Calvinism and Holy Hip Hop, Part II

By T.C. Moore

Introduction:

In Part I of this two-part note on Calvinism and Holy Hip Hop, I outline several clarifying
thoughts that will serve as supportive context for the thesis I will now argue. They are: First,
Calvinism is determinism. Whether or not Calvinists like to admit it, Calvinism's commitment to
exhaustive predestination is determinism and there is no way around it. Second, determinism is
not naturally held by oppressed people groups. People who are presently experiencing great
injustice, exploitation, and dehumanization rarely choose to believe their plight is the will of a
loving God. It is much more common for determinism to be found in the theology of the
wealthy, elite, and powerful. Third, the culture of which holy hip hop is a subset emerged from a
people group who were not wealthy, elite, or powerful. Instead, hip hop is the cultural movement
that arose from New York slums and projects in the late 70s and early 80s. Fourthly, Calvinism
enjoys a theological dominance over conservative seminaries in the US that is disproportionate
to the theological makeup of American Christians. These four considerations will operate in the
background of the points I will now present.

As I said in the previous note, I am concerned about two things: why holy hip hop artists are
compelled to hold Calvinist theology in the first place, and the effect this theology might have on
the listening generation. In the following points, I will flesh out these two concerns explaining
why Calvinism in holy hip hop is potentially dangerous and destructive.

Concern #1: Why Are So Many Holy Hip Hop Artists Calvinists?

I cannot and do not claim to know the heart-motives of every holy hip hop artist who is a
Calvinist. I am not God and not their judge. In fact, due to the demonstration of faith I have
witnessed in many of them, I am confident that they each hold the theology they do because they
believe it is biblical, truth. To be clear, I do not wish to insinuate that any HHH artist holds sinful
motives for affirming Calvinism. Rather, I recognize several external motivators at work in the
American theological landscape that could be responsible for this sweeping trend.

A) Reinforced Institutional Racism

The first of these external motivators is the centuries of institutional racism still found in the
seminaries where many holy hip hop artists are theologically trained. Moreover, even the
Calvinist holy hip hop artists who have not been seminary trained study under those who have

Copyright, T.C. Moore. 2009.

and attend churches which are directly influenced by the dominance of Calvinism in US
seminaries.

How does institutional racism enter the equation? Institutional racism flourishes due to the
inordinate and disproportionate exultation of the theologies of dead, white/European theologians
over the present, majority, global theologies of non-white people groups around the world and
Black theology developed right here in the US.

If an alien from Mars studied theology at just about any of the conservative seminaries in the US,
the alien might think that humanity's theological questioning ended in the 16th century. Due to
the way in which Calvinism is presented, the alien might think white Europeans solved every
theological problem nearly 500 years ago and created the perfect system to explain them all.
Calvinism is presented as the theology to end all theologies. Reformed and no longer reforming.

Even in those rare schools which grant a generous dose of tolerance to their "Arminian brothers,"
the problem of exalting dead, white theologians to the place of authority they do not logically
deserve persists nonetheless. Whether the dead, white theologian from the 16th century that is
being irrationally exalted is Luther, Calvin, Arminius, or Molina, it serves only to reinforce the
racist status quo.

To describe this phenomenon, I'd like to borrow a title from one of my professors, Dr. Soong-
Chan Rah, and call this the "Western, White Captivity of the Church." (Yes, this is a direct
allusion to the Babylonian Captivity.) Dr. Rah explains that global Christianity is just now
beginning to see signs of emergence from nearly 500 years of being White/European-dominated.
For nearly 500 years, it has been accepted that dead, white men like Luther and Calvin 'wrote the
book' on theology and there is nothing new to know.

When students of color enter conservative seminaries in the US, they are met instantly with an
unspoken message: "assimilate or be labeled a heretic ...or worse, a 'Liberal'." Since Calvinism
dominates these schools, assimilation includes full affirmation of Reformed doctrine. As long as
theological education in these schools is dominated by Calvinism, power remains invested in
whiteness. No one even questions why Black Theology isn't taught along side these ancient,
white systems. No one even considers the fact that those who created Calvinism, Lutheranism,
and Arminianism did so in a culture, in a historical time period, and that it was hundreds of years
ago!

Theology is not done in a vacuum. Theologians in the 16th century like Calvin addressed the
concerns and contemporary issues of his day. He and other reformers *Re-formed* what they
were taught. They developed a new way of viewing the Scriptures, the Church, tradition, etc.
Reformed thinkers developed doctrine to combat the Enlightenment's confidence in human

Copyright, T.C. Moore. 2009.

progress and the power of our rational faculties. However, today, if we question what has been
handed down to us, we are likely to be labeled something pejorative. Again, Calvinism leads to
being Reformed, but no longer reforming.

Thankfully, however, the global theological landscape is changing. In the last few decades,
theological scholarship has begun to catch up with the movement of the global Church away
from predominately white continents towards Latin America, Africa, and Asia. We are now
seeing a great deal more distinctly African Theology, distinctly Asian Theology, and distinctly
Latin American Theology.

Holy hip hop's dominance by Calvinist theology represents a move in the wrong direction when
compared to the trajectory of global Christianity. Even in the US, the vast majority of Christians
reject ideas fundamental to Calvinism like Irresistible Grace and Limited Atonement. Calvinism
is not representative of most churches in the US nor the world. Calvinism is also not a theology
designed to address contemporary concerns, but the concerns of white, European Christians
nearly 500 years ago.

B) Cultish Theological Elitism

The second insidious undercurrent also exists in many of these same seminaries where holy hip
hop artists go to be theologically trained and where the works of Calvin and Luther are taught
virtually on par with scripture. It is common for the affirmation of Reformed theology in these
schools to be boastful. Students wear it like a merit badge. Being a Calvinist gives these students
a sense of intellectual and moral superiority. They often remind critics of their theological
system's long tradition and rich heritage. (They conveniently blank of those minor faux pas like
the burning of Michael Servetus... but I digress.) Suffice to say, the affirmation of Calvinism in
many conservative American seminaries equates to membership in an prestigious club of
theological elites.

To demonstrate my point, consider the 'rock stars' of Christianity in America. Many of the most
popular pastors, speakers, and authors are members of this stylish clique. Some notable names
include Mark Driscoll, John Piper, C. J. Mahaney, Norman Geisler, and John MacArthur. And
they are not shy at all about their beliefs. They are famous for holding what they claim to be the
most Bible-honoring and God-glorifying theology, while condemning and hunting down
doctrines they consider heresy and pastors they consider heretics for public ridicule and
defamation.

For many of its proponents, Calvinism is not only one valid theological position amidst a diverse
universal Church of believing Christians around the world---it is THE, SINGULAR valid
theological position. It is this arrogant claim to singular theological correctness that borders on

Copyright, T.C. Moore. 2009.

cultish. Calvinists often speak of their discovery and acceptance of Reformed doctrine as a
Second Conversion of sorts. They sometimes speak of Calvinist circles as a sub-culture within
Evangelical American Christianity that has a superior sense of dignity, heritage, and prestige.

It is no question why Calvinism would be attractive to seminary students without prior

theological commitments or allegiance. Calvinist theology carries with it more than a set of
beliefs. Calvinism for many Calvinists summarizes their entire Christian faith. This creates
considerable damage to the unity of Christ's body in the US. It serves to further faction Christian
groups which could otherwise work together to serve and witness for the Truth.

The first two reasons what Calvinism's dominance of holy hip hop is potentially very dangerous
and destructive is that it reinforces centuries-old institutional racism, and it perpetuates
fractioning and disunity in the US body of Christ due to its exclusive and elitist claims.

Concern #2: How Will Calvinist Theology Effect the Listening Generation?

In addressing my first concern (why so many holy hip hop artists are Calvinists to start), and
detailing my reasoning for why I believe Calvinism is potentially dangerous and destructive, I
outlined two insidious undercurrents present in American theology which I think may have been
external influences that contributed to the current Calvinist dominance of holy hip hop. In
addressing my second concern (how Calvinist theology will effect listeners), I will detail two
potentially dangerous and destructive effects Calvinist theology could produce.

