Posted on 08/15/2021 7:27:48 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Perhaps you saw an article that appeared online recently in which Mackenzie Morgan, a worship leader at Refine Church in Lascassas, Tennessee, announced that she and her church would no longer sing songs that come from Bethel Church in California or Hillsong Church in Australia.
After examining some of the teachings from both Bethel and Hillsong, she concluded that to sing any song that originated with or was composed by someone from either of these churches was dangerous.
Morgan insists that when it comes to corporate singing in church, “theology matters.” “It matters,” she says, “if a song is weak in theology and is not accurately displaying the Holiness of our God.” I couldn’t agree more.
Here at my church, Bridgeway, we are intensely careful never to sing error. If a song is in any way inconsistent with Scripture, we don’t sing it, no matter who wrote it or how much we might like the melody.
Morgan is also bothered by the fact that in singing the songs of Bethel and Hillsong, “royalties” are being paid to them. And in this, we are tacitly subsidizing and spreading “their false gospel message.”
She continues: “What if the majority of the church is leading its people astray singing music that is less than worthy of a Sovereign and Holy God? Would God be pleased with the lights? With the smoke machines? With the obsession of hands in the air and ‘response’ from the crowd? With loud worship nights singing songs He doesn’t approve of?”
So let me go on the record in this regard. I don’t like the strobe lights that so often are used in church worship sets. I refuse to make use of smoke machines. But I’m puzzled by the reference to the raising of hands. Has she not read Scripture’s many references to this practice? Has she not considered the deeply symbolic and spiritual nature of not only this but of other physical postures in worship?
I’m curious: Does a person’s stiff, statuesque posture, with hands firmly at one’s side or stuffed into one’s pockets honor God more than those that are lifted in praise?
Be assured of this. In no way do I endorse or turn a blind eye to the scandals that have rocked Hillsong in recent days. In no way do I endorse certain ministry methods that are employed at a variety of churches that artificially stir up emotions as an end in themselves or manipulate people into behaviors or experiences that lack biblical sanction. Every church, be it Bethel, Hillsong or Bridgeway (including Refine Church in Tennessee), needs to labor more vigorously to tether our teachings and practices to the inspired Word of God.
But let’s go straight to the point. Because this lady believes that some of what Bethel and Hillsong teach is unbiblical, no other church should make use of the music composed or sung there. She also insists that we should “read their church’s doctrine and see what they preach, teach and believe. But don’t stop there. Don’t compare it to your traditions or what you think is right. Compare it with Scripture. Scripture is the ultimate authority. Not me, not your pastor, not the world, only God. There are no gray areas in God’s Word.”
So I did just that. Bethel’s statement of faith is profoundly evangelical and orthodox and consistent with the historic creeds of Christianity . They affirm the Trinity, the inspiration and authority of the Bible, the incarnation and virgin birth of Jesus Christ, His substitutionary death on the cross, bodily resurrection, and ascension into Heaven.
They further affirm that we are saved by grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus. Bethel was at one time affiliated with the Assemblies of God, and yet their statement on the issue of Spirit baptism differs from that denomination’s viewpoint.
Here is what they say: “The baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 1:4-8 and 2:4, is poured out on believers that they might have God’s power to be His witnesses.”
Nothing is said about speaking in tongues being the initial, physical evidence of Spirit baptism. They do appear to believe that this experience is separate from and subsequent to conversion, but even then the language is a bit ambiguous. And let us not forget that although I and many evangelical charismatics believe baptism in the Spirit occurs simultaneous with conversion, the doctrine of “separate and subsequent” has been and still is embraced by numerous Christian denominations within the Pentecostal world, and is ably (even if not persuasively) defended by countless biblical scholars who minister in that tradition. We may disagree with their view on this point, but it is very much a secondary, perhaps even tertiary, doctrine. It is hardly a hill to die on.
I’m baffled by how or on what basis Morgan accuses them of preaching a “false gospel.” They preach salvation by grace alone in Christ alone through faith alone. They tether their hope of eternal life on trust in the sinless life, sacrificial, atoning death and bodily resurrection of Jesus.
