Thoughts by Isaac Shaffer
Counterfeit Worship? Why We Must Stop Singing the Music of False Churches.
By Isaac Shaffer / Date: January 17, 2024
Growing up in contemporary Christian culture and growing up in a megachurch, you get used to singing in “worship” which looks very much like a concert. This was normal, and reasonable since the music clearly directed praise and admiration towards Jesus in many repetitious lyrics, high volume in the chords and buildups, and many hands raised to our Lord.
So, you can imagine my shock when I found out that singing music is dangerous.
Looking at the primary sources where many churches get their music, they often choose Hillsong, Bethel, Elevation, Jesus Culture, or some other like-minded megachurch ministry that boasts of loud, concert-like music. Little do many know that these are, in fact, false churches that praise an unbiblical concept of God and Jesus. Our music sung in church ought not only to be sound lyrically, but also structurally, theologically, and supporting (especially financially) the right organizations.
With that said, I must make an earnest plea to any church who sings songs from Hillsong, Bethel, Elevation, and other praise and worship megachurches: Stop singing these songs! I know we may get used to them. They are catchy, attractive, and sing a love for Jesus. But, after you look at Scripture and what these songs and “churches” do, you might think differently. I could make this longer if I wanted to, but I boiled down to six reasons for abandoning the churches that create and release praise and worship music. There is more that we do not see under the surface.
1. Poor Theology Communicated Through the Lyrics.
We read in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (ESV). Music teaches. In the church, it is meant for the edification of the saints. And what our music must teach is sound doctrine (cf. Titus 2:1). Truth teaching lyrics are more important than styles of worship. Our Lord Jesus Christ told the Samaritan woman that God seeks true worshippers who “will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23).
But a lot of the music coming out of these megachurches miss sound doctrine in their lyrics. To use the words of the apostle Paul once again, “these have indeed an appearance of wisdom… but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (Col. 2:23). Many clearly contradict Scripture. If they are not communicating what is contrary to Scripture, it is at the very least vague, questionable, and even centered on charismatic/Pentecostal teachings. Just look at the lyrics. “Open the Heavens” from Gateway Worship, a ministry division from Gateway Church (Robert Morris) sings: “Open the heavens, pour your spirit out on us (which sounds very charismatic), unleash your presence (also charismatic), Jesus come alive in us (Is not Jesus already alive in us? Gal. 2:20).” All these lyrics seem to carry some sort of authority that man has over God.
What about “Reckless Love” from Cory Asbury (from Bethel)? Where in the Bible does it say that God’s love is “reckless”?
“Graves Into Gardens” from Elevation is not only repetitive (more on this later), but also takes a lot of certain biblical scenes and concepts from the Bible out of context. “You turn mourning to dancing, you give beauty for ashes, you turn shame into glory…. Graves into Gardens…bones into armies… seas into highways.” Sure, many of the scenes depicted here can be found in the Bible, and God certainly should be praised for such miracles, but what are we communicating to our fellow worshippers when we sing this song? That they will see the same things, if not greater?
The list could go on. There is a lack of biblical clarity in these songs. Many of them just express how much the singer loooooves Jesus. Well, if you honestly love Him so much, then speak the truth about Him from His Word. If I ask a man if he loves his wife and I ask her how much he knows her, then he should be able to give me a list of characteristics about her (“her favorite basketball team… how long she spends reading the Bible… what is her least favorite animal…” etc.). Where is such rich, theological content in the songs from these megachurches/worship ministries?
2. Manipulation
Many critics might say, “Sure they might not have a lot of head knowledge in them, but they are not necessarily outright heretical.” That may be true, but there is more to this issue. For one thing, music can be manipulative. These churches use their music in ways that excite the emotions of the “worshippers” that they fall prey to the commands or suggestions given by those leading the “worship.”
Have you ever had that one song that you would play repeatedly, or one that would come on the radio that would lift your spirits? Maybe you have been to a concert where with the music and their special effects that got you all excited. Or there might be some instrumental piece that makes one cry, even though he/she does not know what the song means. Have you ever had your emotions affected like that?
