Elder Craige Lewis is the founder of ExMinistries and he is going on a nation wide campaign to proclaim the “truth behind hip hop” as he sees it. In his opinion, Hip Hop is a tool of the devil to destroy this generation. On his website, he makes a list of artists who he feels are tools of the enemy to deceive the church and destroy this generation. Visitors won’t be surprised to see artist like 50 cent, Ghostface Killah and others listed, but visitors may be surprised to see artists like Tonex, Kierra Sheard, India Arie, Jill Scott, and Hezekiah Walker on the list too! By the end of his workshops, young (and not so young) people are so convicted by his message that they give him their “worldly” CD’s and he destroys them. As you’ll see on the website the ministry boasts 500,000 CD’s destroyed.
Elder Craige Lewis has certainly taken a hard stand against the artist in the music industry, but what do you think?
A wise man said in response to Renaissance Poet, Dante Alighieri’s Epic, “The Divine Comedy: The Inferno” about his spiritual journey into Hell during his exile from Florence, Italy in 1350 A. D. that:
“Hell is the Truth seen too late.”
Thank you Jesus for placing brave Christians like G. Craig Lewis on this “Last Days” Hell on Earth planet to tell the Gospel Truth before it is too late.
I now know that I am NOTcrazy after viewing his sermons.
P. S. I showed his videos and sermons to my 34 year-old husband who had been an atheist up until five years ago (and is now a baptized Christian) and the message has increased his spritual maturity significantly.
See, what all of you sinners (who have refused God’s precious gift of forgiveness) are missing is that Elder Lewis is not just talking about “Hip-Hop.” He is talking about the dangerous worldly ideologies that are infecting the human spirit and causing us to become separated from God. “Hip-Hop” is just one of the many dark and deceptive “principalities” designed to turn people away from Jesus in the days before His Second Coming. And you all are too ignorant to realize this. If Jesus walked this earth today, you all would crucify him again. Damn! What does it take? Does He have to descend from the clouds on a white horse for you to finally believe Him? Well, He will. And for you, it will be tragically, too late.
Am I preaching right now? Very well then, I am preaching.
Yet, we have become a race so ruled by our appetites that we are allowing our senses to lead us straight into the bowels of Hell. Why are we so stupid? When are people going to realize that Hell is real!
Don’t hate on Elder Lewis. He is simply an obedient mouthpiece to what the Holy Spirit is trying educate your spirit about to keep you out of hell. You should be thankful to saints like Elder Lewis who are trying to tell you a truth that could save your soul from eternal hellfire.
(Do I really have to get “18th Century-Fire and Brimstone-American Congregationalist-Jonathan Edwards” on you?).
God, who would have believed that “The Fall” would lead to this?
Love (if you can handle it),
Uncompromising and As-A-Result, Isolated Christian
well God bless i think everyone here has to watch the video is not about having balance in the message is about taking the truth to our generation that we are seeking with actually i saw the preaching twice and it has changed my life even though i’m a christian and i dont listen to dat music but we can help others …..who cares if is balanced or not is about spreaking the truth and not being afraind to speak it..i bless and pray for elder lewis and that God is going to take him to a higher level …
God bless
Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ,
I had to give my input on this elder lewis brother, the reason being is my children were exposed to this judgmental message by their aunt,and came home confused and upset. As a child of God I prayed with my children and asked God to send the Holy Spirit to comfort them and remove confusion and judgmental attitudes.
I was aware of EXministries and was not supportive because of the attitude of being converted to the kingdom of God, now became a rapage for anger and condemnation. I saw no biblical support to his attitude and wondered if it had not been for aul who became Paul where would we be as Gentiles? Not to mention that (Rom 8:1) begins with “There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” also, that Joseph who lived among a group of people who did not worship his God, because he was hated by his brother who knew God, was able to see God’s love in it all, so I believe that “What man meant for Bad, God will use for good”.
In closing I know there are alot of brothers and sisters who can make good out of this bad with the love of Christ, we can make sure God gets the Glory and not by burning CD’s and fear but with Love and Grace and Mercy which how our Savior loves us. We have a mission anybody game to confront the brother as Paul did Peter.
BBeautiful
As I read many of these “Christian” responses, I was AMAZED at the hatred that came across in your writings. Not hatred of evil or sin, but of people. In regards to this issue, I would just want to remind people that if anyone is to follow me or my views, it should be because I follow Christ. Jesus’ messages were always balanced. His hatred of sin and what was evil in no way compromised his love for people, in order to help them get set free. Yes, investigate, hate that which is evil in secular music, but appreciate what is good and honest.
Many of you are yelling hatred instead of love. In this life, love seperates the Christian from all others. You must find a way to love people enough to teach them, rebuke sin, and encourage them to a better way without alienating them. On Ex’s website, many of the artist listed are ousted for making “a” mistake in life, and therefore this dude is telling the world to alienate them because they are a sinner. Be careful in how we judge, lest we “go too far!” So far as to become the very sinner we are “hating.”
It is so refreshing to see the last couple of posts. I applaud them for being thinkers. It’s amazing to me how many people actually endorse Lewis’ nonsense, and mainly because they just don’t take the time to think about what he is really saying. Think! It’s not a sin to think.
This brother’s message is mixed with truth and error. While he says a lot of things I agree with, most of it is pure legalistic garbage.