A) Apathy and Complacency

Our theology effects our psychology! One truly practices that which one truly believes. Since
Calvinism is a form of determinism, which teaches all that will take place in the future has been
exhaustively settled since time immemorial, both our potential actions and choices are stripped
of their urgency and robbed of their significance. When one believes even their most valiant
efforts and noble choices have eternally been a part of what the future will necessarily be, the
pressing nature of those efforts and the importance of those choices is severely undermined.
Determinism belittles our contribution, even nullifies it.

Why should one pray? Why should one share the Gospel, if all that will ever be has already been
settled? The Calvinist's response to this question is that one prays, not to change the future, but to
change oneself. Or one shares the Gospel because we are commanded to, not because our efforts
"win souls." These answers leave many much less than motivated. In fact, there are not only
individuals, but entire churches, who because of their belief in the exhaustively settled nature of
the future, do not emphasize evangelism or prayer. In contrast, if I, or an entire church, are

Copyright, T.C. Moore. 2009.

convinced that at least part of the future hinges on our actions or inactions, choices, prayer, or
witness, then we will take seriously our responsibility and carry it out with passion.

Further still, I would be remiss if I did not address a very large elephant that might be standing in
the middle of this section begging to be acknowledged. Since I do not wish to disappoint any
elephants, allow me to know discuss the Calvinist doctrine called the "Perseverance of the
Saints." It is often, more commonly, referred to as "Once Saved, Always Saved." This doctrine
teaches that those who have been elected for capture via irresistible grace before creation
(uninfluenced by foreknowledge by the way) will necessarily 'persevere to the end.' By this, the
Calvinist means that every person who is 'elect' will be saved ...no matter what.

So far, many Christians would not see anything worthy of dispute in this doctrine. If salvation is
dependent 100% upon God's grace and 0% on man's works, as all good Protestants believe, then
doesn't it logically follow that every "saved" person would remain "saved"? Well, sure. It does.
Salvation is most assuredly 100% by grace through faith and not by works, lest any man should
boast. No doubt!!

So what motivates the believer to seek sanctification and walk in holiness? If I am 'elect' and will
necessarily 'persevere to the end' as Calvinism claims, what stops me from indulging in sin? If
you think this is a silly question that true Christians would never ask, re-read your Bible. This is
the precise question Paul anticipates and responds to in Romans 6. Paul knew that if the Roman
church misunderstood what he was saying about grace, they could take it as a license to sin! So,
what does Paul do to prevent such a misunderstanding? He exhorts the Roman Christians to
"count yourselves dead to sin" and to "not let sin reign in your mortal body" and to "not offer the
parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God"
(verses 11, 12, and 13 respectively). But aren't these choices we must make, even as believers?
Even properly understood as realities that flow from the live of God at work within us due to the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we still must surrender to this work of the Spirit daily and allow
God to work in us and through us, don't we?

Therefore, the psychological effect Calvinism has on our choices as believers is still a very real
danger for the believer. The believer faces enough temptation to indulge in sin from being
constantly bombarded with sin's lure through our media-saturated culture. Weak believers do not
need further temptation to give in to sin's Gospel of pleasure from Calvinism's promise that
perseverance is necessary and inevitable.

The fact of the matter is, God's grace is completely sufficient to secure our salvation. But
Scripture nonetheless vehemently exhorts believers to make choices that effect the future!
Revelation 2.3-5 says this:

Copyright, T.C. Moore. 2009.

"You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet
I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you
have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place."

However one chooses to interpret the removal of the lampstand, we can all agree that if God is
threatening us with it's removal as discipline for disobedience, we dont want this to happen to us!

