Kanye West proclaims ‘Jesus Is King’; to that, I say, ‘Amen’
Kanye West proclaims ‘Jesus Is King’; to that, I say, ‘Amen’
During my childhood, I wasn’t exactly a savage, but I was not far from being one.
I was baptized as a Catholic to parents who had moved away from the Faith. They separated when I was around 4 or 5, and depending on whose weekend it happened to be, Sunday mornings were either at a Lutheran church or staying in bed. I favored the sleep. However, church camp each summer was enjoyable. I committed verses from the Bible to memory and can still sense the campfire smoke when I hear “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” I was confirmed as a Lutheran in the most nonchalant manner, but my participation dwindled shortly thereafter.
During high school, several of my friends attended the nearby Missionary church, so I went along with them to the social gatherings. There was always food at the youth group events, and the band was impressive. At a youth conference when I was around 15, the speaker inquired who among us was prepared to commit their lives to Christ and embrace Jesus as their personal savior. A handful of my friends approached, and I followed suit. I truly meant it at that moment. And although I never prayed or opened the Bible (except for taking part in the Bible quiz team), I was, it seemed, saved. It appeared to be a fantastic offer — the Christian equivalent of a no-money-down, get-rich-quick scheme. I had somehow achieved the greatest reward with the least effort possible.
In my early 20s, having already secured my ticket to paradise, I encountered an incredible Catholic woman whose devotion was integral to her existence. She brought me to Mass nearly every weekend, and I did not object. Aside from earning some favor with a lady I was attempting to impress, I derived little benefit from it. Clearly, it worked. Once we tied the knot — within the Church! — I kept attending weekly, except for the rare moments when I would feign a stomach ache or a headache, but those instances were infrequent, and it honestly didn’t matter too much because I wasn’t truly Catholic. Furthermore, I had already achieved salvation, and though I didn’t specialize in theology, it seemed improbable that attending Mass each week would enhance my state of salvation.
When our eldest daughter reached an age — and a level of understanding — where she noticed that I wasn’t receiving Communion like her mom, I figured it was time to handle the necessary paperwork and formally join the Catholic Church. The RCIA sessions weren’t the best, but there I was at the Easter Vigil: a bona fide card-holding Catholic.
My authentic conversion, when the Faith began to establish itself, didn’t occur until years afterward, and at times I still sense that I’m an imposter, which is why I cherish a compelling conversion narrative almost above all else. And maybe we are witnessing one of the most captivating ones in recent history unfold before us.
Skeptics claim that rapper-turned-minister Kanye West is misleading the public with his abrupt shift to Christianity, and perhaps they have a point. Throughout his career, he has transformed his artistic persona multiple times, and for over ten years, his music has ventured far beyond conventional decency. His lyrics have often been misogynistic and indulgent — even blasphemous — during his artistic journey. Years ago, he put out a track named “I Am a God” on an album he called “Yeezus” — certainly not a typical selection for a church campfire gathering.
Last week he unveiled his latest album, “Jesus Is King” — a compilation of gospel-inspired hip-hop songs that would be embraced at any tent revival — or at any Catholic youth gathering. He tackles the doubts regarding his transformation in the track “Hands On”: “To sing of transformation, you believe I’m just kidding / To exalt his name, you wonder what I’m on / Yes, I recognize your hesitance, yeah / But I have a plea, you see / Don’t cast me out, place your hands on me / Please, pray for me.”
Statistics indicate that young individuals are departing from Christianity at an unmatched rate, and although I’m uncertain that Kanye sharing the Good News will significantly impact the return of youth to the pews, we ought to commend anyone who is prepared to utilize their public platform to declare that Jesus is king, irrespective of their history.
I can confirm that transformations occur daily. And although Kanye as an artist until now may have been provocative, he has never been beyond redemption. None of us are.
Scott Warden is managing editor of Our Sunday Visitor.