As I pointed out in a previous entry on this issue, separating oneself from worldly agents is merely impossible. Well, it’s possible if you’re completely and utterly out of your mind. It’s like this… If Lewis thinks that people should bring their CDs to the alter and destroy them, he should also find justification for the congregation to bring their cell phones, lap top computers, big screen televisions, italian suits, fancy watches, and all other pieces of worldly items that don’t really help most of us get closer to God. If anything these items that I just mention distract us from spending any time with the Master.
Well, let me speak for myself. I don’t have a problem with honesty. I know that I allow different things to get in the way of me spending more time with God and His undying word.
My advice to all Lewis fans, pray, research, and sort through what he’s saying. What you will find is truth and error. You can’t twist the two. When you do, it’s called perversion.
God bless…
Angela
Hi everyone, I can’t believe some of you still live in dark ages. Wake up and look at the world around you and you will understand. I see that many of you have been filled with DOUBT. Something the Devil is seriously using to deceive us from GOD’s throne. I hear a lot of talk about the NETWORKS being more problematic than the song we hear or see. Has anyone thought about the fact that if these artists do not produce/make these horrible music the NETWORKS will not exist?????? Nobody loves the truth because it hurts. Let’s face it like G. Lewis or Not, we will all stand judgement one day and on that faithful day we will all have a chance to answer to everything we did on this mother earth. YOU HAVE HEARD THE TRUTH NOW GO AND MEDITATE ON IT. DOES HIP HOP GLORIFY GOD’S KINGDOM OR MEN YOU BE THE JUDGE. BUT BEFORE I SIGN OFF, YOU SHOULD READ WHAT GOD SAID CONCERNING THE RETURN OF HIS BELOVED SON JESUS CHRIST IN REVELATION AND CHECK THIS OUT CONCERNING LUCIFER AKA SATAN IN REVELATIONS 20:7-10.
GOD BE WITH YOU ALL.
I Bless God for you Elder, some people just don’t belived that Holiness plus nothing is still God’s standard for living. For all those that are looking in the carnal state please understand that its not the people that Elder is against its the SIN, and his message is for the people of God and not the world! As people of God you should want to encourage your children and youth to listen to gospel music, that has not been rearranged from some secular artist that will cause someone to stumble, LOOK AT SOME BODY AND TELL EM OOOOOOOOOH ITS SIMPLE!
” As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”
1 Chronicles 28:10
Often times, we like to portray a certain image of intelligence and “deep” rooted thinking, when it comes to spiritual matters (Kind of like I just did in the previous sentence). I mean, it feels great to recieve adulation, praise, reverence, respect…etc. You know what though, the heart of the matter is who or what has a grasp on our loyalty. When David was instructing Solomon on how to carry on with the LORD’s business, he told him to serve God with a loyal heart and with a willing mind. It is one thing to serve the LORD, it is a whole other matter to serve Him acceptably. Our willingness of mind to recieve or not recieve Mr. Lewis’s message is directly connected to that which holds our loyalty. The Word of God speaks in a language that is too real for us to grasp. All or nothing…thats what It says. In the age of moral relativism, we call this “extreme.” But you know, Satan is so cunning that he has even taken over the meanings and connotations of words.” What is so extreme about living a life of uncompromised principles if that is what we are called to do? The Word of God very clearly challenges us to be Holy. If our hearts are truly loyal to Christ, then our minds will go the extra mile to accept whatever it takes to achieve Holiness. Loyalty and willingness are connected. I can tell you, that most of us “Christians,” “Believers,” or whatever we want to call ourselves are not truly loyal to Christ. If we were, the church would resemble the Church of Acts and not this wildness we have going on right now. Its like, we love the idea of God and rather than being in His image, man wants Him to be in our image. Mr. Lewis, you’re hitting it right on the head. That’s the truth of the situation.
I believe that God’s music should be uplifting and spiritual in nature.
God’s music is not the world’s music. Aren’t Christians supposed to be “Christ-like? Jesus told us to be in the world, but not of the world. Aren’t we supposed to act, talk, and look different from the world? Jay-Z is music, but it is not God’s music. If the Elder is saying that, then I agree. He’s simply pointing out to his congregation to beware of the world’s music. It can ensnare and trap us like the devil can. You are either hot or cold as a Christian. If we are lukewarm, God will spew us out. Be faithful to God period.
From my observation, Craig Lewis is a bible-beating, scripture-manipulating celebrity preacher who has built a monetarily-rewarding niche for himself by angrily scolding the entire world under the banner of “holiness”. His career is fueled and financed by the ignorance of churches who hire him to spread his judgemental, extremist ideas at the expense of others.
Nothing more.
He will always be sucessful because there will always be people, just like the ones on this discussion board, who will empower and praise his abuse in the name of Christ’s love and compassion.
In response to Heat’s comments…what is so extreme about Mr. Lewis’s words/message? Was it not Jesus who said if your eye casues you to sin, to gouge it out? The Word of God speaks in this language.
So, Mr. or Ms. Anon, do you live your life in these extremes that are described in the Bible? Am I to suppose that you are walking around with one eye? Or perhaps you’ve gotten rid of both of them. Or is it possible that you do not sin?
If you are going to carry on with these extremes, it would seem to me that you have no business taking time sitting in front of a computer screen, commenting on blog sites, and doing anything other than extremely doing the work of Christ.
