Loudwire.com – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Jul. 18, 2018)

In this interview, Alice sits down with Graham Hartmann from ‘Loudwire.com’ to play ‘Wikipedia – Fact or Fiction.’ After seeing a few of these (and relying on Wikipedia from time to time with FWA posts), it only seemed fitting to address the one based on him.

It was actually pretty shocking to find most of the info was legit; according to Alice, there were only two minor inconsistencies (you’ll have to watch the video to find out what those were).

In fact, most of the ‘fact or fiction’ videos on YouTube find the majority of the information posted on Wikipedia to be factual, which is pretty impressive. However, all it takes is a slight deviation from the truth to lead down a rabbit hole of falsities and misinformation.

“I would say 50 percent of the things you hear about Alice Cooper is an urban legend. The same thing with Michael Jackson and Marilyn Manson. It’s all partly legend.” – Alice Cooper

Long story short, Alice’s career has been riddled with rumor, innuendo, and speculation. He has often corrected misinformation yet also enjoys some of the scrutinies (i.e., The “Chicken Incident”).

Interestingly enough, Christianity is also veiled within a plethora of mistruths and misinformation. In this post, we will focus on some pertinent issues that are often misunderstood by the world and are not always appropriately addressed by the church.

According to God’s Word, we hope that this post helps dispel several falsehoods and misconceptions surrounding the Christian faith and what true believers of Jesus Christ believe. Our discussion leads us to the following: 1) Hate, 2) Condemnation, 3) Love, 4) Salvation, 5) Relationship, and 6) Unity.

Hate.
One of the most significant lies about Christianity is that hate drives the narrative. That somehow, we, as Christians, are called to hate anything and everyone that does not conform to our belief system, Biblical principles, and our understanding. With religion, this might be a proper conclusion. (After all, it was the Pharisees, with government support, that wanted Christ put to death.)

However, the Bible and God’s heart are the purest forms of LOVE, NOT hate. Throughout God’s Word, we are called to be the opposite of Hate. (See Love.) What God does hate is sin. But why does He hate sin?

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2

Sin separates us from Him – it’s the antithesis of His nature. Sin is a binding debt (Matthew 6:12-15), a burden (Psalms 38:4), and it leads to darkness (1 John 1:6).

Ultimately, our Heavenly Father hates that sin deceives us and entices us into believing that the ways of the world are a better way of living than His ways.

Other vital verses that reference Sin and God’s hatred towards it are Mark 7:20-23, Ephesians 4:30, Romans 6:16.

Condemnation.
Condemnation is a touchy, touchy subject. However, it is relatively simple to see that the Bible warns and convicts the hearts of those that dish out judgment towards their fellow man or woman.

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2  And we know that God, in His justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3  Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4  Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? 5  But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

6  He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7  He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8  But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9  There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10  But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11  For God does not show favoritism. 12  When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13  For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14  Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15  They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16  And this is the message I proclaim-that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” – Romans 2:1-16

Apart from Christ, there are no individuals on this earth that can live a sinless life. Keeping the whole law yet stumbling on one point renders us guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:8-13).

Therefore, instead of condemning others, the Bible actually teaches us to self-evaluate our own lives, which gives us the chance to see places where His incredible tolerance and love are still molding us in the areas we fail.

Why is it so amazing to see how patient and loving God is with others when we know how patient He has been in our own lives?

Other essential verses that reference Condemnation are: Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:37, Proverbs 3:5-6.

Love.
At the center of God’s Word is LOVE. No one on Earth is exempt from His Love.

“For God so Loved the World that He gave His One and Only Son, that whosoever 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.” – John 3:16-17

We see those verses often because they carry the message of all scriptures. However, there’s so much more to say about His Love.

His Love provides many attributes – His faithfulness, our Salvation, a place to rest, confidence, the ability to love others, our hope, our trust, and so on. The Bible has given us the purest definition of who He is and who we should be.

“Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Found within those verses listed above are who and what we’ve been called to be. Simply remove the word Love and place your name. When dealing with others, do your actions hold up to that test?

We are called to walk this earth as an example of Christ – relying on His Spirit to guide our thoughts and motives.

