Is Gospel Rap Comforming To The World?

[Mrs.Chosen]

I would like to know your views.

Scriptures also.

[Jemidon2004]

Well i'll say this, I've not found any Scriptures to support or refute the claim of "Gospel Rap" being a style of music. Personally I don't listen to the music myself. I know it may have Christian Lyrics, however, it's just not my cup of tea. To me, if I can't understand the lyrics or i can't sense the flow of music, i won't listen to it. It's just noise. And sometimes that's what rap is to me, it's noise. I play Acoustic Guitar by ear and by sheet music so I look for the flow of the music. What goes where, and what's in and out of place. what can make it better and what is lacking. That's what I look for in the music. I just can't find that in "Gospel Rap" However, that's just my own view. I'm not going to put it down because it would be wrong of me too...but it does have the potential of being associated with the World because there's a fine line there and most often if a person hears "Gospel Rap" they migght think they're listening to secular music and won't pay any attention to the words...I don't know. All i'm going to say is that if it doesn't glorify God then it shouldn't be played. And if it has the possibility of being associated with the world due to the style, then I'd suggest not doing it because Scripture says "Do not be conformed to the world, rather set your affections on things above" - Colossians 3:1 Just a few thoughts to shoot across your bow. Not to discourage or put anything down, but i'm just bringing up some points to consider. Oh by the way...i'm 17 so I know a bit about the new stuff coming out. God Bless

Joshua

[M]

You might have to explain just what you mean by "Gospel Rap" to an old fart like me.   Is it that type of singing where there is no musical accompaniment?  It is  quickly spoken word in a rhythmic beat?  

If the word content was scriptural and expressing good Christian doctrine, I couldn't say that was all too bad.  Imagine a group of youngsters all excited about the Bible.  They would say "Let's have a scriptural reciting contest" and invite all their friends.  Everyone would be well behaved and have a good time.  Many would hear the Good News and be saved.  It is what Gospel rap is about?

To be fan of the worldly rap (and fans of the gospel rap would be or at least be influenced by it), they would be following the fashions and attitudes of the worldly rap.  That is: the baggy pants, the gangster attitude, the disrespect for authority, the drug and crime culture.  The baggy pant fashion has come about by imitating young men who have been in jail.  They lost weight in jail so their pants became baggy and in jail they could not wear belts.  The baggy pants also allows gangsters to hide their weapons.  There is enough problem with young ladies dressing immodestly and exposing their underwear and the young men are doing this as well.  If the rap culture could be totally disassociated from the music, then our youth might be safe.  

Music publishing companies (even Christian ones) rely on marketing gimmicks.  Rap gospel is just another marketing gimmick as was "Christian Heavy Metal" and other types of "Christian" music.  I think parents have to have some discretion.  They might not allow the regular rap music in their home due to the word content.  

Being the uncool old fart Christian I am, I don't really care about the world's newest fashions in clothing and music because I know by next year it will all be "out".  I prefer the Bible since it has been around a long long time. I don't rap it; I read it.

[Mrs.Chosen]

Quote: "And if it has the possibility of being associated with the world due to the style, then I'd suggest not doing it because Scripture says"
This can be said of sweat suits
Jeans, sneakers, cell phones, timberland boots, fancy cars, poetry, a live band, etc. The world is doing everything and santan seeks to destroy everything that is any good.
In the book of psalm we are told to make a joyful noise unto the LORD. So if my noise is rapping about Jesus Christ, being the way the truth and the light...

[Bronzesnake]

Hey, we all have different tastes and preferences in music don't we? As long as it's from Jesus, it's all good. However, I think we have to also consider the lifestyle of the people playing the music also. I'll give you an example of what I mean.

