It's not our place to judge, even with rap Christian music

Greene County played host this week to an event at White River Valley High School gym that has ignited plenty of comment -- good and bad.

Based on a number of rather negative and disappointing comments -- many of which were hardly Christian in nature -- that were posted on this newspaper's website after the concert staged by Christian rapper KD Johnson, I wanted to share my thoughts.

I attended the concert sponsored by Greene County Education Services on Wednesday night along with nearly 2,000 others -- mostly youngsters who were clearly excited.

I watched carefully and saw the faces of the youngsters and adults as they raised their hands in praise during the opening acts performed by some talented local artists, who had auditioned for and were selected to be on stage by KD Johnson.

Most in the crowd also danced, shouted, clapped, and waved their hands in the air again when the Ghetto Preacha and KD Johnson took to the stage. There was plenty of excitement in the air and who can say how much of it was genuine or just emotional show stuff?

I'm not going to judge that because we are directed in our Christian teaching not to judge others so we won't be judged.

The concert should not have provided any surprises to anyone.

It was advertised as a Christian Rap Concert and anyone young or old who went there expecting to hear a conventional hymn like "Amazing Grace" or anything traditional were extremely na*ve.

The music, as expected, was loud and most of the time the actual lyrics were hard for my over 50-year-old ears to decipher.

But I'm not so narrow-minded as to impose my personal taste in music on everyone, and declare that rap music is not of God simply because I don't personally like it or understand the lyrics.

But I can report that before the night was over I did understand when KD loudly shouted, "Who's in the house? JC! Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!"

I knew what he was talking about.

I do know, and it was obvious by the turnout at the concert, that rap music is one of the dominant musical genres of the present generation.

This is the kind of music that moves youngsters, and as a result, ministers of these genres of music -- like KD Johnson and the Ghetto Preacha -- have a tremendous opportunity and a deep responsibility.

I was able to talk with KD Johnson for a good while backstage before the concert and I can tell you the guy appears to be sincere.

He talked about wanting to deliver a message of good character and responsibility where bad decisions have bad consequences.

He talked about his testimony of being brought up in a strong Christian home and then his personal straying away into an ungodly lifestyle on the streets.

He talked about being poor, receiving government food assistance and at times not knowing where his next meal came from.

He talked about being a husband and the father of four children and the many responsibilities that brought to his life.

He talked about finding Christ and how his life had changed and that's all good stuff.

Some would ask, is rap music of God?

Can God use rap music for His purposes?

Is rap music being used in a way to glorify God, proclaim his message, and draw people to Christ?

Music is just a vehicle through which ministry flows.

It can be used for noble or evil purposes.

The beat, melody and rhythm have absolutely nothing to do with anything. It is the message that flows from the music that makes it good or bad.

It is the way the music is used as a ministry tool that makes it harmful or beneficial.

The message is what is important and how can this music open up the hearts of those hearing it to receive that message.

One of our readers summed it up best when they wrote, "KD is getting the message out about the Lord to the kids. Even though everyone may not appreciate the type or sound, but we can appreciate and listen to his message! The kids are listening to him. Let's pray he is inspiring the youth and opening the door to God and HIS love for them! So many kids today are not exposed to Sunday School or church services. It's a new generation and the older folks need to have a bit of an open mind in the new ways we can get God's word infused into our youth."

All I can say to that is Amen.

Nick is assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487; by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages....