10.12.07
EXPLODING STEREOTYPES!!!
I’m going to try to treat this subject with honesty, and with compassion for fellow believers who may disagree with my viewpoints about music, and it’s acceptance by God.
The exploded stereotype for ME…is “Christian hip-hop music”! Now I know that I’ve turned off a lot of you already…you say “There is no such thing as ‘Christian’ hip-hop or rap music…the 2 are incompatable!”. Now, why am I bringing this subject up for discussion?
First, I am not advocating this style of music for church worship. Our church will not be swinging to a rap beat on Sunday morning. Second, I am not switching all of my listening to hip-hop, it is not my preferred style of music. Third, I want to make you aware of the differences in depth of theology and message in contemporary music styles. I have for quite a while been dissatisfied with what is being offered in the CCM arena. Most of the lyrics (the vital part of music to me) of the songs played on ‘Christian’ radio stations are so ‘fluffy’, ‘mindless’ or ‘unbiblical’ that I can’t endure them.
What a shock I received when a great friend of mine loaned me his hip-hop CD’s and told me to take a listen. Although I don’t normally listen to that style of music, when I listened to what the artists were saying, I was blown away. I’ve NEVER heard theology or truth proclaimed so clearly, accurately and passionately in any other form of modern hymns or praise music! If you won’t ’stumble’ over the ’style’ of music, I challenge you to listen to some of the artists that are believers and who are using their music as a platform to Glorify God and encourage and challenge believers to grow into Christlikeness and to live-out a true faith in Christ.
The approach I will take in this series is to spotlight a particular artist, and give you a sampling of their message. I hope it causes you to examine this form of music by these artists based on what they communicate. Keep in mind, I do NOT endorse the secular brand of hip-hop, rap or any other form of music that does not glorify God.
The first album I will review is “Rewind”, by Flame…produced by Cross Movement Records.
The theme of the album seems to come from the track titled “Give us the Truth!” This is their cry for pastors and teachers to return to the truth of God’s Word, and to stop with all the craziness and hypocrisy that comes from the pulpits of our churches. Their call is for believers to immerse themselves in the Word, and to learn to discern truth from error by knowing the God of the Word, and His ways, made clear to us through Jesus. It is a desire for true, genuine discipleship, self denial, and wholehearted living for Jesus! Awesome!
Track #2…”No Silence”. This is his testimony that in spite of ‘persecution’ from the rest of the music industry, they will continue to preach Jesus on their albums and concerts. Why would he endure ridicule for living and singing of Jesus? The last line of the song tells us, “The price that was paid, the nights in the grave, and the resurrection is our reflection, to not be afraid. So let’s go.”
Track #3…”Uh-Oh”. The last verse says it all…”So in conclusion I offer this album to God, while at the same time I offer this album to y’all. And that may mean that I go out like Peter and Paul, for preaching Jesus to the point where I’m socially martyred. But my rewards and my treasures will never be stowed on this earth, but in a place where they can never be stole…In heaven where I know the saints most definitely go, cause our inheritance is imperishable and incorruptible. (is this a shock…to hear this truth of God on a rap CD?) And as I wait I pray with fervency, cause the world and the church are in a human emergency…see it’s a war and I done stepped into it, and I’m on the team of the rescue unit, for the following people… 1) Ones who caught up in false doctrine 2) Non-believers ignoring the sin problem 3) And new saints, so while my mic is on, all I’ve got is truth and a warning…’The real Truth is coming out!’”.
Track #5…”Rewind”…deals with the contrast between what the Bible says and what the televangelists are spouting. He demonstrates how one preacher misuses Isaiah 53 to guarantee all believers health and wealth. Some lines in the song are “Is that in the Bible…that God’s people shouldn’t suffer…that we all should be rich?” What is so cool is that on this hip-hop track, the artist goes on to explain what Isaiah 53 is really about…putting these false preachers to shame. The truth and theology from this artist is better than what is heard from most pulpits on any given Sunday!
Track #7…”We need you”… a song thanking God for salvation, deliverance from the bondage and curse of sin, for the fruit of the spirit, and our need for daily reliance upon Christ…and the blessing of deliverance from the wrath and judgment of God. (Try catching a CCM song with those realities!)
Track #9 (you preachers will love this one)…”Context“... Imagine this, a rap song dealing with the need for believers to interpret scripture within the proper context. The chorus reads “With this skill , this should keep you from heresy and keep you from going though theological therapy, The words of God will change your life…if you keep that text in it’s context!” (This is sound advice that many preachers do not heed…too bad it takes a rap artist to challenge them with it!) In this little rap ‘ditty’ he presents the need for proper…sit down now…hermenutics, exegesis, bible commentaries and concordances, avoiding eisegesis. What does he say about eisegesis? “A text could never mean what it never meant before to it’s original readers or authors…so if you run into a difficult passage and you know the bible never contradicts itself, then turn the pages to a parallel passage and just let the scriptures interpret itself!. (All this from a lowly rapper from the hood!)
Track #10…”War of the minds”…this is an incredibly touching examination of God’s role in the lives of those who suffer from depression and the like. It’s not a fluffy…’cheer up, God loves you’ ditty, but a heartfelt questioning and appreciation of those who suffer. He mentions depression, mentally ill, sexually abused, schizophrenia, anxiety, bi-polar…those who are seeking relief through clinical and medical therapy…and that all of those bound by these ailments must ultimately look to God- our healer from suffering, knowing that He sees and cares. (There’s nothing like this on the CCM charts that I’ve ever heard!)
Track #11…”Give us the Truth!”…a raw, truthful look into the artist’s journey from superficial Christianity, into a self-centered life, finally rescued by Christ into a genuine faith and relationship. He talks about his adventures in bible college, and back at his non-discerning home church, to his doubting his own salvation. How did God work to bring him into the truth…in His words…”I met this girl named Beth who told me about a church home, first I visited, became a member, and then it was on! Then the pastor gave me a stack of books, now I’m back with rap and hooks, took a summer and spent 300 DOLLARS on tapes and books and learned from these biblical scholars, now I’m back and I’m walking in light…living my life…glorifying Jesus Christ!” (now before you blast the rappers, when was the last time you spent 300 dollars on sound biblical materials and devoted your time to studying them and the bible to increase your knowledge and faith and lifestyle for Christ?????)
Track #12 (another one for you preachers)…”The Godhead”… dealing with trinitarian theology. The artist covers “dynamic monarchiasm, modalistic monarchiasm, and finally the hypostatic union”! Get your head around these theologies! And from a rapper? Awesome teaching and challenges here!
Track #14…”Racial diversity”…he hits on the need for our churches to reflect our communities diverse makeup….”have you visited Hyde park baptist lately”?
Track #15…”To my heart”… a very humorous and cutting conversation between the author and his heart, in which he proclaims to his heart…”I’ll never trust you again”. Too much truth here…sometimes it hurts!
Track #18…”Sola Scriptura”…for all you R.C.Sproul fans! This track is about the necessity for realizing that Scripture is our only authority, based on 2 Timothy 3:16.
Track #21…”We preach Christ”… another great challenging message, closing with the solemn reminder…”Seek Jesus now, you can know him as savior…see him later- you’ll know him as Judge.”
I hope this post will cause you to reexamine your stereotypes, and if so inclined, to listen to these lyrics and be blessed and challenged. I will present another artist in another post.
God bless! Pastor Bill ><>