 I was a singer in a hard rock band for many years - I was the main writer in the band, and I wrote Christian themes into all my lyrics. I cleverly disguised the Christian themes because the other guys in the band weren't interested in that at all. Even though I wasn't what we would know as "born again" at that time. I believed in Jesus, but I hadn't asked Him into my life, and therefore I was living an unChristian lifestyle - I was living a "rock star" lifestyle   (I am ashamed of that now). I thought I was going to Heaven no matter what I did.   (being a moron at the time)

There was a very popular and fairly successful band back then that was a "Christian" metal band - and they were billed, and promoted as a Christian metal band, which was almost unheard of at that time. I think they were called 'Striper' (can't recall...getting old ) They sang Gospel lyrics in their metal band. The problem with those guys was that they were also living the "rock star" lifestyle - women - drink - drugs...etc. So a lot of the people who were into them and their kind of "christianity" (small c) also believed it was ok to live that way. Kids especially, imitate their heroes.

So, yes, I think any music that has Jesus as a main factor is very good, however, the artists must be saved Christians, and live accordingly. No violent overtones - no "bling bling" hanging - no "beehotches" in cellophane wrap bikinis...etc.

Bronzesnake

[Mrs.Chosen]

AMEN!!! AND BY THE WAY BRONZESNAKE WHAT DOES YOU NAME MEAN?

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF TRUE GOSPEL RAP.

Free


 

Performed by The Ambassador

Written by William Branch

Produced by Lee Jerkins for Rock Soul Productions

Recorded by Vince Delorenzo

Mixed by Jim Bottari

Published by Cross Movement Music & Publishing (SESAC) &

Soul Rock Music (BMI)

 

Hook:

I wanna know if you wanna know which way to go,

it's a narrow road, and if you carry loads, you can be set free

I don't care about the car you drive...  are you alive?

This is do or die, so you and I need to be totally free

 

Verse One:

Who you wanna be like, a man or woman with vision to see right?

Do you have any passion to be right, or be light?

Shinin' like you're a diamond or would it be tight

to roll with a cat, who holds a gat and lets the weed light?

Quick to brawl and get involved in a street fight

Quick to ball, forget it yall, he's enthralled with street life

He's gotcha thinking that he's hype but these type

never sleep tight they stay awake countin' the sheep, right?

He's got the sweet life?  Please!  "Sike!"

He's phony, he's really lonely that's why he clubs every week night

He can't handle the storm, he's like a cheap kite

He need's Christ, he's the opposite of Levite:

Unholy and a contradiction like "FREE PRICE,"

blind as a bat or better yet blind as three mice

Either way you look at it the crooks get it,

don't look at me like I'm pathetic, the Book said it!

 

Repeat Hook
 

Verse Two:

Do you wanna be the kind of sis' that does work with a kiss

workin' her hips, and gotta use a skirt and a twist

I'm certain of this, love's what you're searchin' for, Miss

but earth's an Abyss so that love you're certain to miss

‘cause most guys from birth, grow to be guys that flirt

putting sweet lies to work so as to disguise the purp(ose)

which is to shoot the gift, just to get you to shift

your views cause if he can make you switch

He's got the tools to get in the "skins,"

you know that that's been the trend

Why would he get a wife when he can just get a "friend,"

and with a little gin after a spin in the Benz

with some R&B he can "hit" again and again

 

I know it's sort of bugged but now I'm sailing on the waters of

experience, I know a wife and a daughter's love

So I'm up on things that pertain to "dime pieces"

My mind reaches to share things that remain after my rhyme ceases

Let him keep the cheese, never let him eat for free

Let him meet your needs and never let him sleep and leave

God's plan is that you marry so the creep must cleave

and learn about a woman's worth like Alicia Keys

 

Dudes and dudettes should both do that

So I'm exposing this like film when light gets to it

You need to learn about the way the righteous do it

You gotta see what life looks like when Christ gets to it

 

Repeat Hook
 

Bridge:

I wanna know if you wanna know (which way go?)

People, it's a narrow road (it's His way or no!)

There's too much weight on ya (dude, can't ya see?)

You need truth dropped straight on ya (so you can be free!)

 

Verse Three:

This is a call to introspection

Some interjection into men's perspect

since God calls them into question,

all their mindsets and their behavioral patterns

"I gave you a pattern,” He says, “but I'm afraid you're an Adam.”

