Stryper frontman Michael Sweet shared his reasons for rejecting the “Christian rock” label in a statement posted on Facebook. He explained why he considers Stryper a rock band comprised of Christians, not a Christian rock band.
Sweet laid out five main reasons for his position. His argument centers on how the label affects how listeners perceive and discover the band’s music.
Michael Sweet said: “Why I consider Stryper a rock band comprised of Christian’s and NOT a Christian rock band: 1 – If you really break it down and think about it, we don’t apply the term Christian to everything else in life. When we’re looking for a plumber, a doctor, a lawyer, you name it, we don’t seek out professionals that call themselves Christians. Or use the Christian tag alongside their name. So, I’ve always found it a bit odd to hear the term Christian rock. Music is music and although there are all sorts of genres, it shouldn’t be divided up and or stereotyped. My opinion. My thoughts.”
“2 – To be honest, it just sounds corny. Silly. When I think of Bloodgood or Guardian or even (Petra) for that matter, I just think they are great rock bands. I don’t think Christian rock bands. I just think rock bands. Yes they sing about Jesus, but that’s obvious isn’t it? When a band is singing about Satan I don’t call them a satanic rock band. Or satanic metal band. I still just think of them as a rock band or a metal band, who happens to sing about Satan.”
“3 – It’s limiting. Very. Many times when someone who is not a Christian hears the term Christian rock band, they instantly don’t want to listen. I know from experience on that one. People can argue with me all they want, but I see it day in and day out. Because we are known as a Christian rock band, there are many people who won’t give us the time of day. Yet if we were just known as a rock band, they might listen to us and then hear the Christian message that we deliver, therefore reaching many more.”
“4 – Back in the day (when there were a lot of record stores), it was confusing because the Christian category was always in the back of the store and it made it very difficult for people who were looking for a Stryper album to find a Stryper album. So it definitely causes a bit of confusion when you’re walking in a store (what’s left of them), to buy physical product.”
“5 – I’ve met many of the biggest ‘Christian’ rock bands over the past 43 years, and there are some who are very sincere and solid brothers in Christ. Yet at the same time, there are quite a few (no names) who seem to be driven by everything other things. I want nothing to do with that. And I’m not judging anyone, I’m simply stating facts. And once again, there are many (Les Carlson, Jamie Rowe, John Cooper, Kevin Young, Matt Smith, John Schlitt, Barry Graul & Marcos Curiel, to name a few) who are 100%, the real deal!”
Sweet also addressed a possible misunderstanding about his position. “So, there are a few reasons why I don’t like the term ‘Christian rock.’ Some people misunderstand me and think that I’m ashamed to stand and sing about Jesus when I say this. I’m one of the least ashamed people on the planet earth, who proudly sings about Jesus! On stage after stage, night after night. For 43 years. This has nothing to do with my faith or my bold stance for Christ. I proudly wave the Christian flag, and I’ve never been ashamed of that. But I’ve never waved the Christian rock flag. It’s just something that has always felt a bit off to me. I hope this gives you a better perspective on why I feel this way.”
Sweet made his statement as part of his ongoing discussion about how Stryper is defined and labeled. His statement explains that his concerns about the “Christian rock” label stem from practical and musical reasons, not from his faith.
Stryper rose to prominence in the 1980s with Billboard Top 40-charting singles including “Calling on You,” “Honestly” and “Always There for You.” Their 1986 album To Hell with the Devil became one of the most acclaimed albums in the genre, and the band made history when two of their songs appeared simultaneously in MTV’s Top 10. The band has accumulated over 10 million album sales worldwide throughout their career.
In 2024, Stryper released When We Were Kings, which Sweet produced himself. The album featured harmonized guitar solos on every track and showcased some of their heaviest material to date. Sweet has called it their best modern-era album. In September 2026, the band released their 18th studio album, Throne Of Thorns, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Sweet’s position on the band’s label reflects his long career in the group, which has spanned over four decades. His concerns about the “Christian rock” classification center on how the term can limit the band’s reach to audiences who might otherwise connect with their music. He argues that music should not be divided by the religious beliefs of its creators, drawing a distinction between the people in the band and the category under which their work is promoted.
