Pastor and occasional Cross Rhythms writer Jonathan Hanley spoke to bass player David Ellefson of the metal band with 38 million album sales, MEGADETH

I remember there was a picture in Time magazine with George Bush on the cover. And it said "To go to war or not. . ." And there was a Bible, right there. It was this very serious religious-right ivory-tower Christian snobbery. The government was justifying war over the Bible. And I was thinking, "I've got to read that book to see what it says, because I call bullshit on that." Pardon my language. But I was like: "That can't be right!" And that's why I wanted to read it. In America, there's this thing "Well, if you're a Christian, you have to be a Republican." And I'm, like, "Wait a minute! Our Constitution says there is a separation between Church and state." And as I read Scripture, I'm thinking that to the best I know, Jesus was always kicking up against the religious leaders. I'm not saying he was a Democrat, or that he was a leftist. That wasn't his point. His point was to speak truth into people's lives. And that will always supersede a political party. It will always supersede any type of official religious leader. Because any of us who rise to any sort of position of prominence or power are in the most dangerous place of being in Satan's hands. Of becoming Satan's player. So, is Hellfest Satan's playground? I'd say that problems with money, property or prestige become the greater risk. You know, that myth, "Oh, God never gives you more than you can handle. . ." Of course, if you read the book of Job, you know that's not true. And I heard this guy say one time, "I'm convinced God always gives us just a little more than we can handle, to make sure we rely on him."

Jonathan: A bunch of Christians are praying for us. So I try to bring back a prayer request to them, from the people I've met here. So, do you have anything you'd like me to pass on to them for prayer?

David: Yeah. I would say, as much as we pray for Hellfest, let's also pray for the Church. Day two of my seminary training was how Satan uses problems of sex in the Church, because if he can take down a pastor, he can take down a congregation. And then of course, people point at religious folk and say "See what a bunch of hypocrites they are." So let's pray to strengthen the Church. Let's pray for our church workers. Also, we always pray for people with problems. But let's also pray about all the bad stuff that God didn't allow to happen. Thanking him for, like, the drunk driver that didn't hit us. Maybe you got caught of the stoplight, and frustrated, but it meant the drunk driver missed you. And it saved your life. Because you don't know what God is up to.

Jonathan: Well thank you, David. It's been great.

David: Well, I'm glad this is the last thing of the day, that I could end the day with this. I appreciate your patience in waiting. This wasn't something I wanted to rush. I know you got held back. Thank you. I appreciate it. And, bless you for being on the front-line.