A firestorm erupted online last week after video of a panel discussion in which I participated at the NCFIC “Worship of God” conference went viral, and defenders of Christian rap responded with hurt and outrage. There are some plans in the works to address this issue at more depth in the near future (and you… Continue Reading
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
In Shai Linne’s statements, we identified 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 is doing with rap. Last post, we… Continue Reading
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
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
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
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