Listen to the new Christian hip-hop once, and youll note just how theological it is. The first time I heard a song by artist Flame was also the first time I heard the heresy modalistic monarchianism denounced by name in any song. Thats not the Scriptures thats confusion, / and it takes stabs at the hypostatic union, raps the Louisville, Kentucky–based artist, before explaining the hypostatic union (the union of Jesus divinity and humanity). Rap group 116 Clique, named after Romans 1:16,defends biblical inerrancy by using the term theopneustos (God-breathed)—also not the most common of lyrics, rap or otherwise.The new hip-hop artists arent simply adapting apologetic arguments into their lyrics. Instead, they are modeling a broadly Reformed system of Christian doctrine, which is characterized by an emphasis on humanitys depravity, Gods sovereignty, and divine election. Many of the leading rappers are associated with prominent Reformed pastors: Shai Linne and Trip Lee have both interned at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., led by popular pastor Mark Dever, and Lecrae and Tedashii regularly quote John Piper. Just as rapper will.i.am wove lines from President Barack Obamas speeches into his songs during the 2008 presidential campaign, the preaching of well-known Reformed speakers—many of them Southern and white—is interspersed through the new Christian hip-hop music.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:53:08 +0000
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