So you're made in a manner that we called depraved and this grammar

It’s just a big word to describe that you're enslaved and you cannot

find the power to even do the good you desire

That's even bugged that's like trying to match the good with Empire

[‘Cause] we're the dark-side

Life is rougher and tougher than shark's hide

We walk by dissin' the same God who on the cross died

For once we need a people with vision that’s Cross-eyed

So we can focus on where hope is with our jaws wide open

Man, I be hoping all people will all cry out

to the Savior cause the Judge ain't lettin' y’all slide

'Cause He's the Love Boat now but I panic

'Cause y’all don't understand that He'll be the Titanic

And take under, some men with [a] great thunder

He's the great wonder, shunnin’ Him’s the great blunder

See it's costly, while y’all see the floss,

we see what God sees, that it's awfully fake like false teeth

Whether legit or the fast route, when you cash out

you'll see that "Ice" is like Frosty in the glass house

And beauty is vain, won't truly remain,

you act like you'll be the same, imagine you with a cane

or you with a chain rusted, or you with the pains of time

doing the same of what it's done to every human who came before

Now how would that be?  My point exactly, nuff said, come on and be set free.


AMEN.

[Bronzesnake]

Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.  

 Cool lyrics Lisa.

Bronzesnake

[Mrs.Chosen]

Silver did you read the Gospel Rap lyrics that I posted?
Or ade you not willing to see the light.
The Gopel of Jesus Christ is in those Lyrics. The Gospel is not worldly. All gospel rap is , is poetry to a beat. And the last time I checked GOD has them both in the bible and he is not mad at either 1.
Now if I rap to music or not if I am giving the Gospel who can say that I'm being like the world if I am presenting the Gospel in a unique way. Pastors do it. They all have a different style in the way that they teach.
Read the lyrics first silver.

[Mrs.Chosen]

CHECK THIS OUT AND YOU MIGHT KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS WORD. BLASPHEME. this is what you have just done. You have called GOD's work through His Holy Spirit the work of the world.
Now I know you must read the word as you do this board because in the begining of the ryme it cleary states who wrote it, and it was not me!!! That alone should make you feel a little some type way. (THATS HOW I TALK).
Also Cross Movement is a Saved Gospel Group the are missionaries for CHRIST. Check them out http://www.crossmovementrecords.com/
Now I will give you something from me so that you can tell me how it is "of the world" when the world in fact hates it and rather not hear it!!!
poem= Are you lost in love or confused by it's meaning?
Have you found and unstable crutch and you refuse to stop leaning?
Trapped by your love, lost in their lies, looking for answers,
but not with your eyes
Refusing to leave as if staying is wise.
They give their love to others while your love just lays their and dies. Soaked with your tears, drowning in your cries. Hoping for changes, ignoring goodbyes.
I understand the struggle, so heres my advice;
You're so lost in love that you can't find its true meaning.
Well, it's only on THE LORD that you should be leaning!=

I am seeking the lost. And we have a large generation of youth that won't listen. So if souls are being won for CHRIST through Gopel Rap (MANY ARE) how can you say it is the work of the devil?
to view more of my poems go to www.poetry.com ans search under Lisa Gore

[Mrs.Chosen]

Lyrics: FLAME
 
 

