Does it matter that Kanye is a Christian (and some tweets!)

The first half of this newsletter will be thoughts on Kanye West and his new Jesus is King album (which may or may not be released October 25). The second half are some fun and/or thoughtful tweets with very light commentary.

Q: Is Kanye West a Christian?

Maybe? I don’t know.

Q: But don’t you think this is such a big win for Christianity?

I honestly don’t think Kanye’s salvation matters as much as some people think.

Q: Wait, what? But Kanye is so big! People buy his albums! They go to his shows! If he preaches, the whole world will listen!!!

Yeaaaaaah, that’s not how it works. I mean, sure, people might be a bit more curious about Christianity and might want to go to a church that sings Kanye’s songs, but I don’t think Kanye’s impact for the kingdom will be big just because he makes a Gospel album.

First of all, most people who love Kanye have already heard of Christianity.

That’s because we live in America, where Christianity and Christian thought already saturate our culture. Even atheists and agnostics know the lyrics to “Amazing Grace.”

You could argue that Christianity is on the decline here, but Kanye’s conversion can be the jump start it needs to be relevant again. I mean, maybe? I hope so.

But if people are already turned off by Christianity, they just won’t listen to his album. Also, he’s been talking about Christianity for a while. For example, people (Christian or not) already loved “Ultralight Beam,” which features Kirk Franklin, a super famous Gospel singer, and has overt Christian themes.

We have to admit that having a few catchy songs doesn’t mean people will automatically turn to Jesus.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think we should expect one album from one guy to bring about a Great Awakening. That’s because…

Secondly, Christianity’s spread does not depend celebrity.

Kanye will not be the one to “save” Christianity. He is not the savior of the church. That’s Jesus (duh).

As Christians, we love it when a famous person is on our side. Russell Wilson, Chris Pratt, Justin Beiber, etc. And now… KANYE WEST? But we gotta remember. Being a Christian is not about being seen with the popular people. Who did Jesus hang out with? Tax collectors. Prostitutes. Samaritan women.

We can’t have wordly eyes when we see our Christian brothers and sisters. We need to see the inherent value of all and not put some above and some below.

In addition, if there’s anything we’ve learned about celebrities is that we can’t rely on celebrities to speak for Jesus. They. Fall. All. The Time. Only Jesus is always loving, always faithful, and always good.

Our faith can’t be based on Kanye West’s faith. People can’t be in love with Kanye. They need to be in love with Jesus.

Thirdly, we already know what will show the world that Jesus is King

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The world will not change because Kanye puts out the best Gospel album of all time. The world will change if you and I love one another.

It’s as simple as that, really. I hope that Kanye is a believer. I hope that “Jesus is King” does help open the eyes of some to the whispering of the Spirit. I pray that the name of Jesus will be on every lip and that every knee will bow.

But I’m not putting all my eggs in Kanye’s basket. Instead, I’m going to love my husband. I’m going to love my kids. I’m going to love my church. I’m going to love my community group. I’m going to love my co-workers. I’m going to love my neighbors.

Because that’s the for sure thing that Jesus said would work. Love one another. And I believe my King.

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This is long but a must-read:

Hannah C. @loudhannah

A beautiful, heartbreaking story of a pastor who ministers to Korean and Korean American prisoners.

latimes.comHis flock? Korean and Korean American prisoners written off by their community and, sometimes, their familiesIt took a while, but the Rev. Suk-ki Kim found his calling in the U.S. — to minister to those in the Korean community who have gone astray, and the family members who suffer alongside them.

Hannah C. @loudhannah

Matthew 25:39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

LOL! This speaks to me, a passive-aggressive 9

Joy Beth Smith @JBsTwoCents

PSA

Also, LOL

Victoria Kim @vicjkim

You must not have been looking very hard, George 🤔4

Oof.

Rich Villodas @richvillodas

Walter Brueggemann on the crisis in the U.S. church. 👀f

You should all go watch Parasite:

Michael Schwartz @MikeMSchwartz

PARASITE ○ く|)へ 〉 Every other ￣￣┗┓ 2019 movie 　 　 ┗┓　 ヾ○ｼ 　　 ┗┓ ヘ/ 　 　 　 ┗┓ノ 　 　 　 　 　 ┗┓

Let’s read more!

Eric Schumacher @emschumacher

Love this!

YESSSS:

Cheryl Bridges Johns @cb_johns

I told my women students recently that have to choose between 2 gardens & 2 female voices. Will they speak out of garden of Eden- shamed & silent voice of Eve? Will they speak from garden of the resurrection- the bold proclamation of Mary? Too many women are trapped in the 1st.

Subcontractors are always treated so terribly:

William Wang @cowboyInNY

The most Chinese story today. A man in Guangxi paid 2m to have a competitor killed. The guy kept half, hired another for 1m, then another until the 5th was hired for 100k. Figured not worth to kill for so little, he contacted the target trying to fake a death. All 6 in jail now.

That’s all folks! Write to you next time!