Features
Rap, reggae, the church
Evangelsing to the youth should preserve the sanctity of the temple
The young Guatemalan Catholic priest has gone far in changing the face of Catholic worship in his homeland, using rap preaching, rap music and rap prophecies. Obviously, the man is in the wrong profession.
Many of his countrymen think that the man who behaves like Tic Tac should have been Guatemala’s award-winning top hip-hop artiste and not a minister of the word. Imagine Gyedu-Blay Ambolley doing the ‘Zimigwado’ on the pulpit and administering the communion.
When he first introduced rap into Christian worship, many in his congregation thought the Guatemalan priest had gone ‘ment,’ precisely gone ‘mental.’ Far from it, the man is pretty sane and is drawing youngsters from far and near with his rap delivery, the staccato power-packed gospel message.
TEMPTATION
First of all, some in his congregation were tempted to think that God and Jesus did not understand rap and anyone who rattled in rap language was merely wasting his time. God wasn’t going to understand what he (or she) was saying, much more answers his prayers.
But of course, rap prayers are being answered in Guatemala and the rap mass celebrations still go on. The Guatemalan revolution in Catholicism is fast catching up but the conservative hardliners don’t ‘dig’ the idea.
They reckon that if the young priest had been born in the last two centuries, the Catholic Church room would today be exactly like a rock concert hall with the mass servers break-dancing behind the Catholic Father, while he is offering the communion for the forgiveness of sins.
One really would wonder what type of music Jesus would like if he was alive today. Probably he’d take a liking to traditional Sikaman gospel highlife. That would be the nearest to what is sang in heaven.
No doubt Peter would go in for funk, may be gospel funk, and by all means Judas would stick to reggae. That in no way means that reggae is evil music, but taking the profile of Judas, he’d be someone who’d thump his feet to the Jah rendition, “One Love.”
The man’s betrayal of Jesus was merely business as far as he was concerned. Music had nothing to do with it. Thirty pieces of silver, if melted into cedis today is a fortune the disciple’s greed couldn’t resist. Today, people are doing exactly what the man did – selling their own children, their nephews and nieces for pittance. I hear someone was even going to sell his own mother until the law caught up with him. To sell your own mother? Leave her alone and come and sell Kwame Alomele!
The world is going pieces but if Jesus were alive today, his disciple James would have chosen between jazz and burgher highlife. John would go for the cool numbers just like Andrew. Certainly, Bartholomew and Thomas would go for Congo!
In centuries past, composers of renowned songs performed to hail Jesus, notably George Frederich Handel composed “Unto Us A Child Is Born” and songs like “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted in praise of the Lord Jesus, called the Christ.
Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesus Joy of Man’s Desiring” was another classic gospel tune of the time which probably earned him the Father of Modern Music accolade. Talk about Beethoven (arguably the most talented composer), Mozart (the most intelligent), and you’ll understand the celestial and Halleluyah inspiration of their compositions.
FAITHFULS
Those were the days when fellowship was a solemn occasion of hymn singing, choral music and sober sermons preached on morals.
Penteco-charismatism began when some faithfuls saw that what happened on Pentecost Day as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles was totally sidelined.
On that day, those present spoke in varied tongues, many rattling in Ada-Krobo, Ewe and Gomoa-Fanti when they hailed from Judea, Jerusalem, Nazareth and the rest.
It was a phenomenon unprecedented in Christian history, yet totally ignored by emerging churches like Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Evangelical Presbyterian.
One of the reasons why we have two Evangelical Presbys is the fact that one believes in tongue- speaking and other attributes and manifestations of the Holy Spirit and the other doesn’t. In other words, one is charismatically inclined, the other traditionally enshrined.
HOLY SPIRIT
One sticks to traditional hymn singing, the other takes to fervent praise-and-worship sessions to literally invoke the Holy Spirit. The issue of doctrine is central to the split, and so long as doctrinal differences cannot be reconciled, coming together can only be a pipe-dream.
Of course, the role of music in the spread of the word cannot be denied. But more and more, the idea of bringing in floating youths to worship is also distilling the notion that the kind of secular music in vogue must be ‘christianised’ as a way of magnetising the youngsters.
The question here is, if rap or hip-hop is used to draw in the youth, would they be coming to fellowship because they genuinely want their souls to be saved or because they want to do their ‘monkey- things’ also in church as they do elsewhere?
If we do not present the gospel to the youth exactly as it is, then very soon, the latest dance style of very dubious origins will be released in the church room rather than in the dance hall.
The enthusiasm of evangelising the youth must be tempered with the need to preserve the sanctity of the temple, reverence for order, the comportment and deportment of those who leave their homes to go and worship. Greetings!
This article was first published on February 1, 2003
Features
Who knows tomorrow?
Recently a friend posted a sad news on his Facebook page, announcing the death of a school mate who had passed away, suddenly. The report had it that he was on his way to the airport to take a flight to Ghana.
I am sure this man had already informed the wife or a friend or a work colleague at work that he was returning home but he was not to return as a human being but as a dead body.