That is exactly what is happening in the praise and worship movement. Many think that this emotional experience is feeling God’s presence. This feeling is further boosted by big lights, smoke machines, dancing, and a rock concert appearance. Feeling good emotions like this is not necessarily evil, and we should never part from our emotions in worship. But it is a despicable thing to associate a fleeting, emotional, cathartic feeling with the actual presence of God. There are times when the “worship leader” (which in my opinion is a bad title, because there is only one worship Leader) will pray something like, “God you are here… we can feel your presence… we ask that you move here tonight by your Holy Spirit…etc.” This drives much of the megachurch’s ministry. This is destructive. Basing one’s emotions on feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit is a false experience. And those who make this music admit that they use music for the sake of influencing people. Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church/Music in Redding, California says, “Music bypasses all of the intellectual barriers, and when the anointing of God is on a song, people will begin to believe things they wouldn’t believe through teaching.” 1
It was the evangelist and revivalist Charles Finney who harnessed the power of “excitement” to boost the effectiveness of his ministry. Not only did he try to make his preaching exciting to the listener, but also the music was selected for the best result with the congregation. One article said this: “Finney found the newly emerging pop culture as the perfect tool for creating exciting experiences because it was immediate and it stimulated excitement. Finney urged those writing and leading music in his meetings to look to the advertisers of the day for inspiration. This new way of thinking affected not only the content and style of worship and music, but it transformed the view of the church and its worship. Music for church services was chosen based on whatever would create an exciting atmosphere for unbelievers or believers. Liturgy within corporate worship eventually began to mimic that of an evangelistic meeting, with an altar call replacing the Lord’s Table as the climax of the service. Finney’s revivalist measures marked a decided break with the Judeo-Christian worship tradition.”2 So, Finney chose the best music to emotionally manipulate people to come to an “alter call” as an evangelistic tool.
My friends, there is one and only one evangelistic tool that God has given us to sufficiently evangelize the lost and train Christians in godliness and righteousness: the Scriptures (2Ti. 3:15-17). Our responsibility is to preach the Word (2Ti. 4:2) and teach sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). Christ will build His church by His timing. We cannot do the work of the Spirit in convicting souls and transforming sinners into children of God. Contemporary “worship” methods seek to do what only the Holy Spirit can do.
In places where worship is compromised, many will experience an exuberant sense of joy which often is associated with the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is especially so in Pentecostal or charismatic circles. The only problem lies in what Scripture teaches on what happens when we experience the presence of God. When the Spirit comes, what initially comes is not joy but sorrow, sorrow over sinfulness. Walter Chantry, in his short evaluation of Pentecostalism, warns that “any religious experiences which bring immediate rejoicing and uninterrupted cheerfulness are not to be trusted. There is much more to spirituality than a lifting of the spirits, and entering the exuberant life, and an extending one’s succession of thrilling experiences.” (emphasis mine).3
Let’s look at some of the encounters with God in the Bible:
Manoah, the father of Samson, after he realized it was an angel of the Lord who predicted his son’s birth cried out, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God” (Judges 13:22). Why were they spared? Because of God’s great plan for Samson that Manoah and his wife lived (cf. vv. 23-25).
Isaiah saw the Lord sitting upon His throne as the angels worshipped him proclaiming “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa. 6:1-3) What was Isaiah’s reaction? Did he start singing along with the angels? No. He cursed himself. “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; (why?) for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (v. 5). And this is one of God’s prophets!
What about the New Testament? When Peter (then called Simon) saw Jesus’ great power, he recognized Him as God. But Peter did not burst into joyful song. He pleaded to Christ, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8). He saw his own sinfulness; that he did not deserve to be in the presence of the Holy.
Perhaps one more example (albeit there are more throughout Scripture): the apostle John in the book of Revelation saw a great vision. And in this vision, he saw the Son of Man (Christ). As a result, he fell at His feet as though dead (Rev. 1:17).
