An Open Letter to Lecrae

Dear Lecrae,

God saved me in 2013, and shortly thereafter I discovered your music. Having listened to hip-hop/rap for (mostly) my entire life, I was infatuated with it, and it was such a breath of fresh air. I was so glad to enjoy good music without profanity, vulgarity, or anything else that’s inappropriate. I’m sure many other Christians have the same testimony I do in that regard.

And to be sure, I still very much appreciate your music. It’s no secret that God has gifted you. You have made so many good songs that have glorified the Lord and affected Christians’ relationships with the Lord in positive ways. I think you can say many Christians have become more like Jesus through listening to your music.

However, there was a period of time—maybe six or seven years ago?—where I wouldn’t have recommended your music. I was concerned for you, and it sounds like you were concerned for yourself! I never was one to say you “sold out” or “fell away from the faith” though many have claimed that.

I think your words and testimony today are a clear indication that such claims were premature and incorrect. Some were genuinely concerned for you; others were quick to just castigate you. Though I stopped recommending you for a bit, I never thought you weren’t a Christian. Just misguided. Aren’t we all at times?

These days, however, I’ve been listening to your newest music and to your Deep End podcast. Both are refreshing and insightful. Your music is more explicit about your faith in God and your journey through it all; and your podcast has allowed your fans to see behind the scenes a bit.

One such podcast you just released, which was over your relationship with John Piper. I thoroughly enjoyed you talking about Piper’s influence on your life; as he has done the same for many others, including me. Like you mentioned, his impact on you made its way into your music and it was beautiful to hear.

Though you never criticized Piper outright—which, done constructively and biblically, would’ve been your prerogative!—you mentioned a few things about Piper that you thought were “conflicts.” I want to discuss two of them.

First, you mentioned Piper’s emphasis on not wasting our life and how, in that season for you, it was such a powerful message. But you said it was hard to take that home to Memphis where people weren’t concerned about spending too much money, but not having enough. Brother, though that’s true, not wasting our life isn’t confined to how much money we spend. Individuals who live Memphis are called to not waste their life just as much as someone who lives in Minneapolis. And perhaps you’d give a hearty “Amen!” to that, but that wasn’t mentioned. The message of “don’t waste your life!” is for everyone.

Second, and in my opinion, for more importantly, were comments you made about 2016, with “unarmed black men” getting shot in the streets. You were discouraged and frustrated not merely by the lack of response from white evangelicals, but that they attacked you for speaking up. Brother, I’m sure there were plenty of professing Christians who attacked you, slandered you, etc. for speaking your side. That’s their sin to deal with. And perhaps there’s room to consider if someone should’ve said something or picked up the phone to call you. Maybe!

But here’s what I’ve always wondered when I listen to you give your side: you always talk about what white evangelicals did or didn’t do in the negative sense. And perhaps there’s blame there in parts. But brother, have you ever considered you went about things the wrong way on your end? Have you pondered that maybe, just maybe, evangelicals looked at cases differently than you and that didn’t mean we were not sensitive to the black community or didn’t think racism exists? There’s no need to get into the weeds, but not every situation that happened during those years was a byproduct of racism.

Both of these things are neither here nor there. We can disagree—even strongly so! Like you said, “I’m going to see them in Heaven one day.” Same, brother.

Most all of, Lecrae, I wanted to encourage you in your ministry. Thank you for listening to the Lord’s voice. I’m personally thankful for your music these last few years—really since your album Restoration—has been more Christ-centered and biblically thoughtful. Plus your podcast has been a blessing, too (even if I disagree with who you have on sometimes).

Don’t waste your life, Lecrae!

Your brother in Christ,

Blake