Such is life and so we need to be circumspect in how we go about things in life. The Bible reminds us that we are like grass which at one point in time looks elegant and the next moment becomes withered according to Psalm 90:5 and 6. It is for this reason that we need to guard our hearts with the word of God so that we shall be motivated to do the right thing, at all times.
This will enable us live on this planet, free from all sorts of troubles in our personal lives, even if we ignore the question of Heaven and Hell. Living a disciplined life delivers us from any kind of trouble as the Bible declares in Galatians 5:23 that against such there is no law.
The uncertainty surrounding our lives on earth is the more reason why people should commit their lives into the hands of the one who created it, in the first place unless you believe that the world created itself and that it appeared from nowhere.
Otherwise, the logical thing to do is to recognize the authority of the creator and surrender to his Lordship. Heaven is real and Hell is real, so for us who know the truth and have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the onus lies on us to encourage our relations who have not believed and received Jesus into their lives, to do so.
We are a couple of days from another Easter Resurrection celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our lives in relation to the significance of Easter. In the Bible, the only occasion Jesus, Saviour of the world commands us to celebrate is his death and resurrection.
He never commanded his followers to celebrate his birth but like everything else, we chose to ignore Jesus’s instructions and decided to do what pleases us, just like our forefather and mother in the Garden of Eden.
Let us deliberately choose to do things differently as Christians this Easter, so we can really benefit from all the blessings that the celebration of the death and birth of Jesus, has on offer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is definitely insanity.
I choose to be different this Easter and I am believing God for a newness of life so God’s glory would be revealed in me to draw the unsaved to him. It is only when people especially the unsaved, see the character of Christ in us, that they can be convinced about the authenticity of Jesus, as Saviour of the world, who can bring transformation in their lives too.
This is what would motivate them to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Let us make this Easter a memorable one that will be cherished for a long time. It is also a period for reconciliation and it would be great if in the spirit of Easter, we would try to reach out to those who have wronged us or have a grudge against us.
This would demonstrate that we have indeed accepted Jesus and that our religious posture is not a sham. May the good Lord grant us the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves, demonstrating the love of God in the process.
Those who have lost their loved ones and Easter brings sad memories, may the good Lord comfort and strengthen you. God bless.
.NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
Features
Cosmetic deformities
COSMETIC deformities refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities that affect an individual’s appearance, often causing emotional distress and impacting their quality of life.
These deformities can be congenital, acquired, or result from various medical conditions or treatments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of cosmetic deformities, their types, causes, effects, and treatment options.
Types of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can affect various parts of the body, including the face, skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Some common types of cosmetic deformities include:
1. Facial deformities: Congenital or acquired abnormalities affecting the shape, structure, or appearance of the face, such as cleft lip and palate, facial paralysis, or facial asymmetry.
2. Skin deformities: Conditions affecting the skin’s texture, tone, or appearance, such as acne, scars, birthmarks, or skin discoloration.
3. Hair deformities: Abnormalities affecting the hair’s growth, texture, or appearance, such as alopecia, hirsutism, or hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments.
4. Nail deformities: Conditions affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the nails, such as nail fungus, nail psoriasis, or nail trauma.
5. Dental deformities: Abnormalities affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the teeth, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, or malocclusion.
Causes of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can result from various factors, including:
1. Genetics: Congenital conditions or inherited traits can cause cosmetic deformities.
2. Trauma: Injuries or accidents can result in cosmetic deformities, such as scars or facial trauma.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, can cause cosmetic deformities.
4. Treatments and procedures: Medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, can result in cosmetic deformities.
5. Aging and environmental factors: Aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors can contribute to cosmetic deformities, such as wrinkles, fine lines, or age spots.
Effects of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including:
1. Low self-esteem: Cosmetic deformities can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
2. Social anxiety: Individuals with cosmetic deformities may experience social anxiety, avoiding social interactions or feeling embarrassed in public.
3. Emotional distress: Cosmetic deformities can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or stress.
4. Impact on quality of life: Cosmetic deformities can affect an individual’s quality of life, impacting their relationships, career, or overall well-being.
Treatment options for cosmetic deformities
Various treatment options are available to address cosmetic deformities, including:
1. Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, or dermatological surgery, can correct or improve cosmetic deformities.
2. Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion, can address cosmetic concerns, such as skin texture, tone, or appearance.
3. Medical treatments: Medical treatments, such as topical creams, oral medications, or injectable treatments, can address cosmetic concerns, such as acne, hair loss, or nail deformities.
4. Prosthetic and orthotic devices: Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as wigs, hairpieces, or dental prosthetics, can help individuals with cosmetic deformities.
5. Counselling and therapy: Counselling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cosmetic deformities.
Conclusion
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding the types, causes, and effects of cosmetic deformities is crucial in addressing these concerns.
Various treatment options are available, ranging from surgical procedures to non-surgical treatments, medical treatments, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and counselling and therapy.
By seeking professional help and support, individuals with cosmetic deformities can improve their appearance, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Reference
1. “Cosmetic Deformities” by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
