As promised in the last part of this article, I want to spend part 2 discussing the response to G. Craige Lewis' ministry against hip hop. I particularly want to use the response from the gospel Hip Hop group known as Hazakim. I like these brothers. Their work that I have heard is very spiritual, intelligent, clever, apologetical in nature, theologically sound. I gained even more respect for them after reading a response to Mr. Lewis' claims about Hip Hop and Gospel Hip Hop by Anthony. The response is so well written and reasoned I was so grateful to God for inspiring him and his brother the way God has done. I thought that Anthony was gracious and right on target. Anthony also quoted a lot of scripture skillfully and rightly. I can't say the same of Lewis. He pointed out that Lewis is correct in pointing out that mainstream Hip Hop does corrupt some people. It does glamorize sin. However it is a sin to slanderize people in the church for being hip hop artists who also live God-glorifying lives that are trying to use the Hip Hop music style to win souls. This is seen doing with great zeal. He refers to the past sins of McClurkin and Franklin that have long been repented of to God. They publicly repented. If God has forgiven them, why should anyone still be chastising them for it? Lewis is saying that God cannot use Hip Hop to reach people when everyone who looks at the issue can see that He can and does us Hip Hop to talk to some people. Hip Hop as a tool. It's an art style and has become a life style. The life style we see shown on videos and depicted in the mainstream music is definitely god-less, wicked, and evil. The life style cannot be reconciled with the Biblical Christianity we are supposed to be living by.
Here is an example of the kind of music Hazakim releases and tell me if Lewis' message does more to build the kingdom of God on earth.
