A Better Covenant

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments

16 Responses to “Shai Linne rapping about the Triune God”

1. on March 27, 2008 at 6:56 pm Emissary/ Easy G (G²)

   If anyone could help me with this,

   Recently, I was considering the issue of Hip Hop, Culture, and spreading the Gospel. At one point, this came to my attention:

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzs4IFqSW0U

   Does anyone have any thoughts as to how one would go about dealing with the issue? What if the issue of “culture” came up in a service and someone said “That’s just how they worship”? Would that be cool? I ask because I know of many who are pro Holy Hip Hop and on one hand denounce what was seen in the video but on others support having things such as mceeing, break-dancing, and other things in a service.

   If anyone has anythougts, I’d greatly appreciate it…

   
   
2. on March 27, 2008 at 9:07 pm Jeri

   Praising God for Shai Linne.

   
   
3. on March 29, 2008 at 2:21 am Jim Pemberton

   First, I love the way that many rappers creatively handle the English language. I hear some people talk about the beauty of the King James translation. I would consider this its equal. While not “classic” English, this has beautiful meter, rhythm and rhyme. A lot of thought went into these words.

   Second, any poetic statement is memorable. This is helpful for remembering the truth. I consider the poetic construction of the creation account in Genesis 1. I imagine this was done so the truth could be preserved and spoken accurately for the generations prior to the flood. The Bible has a whole section of meaningful poetry. This is not significantly different.

   Third, I hear complaints about many praise and worship songs being vacuous and I agree. The older hymns tend to be meatier theologically. This has as much meat as any hymn written by Luther, Wesley, Fannie Crosby, or any of the old hymn writers.

   I’m a tonal kind of a guy, but I really like this.

   
   
4. on March 31, 2008 at 4:34 am Celucien Joseph

   This is glorious!

   
   
5. on March 31, 2008 at 11:30 am djdesignz

   To Emissary -
   I have some very strong opinions about this desire to be culturally “relevant” and the issue is certainly not limited to Holy Hip Hop, but the whole Gospel/Christian Music Mindustry!

   Lampmode is one of the few labels I support, but the sad reality is that the industry is an idol-box, and there’s a very fine line between who’s being elevated/celebrated.

   Gold or platinum sales status does not necessarily glorify or elevate Christ. Standing on a stage singing, dancing or rapping does not necessarily elevate and glorify God. There’s a very fine line between who and what is actually being elevated and celebrated!

   Question - What is the difference between what they’re trying to accomplish with Friday Night Live and say… what Joel Osteen is trying to accomplish? Are they not one in the same?

   There are some real issues here and it’s not cultural “relevance” for relevance suits the purposes of man! The real issue is authenticity! That’s what the world is missing… an authentic church!

   -Selah

   I Ain’t Nobody!

   
   
6. on March 31, 2008 at 4:56 pm lionelwoods7

   Hey DJ,

   I think the difference is end of all of it. I don’t have anything against programs and structures and outreach opportunities to reach the unchurched and the lost. Many may disagree with me. But where Olsteen leaves people is that program. Why these brothers and sisters want you to have a biblical perspective on salvation.

   What do you think?

   
   
7. on March 31, 2008 at 8:17 pm djdesignz

   L-eye-1-l… wassup!

   It’s sorta like what Jesus told some of the masses, ya’ll only here cuz of the vittles.

   I’m not against programs and outreach, but the reality is that Christ has now been “packaged” in order to be more palatable… more relevant to the lost and unchurched! And why not cuz people want the “fun” I can be down “packaged christ”… there’s no change required!

   I don’t know Joel Osteen or the Pastor who put together the Live events, but from my perspective the end results can be similar… no change required. I can sit up under Joel and hear a feel good, positive message about how to live my best life (no change necessary). Or… I can go to a Live event and get my feel good praise on while the band plays some of the same riffs I bounce to at the club… definitely no change required cuz I feel right at home!

   In an effort to be “relevant”, the church has become irrelevant. Now… don’t get it twisted, I’m only viewing from afar, I’ve never been to see Osteen or to a Live event, it’s jus my opinions. But I’ve been part of and planned outreach programs whose goals were to reach the lost, the unchurched and have come to grips with the realization of their limitations… it ends up being about the vittles.

