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Reformed Hip-Hop and the Militancy of the Church
The glory of the Church while on this earth is due to its militancy against doctrinal error and worldliness, and the true visible Church is glorious in this aspect, make no mistake.
It is the false churches, made of professing Christians who court the world like a lover who encourage the true Church to follow along and not draw such hard lines; to compromise a stand in the name of a false peace and false unity.
Doctrinal error is sin. Yet the visible church is full of Pilates who are asking “What is truth?” when it comes to the reformed hip-hop discussion. Specifically, where the discussion of the worship of God is concerned, there are sadly many Christians who love reformed hip-hop so much – and for a variety of reasons, often because acceptance of it makes one more popular with those promoting it.
It is sad indeed, especially among young people who call themselves Calvinists, when in reality, they are not, but rather New Calvinists. Then again, such foolish evangelical pacifism and disregard for doctrinal purity is not limited to the young, immature and reformed, so-called. No, middle-aged men, Christian leaders no less and who should know better, are also acting foolishly, promoting a worship of God through worldly music and behavior – again, popularity and following of others seems to be the prominent enticement.
Brethren, the Church needs to be reminded that it is to be militant, not pacifistic in regards to the Bible’s teaching on the worship of God. We do not need to draw hard lines because they have been drawn for us in Scripture. We do and must have a fighting disposition when it comes to doctrinal purity within the visible Church. Doctrine matters, yet the New Calvinists push for the acceptance of reformed hip-hop and also what has become known as contemporary Christian music, is one of compromise and disregard of God’s requirements of how He is to be worshipped and is an embracing of worldliness.
Please, do not speak to me about how important the lyrics are. That is the saddest and worst argument that can be made. Lyrics may be doctrinally sound, but if the presentation of them violate Jesus’ prescription of the nature of true worship, in spirit and truth, they are nothing more than a devils masquerade. Sadly, young professing Christians have made contemporary worship music their god. They will defend it at all costs because they love it more than Christ. The doctrinal soundness of lyrics may be the greatest deception in today’s ‘worship’ music. It is, without question, the worst excuse for its support.
No wonder the world does not hate the Church. The Church is mimicking the world all in the name of missions and Gospel-centeredness; recommending worldly behavior even for family worship!! This is the height of false piety.
And God hates it with a perfect hatred because it is worldly.
God has communicated clearly. He did not stutter when He gave us His holy Word, and His Word says clearly that the holy and the profane should remain separate.
It’s not just reformed hip-hop, or reformed rap that is wrong here. It is all forms of contemporary worship music when it violates Biblical principles of how God is to be worshipped, all clearly laid out in Scripture.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. – Galatians 5:16, 17
What is the spirit in which we are to worship our Creator? Is it not one of reverence, at least? Indeed.
Hip-hop, rap, contemporary worship music are not reverent at all, but appeal to the flesh.
Brethren, we have neither the right, nor the authority to determine how God is worshipped, and if you think for a moment that reformed hip-hop is acceptable unto God, you are not only deceived, but, if you promote it by encouraging others to use and listen to it in the name of ministry, you are deceiving as well.
5 Pt. Salt 
I suppose some people like to see how close they can get to the edge without falling in. It’s always dangerous to play “Edge Games.”
It can be shown that music DOES have an inherent nature that can either praise God, or offend Him. As a classically trained percussionist, and former instructor and performer, I have a background in the history of military music (in particular, “the drums of war”). For those who claim that random notes and rhythms have no inherent character, that is neither a Biblical nor scientific position. When Moses and Joshua returned from the mountain, they first thought they heard the sounds of war. It turned out to be singing, but eventually lead to the deaths of 3000 men of Israel. The singing that Moses and Joshua heard, was music stirring the soul to rebellion and war. The Scripture tells us that David’s songs soothed the heart.
We’ve often heard of music being the universal language, and that is more than just rhetoric. Music operates within known parameters. Music is measurable. The physiological effects of sound waves on living tissues have been studied for decades. Music has effects on living tissue that can (and have been) empirically shown to affect blood and tissue oxygenation, cell nutrient transfer, heart rate, and of course, mood. Music is used to help stimulate neural pathways. A simple EKG and EEG can demonstrate the cardiovascular and neurological variations in physiological responses, EVEN when the musical or sonic stimuli is BENEATH the threshold of human aural discernment and detection.
Many know that drums were used as communication (the original signal corps), but they were also used to instill the “warrior spirit” into troops, preparing them for battle. Classical music usually has a flow that emphasizes the downbeat (1&3 in 4/4 time), which stabilizes the heartbeat. Most modern music emphasizes the backbeat, (usually 2&4 in 4/4 time) which disrupts the heartbeat. Rap, or hip-hop, “music” expounds on this, and produces rhythms that have been conclusively demonstrated to interfere with cognitive development, and stimulate the limbic system of the brain, creating a greater possibility of anger and violence. Rap and hip-hop “music” affects physiological changes in the human body that are quantifiable. The rhythms of rap cause disruptions in the heart rate, cause the adrenal glands to secrete excess amounts of epinephrine and especially noraepinephrine, which acts as a neurotransmitter, causing the heart to contract. How can this possibly “redeem culture”, let alone be suitable for worship?
God created a universe which testifies to His glory. ALL of creation sings glorious melodies and harmonies that can be translated into beautiful symphonies. Even the earth resonates at measurable harmonic intervals which have been recorded, and are commonly used in Music Therapy. Johannes Keppler’s “Harmonices Mundi” illustrates the perfect order in which our solar system is arrayed, both mathematically AND harmonically.
Scripture can be trusted, in informing us that some music God desires to NOT hear: “Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.” (Amos 5:23) We also see that Lucifer’s music was cast out of heaven with him: “Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.” (Isaiah 14:11) We are told that evil spirits cannot dwell in the presence of Godly music (! Samuel 16:14-23).
It must be apparent that God has music which pleases Him, and music which He abhors.
In Amos 5, God considered a certain music unworthy for temple worship. That’s what we’re talking about: the New Covenant’s equivalent to temple worship. God, alone, can determine the manner in which He COMMANDS us to worship him. If we understand that God tells us that some music is pleasing to His ears, but other music OFFENDS His ears, then it is incumbent upon us to discern which PLEASES Him, and which OFFENDS Him. We are commanded to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. God sets the parameters, NOT us. We may have leeway, but worship of Yahweh our Creator should ALWAYS be solemn and respectful, even when joyful and uplifting. He told us to SING to Him, NOT offer tribal war dances.
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