The Capital G

It is easy to criticize Nine Inch Nails for their blatant profanity, controversial reputation, and anti-Christian content, but what do we do when the band’s lyrics contain accurate observations about the relationship between one’s view of God and one’s reaction towards society? Consider the song entitled “Capital G.”

Written and sung by frontman Trent Reznor, “Capital G” confronts the misplaced concerns of our Western culture. Amidst all of the social commentary, the chorus rings with a concise statement about God: “Well I used to stand for something/ Now I’m on my hands and knees/ Traded in my god for this war/ He signs his name with a capital G.”

It is important we identify who this “God” is that Reznor sings about. We know that along with surrendering all of his convictions, he also has given up on this “God.” In fact, he has traded in his “God” for the war, which from the context of the other lyrics seems to refer to the current war with Iraq/terrorism. (It is possible that Reznor could be making an additional allusion to President George Bush as the one doing the name-signing, who consequently many elevated to semi-Messianic proportions due to his evangelical faith.) This “God” is really no different or unique from any other god. However, he still retains a limited authority. On the one hand, he is a “God” who is to be respected and followed as represented by the capital ‘G’ in his name, but on the other hand, he is really worthless–worthless enough to be simply traded in for something else.

At this point, we must note how Reznor’s vision of God fits into the context of the rest of the song. What we find is a direct connection between Reznor’s lack of confidence in his “God” and his confrontational attitude towards society. Reznor spends the entirety of the song dismissing various cultural agendas such as the political process, global warming, and the abuse of power. What we must see behind all of these cultural criticisms is a singular, clear affirmation. After having given up on his convictions and traded in his “God,” all he has left is himself. He is the only one who matters. He is the only one who asserts power.

The anxiety bands like Nine Inch Nails produce for many Christians, besides the obvious vulgarity, is that they put the Christian God in the same category with ever other false god. However, we must consider that there is some truth to what Reznor is saying. If the “God” we follow is worthless enough to be given up on and traded in for something else, than he never was really “God” in the first place and all we are left with is ourselves. If left to ourselves, than all we can do is assert our own power against the prevailing attitudes of the surrounding culture. However, if the “God” we follow truly exists and has revealed himself as the One who is God above all other gods and worhty to be praised (Deut 10:17, Psalm 96), than to trade him in is nothing short of idolatry. What Nine Inch Nails demands of us is clarity about our belief in God. We must be certain about who he is–not just how he signs his name.

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