Hip-Hop & Theology

Ever since I can remember I've loved playing basketball. Even now with busted knees every time I watch a college game (UNC Tarheels) I want to hoop it up. For me basketball is synonymous with hip-hop. I listened to it on the way to games, our warm-up music was exclusively hip-hop, and when I was watching other games I remember regularly being in circles where guys were freestylin - joining in frequently (first space for laughter). The love I have for basketball is equated to the love I have for hip-hop - it goes deep. When Jesus saved me before my junior year of high school I didn't know how to reconcile this love. I was part of a legalistic church where Contemporary Christian Music was railed against so I chunked out Dr. Dre and "rebelliously" listened to Phillips, Craig, and Dean (if you know PC&D then this is the second space for laughter). I continued to play basketball but ached to do so with some flavor. I missed the delivery of ideas, perspectives, and worldviews through the medium of hip-hop. Then I heard of The Cross Movement which was my first introduction to reformed theology and cats who loved to flow about Jesus. And it wasn't corny! The beats caused my head to bob again and the lyrics/rhyme pattern were rich and skillful. Before I continue I'd like to let Shai Linne answer those who are asking already "how can God use a depraved genre?"

To those who say, "How can you take that thing that is used for evil and glorify God with it?" My two word answer is "The Cross." The central act of redemptive history involved God Himself doing that very thing! (See 1 Cor. 1:18-25)

My longer response to that particular criticism is usually to simply re-phrase the objection. I would say something like, "Are you saying that you have a problem with me taking a medium that has been used to blaspheme God and using it instead as a medium to praise and exalt God's holy name, proclaim His glorious gospel, speak biblical truth and magnify the infinite worth of the Lord Jesus Christ?"

Arguments against "depraved genres" are ultimately arguments against redemption itself, because depraved genres are the products of depraved human beings- who need redemption. (In fact, "depraved genre" is a misnomer because it's ascribing moral value to a medium, which by definition is morally neutral until informed by content.) Once God has redeemed a person, it's fitting for the Christian to take the "genres" or vehicles  (such as books, cameras, canvasses, the internet, language, musical forms, etc.) that he or she once used for evil and now use them to promote the glory of God. Those who make the objection (especially as they use the internet to do so) are often unaware that they themselves use "depraved genres" all the time.

Amen. I also love theology which leads me to the purpose of this post. Jesus has used hip-hop by artists such as Shai Linne, Json, Lecrae, Trip Lee, Propaganda, High Society Collective, and Alex Faith to grow my understanding of him and stir me to worship. I praise God for who he is, what he has done, and who he has made me when I hear lines like: "But then something clicked, it's crazy I ignored this But even when I slip, this ain't based on my performance Christ was equipped, ran a race with endurance When His flesh was hit, His righteousness was my assurance (Yeah!)" -Trip Lee The truth resonates in my soul through a medium that flows in my veins like blood. Hip-hop is a powerful delivery system because it preaches sermons in an attractive (to most) and repetitive nature. I remember while in high school listening to H town rappers and regurgitating everything I heard. I bumped their "good news" and believed it whole heartedly. I adopted their worldview and saw everything through the lens of money, status, power, and women. I wanted to modify my car because of hooks about candy paint and wood-grain (sorry if I'm losing some of you). I encourage you if you want to grow in your faith listen to the dudes listed below. As in all things, do so with a discerning heart, testing everything with the Scriptures. Here are a few FREE albums to get you started. Beautiful Eulogy :: Satellite Kite Propaganda :: Excellent Lecrae :: Church Clothes High Society Collectively :: Circa MMXI Alex Faith :: Honest 2 God You can find other solid artists Trip Lee, Json, Swoope, Tedashii, KB, and God's Servant on Itunes. Also here are two albums to stream. The first is focused on the Attributes of God by Shai Linne and the second is on the restorative work of Jesus by Timothy Brindle.Shai Linne : Timothy Brindle : May our faith in Jesus be strengthened as we hear the gospel over and over again.Ryan Keeney is the Biblical Living Pastor at The Paradox and leader of the Monticello City Group.