The Day Metallica Came to Church: Searching for the Everywhere God in Everything

The idea that God can be found in all things is nothing new in Christianity. Still, some contemporary believers are reticent to search for God in popular culture, which is often dubbed a “lower” form of entertainment. Van Sloten, a pastor and former real estate developer, cannot help seeing God everywhere, and he goes to great lengths to help his congregation do the same. Whether heavy metal music, sports, or blockbuster films, the author mines a large swath of U.S. pop culture and adroitly connects people’s desire to enjoy these entertainments with their desire to find God. All along he cautions against replacing or equating God with music and mass media, but he never dilutes the message about God’s omnipresence in human life. Not all Christians will be comfortable with the author’s suggestions, but many others will appreciate his ability to discern the holy in everyday life, especially in those areas too often considered “secular.” (Aug.)