Christian criticism of the band P.O.D. comes from many teachers and discernment ministries. P.O.D., a nu-metal band formed in 1992. Labeled as a “Christian” band by many, they have sold over 12 million records, been nominated for 3 Grammys, and have achieved a high level of success. Critics claim they do not openly proclaim Christ, tour with Satanic bands, and praise Black Sabbath and Bob Marley as inspirations for their music. So, are they a Christian band?
The members profess Christ as the savior but don’t mention Jesus in their songs. They repeatedly admit they are not a Christian band, and lead singer Sonny Sandoval says, “he’s making music for the lost, not for the saved.” (Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D.)
Is P.O.D. a Religious Band?
Although they don’t consider themselves a Christian band, is P.O.D. a religious band? Let’s look at the spiritual elements found in their lyrics.
Some of P.O.D.’s Religious Themes: Faith, Love, and Salvation.
Redemption, salvation, and divine love are often found in their lyrics.
For example, here are lyrics from the song “Outkast” (Fundamental Elements of Southtown, 1999):
They feed us lies, dress up my King in false disguise
Behind those eyes, soul of a savior I recognize
“The King in false disguise” could be Jesus. The song has spiritual elements acknowledging corruption and the need to overcome oppression. The identity of the King is not completely clear.
Yet another song, “I am,” caused controversy in the Christian community. Sonny explains that the point of view is written “from a lost, tortured soul searching for meaning,” which he explains justifies the use of profanity. The song reflects spiritual seeking and a calling out to the divine. It displays a longing for salvation and freedom from despair. I Am Lyrics Explanation
Other Religious Elements
RASTAFARI RELIGION
The band is open about their spiritual belief systems, which include Christianity, Judaism, and Rastafari beliefs. According to an article from 2001, “Wuv and the band have structured their lives around a spiritual belief system that cross-fades Christianity, Rastarianism, and Judaism.”
(Joyful Noisemakers, Spin, October 2001, p. 88)
The problem with mixing Christianity and Rastarianism into a spiritual belief system is that “Rastafarians reject Christianity and firmly believe Haile Sellasie as the returned Messiah and Ethiopian as the promised land of all Black people.” (Barret, Leonard E., The Rastafarians, Preface, xi)
P.O.D. claims the Rastas believe in the same Jesus. They are not afraid of displaying this belief. During one tour, they featured a Rasta-like Jesus on the stage backdrop. (Guitar World, Oct 2000, p. 100) Jesus as Rastafarian
In their lyrics, they use references to Jah, which is the Rasta term for God. In the song “The Messenjah,” Jah is the god of the title. Here are a few of the verses from the song:
True King descendent, master to the apprentice –
All hail, we prevail, the Tribes of Israel, flow through ya
We pursue the conquering lion of the Tribe of Judah
Christians might confuse “the conquering lion of Tribe of Judah” as a reference to Jesus. However, the phrase “True King Descendent” and “Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah” is a designation in the Rastafari religion of the person they believe to be the messiah, Haile Sellasie.
The song is more Rastafari than Christian.
The band’s lyrics are full of religious imagery: the soul, forgiveness, the need for redemption, eternity, and faith. However, none are focused on one religion, faith, God, savior, or idea of “heaven.”
Another example of their spiritual blending of Christianity and the Rastafari religion comes from the song “Set Your Eyes to Zion” (The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, 1999)
In one line, you find Christ’s prayer from the cross (Luke 23:34): “Forgive them, Lord, for they not know that what they do, people blame it on you.”
However, another line in the same song says, “Giver of Life, I and I recognize/to be with you (forever I’ll be with you)/In paradise, Zion I set my eyes…”
This line reflects Rastafari beliefs that Africa is Zion and paradise on earth. (Rasta beliefs)
The phrase “I and I” is used by Rastas instead of “you and me” to reflect that all people are equal under Jah.) What does the term “I and I” mean? Urban Dictionary Definition
What kind of music is P.O.D.?
The music that P.O.D. writes and performs is Nu-metal, a mix of several different genres. According to one blog, “It is a blend of Grunge, Hip-Hop, Alternative Metal, Rap Rock and Groove Metal). . .The lyrics usually focus on personal crises and painful experiences.” What is Nu-metal?
The band’s current lineup consists of drummer and rhythm guitarist Wuv Bernardo, vocalist Sonny Sandoval, bassist Traa Daniels, and lead guitarist Marcos Curiel)
In various articles, lead singer Sonny describes the band as a high-octane metal, rap, reggae, hardcore-punk, fusion rock band.
