I Am The Spider (Epilogue) (Along Came A Spider, 2008)

Released on July 29, 2008, Along Came A Spider is Alice Cooper’s 18th solo album. The LP, like many others, is a concept album. And this time, Alice’s timeless character, Steven, has become a sociopathic serial killer.

Much like the characters in “Silence of the Lambs” and “Red Dragon,” Steven believes he’s the manifestation of something wicked, foul, and grotesque. In this case, he’s “The Spider,” and the stage show (on tour) featured Alice, dressed as “The Spider,” being punished for his crimes.

The final track on the LP, “I Am The Spider (Epilogue),” demonstrates the inner workings of Steven’s mind – the things he believes and the motives for his actions. It depicts one of the most unexplained phenomena known to humanity – the psyche of a serial killer.

I’m your lover
I’m your brother
I’m your killer
I’m your friend
I’m your teacher
I’m your preacher
I’m the reaper in the end

I’m your healer
I’m your dealer
I’m your angel; let’s pretend
I’m your jailer
I’m your failure
I’m the reaper in the end

Along came a spider
Crept up beside her
Spun his web deep inside her
My darkness will guide her

I am the spider

Notice in the lyrics that there’s a need for connection. It’s interesting to see the songs on Along Came A Spider parallel some of the discussions had with serial killers throughout history. As if they were seeking to fill a void or felt duty-bound to commit their atrocities.

While “True crime” stories and documentaries do their best to try and decipher what drives serial killers to commit such acts, there’s no rational answer. One such story is that of Jeffrey Dahmer, known as “The Milwaukee Monster.”

“Jeffrey Dahmer was not in mind, but he certainly fits into the serial killer profile. My killer is an absurd version of the serial killer type. I’ve no idea why he does it, but he seems to enjoy it. JD seemed to enjoy it and fits into the profile. Serial killer’s motives are always absurd with no logical rhyme nor reason”. – Alice Cooper, referring to “The Spider” character

Alice explains that the killer in Along Came A Spider wasn’t modeled after “The Milwaukee Monster,” but like all serial killers, Dahmer fits the mold.

Two mini-series about Jeffrey Dahmer were released in late 2022. One was a biographical drama (Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), and the other was a documentary (Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes). Disturbing yet undeniably curious, Dahmer’s story fits this narrative.

Some of the most challenging discussions and baffling mysteries surrounding the human experience revolve around sin and darkness. Why are we driven to do the things we do? Why do we rebel?

Of course, most of us are not serial killers, nor have we committed any major crimes. However, we have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Stop and think about that. We are all “guilty.”

The question is, are there people that can’t be saved or have gone too far? Is there a tipping point when a soul can be lost entirely?

I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who has given me the strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. – 1 Timothy 1:12-17

In the above-listed verses, Paul refers to himself as the worst sinner of them all. Why does he claim that? What has he done to deserve such a title?

“People can feel so guilt-ridden by their past that they think God could never forgive and accept them. But consider Paul’s past. He had scoffed at the teachings of Jesus (“a blasphemer”) and had hunted down and murdered God’s people (“a persecutor and a violent man”) before coming to faith in Christ (Acts 9:1-9). God forgave Paul and used Paul mightily for His Kingdom. No matter how shameful your past, God also can forgive and use you.” – excerpt from the Life Application Bible (NIV)

Do we fully comprehend the Grace, Mercy, and Love of our Heavenly Father? Gifts He bestows upon us through the acceptance of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Paul was hellbent on destroying Christianity. His sole focus and purpose were to eliminate the church – to kill any notion or ideals about Jesus Christ being the Son of God.

Paul was a serial killer. Not only that, but he was logical and methodical with his atrocities. He was on a mission.

However, Paul was overtaken by something – by someone. Christ intercepted him on the road to Damascus. An intervention changed Paul forever. He was converted and used by God to do many beautiful and wonderful things despite his past.

Stop and think about that. Paul, a man dedicated to wiping the name of Jesus Christ from history, was accepted into the fold and became the most notable apostle in the New Testament. How incredible is that?

Returning to the story of Jeffrey Dahmer, the above-listed verses and Paul’s story are referenced in a book entitled, “Dark Journey Deep Grace: Jeffrey Dahmer’s Story of Faith,” by Pastor Roy Ratcliff.

“Jeffrey will spend the rest of his life in prison. And there is nothing he can ever do to atone for his crimes. He will die in prison, and there is nothing… nothing he can do to atone for his sins.