While I can thankfully say that I have both of my eyes, I have to admit that I do not deserve them. Do I sin, yes!! Do I love the LORD? yes!! Do I deserve to go to Heaven? No!! I mean, that is the reality of the situation. God is Holy…extremely so. When I say that the Bible speaks in extreme language, all you have to do is open it up and read it yourself. As I stated in an earlier post, we cannot make God into our image, we are to be in His image. Music is not really the issue, its about the level of commitment that following Jesus requires. Their is a cost that comes with following Jesus. He says that in order to follow Him we must be willing to forsake everything. That’s serious right there. Are Christians doing this? Am I doing this, I can tell you right now that I am not. Thats what brings about so much conviction in my heart, and it is precisely why I appreciate, value, and treasure His grace. I mean examine the words of Jesus and really ponder the message, He says “Not everyone who says LORD LORD will enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Even those who perform miracles and prophesy in His name. The Holiness of God is beyond our comprehension, so we just call it extreme and rationalize that He cannot possibly mean what He said. Christ is indeed our savior, but is He your LORD? You know what I’m saying? Is He your LORD? We serve a Holy and for a lack of a better term “extreme” God. I write these words with nothing but love and definately not trying to incite anything other than reflection and dialogue. God bless.
I’m glad that you are not trying to incite nothing other than dialogue and reflection. That’s also my goal.
I know that we serve a holy God, and He wants us also to be holy. I don’t have a problem with holy living. It’s hard to do, but as the word says, it is our reasonable service.
With that being said, Craige Lewis’ teachings are inconsistant and at best legalistic, highly opinionated dogma. His teaching doesn’t really make sense. I get what he trying to say, but he is not doing a good job saying it. If you look at the whole of his story, one would have to give up everything that doesn’t promote Christ completely.
I don’t see how that is realistic. It’s just plain nonsense.
There is just so much foolishness it makes me sick.
When it all comes down to it. And this is for every person. The blog needs to just end. If YOU dont have the desire to change then it will not make since to you. Period
When YOU realize it is not about YOU, it is about the word of GOD.
And when we stop having a FAN (a true follower) mentality we can stop taking up for Hip hop and a bunch of mess. People act like Hip hop died on the cross for you.
Wake up people of God. The message is harsh. YES, and that’s exactly what it needs to be.
Of course not every one, but there are a bunch of people on here cryin like babies about how they feel. And what was incorrect.
You know darn well the industry is foul.
If you are gonna be about it, at least don’t act like there is nothing wrong with it. You see the things G Craige sees in the culture. Difference is, you love it.
I am speaking to all. Have you ever loved something so much, that you did not wanna let it go? I am the first to admit. I HAVE.
I am done with excuses. No more takin up for celebrities that don’t even know you. It’s not even about G Craige. It is the message. It is so powerful. Thank you Jesus
“164 you are extremly stupid. You sound stupid
If El. G. doesnt not make sense they how can you get what he is trying to say? A carnal mind will never understand the things of God it always fights against
it.” Anon Poster 168
Hmmm…. Someone that needs to read a spelling and grammar book calling me stupid… That’s hilarious…
Tell me, if you can, why am I extremely stupid. Back it up with something. Your mispelled emotional spanking just didn’t convince me that I am wrong and you’re right.
Here’s a word of advice from the “extremely stupid one”. Get some balance… Use your brain. Or did you take it to the alter with your CD’s.
Anonymous 168:
You probably could be so much more effective in trying to reach someone that doesn’t agree with you by not calling them stupid. When you call someone stupid, that pretty much takes the direction of the conversation to an entirely different place than you probably intendded for it to go.
Or maybe I shouldn’t be so presumptuous… Perhaps, your goal was to truly bash, rather than to encourage.
I certainly hope not.
Please don’t bother with these Craig supporters. They are worse than Jehovah’s witness’ or followers of Jim Jones. I have been there and done that. And all the while, Craig the coward hides behind his devoted followers. what a joker. I think hazakim should drop a part 2 to his craziness.
Craig Lewis speaks the TRUTH straight from GOD HIMSELF. If you are attacking this message, you are just trying to stay in your own will and defend your sin. Stop now, before it is too late. Read the bible and find out for yourself what God really thinks about even a HINT of sin in our lives.
Akeem Carroll
The man is called by God. I know this for a fact because when I listen to the message it changed my life. Craig Lewis speaks the truth any body disagree is disagreeing aganist the word of God!!!!
We are living in the last days.
James Cleveland sang and changed peoples lives but the man was living in sin behind closed doors. What does that have to do with if this man (Craig) is on point or not. You pentocotsal emotional (mainly black) denominations get so caught up in emotions. You guys have yet to answer any of our questions about what this joker preaches. I asked someone once “why do you believe his lies even after he has been proven wrong.” the guy responded, “because it’s not hard for me to give up hiphop.” Then I responded by saying, “Well, it’s not hard for me to give up G Craig Lewis.” This guy has been called out and he will not respond to us. He sits under no one. He has been kicked out of a well known church in Texas for being involved with minors back in 2002. This was when he was married and in the ministry. BTW-We provided the number of the church for people to call to show this was true. When that came out no one wanted to believe it (that’s what cult followers do) His teaching is so flawed that that we made it look silly. He misquotes and if you notice, when he gives slides he likes to give quotes but has no foot notesor references. And all the while religous folks are sitting there nodding their heads not looking into if what he said was true or not. He knows how to get your emotions entangled. I was floored when I heard him say “Hitler said, give me your youth’s music and I will give you the world.” What a LIE!!! That is deliberate and ignorant. But see,the average person sitting in the audience isn’t going to look into that. All they see is, “he tellin da truth.” Hitler actually said, “Give me your textbooks and I will change your youth.” Craig Lewis knows that. But he lies deliberately. But all you guys know is “He changed my life.” Wow, just like the honorable Elijah Muhammed changed Malcolm huh? Actually, Jesus changes lives not that little bald headed loud mouth. I have said it once and I will say it again, if you choose to follow this man’s teaching, you are not a true follower of Jesus Christ. I don’t consider you a brother in the faith but a result of a new cult that has taken the black church by storm. If you can look at the evidence (without your biased opinions) and still say (like I have heard numerous times (I don’t care what you say, he tellin da truth) Then you are to be equated with those who folloe Dela Jesu Miranda or those who were willing to drink the poisonous Kool Aid under the instructions of Jim Jones or those who perished in Waco. You bought into a lie. Believe me, I know more than you think…..
You can know all you wanna know in your own lil mind ( everyone thinks they are oh so smart ). For real, do you read the HOLY BIBLE? or are you reading something else?
My goodness… So much to comment about… I really don’t know where to begin.
I guess I will start with Anon 173. It’s interesting that you made use of such foul words (butthole and damn) to make your point. But yet you turn your nose up to Hip Hop because it doesn’t sound like traditional church music? Interesting…
For the record: I think that Snoop and most other Hip Hop artists are clowns. I think their message is filled with satanic messages of death, sex, and hate.
So don’t get it twisted… I’m not defending the Hip Hop artists of the world. I’m not even defending Hip Hop artists that are supposedly in the church. Because if they’re not preaching and living by the Word of God, they need to sit down somewhere too.
I am defending the use of Hip Hop inspired music to reach a generation that is attracted to the sound of Hip Hop music. If God’s Word is being spoken over “Hip Hop beats”, then what is wrong with that? Can you tell me that?
What gospel artists do you approve of? I’m interested in knowing. I really would like to know what artists do Lewis supporters approve of. I suspect that the list of approved artists is really short.
“The man is called by God. I know this for a fact because when I listen to the message it changed my life. Craig Lewis speaks the truth any body disagree is disagreeing aganist the word of God!!!!” Anon 175
Any message can change a life if the person opens themselves up to the message. Jim Jones changed lives. (I’m not likening Lewis to a cult leader, such as Mark has done. I’m just using Jim Jones to make a point.)
Well, I hate to inform you 175, I don’t agree with all of Lewis’ message. And I’m not disagreeing with God’s Word.
As I mentioned in one of my previous post on this thread, Lewis’ message is mixed with truth and error. Many of the things he preaches are absolutely true. But he recklessly misses the mark on so many other points.
“Truth twisted with error is called perversion.” Angie
Greetings everyone, I greet you in the name of God and in the power of Jesus Christ who died so that we can live. We must remeber that if Pastor Lewis is wrong or right its is not about him nor KRS, nor Missy elliot nor TD Jakes, this problem we are really fighting for or agaisnt is in effect bringing a split in the Body of Christ. Paul had to deal with such actions that accured in the Chruch that brought about division in the body. What we have to understand beloved is that if the Body of Christ is not fighting the same fight of faith, which it is not in this case, then we are fighting a losing battle. This points on hip hop should not even be metioned to such a extent as to have believers arguing back and forth to convince the world what is right and wrong. The chruch is suffering in too many areas for the Christain too be devoting so much time too a subject that really doesnt determine wheather we succeed as a chruch or not. The times has come for the Chruch to get on one accord concerning the body of Christ not rather hip hop is wrong or right, once the true belivers are on one accord, the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, and everthing that we are spending time arguing in the chruch about will be done away with. Paul said in the Book of Romans 14:21 ” It is good neither to eat flesh, nor drink wine, nor to do anything to cause my brother to stumble or to be offended.” My question is this>>> Has hip hop, and the ones who stand for it and the ones who stand agaisnt it brought a offense to the body of Christ that has caused another brother or sister to stumble in his or her walk with the Lord? if so then the ones who are fighting for it in the Chruch and the ones who are fighting agaisnt it must stop until the Spirit of God puts us “the body of Christ” on one accord concerning this matter, all this has to be done so that Christ and him crucfied, ressurected and coming back again is the only message that is preached to the unbeliever amen…. “Isnt that what we are supposed to be doing as believers? Read 1st Corinthians and you will see what Pauls was trying to get across to the Chruch.
