Hip-Hop, Idolatry, & The Church Pt. 5

Can Hip-Hop Be Redeemed?

The redemption of hip-hop has become an important question in the lives of many within the church. This is partially because hip-hop's messages and inculturations run so deeply that it is hardly distinguishable as a world view contrary to Christian spiritual growth and development.As pointed out in Hip-Hop, Idolatry & The Church Pt. 3 some individuals have claimed hip-hop to be an indigenous culture within America born from the depths of the souls and out of the genome of the black race. In fact one of the main proponents of this theory The Ambassador (aka William Duce Branch ThM) of the group The Cross Movement claims that culture (in this case hip hop) cannot be purged or separated from the people:

"People are at the root of culture, and neither people nor their culture can just be thrown away. Aspects of their culture can be discarded when those aspects offend God, but you cannot force total cultural assimilation on any group. You see it’s easy to throw away something you don’t care about, but it’s hard to let go of something you feel an attachment to."~ The Ambassador, The Christian Living In Hip-Hop Times Pt. 1 Oct. 2005

Along with this is the belief that a hip-hop message is essential to reaching the hip hop masses. As Kirk Franklin stated regarding his song entitled "I Like Me"

• "When you're trying to reach kids you've got to speak their language. Kids like beats, so I had to drop some like they was hot."

Still others believe that if nothing else there are "redeemable elements" of hip-hop which can be used to glorify God and reach the masses caught in sin. Remember the elements according to those who promote and develop hip-hop are as follows:

• Breakin, (Dancing)
  Emceein,
  Graffiti Art,
  Deejayin,
  Beatboxin,
  Street Fashion,
  Street Language,
  Street Knowledge and
  Street Entrepreneurialism

Most of the time Christians refer to what "good" that hip-hop seeks to provide or do as something that God can use. In other words, because hip-hop is (or can be) a peaceful way of expression, then maybe we can use the hip-hop method of expression to teach simply disregarding the worldly inculturation and it’s negative aspects.

An example of this is the efforts of Dr. Rani Whitfield who provides medical education with hip-hop flava. He founded the Hip-Hop Healthy Coalition as a way to "get involved in the culture and have some positive influence on it" and as a way to educate blacks and minorities who suffer from heart disease, hypertension, and strokes at a much greater per-capita rate than non minority individuals.

On a more confused note, there are others in the hip hop industry such as Pastor Troy, who have created a potpourri of mixed messages using biblical scriptures painted on street the street canvass in efforts to spread his version of "street knowledge".

As for the gospel music industry, another example is Pastor or Bishop Hezekiah Walker who is known as "The Hip-Hop Pastor": The article says the following about his nickname:

He got his nickname by hosting Sean Combs, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliot and other hip-hop artists at his church. The church is widely known for its Grammy Award-winning choir, which Walker leads.

Considerations

Contrary to what one may think, the purpose of this complete writing is not to minimize the efforts of those who seek to provide human services or better lives for individuals using non-traditional methods, but to shed light on the proper, biblical methodology of reaching and teaching the lost. I believe the efforts of individuals such as Dr. Whitfield and The Cross Movement and others in the "Christian" rap and arts industry are commendable, as they are seeking to promote the Christ message. The problem is that hip-hop has a clear definition of what it is and what it strives to be. Additionally, many of those who seek to promote the Christ message using hip-hop are forced to submit their practice, associations and lifestyles to hip-hop. In other words they are required to bow themselves down at the altar of another god in order to preach and promote the God of the bible. Is that what the church should be engaged in doing?

As good stewards, we must ask the questions, are these efforts to use the culture to reach the culture biblical, and does God want his church to use those elements or any variation of the elements in the promotion of his message of truth and light to the world? In other words, in the promotion of the Kingdom of Christ, does the end justify the means?

To the spiritually discerning, it is readily understood that hip-hop as is currently presented to the world, is a worldview that is antithetical to Christianity and godliness. The facts are that those that have defined hip-hop, including it’s founders have summarily consistently stated that hip-hop is a culture that includes social, spiritual and political agenda. This makes hip-hop a complete worldview.

Questions arise when we note individuals such as Dr. Whitfield. His message, although secular, does not promote a world-view of any sort. It simply sets forth messages of health and personal awareness. However does this methodology square biblically even in the promotion of secular messages? Does the methodology of Bishop Walker affirm the practice of inclusion and association within the church? Where is the church in general in this conundrum? More importantly where is the WORD in helping us to understand and distinguish the elements of sin from the elements of culture?

As you may already perceive this is a book, worthy of time and effort far greater than I will take to address here, however I will do my best to outline a few biblical concepts that should be able to assist you as you ponder these important questions. As a point of reference I also understand that some of you are looking for information for your personal and family situations and youth enamoured by the hip-hop industry. Still others of you have contacted me and asked how you can best bring this information to your pastor and church youth group without offending him and them. To assist you I will conclude this section by addressing a few common questions I hear as I preach, teach and write on this subject.

Biblical Insights:
An Encounter At Ephesus With The Culture

1 Cor. 15:32-34 ~ "32-If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33-Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34-Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."

Apostle Paul in his teaching to the Corinthian church provides one of the most pivotal insights on the resurrection accorded within scripture. In this chapter Paul confirms his understanding that Jesus was raised from the dead bodily or physically and explains the mental and physical frustration of every Christian if the resurrection of Jesus did not occur. Paul affirms that Jesus is not a myth or merely a spiritual aberration. In verse 32 he explains his plight of having done everything possible to preach that message even to hostile crowds. He is referring to his experience recorded in Acts 19:24, during his third missionary journey, in which he was confronted with the culture of Ephesus. This culture was so steeped in the false religion of Diana or Artemis worship, and the buying and selling of statues and figurines that went along with that worship that the Townclerk in trying to save Paul’s life and abate a rising insurrection and possible retaliation of Rome if things got out of hand simply says,

v. 36 "Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly."

The Townclerk in speaking to the people suggests that their practices "could not be spoken against". This is the suggestion that what they believe is in accord with their culture. In a little more technical language, he is suggesting that the worship of their false God is indigenous to them. The people agreed that Diana was to be worshipped above all gods and that she was favored by her father Jupiter who had sent a statue dedicated to her that mysteriously appeared overnight as an approval. The mere mention that anyone was talking against Diana was a monetary death sentence to the silversmiths and slap in the face to those who lived within the culture.

A Second Point:

Back to Paul in verse 32 of 1 Cor. 15. Paul also invokes a scripture from Isaiah 22:13. This is often called Isaiah’s oracle concerning the valley of vision, in which God promises judgement upon Israel and in the face of that judgement, instead of repentance, the people continue to live selfishly, fulfill their own desires and disregard the word of God.

IS THAT 21ST CENTURY AMERICA OR WHAT?

As you can see that’s plenty of preachin’ material, but let’s stay on point...

This verse (32) is abruptly brought to an end by a reminder of v. 33…-Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners"

Be not deceived- Planao me planao,(don’t be led astray or caused to wander in error) evil- kakos (bad nature or corrupted modes of thinking) communications- homilia (companionship or communion) corrupt- phtherio (corrupts or destroys) good- chrestos (a virtuous, good pleasant or useful) manners- ethos(character and morals)

Having evil associations bound together with money is the smoky, seemy, slithery, cocktail of destruction to Christian moral values and moral absolutism. The world and what it offers in one hand along with the cross of Christ in the other cannot be mixed to the creation of a new, subdued, quasi-sin/saint mixture of spiritually and socially acceptable service to both God and humanity. One worldview must die so that the other can take root and grow. Any growth of both together is the recreation of neither’s original value system. It is the equivalent of the creation of a dualistically natured monster who awaits for the opportune time to rear it’s head speaking dual languages and acting pluralistically but never fulfilling it’s duties and responsibilities and having no commitment or regard for those whom it tramples and uses to fulfill its desires.

1 John 2:15-17 ~ "5-Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16-For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17-And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

There are three primary roots of sin in the world. John summarizes this as, lust of the flesh and eyes and the pride of life.

Additional Scriptural Insight Pt. 1:
The Replacement Of Canaan

Before one makes a conclusion that hip-hop can be used by God or in service to God a biblical precedent must be set. In other words there should be a compelling reason to engage hip-hop and give it credibility as both an indigenous culture and as an instrument worthy of God’s usage. Numbers or mass appeal is not simply enough as there has been mass appeal and social acceptance of many things historically that have proven to be ungodly and harmful to humanity.