It should be noted how gracious our God is to let sinners like these (and especially wicked people like us) into His presence and showing us His grace. But this grace must not be taken for granted. Seeing God’s holiness drives us to see our sinfulness but, should he/she be a true child of God, the result of God’s presence is not only repentance but also the fear of the Lord. We develop a humble, loving, awe-filled, reverence for our God. And the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Pr. 1:7). The more we fear God, the more we properly know Him and how we ought to worship Him.
Where is such fear of the Lord in the “worship” of these megachurch groups? Most of the songs we hear and see are full of joy and unrepressed happiness. Please do not misunderstand me. Church and singing songs to the Lord are certainly to be with joy and happiness. But it is out of a proper humility towards God that we increase our joy. Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu thought they could get away with worshipping God outside of what He prescribed. These two nephews of Moses, who were supposed to be priests before God, “offered unauthorized (or ‘strange’) fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them” (Lev. 10:1). The result: “And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD” without any funeral or lamentation, not even from their own father (vv. 2-3). How much more deserving are we when we offer to God what takes for granted His holiness and commands? What we ought to do when we come into God’s presence is to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).
Ask yourself whether it is loving to manipulate people into doing something flippant out of emotion rather than letting the work of the Holy Spirit take place within the hearts of people. If you genuinely loved your congregation, you would not deceive them into thinking some emotional, cathartic experience is because of the Holy Spirit, whether in preaching, evangelism, or singing.
3. Entertains Goats, Not Edifies Sheep.
Galatians 1:10: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Now another objection may arise: “If we stopped singing these songs in our services, then people will not want to come back. If they do not get what they want, then they will go somewhere else, and we will lose our attendance numbers and lose evangelistic opportunities.” Believe me, I am all for evangelistic opportunities, but not by giving the customer what makes him feel comfortable and happy. If I am to preach and teach the Word rightly, the Holy Spirit ought to convict these people in their hearts of their sin which would lead to repentance and faith.
The problem with such an objection is that it comes from a view that seeks to entertain the goats (unbelievers) and not edify the flock (true believers). Christ will build His church. To believe that we need catchy, emotional, and/or soft music to grow the church is folly. Such denies the sufficiency of Scripture. “Seeker-sensitivity” rejects Sola Scriptura.
However, we must not necessarily be hostile to unbelievers. We must, in a loving, Christ-honoring way, make them realize that they must not be comfortable because they are not part of the family of God. Seeker-sensitive churches “dances” (if you will) to entertain the goats to keep them in the church. Paul Washer puts it this way:
A church ought to be friendly to genuine seekers, but the church ought to recognize that there is only one Seeker. His name is God! If you want to be friendly to someone, if you want to accommodate someone, accommodate Him and His glory, even if it is rejected by everyone else. We are not called to build empires. We are not called to be accepted by me. We are called to glorify God. And if you want the church to be something other than a distinctive people, a people marked out by holiness as belonging to the God of heaven (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9), then you want something that God does not want.4
The sources who make the “worship” songs are clearly seeker-sensitive, and so deny the trustworthiness of Scripture. Most people who profess to be Christians enjoy the music and may play it on their own on Spotify or other streaming devices. They are used to it. So, when they hear it in the church, they are drawn to it. “The customer is always right” is the slogan of the seeker-sensitive, Gospel-compromising, pragmatism loving church. The apostle Paul described his own preaching as without “lofty speech” (1Co. 2:1) or “plausible words of wisdom” (v. 4). How did he preach then? Knowing nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (v. 2), in weakness, fear, much trembling (v. 3), and in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (v. 4). Why? “So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (v. 5).
My friends, let’s abandon this false teaching of seeker-sensitivity, and the workers who create such methods and trends, especially in the realm of our music. Do you genuinely believe in God’s Word, and what it says? If yes, then hold firm to it so that we may give instruction in sound doctrine (Titus 1:9), and that most certainly includes our music in worship.
