There was a lot of unexpected events this year, but something nobody predicted was artist/rapper Kanye West’s conversion to Christianity.

Prior to his conversion this year, West had a reputation of being a controversial and impulsive figure head, and Kanye’s sudden 180 from sin to faith turned a lot of heads.

On October 25th, Kanye released a new album titled “Jesus is King” along with a short film of the same name, both of which were received with moderate approval.

Kanye also started hosting Sunday services with his gospel group of the same name. Although the service is less than traditional, the message is positive and the rapper and his crew provide a modern and entertaining spin on typical worship.

Some praised Kanye for his bold stance in his faith while others criticized him, saying that his position was just another marketing scheme to get his name in the news.

If it was, it certainly worked, seeing as the media relentlessly exploited his less than holy past.

So from the point of view of a religious person, is Kanye’s quick conversion to Christianity a fresh start for the musician or a flagrant lie to get publicity?

Personally, I believe that Kanye’s change from Yeezus to Jesus is a positive thing for the Christian faith, and I think that Kanye’s discovery should not be bashed, but instead be a sign that anyone can find peace in a higher power.

As a disclaimer, I am not trying to force anyone to believe in a higher power. I am just trying to give my opinion, as a Christian, about this issue and if someone disagrees, I would be more than happy to hear their thoughts.

Regardless of your opinion of his music, anyone can see that Kanye isn’t just a fake who glanced at a synopsis of the Bible.

Kanye uses semi-obscure verses and references that someone who is faking faith couldn’t possibly replicate.

This is probably a result of Kanye’s priests and mentors that have been guiding him during his journey.

His pastor, Adam Tyson, is completely clean and seems to be pointing Kanye in the right direction.

Some, however, complain about the multi-platinum artist and his troubled past.

Kanye did not exactly live a life of faith, as he was often complicated in drug abuse and other destructive behaviors.

However, the same people who preach forgiveness for sins are the same people who condemn the actions of the new disciple.

Clearly it is wrong to put the newly converted Kanye on a pedestal, but it is backwards to think that Kanye isn’t capable of accepting Jesus.

Of course Kanye has a sinful past, but that is the whole point: He is asking for forgiveness in God.

Kanye is providing a path to Jesus that is easier to access for the modern generation, and while his methods may not be traditional, he is getting young people interested in Christianity again.

Kanye’s conversion represents a positive change to the formulaic and frankly stale path of the modern church which has been slowly losing it’s grasp on the youth.

Instead of immediately doubting that anything positive could happen in today’s climate, we should actually be happy when something good does happen. 

It is disheartening to see that Kanye is trying to talk about something he is passionate about and all people can talk about are his flaws.

Maybe it isn’t necessarily “cool” to be Christian, but it takes a lot more bravery to speak up about something that not everyone agrees on than to please a room with semi-controversial opinions that everyone believes.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”- Luke 6:37.