Lecrae Says the Gospel Is the Cure for a Polarized Church and Culture
Grammy Award–winning artist Lecrae says the answer to society's polarization -- both inside and outside the church -- is one simple truth: the gospel. The hip-hop artist last week released Reconstruction, his first studio album in three years. The 19-track project recounts how he nearly abandoned Christianity and the church before sensing God's call to return.
Lecrae's music has found listeners on both the Left and the Right, and he believes the heart of Christianity holds the key to disagreeing without being disagreeable -- particularly in a culture where controversy drives clicks.
"It goes back to the simple word gospel, right?" he said when asked about the antidote to polarization.
"When we say gospel, oftentimes we're just thinking of a message of 'Jesus came, died, and resurrected.' But that word gospel was a word that was used even prior to Christ. It was good news. It was the good news of a new king. They would herald, 'Hey, a new king is here.' And what a new king meant is that there would be kind of a new way of living -- things will be better."
Jesus, he said, is a king who offers a better way of living in a world where people are regularly tempted to serve their own empires instead of God's Kingdom.
"What Jesus is bringing is a completely new Kingdom -- and that new Kingdom is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, goodness. And if we can be ambassadors of this Kingdom and not be so focused on our empire, whether that is a national empire, whether that's a local, congregational, or denominational empire -- we've got to let the empire go for the sake of the Kingdom. And I think once we can begin to do that and see each other as siblings in this Kingdom and learn how to work together, we'll be a healthier place."
Lecrae acknowledged the tension Christians feel while living in both earthly and heavenly kingdoms, but said he believes the tension can be resolved in Jesus' words from Mark 12:17: "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
"Simplistically, pay your taxes, be involved, care about what's going on in your society. But what belongs to God, give to God."
In other words, Lecrae said, it is healthy to engage in civic life, but don't confuse it with the ultimate Kingdom -- and treat others on the other side as Jesus would do.
"Whose image is on you? The image of God, right? So give Him you -- your wholeness," he said. "There are things under the sun that are societal. We play our role, we play our part, but they don't supersede what belongs to God. And so I think as long as we can hold that intention in a healthy tension, we're good."
Photo Credit: ©Reach Records
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
More about Lecrae
Related Content:
- Lecrae Talks about His Big Screen Debut and Brand New Podcast in Exclusive Interview
- Lecrae Explains Appearance at Democratic Event: 'I Didn't Realize' it Wasn't Bipartisan
- 'God Is Challenging Us to Not Idolize' America and Politics, Lecrae Urges
- How Montell Jordan Stopped Lecrae from Giving Up on His Marriage
- Two Christian Activists Urge Followers of Jesus to Act as Influencers in American Politics
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Tibrina Hobson/Stringer
Originally published August 26, 2025.
