Can Hip Hop Be Holy? (PART I)
by Minister J. Newcomb (holiness@blackgospelradio.net)

To properly answer the question “can Hip Hop be holy?” one must understand where Hip Hop originated. First lets make a proper distinction between Hip Hop and music. Music is an expression of the spirit and Hip Hop is a way of life. Often times within Christendom we confuse music with Hip Hop. Music has only been a vehicle for Hip Hop to express itself and spread its message. Hip Hop comes with a set of beliefs none of which point to Christ. So, where did Hip Hop come from? Dated back to the early 70’s some of the Hip Hop pioneers were DJ Cool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Cold Crush brothers and Afrika Bambata (Universal Zulu Nation). These men by no means at the time were confessing Christ. These were men who where in a separated place from God and in that separated place they conceived what’s known today as Hip Hop. Just like God needs a body Satan does too. Satan provided the pattern for Hip Hop and man provided his availability. In other words, Satan is the author of Hip Hop and God is the author of Holiness. Cant God take something that is unholy and make it holy?

Making the unholy holy is definitely possible; however there must be a complete sanctification of that which is unholy. It is very important for believers to understand that there is not a merger but a separation. A merger would imply unification and sanctification would imply a casting out of that which does not belong. The bible declares to believers that they are the “Church” (Colossians 1:18-24). Church is defined “the called out of God” which means that the Church was drafted from God’s spirit. So, in order for God to make something holy he must separate it from that which is unholy. “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old thing are passed away; behold, all things become new”(II Corinthians 5:17). For example Saul’s conversion to Paul; when Saul was converted he did not keep his name he submitted to the declaration of God. Paul did not hyphen his name (Paul-Saul) as in (Holy-Hip Hop) neither did he follow after Saul’s ways he was completely changed.

Ultimately Christendom must understand that Hip Hop was birthed out of man in a separated place from God and it is not music. Music is only a vehicle for the transference of Hip Hop. Furthermore Hip Hop is a “Legion” that has its effectiveness in the church because men have a hard time of submitting to the declaration of God.  Coming soon... Part II!


 

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