THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SNOOP DOGG?!

I am familiar with who "Snoop Dogg" is; however, I cannot honestly say that I have ever listened to or heard any of his music. From the looks of it; I am certain I would not enjoy it. For this writing I did view a few samples of his Gospel album. I have quite a few personal friends on it - and the tunes (music wise) were a little catchy.

But, frankly speaking, at this point in my life, I do not listen to ANY music very much now. With the direction Gospel music has gone in the last few years (less "churchy" and less inspirational); I have completely lost interest. Every now and then I have a computerized file of Gospel music I'll listen to; primarily from the era of the 80's to mid 90's. My kids say it sounds old.

Nevertheless, even though the Church often teaches against listening to "worldly" music; we know that many church people do (including listening to Snoop Dogg).  I was a well known (in St Louis) radio minister for close to 15 years; it was a known fact: people do NOT listen to AM Gospel radio stations en masse - they listen to FM R & B stations. That's where the people are (churched and non churched). 

Whether the young man (Snoop Dogg) is sincere or not in  lifting up the name of Jesus; I cannot tell. I do not know him personally; so I cannot speak to that. Proverbs 18:13 says, "To answer before listening- that is folly and shame."

But, making a Gospel album would not be his idea anyway. It would be the brainchild of his producers and record label. Those are the real bosses who call the shots; NOT the artist. I can guarantee you, the producers are NOT looking to lift up the name of Jesus. Their ONLY concern is the "almighty dollar" and broadening their market to make more money. If God chooses to work through this, in spite of that fact; so be it.

It's a known fact that religion generates money; and that black people are very religious. Throw the name of Jesus or a Bible on something and we will assume a person "got religion" and we will spend money to support it.
Again, it is all about the "almighty dollar." Using religion to make money. That may sound almost blasphemous. But, let's be honest. We do the exact same thing in church!!! For example, we will have a worship service - with the sole purpose of raising money. 

That's just the facts of a capitalist, free market society. I personally dislike capitalism, as it generates: classism, the "haves" and the "have nots," exploitation of the poor, etc. I wish there was some other economic system viable for our nation. But, capitalism is the better alternative to the other choices (for example: feudalism, communism and socialism). 

Thus, this album is going to make the record company, the producers and the artists a LOT of money. I can safely assume that no one on those record teams are concerned about winning souls. But, again, there are some preachers, Gospel artists and church musicians who also have NO concern for souls; only engagements, gigs and making money. The Bible addresses this; letting us know that, in responding to Snoop Dogg's album, (1) we Christians need to check our own motives:

1 Timothy 6:5. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

All of this (a secular artist making a Gospel album) is a masterful publicity stunt. Most people are consumers and not producers. It's working, because everyone is talking about it. The more people talk, the more people listen to the album to find out what the fuss is all about. More people buying the music leads to (you guessed it): more MONEY. 

So all the discussing, addressing, and arguing we are doing over social media is just free advertisement. Every click, like and hashtag translates into a dollar sign. We are literally falling for a PR trick. So, our response to this album is (2) Christians need to stop being gullible and falling for every publicity trick: 

2 Corinthians 2:11 In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

This is also nothing new. For example, Janet Jackson had a "wardrobe malfunction" which got people to talking about her music. Miley Cyrus infamously started twerking on national TV. The controversy and discussions that followed were only FREE ADVERTISEMENT for a new album she had coming out. People fell for these publicity tricks. 

I do not know the young man (Snoop Dogg) personally. I have no idea of his experience with Christianity. That's hard to decipher: because producers will have you saying and doing all things outside of YOUR character, to portray who THEY (the producers) want you to be - so that they can make money (as I stated earlier). I mean, I am SURE that his mother did NOT name him "Snoop Dogg." That's just a stage name and stage persona. Only God, close friends and family would know THE PERSON behind the artist. To my understanding his real name is, "Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr."

But, by the same token, just because a person says they are a "Gospel artist" does NOT in any way make them more saintly. The Gospel industry has its fair share of scandals, indiscretions, etc. And this is NOT anything new. In a documentary, the late Ray Charles spoke about "sleeping" with people in the Gospel industry. He said, "the church people that sang Gospel, were more 'freaky' than the people in secular music." 

One lady that was a "queen" in religious music (I grew up seeing her saintly picture on church fans) was known to "cuss like a sailor." Drugs, alcohol, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism (and the list goes on), in regard to sins named among many of this in the Gospel industry and ministry. 

Therefore,  our response to this album is (3) the world is going to live dirty and nasty; it's the Church that needs to clean up and live right:

Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

The Church has lived in such hypocrisy, that there is very little respect for it anymore. Any producer or agency would think twice before saying anything about Allah, Muhammed or Islam; because the backlash would be horrendous. Muslims worldwide would unite like crazy and fight a common enemy. But, what are we Christians doing? Fighting like a bunch of imbeciles; while the world observes, sits back and laughs and counts their MONEY. The response of the Church (4) should be to unite: 

Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. 

In summary, the Church's response should be to:
(1) Check our own motives.
(2) Stop being naive 
(3) Clean up our own lives
(4) Unite