WARNING: These first few reasons ought to be enough to start thinking carefully before singing what is all too common from the contemporary Christian music as our worship. But should the reader still not be convinced (although I pray that you are convinced and considering cutting the ties to this movement), there are still a few more reasons to look at. So, my caution to the reader is that I am about to reveal some very shocking facts about where this music comes from. So, you can take the previous information I have given and use it accordingly to your desire (either to search the Scriptures to see if I am right, or continue singing what is clearly unbiblical and destructive), or we can see where this path continues to take us. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
I should also add that the following facts that follow might make me sound very critical and (to some extent) hateful. Please understand that I love these people. I love the leaders of Hillsong, Elevation, Bethel, all their members, and all those who are deceived by them. And I also love you, reader, whom I hope and pray is a fellow believer in Christ. And it is because of this great love I have for you and others that I cannot stay silent on these issues. I would feel that, like the prophet Ezekiel, blood would be on my own head if I did not warn people of the dangers of these organizations (33:1-6). Please understand my heartfelt concern for the true church and these organizations that are leading people astray. I, like my Lord through Ezekiel again, do not wish for their destruction, but I do hope and pray that they will turn from their wicked ways and live (Eze. 33:11).
4. Supports What is Subtly Satanic.
Galatians 1:6-9: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”
1 John 2:22: “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.”
The truth is that the doctrines taught by most of these megachurches is not the Gospel of Christ, but a different gospel entirely. Primarily, the prosperity gospel. Many of these “churches” are not only seeker-sensitive, but also Word of Faith, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR).5 The big church names that include but are not limited to Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation teach heresy about God, the Bible, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hillsong has made headlines for its numerous scandals, including sexual abuse.6 Brian Houston, the former lead pastor of Hillsong, holds to some questionable views concerning gay marriage.7 Not only these specific facts, but Hillsong is one of the biggest epitomes of worldliness instead of holiness (cf. Romans 12:1-2). Such failures ought to be enough to disqualify such a ministry from continuing.8
A more disturbing bit of news comes from five women from Hillsong’s college. According to them, they were taught to physically “submit” to their husbands. We do have biblical proof for the need of submission from Scripture (cf. Eph. 5:21-24; Col. 3:18). But sources show that they do not follow what Scripture also says about husbands loving and also submitting their wives as well (Eph. 5:25-33; Col. 3:19). One student, Yolandi Bosch who was interviewed for a true crime podcast on Hillsong, described her college official “would discuss the way that he’s happy (to) get his wife to submit to him.” She further explains, “He said even if she doesn’t feel like having sex with him, he would force her on a Sunday.” She believes Hillsong teaches a “rape culture.”9 The severe abuse of Scripture to abuse women should certainly not be tolerated, especially within a “church.”
Their doctrinal statement claims to hold to the modern “speaking in tongues,” which has sadly been distorted by Word of Faith teachers. Another more troubling part includes this sentence: “We believe (Hillsong Church) that God wants to heal and transform us so that we can live healthy and blessed lives in order to help others more effectively.10 This is the prosperity gospel; a false gospel that teaches that God wants you rich and healthy. Brian Houston even went as far as to author a book entitled You Need More Money.
Scripture is clear in saying that believing the true Gospel will include suffering, particularly persecution, and that may include in wealth and health (cf. Mt. 5:10,12; 1Co. 4:12; 15:9; 2Co. 4:9; etc.). The apostle Paul said it himself that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will (not might) be persecuted” (2Ti. 3:12). And didn’t Jesus Himself guarantee persecution? (cf. Jn. 15:20). Quite contrary to the prosperity gospel, James teaches us that we ought to “count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds, (why?) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (Jam. 1:2-3). Prosperity preachers will teach that suffering in any form is evil and a result of a lack of faith. Clearly, Hillsong preaches (and sings) a different gospel.
Elevation is not much better, especially after evaluating their lead pastor, Steven Furtick. He will usually be up there in his skinny jeans and some tight T-shirt (enough clothes to make him look cool and show how muscular he is) displaying lots of energy in his preaching at Charlotte, North Carolina. We could have a separate post on proper clothing for a pastor altogether!