I must say that upon examination, I don’t see that precedent anywhere in scripture. I do however see plenty of references of God rejecting certain cultures because they were sinful and did not glorify the true and living God.

From the beginning of the establishment of God’s plan among the nations HIS people have been warned not to embrace or allow the culture of the people to dictate the relationship of his sevants towards God. Once such example is found here:

Deut. 7:2-5~ "2-And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: 3-Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. 4-For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. 5-But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire."

The whole object of Israel’s blessing was spiritual and moral purity. There was a reason that the Cannanites were to be displaced. That reason was because they worshipped other gods, and were totally and completely morally depraved. The following is noted concerning the Canaanites:

• "The religion of these pagan people was basically a fertility cult. At temples scattered throughout their land, Canaanite worshipers actually participated in lewd, immoral acts with "sacred" prostitutes. Theirs was a depraved form of worship that appealed to the base instincts of sinful human nature. They also practiced human sacrifice, and their religion sanctioned unbelievable cruelty in warfare. In contrast, the Hebrews worshiped a holy God who insisted on purity and righteousness among His people." ~ Youngblood, Ronald F., General Editor; F.F. Bruce and R.K. Harrison, Consulting Editors, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995

The culture of the people was not redeemable. God did not wish to use any aspects of this culture in worship or service to him. Yes, there were souls at stake. Yes, there were lives in the balance. The lives in the balance were those who had covenantal relationship with God. In any case, the Canaanite world view was not to be molded into something acceptable to God. The children of Israel repeatedly suffered for and eventually lost their possession because of their disobedience. Yet the modern church with its modern leadership has a better way?

Additional Scriptural Insight Pt. 2:
Saul’s Disobedience Toward Amalek

1 Sam 15:3 ~ "3-Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."

This was the command of the Lord to King Saul because of what the Amalekites had done to Israel by attacking their elderly and weak and being a "pirate" and antagonist in the wilderness, as recorded in Ex. 17:8-16, Num. 24:20 (as an oracle of Baalim), and Deut. 25:17-19. The culture and all of it’s remnants were to be destroyed no matter how godly any of it looked.

What Had Happen' Was…

1 Sam. 15:8-9 ~ "8-And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9-But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly."

Saul and his army began to make moral value judgements against the word of God. They looked and placed "value" upon what God had rejected for his own historical and purposeful reasons.

When questioned about his actions by Samuel, Saul responded with a nice religious answer and one that Christians trying to smuggle hip-hop into Christianity agree with:

1 Sam. 15:15 ~ "15And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed."

That which God had cursed, Saul thought to take the best of it and use it as a "sacrifice" unto the Lord??? Saul made the fatal mistake of assuming that there was something "good" that God could use and that the good was redeemable. His complete idea led him totally away form God and HIS plan for the people. This led to Saul’s ultimate nightmare…his total rejection:

1 Sam 15:22-23 ~ "22-And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23-For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king."

God didn’t want anything that Amalek had to offer. There was to be a complete purging of the sins of Amalek from the land and from among the people of God. Amalek was not to be redeemed in any way.

I think I'll stop there and save Section 3 and the answeres to popular questions for post 6. We're not finished yet by any means. God bless.

Blessed!

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Hip-Hop, Idolatry & The Church Pt. 4

The Effects Of The Hip-Hop Culture On Social Morality, Sexuality & Promiscuity.

To continue our examination of the church and its relationship to hip-hop we must look at some of the peripheral issues that help set the stage for the message and trap of hip hop and the churches oblivious nature in relationship to those peripheral issues. ie: We gotta look at what the culture uses to trap our youth and why the church has been so slow to respond to those set traps.

One of the first things to note about modern hip-hop is the tone that it sets for it's adherents and followers. As we've stated in Hip-Hop, Idolatry & The Church Pt. 1, hip-hop is a anti-God and anti-Christ world view, complete with it's own codes, standards, and statements of faith or belief. These elements qualify it as a humanistic religious system. That alone makes hip-hop incompatible with Christianity and Christian practice in general.

Biblical Insights

In ANE or (Ancient Near East) biblical history there were several areas that pagan religions affected among it's adherents. I will focus on a few of them in this section and draw parallels to what hip-hop has done among many of our youth and society in general.

Part A- Social Morality & Clothing

Deut. 22:5 ~ "5-The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."

Known as probably one of the most popular scriptures in the identification of a holiness church, this verse has often been quoted in and out of context to make the point that God wants there to be a difference in appearance between male and female. In proper context it should be noted that this scripture was referring to pagan practices of dawning the apparel of the opposite sex during religious and other ceremonies.

• “As the word...geber is here used, which properly signifies a strong man or man of war, it is very probable that armour is here intended; especially as we know that in the worship of Venus, to which that of Astarte or Ashtaroth among the Canaanites bore a striking resemblance, the women were accustomed to appear in armour before her.” ~ Clark, Adam. "Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:5". "Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible".

Due to false worship, there is also strong historical evidence that a woman was not permitted to array herself for battle with a man's armor or war garments including men's weapons such as swords. This is one reason that Jael killed Sisera with a tent spike and not a sword. (Judges 4:21) A sword was used as a man's weapon and would be prohibited for a woman's usage. (See Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism from an article entitled “Cross Dressing and Deuteronomy 22:5".)

Regardless of the interpretation, the bible is deliberate about setting forth a distinction between not only men and women, but apparel that is honorific to God in general, and does not confuse genders. In the Christian world view garments were and are an extension of worship and honor towards God.

Hip hop however, has established it's own purpose for garments and totally blurred if not obliterated the lines of acceptable societal standards and reestablished and norm based on it's own idea of street fashion.

A Culture Of Death & Resurgence Of False Religion

One such evidence of garments that help proliferate the hip-hop message is the skull and crossbones scheme set forth and popularized by fashion designer Mark ECKO. This is one of the most popular arrays of garments among today's youth and the hip-hop faithful. The problem here is that the design itself was originally used to indicate either one of two things 1- When the bones are behind the skull- poison or danger and 2- when the bones are underneath the skull- a "Jolly Roger" which indicates piracy or thievery. In both cases the skull and crossbones combination ultimately indicates DEATH. In other words the whole symbolism and purpose of the display is death.

Now, the skeptic says that the military also uses such symbols, and we call them heroes and I respond by saying, rightfully so. However, I would point out the mission of the military in times of war. The military shows up for an express purpose and that's to destroy the enemy and his plans. Knowing that, I would say that the use of the symbol is highly known and in line with its message...need I say more?

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What Do They Have Planned For You?

ACT I

I would like to begin this post by stating that part of it initially affects those churches who have been deceived into following governmental dollars to fund humanitarian programs within their communities. Formerly known as the faith based initiatives under, President Barack Obama this department will be known as the Office Of Faith Based & Neighborhood Partnerships.

Yes, there is a vast difference between the two.

Under former President Bush, the law didn't bring into question the employment practices of a religious organization using money to promote their mission to the community. Under President Obama however, it is at best obscured as to how organizations that do not hire from ALL GROUPS of individuals will actually be looked upon when it comes to competing for federally funded grants within their communities.

Part I: Enter The Courts

According to a CNN report, "...Obama does not rescind Bush's provision to allow faith-based groups to discriminate in their hiring practices, but does provide a legal process for organizations to go through in order to that ensure hiring is legal and non-discriminatory."

A Legal Process??? IE: A court structured remedy...Does anyone else see this as alarming?

As I stated I am not and have not been a promoter of any faith based government money, but the greater point to make in this post is how religious organizations will now be treated when it comes to what is now deemed as "discriminatory practices" in hiring. By the way, those "discriminatory practices" are said to be instances in which a religious organization doesn't hire individuals outside of their faith or when they don't hire individuals that meet their moral standards. The problem here is that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 gives religious organizations the right to remain true to its essential makeup and teachings.

What is tricky here is that the new provisions apply more specifically to religious organizations that preach and teach against homosexuality. If the trend proceeds in the path that it is going, not hiring homosexuals to carry out the work of the ministry or not hiring individuals who even believe in the shared goals of the ministry could be a criminal offence at worst or an offence by which a religious organization is disqualified from participating in community service oriented grants.