Real One


Written by: Marcus T.W. Gray

Produced by: J.R. for So Hot Productions

Performed by: FLAME



Verse 1: From these times now and back down to Biblical

days/ counterfeit Jesus' have raised in the ages/ searched

the pages of the Biblion the Holy Bible not the holy quran/

no/ Jesus warns us what would come after/ Matthew the

24th chapter/ "For many will come in my name sayin' 'I am

the Christ'"/ but they're really actors/ Woe unto those who

chose and teaches/ a non-Biblical Jehovah Jesus/ woe/

they might use the name but read in anotha' meanin'/ we

must put a stop to the doctrine of demons/ I must run this

it might get hostile/ we don't want the Christ of Oneness

Pentecostals/ we want the incarnate Christ of the

apostles/ the pre-existent Son, the One of the gospel


Hook: We want the Real One/ I teach the GodMan homie/

Represented through Christians is the real Jesus/ We want

the Real One/ I preach the GodMan whoodi/ represent the

authentic and real Jesus/ We want the Real One/ I teach

the GodMan son/ represented through Christians is the

real Jesus/ We want the Real One/ I preach the GodMan

dirty/ represent the authentic and real Jesus


Verse 2: You're bound to drown in a broken ship/ if your

hope is in the Jesus of Joseph Smith/ woe/ that doctrine

will have your life stormin'/ come to the knowledge of

Christ not to the one of the Mormons/ Jesus is not Lucifer's

spiritual brother/ and the heavenly Father did not have sex

with his mother/ Mary/ scary I seen them two dudes in my

'hood/ tellin' me God was a man at first and progressed to

His Godhood/no/ eternal is the Godhead/ the Father has

always been God that's what the 90th Psalm says/ Keep

your eyes on Jehovah's witness who mistranslates 1:1 of

John in the Holy Scriptures/ they say more to get your mind

tangled/ they deny Jesus is God but the incarnate Michael

the archangel/ if no angel was called the Son in Hebrews

1/ Then why is Jesus called the Son

Thi'sl & Flame

[Jemidon2004]

Unless it points to the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, then it's not the Gospel. The difference between Pastors teaching and this rapping, is the sole purpose of the Pastor is to point to the Lord Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection on the Cross. Without the death and the resurrection, there would not be a church. Here's what Paul the Apostle had to say on the issue:

Galatians 1:6-10

6I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

    10For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Here is the Gospel presented in true form from Peter himself:

Acts 2:22-38

22"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- 23Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken[c] by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25For David says concerning Him:
       "I foresaw the LORD always before my face,
       For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
       26Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
       Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
       27For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
       Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
       28You have made known to me the ways of life;
       You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'[d]

   

    29"Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,[e] 31he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

    34"For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
       "The LORD said to my Lord,
       "Sit at My right hand,
       35Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'[f]

   

    36"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

    37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

    38Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.

See Peter preached Christ crucified, buried and resurrected. He spoke the Gospel of Christ. Notice that the men were 'cut to the heart' That means that the Holy Spirit convicted them. This is what Preachers and Pastors do. They diminish themselves and point to the Lord Jesus Christ. It's called humbleness and self sacrifice. I know this because I have to do it on a regular basis. For I have been called to Teach, preach, and minister to souls as a pastor of His people. However, while i'm still 17, i still have alot of learning and growing to do while God equips me for the task ahead. Anyway...now unless the lyrics point to the Cross and Jesus' death burial and resurrection (The resurrection being the foundation of the Christian faith) then it is not of God. Just a few thoughts on the subject. Not trying to put down the music still, just adding my two cents into it. thanks for reading and God Bless

Joshua

[Allinall]

I think we try so hard some times not to be worldly that we forget the world we're livin' in.  We're commanded not to love the world, or the things that are in the world.  We're called pilgrims in this world.  Hey, if we know Jesus and it shows, we stand out!  Not like we need the right suit, or the right haircut, or the right music to set us apart.  If we do, are we really even set apart?

Sis, if you can bring glory to God in your music, then go.  

[Mrs.Chosen]

Quote:Unless it points to the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, then it's not the Gospel. "

This is exactly what I am saying. That is why in every Worship Service there is an invitation to Christ given. Christ is lifted up and we take the low. God is not saying a certain type of music is evil. People makes things evil. Like why would I throw out my T.V. because it has much filth on it when I can turn the station and hear the word of GOD being delivered.
People use cars for evil, money for evil, music, etc.
But we know that we can use these things for Gods glory and thats what we do.
ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST

p.s. ALL GOSPEL RAP IS NOT LOUD AND  THE WORDS UN-UNDERSTANDABLE.

[Jemidon2004]

Never said it was...though I"m saying all the 'Rap" i've heard has been.    

God Bless

Joshua

[Mrs.Chosen]

If you never said that they I was talking to someone else.

I sometimes go out and gospel rap over a live band with an organ and a sax, drums, you know. Sweet soft music.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is always given and sometimes I do praise songs!! He gots to get HIS praise!