ to every tribe and tongue. For more on biblical identity and the church’s role, explore our Theology Unpacked category.

When Progressive Churches Worship “God, Whoever She May Be”

Nate stumbles upon Lake Street Church of Evanston’s nativity scene featuring a zip-tied baby Jesus surrounded by Roman soldiers dressed as ICE agents (full story here). The church’s covenant—read aloud in the most dramatic Anglican bishop voice possible—mentions everything except Jesus. Their vow includes phrases and references to the church as “a womb of contemplation and action.” When your church covenant sounds like a rejected yoga studio brochure and omits Christ entirely, you have officially abandoned Christianity for progressive activism. This theological fruit is not just rotten—it never grew on a biblical tree to begin with.

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Is Skillet Summoning Demons or Just Playing Loud?

When Skillet released their heavy metal rendition of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (full review here), critics erupted. Some believers insist electric guitars and drum solos are inherently worldly. Meanwhile, apostates from bands like Jars of Clay quietly deconstructed their faith without a single distortion pedal. Nate and Chris defend the band’s theological faithfulness—Skillet has refused to compromise biblical convictions while other Christian artists caved to culture. The lyrics proclaim Christ’s coming to ransom captive Israel and defeat death. If that message offends you because it includes a guitar riff, the problem is not the music—it is your priorities. Watch the full music video here and decide for yourself whether crashing cymbals are demonic or just loud worship.