Kendrick Lamar: A theology of thirst, doubt and redemption
Chris Burton offers a wide-ranging theological conversation on Kendrick Lamar’s music, tracing how doubt, trauma, faith and responsibility shape one of hip-hop’s most searching moral voices.
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Clipse: Survivor’s guilt and irresistible grace
Chris Burton traces Clipse’s catalog as testimony — where survivor’s guilt, grace, and honesty refuse easy narratives.
Rapsody: The holy work of formation
In this episode, Chris Burton explores how Rapsody pairs uncompromising lyricism with a lived commitment to community, mentoring young artists, and investing in others as an act of faithful formation.
Lauryn Hill: Faith, fame and a different measure of success
Chris Burton explores how Hill’s music wrestles with faith, integrity and fame — and why refusing to “lose your soul” may be her greatest legacy.
Queen Latifah: The theology of dignity
From “U.N.I.T.Y.” to “Ladies First,” Queen Latifah refuses disrespect and insists on dignity. In this episode of “Theology of Hip-Hop," Chris Burton reflects on Black womanhood and the image of God.
Ka: Finding God in the ruins
Chris Burton explores how Ka’s music uncovers beauty, truth and divinity in the hardest corners of life.
Doechii: Unlimited God, unlimited creativity
From “God” to “Anxiety,” Doechii shows us what faith can sound like outside the sanctuary. Join Chris Burton for the "The Theology of Hip Hop."
GloRilla: Thankful for God’s favor
Chris Burton digs into the gospel roots, gratitude, controversy and God-consciousness woven through GloRilla’s music.
Tupac Shakur: Poetic. Prophetic. Profound.
Chris Burton reads Tupac’s catalog as street-level theology — lament and hope in conversation with Scripture — and asks what Pac’s “ghetto gospel” still demands of the church today.
Thanks for looking out (April 13, 2025)
Chris Burton writes on 1 John 2.
Beings worth being around (March 9, 2025)
Exodus 25-26 reveals God's desire for intentional relationship, writes Chris Burton.
On ambition (February 16, 2025)
Ambition drives us, yet Matthew 19:16-30 reveals its limits, writes Chris Burton.
Resisting despair amid empire (January 5, 2025)
Chris Burton explores God's vigilance, justice, and faith as a response to oppression and despair in challenging times.
The kingdom of God calls us to something beyond the imagination
“If we see wrong, step up. I believe that God steps with us.” Chris Burton and Dartinia Hull tackle systemic sin, generational trauma, and the hope found in God’s promises.
Kendrick vs. Drake and the parallels with Christian integrity
The current beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake causes Chris Burton to reflect the spiritual practice of rebuking.
AI as an instrument of abolition
From a shorter work week to deeper personal growth, the implications of artificial intelligence point toward profits that are beyond simply economic, writes Chris Burton.
Imagination, vocation and the Three Wise Men (December 31, 2023)
Chris Burton reflects on the Three Wise Men: "We delude ourselves thinking that there will never be trouble. On the contrary, our testimony matures because in the face of significant trouble, God delivers us."
Embracing love: Celebrating successes and overcoming jealousy (December 24, 2023)
Love is not beholden to the myth of scarcity, writes Chris Burton. Elizabeth and Mary teach us this.
Roots, thorns and joy: Navigating complex family history during the holidays (December 17, 2023)
How do we make sense of complicated family dynamics in our lives and in our faith history? Chris Burton reflects on the women present in Jesus' genealogy.
Peace is not confined by convention (December 10, 2023)
In this second week of Advent, communities around the world will speak of peace, but what do we really mean? How far-reaching is our understanding of peace? Chris Burton reflects.
Home and hope in Ruth (December 3, 2023)
"Ruth demonstrates tremendous hope. Hope that this tragedy will not unwrite her own story. Hope that there is more to be written, and more to be lived," writes Chris Burton.
Podcast review: “CrossStreets”
"CrossStreets is an essential tool for any listener that desires inspiration and wants to be a fly on the wall during a good conversation."