i feel that with every action theres a reaction,dealing wit all the hearsay about this hip hop drama remember be carful what you hear, and say .it is good to know that there is some truth behind all this, and the lord will not have us to be ignorant without exposing the truth about some this .we have free will . yes we live in a world bad and good together .do not condem go to the alter pray for them. except the things you cannot change. do not get caught up with what this world is doing. keep your eyes open ,yeah but do not be confound with the things of this world.like getting so caught up untill we loose focus on what we really supposed to be doing ,waiting watching,praying ,and the call for your life. first as chirstians we really are not doing what we supposed to be doing , so cast the first stone. we should stop allthis hip hop stuff with the power of the holy ghost . but we have yet to unite enough churches to do so , never in my life have i seen so many churchs, we are greater in numbers . we have to unite .commmune we each other come to gether and then and only then we can stop spending our money trying to get this gossip out to the public ,but rather put up more an effort to putting those same funds into gods storehouse.amen
Unfourtunately, Craige Lewis is correct, Correct, Correct! WHen I first heard his message I was very convicted, but at the same time I wanted to keep my Gospel Hip Hop… so I used a terrm paper due in College as a reason to research all that he was against… And guess what? It’s all right here on the internet. Even though hiphop says they’re just a “Kulture” and not a religion, they have created a Temple, a bible or as they call it ” Gospel of hiphop”, and they have followers that are mostly 5 percernters whose beliefs they have indoctrinated into their belief. In the Five Percent Nation, each man is the sole controller of his own universe and if you are the god of your universe, you set up your own laws. Father Allah, as his followers came to call him, before he was murdered taught that the five-percent are those black men with “knowledge of selfâ€. This five percent knows their divinity, and uses that knowledge to release the hidden resources of black man, and once a man has tapped his hidden talents he is a God. Most members refer to themselves as Gods rather than Five Percenters, and the term five percenters is reserved for those that have just begun studying the knowledge. It is taught that remaining ninety-percent is composed of eighty-five percent of the population that is ignorant, unlearned and uncivilized people who need to be led because they have no knowledge of self (mostly churchgoers), and ten percent of the population, have some knowledge of self however, they use this knowledge to control the eighty-five percent vs. “liberating” them. These are the Baptist preachers, to include Rev. Jesse Jackson, that are in this category. The remaining five percent have come into the knowledge of self, and are to educate the eighty-five percent to what is hidden and to what knowledge really is. To the christians here this means Our God is null and void and Jesus.. well if there are any 5% folks here telll me about your belief when it comes to Jesus… I don’t recall them ever acknowledging him one way or another. So what’s Craigs Beef? hiphop! a belief that contradicts that of a christians. If we as christians feel so strongly about converting and winning folks for Christ why haven’t we come up with a holy heavy Metal, Holy Voodoo, holy Atheist. We don’t because it’s insaine, no we are not going to take voodoo musical beats and add gospel lyrics or take their dances and clothing or lingo and use it in the church… Or have we already done this?? Some would say Ty Tribbet come close. Point is, the devil knows those are too far out, so he used something that has universal acceptance and let it creep in the house of God. remember the devil is not trying to get those that do not believe( they already belong to him), it’s those that believe he’s trying to win over and what better way, then to make you believe you’re working for christ winning souls, when all along you are on your way to Hell drawing those that are just emotional for christ. People want to discredit Craigs work because he states hiphop started with Afrika Bambaataa and not Cool Herc, well that’s not “his” belief that is Universal amongst hiphoppers they credit him for what hiphop is now.
When Hiphop central magazine interviewed KRS one, the question was asked about the criteria for joining the Hiphop Temple, in KRS one answer he stated that anyone could join and the only requirements were that you were at least 12years old, registered with the Temple of Hiphop, own a copy of the Gospel of hiphop, loved hip hop, and the final requirement ( Found on Temple of hip hop site was) before you could be a Temple member was you had to say, ‘I am hip-hop’, from there you would continue to grow in self awareness… “I am Hiphop” Just that alone freaks me out! I guess because the only thing that I am is a child of God, a mother, a wife, but a Culture? Or a fast spreading Cult! So for all the Holy hihoppers out there… If you want to rap about God, by all means RAP, just get rid of the hiphop, Ask God for your own music, your own style of dress, your own body language, and slang “if need be”, yeah you might be lame, according to the norm we expect for rapping now, but you never know, God may make you stand out amongst all rappers becuse you dared to try him and be something different. It’s Ironic But Craige stated KRS1 has been tring for years to get Holy hiphop into the church, (you know the place where they believe eighty five of us who are ignorant, unlearned and uncivilized attend, “Churchgoersâ€) and now they have with the new Holy Hiphop movement.( LOL) Yeah , I say the Devil has an agenda and sadly KRS1 thinks he’s really helping people. in the beginning of this I said it was unfortunate that Lewis was right, because all those that have heard can no longer say they were just ignorant to the truth, so now you have to make a decision..take God at all that he is, stop everything, and allow him to reintroduce you into the life he has planned for you, or close your eyes to the truth, and continue on your own path and hope for the best. Whatever you choice my prayer is for all of those that have heard the Truth about hiphop, to have not turned a death ear to the message and seek God as I did for your ” What now” I admit it’s scary but I have not been this close to my Lord and saviour proably since the day I accepted his son Jesus as head of my life. What harm could it do to eleviate this type of music from your life? …. one more thought… “Sagging” this style alone should be enough to let you know this thing is spiritual! this has been in since I was in school in 92′ at least in the south! what style do you know has really lasted this long! LOL God Bless you all. And all those who do accept Craigs message lets stay in prayer for him because yeah teh enemy is mad and will stop at nothing to discredit him in his personal life or with anything else nor will he stop at his attemptto stop this message. But we know where two or more are in agreeance God is in the midst of our prayers. It would be nice to start a prayer chain or time when we as a body of Christ stop all we are doing and pray, not only for Craige his family and his ministry, but for the world our children are in and for the Body of believers that were are able to runthis race until the end without compromising or yeilding to Satan.
