How God-Glorifying Art Changes Worship, According to Skillet’s Frontman

Published: December 5, 2024

How God-Glorifying Art Changes Worship, According to Skillet’s Frontman

By Movieguide® Contributor

God-glorifying art can lead people into true worship, and nobody knows this better than Skillet frontman John Cooper.

“That worship is a lifestyle,” he told Worship Leader. “As I’ve gotten older, one of the things I really love is understanding that really every human being at all times…is involved in worship, and you are either going to be involved in true worship, or you’re going to be involved in false worship.”

“Cooper’s interpretation of worship resonates deeply with his mission in Skillet: to create art that glorifies the true God rather than false idols. In the often hedonistic rock industry, he sees musicians as ‘front-line warriors in evangelism and spiritual warfare,’ bringing light into spaces where others may not venture,” the outlet continued.

“Making art to glorify God is one of the most powerful things we can do,” Cooper said.

After years of leading people in worship through Atlantic Records, Skillet decided to go independent.

“We’ve had a great relationship with Atlantic Records, who is who we were on for 20 years, and I have to say they were always very good to us,” Cooper explained. “They never were like, ‘stop talking about Jesus, you can’t sing that song,’ They were never like that. They let us be ourselves, and through the grace of God and honestly just His favor, we were selling a lot of records.”

He explained how the group felt it was time to branch out on their own, especially in a spiritual climate that’s growing more hostile towards Christians.

“So, I just said, you know what I think what God is saying is it’s a new chapter,” he said. “It’s a new day. This is where you’re supposed to do it. Do not be afraid. I’m with you. Take this step of faith. And we just did it. And I’m loving it. Having a great time.”

They released their first independent album, “Revolution,” last month. It’s a call for people to turn back to God.

“The revolution is not militaristic…it’s a spiritual revolution that we need,” Cooper told the Christian Post. “If we do not turn back to God, we are going to be in such a bad place. I really believe that with all my heart…if we don’t turn back to God and have a spiritual revolution, a revolution of repentance, a revolution of love of the Kingdom of God.”

Cooper and his bandmates aren’t afraid of proclaiming their faith and standing for truth through their music because God has been with them no matter what.

“I’ve lost friends because of my outspokenness for the gospel,” he said. “We’ve been through that. And what I know for sure is that God will never leave me, never forsake me, and actually, honestly, I feel like that we’re just going from strength to strength, from glory to glory. I can sense the I can sense the pleasure of God in that.”

The band recently wrapped up their international tour after stops in Istanbul, Turkey; Athens, Greece; and Tbilisi, Georgia.

“THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for making this an unforgettable international tour! You’ve been loud, rowdy, and ready to rock!” Skillet posted.