Tag Archives: rap

Panel discusses Reformed Rap

Panel discusses Reformed Rap

I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion at the Worship of God Conference sponsored by the National Center for Family Integrated Churches. Here is a video of how the panel answered the question, “What about Reformed Rap?” [vimeo vimeo.com/80291749] Related: See my series on Christian rap. Continue Reading

Does Christ Redeem Cultural Expressions?

Does Christ Redeem Cultural Expressions?

This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Is Rap Really a Canvas? You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

We have studied some statements by Shai Linne and boiled them down to four propositions. 1) Rap is a medium. 2) Media are morally neutral until informed by content. 3) Christ’s act of redemption means that even media formerly used for evil can now be used for God’s glory. 4) This is what Shai Linne… Continue Reading

Is Rap Really a Canvas?

Is Rap Really a Canvas?

This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series Is Rap Really a Canvas? You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

The following abridged discussion took place here. Credo Mag: In the past you have been criticized for redeeming such a “depraved genre” as hip-hop. What is your response to this criticism? Shai Linne: Arguments against “depraved genres” are ultimately arguments against redemption itself, because depraved genres are the products of depraved human beings- who need… Continue Reading

On the suggestion that ‘holy hip hop’ is the new Baroque

On the suggestion that ‘holy hip hop’ is the new Baroque

Anthony Bradley recently submitted a commentary for World magazine publicizing ‘holy hip hop.’ He writes, “If you are looking for theologically saturated Christian music that has the greatest potential for widespread appeal, your best option may be Christian hip-hop.” The first sentence gives away a great deal. First, he missteps in the first clause, for… Continue Reading

Reverence in prayer

The section on prayer in John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion is surely one of the most beloved passages of that influential work. Therein, Calvin addresses, among other matters, the importance of reverence in corporate prayer. For Calvin, an essential mark of reverence in corporate prayer is attentiveness. He says, Whoever engaged in prayer… Continue Reading

Can Rap be Christian? Evaluating Hip Hop

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Can Rap Be Christian You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Today we finally arrive at a discussion of the nature of rap itself. This post will be beneficial for you, however, only if you accept the following assertions on made on Monday: Man is completely depraved and thus cannot trust his own preferences implicitly. Music is a medium of human communication and thus must be… Continue Reading

Can Rap be Christian? The Presuppositions

This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series Can Rap Be Christian You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Are “Christian” and “rap” mutually exclusive? Mark Dever’s answer after a 9Marks interview with Shai Linne and Curtis Allen (Voice): “Hardly.” This from one of the most conservative evangelicals alive today. It is primarily for that reason that I’d like to make a few comments about the interview. If this is what one of the most… Continue Reading

A Well-Known Calvinist Repudiates the Charismaticism and Worldly Worship of "New Calvinism."

A Well-Known Calvinist Repudiates the Charismaticism and Worldly Worship of "New Calvinism."

“The new Calvinists constantly extol the Puritans, but they do not want to worship or live as they did. One of the vaunted new conferences is called Resolved, after Jonathan Edwards’ famous youthful Resolutions (seventy searching undertakings). But the culture of this conference would unquestionably have met with the outright condemnation of that great theologian.”… Continue Reading

Contextualizing the Gospel, Part 1 – Introduction

Contextualizing the Gospel, Part 1 – Introduction

There is a popular thought today in evangelicalism that says that if we as Christians are going to reach unbelievers around us, we need to be more tuned into contemporary culture. If we want people to accept our gospel message, they say, then we need to present the gospel by packaging it in the language… Continue Reading