Should We Audit Kanye West’s Conversion?

            He once rapped that he is a god.

            Arrogance was his middle name.

            He’s now rapped Jesus is King!

            Kanye West is now a Christian!

            The world’s astonished when a celebrity repents and believes in Christ as his God and Savior. Then, for a variety of reasons, we wonder if his conversion is genuine or not.

            They suspect he’s weaponizing his faith to elevate his business.

            His infamous invite-only Sunday services for the rich and famous disgusts many Christians.

            Controversies shadow Kanye West, even his conversion.

            But the big question is this: Should we audit Kanye’s conversion? Then again, who are we to audit his conversion?

Kanye’s Christianity?

            Watch him with Jimmy Kimmel¹ or Jim Corden² or Joel Osteen³; his Christian talk is impeccable.

            Listen to his best-selling album Jesus Is King. Except for a few doctrinal concerns (which we shall get to a little later), his lyrics are unsullied as well. Here’s an excerpt from the website of The Gospel Coalition (Australia Edition):⁴

Every Hour

The opening track features a Gospel choir, who declare humanity’s need of God, ‘Every hour, every minute, every second’. Kanye joins them and sings:

Sing ’til the power of the Lord comes down

(Let everything that have breath praise God)

Sing ’til the power of the Lord comes down

(Praising the Lord, praise God in the sanctuary)

Sing ’til the power of the Lord comes down

(For His mighty works and excellent grace and His mighty power, yeah),

Sounds pretty good so far, Kanye. In fact, I’ve heard less biblical music in church.

Selah

‘Selah’ is the Hebrew word found in many Psalms, which is most likely a musical notation of some kind. In this track, Kanye shares the story behind this album, his testimony.

Everybody wanted Yandi. Then Jesus Christ did the laundry.

‘Jesus is King’ was originally titled ‘Yandi’ and was set for release in September 2018—but then Kanye came to know Christ. The album was delayed and then transformed into its current form.

John 8:36. Whom the Son set free is free indeed. He saved a wretch like me.

 Closed on Sundays

The lyrics of this track, once you get over the strange reference to Chick-Fil-A, are remarkable. Chick-Fil-A is an American fast-food chain, owned by Christians, which is closed on Sundays. Kanye sings about how his family life and values have changed since following Christ.

Closed on Sunday, you’re my Chick-Fil-A . . .

Hold the selfies, put the ‘Gram away

Get your family, ya’ll hold hands and pray

When you got daughters, always keep em’ safe

Watch out for vipers, don’t let them indoctrinate …

Raise our sons, train them in the faith

Through temptations, make sure they’re wide awake

Follow Jesus, listen and obey

No more livin’ for culture, we nobody’s slave

Stand up for my home

Even if I take this walk alone

I bow down to the King upon the throne

My life is His, I’m no longer my own.

Listen to that again. The man who once claimed, ‘I am a god’, is now singing, ‘I bow down to the King upon the throne. My life is his, I’m no longer my own’.

God Is

This is my favourite track on the album, musically and lyrically. Remember, this is the man who once said, ‘You may be talented, but you’re not Kanye West’.

Listen to him now:

Worship Christ with the best of your portions

I know I won’t forget all his done …

King of Kings, Lord of Lords, all the things he has instore

From the rich to the poor, all are welcome to through the door

You won’t ever be the same when you call on Jesus’ name.

Jesus is Lord

This track contains only four lines, on repeat. They come straight out of Scripture.

Every knee shall bow

Every tongue confess

Jesus is Lord

Jesus is Lord.

Kanye’s Christian Doctrine?

            Kanye seems to have adopted the health & wealth or the doctrine of Prosperity Gospel. His lyrics point to this notion:⁵

On God

This track opens well, ‘How you get so much favour on your side?’ ‘Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour’, I replied’.

The only concerning lyric in this song is, ‘That’s why I charge the prices I charge … No, I cannot let my family starve’. Kanye, brother, you earned $150 million last year. I don’t think your family is at risk of starvation. I hope someone reminds you of the words of your ‘Lord and Saviour’ in Matthew 19:24, ‘it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God’.