Other key verses that reference God’s Love are Romans 5:8, Galatians 5:22, 1 John 4:7.

Salvation.
All of humanity has missed the mark (Romans 3:23). We’ve sinned against God, and the penalty for that sin is death (Romans 6:23).

However, Christ died for our sins (Romans 5:8). His death bridged all of humanity to its Creator – abolishing sin. All that is required of us is to believe, profess, and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In turn, we allow Him to change our hearts and minds through the application of His Word (Romans 12:2).

“But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” – Romans 10:8-10

Our Salvation comes through Him. God wants nothing more than all of the world to embrace His gift – the gift of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection – the price of our sins paid in full.

There’s no debt too high, no irredeemable soul, no person unworthy of His Love.

We see one of the most exceptional examples of this in the life of Paul. A man blinded by his hatred for Christianity yet still saved by the Love and Grace of our Lord, who Paul met on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) Our Lord wants nothing more than for us to accept His love – no matter our past or our current condition in this life.

Other important verses that reference Salvation are: Hebrews 7:25, Luke 23:40-43, Ephesians 2:8.

Relationship.
A Christian is often defined as someone who lives a certain way by following a detailed set of laws, practicing many traditions, or praying specific prayers, yet what truly defines our faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit.

The Bible references God’s desire for His children to want, need, and relate to Him in multiple verses throughout the Bible.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

We are connected to Him. Our lives are complete and flourish based on our connection (or relationship) to (with) Him – know that the Bible, as a body of work, is overflowing with verses, summaries, and an overall theme for God’s design – relationship with Him.

Other fundamental verses that point to relationship with God are John 1:10-13, John 14:6, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:6-10, 1 Peter 5:6-7, and so many more – the entire works of the Bible are literally about God seeking a relationship with His creation.

Unity.
The Christian faith calls for Unity, not separation. The traditions and rituals of man divide nations, religions, races, tongues, etc. However, the acceptance and love of Christ unify us all under God.

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:26-28

Acceptance in Him brings acceptance and Unity to even the most different walks of life. With Him as the cornerstone and foundation, lives are made whole and peaceful (Ephesians 4:3). With that, we’ve also been called to be kind to all people (Galatians 6:10).

While it may seem trivial or sound childish, doing unto others as we would have them do to us is a unifying way to live (Matthew 7:12). Christians are NOT at odds with non-believers but instead with the enemy.

Other significant scriptures about Unity are 1 Corinthians 1:10, Colossians 3:13-14, Psalms 133:1.

Wrapping this up, the enemy will do his best to twist, distort, and manipulate everything placed in your life. Even the slightest deception can lead you astray.

We must fact-check everything according to God’s Word – our GPS and blueprint for this life. Don’t take anything for granted- double-check references, scriptures, outlines, sermons, other Christians, etc.

Part of knowing God is also knowing His Word. With that, we must also pray and meditate through the Holy Spirit on what we read. Focusing NOT on this world but instead… on what He reveals.

His plans for us are grand. His Love for us knows no end. His Grace is everlasting. And His Guidance and Wisdom are within our reach.

May we dive deeper, knowing that every layer we allow Him to remove of our selfish nature will expose more of Him that dwells within our hearts.

In conclusion, many – including some within the faith Alice accepts as his own, misunderstand him – even though he is very open and transparent about who he is and what he believes.

“Almost everything I wrote was good and evil, don’t pick evil. Even when I wasn’t Christian, I was saying that. God and the Devil. Don’t pick the Devil. It’s a bad idea… if you don’t have Christ in your life, then you’re a victim to it” – Alice Cooper

Much like the interview and the game of “Wikipedia – Fact or Fiction,” asking questions and verifying the answers is a necessary part of life (and our faith). Preconceived notions and what has been labeled truth isn’t always what it seems.

If we want to know more about the truth, we must consider our search’s source and nature. In a nutshell, if you want to know more about Alice Cooper – ask Alice Cooper, and if you want to know more about Christianity – look to Christ and the Gospel.

That’s it for this week. Be well and catch you next Friday.

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