Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Down With Hymnns Organs Drums Rap

Last fall, I remember seeing a video of Curtis "Voice" Allen, an independent Christian rap artist, perform at John Piper's church. If you've ever been to Bethlehem Baptist, you know it is probably one of the last places you'd expect to hear rap. I remember thinking "good for Piper for stepping out of his norm."

As a result of his performance, however, Allen - and the rap genre as a whole - was harshly criticized in Christian blog circles as being "un-Christian."

Allen writes about his experience in dealing with that criticism and his humble response in An Emcee's Gentle Word.

7 comments:

josh said...

Does this mean that we can expect RBC to have some rap performances soon? Maybe invite Cross Movement or T-Bone. Perhaps it could be added to the next Conversations performance...

You should bust some rhymes in 7/24 sometime...

Seriously, I almost got up and left in the middle of a sermon once when a pastor stated categorically that "Christian rap" was of the devil.

vandorsten said...

Marc... bust rhymes in 7.24, eh? i confess, i am not a proficient rhyme buster.

My boy GCX might could rip it up, though...

G Cracka X said...

(God gave me the grace to write this. Special thanks to studylight.org for Bible references and rhymezone.com for rhymes)

"7.24 for Christ" by G Cracka X

7.24 - yo, check the scene
We worship the One whose love's extreme (John 3:16, 1 John 3:16)
Makes us view our sin as obscene (Romans 12:9)
Washes us clean with His blood pristine (Heb. 9:14)

Jesus Christ, He's our yes and amen! (2 Cor. 1:20)
His sacrificial death did pay for sin (1 John 2:2)
Not an urban legend like the fountain of youth
The Gospel stands strong as a mountain of truth (Romans 1:16)

Christ is my propitiation (Romans 3:25)
And my only expiation
My sole hope for salvation (Psalm 62:6)
With the Father, my only mediation (1 Timothy 2:5)

We give Him praise when we gather for 7.24
Beholding our Love, who knocked at our door (Rev. 3:20)
Now we give our hearts over for Him to explore (Psalm 26:2)
To see if we love Him in our core (Psalm 70:4)
Opens our eyes to the One that we adore (Acts 26:18)
Gives us truth that leaves us hungry for more

Shinin' our Christ light bright
on Tuesday nights
Slayin' demons outta sight (Eph. 6:12)
'Cause we're built to fight
In the strength of His might (Eph. 6:10)
Our lives take flight
'Cause He's our delight (Psalm 40:8)

The last series was called 'Twisted'
Satan's schemes Andy listed
Showin' us the lies that they consisted
Yet teachin' us how they could be resisted
So be sure you wage war double-fisted (2 Cor. 6:7)

Hail our King who preexisted (John 1:2)
Praise God that we're enlisted (2 Tim. 2:4)
His truth will be persisted
He gave us life unassisted (

May your heart be daily screamin', "You are BEAUTIFUL!!" (Psalm 68:35)
And cherish Him, His intrinsic value's irrefutable
Worship Him, 'cause He's perfectly immutable (Mal. 3:6)
And His almighty power is absolutely indisputable

I hope you behold Him as amazingly great (Psalm 66:5)
And follow the Good Shepherd through that narrow gate (Matt. 7:13-14)
May affliction lead you to feel His glory's weight (2 Cor. 4:17)
And cause you to be killin' sin with much vigor and hate (Romans 8:13)

May His appearing be something that you eagerly await (Hebrews 9:28)
In the meantime, be protected by your righteous breastplate (Ephesians 6:14)
Ponderin' anew His blameless state
(Phil. 4:8)

Behold God, measurin' waters by the hollow of His hand (Isa. 40:12)
Demarcating the heavens by the span (Isa. 40:12)
He's the only One who can make you stand (Romans 14:4)
And enable you to follow His demands

So keep runnin' the race (Heb. 12:1)
by His glorious grace (Eph. 3:8)
Flee youthful lusts with haste (@ Tim. 2:22)
Soon you'll see Him face to face!! (1 Cor. 13:12)

The secret of life? 'Tis to make God your pleasure (Psalm 37:4)
If you do, you won't be boasting beyond measure (2 Cor. 10:13,15)
And you'll display in your life that He's your greatest treasure (Phil. 3:8)

vandorsten said...

UN. BELIEVABLE.

Told you... my boy got flow. Nice work, Cracka.

Unknown said...
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Anonymous said...

That is a-mazing. Simply fantastic. I can see it now, GCX breaking out the rhyme with some sweet video graphics for the scripture references flowing behind him by JVD... I can see it now.

vandorsten said...

we goin' platinum.