Christian Rap?

[Bobinfaith]

Dear brothers and sisters at Talk Jesus;

I am blessed by this thread in the Teens forum. This was submitted last December 2004. Many back then shared with me that they don't know what to write about yet were encouraged to participate in this topic. This is fellowship! Please give our Father all the glory and honor here.

Listen, all of you blessed me with your views and opinions backed by scripture. Personally, brothers and sisters, I always keep an open heart to learning.

Brother ythpstr2000 brought up an excellent point. Is it my intention to be a disservice to my brother or sister who likes rap, or is it their intention to be a disservice to one who does not like rap? Or if my fellow countryman opposes my president of the United States? Absolutely not! This does not give us justification to hinder the Holy Spirit from bringing others to Christ.

I tell you the truth, I can listen to Christian or secular Rap and it still does nothing for me. Does this mean that I am going to stand up and protest while others are worshipping Jesus Christ? No. Perhaps the wise thing to do is sit still and let the God work through me. During 2005 I attended an assembly. We watched a Christian Rap video and other times a live Christian Rap special song that I was not prepared for. Then I remembered what all of you shared in this thread. Thank you, Jesus.

When you participate at Talk Jesus forums or in Live Chat, listen and read what others are sharing. God led them here, to you and me, and you will be blessed how our Father is using this site to reach out to us.

As one new member put it, oh well. I would rather say all is well. Perhaps one day I will record a Christian Rap message. Just don't throw popcorn at me. lol! :shade:

Your servant in Christ Jesus.

 

[MumsdollarFan]

i must agree with Bobinfaith, I can't stand any rap, but if other people like it then hey, I got nothing against them! We all like different music genres!
God Bless!
*Dal*

 

[Christsservant]

I look at it this way: If it looks like the world and sounds like the world than it is of the world. And, as Christians, we are not supposed to be of the world. I used to listen to Christian rap. But I can honestly say that when I listened to it I wasn't really thinking about God and worshiping Him. I have been in churches and at concerts where they play rap music and usually what happens is everyone starts jumping around and head banging and stuff. This is called worship. But can you say that as you are doing this kind of stuff you are thinking about God? Or is it just for fun? I'm not going to say listening to rap is going to send you to Hell or anything, but even if you have the slightest doubt about whether something is wrong than you shouldn't do it. God dealt with me about rap and Christian rock so I gave it up.
Oh, yeah, you might think the next thing I say is kind of crazy and stuff, but oh well. Go ahead and think whatever. I know a young man who was listening to Christian rock on his headphones one time and he heard demons singing in the background. Satan is real and demons do exsist.

 

[califlower]

Hymn Rap!

I never liked rap, until the day I was singing in a very LARGE church in San Diego, in the choir.

We had just been singing that Easter with Marilyn McCoo and her huband, of the Fifth Dimension, and a couple of thousand souls had been saved for Christ on the beach there in Oceanside. When we went back the next week for our choir, the director had taken a very very OLD HYMN... and had set it to rap. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL songs I have ever had the PLEASURE OF SINGING TO GOD. It was INCREDIBLE!! New, fresh *air* had been breathed into this old song, and the choir was going crazy with the new rhythm, smiling and singing, the WHOLE CONGREGATION could feel the energy!

Now, when I see "Rap does nothing for me" - I think - well God made music. Why would a hymn sung this way not reach you, with the words of a Hymn? God made ALL FORMS of music because it's like a mathematical equation. It's like thinking God only gave you PRIME numbers. No, there are all kinds of decimal points even inbetween the numbers; in music, we call that "Jazz". I don't like Jazz, either, frankly, it's not my "taste". And although God made music; Satan stole it to use it for his own ends, which is quite clear, music has been used for sin and evil. Does that mean we shouldn't claim it back for God? Yes, we should! I'll tell you this brother - if you put some of these OLD HYMNS that praise GOD ALMIGHTY - into a Jazz format - or ANY FORMAT, like Rap, Jazz, Country, Pop... it doesn't matter when you have music in your soul and love for God and Jesus in your heart. I tell you, if you embrace the Lord in Music, IF you open your heart it will "DO SOMETHING" for you!

Of course, the lyrics are so pure, what would it matter if it's 3/4 time or not? Yes music taste is all "subjective" - but it's also what you're USED TO HEARING. You didn't like many kinds of songs before you heard them; some take a few repeats to "get it". Really, when it comes to LYRICALLY PURE MUSIC, that celebrates the Lord, I emplore you to open your heart, not to the music, but to its purpose. We are called to MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE! *Hugs for all*

God bless you all for exploring this medium of communication, called "music" that is a creation of the Lord, but can be perverted by Man! Let us RECLAIM these forms of music, making them holy. My suggestion: Next, do a thread on Christian Metal, a growing medium. It's also beautiful and highly controversial.

For me, this is one of the best threads ever - because my whole business was centered around new forms of Christian music, and getting them carried on more mainstream methods of broadcasting. Unfortunately, Christian music isn't catching up the way secular music did; I think much of that might be the rather weak attitude I've seen on recapturing music for the Lord, a lot of "stereotypes" being created about music, which dismays me. I very much want to take it ALL BACK for Him! If we keep painting this music with the same brush, for its past, condemning it merely for its former appearance - how can we reclaim it for His glory?

In the Love of Jesus Christ, CaliFlower :rose:

 

[ythpstr2000]

Its not worship, its praise

To speak with approval or admiration, or to glorify.

And to say it’s worldly because its similar is ridicules. Christians driving cars look like non Christians driving cars. Christians ordering Big Macs sound just like Non Christians ordering Big Macs. Christians on airplanes look just like Non Christians on airplanes. Christians going to work look just like non Christians going to work. Christians eating look like non Christians eating. The list can go on forever, so your either gonna have to give up the weak argument, or give up EVERYTHING the worldly people also do, and have NOTHING in common with them. As for me though, I believe Paul was right...

Romans 14:5 & 6 (Contemporary English Version)
Some of the Lord's followers think one day is more important than another. Others think all days are the same. But each of you should make up your own mind.6 Any followers who count one day more important than another day do it to honor their Lord. And any followers who eat meat give thanks to God, just like the ones who don't eat meat.

And any followers who LISTEN TO CHRISTIAN RAP give thanks to God, just like the ones who don't LISTEN TO CHRISTIAN RAP.
I have no more authority to tell you to listen to Christian rap or rock, than you do to declare it worldly.

And have you at all considered that these artists are using theyre gift to serve God as best as they can, and how they believe God would want them to, and you now lump them in with Emminemm and other lowlifes?

1 Chronicles 16:22 (King James Version)
...Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Reminds me of another who thought he was doing Gods work, only to find he was fighting God. His story is in Acts 26.

 

[lc_sar]

Hmmm. This is a really interesting discussion! I must say I was totally shocked when I read some of the replies... I expected that not everyone would enjoy Christian rap but was floored that anyone would condemn it! But I'm grateful for the honest thoughts that people presented.
Perhaps I am unlike most of the posters here who are pro-Christian rap. I am a 23 year old female. I was raised in a Christian home, pretty much on Christian music sprinkled with Oldies, lol. I never listened to rap in high school, maybe a little hip hop, but generally secular hip hop is far from glorifying to God, though I did enjoy the rhythm.
When I entered university I started hearing more Christian rap and hip hop. I absolutely loved it! Some claim that rap is not conducive to worship... I submit that that is purely subjective. When I worship to rap or hip hop, it's just as real and personal as when I worship to "worship music". In fact, it's often MORE real, because rap and hip hop lyrics are generally raw and honest, and I can relate to those. If an artist says something to the tune of "right now all I'm surrounded by is horror and I can't seem to pull myself away and I feel like I'm drowning yet I know you're my homeboy and I can trust you've got my back" (lol. this is why I'm not a lyricist!), I can relate to that a lot more than "As the deer panteth for the water so my soul longeth after thee". You know? Not that the deer song is any less valid or less beautiful, it's just not what my own soul is crying out. Or at least not in those words.
There are many amazing Christian rap and hip hop artists out there. My roommate and I often bemoan the fact that they are almost NEVER played on Christian radio stations. Artists such as Grits, Cross Movement, Ambassador, Toby Mac, KJ52, and many others are reaching out to a hurting world in a way that other Christian artists can not or have not. Below are some lyrics by Grits in a song called "Believe" that they do with Jennifer Knapp. It's the second verse:

