Update (April 19): Rapper Shai Linne defended his characterization of Paula White as a "false teacher" in a lengthy letter to her son and manager, who complained about her mention in his latest song.
"My song was not about you, your financial status, the genuineness of your faith, your mother's prayers for you or the good things that Paula White Ministries does. The song was about the false doctrine that Paula White and others have publicly taught for many years and continue to teach," he wrote. (Full text of his response is posted on the Wade-o-Radio website.)
In his argument, Shai Linne said that White falsely teaches elements of the prosperity gospel, including that "physical healing and financial abundance in this life are provided for in the atonement of Christ."
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Update (April 12): Paula White's son and manager defended her ministry and argued against her characterization as a false teacher in a letter to Shai Linne in response to his latest single.
Bradley Knight's response was published on the site Wadeoradio.com, which offered each of the leaders mentioned in the song a chance to weigh in.
"When I hear a fellow Christian leader, whom has never had a conversation with me or my mother, call her a 'Fal$e Teacher' I wonder what 'Fal$e Teaching$' I myself have been inculcated with," Knight wrote, going on to cite his $44,000 salary from the ministry. "I forego money for the opportunity to work for a ministry that I believe in, a ministry that I witness daily changing lives across the globe. Including and especially the continent of Africa you gave a shout out too."
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The rise of Reformed rap continues to draw praise–and controversy.
On Shai Linne's new album, "Lyrical Theology, Pt. 1: Theology," which released Tuesday, the Christian rapper does more than just drop a few beats. Linne also drops the names of 12 prominent pastors whom he calls "false teachers."
In the pre-released single "Fal$e Teacher$," Linne calls out Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, T.D. Jakes, and Joyce Meyer, among others, for making "bogus statements, [and being] financially motivated."
In the song, Linne says, "Don't be deceived by this funny biz, if you come to Jesus for money, then he's not your God, money is! Jesus is not a means to an end, the Gospel is He came to redeem us from sin, and that is the message forever I yell! If you're living your best life now you're heading for hell!"
The song, as well as an accompanying video that explains why Linne wrote it, has sparked both criticism and praise, including the following tweet from John Piper:
My,my, Shai, this is good. Seven-minute video on why Shai Linne wrote and raps "FAL$E TEACHER$". dsr.gd/12vZgGx– John Piper (@JohnPiper) April 7, 2013
HereIblog.com lists all 12 'false teachers' named by Linne:
1. Joel Osteen
2. Creflo Dollar
3. Benny Hinn
4. TD Jakes
5. Joyce Meyer
6. Paula White
7. Fred Price
8.Kenneth Copland
9. Robert Tilton
10. Eddie Long
11. Juanita Bynum
12. Paul Crouch
CT has spotlighted the rise of Reformed rap, including frontman Lecrae's work against absentee fathers.