I am a teacher who agrees with the message that G. Craig Lewis is trying to convey. The most common complaints is that “it’s not realistic” to stop listening to hip hop altogether. People also complain about the “positive” lyrics from some hip hop artists. I think people are failing to realize that his attack on hip hop was about more than just the nature of the lyrics. The bigger concern is the SPIRIT that underlies all hip hop music. Sure, some artists have so-called “positive” messages in their songs. Not every song is about demeaning women and drugs. Yet, how can you justify listening to music written by someone who worships an idol God or who blatantly blasphemes your God? Yes, every NATURAL man may not be trying to make you worship a man through every song, but the SPIRIT behind the music has an agenda, and that’s the point. What will you say to Christ, that you didn’t stop purchasing music when you KNEW there were satanic messages in it because the song was hot and you didn’t know what else to listen to? The fact that youare more willing to take the risk says something very powerful about the spiritual hold on people that hip hop music has. It only further proves his point that even Christians would rather defend hip hop than defend Christ. Where are your priorities? You can’t serve God and man. Who cares if he didn’t include the entire history of hip hop music? You are supposed to be an ambassador for Christ!!!! Why are you spending your time defending something satanic because it’s “unrealistic” to stop listening to hip hop???? That’s your argument? It’s “unrealistic?!?!” Many of us seem to lack an understanding of the spiritual world because we are too carnal minded.
it’s hard for me to not listen to none christan music becaues i go to school and hear it all the time i am 15 yr of age and my school is all about hip hop all on there phones it ABOUT HIP HOP i try to change my life but it’s really hard for me
what he is saying about hiphop is true they do put messages in there song that they make
sis 177 and brother 178 we the chruch are faling because we are carnal the chruch has not done the things that it used to do like pray and fast concerning this matter. I am starting to believe that the chruch has been so caught up in the politics of hip hop and what it has done in the chruch that we dont want to except the truth about not only hip hop but also gosple music in general. The enemy has caused the chruch world to accept the counterfit and do away with the music that really brought forth delivarance in the chruch. Yes people will stand up and dance to contempary and gosple hip hop but you let the traditionalist play a song that brought true salvation, you will find those same christians talking about the chruch is legal and bound up because we playing music that they feel they have out grown. We must not forget the traditions of the gospel rather it is song, written, preach or commercialised, and this has been happening for the last couple of years. We are so quick to let the next super star raise our kids that we dont even see what the enemy is doing in the chruch. I talk alot about the chruch because Judgement must begin in the house of God first. The devil has also tricked alot of Chruch into thinking that they are worse of then they really are which has caused them to be selfish and only concerned with the problem the devil has enlarged in there lives, no one cares what comes in chruches anymore accept if they can get a so called high from it. It is really a shame that the chruch is battling this thing and it is so easy to see the truth through Graig’s Ministry. When I saw it it was no problem for me to get rid of things that where going to cause me to sin agaisnt God and to give it to the youth so they could do the same. I didnt argue because I allowed the Holy Ghost to speak to me concerning the truth which is his ministry. HE Said not Craig that hip hop was bringing an offense in the body of Christ, It was like a gate way drug, the enemy introduced just enough to get the chruch hooked on the stuff that would caused families in the chruch to spilt, he introduced just enough to get preachers and teachers in the body to fight among themselves and to have christains on the intrenet arguing about who is right and wrong instead of calling a pray for the body. The chruch dosent want to hear the truth but we have no problem excepting a lie. well stay strong my brothers and sisters and keep praying until we meet on the other side. “One Accord Is A Must Ministries” Godccu2@yahoo.com
Sister 179, I have a 12 yr old and she says the smae thing, but when she’s home all she hear is gospel, I love music and play it all the time so every morning we pray on the way to school that God puts a song of praise in her heart and on her mind all day.
For all the bad stuff that goes in during the school day, combat it with the word of god all day at home, night, and in the mornig on the way to school. learn many praise and worship songs and God will keep them on your heart all day. I walk around work singing praise to God in my mind all day, and then if I get off by myself, I try my singing skill aloud. LOL
If you really want to change God will help you. I wrote above to just stop everythtng, and let God reintroduce you to his way of life, and tell your faily to complain about the type music being played in the school. If they are not allowed to play Gospel, surely they should not be allowed to play ANYTHING else. I think we should all as christian parents complain. “From the time my child gets in the bus until she arrives at home, unless she’s in the band or chorus, NO music is to be played”! Especially if we can’t even pray in schools! They have removed all of Christ and replaced him with mess and hihop!
179, introduce some of your friends to new Gospel songs you think are beautiful. don’t be afraid to stand up and stand out for christ. He’ll see your enthusiam and holy boldness and add to you. I believe you do believe in Jesus, now let your actoins show and all inhibitions go and let God. He’ll do it for. my prayers are with you.
180 You’re so correct on all that you said. We’re living in some sad times and all I know to do is draw closer to God and allow him to lead and guide me in all things. May God Bless you in all that you do and may you continue to grow in him.