There's a way that seems right
In the heart of a man
And many angels of light
In disguise destroying man
So most chose to refuse
The absolute truth
Replace it with lies
Use ignorance as excuse
It's hard to conceive
What the mind can't comprehend
And harder to believe
What the eyes can't understand
We look to theory, philosophies and thought
For a sure foundation
In a belief we once sought
While the shadow of truth
Cast an image so clear
The closer it gets
We reject it out of fear
If we really wanted truth
We would give our lives for it
Walk in its direction of light
For God's glory
The saga continues
Cause most hearts are deceived
If we really wanted truth
We would live and believe
So the saga continues
Cause most hearts are deceived
If we really wanted truth
We would live and believe in it

One poster made a comment that essentially said that Christian rap should not be played because not everyone can worship to it, unlike "worship music". You know what? I firmly believe that not everyone can worship to "worship music"! If my dad ever came to church I think he would be totally put off by the music - and my church is contemporary. Yet most Christian music still often sounds... I don't know how else to put this... "cheesy". Some of it I would even say sounds fake. Not intentionally, I'm sure - but some of it just lacks the depth that is necessary when you live in a world as messed up as this one is. One worship song I love is "Blessed be the name of the Lord" (not sure if that's the title?) But the second verse goes: Blessed be your name when the sun's shining down on me, when the world's all as it should be, blessed be your name. Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering, though there's pain in the offering, blessed be your name. When I first heard those words I almost broke down because I was at that place. I was on that road. It was real and honest and it spoke to me. I prayed that prayer as I sang those words. And that's a big part of why Christian rap and hip hop is such an amazing form of worship for me
That's my $0.02. I have a habit of turning posts into dissertations on this site, sorry about that! 8-|
~Sarah~

 

[Coconut]

God has called to Himself ALL men. Wether they like rap, rock, country, or whatever. He has put people in all walks of life so that we could more effectively reach them. There are rappers who love God, sent there to reach inner city youth. There are Bikers, who love God, sent there to evangelize the Biker community. Skaters, Cowboys, Goths, everyone. But despite the fact that God has called people to those people groups, we all have a responsibility to be willing to share with EVERYONE the Gospel. If we let our own petty likes and dislikes cloud that, then its not the rapper, or the kid that likes rap that needs to answer to God. Keep that in mind as you read this verse...

That was so well said I simply have to applaud. AMEN!

Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. KJV

 

[DaughterofEve]

I don't like rap at all. Rap encourages drug use, sex, A LOT OF CUSSIMG, rebelion, and sin. I can not even understand what the person is saying. I don't think Christian rap is a good idea. What is wrong with hymns?
Love,
you sis in Christ, Julie.

 

[ythpstr2000]

I don't like rap at all. Rap encourages drug use, sex, A LOT OF CUSSIMG, rebelion, and sin. I can not even understand what the person is saying.

Wow. I have been listening to Christian Rap for years, and never heard any of that. Are you sure its not Secular Rap your talking about? [/sarcasm]
To not differentiate between the two is being intelectualy dishonest AT BEST. Its like saying ALL music is bad, because one guy who played guitar also beat his wife. Or that ALL movies are bad, including the Chronicles Of Narnia, and Mel Gibson's "Passion", just because there are people that make porn movies. I know, we should outlaw driving in the US, because some people have done it after drinking, and have even killed people!

