What is Lyrical Theology?

Justified – Shai Linne

Lyrical Theology is basically using artful lyricism to provoke the study and knowledge of God, particularly in the context of hip-hop culture.

This can take many forms, including expounding on biblical narratives, explaining a particular scriptural truth, etc.

What sets it apart from the rest of hip-hop is its explicit biblical, gospel-centered, Christ-exalting focus ~ shai linne
Question asked by Credo Magazine to Gospel Music Minister, shai linne:

In the past you have been criticized for redeeming such a “depraved genre” as hip-hop. What is your response to this criticism?

To those who say, “How can you take that thing that is used for evil and glorify God with it?” My two word answer is “The Cross.”

But my response to that particular criticism is usually to simply re-phrase the objection.

I would say something like, “Are you saying that you have a problem with me taking a medium that has been used to blaspheme God and using it instead as a medium to praise and exalt God’s holy name, proclaim His glorious gospel, speak biblical truth and magnify the infinite worth of the Lord Jesus Christ?”

Arguments against “depraved genres” are ultimately arguments against redemption itself, because depraved genres are the products of depraved human beings, who need redemption.

(In fact, “depraved genre” is a misnomer because it’s ascribing moral value to a medium, which by definition is morally neutral until informed by content.)

Once God has redeemed a person, it’s fitting for the Christian to take the “genres” or vehicles (such as books, cameras, canvasses, the internet, language, musical forms, etc.) that he or she once used for evil and now use them to promote the glory of God.

Those who make the objection (especially as they use the internet to do so) are often unaware that they themselves use “depraved genres” all the time.