Part II: Enter The Dragon

Notice how the language has changed and simply been adopted casually even by religious individuals...Point is that ministries that hold fast to the biblical message of godliness and holiness and against homosexuality more specifically, and live out their faith within the community are said to be "discriminatory" and have "discriminatory practices" and this is said rather casually as if it's true

In fact, look at the matter of fact words from one of the 25 new President's Faith Advisory Council members:

"We're going to have to work that out, because on the one hand, you don't want to use federal funds to discriminate. But on the other hand, we can't have religious organizations taking money on the condition that they will hire people who live a lifestyle contrary to what they teach," ~ Dr. Joel Hunter Senior Pastor at Northland Church in Longwood, Florida member Council Of Religious Leaders Office Of Faith Based & Neighborhood Partnerships.

This Pastor, hand picked by the President, to represent the "leaders and scholars" that "will foster a more productive and peaceful dialogue on faith", swallows hook, line and sinker, and validates a completely new paradigm of biblical teaching and doctrine...The new paradigm is that setting forth TRUTH and a biblically centered message is now considered DISCRIMINATION. This is the affirmation that was desired from the beginning. The affirmation that religion is merely another form of discrimination.

So the devastating part of this argument is the unchallenged acknowledgement that the church IS a discriminatory vehicle. This should also be alarming because now we are not talking about biblical truth, but we are talking about religious pluralism and social ecumenism and creating and holding standards of human morality ABOVE the standards of God and his word.

ACT II

Part I: Joshua Dubois and the introduction of the social gospel as normative.

What is a social gospel?

A "social gospel" simply says that Christians should take care of the poor and the disenfranchised, and be a conduit for social causes as opposed to being standards for community morality and bearers of moral causes such as the sanctity of marriage as being between one man and one woman and defenders of the unborn's right to life. In other words, because society is so deep in various inculturations, religion should not seek to promote it's values but just live them out individually as individuals see fit to do so.

Appointed by the President as the Director of the Office Of Faith Based & Neighborhood Partnerships, 26 year old Joshua Dubois is no stranger to pitching religion to make political sales. He was candidate Obama's campaign "religious director" and was instrumental in allowing Donnie McClurkin to travel with the campaign. He was also responsible for offsetting Pastor McClurkin's testimony and teaching against homosexuality by hiring openly gay minister Rev. Andy Sidden, pastor of Garden of Grace United Church of Christ in Columbia, SC. to play down Donnie's teaching that homosexuals can be delivered from their homosexuality. Speculation is that he (Rev. Dubois) was probably the one responsible for Pastor Rick warren getting an opportunity to do the opening prayer at the 44th inauguration of the President Of The United States.

Needless to say, there is no rhyme or reason to his methods other than political. If this trend continues churches and ministers will continue to only be used in that capacity to gain support on certain issues that solidify the President's popularity.

Part II: What Does Rev. Dubois Believe?

Joshua Dubois has his roots within in the AME Church and inspirations within United Pentecostal Assemblies Of God Church Of God, Cambridge, MS. Going from a trinitarian belief to a oneness pentecostal belief will have it's challenges because they are two vastly different concepts.

Although Rev. Dubois initially refused to make his statement of position on abortion known to WORLD Magazine, according to Chicago Free Press in a Feb. 4th report he decided to let the cat out of the bag by saying that abortion was simply an issue equivalent to health care and putting food on the table.

In a Wall Street Journal report 8/16/2008 Rev. Dubois said, "Abortion is certainly a deeply moral issue, but so is struggling to afford decent health care for your family, or straining to put food on your table,"

Yes we agree that each of these are great moral issues, but the point here was not simply to point out multiple similar moral issues, but to minimize abortion and simultaneously exalt other social issues so that all exist on same level. Also calculating as he spoke those words to a group of Catholic workers.

President Obama is certainly excited about Rev. Dubois and the opportunity to "CHANGE" Christian minds regarding religious and social issues. He speaks this regarding Rev. Dubois's efforts, "The grassroots conversations we've held across the country, our landmark evangelical meetings...are helping to change our nation, person by person."

I believe that as time goes on, it will be further confirmed that this President's idea of change is not and was not only for social, or economic change, but was for religious, ideological and even moral change.

ACT III: The Big Picture

"Some folks on the left are uncomfortable with these topics," DuBois said. "There is a constitutional and clear separation between church and state embedded in the fabric of our country. And some folks think that means we have to be separate not only in our legal approach to policy but also who we talk to, who we engage with, whose concerns we can listen to." Faith In Public Life from article in WORLD Magazine 1/22/2007 Mark Bergin

"The big picture is that President Obama believes faith-based and smaller secular neighborhood organizations can play a role in American renewal. They can work with the federal government to address big problems,"..."We're also going to make sure we have a keener eye toward the separation of church and state." Rev. Joshua Dubois Director Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships 2/5/2009

In the mind of President Obama and his new appointee the separation of "church and state" means the secularization of the state. Any religious impact upon the gov't from the church is not supposed to exist outside of dealing with issues that come from the proliferation of the "social gospel". This leads us directly back to the goals and aims of Dr. Paul Kurtz's Council For Secular Humanism's Humanist Manifesto of 2000. There were 3 primary objectives:

"…The wider platform for human progress as part of a New Enlightenment needs, I submit, to advocate secularism in the above three senses:(1) the separation of religion from the state;(2) the humanization of values that satisfy the deeper interests and needs of human beings; and (3) the decline of religious practice, entailing the growth of the Human City in place of the City of God."

You may say this is conjecture or theory, but I challenge you to read and research both the President's and rev. Dubois's statements in light of the sense in which they are intended instead of the sense that both you and I hoped they were intended when they were made.

ACT IV: Directives & A New Cast Of Characters

In addition to watering down the gospel, Rev. Dubois's office will have the following 4 directives:

* The Office's top priority will be making community groups an integral part of our economic recovery and poverty a burden fewer have to bear when recovery is complete.

* The office will be one voice among several in the administration that will look at how we support women and children, address teenage pregnancy, and reduce the need for abortion.

* The Office will strive to support fathers who stand by their families, which involves working to get young men off the streets and into well-paying jobs, and encouraging responsible fatherhood.

* Finally, beyond American shores this Office will work with the National Security Council to foster interfaith dialogue with leaders and scholars around the world.

These are all noble causes that the President has picked. The objectives is not what is in question. The means or how we arrive to an end is.

Finally, according to Streetprophets.com and U.S. News God & Country, the newest entity along with The Office Of Faith Based And Neighborhood Partnerships is the President's 25 member Faith Advisory Council. Who's current members where chosen because , "These are folks who are at the top of their fields — both religious and secular that really represent diverse backgrounds and a range of political perspective." Rev. Joshua Dubois 2/5/2009 Christianity Today, Sarah Pulliam.

15 of the council members have been listed as follows:

1. Judith N. Vredenburgh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America Philadelphia, PA
2. Rabbi David N. Saperstein, Director & Counsel, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and noted church/state expert Washington, DC (Hated Bush's faith based initiatives but promises to work with President Obama's version and stated, "(this is an opportunity to) enhance the Reform Movement’s ability to speak out publicly and robustly, both when we agree and disagree with the White House’s policies.")
3. Dr. Frank S. Page, President emeritus, Southern Baptist Convention Taylors, SC
4. Father Larry J. Snyder, President, Catholic Charities USA Alexandria, VA
5. Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., Pastor emeritus, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church Cleveland, OH
6. Eboo S. Patel, Founder & Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Corps Chicago, IL
7. Fred Davie, President, Public / Private Ventures, a secular non-profit intermediary New York, NY
8. Dr. William J. Shaw, President, National Baptist Convention, USA Philadelphia, PA
9. Melissa Rogers, Director, Wake Forest School of Divinity Center for Religion and Public Affairs and expert on church/state issues Winston-Salem, NC (This professor has written a book encouraging tighter restrictions on religious organizations receiving federal funds ie: seperation of church and state)
10. Pastor Joel C. Hunter, Senior Pastor, Northland, a Church Distributed Lakeland, FL
11. Dr. Arturo Chavez, Ph.D., President & CEO, Mexican American Cultural Center San Antonio, TX
12. Rev. Jim Wallis, President & Executive Director, Sojourners Washington, DC
13. Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, Presiding Bishop, 13th Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church Knoxville, TN
14. Diane Baillargeon, President & CEO, Seedco, a secular national operating intermediary New York, NY
15. Richard Stearns, President, World Vision Bellevue, WA (This group promises to back out IF President Obama changes the current regulations regarding faith organization and hiring practices)

We often rightfully say, "Pray for our President" that's good, but I believe everyday we are learning just a little more about what to actually pray for.

Blessed!

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The Lunacy Continues

Saints here we go again. It's time for a little comic relief and a whole lot of prayer for the mind...because it (the mind) TRULY is TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE!

With that said, I guess I simply have to go back to the roots of this blog some 15 months ago with Get Right Church & Let's Go Home and Saints vs. Celebrities Pt.1. It was at that time that the church was facing another wave of moral collapse. The Bynum-Weeks Fiasco as it came to be known was spread all over the internet, television and newspapers showing that even those in the ministry had their social and marital problems.

I think we already knew that. We were aware that good, decent and saved folk do struggle in their marriages at times. However, what we didn't know is how actually "crazy" some of the individuals were (are) that are directing the church, counseling marriages and receiving church folks money by the millions per month. Some of these, like the one featured in this article even claimed (if not in words certainly by essence) to be seated at the right hand of God. Unfortunately this same one was not aware that she needed to duck to avoid the "right hook" of man...

Yesss...She's back...The Queen Of The South...Ms. Juanita Bynum-Weeks reborn into Juanita Bynum II...

What In The World Is That?

Essence Magazine recently did an article on Ms. Bynum who was allegedly battered and abused by her estranged husband Bishop Thomas "The Love Dr." Weeks III. As we all know Juanita was stricken in a parking lot with the underside of the Bishop's shoe...or as my friend Sabatha Lewis says, "Beat In The Street With A Cleat" .

Now I know you think I'm probably not saved to make fun of something potentially so serious...and I agree that there is never an excuse for domestic violence and abuse, but I really believe that when we examine this case as we have, we will have to honesty question if any of the participants were ever saved or in their right minds from the beginning.

I say that because these individuals never ceased to exalt themselves. In one instance Bynum claimed that she "was no ordinary preacher like these others", and that she had an unusual gift from God that placed her in a category all by herself...She did this while the crowd cheered and was awestruck over her prophecies that were sometimes kindergarten interpretations of biblical and non-biblical constructs made up to keep the dollars flowing.

She's Back

Only this time she is reborn. She is now Juanita Bynum II. On her 50th birthday celebration Juanita dawned her wedding dress to celebrate her rebirth. She is now the second in a succession of mentally challenged individuals in the same body who love the spotlight and attention.

Pastor Don't You Have Anything Else Better To Do Than To Bring Up This Junk?

Nope. Not at the moment. Besides they have nothing better to do than to do this junk in the open.

Why Is This Important?

Now that's the question a true critic asks.

This is important because Juanita has never repented or apologized to the church for any of her schemes and shams that she has tried to perpetuate on the Body Of Christ. Neither her or her estranged husband have ever stopped one time to address the millions of people that they duped or deceived while they headed global Destiny Ministries. The problem is that people actually believed their lie and now that she is "getting her life together" the people are just another pawn in the grand scheme of things and are expendable.

Just look at the history. After her alleged abuse the next thing you know was that Juanita was off to Hollywood via Oprah's ranch to be the "new face of domestic violence". After she left the ranch (because she wasn't invited) she went on to divorce her husband a day after she said on TBN that she wished him well and hoped to reconcile. Thomas Weeks thought that too because even he claimed that they were trying to reconcile until he got the memo that the reconciliation was off when he was served the divorce papers.

All of this happening and children, families, adolescent and aged alike watched on. Some scared to comment because other said "Well, you better not talk about it 'cause it can happen to you too." TRUE. It, divorce or domestic violence, can happen to anyone, but HOW it happens and WHAT happens makes all the difference in the Kingdom of Christ. Because there is a potential that it could happen is not the basis for true leaders and true leadership to back down from the message of the truth and righteousness. ie: Fear tactics are ineffective and no more than mind and crowd control. What's strange is that seems to be the air the church breathes today.

What's The Mind Behind The Madness?

This is where the true saint comes in at and becomes the most effective. Juanita is in need of prayer and her inner circle will seemingly only affirm her. In fact if I'm her friend there's no way I sit silently and let her put on a gown, carry around a sword and celebrate a birthday like that. That's flat out EMBARRASSING. Look at the mind for a minute. Let's see, when asked why she was wearing the gown Juanita responded by saying this:

• "One of the greatest moments of my life was the day that I married. That day was supposed to be the defining moment of my life when I would show the world that I had stepped into my womanhood."

The world KNEW that she was a woman BEFORE she got married. She had told the world about "No More Sheets" and how various of her body parts were sold and had been sold to men all around the country for various prices. She must have been the ONLY one in the United States that thought she hadn't reached her "womanhood" Let's read on:

• "It was always the original intention of my dress and I refused to let it not be because it was made for me. So I wore it because I felt like someone had robbed me of that right. I waited so many years to walk in it and I wanted to give the dress the honor for which it had been made. My father told me to always face your fears head-on, and since this was the dress that is connected to the incident for which the whole world remembered me, I said that if I'm going to cross over I have to go back and stand in the same place."

What is that Juanita. Overcoming your fear and entering your womanhood through a dress or article of clothing??? Is this a word from the Lord or what???

Then she spoke of the importance of he wedding dress, her rebirth, new name and evolution:

• "...When I stood in that dress for the second time I looked at myself in amazement because I knew the real moment that I waited for all my life had come again for me to define who I was."

Hold the phone. A wedding dress "defined" who she was? Forget what God says...let's all look to be defined by our clothing now.

• "So that's when God gave me my new name, Juanita Bynum, II, because I have redefined myself and been reborn. It was like being given an opportunity to be me again—the new evolved me. I rewrote my ten commandments and I declared that my past would not be a part of any mockery, shame or error, and it would only be a part of my future for me to pass on lessons about my experiences..."

She said God gave her a new name because SHE has redefined herself and been reborn??? Then she "rewrote her 10 commandments" What is that??? That is mental pressure speaking and an unsound mind. Problem is she's still directing the lives of others in this condition, still selling books and still receiving offerings from the faithful...WOW! Now, be careful, because the last celebrity rebirth that we experienced was Kirk Franklin. Soon after he declared his rebirth, he was on Oprah declaring that he was a recovering porn addict. All the while he was an award winning gospel artist. Is something similar in the works for Juanita Bynum II?

Now this is where it could get sticky...So far as the sword is concerned...(And I won't quit my day job to go on a comedy tour) let's see what she says about that:

• Bynum: "Yes, I told my manager when I lifted that sword [during my birthday celebration] I had something on me and that I'm getting ready to fight for every woman I know who has low self-esteem, feels like she can't get herself together or has been made to feel like trash. That fight is in me for real now."

Now I wonder what she's gonna do with that sword. If she reads this we probably all know what her response is to that question, but all I can say is that those who live by the sword die by the sword. The new sword we have is an invisible and all encompassing sword of the spirit and of the WORD which is the only thing able to meet the needs.

Now, I told you 15 months ago that she considered herself a celebrity. When asked about her sincerity in her endeavors what does she say?:

• "People that don't understand the life of a celebrity would say that. You should never talk or fight while your opponent is fighting. Let them say anything and everything they are going to say. I'm a lady so I don't do that. But everybody in their right mind knew I was going to stand up for it with dignity and not like a clown. I had a story to tell. There are things that happened in my marriage that I will never discuss because there's no need. Today, I am married to my destiny and l promise to remain faithful to her forever and always."

In other words we question because she, as a celebrity, has a life that we common folk can't quite grasp. Self exaltation STILL reigns in this lady's mind. Can the church, does the church see it? I wonder. In addition, she was always married to her destiny...that was what most of her most popular messages were about...a self destiny and purpose. Certainly NOT about the Kingdom of Christ.

I do want to conclude by relaying my sympathies for the death of her father 7 months ago. This was another very stressful event upon her. I really and sincerely believe that Juanita has snapped and should be advised by at least one of those 300 people who went to her birthday event to sit down, get some sound counseling, restore or establish a relationship with Christ and don't be afraid to become and be another face in the crowd of the sanctified and blood washed host.

Romans 12:1-2 ~ "1-I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy , acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and accpetable, and perfect, will fo God."

Blessed!

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For All Those Who've Been In The Struggle

Special thanks to my friend and ministry associate brother Enochwalked for directing me to this article from WorldMag.com. in response to my article Yes We Can ~ Eliminate Abortion. Can't We?

I must confess I fell in love with this lady pictured to the left...and she IS NOT my wife.....Now before I start a scandal on myself, you need to know that the love was and IS a godly and pure love and happiness for someone's success in Christ and spiritual commitment.

You see, I was just overwhelmed with the mission and glory of the Lord upon the life of Mrs.Tijuanna Adetunji. This lady, Mrs. Adetunji, not only grew up in the projects, not only had one abortion at age 17, but she had a second abortion at age 25.

What made me so glad to know her by way of this article is that she didn't stop there, and her mistakes didn't end her life. This young lady allowed the Lord to pick her up, dust herself off and is now used in the ministry service of the Lord along with her husband in restoring the lives of other young ladies who are now caught in the same traps and are considering making similar choices in life.

For Those Who May Feel They've Failed

In this particular post, I wanted to take the special time to acknowledge that we often preach messages of what we should do or what we're supposed to do. That's in order and the TRUTH must be preached. However, I wanted to take special time and thank all of those reading this who have at one point in their lives failed, but REFUSED to be a victim of either their failures of the failures of others that were placed upon them.

Now, we must confess, abortion is murder, homosexuality and lesbianism are abominations, and choosing to be a single parent is certainly an unwise move. BUT for those who have been in those situations, relied on God for help and deliverance, and have done the best that they could with the help of the Lord, I want to COMMEND you. I commend you for not settling there or being satisfied with those mistakes or situations that you were dealt. I want to commend you for holding on to God or getting to know God and becoming and being part of the solution to the serious problems that we face and see everyday.

You see, I am aware of young ladies and men who were molested or inappropriately handled at young ages and have consequently struggled with their sexual identity, desires and intimate relationships. In our MLK Jr. Holiday celebration our special guest Dr. Bill Cosby spoke of a lady who was molested in her youth and became promiscuous her whole life and went on to give herself to crack cocaine and eventually was so depraved that she sold her daughter to pay for it. Thank God she recovered from this horrific circumstance, but she still has intimacy issues with her spouse, and it's a day by day journey for her. The truth is that some people never recover from such circumstances. Some people loose their minds and their life, but we know that only Jesus can truly heal a broken heart.

I am aware of some mothers who were married, had children while they were married and were doing the right thing, only to have their husbands walk out on them for another woman, leaving them a single parent, to deal with school and daycare situations, find a job and pay the bills in many cases without help. Still, for others the Lord saw fit to call a spouse home when the children were young. I know that wasn't easy by any means, and people who didn't know the situation were quick to lump you in with others who didn't hold to the moral standards that you did. I know it was tough. Those situations are breeding grounds for disdain and utter contempt. BUT YOU MADE IT with the help of the Lord!

I know it wasn't easy. I know you had it hard. I know there were things in you that you wish weren't there, or didn't realize was there because of what you've been through...BUT, I know as you found that Jesus came to heal all wounds, and you didn't stay where you were. Thank you for finding that LIFE is worth living.

John 10:10 ~ "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

I guess I simply wanted to say that I am godly proud of all of our godly women who have taken the ashes that were given to them and allowed God to exchange them for beauty.

Isa. 61:3 ~ "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."

For Those Who Currently Feel The Weight Of Their Burdens

Whether it was your fault or the fault of others who placed you in whatever situation you're dealing with, you too can have the same relief and gain the same purpose in life that Sister Adetunji and countless other godly women have. No matter how you got into the situation that you're currently in, God is able to heal your heart, use you for his glory and cause you to be an example and valued treasure to the community.

Why You Are Essential To The Purpose

I attended a School board meeting this week to fight to help keep a high school from closing. After I spoke to the board there was a young lady who took the mic. She said she was a foster child and had never had a stable home in her life and the only thing that she had that was stable and the same everyday, was her school and the people in her school that had helped her change her grades from D's and F's to A's and B's. She explained that these people were there for her and had her back. Yes, she admitted that they were tough, told her the truth, and wouldn't let her slide, but she acknowledged that she was fortunate to call the school HOME. She questioned why the board would take her HOME and her STABILITY from her.

I cried, at her testimony, and I further thought, when will the church truly be HOME for hurting people? There are thousands of these young ladies in every city wanting someplace to simply call home and needing somebody to simply be there for them.

The truth is they're not looking for a place to party, nor a place to socialize but a place where they can bring themselves which includes their frustrations and failures and leave it all at the alter of the Lord's mercy and receive the power to be what they can't be on their own...You see, they want to be told the truth without manipulation, because some of them realize that otherwise they've been lied to. They want to be loved on for who they are, not for what they can perform and ultimately be shown out of their current conditions into a new life and way of living.

Heb. 4:15-16 ~ "15-For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16-Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When will all these things be?

As my friends, the group Commissioned said some time ago...Well, the time is now, and the day is today!

I just had to share this word of encouragement with you. For those who have aborted a child and realized the error and grievous mistake, give it all to Jesus and take what you now realize and heal these other young ladies and men of their ills.

For those who have become overwhelmed in promiscuous behavior, sexual sins and or homosexual sins...you too can be free and washed of those sins and the burdens of guilt beneath the flood of the cleansing blood of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Confess, repent and commit your heart and ways to HIS care. I simply believe and know that Jesus is coming back...and I want to meet all of you on the other side...Well, here too, but surely over there!

Psalms 51:7-13 ~ "7-Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8-Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9-Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10-Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11-Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12-Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13-Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."

Blessed!

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Yes We Can ~ Eliminate Abortion. Can't We?

Thursday Jan 22nd was the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade in which the US Supreme Court upheld the right to murder babies. This act is shrouded in more culturally acceptable language and has been traditionally called the "woman's right to choose" but as I often say "a rose (in this case poison ivy) by any other name..." etc...

According to the Associated Press, supporters of an individuals right to life took the opportunity to descend upon The National Mall in Washington DC two days after what was one of the most widely hailed Presidential Inauguration ever, only this time, there was no celebration due to any political victories, there were only reminders of what is arguably one of the worst decisions in US Supreme Court history and reflections of what that decision has done to unborn American Citizens.

As a reminder, and as outlined in In 100% Change Man, and Barack-ing the Gay Agenda, Can We Really say Yes To This Change?, since Roe v. Wade in 1973 it is estimated that over 50 Million babies have been aborted or killed. This is in comparison to the following statistics and facts specific to how this has affected the African American community:

• Since 1973 in the African-American community 203,695 people have died of AIDS
  Since 1973 in the African-American community 1,638,350 people have died of CANCER
  Since 1973 in the African-American community 2,266,789 people have died of HEART DISEASE
  Since 1973 in the African-American community 13,000,000 (13 MILLION) people or (BABIES) HAVE BEEN KILLED under the guise of abortion aka a woman's right to choose. This amounts to approximately 1,452 deaths per day.

One of the myths that I have already clearly outlined in Abortion Issues & Myths is that abortion should be lay because it is "medically necessary" in cases of or rape and incest. The facts are that abortions arising from rape and incest only constitutes about 1.5% of all abortions annually. In addition since pregnancy from rape or incest is not an instantaneous occurrence, it has been found that immediate and proper treatment in the hospital and removal of semen from the uterus is an effective method of reducing or eliminating this threat also. [See the results of studies of 4,800 victims of rape in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area, as cited in John F. Hillabrand, "Dealing With a Rape Case," Heartbeat 8 (March 1975):250] In addition, the term "medically necessary" is an ambiguous and subjective term stating that a woman has a right to have an abortion for any reason she prefers during the entire nine months of pregnancy, whether it be for gender-selection, convenience, or rape. Therefore, there is a significant difference between what is essential for someone to live and what someone desires because their life is inconvenienced.

According to The Washington Post.com Although our new President choose not to attend the march he did issue a statement saying that he agreed with the Roe v. Wade decision expressing in part that it, "not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters."

First of all this statement is totally ridiculous and contrary to the scheme of government in general. In fact because government is so large and will expand under his Presidency he is simply providing a legal equivocation on the issue and covering it with an an emotionally charged sentiment with which we all agree...we don't want gov't to intrude into our most private and family matters, however we all know that some matters, that are considered family and private, are often open to governmental intrusion. Example, taxation...Your check has your name on it and is for the benefit of your family, however if you don't pay your taxes guess who intervenes? Example, our prisons are filled with a disproportionately high number of black males. Many of them are there due to drug use (not sales)...They were engaged in a "private family matter" but guess who had the right to intervene? Further, I am aware of hospitals and states taking rights to conduct certain medical procedures even when the "family" has "privately" decided to seek alternate means. I have seen families have to seek legal council and go to court to try to exercise their "family and private" rights. There are a host of other examples that could be used, the fact of the matter is that the President's addressing of this issue is an obfuscation of his more deeply held belief that he espouses that a human is really not a human and has NO RIGHTS at the moment of conception...

Nonetheless, these statements also agree with his previous statements on the subject:

• "I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all."~ Senator Barack Obama "A Call To Renewal" Washington DC 6/28/2006
  

In this statement our President provides a pluralistic argument called the imposition of morality and totally eliminates that thought that all laws (whether good or bad) are a product of a value system or set of beliefs. By minimizing biblical beliefs and making those beliefs only products of faith, the President displays that in his understanding, certain moral values either do not exist or are not generally accepted outside of the faith community. He specifically links an anti-abortionist stance to religious belief. That is simply not the case.

"And so I think anybody who tries to deny the moral difficulties and gravity of the abortion issue, I think, is not paying attention. So that would be point number one. But point number two, I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade, and I come to that conclusion not because I'm pro-abortion, but because, ultimately, I don't think women make these decisions casually. I think they -- they wrestle with these things in profound ways, in consultation with their pastors or their spouses or their doctors or their family members. And so, for me, the goal right now should be -- and this is where I think we can find common ground. And by the way, I've now inserted this into the Democratic party platform, is how do we reduce the number of abortions? The fact is that although we have had a president who is opposed to abortion over the last eight years, abortions have not gone down and that is something we have to address." (Presidential Debate, Saddleback Church 8/17/2008)

This argument for abortion is called the Argument Against Public Policy Forbidding Abortion. The path of this argument as President Obama uses it is textbook. These are the three points that President Obama generally hails in the defense of abortion:

1. There can never be a just law requiring uniformity of behavior on any issue on which there is widespread disagreement.
2. There is widespread disagreement on the issue of forbidding abortion on demand.
3. Therefore, any law that forbids people to have abortions is unjust.

Every African -American in the United States should demand that Obama relieve himself of these views. Frankly stated IF he is right in his approach then we (African-Americans) should all have remained enslaved. Why? Because there was WIDESPREAD disagreement over the abolishment of slavery. So much so until a war was fought over it and the country was cut in half.

DISAGREEMENTS on an issue DO NOT make an issue invalid. But yet our President continues to provide this sort of rhetoric in the name of unity and finding common ground.

So where does President Obama get this overall idea? I believe he received it from former Supreme Court Justices who have ruled on the issue:

• "We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of man's knowledge, is not in a position to speculate."...he further concludes..."In view of all this, we do not agree that, by adopting one theory of life, Texas may override the rights of the pregnant woman that are at stake." ~Justice Harry Blackmun, "The 1973 Supreme Court Decisions on State Abortion Laws: Excerpts from Opinion in Roe v. Wade," in The Problem of Abortion, 2d ed., ed. Joel Feinberg (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1984),195-196.

In other words because there is seeming or apparent disagreement on when "life begins" we revert to a "non- life theory" as evidence and support for the position???

• "The Missouri Legislature [which said that life begins at conception] may not inject its endorsement of a particular religious tradition in this debate, for 'the Establishment Clause does not allow public bodies to foment such disagreement" ~ Justice J. P. Stevens "Webster v. Reproductive Health Services," United States Law Review 57 (22 July 1989): 5044-45

In this case the anti-abortion sentiments were said to be "religious traditions" and ultimately statements of faith, and the "establishment clause" was used to work against the state endorsing religion.The facts are that just because a philosophically and scientifically plausible position may also be found in religious literature such as the Bible, that does not mean such a view is exclusively "religious."...Ooh what a tangled web we weave...

In The Rumor Mill

Word on the street is that 1st Lady Michelle Obama is currently pregnant. Now this may be totally unfounded and one can do the research for themselves but IF she is, I wonder is it really a human in her womb according to President Obama's understanding.

Then I wonder does it have any rights or a right to live?

Then I wonder, if it (he or she) does have a right to live, why doesn't every unborn child in this country have that same right?

As I have pointed out before, I would like our President to explain that to Sasha, Maliah and me.

Final Note:

What is your churches and Pastor's position on this issue? Have you heard a message preached on this subject from the pulpit or even in a teaching class? I would like to know.

Blessed!

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Hip-Hop, Idolatry & The Church Pt. 3

Saints, of certainty, many individuals believe that allowing hip-hop place or life within the church is what the church should do in an effort to "win all men" to the cross. How many times have we heard 1 Cor. 9:19-23 quoted in defence of certain practices and the acceptance of hip-hop in particular within the church? In fact here are the verses:

19-"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20-And unto the jews I became a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21-To them that are without the law, (being not without the law to God, but under the law of Christ) that I might gain them that are without the law. 22-To the weak becamse I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23-And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you."

In order for one to properly understand and apply this scripture one must seek to find what is called the Sitz im Leban (real life setting) of the character and scripture. Failure to do so will lead to many erroneous renderings of Paul's intents such as we popularly hear espoused within our churches today.

In verse 19 Paul declares his spiritual liberty as well as his spiritual responsibility toward the lost. He indicates specifically that any liberty afforded to him is tempered by his spiritual maturity and ultimate command to reach the lost. In other words Paul understood that his life and actions were to be a vehicle used by God so that others could be saved. The primary assertion that must be dispelled when looking for the Sitz im Leban of this verse is that Paul was suggesting that sin or the elements of sin could be used as a tool in restoring, reaching or gaining the lost. Paul is not saying that using sin is a tool to draw the lost. In fact, Paul is clear that one cannot continue in sin:

Romans 6:1-2 ~ "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2- God forbid. How can we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?"

Romans 6:12~ "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."

Apostle John also affirms the same principle:

I John 3:2-6~ "Beloved, are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; and we shall see him as he is. 3-And every man that hath this hop in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4-Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5-And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.6-Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not sen him, neither known him."

James further affirms that sin is not a tool used by God. He says this in his epistle:

James 1:13 ~ "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:"

Sin was never and is never a tool for the church to use in gaining it's converts. The ungodly elements of worldly inculturation is exactly what came to liberate us from. The facts are that the church was to encourage the world and all Christians to leave sin behind. (1 Cor. 6:19-20, 2 Cor. 6:14-18,)

Secondly, for the record, Paul was both a Roman citizen and a Jew. He was a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:28) and a Jew by lineage(Gal 1.15; Phil 3.5; Acts 23.6) Paul was in a rather unique situation in that he could easily flow in and out of certain arguments to suit the need that was being presented. In the case of 1 Cor. 9 Paul was referring to his ability in Acts 23:2 to stand before Ananias the co-High Priest (a Jew) and Acts 24 when he stood before Felix the Roman Procurator. This ability to "become all things to all men" took Paul all the way to Ceasar. There was at no point a letting down or a suggestion of letting down spiritual integrity to "draw" anyone to Christ. In fact Paul's mission was clear, it was NOT to become a part of the culture through any associations but was to transform the culture through his preaching and teaching the Gospel of Christ.

Now as I have noted, I Cor. 9:19-23 has often been used as a proof text encouraging individuals and churches to allow and include anyone with almost almost any type of sinful proclivity. When I say include, I do not simply mean to attend or draw from the service or ministry of the church. I mean to lead and conduct worship or ministry service for God and his church.

This is partially why there is such confusion over what the church should do and how it should be done. When sinners are in leadership, there will always be confusion and problems within the church as to how it should reach and teach the lost.

Another aspect of the misinterpretation of this scripture is that some use it to promote a deception from Saint to sinner. In other words some feel that the Christian duty is to almost trick the sinner into being saved by talking their language or communicating with them on common ground. The object of this approach is to minimize any shortcoming (sin) in order to win the sinner and to make him/her feel more comfortable with us personally and with the gospel potentially.

The only problem with this approach is that there is no conviction of sin. There is no repentance. There is only sharing, caring and emotional servitude. In other words this is not the gospel that either Jesus or Paul preached...it is the gospel and the strategy of men in seeking to replace the Holy Ghost in convicting the sinner of his/her sins.

Now, undoubtedly I will be criticized for this and since I am batting .1000 I may as well go for the new world record and continue to abide within my calling.

First, the church must know that the operation of the Holy Ghost within the world is to convict the sinner of sin and call them to repentance

John 16:7-9 ~ 7- "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you. 8-And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: 9-Of sin because they believe not on me;"

Conviction of the sinner is the work of the Holy Ghost. The minister and the church was supposed to merely stand fast and proclaim the word of God and allow God to convict and convert the sinner:

Isa. 58:1~ "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their trangressions and the house of Jacob their sins."

John 15:3 ~ "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."

So the basis of scripture in reaching the lost is vitally important to understand. Unfortunately, not all churches have that understanding as we are living in one of the greatest times of apostate ministry that we have ever witnessed. Not only are there personal failures as we all pray to avoid by God's grace and mercy, but there is flat out flase teaching that has given sin within the church life and anointed hip-hop with a new name while offering the same results.

Currently, Christianity has become so inclusive that it has what is called Holy Hop-Hop Week, awards and a Hoy Hip-hop Summitt. It's during this event that the stage becomes full of "Christians" throwing up their hands and using gang signs and insignias, wearing low-rida pants, dawning louie scarves, promoting grafitti, breakin' and Deejayin', and wearing all the bling, that we readily identify with secular hip-hop. Proponents have argued that they are entitled to their individuality and personal freedoms to express Christ as it suits their styles. Further that they are simply providing variety in a diverse world. Under secular law, this argument may have some merit. However ALL Christians are constrained to serve Christ BIBLICALLY and in accordance with the scriptures.

1 Cor. 6:19-20 ~ "19- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20-For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"

1 Cor. 7:23 ~ "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men."

Remember as Paul stated in 1 Cor. 9:19, his personal freedom was also a mark of his personal responsibility. Those who promote and advocate the so called "holy hip-hop" violate a cardinal principle of a biblical community, and that is the requirement to be founded on and by biblical doctrine and biblical and godly acceptable modes and methods of operation. It is precisely that brand of self individuality and "me firstism" right out of the Ayn Rand handbook of Atlas Shrugged, that Christ has come to deliver us from.

This years Holy Hip-hop awards are taking place at the time of this post, Jan 16th & 17th 2009 at at Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live Arena) in downtown Atlanta, GA. Here's a small excerpt from their advertisement:

• "Holy Hip Hop Awards will be MCd by eDDie Velez (Da Preachin Puerto Rican) and Erica Cumbo. Go Ye Djs are the exclusive DJs for Holy Hip Hop Awards. Fla.vor Alliance: Official Breakers & Graffiti. Street Team Promotions Powered by: CIO Music and MTM Entertainment (Ted McCloud and Derrick Woods)."

In this we see almost all of the elements of hip-hop in action. Remember what hip-hop's first principle is:

• Breakin,
• Emceein,
• Graffiti Art,
• Deejayin,
• Beatboxin,
• Street Fashion,
• Street Language,
• Street Knowledge and
• Street Entrepreneurialism

These elements of secularism and secular hip-hop have life in the genre called "holy hip-hop" and are an affront to the holiness of God.

In an August 2002 Article with Charisma Magazine a former member of secular rap group The Three 6 Mafia (or 666 Mafia), Delmar Lawrence (Holy South Ministry) relayed his concern that holy hip-hop artists could not potentially reach their target audience until they (the artists) model the lifestyle that they sing about. This is interesting because it carries an acknowlegement that "holy hip-hop" does not yet have the element of "holiness" that it would need to be true to its name. CrossRhythms.com reports Delmar's take on his record label and Holy Hip-hop:

• "It is a record label that produces hip-hop in Christ. Not 'Christian hip-hop' or 'gospel rap' but hip-hop in Christ. It's a movement of a hip-hop generation, surrounded by hip-hop culture - but representing the lifestyle of Christ."

Mr. Lawrence reveals that "holy hip-hop" doesn't really make sense, and therefore changes his perspective to "hip-hop in Christ". I actually have more regard for his view than any of the others I've heard within that genre of music. But there is still a conflict because he describes that his record label is ultimately about a "movement of a hip-hop generation surronded by hip-hop culture, but representing the lifestyle of Christ"??? What is that? It begs the question, "Can any man serve TWO diametrically opposed God's and worldviews?" He also said this about his calling to salvation and leaving the 666 Mafia and the eventual calling of the Lord:

• "It came to a point where this was something I wanted to do but I really wasn't happy in my soul with that. So, I came off a tour one Easter Sunday and went to surprise my family. I hadn't seen them in four months of me being on the road. God spoke to me like right there. I wasn't even listening to the pastor. I couldn't tell you today what he was preaching about. I just know that I had an experience with God. I heard his voice and he told me to come out. I asked him, 'What do you mean, come out? What do you want me to do?' He (God) said, 'I want you to do the same thing you're doing now. Just do it for me.' I was saying that gospel rap was corny and I couldn't do that. Then he began to show me visions of auditoriums and young people and all of this stuff. When I saw that, something in me was convinced and I said, 'Okay God. If I do this, you're going to have to take care of me.' After all, this was all that I wanted to do and I'm not about to leave one lifestyle just to step out on nothing and not know what's what. He told me to trust him. The next day, I went to the label and told them I was leaving." (Emphasis mine)

Now, I don't intend to say that Pastor Delmar is not saved. That's beyond me. I do intend to say that looking critically as we should at his testimony that there are some unhealthy signs and bad information in his statements. What's more is that his primary testimony of God calling him out of the world to stay in the world is contrary to scripture altogether.

2 Cor. 6:17 ~ "Wherefore come out from among them and be ye seperate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"

The talent of these artist is not what I question. I question the associations and the payoff that they receive by surrendering to hip-hop in general. For some it is purely monetary. For others it comes complete with noteriety and fame. For James Moss aka J. Moss it also comes with illicit affaris and children out of wedlock. You see some time ago Mr. Moss decided to put together a song called "Living 4" In this song he encourages both himself and his entorage to not get caught up with a "groupie" that will bring them down. On this song he says the following about leaving this groupie:

"Didn't wait for the night time, the high time, the right time

Bein as it was, we had to close the door

It's like turnin away from a million bucks

But I can't see you no more "

Well this is what I call a Christian hip-hop tragedy. It will cost J. Moss approximately $220,000 (not to mention court costs) to leave his illicit lover and the child that he fathered. In Oct. 2008 a judge ordered a DEFAULT judgement against the 36 year old Christian hip-hop guru demanding that he pay $1,028 per month to support his new child (Christion) by 28 year old Lakisha Hughes. Not only did J. Moss not show up in court but he also offerd to pay for the abortion.

Then there are artists like Pastor Ma$on Betha, (formerly Ma$e now Ma$e again, now Pastor Ma$e again) Not only can this Pastor not drive after midnight in a transvestite laden section of Atl, but he also left secular music to enter into the church with the following belief (directly from their Website):

"Once Mason Betha understood that he was “Born To Succeed” (1 John 5:4), he realized that he was created to be the catalyst for millions to receive this same message. What does “Born To Succeed” mean? It is the principle that once a man accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he has become an “overcomer”. Thus, you are entitled to total-life prosperity"

Ie: GOD IS A MONEYMAKER! The truth is that after finding that church support is sometimes very slow, in 2004 pastor Ma$on Betha decided to to return to the secular music world (with sound pastoral advice from Dollars Creflo) to deliver his former associates and "undo" some of what he had done previously. Unfortunately, all he found was 50 Cent who was willing to co-produce a story about a street gangsta turned backslidden preacher working and using the church. However from all indications P-Diddy (Sean John Combs), who was in charge of the "paper" simply said "Show me the Money!", which led to the breakdown of the plans. It is said that is the reason Ma$e is now back in the church expanding his ministry on the backs of the faithful willing to believe that his steps are truely ordered by God. Unfortunately for him, the world is not as willing to believe that his actions have anything to do with God. This is what the world says about Ma$e even if the church refuses to say anything:

• "I guess the good news is that the pretty boy gangsta rapper turned pastor is just like a groundhog prophet who delivers it's prediction and then disappears, but the bad news is...we can still see you" (Eben Gregory, Hip Hop Weekly Magazine,Volume 3 Issue 24 pg. 72)

The world recognizes that a person can't be in two places at the same time neither spiritually or naturally. What kind of rationalle can his supporters offer the world and those they are to witness to?