Everything We Need

This track is testament to the joy of knowing God’s provision. Kanye asks:

What if Eve made apple juice?

You gon’ do what Adam do?

Or say, ‘’Baby, let’s put this back on the tree’’, cause we have everything we need.

However, it is worth noting that one verse of this track encourages listeners to ‘spoil yourself’. I wonder if Kanye’s definition of God providing ‘everything we need’ is still a little too focussed on material provision.

Water

Here, Kanye asks God, ‘Clean us like the rain in spring’. He goes on:

Jesus, flow through us

Jesus, heal the bruises

Jesus, clean the music

Jesus, please use us

Jesus, please help

Jesus, please heal

Jesus, please forgive

Jesus, make us well

Jesus, help us live

Jesus, give us wealth

Jesus, is our rock

Jesus, give us grace.

Amen, Kanye. Except, maybe, ‘Jesus, give us wealth’. Unless, of course, you’re referring to ‘treasures in heaven’. Let’s hope you are.

            That Kanye has found Christ is more important than his doctrinal distortion. At the same time, let us pray that he realizes the fallacies of the prosperity gospel. Prayer is more important than any undue criticisms of his faith.

            Kanye needs more love and encouragement than criticisms.

            Kanye’s song Hands On reveals that he is well aware of the judgmental attitude of Christians. Hence, he would protect himself from any gratuitous judgments.

Should We Audit?

            Should we be concerned about Kanye’s faith?

            Yes, at least for one good reason. If Kanye’s faith is proven to be invalid, then Christians, especially the younger Christians should be protected from the spiritual hazards of following a flawed celebrity.

            But these are the early days of his conversion. For heaven’s sake, let us graciously give him time to grow in Christ.

            Ever since his conversion, Kanye has been vocal about his commitment to Christ and being Christlike. His conversations with Jimmy Kimmel and James Corden are excellent instances. 

            Moreover, the lyrics in his album Jesus Is King glorify the Lord. Why are we not joyful?

            Instead of being vicious about Kanye’s conversion in social media, why do we not audit our own standing with our Lord? For if we are mature disciples of Christ, then we would not be vicious with our brother who has just committed his life to Christ.

            Let us hope and pray that God would use the Kanye-vessel for HIS glory.

            When God loves and provides for those who not believe in HIM, why should we be spiteful with a brother who has just committed his life to the Lord?

            To err on the side of love is better than to not love at all.  

            An article from Calvary Chapel’s website is a good conclusion to this topic:⁶

Many within "the Church" remain skeptical of the legitimacy of Kanye’s repentance and of genuine reconciliation with Jesus. Do Kanye’s songs reflect enough? Is it even possible for someone to make the declarations that he makes without having experienced spiritual rebirth and regeneration? Can we move forward and embrace Kanye West as a brother in Christ, as a fellow disciple and as a fellow seeker? Do these lyrics declare Jesus boldly enough for Jesus to declare Kanye? Do his lyrics declare enough for me to accept Kanye? Should the Church embrace Kanye West?

The Bible has an opinion on this matter:

"…If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved'" (Romans 10:9-13, NKJV).

"…No one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3).

Has Kanye said enough? Scripture makes it simple: Yes, he has. The Church should embrace Kanye West. The Church MUST embrace Kanye West. At this point, with as much as has been declared, it would be sinful, even shameful, to do anything less than rejoice with the Angels of God that a sinner has repented, and as the Church, to extend our most heartfelt welcome to him. Will he make mistakes in his sanctification process? Sure. Will the road ahead be ugly at times? Absolutely. He is going to need the same patience, compassion and love that we all need as we progress through our own sanctification.

Endnotes:

¹https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlR3C9sb5Xo

²https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgLOv36an3s&t=716s

³https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9dYenI2QOw

⁴https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/kanye-west-damascus-road/

⁵Ibid.

⁶https://calvarychapel.com/posts/can-the-church-embrace-kanye-west

Websites last accessed on 26^th November 2019.