Is P.O.D. a Christian Band?
In an interview with San Diego Tribune, Sonny Sandoval said, “I never considered ourselves a Christian band. And I would never use my faith to market a band.” “I think us being so open about our faith and very upfront and in your face can come off sometimes as intimidating, so we were just labeled as a Christian band.” ( Sonny Sandoval SD Tribune Interview)
Despite his denial of the Christian band label, some elements of Christianity are found in their lyrics.
For example, in the songs “Higher” and “Lost in Forever,” you find redemption, divine love, eternity, and a spirit groaning for the afterlife.
“Higher”
This unparalleled life is a gift and not my own
So I keep walking through the valley of the unknown.
My faith redeems the most despicable
Low life, no good man like me. . .
Look real close, it’ll show you how to find
The treasure of your soul, one love divine.
“Lost in Forever”
But my spirit groans to see the afterlife
I’m so broken and small
Come here and take me away
Eternity is seemingly and endless waiting
Lost in forever
Eternally, a limitless time it’s never-ending
I’m lost in forever
(Album: Murdered Love, July 10, 2012)
From the 2002 Album, Satellite, the song by the same name might be pointing to Christ, although it is unclear whose “love” is featured here.
Is the line “I follow the son and ride on to Zion” a declaration of following Christ and the biblical Zion, or a Zion referenced by Jews, Rastas, and Mormons?
It’s difficult to tell because P.O.D.’s lyrics often blend different religious ideas.
P.O.D. is Not a Christian Band
They are not a Christian band, although they have been given that label many times. They do not openly proclaim Christ or preach the gospel. They also never claim to be a Christian band. Over and over, in many interviews, they deny the label “Christian”. They profess Jesus but they “don’t mention Jesus in our songs.” “[W]e don’t write music for the saved, but for the lost.” (Interview with Sonny Sandoval)
And Wuv Bernardo says, “Our faith plays a lot in our personal lives, but we’re a rock-and-roll band. This album is about rock and roll, and that’s it.” (A.P., Nov. 2001, p. 59)
P.O.D. is heavily influenced by the anti-Christian Rastafarian religion, the Rastafarian preacher Bob Marley, and his reggae music. They speak highly of Marley. (Rolling Stone, November 22, 2001, p. 35). Yet, if you examine the Bob Marley song, “Get Up, Stand Up,” it is an assault upon salvation by faith in Christ.
Many believe Bob Marley’s music is light, fun, and relaxing. However, the song “Get up, Stand Up” (performed by P.O.D. on stage) features anti-Christian lyrics like:
We sick an’ tired of your bulls___ game, Die and go to heaven in Jesus’ name. . . You can fool some people sometimes. . .most people think, Great God, come from the skies . . .but if you know what life is worth, you will look for your own on earth: so now we see the light.
Note the following statement by P.O.D. about what they believe:
“Just because P.O.D. are a spiritual band doesn’t mean we adhere to any one religion, and all kinds of people want to use us as a symbol for their thing. There’s a thousand different definitions of what a Christian is, but we don’t feel like there are any lines” (Rolling Stone, Dec. 14-21, 2000, p. 102).
“But again, for these guys it’s not about pushing God on people. Their Christian influence has been drastically over-hyped by the media . . .”
(Drum!, Sept.-Oct. 2001, p. 86)
Is P.O.D. a satanic band?
P.O.D. is not a satanic band. However, they do play and tour with openly Satanic Bands. They played at OzzFest in 2002. One eye-witness account of the “OzzFest” accounts for what you might expect at a concert festival featuring mostly Satanic bands: alcohol, drugs, profanity, nudity, and occult symbols like pentagrams. (http://www.strangerthingsmag.com/ozzfest.html)
Some discernment ministries argue and note that P.O.D. does not openly proclaim Christ in their lyrics. They tour with openly anti-Christian bands and praise and acknowledge the influence of artists such as Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, and rasta Bob Marley.
Conclusion
The band is open about their Christian beliefs and what they believe Jesus has done in their personal lives. They are a rock band and sometimes write lyrics that reflect Christian ideas of redemption and sacrifice.
Many of their songs are subdued and mysterious, even singing of Christian themes, like redemption and salvation. An outsider might still have difficulty discerning whether or not they were talking about Jesus because they never mention him by name.
Or are they praising Jah, the god of the Rastafari? They openly praise Jah in lyrics. But since they blend many spiritual paths into their message, it would be easier to classify them as just a rock-and-roll band. As they called themselves in so many interviews.
…
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!