Holy Hip Hop!

[dcomin]

Any other fans of Reformed Rap music out there on the Puritan Board? I'm probably doing irreparable damage to my (otherwise sterling ) reputation by admitting that I'm a huge fan of hip hop, but I wonder if anyone else on this forum (Besides you, Jenn!) has heard some of the fanastic lyrical content that is being put out by such artists and groups as...

Everyday Process
Flame
shai linne
Timothy Brindle
Stephen the Levite
Christcentric

...to name a few. These guys put so much sound theology into their rhymes that it boggles the mind. I have concluded that the style and structure of hip hop is particularly suited to be used in instruction, since the focus is really on the lyrical content and a huge amount of information can be woven into a song without compromising the style or listenability.

Any other Reformed Hip Hop heads out there? Holla!

 

[blhowes]

Any other fans of Reformed Rap music out there on the Puritan Board?
<snip>
These guys put so much sound theology into their rhymes that it boggles the mind.
<snip>
Any other Reformed Hip Hop heads out there? Holla!

A fan of rap/hip hop? No, not yet. Can you post some of your favorite lyrics and make a 'believer' out of me?

 

[Civbert]

Links would be good too.

I used to listen to the Christian heavy metal Rez band a long time ago. Their lyrics were thought provoking if nothing else. I used to read them to my Grandmother because of their poetry and theological content. That was a looooong time ago so I can't say if I'd think so highly of them now, but at least they were not fluffy repetitive pop theology that is common today.

 

[dcomin]

A fan of rap/hip hop? No, not yet. Can you post some of your favorite lyrics and make a 'believer' out of me?

Sure! Here is one of the first songs that stunned me with its content. The artist is a guy called Flame, and the subject of the song is the doctrine of the Trinity! Here are the lyrics...

The Godhead

Verse 1: God eternally exists/ as being three in His personages/ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and each person is/ fully God and there is only one God who subsists/ so chew on this/ cause this is meat and I’m certain of this/ His prerogative could have been to conceal Himself/ but we serve a God who has chose to reveal Himself/ to be certain of who we servin’ let’s search the text/ because it’s urgent that we worship Him for who He is/ the topic of the Trinity should evoke some emotion/ for those who are chosen/ and also for those who oppose it/ examine close He’s distinctive in His entities/ that’s why we contend for the Trinity in serenity/ we have no Christianity if God is not triune/ in that case we are were saved by whom/ then creation was made by whom/ then redemption was made by whom/ the consummation will take place by whom

Hook: Pastor Joe speaking/T-R-I-N-I-T-Y/ It’s the trinity/ it’s the trinity/ oh blessed trinity

Verse 2: If we could peer in the past and see a system called dynamic monarchianism/ another system modalistic monarchianism/ but for this session we gonna focus on one of the isms/(which one is that?)/ modalistic monarchianism/ get to the core or the center where the belly is/ popularized by a guy named Sabellius/ trying to fight for the position of monotheism/ traditionally held by the Jewish in they religion/ and that’s true but he started trippin’ in his position/ and said that God manifested Himself in different/ modes at different times this is real twisted/ that’s why a bishop named Athanasisus had resisted/ in a meeting in Nicea in 325/ A.D. where they debated was Jesus God/ and if He was, was He the Father the first time/ Jesus the second/ and Holy Spirit the third time/ while they affirmed that the Father is God/ that the Son is God/ and the Holy Spirit is God/ good. that ain’t gone solve it/ cause the problem is this/ it’s the simultaneousness/ that he denied

Verse 3: Modalism is back and its now packaged as Oneness Pentecostalism/ and its growing in numbers now like the cost of living/ and when they hear this I’ll be labeled a Pharisee/ but the Assemblies of God already labeled it heresy/ in the 20th century when it first emerged/ and ever since its birth its been hurting the church/ in conclusion a myriad of questions I ask/ cause its confusing and steering away at the masses/ I pose to you question number 1/ you mean to tell me that the Father is the Son/ well who was He praying to in the garden of Gethsemane/ I guess you’ll say He was prayin’ to His deity/ so you sayin’ that His human side/ is prayin’ to His divine side/ that is Father/ In that case then there are two beings/ in the person of Christ is that what you are seeing/ no that’s not the scriptures that’s confusion/ and it takes stabs at the hypostatic union/ and that’s that the one Jesus/ is 100% man and 100% God/ not 100% Father and 100% Son

 

[Kevin]

you have been imbibing in too much of 'ol Latrobe's most famous product I think...