Was Mother Teresa Guilty? Responding To Ghar Wapsi & Conversion Controversy In India

            It’s a widespread firm notion among the resolute Hindu community that Christian missionaries in India have been converting people to Christianity under the guise of service. This accusation has now been leveled by the leadership of Hindu community against Mother Teresa – arguably the most popular face of contemporary Christianity.

            Mother Teresa founded ‘Missionaries of Charity’ – a prominent Catholic social service organization that cares for the needy - children, sick, dying and destitute.

            The Christian community in India is a meager minority. However, the minority status did not prevent Christians from establishing hospitals, schools & colleges, and care-homes for the needy.  

            Having said this, let us look beyond the allegation of conversion to establish a few undeniable facts.

            First, the accusations highlight a definite need for these social services in the Indian context. Indians needed social care. Even today, a demand exists for proficient service organizations in India.

            Second, in response to the need, the Christian missionaries and the Christian community in India established social service organizations. Notably, the allegations of the Hindu leadership have graciously granted the Christian missionaries the due recognition of blessing the needy Indians.

            Significantly, the Indian community, notwithstanding religious persuasions, was benefited by these services. In other words, these service institutions, although established by Christian missionaries, served the needs of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists etc.

            Third, these service organizations were government authorized ventures. They were established by the Christian missionaries after obtaining formal authorizations from the governing authorities.

            Notably, the governing authorities in India were not a Christian majority at any given point in time. So, the majority Hindu community did allow the formation of these service ventures.

            Finally, if the governing authorities had a compelling need to terminate these service institutions established by the Christian missionaries, they would have done so. Nothing could have prevented the government from terminating any institution. Hence, the continued existence of these institutions emphasizes their utmost credibility in their specific social service domain – healthcare, education etc.

            So the following facts have been established:

            1. There was a need for social services in the Indian society.

            2. The Christian community catered to the need by establishing the required service institutions to bless the Indian community without any religious barriers.

            3. These service institutions were government authorized ventures. The majority Hindu community allowed the formation of social service organizations founded by Christian missionaries.

            4. The continued existence of these services emphasizes the credibility of these social service organizations in their specific service domain.

            As a stark layman in Indian constitution, allow me to briefly address the subject of religious conversion in India by examining the background:

            1. Indian constitution does seem to allow a person to practice and propagate his religion, for Article 25(1) of the Indian constitution states that “Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion.” ¹

            2. In the past, this very article, albeit contextually, has been diversely interpreted to deny religious conversion e.g. Rev. Stainislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh, (AIR 1977 SC 908). ² In other words, “The Supreme Court has unequivocally declared that the right to propagate does not mean the right to convert.” ³

            3. “Ghar Wapsi” (home-coming) is a reconversion drive undertaken by Hindu religious organizations. Media has widely reported this phenomenon, especially the recent statement that in the next 10 years 5 million Christians would be reconverted to Hinduism.⁴

            Significantly, the Supreme Court of India, as a mark of approval of reconversion, has ruled that those reconverting to Hinduism from Christianity would be entitled to reservation benefits.⁵

            4. Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, stated that “each person has an “undeniable right to retain or adopt” any faith.” ⁶ The Prime Minister has also condemned violence against any religion, “We cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext, and I strongly condemn such violence. My government will act strongly in this regard” ⁷

            In a nutshell, these background instances posit that…

            A. …any Indian can freely practice any religion.

            B. …any Indian can freely propagate his religion.

            C. …Indians are treading murky ground, if they aim to convert people. Why? The aspect of conversion seems to firmly reside in a disputable realm. On one hand, it seems that people can freely convert based on their conscience, but on the other hand it seems that people should not convert. There seems to be no clarity, at least to a layman such as myself.

            Now let us approach the aspect of conversion from a theological standpoint.

            First, people born into a Christian home or a non-Christian home are not different. They are unbelievers, to begin with. Anybody who professes to be a Christian now was an unbeliever. 

            Every Christian, their earthly citizenship notwithstanding, is a converted Christian. An Indian, American, Chinese or an Arab could be born into a Christian home. Mere birth into a Christian home does not make anyone a Christian.

            So nobody is a born-Christian. Christians can only be born-again Christians (John 3: 1-21). A person is born-again as a Christian when he/she consciously accepts the Lord Jesus as God and Savior.

