The lead singer of Creed, a recovering addict, a story of redemption....

I came to know of this group when I was in my early twenties working for an insurance agency in Oklahoma with a boy younger than I who idealized this addict and his demonized music. Every day for 2 years I was forced to listen to his self-destructive lyrics and rebellious words as they played through the speakers of my co-workers computer. Every day I spoke to this co-worker about the redemptive grace of God and silently prayed that his computer would crash - except that that would put the two of us greatly behind in creating the forms needed by the various insurance people in the 2 buildings.

So when I had the opportunity of reading this I was eager...then as I read it I found myself wondering when the true confession would come. Not only was I familiar with his prior music, I also was familiar with his Christian music. I am also intimately familiar with the demonic spirit of addiction and the devastation left in the wake of such spirits. Being the only one in my family not to dabble in drugs and alcohol it was a little hard to swallow this book.

I felt that Scott Stapp did a lot blame shifting. I respect the fact that he has recovered from his addiction and that he is making an effort to leave this life behind him. However, I felt this book was almost a way to make him feel better about himself rather than giving glory to God or offering hope to those in the same circumstance. There comes a time in a sinner's life where we all must just suck it up and take responsibility for our own decisions. We must just look at our life and say - Yep - it sucked, I had a bad child hood, I had no dad, I had a terrible family, or I was abused, let down, beat up, forsaken....BUT I still had the choice. I did not feel that at any time Stapp took full responsibility for his own actions as being just that - "HIS" actions, "HIS" choices. He seemed to always point to other people or circumstances.

I would also STRONGLY caution parents about this book as it is graphic in the sordid details of his life. There is little left to the imagination. I am sure that this is to appear to be transparent and to further point to the fact that he has come a long way from the muck and mire of addiction and demonic life styles that he was involved in.

Thanks tyndale for this review copy. ( )

This is not really a Christian book. More a biography about a rock star with God tagged onto it. It is well-written and interesting but not from a Christian faith perspective.

Stapp was the product of a broken home and was raised by his mother and step-father until his teens. It is clear that this step-father was physically and emotionally abusive and that unfortunately this abuse was carried out in the name of God as some form of legalistic attempt at purging sin. The devastating consequences of this were felt throughout Stapp's life.

Stapp discovered rock and roll (he had always been taught that it was sinful) and formed a band "Creed." The band became very successful selling millions of records which was at first Stapp's dream but resulted (as it usually does) in a chaotic mess of drink, drugs and sex. Stapp made various attempts at suicide after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and almost losing his mind. His turbulent thoughts during this period make for some difficult reading. He kept trying to straighten things out but was unable to do so.

Stapp later married again and had children (he already had one child from a failed marriage.) I read in another source that his second wife has now filed for divorce and that Stapp has been in and out of rehab and continues to struggle with his various sinful vices.

From a Christian perspective; Stapp repeatedly refers to himself as a Christian with a strong faith and belief in God. He sites this throughout his book and talks extensively about it. Despite this he repeatedly falls into all manner of sin and at times seems to justify this on the basis that God is a God of love and forgiveness. His latest band is described as a "heavy metal" band and it seems that Creek also had these leanings...Stapp was often asked about his Christian faith and described it as "personal" stating that his band was not Christian in lyric or purpose.

Whatever ones views on Christian music I find it hard to understand why a genuine Christian would place himself in a culture that embraces and promotes the kind of vices that he knows he is susceptible to. It seems that Stapp became a "Christian" and then carried on living his old life, yes he made a few adjustments but there was no radical transformation or change in his basic direction. His life was still about him and his music career and making millions.....he even sued a former manager for negligent handling of his royalties. Should Christians be involving themselves in this type of legal action ....?

Overall a confused picture of a man battling personal demons created through a sinful (and wasted) life fueled by fame, power and money. I wouldn't recommend this book to Christians; although Stapp doesn't glorify sin and admits his obvious flaws, the mixture of Christian values with secular will definitely confuse less mature Christians and may make them think that Jesus/God can just be added as a label to save them from an eternity in hell. But Jesus said "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matthew 16 vs 24.)

The book is free of bad language, there is some minimal violence and sexual content but it is not graphic. ( )

See full review @ The Indigo Quill: http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-sinners-creed-by-scott-stapp.h...

I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

If you were around during the golden days of Creed, you may be interested in picking up this book. Lead singer Scott Stapp pens this memoir in a fresh perspective of faith from a celebrity's point of view. We get an intimate look into the life of a rock star who, just like the rest of us, struggled to find himself in life. This was extremely interesting to read (and listen to). Stapp is candid and honest as we step into his shoes through his abused childhood, battle with drugs, and his attempt at suicide. He doesn't sugar-coat the realities of stardom, but he does add an element we often don't hear about: God.

This book pressed me with the hope it gave. This isn't just a memoir or a "tell-all" compilation. It's a message that people in their most desperate circumstances need to hear. He talks about how even though he refused God and chose the most destructive path he possibly could, God still had a plan for him and as he looks back, he can say with confidence that God was always there. Many times when we go through difficult times we question God and ask where He is, but the truth is that He hasn't move. It's us. We lose faith and trust and hold tightly to our problems and don't allow God the opportunity to refine it into something valuable. Right here in Sinner's Creed we are shown that no matter how stubborn pr doubtful we are, God still has a plan. He's knocking and He's waiting for us to open the door to redemption and new life. There is hope.

I think everyone should read this book at least once. It can be extremely inspirational and eye-opening. His CD Proof of Life is still in the style of Creed, so if you enjoy hard rock then you should listen to it and you will probably enjoy it. The lyrics are just as poetic and heartfelt, just in a different kind of voice. If anything, I would encourage you to pick up the book and read it. You just might learn something from it. ( )