Monday, December 15, 2008

FLAME: Carrying the Gospel to the Hip Hop Culture

I have been totally impressed by Marcus Gray, the young man known as FLAME. He grew up in the inner city of St. Louis, and was heavily influenced by hip hop culture. After an auto accident and the death of his grandmother, he gave his life to Christ and began using his musical talents to share the gospel.

FLAME has been attending Boyce College, the undergraduate school associated with Southern Seminary. The book list on his web site contains classics from John Owen to John Piper, and he points his guests to ministries like founders.org and desiringgod.org. His last two albums include one entitled "Our World: Fallen," which shares the story of Adam and Eve and humanity's plunge into sin. His latest release, "Our World: Redeemed," focuses on Christ's work on the cross and the deliverance Christ purchased for his people.

I purchased "Our World: Fallen" last week, and FLAME really does an amazing job of incorporating deep doctrine and cultural application. He exposes the downward spiral of sin that is pervasive in hip hop culture, and he tells his audience the truth about sin and that our only hope is Christ.

Listen to the song, "Joyful Noise," from his "Our World: Redeemed" album:



Here are the lyrics:

You know what it is
I love it
Let's talk about it

VERSE
Your boy's been a Christian, quite a few years
Victory and faith, but I failed in my fears
I heard a lot of words that have tickled many ears
That's why I praise God for the Word that we adhere
The Word became flesh, lived for thirty years
Died at 33, but after days reappeared
Jesus Christ anointed one ascended in the air
Or you can say the air where the Father made Him heir
Of all things the throne know it's more than a chair
But after our redemption yes He did take a chair
Greater than the angels name superior to theirs
This is Hebrews Chapter 1 if you cared
I'm leaning to the right
the light is where I'm running
I thought I wanted life, drunk, sexed out and blunted
But all I really wanted was the One who really won it
Fought death, beat it gave His life to the public
I love it!

HOOK
Angels surrounding His throne and
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
The whole earth is full of His glory
All nations bow to His name
His majesty fills the Heavens
Our hearts give thunderous praise
Declare the Lord is forever
Make a joyful noise in this place

VERSE
Man I'm trying to lift Him high
Higher than the stars
I am not of this world like I'm from the planet mars
I love to preach Jesus you can read it in my bars
I'm pretty straight forward when I'm speaking bout my Lord
He paid the sin price being beat by Roman guards
But when He resurrected gave us life free of charge
Now me and my boys need to be in a psych ward
Cause we went crazy for God our lives was scared
Now in the Book of Life, our names have been written down
We're casting our crowns before His feet on the ground
It's such a holy melody and a heavenly sound
Hearing holy holy holy coming out of the mouth
Of the four living creatures by His throne all around
Can you picture the scene this this is how it's going down
You just need a little faith and a new set of eyes
And a telescopic lens to look in and see God
I love it!

HOOK
Angels surrounding His throne and
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
The whole earth is full of His glory
All nations bow to His name
His majesty fills the Heavens
Our hearts give thunderous praise
Declare the Lord is forever
Make a joyful noise in this place

VERSE
One day we gon' be out man, like three strikes
And home son like a homerun CHRIST
IS -- KING -- LION -- LAMB -- GOD -- MAN
SIN CONQUEROR -- GRAVE CONQUEROR -- SATAN CONQURER
Can take a sinner, atheist sinner to God conscience
Can take nothing
make creation and lives honor
The same God that came through a fetus as Jesus
Limited to breathing
Got believers singing

HOOK
Angels surrounding His throne and
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
The whole earth is full of His glory
All nations bow to His name
His majesty fills the Heavens
Our hearts give thunderous praise
Declare the Lord is forever
Make a joyful noise in this place

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