Sonic Theology

William Shatner is deep in the trenches of crafting a heavy metal album with Mikkey Dee from Motorhead and Rob Halford from Judas Pries. Now, Blabbermouth reports that The Shat is considering putting together a stage show.

A new version of the CCM classic “Testify to Love” has sparked debate after being embraced by LGBTQ+ Christians. Former Avalon members Michael Passons and Melissa Greene, along with Ty Herndon, rereleased the song with a message declaring, “God’s love is for everyone. No exceptions.”

Passons, who says he was removed from Avalon for being gay, called the project a testimony that “love does not exclude.” Greene agreed, saying the song now gets to “mean what it always said.”

While critics such as Denny Burk argue the song was never intended as a gay-affirming anthem, some of the original songwriters appear to support the rerelease.

Cowriter Henk Pool said he hopes people hear that “God’s love is for all of us,” while songwriter Paul Field stated the song was “always meant to be about inclusivity.”