The Truth About Hip Hop

[Fire-7]

Evangelist G Craig Lewis is the founder of ExMinistries; a radical ministry dedicated to exposing the devil's hidden tactics... Lewis has done a very popular and controversial series called The Truth About Hip Hop where he exposes his findings from years of research, on the subject of Hip Hop music, and its infiltration into gospel music. His sermons are very interesting. It's obvious he has done some homework. But what do you think about Christian rap music and hip hop culture? How do you feel about the church using "worldy" music and remixing it into christian music? do you think it's right or wrong?

Here is a clip of one of the several sermons G Craig has taught on the issue (You can see similar video excerpts in the right-hand bracket)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMGhLjlzI58

Here is another preacher, Bishop Iona Locke, preaching on the same subject
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kheI1tWYQA8 clips 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JunNSh8HNYI&feature=related clip 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLgn3-LJcs8&feature=related clip 3

 

[TexUs]

Everything God gives us, and it includes music and instruments, is good.

Our perversion of it (to worship self: drugs, sex, etc) is bad.

There's nothing wrong with Christian hip hop.

If it's used to give God glory, it's fine.

 

[Disciple]

I find no problem with christian rap, although I do not like it, I hope one day a christian rapper who is actually good could make music and reach people in the ghetto.

 

[TexUs]

I find no problem with christian rap, although I do not like it, I hope one day a christian rapper who is actually good could make music and reach people in the ghetto.

Lecrae has made it on the Billboard at #16 and #1 R&B/HipHop charts, including #2 on iTunes (the entire iTunes).

I personally don't like that music but what you say actually exists.

 

[Disciple]

Hip hop and rap are two different things, I havent heard the guy, but Im talking about more like 2pac or Z-Ro, without the drugs and sex.

 

[Foreigner]

Music itself is a gift from God.


But like his other gifts (sex, for example) it has been perverted by man,


Music also has a spiritual power to it. It has the ability to uplift, anger, offend, soothe, motivate, unite, divide, and heal.


When that power is perverted to promote the perversion of another of God's gifts (sex) then real damage takes place.


I read a study recently where teens who listen to songs with suggestive lyrics are more prone to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14227775/ns/health-sexual_health/


Other studies have suggested that music with aggressive or violent themes also increase violent behavior in youth.


As far the influence of Christian music, I have seen no studies.

 

[Robbie]

Hip Hop... like anything... can be good or bad... didn't someone in the bible say something like, "There is nothing unclean in and of itself" I mean you can take a hammer and build a house or you can take it and smash someone in the head... so the hammer is neutral... it's the intention of the person behind the hammer that's either good or bad...

I actually just gave Dannu from the Hip Hop group the Visionaries some footage for their next video...

And I'd much rather listen to these guys rap about Love than that pastor talk about rap... haha

 

[TexUs]

Hip hop and rap are two different things, I havent heard the guy, but Im talking about more like 2pac or Z-Ro, without the drugs and sex.

He does both.

 

[Disciple]

Some songs they dont. And my point was I wish there was a christian rapper people from the streets could relate to and learn from.

 

[TexUs]

Some songs they dont. And my point was I wish there was a christian rapper people from the streets could relate to and learn from.

They exist in Skid Row and many other bad places...

The problem is to relate to people on the streets you can't have national fame and travel the nation all the time. What you want, can't be had :)

 

[aspen]

The glorification of sex drugs and violence has been made legitimate through music for only a short period of time in the history of the world. On the other hand God has been glorified through music for a much longer time. I think it is great that certain musical artists are choosing to use modern form of music to continue the long tradition of glorifying God, once more.

 

[Disciple]

@TeXus; it can happen just has to be a devoted person to making a change rather than devoted to money.. And of course God's provision.

 

[Fire-7]

Well, G Craig is dealing with more than the music (beats, audio) itself but rather with the symbolisms and spirits behind the symbols, traditions and customs. You would be better off listening to a sermon in its entirely by this man. Because he breaks it down to a foundational level and shows you the science behind it. He also deals heavily with Gospel artist who intermix with secular artist--produce their music, colaborate, etc... He bases his theology off of the passage which states that a friend of the world is an enemy of G-d. And that you can't serve two masters, but you will either love one and hate the other. If I'm not mistaken, i think he has even had services where the congregation brought their gospel and secular albums to the altar to be burned. He's been sued by numerous ministers and artists.

