I have never had a thing for Christian rap — I just thought that such artistes were simply taking a secular musical format, mixing it up with some reference (no matter how minuscule) to the faith and trying to pass it off as “Christian” when in fact the lyrics still sounded very much secular to me.
For a while, I was quite convinced my observation held true, and I think I might have been right.
However, I recently came across a Christian rap artiste called Shai Linne and his creations gave me a totally new perspective on Christian rap. I am not saying that all that I disliked before have now become appealing, but that this brother has probably single-handedly redefined Christian rap for me.
His pieces are very Biblical, and you can even say that he’s a perfect rapping companion to preachers like Paul Washer, John Piper and John MacArthur in the sense that what he espouses in his music are along the same lines as what these good brothers teach. Moreover, if you like sermon jams, you won’t find his creations too difficult to like.
Might I even go as far to say that he’s a “Puritan rapper”?
This is one of my favorite pieces, The Gospel, from his new album The Atonement (which you can purchase from iTunes Store or directly from Lamp Mode Recordings) which talks about the book of Romans.
I’m going to see how I can get my hands on a copy here (iTunes Store is, unfortunately, not available for this part of the world)!
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Tags: Hip Hop, iTunes, John MacArthur, John Piper, Paul Washer, Puritans, Rap, Romans, Shai Linne
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June 30, 2008 at 13:48
Jawker
Wow, sounds really cool.
Very good site brother! Keep it up!
June 30, 2008 at 18:30
Isaiah
@Jawker -
Thank you for visiting and the kind words of encouragement, brother.
July 1, 2008 at 3:30
Carol
He’s too SOFT!!!
Just kidding. Not bad 
July 1, 2008 at 9:44
Isaiah
@Carol -
Yea, at first I thought you might find it too soft, but the lyrics matter, Carol!
July 1, 2008 at 16:34
Matt Haney
Great website (from what I have seen… I have posted a few of your Paul Washer Compilations on my podcast). Great rap song! Really, really good… but I would have to disagree with his summary of Romans 7. Paul Washer, Charles Leiter, Tim Conway, Robert Reymond and Llyod-Jones (to some extent), hold to what I see as the Biblical interpretation of Romans 7, as they relate it to the context of Romans chapter 6 and 8, and don’t primarily relate it to experience. Their interpretation does away with the justification for a “carnal Christian” or a saint “that is always going to be defeating by certain sins” from Romans 7 - and instead shows a balanced view of victory in the Christian life (while avoiding the error Weslyan perfectionism or sinlessness).
The struggle with sin involving the Christian is found in Romans 8:13, not Romans 7. See Tim Conway’s Bible Study on Galatians (http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/tm/ro7gal5) in the series below to see how it relates.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/new_details3.asp?ID=16579
In Christ,
matt
July 2, 2008 at 0:49
Isaiah
@Matt Haney -
Shalom, Matt!
Thank you for the visit and the kind words of encouragement, brother.
I believe you’re quite right on that point about Romans 8:13 and the struggle with sin for a Christian. I’ll have to read it further for myself but a cursory glance at this juncture does confirm your point.
Thanks for pointing it out!
p.s. your blog is a great resource! I’m having a whale of a time going through the podcasts.