Alice Cooper loves to hold Bible studies

Alice Cooper performing live at Wembley Arena in 2012. Kreepin Deth

Don't judge a book by its cover.

This statement is particularly true for rock and roll legend Alice Cooper, who is best known for popularising "shock rock," in the 60s.

With a reputation for scary costumes and set designs featuring guillotines, electric chairs and a host of other props better suited to Halloween, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was has also in the past been responsible for songs glorifying necrophilia and violence.

Nowadays, Cooper, whose real name is Vincent Damon Furnier, has another side to the rock and roll lifestyle that focuses on being a born again Christian.

In his free time, he enjoys teaching Bible study, according to a report by The Christian Post.

"I teach Bible study, I'm sort of a substitute. If nobody shows up, I'm the bottom-of-the-barrel guy," he said.

Old habits die hard though, and Cooper still enjoys shocking people, but this time, using the Word of God.

"You should see the look on people's faces. 'Alice Cooper teaching Bible class? But he's the spawn of the Devil!'" he once told The Sun UK. "Surely people get it by now ... Alice is just a character. Alice hates going to church, but I go every Sunday."

On top of his Bible study duties, Cooper has also opened the Solid Rock Teen Center, a $3 million Christian recreation facility for troubled teens with the help of the Solid Rock Foundation in Arizona.

The 20,000 square foot facility, which features a recording studio, indoor basketball courts, rock-climbing walls, coffeehouse, game room and concert hall, is aimed at keeping kids away from alcohol, drugs and gangs.

"People don't lay in the sun in southwest Phoenix. There's lots of shootings going on, there's lots of meth going on, there's lots of gangs," Cooper said. "In the middle of all that is a bunch of 12-, 13-, 14-year-old kids that can go one way or the other."

He recently stated: "The world doesn't belong to us, the world belongs to Satan. We're living in that world, bombarded with that every day. If you don't have Christ in your life, you're a victim to that."

In 2012, he has opened the doors of the Brennan Rock and Roll Academy, also in Arizona, to keep teens off the streets and away from negative influences.

News
Why I will still read Philip Yancey’s books
Why I will still read Philip Yancey’s books

Pastor Kelly Williams explains why he will continue to read - and recommend - Philip Yancey's books despite his admission of moral failure.

Syrians are 'tired' of war, says nun
Syrians are 'tired' of war, says nun

The civil war may be over, but the violence continues.

Churches join in day of prayer for Crans-Montana victims
Churches join in day of prayer for Crans-Montana victims

Prayers and church bell ringing will coincide with a memorial service.

Lincoln Cathedral seeks ancient secrets with full GPR scan
Lincoln Cathedral seeks ancient secrets with full GPR scan

Lincoln Cathedral has become part of a pioneering project to use ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to uncover the secret history of the site.