   We’re good at tryna reinvent the wheel, but the blueprint for outreach is already laid out in scripture (1 Cor. 1:17-31, 2:1-5)… no change required.

   I Ain’t Nobody!

   
   
8. on April 1, 2008 at 1:43 pm lionelwoods7

   Hey bro,

   I would like to challenge you in some areas.

   1. We must be very careful to speak where the bible doesn’t. For example would it be wrong for me to go into Somolia with trucks full of rice, beans and water feed them all the while telling them about their need for Christ, letting them know this food will only satisfy for awhile but the living bread and the living water will sustain you for life? What if they only come for the vittles as you say? Are we still not to feed the poor? Didn’t Christ say “use your filthy mammon to make friends”? Here is the verse just in case

   8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

   2. Who has the blueprint on the how the Gospel can be presented? This is heartbreaking and it is extremely judgmental bro. Lets look at Paul, sometimes he rented halls, sometimes he went into synagogues, sometimes he was walking down the street, other times he was at a lake going to pray, sometimes he was in jail, other times he was on an Island and the sick were healed and because of the sick being healed the others listened to the Gospel.

   To add to that, sometimes Jesus was on a mount, sometimes he had just come from casting demons, or healing the blind, or healing the lame, or raising the dead, sometimes he was feeding 5K or 3K.

   3. With that said, we must be very careful when we say “this is the correct way to evangelize” the bible sets no such limits and when we come with a judgmental spirit we are becoming legalistic. You can’t tell the softball team who joins a league to create relationships, or the the local church that starts a food drive, or a doctor who opens a clinic, or a church who cuts grass and cleans streets, or a jazz musician who plays at a local bar, or rap group/R&B group who raps and sings at open mic sessions or joins open venues that the way they are reaching the lost is “wrong” because of your past.

   BTW: God created all things including music. If you feel like you are in a club when certain tunes or rythems are played it may be an eternal struggle that you need to take before the Lord. This statement:

   Or… I can go to a Live event and get my feel good praise on while the band plays some of the same riffs I bounce to at the club… definitely no change required cuz I feel right at home!

   is very troubling to me. The change should be in the lyrics not the “riffs” music is cultural and if you believe one sound is more “Christian” than the next then our conversation will have to start back from the 16th Century when the hymns that we praise today were laid over bar tunes to reach people there by Martin Luther and others. We can go through a history of music if you like.

   
   
9. on April 1, 2008 at 1:46 pm lionelwoods7

   Sorry for the mispellings.

   
   
10. on April 1, 2008 at 7:04 pm djdesignz

    Wow… I’m sorry brother, please forgive me. Either I’ve miscommunicated or you’ve made some presumptions. Let me say this… my responses are inclusive of myself, hence I use inclusive terms like “our”, “us”, “we” and “I” for I am not above scrutiny and must be first partaker… even if I’m wrong in my opinions.

    You said;
    “What if they only come for the vittles as you say? Are we still not to feed the poor? Didn’t Christ say “use your filthy mammon to make friends”?”

    The issue was never about the vittles! It’s one thing to see a need, respond to it and in the flow of that response present the Gospel. That’s a very different dynamic!

    You said;
    “Who has the blueprint on the how the Gospel can be presented? This is heartbreaking and it is extremely judgmental bro. With that said, we must be very careful when we say “this is the correct way to evangelize” the bible sets no such limits and when we come with a judgmental spirit we are becoming legalistic.”

    1 Cor 1:18-21
    18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
    19 For it is written, ” I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”
    20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
    21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
    NASU

    Yet in the bible Paul expresses such a blueprint… expresses God’s chosen method for evangelization which is the message preached. And I’m foolish enough to believe in the simplicity of that. The Word doesn’t need propped up, doesn’t need to have extraneous attachments. Doesn’t need to exist in “packaged” scenarios because of desires to make its message more palatable.

    In your presentation of Paul’s evangelistic efforts, what props did he use? Jesus used the fish and loaves heated and ready to draw out the masses? All I’m saying is that in todays culture, the tendency to lean on props and technology to present the Gospel has moved us away from even considering foolish things… from simplicity! Moved us from being weak, to being strong. We don’t wanna look foolish… be foolish, because there’s a “better” way to do it today. No, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t take advantage of technology, but simply because we can attach some success to technology doesn’t mean its right… or wrong in certain instances.

