Comments on: on the furore over Piper and rap

By: Don Johnson

Don Johnson — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 05:09:00 +0000

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the comment. I was out all day, so that's why the post didn't show up for so long. I am paranoid so I check each one before it goes out.

How did we go amuck (or amiss, as per your other post)?

I think there are a number of factors including the spirit of this age. The Lord said "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Sometimes I wonder.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

By: Dave Marriott

Dave Marriott — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 22:48:00 +0000

I was saddened too…how have our churches gone so far amuck?

By: Don Johnson

Don Johnson — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:02:00 +0000

I've been reading some comments and discussing things with friends lately about why all of this is happening. One thing that keeps coming up is a criticism of the 'youth ministry' pattern of the last thirty years. The general trend has been towards entertainment, including in fundamental circles. In a way, my generation have been fundamentalist yuppies. We were orthodox, but we wanted our kids to be 'taken care of' and 'interested in coming to church' but we weren't interested in discipling them ourselves, we wanted them 'out of sight out of mind' so to speak.

It is little wonder from that standpoint that so many kids have grown up dissatisfied with the 'big people's church', it just isn't fun enough.

Of course there are many factors. The above is probably too simplistic, but I think it is part of the problem.

The goal of parents ought to be 1) be a disciple yourself 2) disciple your kids - reach their hearts, and teach them to love the Lord from the heart.

Although I don't agree with all of Edwards' theology, I do think this business of the affections is important. (Not that I've read Edwards on it - talk about sleep inducing, way way too dull... Hey, what am I saying!)

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

By: Andy Efting

Andy Efting — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 13:50:00 +0000

I probably shouldn’t have been, but I was completely shocked at the responses. I knew we were losing the music battle but I didn’t think people would defend rap. Boy was I wrong.

By: Kent Brandenburg

Kent Brandenburg — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:43:00 +0000

That discussion on rap at SI was one of the saddest things I've seen for awhile. I can't comment there because I don't match their high rhetorical standards, so I'll gladly do it on your blog, Don, if you permit.

Those supporting the rap are either ignorant or rebellious. They have said, whether they think it or not, that it is a racial issue. I believe it is a cultural one. We reject the African culture. Yes. I do at least. I accept the 16th to 17th century European and 18th century English cultures. Is it racial? Not at all. The difference is the Bible. Africa was the Dark Continent because of paganism.

In proving all things, we reject all forms of evil, hanging on to the good. We can judge what in a culture is good. Some cultures are superior than others depending upon their response to the Word of God. I don't condone present European or American music. It is only music from a certain era. There are good songs still being written today with the same influence on their music: the Bible.

I deal with this cultural issue in depth in my book, Sound Music or Sounding Brass, available from me for $15, but also at B & N, and Amazon.

The people that don't get this are lacking in discernment in a big way. They are a danger to America and Christians at large. I reject them as well.