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These Christian Leaders Were Right–Until They Apologized for Speaking the Truth
From the Q&A session of the recent conference on The Worship of God.
What is truly ironic is that the expressed purpose of the conference was “to establish that God must be worshipped in the way He has designed, not the way man desires.”
Alas, they spoke the truth, yet when pressured afterward, lost their spines.
The conference speakers can be found here.
Joe Morecraft is spot on: “I believe rap is the death-rattle in the throat of a dying culture….and the music by which we sing should fit the majesty of the words.”
And yet….
During the panel discussion on rap I should have engaged such a controversial subject as this with greater discernment, explicit scriptural grounding, clarity, definition of terms (like “rap”) and precision that comes from a full grasp of the subject. These were lacking in the rap discussion. The very question itself lacked clarity and nuance which opened the door to the misrepresentations common to the broad brush. In framing the question, I failed to distinguish between the use of music in worship compared to simply listening to music. We failed to distinguish between the various expressions of the artists. I failed to correct a panelist who made an unsavory comment. Panel discussions, off the cuff are useful for certain things, but to use a surprise question to a panel to engage a broader audience on such a complex controversial topic as musical genres they may not have been knowledgeable of was unwise. I did not engage this topic with the required care. There were moments where it lacked the brotherly tone that is essential for our critiques within the body of Christ. In at least these senses, it was unworthy of our Lord. Please forgive me.
Geoff Botkin’s Apology:
“I need to apologize for the unintended offense and confusion of my comments on disobedient cowardice. I certainly do not believe that all of today’s Christian rappers are cowardly. My most sincere apologies go to anyone out there who was hurt by my strong language. While I do hold concerns about the use and misuse of rap, my words were not directed at any particular artist. My greater concern is for the broad cultural conformity and compromise that is not limited to reformed rap.” Geoff Botkin
Even Joel Beeke has apologized:
Recently I was asked to participate in a panel discussion at a Reformed Worship conference. In that discussion the panelists were asked to address the subject of Christian rap music (which I took to mean rap music primarily in the context of a local church worship service). To my regret, I spoke unadvisedly on an area of music that I know little about. It would have been far wiser for me to say nothing than to speak unwisely. Please forgive me. I also wish to publicly disassociate myself from comments that judged the musicians’ character and motives. —Joel Beeke
5 Pt. Salt 
Who are these guys and what’s this from? When?
Thanks.
Aha!
Moderator: Scott Brown
#1 Dan Horn
#2 Craig Houston[?]
#3 Geoff Botkin*
#4 Joel Beeke
#5 Jason Dohm
#6 Joe Morecraft
“serving their flesh?” “caving into the world?” “disobedient cowards?”
Botkin describing rappers – not Doug Philiips…
So, Botkin apologized, Brown apologized, and Beeke apologized?
Yep, Beeke apologized as well.
#2 was apparently a Scott Aniol.
Geoff Botkin’s gone all out:
http://westernconservatory.com/articles/brotherly-word
Quick question brothers, do you all agree with Geoff Botkin’s original assertion that reformed rappers are “disobedient cowards”?