But what exactly fills Furtick’s preaching? Sources reveal that he teaches a false view of the Trinity.11 Not only that, but his preaching style and teaching resembles that of the Word of Faith teachers. This could be because one of his biggest role models, as revealed by Justin Peters, is T.D. Jakes, a Oneness Pente-costal. Oneness Pentecostalism teaches modalism, a distorted view of the Trinity that says God reveals Himself in three different “modes.” Furtick is simply following his favorite example.
But there’s more. Furtick made Christian headlines when he boldly declared in one sermon, “I AM GOD ALMIGHTY!”12 You might think that that might have been a slip of the lip, but it was not. Justin Peters found an earlier sermon from “Furtick Almighty” where he preaches about when God declaring Himself to be “I AM WHO I AM” to Moses (Ex. 3:14). According to Furtick, “When God said, ‘I AM’ to Moses, you know, ‘My name is I AM,’ He was trying to get him to see, ‘you are as I AM.’”13 We are as God is, according to Furtick. We are gods, as it were.
This is what is known as the little gods doctrine, a severe misinterpretation of what it means to be created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). Really, there is nothing “little” about this false doctrine. This is a common doctrine taught by Word of Faith, Charismatic, NAR teachers. Doesn’t Scripture explicitly teach that there is one God? (Deut. 4:35; 1Ki. 8:60; Isa. 45:5, 15, 22; 46:9; etc.). And, as a warning to anyone who may claim to be a god, big G or not, “My glory I will not give to another” (Isa. 48:11).
Then there is Bethel, based in Redding, California. Bethel alone is worth a separate post because of its many issues. This “church” has numerous weird, and even chilling truths that need to be revealed.
To start off, we could see that their lead pastor, Bill Johnson, says that Jesus had to be born again (denying His divinity), and that He had to be tortured in Hell for three days.14
Jenn Johnson, the daughter in law of Bill Johnson, a worship “pastor,” and the leader of Bethel Music, also teaches a form of the little gods doctrine and mocks angels (including joking that they must have farting contests).15
We could look at the fact that at Bethel during their services dumps gold dust in the air over their congregation and calling it a visible manifestation of God. 16
It only gets worse.
Bethel engages in “grave-soaking/sucking,” which involves “laying on the graves of deceased Christian leaders in order to absorb their spiritual anointing or anointing from their mantle.” Those at Bethel practice this ritual of sorts on the graves of Pentecostal leaders including John G. Lake, Smith Wigglesworth, and Aimee Semple McPherson.17 This is not just cultic; this is occultic.
A recent tragic event has revealed Bethel’s poor depravity. In 2019, Olive Heiligenthal, daughter of one of Bethel’s songwriters, died being only two years old. In response, her parents, Bethel, and Bill Johnson try to resurrect her. A GoFundMe was set up for the Heiligenthal family, as well as asked for prayers for the resurrection of little Olive under the hashtag #wakeupolive. Needless to say, there has been no resurrection. They even had a church service where they sing and chant “Olive, come out of that grave; Come out of that grave in Jesus’ name….”18 Once again, another cultic practice. When Jesus raised people from the dead, He did not have to repeat his words. He just commanded them once, and they arose at once (cf. Mk. 5:35-45; Jn. 11:43-44).
Bethel churchgoers also display further evidence for depravity. Footage has been captured about Bethel’s baptism services. The routine goes like this: One of the staff beckons one of the people getting baptized, he asks their name and why they are getting baptized, and off they go to the water. The problem we see is no real testimony or conviction of sin from the answers from these people. They will sometimes give short, simple answers (“I just looove Jesus!”). They might just be seeking their own benefits (saying something like, “I hope that this baptism will cause more positive things in my life”). And sometimes there will be some really bizarre ones (like one lady who said that her reason for being baptized was because she felt God was calling her to lead angel armies to fight for the animal kingdom). There is no repentance, so submission to the Lordship of Jesus, no real knowledge of the significance of baptism at all!19 Bethel is leading their followers to Hell and under the name of Jesus!
