Hi Octaman,

I’m a 42 year old South African currently studying Pastor Russells The Divine Plan of the Ages, and I’ve met and randomly correspond with [a Bible student] who referred me to your website. As an amateur musician and an avid long time roots reggae fan, I was immediately drawn to the concept of promoting truth through the medium of music, particularly the reggae genre so, as you can imagine, I was thrilled to hear of what you do and immediately explored your website.

An honest response, if I may … I must confess that there seems to me a lack of modesty on your part.

I apologise for this criticism since I do not know you, but please understand the justification of why I feel that:

- your face on the cover of your album

- phrases like … “ there simply aren’t enough heroes”; “super heroes must battle …”; “Light bearer and instructor to the world”??

- an overly flashy website with too much emphasis on Octaman

Since modesty and humility are integral characteristics of true Christian expression, I feel your lyrics appear not to be harmonious with your portrayal.

There may be good reason for this and I would sincerely like you to respond.

Having said all that, I LOVE WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT YOUR IDEA.

If you would still be interested to correspond with me after the above criticism, I would be glad to keep some connection with you and perhaps share things.

In Christ

Dear J, Peace to you in the name of our Redeemer, Yeshua HaMoshiach. Thank you for your email. I'm pleased you are enjoying the music. I appreciate your questions and will do my best to answer them. There are some links on my website which perhaps you have not seen. There is some updated info on this page:  http://www.octaman.com/octamanis.html It offers some inside information on the concept and story behind Octaman. There is a biography http://www.octaman.com/bio.html and some true life stories: http://www.octaman.com/newbio.html http://www.octaman.com/theband.html I hope these are helpful in explaining some more about the creative project, which is actually me, as I believe that I am a creative work in progress, the sum of my experiences having made me "Octaman." I hope you will see that I don't take myself too seriously, as Octaman is actually more of a parody than you may have realized. In answer to some of your other concerns, I offer the following lyrics from my song "Psalm 24" which contains a paraphrase from Pastor Russell's work, as he wrote about all followers of Christ: "Through the prophetic word, they shall not only be Shielded from discouragement, to overcome besetments, Snares and stumbling stones so prevalent in "the evil day," Thus *they become the light-bearer and instructor to the world*. Thus enabled to point out to the world the cause of the trouble, To announce the presence of the new Ruler, To declare the policy, plan and object of the new dispensation, And to instruct the world as to the wisest course to pursue" Thanks again for your email. It's nice to meet another musician who appreciates reggae, and who reads Pastor Russell. May Yah bless your efforts to serve Him. Yours in Truth, Regan Balman - a.k.a. Octaman http://www.myspace.com/octaman1

The "Spoof" Context

Hi Octaman,

Thanks for your prompt response.

Humble apologies. I now understand the “spoof” context of Octaman. An interesting concept of mainstreaming the brand with satire, thereby appealing to the youth and promoting the truth. 

I should be more thorough in my research before resorting to finger-pointing. My sceptic cynicism has developed over the years by observing hypocrisy amongst “so-called” Christians, whose self-righteousness appear to take precedence over love of and obedience to God’s word. 

Please send a sample of your live performance, if possible.

 

In Christ

Hi J, Thanks again for writing. Please know that I appreciate your questions and concerns and regard them only as helpful. I realize that all aspects of my performance are not obvious or evident at first look. I added some additional info to a link I sent you based on your questions. Here is another link you may not have stumbled across. http://www.octaman.com/here.html Thanks again, Oc

ADDENDUM

Lastly, this is the art of self-parody, which is the art of self-deprecation, which is the very essence of true humility, at least that's the way I see it.