With the release of Kanye West’s new album, “JESUS IS KING”, there has been much speculation about his newfound faith.

Christian celebrities are not a new occurrence in pop culture. Many are more up-front with their faith like Tim Tebow, while others have mentioned it occasionally like Chris Pratt. However, Kanye West’s status as a born-again Christian was proven to be more drastic, considering his image as the pinnacle of celebrity pride.

But what makes his new album so important today?

Opinions on the album, his first gospel one, have varied. Some do not like the album, it’s music or even its message, believing that West’s new faith is not authentic. Some, on the other hand, praise it, believing that West’s influence will turn others to the faith.

I cannot speak for non-Christians, however, I have one message for the Christian skeptics: unclench your fists and learn to celebrate.

We believers cross into treacherous territory when we greet new-believers with open arms, but is that not we are told to do no matter what?

What’s important about this new album is not how good the music is (although some of the beats are definitely underproduced), but that we are watching a public figure transform from “I am God” to “He is God.”

Jesus forgave Paul and woman in the act of adultery, who’s to say he can’t forgive Kanye West?

Kirk Franklin sums it up well in West’s song “Ultralight Beam:”

“Father, this prayer is for everyone that feels they’re not good enough. This prayer’s for everybody that feels like they’re too messed up. For everyone that feels they’ve said ‘I’m sorry’ too many times. You can never go too far when you can’t come back home again.”