            Thus, a person could only be born-again into Christianity. A person is never a born-Christian. So every Christian is a converted Christian.

            Second, true conversion happens only when man realizes his sinfulness and believes in the Lord Jesus, who through HIS perfect life, sacrifice, resurrection and ascension saved man from his/her sins. Thus the sinful man believes and loves the Lord Jesus.

            Man loves God for who God is – it was God who assumed the form of man, died and resurrected to save man from his sins. Man who loves God to derive material benefits is, in essence, in love with material benefits. Such a man does not love God.

            So a true conversion happens for spiritual reasons and not earthly reasons. Conversion into a religion for material benefits cannot be a true conversion.    

            Third, true conversion is an act of God who initiates people into Christian life (John 3: 8, 16: 8-11). I may provide reasons as to why I am a Christian and not a Hindu. Similarly, Mother Teresa may have provided reasons as to why she reckoned Christ as God or Christianity as the only true religion. That was her spiritual responsibility, as much as it is every Christian’s spiritual responsibility to offer reasons for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3: 15).

            It was virtually impossible for Mother Teresa to have converted anyone into Christianity. Neither can you or I convert anyone into Christianity. So Mother Teresa was not guilty of conversion. The Indian constitution does seem to allow a Christian to offer reasons for the hope he/she has in Christ.

            Converting anyone into Christianity is an act initiated by God and not man. It is God who initiates people into Christian life. When God initiates, man merely repents and believes in God.  

            Finally, when true conversion occurs, the Christian loves God more than his own life. In other words, a truly converted Christian will not reject God even if his life is under threat or for the sake of material benefits. A Christian who truly converts and genuinely falls in love with God, if he/she remains in Christ, will not reject Christ.

            A Christian who rejects Christ may have been a true Christian to begin with, but over a period of time, if he/she does not remain in Christ, then there is every possibility that he could reject Christ for the sake of the world. Those who remain in Christ cannot reject HIM under any circumstances be it pain, pleasure or persuasion.

            So a program such as Ghar Wapsi could be successful against those Christians who do not remain in Christ. Those who do not remain in Christ would reject Christ when they encounter Ghar Wapsi.

            Those who remain in Christ would not fear death; they would not fear man. Those who remain in Christ would love God over and above anything and everything. Those who remain in Christ would rather die in the name of Christ than live by rejecting Christ (Philippians 1: 20-21; cf. Galatians 2: 20). 

            Ghar Wapsi cannot succeed against Christians who remain in Christ.

            Christians’ primary responsibility is to God and secondarily to man. While we respect and submit to our earthly rulers, we should, in gentleness and respect, offer many valid reasons for the hope we have in Christ.

            As a good Christian, I assume, Mother Teresa would have offered her reasons for the hope she had in Christ. Offering reasons for the hope we have in Christ does not convert anyone, for conversion is initiated by God and not man.

            This then is our sine qua non; we will, by being subject to public order, morality, health, and other provisions of Indian constitution, offer reasons for the hope we have in Christ. We will be good witnesses for Christ.

            Since conversion is initiated by God and accepted by man, one man cannot convert another.

            If we are to come in harm’s way for having been a good witness for Christ or for having offered the reasons for our hope in Christ, then so be it.

            Daniel 3: 16-18 is as much a linchpin of Christianity as John 3:16. So I conclude with these verses, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3: 16-18, NIV).

            And all God’s people said, “Amen.”

Endnotes:

¹ http://www.constitution.org/cons/india/p03025.html

² http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/conversion-and-freedom-of-religion/article6716638.ece

³ http://www.thehindu.com/sunday-anchor/propagation-without-proselytisation-what-the-law-says/article6711440.ece

⁴ http://www.charistimes.com/next-10-years-5-million-christians-reconverted-hinduism/

⁵ http://www.firstpost.com/india/sc-ruling-on-reconversion-its-a-stamp-of-approval-for-ghar-wapsi-says-vhp-2126461.html

⁶ http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/my-government-will-ensure-complete-freedom-of-faith-modi/article6905042.ece

⁷ Ibid.