Now, are there certain other ministry practices embraced by Bethel that I find questionable and without explicit biblical support? Yes. But those do not make them heretical or deserving of cynical disdain. If more time were spent by Bethel’s critics praying for them than is given to writing hyper-critical reviews, perhaps such practices would diminish over time.
Morgan says that she will not sing songs that are not “worthy of a sovereign and Holy God.” Good for her. I agree. And I hope you wouldn’t ever sing such songs either. But I challenge anyone to closely examine the lyrics of these songs, all of which were composed by someone in Bethel or Hillsong or related to them in close friendship or some other ministry alliance, and tell me they are dangerous, unbiblical or not worthy of who God is and what he has done.
Here is a small sampling:
“Goodness of God”
“King of Kings”
“O Praise the Name!”
“Worthy is the Lamb”
“Cornerstone”
“For the Cross”
I will go on record and say that God is profoundly honored and exalted by each of these songs.
“Oh, but Sam. We disagree with some of their secondary doctrines. Won’t our singing of these songs communicate to people that we endorse what some in their churches believe? And we have to pay royalties to sing those songs. Aren’t we contributing to the spread of their errors?”
No. Folks, I plead with you: Don’t let cancel culture come to church! You may differ with Bethel and Hillsong in some (perhaps many) of their ministry practices. So do I. But we will sing with these people around the throne of the Lamb for eternity. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Surely, you are not prepared to denounce them as unregenerate, unbelievers because they don’t toe the line on every doctrine that you embrace.
What about Morgan’s concern that by singing the songs of Bethel and Hillsong we are paying royalties to these churches? Well, let me ask Morgan and others a question or two.
Where will you draw the line on where and to whom you will allow your money to go?
Should I throw away all the books in my library that were written by Jewish scholars because they reject Jesus as the Messiah? Have you refused to do your shopping at Kroger and Target because they are decidedly pro-LGBT? Do you carefully avoid purchasing gas for your car from those stations that obtain their products from oil companies that fund Planned Parenthood?
Have you stopped singing “A Mighty Fortress is our God” because its author, Martin Luther, made horrific anti-Semitic statements in his later years?
Should we refuse to sing “It is Well with My Soul” because the author of its lyrics, Horatio Spafford, eventually denied the existence of Hell, affirmed universalism and purgatory, and was guilty of multiple instances of fraudulent financial dealings?
In no way do I even remotely endorse the errors of all those I have just mentioned, but to refuse to sing thoroughly biblical worship songs they wrote, lest we be somehow tainted or defiled in doing so, is both impractical and absurd, and will only lead to a legalistic and Pharisaical local church culture. You will end up encased in your own echo chamber, isolated and alone, pridefully patting yourself on the back for being among the remnant who “get it right.”
I, for one, will instead continue to remain rigorously biblical in what I preach and how I sing, but do so without castigating or canceling other Christians who happen to differ with me on some secondary issue or ministry style.
Sam Storms is lead pastor for preaching and vision at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was previously a visiting associate professor of theology at Wheaton College from 2000 to 2004. He is the founder of Enjoying God Ministries and blogs regularly at SamStorms.org.
I thought it was going to be about why we shouldn’t worship with boring songs that don’t truly reflect a totally awesome God Who created us, died for us, knows us intimately, provides for us, leads us guides us, and gives us power to move mountains if only we trust Him.
I just can’t stand modern “worship” songs that repeat the same thing over again then repeat it some more
Hillsong has some very good worship songs. “Touch the Sky” is my favorite.
I think the older Hillsong was better than their newer stuff.
Interestingly, I have only bought ONE CD in which I liked every song on it. Not just tolerated, but actually liked.
It was a Matt Redman CD.
Strobe lights?
Smoke Machines?
You have got to be kidding me.
Good thing I converted to Catholicism years ago and have not had to deal with such nonsense.
When they show the words on the screen and it says repeat six times I think once is enough.
This whole article is nuts. Bethel Church is headed by Bill Johnson, who, among other heresies, believes the NAR doctrine of modern-day apostles who have the same powers as those of the Apostolic era. They believe these self-appointed apostles have the power to raise the dead, heal the sick, and do other miracles. Another heresy that Johnson promotes is the Gnosis heresy that Christ was only a man who was right with God, not really God, and that modern-day apostles can have the same power He had. Johnson is seen on YouTube espousing this heresy at a Hillsong gathering.
Look up Bethel Church of Redding, California. Look at Johnson claiming feathers and gold dust fall during his services as miraculous evidence of visitations of the Holy Spirit. His wife claims power from something called grave soaking wherein these apostles lie on the graves of dead religious leaders and can soak up their powers.
Bethel also has schools of supernatural ministry which teach “students” how to raise people from the dead and cure physical injuries and ailments. Just do a simple search on Bill Johnson and Bethel Church. Or, if you want to throw up, watch Heidi Baker, one of Bethel’s “apostles” conduct weird group hypnosis sessions that resemble Kundalini worship with chanting and the repetitive music that characterizes the extreme charismatic movement. The Johnsons combine it with New Age mysticism. I urged my church to stop using Bethel and Hillsong music after doing extensive research on these crooks. I was sickened by what I found.
Brian Houston of Hillsong is another NAR charismatic charlatan who is a money-making machine preying on gullible young people who worship his music. Watch the exposes of his Hillsong empire that Australian television has aired. They’re readily available with a Google search. A really shocking Hillsong-London Christmas extravaganza was a Roaring Twenties style parody of the Christmas carol, “Silent Night” that featured flappers dancing on table tops while male dancers bump and grind suggestively in the background. It can also be found with a Google search. It’s disgusting. Don’t support these people by using their music in church and paying royalties to do so.
Long on accusation.
Short on citation.
I recognize that pattern.
The burden of proof lies with The Accuser.
So, start proving.
John 14:12
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
The miracles of the apostles and Jesus are extended to all believers to request God to do. God, in His infinite wisdom and purpose, may choose to not answer yes - but the faith of the believer is a beautiful thing.
Your “smoke machines” are called censers. ;-)
“ Your “smoke machines” are called censers. ;-)
+1
Praise Him with the loud cymbals.
Praise Him with the well-tuned cymbals.
Me too. I despise it. I’ve stopped coming to my church on time and show up 15-20 minutes late so we all don’t have to endure it. My kids say the same as me.
Looking at the lyrics one can make a guess that the author was speaking to Jesus directly....though his name is never mentioned in the song. Doesn’t help anyone listening who doesn’t know about Christianity though I suppose it might prompt such a person to ask..”Who are you singing about?”
Stained glass windows, statues, candles for the dead and the use of incense smokers(censers) in some Catholic congregations...yes Catholic churches have used their own special effects over the years as have Episcopalians and many others...(Fried Chicken dinners for southern baptists, LOL. Don’t know if all the good food makes one more spiritual but it makes one comfortably sleepy).
Not saying what’s right or wrong but let us not be smugly self righteous about one’s choice of churches. They all have their own “special effects” even if a particular church strives for simplicity of worship.
Me personally...don’t mind a lot of praise and worship especially songs directly from scriptures and psalms that have the context of the scriptures right! I don’t like them repeated about about 8 times...let’s use the time to sing more songs.
Lift up holy hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord? Yup...Loud cymbals ..check mark...it’s all in the Bible!
I think PA cited videos that could be found to prove his points though he didn’t supply any links. He has not been the first to make such claims against the Hillsong people.
I am still on the fence and have been trying to figure this out for myself for some time now... but I will say there have been a few songs I have heard, where at the time, I felt like something was not right with this song and then I go look it up after and it is from Bethel or Hillsong... I can’t put my finger on it, it is just a gut feeling that something is off. I don’t like it, because it detracts from worship, but I can’t control it, it is just there. When I asked my mom about it... she went off and sounded exactly like Morgan and has even gone to the church elders with her concerns, a big portion of their congregation feels the same way.
Question, just out of curiosity, because this was one of the first ones that my gut sent me a notification... I mean I like the tune, but that word seems wrong!
Do you believe God’s love is reckless??
“Reckless Love”
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
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