(sorry if my spelling and grammar are wrong sometimes, I grew up in a french speaking country!!) To be honest, I prefer making choices out of conviction and not because one tells me to. I watched some videos of ex ministries and I totally agree that the messages that are contained in some music (ex. biggy smalls, tupac, bone thugs ‘n’ harmony) are evil (death, death, death). I also agree that in video clips there’s a lot of idolatry (worship of gold, money) and fornication, and even occult things but when it touches christian hip hop I’m not so sure (to a certain extent). I watched some christian hip hop videos and I found some of them really poor, but I listened to other songs which spoke to my heart. Anyway, I know christian artists who used to rap crap and who gave their lives to Jesus and were transformed in and out, and rapped godly things, and spead a very powerful message. So I’m not sure anyone should categorize. I refuse to judge Rvd Lewis (I think God’s with him) but I also refuse to judge christian artists who were really anointed by God and proclaimed the gospel thru hip hop music. I’m thinking of 1Jn 4:1 that encourages us to test the spirits and if it does recognize Jesus who came in the flesh (and furtherdown in the same passage I think as the Son of God) is of God, otherwise it’s the spirit of Antichrist. I totally agree with the fact that there are fake christian artists, but let’s be careful not to crush down someone who really preached the Gospel. Jesus also said that those who were with Him were not against Him.
182 that was a great messege you wrote especailly concerning wrongful judgement. What we must do in order to maintain a signifcant outcome in the body of Christ is maintain our identity as believers, and one of the most important things in the body is winning souls, so we most be careful how we go about doing the fathers business. ” He that wins souls is wise” So the question we have to answer is this are their souls being won through hip hop or through the messeges of Christ being crucifeid and shedding his blood.. If hip hop is getting center stage in soul winning then the soul is not won, it is only being entertained by the lust of the flesh, the pride of life and the lust of the eyes, which only attracts the flesh not the soul. The word not hip hop needs to be glorifeid and when it really comes to soul winning>> music, hip hop, jazz, funk or no other forms of showbiz will be able to perform this awesome act. Is their a real need for hip hop in the chruch, it wasnt in Christ days nor or grandparents days so whats the big need for it now? Is it that the music really does what Craig said it does? We must remember that as Christains we shall judge the earth, for all power is in or hands!!!!
You know whenever God was giving men and women of God messages (basically to go out and tell the truth) throughout the Bible many people didn’t want to hear it. Jesus was teaching and being about his father’s business and people rejected him. He said in his word that it would happen to us as well. Bro. Craige you keep on…keeping on with your message that God gave to you because it is only Him in whom you will have to answer to. There is no doubt that there is a spirit behind that music, whether it be rap, hip-hop, country, rock or heavy metal. Don’t be deceived by the devil…He is a LIE! nothing good comes from him…NOTHING! May God get all the Glory!!! People need to get saved! and only Jesus can do it. It will come no other way!
Having a black father was raised during the Luther King Jr Era was good for me. If you don’t want to believe in the bible and its word thats fine, some may differ in opinion. Hip Hop wants to you believe that rappers are doing more the the afro-American race than other.
They have done nothing, Martin Luther king Jr, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X… Etc… Has done something…. Tupac and Biggie has done nothing but live and die… If you don’t want to believe in his biblical standards thats fine but rappers just RAP they don’t represent our race like the founding fathers have!!
As a christian, I’m eager to find out anything that I’m doing wrong, because I don’t want to cause or prevent another sista or brother from coming to christ. Remember, that’s our purpose for being christians, to win souls. Paul says live your life so that no one finds fault with your ministry.
Rappers, Hip Hoppers, whatever you call yourselfs, just honestly go to God, research his word, pray, and ask him to reveal anything to you that doesn’t glorify him. He’ll show you
The Truth Behind Hip Hop # 4 The Curse of the Culture is available now. http://www.exministries.com
Have a blessed day.
The Spirit behind the singer is what most of us christians cannot discern, whether the lyrics be pleasant to hear or not. A songs melody registers in the Spirit of man (hence David played and the evil spirit left King Saul) The lyrics speak life or death.One of Ex ministries strongest point is that music is the one thing that doesn’t need your consent to come into your spirit…if you are like me sometimes you try to get rid of a song from your mind that just keeps playing over and over hours after you heard it. How about the struggle in trying to enter into God’s presence (i mean where dialogue takes place not monologue) after a session of secular music as opposed to christian music. As a worship leader i have had the experience of having a Saturday night filled with secular music and trying to lead people into God’s presence, i must tell you that it is near impossible- but thats just me you think?
I think hes already sold out for cash and hes getting it from the church! He’s making money hand over fist and no one in the church has the slightest bit of discernment to see it. If he’s true about what he says – the African American church (especially pentecostal ones) should give up our West African Vodu traditions that have been incorperated into the church. We should really give up music altogether. By the way the issue of the Devil being the choir director is not based on scripture – even if Satan had “pipes” built into him – his job was to cover – not to be the praise and worship leader! Get ready for a bomshell coming out Fall 07, our days of eisegesis is coming to an end! Let the real truth be known!
P.S – I’m not down with secular Hip-hop, my issue is his current attacks on CMR Artist such as Ambassador, Cross Movement, LeCrea, and the like. He mentions one lyric on “Jesus Music” not understading what the song is about – he calls it stupid and dumb, non evangelical…The song wasn’t ment to be that! It was a message of encouragement to young christian youth that you don’t have to listen to that other garbage out there! They listen to music about Jesus! Oh by the way, I wanted to give Craige a chance but when a Pastor I know emailed him for his statement of faith-what he believes-……………….Just like those dots – nothing!