    Judgmental… I gave my opinion about the video Emissary linked, we ALL make judgments about a myriad of things daily based upon information given… sometimes right, sometimes wrong. Just as you’ve made a judgment about me being “extremely judgmental”, you formulated that judgment based upon the information given… that which I posted. Given more information, your judgment about me may or may not change.

    Just as everyone that reads any blog forms a judgment or opinion about individuals who post, and I’m alright with that given the limited information presented. Yet in my judgment, I believe that in many of our efforts to be “relevant”, we’ve become irrelevant. In our efforts to be “clever” we make the Cross void. Not everyone believes that and I don’t expect them to.

    You said;
    “BTW: God created all things including music. If you feel like you are in a club when certain tunes or rythems are played it may be an eternal struggle that you need to take before the Lord. This statement:

    Or… I can go to a Live event and get my feel good praise on while the band plays some of the same riffs I bounce to at the club… definitely no change required cuz I feel right at home!

    is very troubling to me. The change should be in the lyrics not the “riffs” music is cultural and if you believe one sound is more “Christian” than the next then our conversation will have to start back from the 16th Century when the hymns that we praise today were laid over bar tunes to reach people there by Martin Luther and others. We can go through a history of music if you like.”

    The use of “I” was not because I’m a clubber and struggling, I was putting myself in the shoes of someone who may be.

    I believe that music is birthed. One takes sounds and shapes it into some communicable form based upon the message they’re attempting to deliver/speak. Opinions can vary on what’s being said by a piece, but only the original composer has created its musical DNA so to speak.

    For me, the question is not whether as believers I have freedom of choice to use a particular piece of music for ministry, or if one sound is “more Christian” than another. The question is why would I choose certain pieces? Taking the track from “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and changing the lyrics to “Giving God Some Props” does nothing to change the original intent of the artist who birthed it and certainly creates an awkward situation in ministry settings.

    As a musical minister, if all we can offer is rehashed music in the House of God, it’s certainly a sign of how far we’ve fallen in our creativity. The Church that represents God the Creator, who creates ex nihilo, should be at the VANGUARD of creativity and the track from “Drop It Like It’s Hot” isn’t even worthy consideration, or at least shouldn’t be in my opinion… come on, doesn’t God deserve BETTA!!?

    I Ain’t Nobody!

    
    
11. on April 1, 2008 at 7:36 pm lionelwoods7

    I was mistaken DJ and I apologize. Tone gets lost so let me try this again.

    1. I think the preaching of the Gospel is the only way man can be saved and not only that it can’t be tacked on the back of some soupy presentation, puppet show, rap concert, “worship experience” or any other venue. Those things are fine and I believe to be entertaining, but they should play 5th fiddle to the overall purpose of the evangelistic ministry.

    2. I am a cold calling type of evangelist. I would rather get a poster board or go door to door. I am very leary of any type of gimmick to get people into to church and not only that I am even more leary of alter call type of presentations.

    3. You are correct in your assesment about judgement calls. However I believe you used the worse case scenario to make a point on the post above. What I mean is it would be like comapring the preaching of Edwards to Graham or the Mega church of Spurgeon to Olsteen. I dont’ think they should even be mentioned side by side and if you know Shai and the Lamp crew (which you said you respect) then you know Shai and nem’ and Olsteen and nem’ aren’t even of the same cloth.

    4. You are so correct when you compare the “dropping it like it’s hot beats” and putting Christian lyrics over them can become very dangerous. I think the intent is to catch the the ear not dishonor God though. God does deserve our best but all music by Christians really isn’t worship. Many songs by Kirk, the Clark sisters, J Moss, Flame, Lecrae and Cross Movement aren’t worship songs they are evangelisitc and they are ispirational so I wouldn’t use those songs in the local gathering but they can be very encouraging. I do believe the other songs are for shock value though and I would have to know the motive of the individual rapping over those beats before I could call it right or wrong. Since I don’t I can make a judgement call without being in Sin.

