Ghanaian entertainment pundit Socrate Safo has questioned why secular musicians should be treated as unsuitable for religious events, especially church performances, when they can use their songs to communicate the gospel.
Mr Safo argued that a person’s identity as a secular artiste should not be the deciding factor when churches consider inviting them to perform inspirational music.
He made the point while discussing Halifax Ansah-Addo’s decision to invite Adane Best, a secular musician, to perform at a church programme.
Safo asked why the musician’s secular background should become an obstacle when the intention is to share a message through music.
“What is wrong with being a secular artist?” he asked on the Gentlemen and Gentlemen podcast.
He further argued that God can choose people for specific assignments regardless of how others perceive them, pointing to the calling of Jesus’ apostles and Paul’s transformation.
Safo also challenged the suggestion that the person delivering a message must be entirely free of flaws before being considered useful to God.
“The most important thing about the vessel that we need is that it is a human being. That’s all,” he said.
He then referred to Matthew 11:19, where Jesus was described by his critics as a glutton, a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and sinners because of the people he associated with.
Safo used the biblical account to question the judgement directed at musicians perceived as outsiders who are willing to use their music to spread inspirational messages.
He also referred to what happened when Adane Best performed in the church, introducing the idea of “realisation” as he continued his argument.
