New improved hip-hop witnessing from the 90s to the 00s and 10s

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This generation rarely understands our “Christianese” so we need to make sure we communicate in a language that is understood. This got me thinking about sharing the gospel using familiar songs.

For instance, many people don't understand what we mean by saying, “We've all sinned” (Romans 3:23), so remind them we are all Naughty By Nature and Baby we were born this way (Psalm 51:5). As a result we’re gonna end up in this place where we’re gonna be saying It's getting hot in here, the flames will take off all your clothes, burn off all your toes, sizzle your fo shizzle, whatever that means. But the problem is we don't even know what we mean ‘cause we're witnessing Gangnam Style instead of gospel style to let people know they don't have to be Caught in a bad romance if they’re in a God romance. But you're probably thinking, “How in the world could we possibly hook up with almighty, infinite God?” Well, what if God was One of us? (Matt. 1:23) Not a stranger on the bus, but a Savior whose name is Jesus (Phil. 2:6-8). ‘Cause see there's only one way … One Direction (John 14:6) to Heaven and it's not by being a Justin Beiber belieber, but rather a Jesus believer! Now, you'd think when you give your life away to Jesus you would actually lose it, but Isn't It Ironic you actually find it. It's like, Oops … There it is! Oops … There it is! (Matt. 16:25) Of course, when you find that new life, the angels in Heaven are rejoicing, partying, and singing Hip Hop Horaaaay! Hoooo! Heeey Macarena! (Luke 15:10) Now, don't get me wrong, it’s not always easy following Jesus. I get knocked down but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down! ‘Cause I just want to feel this moment but the problem is sometimes we start to rely on our feelings instead of what we know to be true in God's Word and then we blow it and we just have to confess it to God and say Oops I did it again, help me Jesus One more time (I John 1:19). Then when you decide to follow Jesus with all your heart instead of trying to figure out What does the fox say?; that's when you're Living La Vida Loca (John 10:10) and Tonight's gonna be a good night cause Jesus is the Bomb … Word! … of God! (Jn. 1:1,14)

This is an example of the deep theology we discuss when I teach the Evangelism in the 21st Century class I created for San Diego Christian College. Of course, the more important thing to remember, whether you speak Hip-Hop or not, is that we need to always be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in Jesus, remembering that our efforts are never in vain (I Peter 3:15 & I Cor. 15:58). This means God promises He will use those efforts for His glory, not because we can speak theological Hip-Hop doctrine but because He is the God of all language and more importantly the God of the heart.

 


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