    BTW we all make judgement calls, but before they are expressed we must evaluate them to see if they are sterotypical or if they are biblically accurate. To do less than that is to dishonor the reputation of the individual rather that is internalized or expressed.

    
    
12. on April 1, 2008 at 8:31 pm djdesignz

    I agree, I’m not against creative ways to communicate truth! What I am against is the pimping of the Gospel… an effort that believes the preached word can’t be effective unless it’s “packaged” a certain way or softened. I’ve always believed that the genre of Hip Hop in the Christian Music Industry is the most conducive to preaching!

    I’m not sure if I communicated wrongly, but I was NOT comparing the above videos of Shai to Joel Osteen. I looked at the video Emissary linked to this site and was giving an opinion about that and Osteen. Much respect for Shai, Esso, Timothy, Stephen and the Lampmode Records fam!

    Personally, I believe there is a dearth of creativity in the Christian Music Industry. It’s all about creating what sales from a pragmatic perspective and Calvin M Johansson sums it up in the following statements;

    “Pragmatism enjoys a stranglehold on music ministry in many quarters of the church. It is believed that “For church music the standard must be primarily a practical one… good church music is that which does most effectively what it is supposed to do.” Function is everything. Music becomes a contrivance. The overriding concern is achieving a predetermined result. This result (end) justifies the use of any music (means) as long as the anticipated result is worthy.

    In the ethical realm, for example. lying or stealing is thought justified when the goal is a noble one. Likewise in the artistic realm, doing away with musical goodness and truth is considered justified when the intended result is meritorious. Compositional standards become nonentities–categories that are no longer valid, indeed that no longer exist. A pragmatist does not judge music itself to be either good or bad. Its worth lies totally in its ability to bring the results assigned to it. Their motto is, “I’ll do anything to get the message across”.” - Calvin M. Johansson

    God Bless LW!

    I Ain’t Nobody!

    
    
13. on April 1, 2008 at 8:35 pm djdesignz

    I forgot… of a truth!

    “There’s always one thing more about that person that you can not know, which if you knew, would revise your whole estimation.” - Oswald Chambers

    I Ain’t Nobody!

    
    
14. on April 1, 2008 at 9:02 pm lionelwoods7

    Wow! You said:

    In the ethical realm, for example. lying or stealing is thought justified when the goal is a noble one. Likewise in the artistic realm, doing away with musical goodness and truth is considered justified when the intended result is meritorious. Compositional standards become nonentities–categories that are no longer valid, indeed that no longer exist. A pragmatist does not judge music itself to be either good or bad. Its worth lies totally in its ability to bring the results assigned to it. Their motto is, “I’ll do anything to get the message across”.” - Calvin M. Johansson

    That last sentence is as true as a statement that I have heard. I see it daily. Good melodies and choreography is substituted for gospel centered lyrics. I also see compromise in clothing, style, lingo, and just basic Chrsitan behavior. Videos are full of the same materialistic jewelry, cars, and houses. Not only that I saw two videos one was showing the lace bra of the gospel singer and was very senusal the other was a rapper and a girl had on some pumps and short skirt and the guy ended up marrying her. Very troubling my brother. If that is the way to reach the lost they will evidently stay lost.

    
    
15. on April 1, 2008 at 9:39 pm djdesignz

    Brotha… the Christian Music scene has shifted! Open your eyes and see the subtle and not so subtle changes. Something is awry… turn the volume down and it all looks the same! Shoot… for some you can keep the volume up cuz the lyrics… neutral!

    I went on a 28 day consecration no media what so ever. No TV, radio, IPOD, CD’s, internet and the only computer was my work computer (and I had to resist there). Just fasting, prayer and the Word. When music is so much a part of your life as it has been mine, it was a rough 28 days. But when I finished, Gospel music, HHH, R&P, Theo Soul, P&W… nothing sounded the same.

    The truth is, it’s hard (not impossible) to constructively critique something your so much a part of, and disengaging from it allowed me to view from afar and gain a different perspective. Almost like a sensory cleansing of sorts and I’ve never been the same since.

    -Selah!

    I Ain’t Nobody!

    
    
16. on August 9, 2008 at 5:55 am Carlos

    Hey, what happened to the videos?