I like brother Craig on issues when he keeps it pure and to the scriptures. It is when he gives his own opinion is when I have a problem. I do admire his zeal and passion to do the will of God. I am not fascinated with all the demons and spirits mentioned by him because the unseen is left to the realm of Jesus. We as Christians need not be concerned about them, all we have to do is believe in Jesus and follow the rules of the Bible. God is not the author of confusion. Whether it be Billy Graham, Jakes, Craig or whoever , God do not promote bickering in his church. Ex Ministries message is just a message and who believe , let them believe but my stance is that all men and woman need to bow their head and ask God for one on one direction. In the End time even the elect will be deceived. Who is to say which person is right in these days, the only Word that you can trust is the Word of God.
I would like to say this. Anything and anyone can be used for the glory of God, including hip-hop. Some would believe that hip-hop started with Afrikaa Bambataa, in the actuality is that Dj Kool Herc started the movement. Someone here says there is a group called the five-percenters that make up hip-hop. However, that is a small number compared to other artist in the culture and it should not be assumed that it is a religion based on a few people. I would also say that G. Craige Lewis means well. However, he is not correct on some seem to be taken the wrong actions wheb handling things.
Many people that disagree with G Craig Lewis are usually the ones that are still holding on to the very thing that is decieving them. Just pray to God that He softens your hearts and give you the gift to see the wrongs and to hear the wrongs that He sees and hears. Also remember the bible never said the whole world is going to heaven, so in that case why agrue with someone that doesn’t want to listen to the truth, All you can do is pray for them and if God wants them to hear the message they will hear it and if not, you should be thankful that he gave you the gift to hear.
Amen. # 193 Te’
why are we arguing again??? it cracks me up…WAKE UP! there are ppl still out there needing to be saved! come on people…this is all confusing…wow…Satan really has us trapped. removing our eyes from what really needs to be done, and that’s using God’s love that He’s given us to save souls! wow……
One thing I like about Craig lewis is that he makes people of the church uncomfortable. Thats what the church needs today. there are people that are in sin that are too comfortable in church and dont have a desire to change. If more pastors start being real it will cause the sinners to leave or change. Pastors have to be real with people so they know the truth about all things, so Jesus body(the church) is clean. Jesus is coming back for a church with no spot or blemish. I know people have problems with letting things they like go, but remember there are no consquences for letting music or your temporary pleasures go but there are consquences for letting god go.
I was invited to watch the truth behind hip hop last year and it was an eye opener! One person who posted said something to the effect that he is against rap. I haven’t watched this in a while but if I remember correctly, he isn’t against rap and clarifies rap from the hip hop CULTURE. I don’t think he says that people who rap are wrong, it’s when they take on the religion or culture of hip hop. And as for him calling out people in the church, I say ‘BOUT TIME! God said for us to go into the world and make disciples, not go out in the world and become LIKE the world to draw people. I am so tired of hearing these Gospel artists say they dress the way they do to draw people or sing the things they sing to draw. I thought the Bible says, If I BE LIFTED UP (meaning Jesus) I’ll DRAW ALL MEN. God does not want us to compromise our Christianity. He is not a weak God that He would send us out to be like the world, to get people to come to Him. The only thing that I do disagree with him on is that in watching his dvd’s, he eludes to certain Christians not living right but doesn’t say who. I do not want to hear who but I think all that does it get people to speculate. For instance, one comment he makes is about someone traveling with a 6 pack of homosexuals. My first reaction was to ask the people watching this with me was, is he talking about……..? I think that those are his personal perceptions and perhaps he’s right but why put that out there? I do not have a problem with anyone taking a stand and saying, you know what, Ms Adams (and the list goes on), you recording with these people who are unsaved and making money off them and gaining popularity for yourself is wrong. What about their soul? I don’t see a problem with that because this is what these people are doing. It upsets me because I’m like, well when does Christ actually come into the conversation? These people are the so called giants of Christianity but what they are doing is lascivious. They are selling God cheaply to make some cash. It has nothing to do with spreading the Gospel. I wonder how many of them get calls from secular artists asking them to record with them and they say, no, however I will meet with you to tell you about Jesus. If you want to record with me, you have to come on Christs’ territory which means being born again and walking with Him for some time and committing to Him and THEN we can talk about recording because now we’re on holy common ground. God is coming after that spirit of compromise. What He is doing is just like what He did with Saul. Because Saul would not do things God’s way and be obedient to Him, He had the prophet go and anoint David king while Saul was still the king. God is shifting things and calling the David’s from the hillsides who won’t compromise, while the so called giants will still be doing their thing but only not in God’s name.
ok guys..that’s enough…..we’re gettin cranky here. It’s time to get off line and talk to Abba. …good nite….xoxoxox
G
EX ministries Does NOT go too far.
The End
Hello everyone. Some ppl are acting as though listening to just gospel is so hard to do. i don’t want to ever live in a place where God may not be pleased with what i’m doing, and i’d much rather give up the stuff that fall into a ‘grey area’ than remain in a place of doubt with God. the bible says that anything we do that isn’t done in faith is sin. also, the bible doesn’t speak of hip hop, but it does speak of not conforming to the world, not loving the world and the things in it etc.
i’m a Christian youth living in Trinidad and where we live many of us only listen to gospel. full stop. it’s not a yoke. it’s not hard. i think it has a lot to do with how sold out one is, how willing one is to go the distance to please God, how in tune one is to the Spirit, and where God is leading some. God bless you that visit this site. i hope that what ever decision you come to is led by the Spirit of Truth.