Posted on 11/03/2019 6:06:02 PM PST by SeekAndFind
I think my favourite negative comment was the fundamentalist pastor attacking Reformed (Calvinist) Baptists who welcomed Kanye as "Lordship salvation, heresy preaching, drunken tattoo, ESVfests" and who announced he was preaching a whole sermon against Kanye – thus bringing a whole new meaning to the idea of 'preaching the Good News'!
On the other hand I heard someone who welcomed the rap star's conversion with the lament that he had done so little for Jesus compared with Kanye. The temptation to judge, either to pronounce this new Christian as fake on the one hand, or as the great Black Hope of the Church on the other, is one that is apparently hard to resist.
But we don't need to buy into either the cynical or the celebrity culture. We need a more Christian perspective, and dare I say it, in response to the fundamentalist pastor quoted above, a Calvinist approach really helps!
What do I mean by that? We acknowledge that God is sovereign and that means that no one is saved without his initiative, but also that no one is beyond redemption. The Lord doesn't save who we determine, he saves who he determines. He takes the lowly, the weak, and often the unusual. His ways are not our ways. Which is why I have no difficulty in believing that God has worked through his Spirit in Kanye's heart.
But we also recognize that sin is powerful and that new converts need to be encouraged, discipled and protected. They don't lead churches. We also know that all human beings are weak and fallible – and so we don't place our trust in politicians, celebrities or church leaders. In other words like the angels in heaven we rejoice over one sinner who repents, but unlike the angels in heaven we don't know whose are the Lord's; he does.
I have a suspicion that the Kanye story will be a wild ride....and I'm loving it already. Here are just a couple of snippets from the recent interviews and the album.
"I'm not a theologian, I'm a recent convert."
"My only mission and calling is to spread the gospel."
"Closed on Sunday, you my Chick-fil-A
You're my number one, with the lemonade
Raise our sons, train them in the faith
Through temptations, make sure they're wide awake
Follow Jesus, listen and obey
No more livin' for the culture, we nobody's slave"
I bow down to the King upon the throne
My life is His, I'm no longer my own
That sure sounds like a believer to me!
I watched the whole of his Sunday service – the preacher was good, the music outstanding. But the most encouraging thing I have seen is his recent 'Airpool' with James Corden.
It shows a joy that is infectious.
Gerard Baker writes in The Times that Kanye the Christian is the only true rebel and perhaps this is true! It certainly is rebellious to proclaim Christ in a post-Christian culture.
Meanwhile I am reminded of another songwriter, King David, who wrote about the attitude of the Lord to those who laugh at and mock him.
Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
"Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles."
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
Last week, #JesusisKing was trending on Twitter – and Times Square was projecting 'Jesus is King' on the surrounding buildings. The One enthroned in heaven laughs!
I am enjoying watching this also. I am praying and rooting for him because if God can use him it will be amazing. To the naysayers I would just ask you to please pray for him I don’t think that cost you anything but a few minutes a day.
We should be grateful.
Magnanimity - accept him at face value; watch and verify. We must pray for this man. He’s a brand new Christian but he’s front and center, being watched, speaking the Truth in love. Still a baby Christian. Imagine the good work he can do in Hollywood, in the black community - what a terrific witness for the Lord. Cynicism has no place where the Lord is at work - trust and verify.
I don’t have an opinion on Kanye. I do think, and wholeheartedly believe, that his spouse and her family will take full advantage of setting up tax benefits. Lots of rumors of them trying to make this similar to Hillsong.
I pray his conversion lasts. Mine has for over 50 years. Much joy serving Christ in that time.
Jury’s still out.
Let Kayne grab your Soul, this is a good way to bring people together that is based on peace and faith. But let no one grab your Wallet
w/o your expressed awareness and approval.
don’t have an opinion on Kanye. I do think, and wholeheartedly believe, that his spouse and her family will take full advantage of setting up tax benefits. Lots of rumors of them trying to make this similar to Hillsong.
...
I think it is important to pray for his wife and family also. They are probably torn and you can imagine the disharmony and disunity today could create if the two of them are not Unified.
Actually, it’s none of our business.
It is God’s business to discern whether a person is sincere!
That is where the “Do Not Judge” comes into play.
It is the heart condition of which only God can Judge!
Thousands Gave Their Lives to Christ at Kanye West’s Latest ‘Sunday Service’ in Baton Rouge
Can we just leave Kanye alone and pray that God will bless him and his family with wisdom and joy?
Amen.
I think it is important to pray for his wife and family also. They are probably torn and you can imagine the disharmony and disunity today could create if the two of them are not Unified.
I saw a piece on FB or somewhere that Kim and her kids were recently baptized at the Armenian Apostolic Church. Haven’t had a chance to look up that particular faith.
I don’t think we need to make anything of it. If it’s real he is saved. If not, he is a Kardashian.
Well I think he can safely sing what he want and be a Christian without caring about the brutal backlash, in part, because he’s worth a QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS!
I would think this less real if he was broke. Then i might think it’s a gimmick.
He, like Trump, don’t have to play ANYONE’s game anymore because they have the wealth to say “go to hell”.
He can do a lot of good in the black community because he WAS a nasty singer/rapper so many black guys know about him.
And now they see he’s changed.
It would be like me at 20 seeing Axl Rose become a Christian and write an all Christian songs album.
I would be very interested in hearing it. And it may have helped me be closer to God earlier.
I’m 51 and I don’t need someone else to help me believe.
But a LOT of kids do these days.
I wish him the best. But I think God has touched him and i hope he deals with his bi polar issues and brings great praise to God’s name
Sounds like the Pharisees angry that a sinner might be converted.
I hear ya’. My parents said that I was going through a “phase.” Well, this phase began on March 26, 1971 around 8 pm and has lasted me thus far. The phase has taken me around the world with my believing husband and my three believing children. FWIW, two of my children are now married to believing spouses (of the correct sex) and are each raising 3 believing children.
Praise God for this phase!
Regardless if intentions are good or bad, Christ is preached (paraphrased). Philippians 1:18
Insights welcome.
What shall we make of Kanye’s conversion?
The same we make of *ANY* profession of faith in Christ!
We encourage, nurture, and pray for the new Christian!
Skepticism. Jesus requires the bearing of FRUIT.
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