You know there is only a slight physical charecteristic differences between Barry Mannilow and love songs, and praise and worship. But in spiritual value, they are no where near eachother. For you to lump Christian Rap in with degridents such as Eminem is absolutely wrong. You do a diservice to Christians who enjoy the music. You do an even greater diservice to those God has called to those ministries.

 

[Coconut]

"I don't think"...seems to be the sad refrain of a lot of christians.

Rap encourages drug use, sex, A LOT OF CUSSIMG, rebelion, and sin.???????????

You came to this conclusion how...?

A sound is a sound.
A beat is a beat.
A voice is a voice.
Put them all together and you might have music...or noise...but neither
music nor noise has the potential to be evil...they are SOUNDS.
(oh yea...and sound was Gods idea, not the rappers)

Careful if you hear a rat-a-tat-tat on your window pane folks...

 

[jiggyfly]

I don't like rap at all. Rap encourages drug use, sex, A LOT OF CUSSIMG, rebelion, and sin. I can not even understand what the person is saying. I don't think Christian rap is a good idea. What is wrong with hymns?
Love,
you sis in Christ, Julie.

Wow, so those who listen to rock, country, classical, jazz, bluegrass and so on have never used drugs, had sex, cussed or rebelled? You might be interested in knowing that a lot of the spiritual hymns were lyrics accompanied by the music of old bar room melodies.

 

[nockdan]

Wow, so those who listen to rock, country, classical, jazz, bluegrass and so on have never used drugs, had sex, cussed or rebelled? You might be interested in knowing that a lot of the spiritual hymns were lyrics accompanied by the music of old bar room melodies.

I for one like enjoy rap music very much but hate to hear the explicit words, drug use, sex, A LOT OF CUSSIMG, rebelion and all the bad things that some rap music encourages. But being a rap music fan and a truely devoted Christian, I prefer to hear my rap according to the gospel.

 

[DaughterofEve]

I was talking about rdgular rap though. I didn't say anything about Christian rap. I don't like regular rap. Although I haven't heard of Christian rap before.
Sorry if I offended any one

 

[Coconut]

I doubt anyone was offended, but we should`nt make blanket statements that make and create assumptions without facts.

When it comes to music...rock, country, classical, jazz, bluegrass or rap...its a beat...wether it be fast, slow, kickin, screamin, calming or serene...its all still just a beat. Personal likes and dislikes are not the criteria for deciding if something is evil.

 

[jiggyfly]

I doubt anyone was offended, but we should`nt make blanket statements that make and create assumptions without facts.
When it comes to music...rock, country, classical, jazz, bluegrass or rap...its a beat...wether it be fast, slow, kickin, screamin, calming or serene...its all still just a beat. Personal likes and dislikes are not the criteria for deciding if something is evil.

Does this include me singing in the shower?

 

[Coconut]

But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? (I speak as a woman)

 

[calluna]

I am asking is the teens and youth forum for discussion about teens and youth? or is it for teens and youth to come here and discuss their stuff?

The reason why I am asking is that an adult might come here and have a discussion with a 12 year old and so things might be said and misunderstood. And I am not trying to demean the intelligence of the younger folk, I have learnt from them myself it is just that adults and children may think a little differently and express themselves differently. It is just a question.

Thanks
Your friend in Christ
Heather

 

[sunshine307]

It's for teens and youth to talk about things, and discuss stuff.

 

[Chad]

I think everything was said enough. Music is music. It is from GOD and GOD is full of infinite variety so this includes all type of MUSIC that you hear. GOD has no limit, neither does He limit our creativity in this world.

The words, message is what consists of either praise or evil, good or bad. It really is just common sense. Some get it, some don't. I'm 100% positive souls have been reached through Christian style rap. Same with other music. I dare say elevator music too

Anyway, not sure who originally started the thread but this is a teens & youth discussion as sunshine just mentioned. It doesn't mean adults are not welcomed in. After all, adults are responsible for the young ones

 

[Coconut]

LOL! That struck me very funny Candace...you may have a point...my brothers used to say that the opera music I used to listen to as a teen ruined me for good music like country