Bethel also has a school, but not just any school. It is the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). This is where students can learn to become “modern-day revivalists.” But what you will find within is very shocking (and I would add frightening). Videos from one of the events at BSSM show not only strange “fire-tunnels” (a common Word of Faith/NAR practice) for some special Holy Spirit encounter, but you will also see people getting their “Holy Ghost head butt,” students (usually young adults) laying on the floor (slain in the spirit), uncontrollable laughter, puppets giving head nibbles, see men necking each other, and a bunch more chaos. On top of all that, their repetitive, manipulative music is being played. This is no safe area for anyone!20
What saddens and worries me the most about all that is going on in Bethel is all the false assurance that is birthed by such lies and manipulation. They will go on thinking they are on their way to heaven because they were baptized, felt or saw the Holy Spirit move (possibly in the music), or even had some “spiritual” experience. Such false markers of assurance would warn against anyone from examining themselves to see whether they are in the faith, even though this is a direct command from Scripture (2Co. 13:5). Where is the authentic confirmation of their calling and election (2Pe. 1:10)? These will be the very people who have not repented nor believed the true Gospel to whom Jesus will say, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Mt. 7:23). If there are any true conversions in any of these churches (and it is possible), then the real work of the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of these false churches and bring them out. Many refer to Bethel as a “Hogwarts” of the Christian culture, and rightly so!
And these are just these three megachurch ministries. We haven’t even investigated Gateway, The Belonging Co., Jesus Culture, Phil Wickham, and many others who are following the examples of Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation.
Not only do they all share quite common theology and practice, but many of their leaders associate with other wolves in the professing Christian world, especially charismatic, Word of Faith, NAR teachers. People like Joyce Meyer, Todd White, Kenneth Copeland, Rod Parsley, Benny Hinn, and so many others.
The mask is removed, and what we see are dens of wolves. These are not church leaders; they are false teachers leading false churches. This is not true Christianity; these are cults.
When you sing these songs, especially if they are from Hillsong, Elevation, or Bethel, know that you are singing songs from cults. They preach a different gospel, which is not gospel at all. They elevate mankind and demote God. Their Jesus is not the biblical Jesus. Their God is not the true God. These are people who Paul warns about those who “will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2Ti. 4:3-4).21
So the objection might now be, “Hang on a minute! We don’t do anything these weirdos do! We don’t believe in the prosperity gospel, or follow any of the NAR, Word of Faith stuff. We don’t believe that we are ‘little gods.’ We don’t do anything crazy like what goes on at BSSM. Our baptisms don’t have wacky testimonies. We’re just using the music, that’s all. We are not supporting such ‘cults’ in singing their music.”
My friends, singing the music of these cults does support them! It is ignorant churches that sing their music that keeps these organizations going. When you buy their albums or sing their music in church, you are funding the cults that lead people to Hell, all while being name of Jesus Christ! Carrie Lloyd, a former student and teacher from BSSM, admits, “I can’t even stress that enough. It matters if a song is weak in theology and is not accurately displaying the Holiness of our God. It matters if churches are spreading a prosperity [g]ospel that is different from the Gospel found in Scripture. It MATTERS that each Sunday churches pay royalties to these churches in order to be able to sing their music, furthering [their] outreach and their false gospel message.” (emphasis not mine).22 It is the money of the church that sings their music that pays for prosperity preaching, manipulative chords, “fire-tunnels,” and all kinds of stuff that lead people away from the true Gospel.
5. You are adding to their number.
Worse still, you are exposing your own people to the poison of cults! Your family, friends, fellow churchgoers, and others are not only being influenced by the music, but also adding to their number of followers. When someone sees the source of the song you are singing, they will believe that you support them, and may follow them. Thus, they are more exposed to the cults. Also, they could look up the song online and find its source and follow them that way. Do you, my friend (and hopefully my brother/sister in Christ), want your family, friends, and congregation to become members of a cult? How comfortable will you be when you must give an account before God on Judgment Day on how you brought people to cults by their “popular” music?