B) Indifference Toward Evil and Tolerance of Injustice

Finally, because Calvinism is determinism, teaching that all past, present, and future events are
ordained by God's perfect will, Calvinism creates tolerance of injustice and indifference toward
evil. If God has willed the evil and the injustice that we experience or witness, as Calvinism
posits, who are we to oppose them? Wouldn't that be in the least impious, if not rebellious?
Furthermore, wouldn't it be slightly stupid to oppose what God has ordained if you believe God
is all-powerful and always gets what he wants? If God has ordained evil and injustice, as
Calvinism supposes, perhaps evil and injustice aren't all that bad after all.

As I argued in Part I, when one is not the victim of evil and injustice, they are much more easily
viewed as a part of loving God's "sovereign" reign. But if one is unfortunate enough to suffer as
a result of either evil or injustice, that one will not tend to be so understanding. This creates a
tension in the Calvinists' engagement of their communities and the world. On the one hand, all
Christians are commissioned by Jesus to "heal the sick" and "cast out demons." But, on the other
hand, these would fall under the category of evil, and evil is an occurrence which God has
ordained with his perfect all-powerful will. So, if a person is sick, God willed that. If a person is
demon-possessed, God willed that too!

Think thats bad? It gets worse! If a people group is oppressed... yes, you guessed it ...God willed
it! To make this point hit just a little closer to home, allow me to use an example of an oppressed
people group. Americans of African decent have historically been oppressed far more than any
other people group in this country. Captured and brought to this country on ships in disgustingly
inhumane conditions to be slaves, African human beings were bought and sold in this country
like cattle. Families were ripped apart to be sold to different "masters." Once Africans had been
procured by these white/European land-owners, they were then forced to perform back-breaking
labor for ungodly amounts of time in extreme heat with very few opportunities for rest. Grossly
evil measures were instituted to control the African population such as brutal public whippings
and the prohibition of any education. In fact, religion was often used as an instrument of
oppression by teaching African slaves about the white/European God who wills their subjection
to their "masters."

Copyright, T.C. Moore. 2009.

It's difficult to even fathom the insensitivity it takes to hold a theology which proposes that the
scarcely conceivable evil that has been inflicted upon Africans in America was ordained by God-
--but Calvinism forcefully asserts precisely this.

Calvinism's view of evil and injustice reminds me of the response I sometime receive from
middle to upper-class whites when with them I discuss the value and worth of the poor in God's
eyes, and the mandate of the Christian to empower the poor to overcome injustice and
oppression. Often the objection I hear is, "But didn't Jesus say the poor will be with us always?" I
believe this is a fitting analogy to the way Calvinism depicts evil and injustice: as a reality about
which they can do little---so why try?

Am I suggesting that every listener to holy hip hop performed or produced by Calvinists will
suddenly and irrevocably become callous to evil and injustice in the world? No, I am not. Am I
suggesting even that the artists themselves which affirm Calvinist doctrine turn a blind eye to
evil and injustice? No, I am not.

I am suggesting that exposure to Calvinism has the potential to be deeply destructive in this way.
I am suggesting that the supposed, hypothetical benefits of holding a Calvinistic theological
framework do not outweigh the devastating, potential consequences such unbiblical theology can
create---consequences like those I have detailed above.

Conclusion:

In part I of this Note, I offered argumentation that the dominance of Calvinist theology in holy
hip hop is potentially dangerous and destructive. I have argued that: 1) Calvinism is
Determinism, that; 2) Determinism is not the theology of the oppressed, that; 3) Hip hop is a
culture born in oppression, and that; 4) Calvinism dominates conservative theological education
in the US. In the preceding, part II of this Note, I have detailed my reasoning for being
concerned. In particular, I express two concerns: 1) Why are so many holy hip hop artists
Calvinists?; and 2) How will Calvinist theology effect the listening generation?

While I will continue to support the ministry of my Christian brothers and sisters who are hip
hop artists and strive to represent Christ to the unbelieving world, I am deeply troubled and
concerned by the prominence that Calvinism has been granted in recent years in these ministries.
If successful, this Note will serve as a catalyst, igniting in you passion to search the Scriptures
and your own hearts indwelled by the Holy Spirit to discern if you will allow Calvinism to
distort your understanding of God and God's relationship to humanity.

Copyright, T.C. Moore. 2009.