 

[BobVigneault]

I'm widju all da way Douglas. I love dem guys at Christcentric. Their song "Reformation" is my ring tone for when my pastor calls me. (The end of the song when you hear Luther from the b&w film with a hip hop beat.)

I like LeCrae a lot, though I'm not sure he's reformed.

Get crunk dawg!

 

[dcomin]

Links would be good too.

I used to listen to the Christian heavy metal Rez band a long time ago. Their lyrics were thought provoking if nothing else. I used to read them to my Grandmother because of their poetry and theological content. That was a looooong time ago so I can't say if I'd think so highly of them now, but at least they were not fluffy repetitive pop theology that is common today.

I used to love Rez too, but have come to differ with much of their theology. What's stunning about a lot of these rap guys is that their lyrics are self-consciously Reformed. In this genre, lyrical content is emerging that has never been heard in any popular music form in the modern era - it's really exciting to see!

 

[dcomin]

you have been imbibing in too much of 'ol Latrobe's most famous product I think...

 

[dcomin]

I'm widju all da way Douglas. I love dem guys at Christcentric. Their song "Reformation" is my ring tone for when my pastor calls me. (The end of the song when you hear Luther from the b&w film with a hip hop beat.)

I like LeCrae a lot, though I'm not sure he's reformed.

Get crunk dawg!

Aawwwyeeeaaaaahhhh! We reppin' Christ!

I think Lecrae is one of the most talented artists in the genre, but like you said, I haven't seen any clear indication that he is Reformed in his theology. He's definitely missions-minded, though, and his songs provide a strong call out of worldliness into service to Christ.

 

[MrMerlin777]

Not a real rap fan here, more of a metalhead really, but I've noticed that rap and Nu Metal (Metal blended with rap) has always had a lyrical focus. Some of the secular rap and nu metal combos I find have alot to say although they focus on the dark dispair of humanity most often. The gangsta rap trash that does nothing but extol, sex, drugs and money I find useless, though it does illustrate very well the depravity of man.

I'm sure that rap/hip hop and even nu metal as art forms can be used quite profitably for instruction because of it's focus on what is being said. That said, I don't want it to be thought that I'm for this "christian alternative" trash that basically just sees an art form and puts out anything, however bad, just to "stay relevant".

 

[dcomin]

Links would be good too.

Go to http://www.3hmp3.com and do a search for the following artists...

Christcentric
Timothy Brindle
Flame
shai linne
Redeemed Thought
Everyday Process
The Cross Movement

You will be able to listen to song samples for most of all of these artists.

 

[blhowes]

Sure! Here is one of the first songs that stunned me with its content. The artist is a guy called Flame, and the subject of the song is the doctrine of the Trinity! Here are the lyrics...

Good stuff. Thanks. Now I'm curious what it sounds like with the music. Will search later.

 

[BobVigneault]

Here's Lecrae's myspace.

Here are his lyrics.


Here is Christcentric.

 

[dcomin]

That said, I don't want it to be thought that I'm for this "christian alternative" trash that basically just sees an art form and puts out anything, however bad, just to "stay relevant".

I have always been greived by the lack of quality in Christian alternative music. In that, too, the Reformed rappers I've mentioned have distinguished themselves as musicians, lyricists, and artists of the highest caliber in their genre.

 

[Civbert]

I used to love Rez too, but have come to differ with much of their theology. What's stunning about a lot of these rap guys is that their lyrics are self-consciously Reformed. In this genre, lyrical content is emerging that has never been heard in any popular music form in the modern era - it's really exciting to see!

That good to hear. I know that most pop Christian rock in my youth was mainly Arminian in theology. I guess it took longer for the frozen chosen to thaw out.

 

[ReformedWretch]

I'm a big fan of shai linne Timothy Brindle and Christcentric! Wait until Jennifer sees this post!

