The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Holy Hip-Hop?

Evangelist,

First of all, Welcome to the Discussion Board.

1) It doesn't matter what "some people think" in regard to money. What matters is what God thinks. Nowhere in Scripture is there a direct statement which teaches that money, in and of itself, is evil. Nor is there to be found a principle that implies that having or using money is evil. What we do find is that the "love of money" is the root of all kinds of evil, which is a violation of the 10th Commandment.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ASV) "But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

2) Your allowance of Rap, Hip-Hop, and other contemporary musical styles is apparently based upon: 1) pragmatism and 2) a misunderstanding about what it means to "glorify" God. The first has to be rejected out of hand as it has no basis whatsoever in Scripture, i.e., pragmatism is firmly grounded in relativism rather than propositional truth. The second, similar to pragmatism, is a very popular position but likewise unbiblical since invariably it entails doing whatever one thinks is useful, good, enjoyable, etc., and tacking on to it one's alleged intentions to "glorify God". This self-determined "glorification" of God has been around for several millennia. The first occurrence we read of it is found in Genesis 4:

Genesis 4:3-7 (ASV) "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door: and unto thee shall be its desire, but do thou rule over it."

Although the context above is in regard to the formal worship of God, it surely is applicable to everything we think, say and do, for in such are we enjoined to glorify God. (1Cor 10:31). So what was the problem with Cain's offering? It is obvious that Abel had brought before the Lord an offering which was acceptable since it was as God had commanded. And Cain brought an offering which HE THOUGHT was acceptable. Cain took it upon himself to put himself above God by first rejecting the will of God, for whatever reason, and substituting his own ideas of what was good and acceptable, aka: glorifying to God. Consequently, Cain's offering, regardless if it meant with 'good intentions', was met with serious rejection.

As I have written above and at length in other replies in the past, to "glorify" God is to express and/or conform one's life to God as He Himself has revealed His being, nature and attributes. This is what the Lord Christ's entire earthly life exuded. (Is. 60:1, 2; Jh 1:14; Col 1:19; 2Cor 4:4-6; Heb 1:3; et al). On this basis, any and all man-made music must be scrutinized carefully; both objectively and subjectively. One should ask such questions as, does the music reflect the revealed nature of God? Which of God's attribute(s) does the music mirror? Is excellence in composition to be found in it? To what does the music mainly appeal, e.g., the base emotions? or is it only complimentary to the lyrics? Is there some particular genre which the music is associated with which is not of God? . . . etc.

Music itself is part of the creation and thus something which is good in and of itself. But the music which men create is not necessarily of God, if for no other reason, because men are inherently sinful. We are admonished not to be conformed to this world, nor to love the things of this world, nor to bring the world into the Church, for Christians have been called out of the world to live before God according to that which is pure, holy and good, all of which is glorifying to God.

In His grace,