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Religious Art

2026-03-15T11:30:30-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Where’s the Beat? Claiming Pop Christian Music As Pop Music

Last updated on: March 15, 2026 at 11:30 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

Pop Hip Hop has strong implications. The “Pop,” when listed as a proper term, gives credit to a firm establishment of a genre. When listed in the diminutive “pop,” most understand this as a subgenre. Hip Hop holds a similar position with the title reference. When reading Christian Hip Hop, the application of contemporary theomusicological discourse is necessary. The core elements of theomusicology must be engaged: personal testimony, discipleship, evangelism, biblical-centered lyrics/text, community, and activism. Without the involvement of the... Read more

General Christian

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christian culture

christian music

christian music critique

contemporary music

pop music

theomusicology

2026-03-08T05:21:32-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Good news! God made me funky! Headhunters and Jamiroquoi

Last updated on: March 8, 2026 at 5:21 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Reading pop music through a theomusicological lens might seem a bit difficult. One might ask, “How can a song not meant to have a religious perspective be heard with a religious perspective?” Good question. Fortunately, pop culture offers works, from time to time, that are a bit easier to understand theomusicologically. The foundations of contemporary theomusicology are discipleship, evangelism, biblically-centered text/lyrics, personal testimony, community, and activism. When listening to a song, either from pop culture (secular) or... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

music criticism

pop culture criticism

2026-03-01T05:56:38-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Apologetics In Pop Music: A Theomusicological Reading

Last updated on: March 1, 2026 at 5:56 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

Protest music is not limited to the street. The sounds of the People have been ringing through worship for over a millennium. “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NKJV). Contemporary popular music (read: pop music) can function not only in a secular, non-faith-based culture,... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

music criticism

2026-02-21T02:42:50-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How Hip Hop Remembers Jesse Jackson: Life As Scripture

Last updated on: February 21, 2026 at 2:42 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

“The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining” (1 Peter 4: 7–9 NLT). The revered Jesse Jackson was a prolific example to multiple communities. His reach surpassed the political arena where he was most noted. The voice and message of Jesse Jackson contributed to the cultural evolution and message of... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

2026-02-14T05:16:52-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Bad Bunny or Kid Rock?: Evangelism At The “Big Game” Show

Last updated on: February 14, 2026 at 5:16 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

As one invested in musicology/theomusicology as a discursive practice to understand and escalate a credible value of expressive culture, the “Big Game” halftime show on February 8, 2026, offers a yearly opportunity to indulge in critical analysis. This year, 2026, was of particular interest. The mainstay “Big Game” halftime show is predictable. However, this year, Turning Point USA offered an “alternative” halftime show, named “The All-American Halftime Show.” The title contextualizes an assumption that the alternative entertainment show provided by... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

2026-02-06T18:50:41-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Reading The Grammy Music Awards Theomusicologically

Last updated on: February 6, 2026 at 6:50 pm By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

The 68th Grammy Awards brought glimmer and bright lights to the music industry. A highly anticipated evening, this year’s awards ceremony was no exception. For the Christian/Gospel music community, this evening is of particular excitement. This is a rare moment when the secular artistic community sees the scope and work of the contemporary Christian/Gospel music community. Framing a relevant and accurate representation of the Christian/Gospel music genre for a non-faith-based audience is important. It is incumbent on the nominees, winners,... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

2026-01-31T18:41:20-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

All I Needed To Know I Learned From Snoop Dog: A Faith Walk

Last updated on: January 31, 2026 at 6:41 pm By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

Growing up in Hip Hop, you find yourself on either side of the East Coast/West Coast divide. Being from the West Coast, if you didn’t know about Snoop Dogg and support his prominence in Hip Hop, you found yourself ostracized by friends and, at times, family. Snoop Dogg’s image became synonymous with a second wave of gangster rap. Retaining the stereotypical images and lifestyle of gangster rap (exoticizing women, drug and alcohol culture, crime and incarceration pride, extravagant living, glorifying... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

music criticism

pop culture criticism

2026-01-21T04:45:38-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

You Were So Close: U2’s Failure With Pride And Dr. King

Last updated on: January 21, 2026 at 4:45 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

We all recount specific moments in our days where it felt like time stood still. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holds that sober position all too well. Likewise, hearing the song dedicated to Dr. King from the band U2 summons a similar emotional chill. Pride (In the Name of Love) has gone on to become an anthem, a question, and a personal memory. Speaking to generations decades after that shocking evening, Pride (In the Name of Love)... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

2026-01-17T04:41:11-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It Took You All Long Enough! The Pastoral Ordination Of DMX

Last updated on: January 17, 2026 at 4:41 am By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take Aaron and his sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, and set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel to be my priests’” (Exodus 29:28 NLT). This track continues to follow me wherever I go. DMX, Lord Give Me A Sign (Official Video), October 25, 2009 It was this track, years ago, which introduced me to the work of DMX. I had no idea who he was at the... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

2026-01-13T22:31:28-08:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Does Christian Punk Even Matter? An Apologetic Reading

Last updated on: January 13, 2026 at 10:31 pm By Alan Lechusza Aquallo

I have had the recent opportunity to interview an environmentalist for a podcast. The interview discussed Punk culture and aesthetics, along with environmental activism. Following the interview, I began to think back on the intersectionality between environmentalist activism and Punk aesthetics. When analyzed through a Christian apologetic reading, these two areas become more aligned. The fluidity of Punk, as a genre and aesthetic discipline, opens itself to such a Christian apologetic. Knowing the breadth and depth of Christian Punk, the... Read more

General Christian

Evangelical

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