 

[JM]

Kj-52 \ Life After Death

I rolled out the bed as the alarm started going off
rubbed my head with my arm it was the crack of dawn
I’m late fo work and I really just hate my job
I kissed my wife good-bye and then I walk across the lawn
got in the car out the driveway and I’m riding on the road by the mall
past the highway that I’m flying on but
it slows to crawl cause some guy was just driving wrong
and I’m getting mad cuz I wonder why it's going on
get out the way I just scream as I’m driving on
I hate my day and this way that it started off
I change lanes and I thought that I was pulling onto
the main lane but just then I saw this green Honda
it straight came next thing it was the window shattered
felt a great pain my body being bruised and battered
it all changed went black and I knew I had it
I coughed blood breathed my last breath that was it
Chorus
what ya gonna do when there's no time left?
what ya gonna do when ya take ya last step?
what ya gonna do when ya take ya last breath
out ya chest and find out that there's life after death? (x2)

next thing I know everything just got real quite
I opened my eyes to my surprise now it's real silent
I realized I had died now it's my judgment
I’m standing before the Most High now and all of the sudden
He said to me, "Why should I let you into My heaven?"
I told God, "Well usually I’m a good person."
He showed my life and all the times now that I was sinning
every line to every curse to every bad decision
from every lie to every word there was nothing hidden
He showed how Christ died and with my life and that I’d killed Him
He showed me time after time how I’d reject Him
I never cared about the sacrifice God had given
I never cared about my life or the way I lived it
and now I’ve died and it's too late to be forgiven
guilty of my crime I’m sentenced to eternal prison
it's dark, I’m alone, I feel my flesh burning

CHORUS

I rolled out the bed as the alarm started going off
I scratch my head and then I yawned it was the crack of dawn
I’m praying and I’m thanking God that I got my job
I kissed my wife good-bye then I walked across the lawn
got in the car out the driveway and I’m riding on the road by the mall
past the highway that I’m flying on but
it slows to crawl cause some guy was just driving wrong
but I’m not mad I just wonder why it's going on
I use the time to pray for my family now and for my mom
I’m thanking God for the way my day had started off
I change lanes and I thought that I was pulling onto
the main lane but doesn't that guy see my green Honda?
it straight came next thing it was the window shattered
felt a great pain my body being bruised and battered
it all changed went black and I knew I had it
I coughed blood breathed my last breath that was it
CHORUS

next thing I know everything just got real quite
I opened my eyes to my surprise now it's real silent
I realized I had died now it's my judgment
I’m standing before the Most High now and all of the sudden
He said to me, "Why should I let you into My heaven?"
I told God, "I never was a good person."
He showed my life and all the times now that I was sinning
every line to every curse to every bad decision
from every lie to every word there was nothing hidden
He showed how his son died and with my life and that I’d killed Him
but He showed the time I chose Christ and I didn't reject Him
He showed the time when I took the love that God had given
He tried to serve through my life whenever I lived it
and now I’ve died but I thank God that I’m forgiven
He wiped the tears from my eyes as I cried and thanked Him
cuz forever I’m a be with Him just in Heaven

CHORUS

 

[govols]

That good to hear. I know that most pop Christian rock in my youth was mainly Arminian in theology. I guess it took longer for the frozen chosen to thaw out.

Stryper was an Arminian band??

 

[dcomin]

Here's another example...

Timothy Brindle - Let's Kill Sin
(from the album Killing Sin)
© copyright 2005


Verse 1:
Yo! let’s begin the discussion/
Because tim is disgusted/
With sin it’s destructive/
I’ll give the instructions/
So it’s not just a suggestion/
Sin is nothing to mess with/
Plus it’s deceptive/
Sin is like excrement covered in whip cream/
It looks sweet but we’ve discovered its sick scheme/
Its lavish passions has attractions/
That are acting like they give satisfaction/
It seems that it has more to offer/
Than the Lord who bought you/
But it’s sure to drop you/
It’s disappointing/
So we kill sin by the Spirit- every Christian has this anointing/
Only the Spirit can filter this filthiness/
Filling us with guilt instilled in ids, killing kids/
So while America’s at war in Iraq/
We war with our flesh- ready with our swords to attack.

Hook:
So let’s deal with our anger and doubt/
By getting to the root of it and yanking it out/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/
Don’t provoke your flesh/
But choke to death/
The sin in your heart until there’s no more breath/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/

Verse 2:
So you came forth at a meeting/
Through the course of the evening/
To the altar call and prayed to the Lord that you need Him/
So now pick up your cross and follow the resurrected Christ/
For all of the rest of your life/
Can wicked fantasies/
Understand man this ain’t no handstamp Christianity/
Yet some folks seem to think they can continue in sin/
Because their forgiven in Him by no means/
Yeah we’re saved through faith in Christ- that’s it/
But if we’re saved then we’ll hate unrighteousness/
We praise God for His super amazing grace/
But killing sin is the fruit of our saving faith/
It’s no excuse that we’re totally depraved/
Because we’re united to Christ who rose up from the grave/
So being born from above/
Is not freedom for us to bug/
Just because Jesus poured His blood/
The Lamb- He was slain to cancel our blame/
So listen kids He commands we abstain from wickedness/
Christ was smashed when He took the wrath for us/
So to kill sin is the right reaction//

Hook:
We’re not debtors to our flesh/
But to Him who resurrected us when we were headed to our death/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/
He redeemed us all on the cross/
So to grow in holiness is our reasonable response/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/

Verse 3:
Our new birth was purchased by Holy wrists/
But now He’s concerned by our own personal holiness/
Yet we’re proud and arrogant/
How dare us- when He’s given us Himself for undefiled inheritance/ Anger and jealousy that shouldn’t be found in Christians/
Just like slang in a spelling bee/
Sluggardly laziness/
That shouldn’t be named among us- just like nuns on a dating list/
We used to fuss obscene dudes who cussed/
But now we flee youthful lust- pursuing purity/
And faith love and peace- grace from our speech/
Saints we hug and greet- we’re using courtesy/
Satan’s our rival and he’s smart/
Take up your Bible and be sharp/
To amputate the idols in heart/
And be wise and surely hide His word inside/
So that when you’re tempted you don’t sin against Him/
Sow to the Spirit/
Don’t sow to the flesh by listening to inappropriate lyrics/
But stay on your face in prayer and take your cares/
To the Father and give Him thanks and praise Him there/
Stay accountable and well equipped/
Surround your soul with bountiful fellowship/
The only Son is patient/
He gives grace when we’re in need so we can overcome temptation/
Every night our defense is/
The whole armor of God- let’s live a life of repentance/
Running away from sin/
Because there’s infinitely more pleasure in Christ/
So give all your praise to Him.

Hook:
He justified us/
So He’ll sanctify us/
The kingdom of God is to be taken by violence/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/
So let’s get violent with our sin/
Everyday we’re dying/
And we’re dying crucifying it again/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/

 

[5solasmom]

I had no idea there was such a thing as a "reformed rap group", let alone several!! My dh was a christian rap fan in his high school/college days.

I'll be sure not to tell him about this thread.

 

[Gloria]

Any other fans of Reformed Rap music out there on the Puritan Board? I'm probably doing irreparable damage to my (otherwise sterling ) reputation by admitting that I'm a huge fan of hip hop, but I wonder if anyone else on this forum (Besides you, Jenn!) has heard some of the fanastic lyrical content that is being put out by such artists and groups as...

Everyday Process
Flame
shai linne
Timothy Brindle
Stephen the Levite
Christcentric

...to name a few. These guys put so much sound theology into their rhymes that it boggles the mind. I have concluded that the style and structure of hip hop is particularly suited to be used in instruction, since the focus is really on the lyrical content and a huge amount of information can be woven into a song without compromising the style or listenability.

Any other Reformed Hip Hop heads out there? Holla!

Me me me me me me

 

[Gloria]

Here's another example...

Timothy Brindle - Let's Kill Sin
(from the album Killing Sin)
© copyright 2005


Verse 1:
Yo! let’s begin the discussion/
Because tim is disgusted/
With sin it’s destructive/
I’ll give the instructions/
So it’s not just a suggestion/
Sin is nothing to mess with/
Plus it’s deceptive/
Sin is like excrement covered in whip cream/
It looks sweet but we’ve discovered its sick scheme/
Its lavish passions has attractions/
That are acting like they give satisfaction/
It seems that it has more to offer/
Than the Lord who bought you/
But it’s sure to drop you/
It’s disappointing/
So we kill sin by the Spirit- every Christian has this anointing/
Only the Spirit can filter this filthiness/
Filling us with guilt instilled in ids, killing kids/
So while America’s at war in Iraq/
We war with our flesh- ready with our swords to attack.

Hook:
So let’s deal with our anger and doubt/
By getting to the root of it and yanking it out/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/
Don’t provoke your flesh/
But choke to death/
The sin in your heart until there’s no more breath/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/

Verse 2:
So you came forth at a meeting/
Through the course of the evening/
To the altar call and prayed to the Lord that you need Him/
So now pick up your cross and follow the resurrected Christ/
For all of the rest of your life/
Can wicked fantasies/
Understand man this ain’t no handstamp Christianity/
Yet some folks seem to think they can continue in sin/
Because their forgiven in Him by no means/
Yeah we’re saved through faith in Christ- that’s it/
But if we’re saved then we’ll hate unrighteousness/
We praise God for His super amazing grace/
But killing sin is the fruit of our saving faith/
It’s no excuse that we’re totally depraved/
Because we’re united to Christ who rose up from the grave/
So being born from above/
Is not freedom for us to bug/
Just because Jesus poured His blood/
The Lamb- He was slain to cancel our blame/
So listen kids He commands we abstain from wickedness/
Christ was smashed when He took the wrath for us/
So to kill sin is the right reaction//

Hook:
We’re not debtors to our flesh/
But to Him who resurrected us when we were headed to our death/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/
He redeemed us all on the cross/
So to grow in holiness is our reasonable response/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/

Verse 3:
Our new birth was purchased by Holy wrists/
But now He’s concerned by our own personal holiness/
Yet we’re proud and arrogant/
How dare us- when He’s given us Himself for undefiled inheritance/ Anger and jealousy that shouldn’t be found in Christians/
Just like slang in a spelling bee/
Sluggardly laziness/
That shouldn’t be named among us- just like nuns on a dating list/
We used to fuss obscene dudes who cussed/
But now we flee youthful lust- pursuing purity/
And faith love and peace- grace from our speech/
Saints we hug and greet- we’re using courtesy/
Satan’s our rival and he’s smart/
Take up your Bible and be sharp/
To amputate the idols in heart/
And be wise and surely hide His word inside/
So that when you’re tempted you don’t sin against Him/
Sow to the Spirit/
Don’t sow to the flesh by listening to inappropriate lyrics/
But stay on your face in prayer and take your cares/
To the Father and give Him thanks and praise Him there/
Stay accountable and well equipped/
Surround your soul with bountiful fellowship/
The only Son is patient/
He gives grace when we’re in need so we can overcome temptation/
Every night our defense is/
The whole armor of God- let’s live a life of repentance/
Running away from sin/
Because there’s infinitely more pleasure in Christ/
So give all your praise to Him.

Hook:
He justified us/
So He’ll sanctify us/
The kingdom of God is to be taken by violence/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/
So let’s get violent with our sin/
Everyday we’re dying/
And we’re dying crucifying it again/
Be militant and diligent/
When killing sin/
By the Spirit- LET’S KILL SIN/

Good One... One of my faves.

 

[Iconoclast]

Does this apply?

Does this principle apply?

11Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

12If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.

13Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.

14Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.

This is a section of scripture that is used to start to set up a boundry line,or better still a plumbline. Another issue is , is this offering strange before the Lord?
Leviticus 10
1And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

2And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

3Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

When David and the Israelites danced and sang before the Lord,do you think it was a base type of dancing like happened around the golden calf?
And then they would just use the imprecatory psalms to get the lyrics?

Maybe I am getting older,but I never thought of using Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepellin as a part of worship.

When I study in Revelation and the redeemed are singing and worshipping God for His true and righteous judgment I just have trouble hearing that contempory sound in the backround.
I am not a music expert but sometimes I think that we do not have a really good idea of what face to face worship will be like.