By Shane Kastler
“For this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15:24)
The worlds of secular music and Christianity collided recently with the reported Christian conversion of infamous rap singer Kanye West, and his subsequent gospel album entitled, “Jesus is King.” Kanye has a long history of living a wild life, and writing trashy songs, but he claims to have been “radically saved” and has become a bold and outspoken proclaimer of the Christian faith. Is this a true conversion, or a publicity stunt? Many signs point to a true conversion, and as Christians we should celebrate and hope this is true, rather than smugly watching and waiting for him to stumble. And he WILL stumble, just like we all do.
Church history is full of surprising conversions, that no one expected to happen. In the 4th century, Augustine was a womanizing pagan who had a child out of wedlock with his live-in lover. (If you thought this type of behavior was a modern day phenomenon, then you're wrong). But Augustine was converted at the age of 31, and went on to become one of the most influential theologians in history. John Bunyan was a drunken brawler, who by his own admission used so much profanity that he invented new ways to cuss. Yet the Lord saved him and he went on to become a pastor who wrote one the world's most famous books, “Pilgrim's Progress.” John Newton was a blasphemer and hater of God. But the Lord saved him and he wrote a song you may have heard of called, “Amazing Grace.” God specializes in saving sinners, and the depth of their depravity is irrelevant in the light of His grace.
One line from Kanye's song, “God Is” particularity caught my attention. I read the line to my wife, without telling her who it was and asked her if she thought it was written by Charles Spurgeon or Oswald Chambers. Then I sprung it on her that it was Kanye! Here's the line, “Christ is the fountain that filled up my cup.” This lyric is beautiful, no matter who wrote it. And it sounds very much like the worshipful fruit of a “born again” man.
Kanye's music style is not the same as mine. But the world is not forced to adopt my style. If Kanye's conversion is real, then he will no doubt continue to produce God-glorifying songs in his own style. And it will speak to a group of people that I might never be able to reach. For this, we should praise God. Kanye's conversion may prove to be false, and if so we should be saddened by it. But then again, this all may be legitimate; and if so then we should be thankful and supportive of this most unlikely new brother in Christ. The fact is that your sin is no prettier than Kanye's is. All sin is ugly, but thankfully, there is a Redeemer who is powerful enough to save even the Chief of Sinners. To God be the glory, great things He has done.
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