Kanye West is considered to be one of the best minds in music. Whether it's through his production or his lyricism it's hard to deny the impact he's had on hip hop culture since 2004, and if we're all honest it's hard not to appreciate his story and his emergence to fame.
In 2004 he was making beats and producing for Jay-Z when he got in a brutal car accident. At that time his mouth was wired shut and in this near-death experience, he realized he needed to put out music before it was too late.
He proceeded to write, record, and put out Through the Wire with his jaw wired shut.
As great as this story is, and as incredible Kanye's ability to create art is, it's also hard not to deny how hard his fall from fame was to watch. Whether it was him stealing the show from Taylor Swift or the ugly things he has said over the years he has unfortunately gone from being known for his music to now being known for his antics.
The most recent news story is his "new found" faith in God. His new album "Jesus is King" is streaming everywhere and has people all over the world talking about his life change. Some Christians love the story and some hate it. However; I think we need to be careful if you're rewarding Kanye for his newly discovered faith.
"Now hear ye hear ye want to see Thee more clearly I know He hear me when my feet get weary"- Kanye West; Jesus Walks
This may sound like it's a lyric from Kanye's new gospel album, but this is actually a line from Jesus Walks which came out in 2004 in his first album College Dropout. The truth is Kanye has been rapping about Jesus since he first started coming out with music. This "newfound" faith is really not that new at all.
Yes, he spent some time not really representing Jesus and not displaying his faith in a way most Christians support. I have been a fan of Kanye's music since I first started listening to music but even I cannot support some of the decisions he's made.
However; as Christians are we allowed to deny Kanye's faith in God based directly on his actions? I'm sure if your every step were in the spotlight there would be some moments that made us doubt your faith as well.
Once we start judging celebrities' faith based on whether or not they "act right" we get into a real gray area in the faith vs. works argument of the bible.
Kanye's faith is not really new, but instead, I would argue that people are just now catching in because only recently could they use his story as a way to argue with others.
"I'm tryna keep my faith But I'm looking for more Somewhere I can feel safe And end my holy war I 'm tryna keep my faith" - Kanye West; Ultralight Beam
Now do not get me wrong. I am thrilled for Kanye and the strides he has made in healing. There is no denying that he had some problems and needed saving.
Here is my question to all of the Christians who have new support and appreciation for Kanye: do you have the same support for the recovering alcoholic in your church? We love to recognize the 180 degrees turn Kanye made but I also know that there are individuals in our society making similar decisions and experiencing a genuine new love for Christ on the regular.
Those people are also the same ones who don't feel welcomed in the local church because of the members there who don't support their past. This might be a recovering alcoholic, a single mom, or a student who has a history of some rebellious behaviors.
If these people are shunned in our church I have a hard time understanding where your praise for Kanye comes from. Is it an acceptance of the redemptive love of Jesus?
Or is it an opportunity to weaponize the story of God's grace and use it for your own good? I am 100% in favor of rejoicing in the experience of Kanye West and appreciating his story as long as we do the same for those in our backyards.
God's grace goes far beyond fame, and it's not up to the church to decide who gets access to Jesus' forgiveness.
