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In Creed's almost ten years together—including a few where they were one of the hottest rock bands on the planet—nobody ever asked lead singer Scott Stapp if he was a Christian. Many asked if Creed was a Christian band, and their reply was always no—even though some of their lyrics included a message of faith. But no one ever directly asked Stapp about his beliefs. Well, we asked him the other day, and Stapp says he's glad no one asked him about it until now. Read on to find out why.

In this exclusive interview with Christian Music Today, Stapp discusses his faith journey, Creed's recent breakup, and his solo career, which officially kicks off with the August 31 release of The Passion of the Christ: Songs, a new album featuring multiple artists—including Stapp, P.O.D., Third Day, Lauryn Hill, Kirk Franklin, MxPx and others—who were inspired by Mel Gibson's landmark film. Stapp's contribution to the project, a song called "Relearn Love," is the first single off the album, hitting radio airwaves this week.

First things first: Why did Creed break up?

Scott Stapp Mark [Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti] and I had been working together for the last ten years. There comes a point with any collaboration like that where you start having other interests creatively. I was moving in one direction musically, and as a guitar player, Mark wanted to move in another direction. That was essentially the reason we broke up. Those feelings actually started happening right after Human Clay (1999), and we went ahead and made Weathered (2001) together. [Tremonti and Creed drummer Scott Phillips went on to form a new band, Alter Bridge, whose debut album releases on Wind-Up Records on August 10.]

Sounds like it was a friendly break-up.

Stapp When something like that happens, people want to try to find some dirt and make it more of a soap opera. But I think we both walked away with the door still open, if we want to do something together again. So yeah, I would call it a friendly break-up.

How did you get involved in the Passion songs project?

Stapp They flew me out to a private screening of the film last summer, and to meet Mel Gibson, to kind of get a vibe on what was going on.

So, the film moved you to the point where you felt like you had to write a song?

Stapp Actually, there was already a song percolating inside of me, so to speak, concerning a renewal in my heart. Interestingly, my personal life and my spiritual walk were kind of coming full circle around the same time I was asked to be involved in the project. I had been shedding all the callousness and the weathered state that I had been in, personally and spiritually, even prior to seeing the film. Seeing the film just kind of closed the door and allowed that song to be born.

What had triggered those spiritual changes in your life?

Stapp A lot of personal things. I was hurt and beaten down. Five years ago, I had a divorce that I didn't really want. I was so busy with Creed that I don't think I ever really dealt with that emotionally. She [his ex-wife] elected not to be involved in my son's life, leaving me as a single father, and I was really worried about my little boy [Jagger, who turns 6 in October]. And there were other things that came along in the trappings of fame, things that hurt some of my relationships. So when I finally had time to reflect on everything, I was broken down to the point where I had no other way but to look up. I couldn't handle it all. I was asking a lot of questions—of myself, of God—looking for answers.

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