Admittedly, not all churches that sing from Hillsong, Elevation, Bethel, and others reveal that they are not a real church. Genuine, Bible-believing Christians too commonly are the ones singing these songs from these sources. But that should give us a greater responsibility about what we offer to God and what we present to our fellow believers and those we may try to evangelize. We should always “test the spirits” with the Scriptures, “to see whether they are from God” (1Jn. 4:1; cf. 1Th. 5:21). Discernment is a key aspect of the Christian life. Without it, we invite false doctrine, false teachers, and false converts into the church.
6. God is not worshipped.
This is the biggest problem with the praise and worship movement: God is not worshipped by unbiblical, deceptive, shallow music that comes from cults and carries no real fear of the Lord. This does not have to do with genre, or what instruments are used. We can use the same musical instruments (guitars, drums, electric keyboards, etc.) and sing “contemporary-ish” music and still be pleasing to the Lord.23 But that is not the issue. Our music in our worship must be with spirit and truth, namely Scriptural truth (Jn. 4:24).
If you had the opportunity to ask Jesus if He approves of the “worship” of the praise and worship movement, what do you think He will say? Do you think that He is pleased when His people are led astray? Is He pleased when songs speak wrongly of Him? Is He pleased with the abuse and ruining of souls through false doctrine, deception, and subtle manipulation? Is Christ worshipped when the music offered to Him comes from cults who preach a different Christ? It does not matter whether the music may pass a “doctrinal smell-test.” If a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses (another “Christian” cult) made some music that passes a doctrinal smell-test, would that please Christ? It is the same thing with music from these praise and worship movement sources. It is impossible to even fathom that Christ is honored when such poison is spread, and agencies of Satan grow.
The word of the Lord through Amos when Israel was offering perverted worship speaks volumes about how much God hates perverted worship, no matter how sincere it may appear.
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:21-24).
Truly, God is not honored, but rather disgusted, at sin-stained, ritualistic, unholy, false worship.
Conclusion
My friends, you have seen more than enough sufficient proof to cease the noise of what is falsely called “worship” in the praise and worship movement. And I could have listed other reasons given more time. I plead with you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if you truly call yourself a child of God, you will stop supporting this false worship and these false churches. You have no excuses left. The only plausible reason anyone has after looking at both Scripture and the bare facts is believing in word, heart, and/or deed: “I do not care whether our music pleases God or not. It is real worship to me. I do not care about singing unbiblical lyrics. I am okay with manipulating and deceiving people into doing things they would not normally do. I do not care about edification. I am care about women I do not know getting raped. I do not care whether I am supporting cults. I am fine with deceiving people into thinking that they are children of God, when in fact they are on their merry way to Hell. I do not care whether the people I love lose themselves to the teaching of false teachers. I like the music, and so does everyone else. It works! And I fear man more than God. I want to be a man-pleaser. I will still sing their songs!”
I hope and pray that is not you. But if it is, I implore you to continue to search the Scriptures and investigate the facts further. More importantly, for your sakes, I would examine yourself thoroughly, because no true child of God would have such an excuse.
Again, I do not hate any of these people. My greatest desire would be for all of these false teachers, their organizations, and all the people they are leading astray, to truly repent and believe. And I do not want you, nor those you love, to be preyed upon by wolves. If I see someone blindfolded about to step into an interstate, I ought to love him enough to warn him to do everything I can to stop him. Wouldn’t you?