 

[Disciple]

Thats rediculous. No weapon formed against me will prosper the music is what you make of it.

 

[Robbie]

G Craig is just mad because he aint got no flow... haha

just playing... but seriously... I couldn't even imagine taking the time out of my day to listen to some guy talk about how hip hop is the devils music...

 

[Fire-7]

Here is his Blogspot. His writings are interesting, to say the least, even though I don't agree with a lot of the things he does and says. But if anything, it shows you the state that the church is really in. The fact that we are so divided as a body. And no wonder we are, because the heads are divided.

http://gcraige.blogspot.com/

 

[TexUs]

Here is his Blogspot. His writings are interesting, to say the least, even though I don't agree with a lot of the things he does and says. But if anything, it shows you the state that the church is really in. The fact that we are so divided as a body. And no wonder we are, because the heads are divided.

http://gcraige.blogspot.com/

And you don't suppose the guy calling hip hop the devil's music is contributing to dividing the body? LOL...

 

[Foreigner]

The glorification of sex drugs and violence has been made legitimate through music for only a short period of time in the history of the world. On the other hand God has been glorified through music for a much longer time. I think it is great that certain musical artists are choosing to use modern form of music to continue the long tradition of glorifying God, once more.

-- I agree.


My concern is the influence that the non-Christian themed music can have on Christians.

I grew up listening to Aerosmith, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Journey, The Who, etc. and continued to listen to them even after I became a Christian.

I found that the themes of their music, reinforced by the music itself, was having a negative impact on me and hindering my walk.

I had to - for my own good - quit listening to secular music like that.

That sucked, too, because some of that was GREAT music and defined my youth.

Today my iPod has Casting Crowns and Mercy Me as well as several old Keith Green songs. There is also a smattering of some old Amy Grant, David Meece, B.J. Thomas, and Phil Driscoll.

Definitely not the hard rock I listened to but extremely uplifting.

I am in no position to say that Christians should forego all secular music of the last 50 years, but I do believe that for some, doing so would definitely remove some of the barricades between them and Jesus.

 

[TexUs]

Well, many surveys taken of youth today make it abundantly clear that the vast majority of them listen to a particular music because of the way it sounds, not the lyrics.
That's what hooks them in. I don't think we can ignore even if they're listening to the sound and not the lyrics, that hearing the song over and over and over again... The lyrics will get through.


For example, I still listen to some secular music. Nickelback's "Rockstar", I listened to this morning. It speaks of being a rockstar, owning jets, women, drugs, etc- living the rockstar lifestyle.
As a Christian, I know the message is wrong.
However, Nickelback, their message aside, is talented- and the musical qualities of that piece I happen to like.
Just because I listen to it- doesn't mean I live it.

But my point was this- even though I like that song for the MUSIC, I do know the lyrics.

And I suppose, songs like this glorify self... Does it make me want a jet? I already would love to have a jet without the song ;) (to fly missionaries around the world, of course, lol)
But more than that I think the question should be... Does it make me want women, drugs, the rock and roll lifestyle? No. I don't see how as a Christian I could desire a lifestyle like that.

So I think for people that know what they believe, is even the act of LISTENING to this stuff, pulling you to the Devil? I don't think so. Christians aren't meek little sheep, they were given a mind, a strong spirit, and a Bible to know what God's will is for us.

Now, for kids this is an entirely different story, perhaps. I think not brainwashing them with a rockstar lifestyle early in life is a good thing not to do. They'll hear this stuff as they get older, but as they get older and (hopefully) you teach them Biblical principles and they have built a defensive spiritual barrier against such things it's fine.

 

[Fire-7]

And you don't suppose the guy calling hip hop the devil's music is contributing to dividing the body? LOL...

OH YES... I do suppose. And this is what I'm talking about. I think 99% of our preachers are contributing to it. Afterall, what is in the leaders is only reproduced in the followers. This is why I am becoming more and more careful about who I listen to. But you know what I have found. There is no such thing as a perfect preacher. I have searched high and low for a preacher to listen to who has it all together. And they just don't exist. But if you find one, please let me know! It's like no matter how careful you are about who you listen to, they are going to end up saying or doing something stupid. So, I'm no longer endorsing any man, regardless of his/her title or position, because they will let you down every single time--it never fails. I'm only after absolute truth now--that's all. So I'm trying to train myself to weed through all of the nonsense and only take what applies to me at the present time.