You've GOT to watch this - please

Hey brother. I think you’ll probably find some opposition on here, but I think it was awesome. Thanks for sharing the video, that man was serious about his faith and purpose.

 

watched it, liked it...

 

Props to the kid...willing to get theological training (although i'm not that familiar with the school) before getting started in his hip hop career.
It would probably do a lot of Christian artists good to consider that also.

 

Watched it, loathed it. I would be one of those opposition types who prefer psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

 

I watched it. It's not my preferred style of music, but I try to be open minded.

 

I watched it.
What came to my mind was this;
Ro 12:1
¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Ro 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The message we ought to be bringing people of ALL cultures is one of transformation, not conformation.

I applaud this young man's desire to go get trained in Theology. But I think he hasn't thought his position of conformity completely through.

How can we tell a lost world that Christ will make a difference in their lives if they SEE no difference in ours?

Yes, Paul said he has become all things to all men that he might win some, but we are not to take that to mean that Paul walked around in a Roman soldier's uniform in order to reach Roman soldiers.

 

And please tell me how rapping about the salvation of Jesus is conforming to the world.

Is it because you believe his style of music is like the worlds?

Have you heard Southern Gospel lately. It is either sounds like a Branson/Vegas stage shows, or country music.

We had a SG group in last yr and one of the singers used to be part of Wayne Newtons backup singers. I felt I was at Branson.

There is nothing worldly about any style of Music... it is the lyrics that make a song worldly...

Prove which style is a sin from the word of God.

 

You said you watched the video?
The man himself said he chose to conform to the image of the rappers in order to reach them.
He also essentially ridiculed they who wore suits.
He flat out stated that he had to conform to the 'street' to reach youth.

I contend that he is wrong.
Not that his message is wrong. He is lifting up Jesus.
I contend that his method is wrong.
Again, Rom. 12:1-2

And BTW; had you read my entire post with comprehension rather than flying off the handle, you would not have even mentioned SG, since I didn't even allude to it. And I detest SG also.

As to your comment that there is nothing 'worldly' about any style of music, save it. We will not even come close to any agreement there. You are wrong, I am right.

Allow me to give you just a small sample of my position:
1. Is it right?
2. Will this bring me near some temptation?
3. Does this give place to the devil?
4. Is there anything in scripture contrary to it?
5. Am I trusting in God or depending on my own strength?
6. Is it doubtful?
7. Will it cause someone to stumble?
8. Does it appear evil to ANYONE?
9. Would the Lord Jesus Christ do this?
10. Will it please God?
11. Am I trying to impress others?
12. Do I hope somebody notices me?
13. Does it edify the entire body?
14. Am I being selfish?
15. Am I denying the flesh?
16. Am I putting Christ first?
17. Is it expedient?
18. Will it bring glory to God?
19. Am I deceiving myself or being deceived?
20. Do I know better?
21. Am I searching for an excuse to justify what I do?
22. Do I have to hide it from anyone?
23. Do I handle the word of God deceitfully?
24. Will this IN ANY WAY defile God's body?
25. Can I sincerely thank God for it?
26. Can I do this in Jesus' name?
27. Can I go all the way with it?
28. Have I prayed about it?
29. Will it increase or hinder my prayer life?
30. Am I breaking one commandment in order to keep another?
31. What does my pastor think about it?
32. What does my church brethren think about it?
33. Would I like to be doing this when Jesus returns?
34. How will it appear at the judgement seat of Christ?


Any of these will disqualify any activity you choose to do.:sleep:

 

Bad eisegesis, comparing hip hop to Peter's vision concerning Israel. Just because man says that that junk is clean doesn't make it clean. Just because he says God called it clean doesn't make it clean. It is nothing but feeding the flesh and people are too blinded by their own fleshly lusts and desires to see the truth.

Da Truth? All he has done is turn the truth of God into a lie.

 

Eisegesis is always bad... We need to exegete.

 

Nice list, I may use it later.
But number 8 can be a little subjective. Because anything you or I do could be considered wrong by someone else.. should we be worried about what others think to that point, or should we just worry about God thinks?
My Grandmother thought Coca-cola was a sin... did that stop me from drinking it? No, but I did respect her when I was around her and didn't drink it.

The amish think electricity and cars are evil, do we not use them, just because they think it is evil.

You think Rap music is evil, where is the Bible reference showing it is?
I can use the reference you used about conforming to the world to prove the Amish POV.

I personally don't listen to much rap... I like Ray Buchanon, but that is about it. But I do respect the rap artists as missionaries to the urban culture. Would I invite Da Truth to my pulpit? nope. because in the culture I minister to, it would be wasting his time.

 

So true.
Even the old marching rhythm hymn style, there are people who associate it with evil. This whole issue is tied to nothing but CULTURE, and people think some cultures are basically "trash", so of course their music is, and others are superior, so their music is from God and "not worldly", (regardless of the fact that it is used by the world, and sometimes for evil). That's all this emotionally charged utter CONTEMPT for the style is! But all have sinned, and before telling people about "conformity", people sould remember this basic fact of the Gospel, and not allow themselves to be conformed to dare I say "the world's" antibiblical notion of good and bad cultures, as much as it may be buried beneath prooftexted rhetoric.

 

This issue, to me, is about two things and neither of which is emotion. The first is what "styles" of music does God tell us to sing?

Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.​

I'm of the view, that which God says to do, do and that which God says don't do, don't do. He says to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs but gives no instruction for us to sing fleshly rock and roll, hip-hop or rap.

The second issue is what is the history of the style of music that is being produced? What are its roots? When I follow the trail of the history of rap I find that it is the devil's style of music and for me, I would prefer not to have concord with this style.

 

Amen, Rufus!

 

OK...then tell me what exactly fits into the category of "spiritual songs".
Only piano? Because those were once part of the bar room setting.
How about the organ? They are oh so spiritual at the baseball game as the crowd yells, "Charge!".
Horns maybe? Perhaps those they use at the horse track for call to post?

I'm just curious...what exactly falls into the category of "spiritual songs"? is it just lyrics, or is a style of music?

 

You follow any "trail of history" of any kind of music, and you will find some form of decadence. Much of Renaissence and Baroque music has its roots in the Catholic church--including the times of the Babalonian Captivity and Papal decay.

You're applying 20th-century musical definitions to the two scriptures. Similar arguments were offered against polyphonic singing in the 17th century by some religious leaders.

The horse has been beaten many times, but this refrain still stands: "Show me scriptures that specifically condemn a genre of music."