Worship, especially in the music realm, is in desperate need of reformation. To worship God wrongly is not only wrong, but extremely dangerous for countless people. And there is nothing new under the sun. The words of John Calvin, when he addressed the need for reformation in his day, still speaks today: “We must not mix in what has seemed good to us but must observe what He requires who alone has the authority to command. Therefore, if we want Him to approve our worship, we must carefully keep this law that He enforces with utmost severity.”24
Footnotes:
1. ”Has Bill Johnson revealed the key to the charismatic movement’s ‘success’?” Churchwatcher. Sep. 26, 2019. https://churchwatchcentral.com/2019/09/26/has-bill-johnson-revealed-the-key-to-the-charismatic-movements-success/
2. Scott Aniol. “Roots of Evangelical Worship: Charles G. Finney.” Religious Affections Ministries. Nov. 20, 2019. https://religiousaffections.org/articles/articles-on-worship/roots-of-evangelical-worship-charles-g-finney/
3. Walter J. Chantry. Signs of the Apostles: Observations on Pentecostalism Old and New. Edinburgh, UK: Banner of Truth, 1979. 99.
4. Paul Washer. 10 Indictments Against the Modern Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2018. 11
5. I am indebted to the amazing ministry of Justin Peters and his work of biblical discernment, especially in exposing the charismatic, Word of Faith, NAR (New Apostolic Reformation).
6. Leonardo Blair. “Ex-nanny of former Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz accuses him of sexual abuse.” The Christian Post. Jun. 1, 2021.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/nanny-accuses-ousted-hillsong-pastor-carl-lentz-of-sexual-abuse.html
And Michael Gryboski. “Hillsong’s Brian Houston says sex abuse concealment charges are ‘a shock to me.’” The Christian Post. Aug. 6, 2021.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/hillsong-brian-houston-says-sex-abuse-concealment-charges-are-a-shock.html
7. Nicola Menzie. “Hillsong’s Brian Houston on Gay Marriage: ‘I Believe the Writings of Paul Are Clear on This Subject.’” The Christian Post. Oct. 18, 2014. https://www.christianpost.com/news/hillsongs-brian-houston-on-gay-marriage-i-believe-the-writings-of-paul-are-clear-on-this-subject.html
8. Barton J. Gingrich. “Hillsong and the lies evangelicals tell ourselves: Attempts to appear ‘cool’ to the world bring scandal to the church.” WORLD News Group. Apr. 11, 2022. https://wng.org/opinions/hillsong-and-the-lies-evangelicals-tell-ourselves-1649678121
9. Stephen Drill. “Hillsong ‘taught rape culture.’” Pressreader. Feb. 26, 2023.
https://www.pressreader.com/australia/sunday-territorian/20230226/281745568581493
10. Hillsong Doctrinal Statement: https://hillsong.com/what-we-believe/
11. Amanda Casanova. “Is Megachurch Pastor Steven Furtick Denying the Traditional View of the Trinity?” Christian Headlines. Mar. 5, 2020. https://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/is-megachurch-pastor-steven-furtick-denying-the-traditional-view-of-the-trinity.html
12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4fVB2s7Kgg
Check out WWUTT’s response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0af5caFaFIo
13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyvl0YBLp6c (Quoted from the subtitles).
14. Justin Peters points out this heresy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpVvz63IAg
15. Thank you once again Justin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSsd5xpdGgA).
16. “Bethel Church Glory Cloud and Gold Glitter: Investigation and Response.” Pentecostal Theology. Feb. 2, 2018. https://www.pentecostaltheology.com/bethel-church-glory-cloud-and-gold-glitter-investigation-and-responce/
17. William Armstrong. “The Practice of Grave Soaking at Bethel Church.” H-o-m-e.org. Unknown date posted. https://h-o-m-e.org/grave-soaking/
18. Gabriel Hughes. “Wake up, Olive?” WWUTT.com. Dec. 20, 2019. https://wwutt.com/wake-up-olive/.
And Damon Arthur. “Family, church seek to bring 2-y-o girl back to life through prayer, song, and praise.” USA Today. ET Dec. 18, 2019, 2:55 pm. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/18/california-family-church-try-bringing-daughter-back-life-through-prayer/2687060001/
And Damon Arthur. “UPDATE: Bethel pastor Johnson addresses attempts to resurrect child.” