Posted on 11/13/2019 3:56:50 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
Much buzz has surrounded the recent profession of faith by hip-hop artist Kanye West. We’re fascinated by his outspoken desire to share that faith with the world. In dramatic fashion, the star announced that grace had totally transformed him. He said that it was now his duty to use his platform to glorify God and bring others to Him. Once defined by his vulgarity and opulence, the star said he will use his widely influential platform for better purposes.
This might shock many. But this star’s Damascus-road experience bears great similarities to revivals and awakenings we’ve seen before. Which raises a question. Are we on the verge of another Great Awakening? A Platform for Praise
Kanye’s use of music to announce God’s kingdom? It’s a blessing we’ve seen before. Larry Norman chose to use his platform for the same purposes during the Jesus Movement of the 1970s. See Greg Thornbury’s gripping account in Why Should the Devil Have All The Good Music?
The message preached in the Great Awakening was at once deeply convicting and radically egalitarian. See Eric Metaxas’ account of the great evangelist George Whitfield in If You Can Keep It. Whitfield crisscrossed a young nation with an ancient message: Every man, regardless of status, stands totally guilty of sin before a righteous God. Each is called to repentance and faith in Jesus as savior.
On Kanye’s newest album we find a collection of theologically deep gospel tracks. Jesus is King admits the hollowness of the hip-hop culture which Kanye has ruled. Its lyrics ask much more of life than driving in fancy foreign cars or boasting of sexual conquests. In “Closed on Sunday” Kanye articulates the importance of rearing a family and guiding a child in godliness. He articulates the brokenness of man in “Use This Gospel.” Track after track focuses on the eternal, instead of the fleeting. No Malice raps: “They give you Wraith talk, I give you faith talk.” Besides evoking ghosts, this alludes to a model of Rolls-Royce, the sort of status marker too many rap songs invoke.
The Church Coming Together
The great revivals of Billy Graham brought the church together across racial and denominational lines. Likewise believers are coalescing around Kanye in his dramatic conversion. A reformed pastor with ties to The Master’s College, Adam Tyson, serves as a mentor and spiritual adviser to the singer. So does Rich Wilkerson Jr., a dynamic young preacher at the helm of the charismatic Vous Church in Miami. Prominent Catholics Lila Rose and Sohrab Ahmari have praised Kanye for his clear articulation of the faith and biblical values.
Saul of Tarsus was hardly a likely convert.
I’m reminded here of how Christian leaders came together through the 1974 International Congress on World Evangelization in Lasaunne, Switzerland. The transformation of one man can show the power of the Gospel to do God’s work for millions. Champion the Cause of Christ
However Kanye’s personal journey proceeds, we must seize this moment. And internalize this truth: Anyone can be made a new creation, raised from death to life by the power of Jesus Christ. Kanye’s conversion surprises us. He’s a provocative figure, in a very public marriage to the erotically provocative Kim Kardashian.
But remember how dramatically God has transformed people for His cause in ages past. Saul of Tarsus was hardly a likely convert. This persecutor of Christians had to fall off his horse and go temporarily blind to begin his devotion to Jesus. Other Christians viewed him suspiciously. But the radical change he endured was proof of God’s limitless power to create us anew in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
As well as a group of FReepers who believe that they are the holiest of holies! Obviously these people don't believe in the power of Redemption nor the gifts of Grace and Mercy from God. They believe that Kanye isn't doing things the "right way". Shame on them for not trusting in God and what HE is doing in Kanye's life.
I would not say that we’ve been experiencing a great awakening for any time now.
There’s just no evidence of it.
When those revivals in the past happened, culture changed, too, and since we are still circling the bowl at an ever increasing rate, I would not say that they ahve happened yet.
One can only hope and pray that Kanye’s conversion is genuine and people are genuinely converted.
If we quit praying now, we’re toast and any move of God dies on the vine.
“I’ll believe those “conversions” after a few years, if not months.”
I had a very good evangelical Christian friend that defended Jimmy Swaggart when Jimmy got into trouble. “He may be guilty but he brought me to Christ so I am forever thankful to him”
I was saved during the Jesus Freak movement in 1971. My parents were sure it was just a phase. I am now a missionary in Papua, Indonesia. That phase has taken me around the world.
I rejoice in West’s salvation. I rejoice that people are getting saved through his testimony. I don’t have an elector-detector machine. That information is left to God. I just celebrate that people are coming to the Lord.
FWIW, the girl who lead me to Christ, is now a practicing Budhist. My salvation was real. God can use even a rock to praise Him. How much more can He use a rock star.
The Gospel is GRACE centric. God's Riches At Christ's Expense. "For by grace you have been saved, and that not of yourselves, lest anyone should boast." I was saved by grace, I live by grace, and I will be taken home by grace. All that I have, especially if it is of any value, is by His gift and not what I have earned. Yes, this includes my lymphoma.
I'll fix it for ya' at no charge:
the only reason He doesn't smite them into a pile of ashes is because they accidentally did something right that week His grace withheld the wrath of His judgement while He patiently and lovingly gives us another chance.
I understand your feelings 100%.
Our good Lord uses the oddest and LEAST likely tools in bringing people into faith. I know this from experience.
Thx. It is easy to forget that the only thing in this life is to get to the eternal live. God bless.
Cool!
I read somewhere today that Kanye’s getting himself mixed up with that fraud charlatan Joel Osteen. I hope for his sake that’s not true.
Right on, Jemian!
Perhaps he was thinking of this:
Of course it says "not many", so that must mean there still may be some? God bless Kanye if this conversion of his is genuine and that though his zeal, souls are brought to Christ. There is a LOT of pressure on "famous" people who make public professions of Christian faith to compromise them through the things of this world. Our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour so we should remain sober and vigilant. We are commanded:
Kanye may well have to let go of the fame and wealth that ties him to the world system and which can cause him to compromise his faith. We should pray for him. His life may become very difficult.
AMEN!
May there be spiritual revival in the USA and world.
As Franklin Graham says.....PRAY FOR HIM!
Is God using him?
Pray for him.
IF this is a true Great Awakening.....Kanye and his wife have huge followings.
Kim needs to lose her exploitive act.......God can make that happen too!
Pray for him!
Amen and amen.
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