But the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse even “the chief of sinners!” If it can’t – if Jeffrey Dahmer cannot be saved by grace – then no one can. Not me… and not you.” – Roy Ratcliff, Dark Journey Deep Grace: Jeffrey Dahmer’s Story of Faith

For those who don’t know, Pastor Ratcliff visited Dahmer weekly. He studied the Bible with, administered communion to, and baptized Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer bared his soul to Pastor Ratcliff, and Ratcliff believed that Dahmer was saved and had sincerely chosen to serve Christ in his final days.

Ratcliff’s book is a fascinating look at God’s Grace, Mercy, and Love. It challenges the heart and mind to see life through another lens – through the perspective of Christ.

Admittedly, this discussion is difficult and even frustrating. It’s especially challenging for anyone that has dealt with loss or crime on such a paralyzing scale. And, there is an absolute need (and want) to see justice served – to punish someone for their actions and crimes.

However, on the flip side, are we not all punishable for the sins we’ve committed?

“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:20-23

This isn’t to say there is no punishment for our sins and crimes during our lives. And, just because someone claims the gift of salvation and decides to follow Christ doesn’t erase all convictions or free them from the penalties of their actions.

Accepting Christ and the gift of salvation sets us free individually, spiritually, and eternally. While some may spend a lifetime in prison for the barbarities they committed here on earth, those very same people will be covered by the blood of Christ and deemed innocent IF they truly and sincerely called Him Lord.

“For through the law, I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” – Galatians 2:19-21

Read those above-listed verses carefully. If the “Monsters,” “Spiders,” “Dragons,” etc., come to know and accept Christ, they are no longer defined by this world. They have been crucified. They no longer live. Instead, the Holy Spirit lives within them.

In the case of Jeffrey Dahmer, the day He declared Christ as Lord and allowed Him into his heart was the day the “Milwaukee Monster” died. A new creation was born – the old was gone, and the new had come. Jeffrey Dahmer became an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:16-21).

Wrapping up this week’s post, what a strenuous topic. It’s not always easy thinking about forgiveness, redemption, and rehabilitation when it seems a hypothetical line has been crossed – when the sin and crimes are just too heinous to comprehend.

However, we are assured by God’s Word that when we choose Him, nothing can separate us from His Love in Jesus Christ, our Lord. We are not justified by humanity. We are justified by God. Condemnation comes through no one but the Father, and Christ intercedes on behalf of those that know and serve Him (Romans 8:31-39).

Pastor Ratcliff and his experiences with Jeffrey Dahmer offer a thought-provoking insight into the power of salvation and the Blood of Christ. Ratcliff was often asked questions such as:

– “Was and could Jeffrey Dahmer be saved?”
– “How could his sins be taken away?”
– “Did he repent of his sins?”
– “Was he sincere?”

Ratcliff’s response to these questions is a jaw-dropping question:

“Do (we, as Christians) believe the blood of Christ shed on the cross was somehow too weak, too thin, too anemic to cover the sins of Jeffrey Dahmer?”

It’s not easy to think about Christ’s Love covering such vile, heinous people or criminals. It’s a struggle to forgive and forget the actions of a man like Jeffrey Dahmer. However, Pastor Ratcliff asks an excellent question.

It would be easy to feel justified in tossing such individuals aside and letting them rot. However, our Creator pursues us all the same (Luke 15:3-10). The power and might of Christ’s blood and the sacrifice made on the cross conquered ALL sin.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” – John 3:16-18

No one is unworthy or left out in the cold. Christ was given to the world, yet the gift of salvation must be accepted, and anyone that asks will receive it (Luke 11:9-13).

In conclusion, this concept album is brilliant. It’s a dark, sinister, brutal display of twisted humanity contradicted by the magnificence and Love of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Alice masterfully points out that even “The Spider,” a vile, vicious serial killer, is offered a chance at redemption – a chance to be reborn as a new creation.

As the album unwinds, the second to last song, “Salvation,” finds Steven asking pertinent questions about his life, crimes, soul, and future.

What have I done?
Did I waste a life just for fun?
What have I done?

What did I do?
I did what voices told me to
What did I do?

Where will I go?
Will I sink through fire down below?
Where will I go?

Any chance of salvation?
Any chance for me?
Any chance of salvation for eternity?
Any chance of salvation?
Someone died for me.
Washed in blood,
He cared enough to pity me.

Someone gave His life for us – Jesus Christ, our Lord. Do you know Him?

That’s it for this week; we’ll catch you next Friday.

Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!