The "Christian Hip Hop Debate": Who's Right?
Ex Ministries Founder G. Craige Lewis & Reach Records Founder Lecrae Moore
Battle it out on Twitter
by Dianna Hobbs, EEW Magazine Founder
Ex Ministries Founder G. Craige Lewis & Reach Records Founder Lecrae Moore
Battle it out on Twitter
by Dianna Hobbs, EEW Magazine Founder
Twitter can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is a great tool to spread the word about
good things. On the other hand, it can amplify the quiet rumblings of controversy.
Over the weekend I learned about a Twitter dispute between G. Craig Lewis, Ex Ministries founder
and creator of “The Truth Behind Hip Hop,” and Reach Records founder, Lecrae Moore. The two
went head-to-head about Hip Hop culture and whether it has any real place in the body of Christ.
While neither of them tweeted obscenities at the other nor threatened bodily harm, no good really
came of the public back-and-forth. Nothing was resolved through the exchange.
The tweets, which have since been deleted from Lecrae’s account, were surrounding a difference of
perspective. Lewis, who teaches that Hip Hop is a demonic subculture which cannot be yielded to the
Spirit of God, believes that Christians should not embrace it under any circumstances. Furthermore,
according to Lewis, the terminology “Holy Hip Hop” or “Christian Hip Hop” should never be used.
He took to Twitter to let Lecrae and everyone else know just how he felt about this issue. “Because
you publicly defended hip hop, we must publicly defend Christ against it,” tweeted Lewis to Lecrae.
“You have yet to denounce the founders of hip hop.”
Lecrae replied by saying, “Hip hop has no founders unless you include Jazz & poets from the 40's -
60's. It has prominent figures as does any culture. The prominent historic figures were very likely
Satanic but they don't account for what God intends and calls good. 1 Tim 4:4”
The scripture Lecrae referenced reads, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be
rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”
So who has the right answer?
There are Believers who fall on both sides of the debate. Some agree that the root of Hip Hop is
demonic. Others argue that what you call it does not matter and that it is simply a question of
semantics. They say as long as Jesus is being preached, there is no problem with how the art form is
categorized.
Lewis argues vehemently against the latter.
“Being a Holy HipHopper is just like saying I am a Holy Pimp or a Gospel Gangsta or a Thug for
Christ!” says Lewis on ExMinistries.com.
For him, Hip Hop, even when it is used in Christian circles, is not merely titular. It is much more than
a name or title. It is not simply a matter of semantics for Lewis, even if those who are preaching Jesus
don’t ascribe any deeper meaning to it.
On his official website Lewis also says, “We support Christian rappers that preach the unedited word
of God in their music, but we will never embrace the sub-culture of Hip Hop or any other culture of
man. We will only support the set apart, sanctified lifestyle of the Kingdom of God through Jesus
Christ.”
So, what do I say about this debate?
Who is right and who is wrong?
Actually, I don’t think the issue is that black and white.
After praying and reading the word, here’s my answer.
If you feel like saying “Christian Hip Hop” is wrong, don’t say it. And even if you feel like it’s alright,
according to 1 Corinthians 10:23-31, if your liberty causes someone else to stumble, you should
modify your behavior for their sake. Although the passage of scripture was speaking of eating meat
once offered to idols, I think it applies here as well.
Now, I'll admit, in the past I have fallen on the “it’s a matter of semantics” side of the argument. But
seeing that there is a large group within the body of Christ that takes issue with this, I will do the
biblical thing. I will “take one for the team” and modify my language as not to be a hindrance to
anyone else.
1 Corinthians 10:32 NIV, “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of
God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good
of many, so that they may be saved.”
In seeking the good of many, I suppose it won’t hurt at all to say Christian rap instead of “Christian
Hip Hop.”
What are your thoughts on this issue? Share them by emailing feedback@eewmagazine.com.
good things. On the other hand, it can amplify the quiet rumblings of controversy.
Over the weekend I learned about a Twitter dispute between G. Craig Lewis, Ex Ministries founder
and creator of “The Truth Behind Hip Hop,” and Reach Records founder, Lecrae Moore. The two
went head-to-head about Hip Hop culture and whether it has any real place in the body of Christ.
While neither of them tweeted obscenities at the other nor threatened bodily harm, no good really
came of the public back-and-forth. Nothing was resolved through the exchange.
The tweets, which have since been deleted from Lecrae’s account, were surrounding a difference of
perspective. Lewis, who teaches that Hip Hop is a demonic subculture which cannot be yielded to the
Spirit of God, believes that Christians should not embrace it under any circumstances. Furthermore,
according to Lewis, the terminology “Holy Hip Hop” or “Christian Hip Hop” should never be used.
He took to Twitter to let Lecrae and everyone else know just how he felt about this issue. “Because
you publicly defended hip hop, we must publicly defend Christ against it,” tweeted Lewis to Lecrae.
“You have yet to denounce the founders of hip hop.”
Lecrae replied by saying, “Hip hop has no founders unless you include Jazz & poets from the 40's -
60's. It has prominent figures as does any culture. The prominent historic figures were very likely
Satanic but they don't account for what God intends and calls good. 1 Tim 4:4”
The scripture Lecrae referenced reads, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be
rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”
So who has the right answer?
There are Believers who fall on both sides of the debate. Some agree that the root of Hip Hop is
demonic. Others argue that what you call it does not matter and that it is simply a question of
semantics. They say as long as Jesus is being preached, there is no problem with how the art form is
categorized.
Lewis argues vehemently against the latter.
“Being a Holy HipHopper is just like saying I am a Holy Pimp or a Gospel Gangsta or a Thug for
Christ!” says Lewis on ExMinistries.com.
For him, Hip Hop, even when it is used in Christian circles, is not merely titular. It is much more than
a name or title. It is not simply a matter of semantics for Lewis, even if those who are preaching Jesus
don’t ascribe any deeper meaning to it.
On his official website Lewis also says, “We support Christian rappers that preach the unedited word
of God in their music, but we will never embrace the sub-culture of Hip Hop or any other culture of
man. We will only support the set apart, sanctified lifestyle of the Kingdom of God through Jesus
Christ.”
So, what do I say about this debate?
Who is right and who is wrong?
Actually, I don’t think the issue is that black and white.
After praying and reading the word, here’s my answer.
If you feel like saying “Christian Hip Hop” is wrong, don’t say it. And even if you feel like it’s alright,
according to 1 Corinthians 10:23-31, if your liberty causes someone else to stumble, you should
modify your behavior for their sake. Although the passage of scripture was speaking of eating meat
once offered to idols, I think it applies here as well.
Now, I'll admit, in the past I have fallen on the “it’s a matter of semantics” side of the argument. But
seeing that there is a large group within the body of Christ that takes issue with this, I will do the
biblical thing. I will “take one for the team” and modify my language as not to be a hindrance to
anyone else.
1 Corinthians 10:32 NIV, “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of
God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good
of many, so that they may be saved.”
In seeking the good of many, I suppose it won’t hurt at all to say Christian rap instead of “Christian
Hip Hop.”
What are your thoughts on this issue? Share them by emailing feedback@eewmagazine.com.
MARCH 2012 EEW MAGAZINE
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