It cannot go without note that one of the most visable ministries promoting what is called Holy Hip-Hop, (which is at best a non term and more accurately an oximoron) is the youth minister of New Birth Missionary BAPTIST Chruch of Lithonia, Ga. eDDie Valez aka Da Preachin' Puerto Rican, and founder and President of The Fellowship of Holy Hip-hop and the Holy Hip-hop Summitt as listed above. Minister Velez's take is that the church must become relevant to this generation. He said this about a message that his Bishop, Bishop Eddie Long preached in 2002 about the "Dry Bones" of Ezekiel 37:

• "God is telling Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, to speak life into a dead situation," says Velez, 37(now 43). "Now, [the baby boomer generation] may be able to say, 'There are dry bones on your job...There are dry bones in your subdivision...There are dry bones in your church auxiliary.' "But [the younger generation] is unfed because [they] need to hear: 'Yo, there's dry bones in the projects, in the hallways where you hang out, kid. There's dry bones when y'all hanging in front of the liquor store, slinging crack cocaine. God is telling you...to prophecy to them right in front of the liquor store. Speak to them that they might have life.' "But [older church members] might not know about standing in front of the liquor store anymore because they've been delivered from it," he adds.

It should also be interesting to note that at the 2009 Holy Hip-hop Awards, Minister Velez is teaching a seminar called: "Reach One, Teach One" True to its roots, this saying and a variation "Each One, Teach One" was developed by the 5% Nation of god's and Earths as an encouragement to spread the Nation's message and anti-Christ dogma.

Even though Christian hip-hop is struggeling to find its identity and message there are yet those within the Christian rap industry that are critical of other Christian rappers. One such example is former secular hip-hop DJ Frankie Cutlass. Cutlass the founder of God Squad Entertainment, is also responsible for secular songs such as "Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya." but says this of Christian rappers:

• "Christian rappers kill the world too much,"..."The world knows they're going to hell...Seventy-five percent of ministry is love. Show them the love of God. The other 25 percent is the Word,"

It's just one of those strange things about Christian hip-hop. It is destroyed by the word and truth must be measured. In his case he doesn't equate the love of God with the word of God. In this case Cutlass feels that we only need 25% word, 75% should be love ie: inclusion or tolerance and acceptance of sin, the world and ungodliness. This is a total redefinition of the mission of the church as given by Christ.

Mt. 28:19-20 ~ "19- "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: 20- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"

Even artists such as Kirk Franklin have bought heavily into the hip-hop strategy of reaching the youth. His famous words, "Just in case you think gospel music has gone too far..." Well, both he and it has... In a recent interview with Gospel Flava Magazine on his new project called "The Fight Of My Life" he explained why he placed a hip-hop song on the CD called "I Like Me" with a rap by gospel rapper Da T.R.U.T.H.. He said this:

• "When you're trying to reach kids you've got to speak their language. Kids like beats, so I had to drop some like they was hot."

In the world of hip-hop the word of God is ineffectual. It is powerless to them to reach and teach the lost and certainly is not relevant unless it is cloaked in colloquialisms or modern relevant garb. In other words the word must be dressed up and hidden before it makes sense to the youth or the target audience. Once again this is in direct conflict of scripture which teaches that the word of God is the "power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16) Once again this is a redefinition of the culture as it pertains to God.

Then there's The Cross Movement. Through it's spokesman The Ambassador aka William Duce Branch ThM this group has long been one of the biggest promoters of hip-hop within the church. These young men believe that there are "Non-sinful elements within hip-hop that can be used by God" They also claim that hip-hop like any other culture is an indigenous culture and that God did not want the church to be involved in cultural assimilation.

• "People are at the root of culture, and neither people nor their culture can just be thrown away. Aspects of their culture can be discarded when those aspects offend God, but you cannot force total cultural assimilation on any group. You see it’s easy to throw away something you don’t care about, but it’s hard to let go of something you feel an attachment to."~ The Ambassador, The Christian Living In Hip-Hop Times Pt. 1 Oct. 2005

Is this true of hip-hop? Was it the culture into which Black Americans in particular were born or did it become an inculturation of society or a subculture within society? I believe that I have and can sufficiently argue the latter against The Ambassador's assertions.

Contrary to both their appearance and purpose, The Ambassador does not believe that he is defending hip-hop, he believes that he is celebrating diversity:

• "While we are not defending hip hop, we are reminding people of the biblical principle of unity and diversity, the reconciliation of all things, and the rights of all people to enjoy God within the context of their natural elements (as long as those elements are not sinful)" ~ The Ambassador, The Christian Living In Hip Hop Times Pt. 1 Oct. 2005

He also believes that hip-hop cannot be seperated from personality, and can be used as a conduit to deliver the message of God:

• "Hip hop is no more than the tint through which the light of God’s glory can shine. We know that God’s truth alone changes lives, but preaching has been describes as "truth poured through personality." The "personality" is not the truth, but it is simply the means of providing variety in God’s diverse world." ~ The Ambassador, The Christian Living In Hip Hop Times Pt. 1 Oct. 2005

The major flaw of his complete message is a presuppositional bias and a control belief that hip-hop is the way the culture is RATHER than the way the culture has become. In his premise he also makes an effort to seperate sin from the philosophical construction of hip-hop which is both demonstrably sinful and anti-Christ/God in both it's purpose and mission. These things CANNOT be overstated.

A Note Worth Evaluating:

Thus one of the underlying spiritual principles are revealed of hip-hop. For those who have ever tried to witness or minister to a muslim, whether that be a member of the Nation Of Islam or American Muslim Mission or a 5%'r, You are quickly told that the religion of Adam through Abraham and even Jesus was Islam. In other words the entire culture is supplanted in their minds and they begin with a presupposition that ALL men were Muslims to begin with. The Ambassador constructs his arguments as if ALL men were hiphoppers to begin with and as if hip-hop is a cultural norm similar to being an American, Canadian etc. This type of thought is apripos for the teachings of the Universal ZULU Nation, and 5% nation of god's and Earths. The fault with his argument is that we have clearly demonstrated that hip hop is not only a subculture, it is based on secularisms, ungodliness, and anti-God RELIGIOUS principles. In other words hip-hop unlike being an American, African, Canadian etc is based on elements of SIN and has no redemptive intent and cannot be redeemed until it acquiests UNDER the Cross of Christ and rids itself of the individualism that it needs to exist. The scripture is clear:

Gal. 2:20 ~ "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

The Ambassador wrote a 76 page thesis to complete his theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. I plan to do an indepth analysis of that thesis right here on the Dunamis Word or The Dunamis Word 2 so please stay tuned.

Summary:

In this segment we have discovered:

• Hip-hop has more than an association with the world and secular society.
• Hip-hop is a complete world view
• Hip-hop cannot be reconciled with the Cross as the Cross demands that lifestyles, personal prefrences, and diversity become subject to it.
• Hip-hop requires a compromise with sin even if that compromise is subtle, God does not use sin to bring glory to himself other than bringing them bound in sin out of sin.
• A Christianized brand of hip-hop contiinues in all the elements of secular hip-hop including clothing, gang signs and other things that come with the culture. These things are totally antithetical to Christian living and life and not condusive or reinforcing to the bublical message of holiness or sanctification (Heb. 12:14)
• Christian hip-hop artists express that the biblical message by itself is inadequate or obsolete to effect change within this generation and must be tempered through personality and positive overtones that are offered through the hip-hop culture.
• At best MANY of those who hold to and promote hip-hop have added to the confusion of some within the church and world through lifestyles in which Christ has not been glorified.

Orthodoxy & Orthopraxy

I will conclude this section by noting that the First and Second Century church would have NEVER allowed individuals to call themselves Christians unless they ascribed to being seperate from the world and sin. This is called Orthopraxy, the practice of right living or biblical living. Orthodoxy is not the problem within the hip-hop church. We all believe that without faith in the shed blood of Jesus for remission of sins that we cannot be saved and further believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ. Orthodoxy is not in question. Orthopraxy is rightfully in question and is something that the entire church is constrained to uphold. Our missionary endeavors DO NOT allow us or afford us the right to let down the standards of orthopraxy or the practice of right living. This is the confusion of the hip-hop church, that God will somehow give a pass to the practice of sin within the church. I believe that I have demonstarated that to not be the case. I will go further indepth into this in my next post.

I hope that these segments have been a blessing to you and your family as you have read. I will attempt to lay down what I believe is additional sound biblical teaching designed to free individuals from the deceit that hip-hop continues to offer to our youth and churches in general, and also reveal a spiritual event in which you, your church and ministry can participate demanding that our youth, churches and communities experience true spiritual freedom.

Blessed!

Read more!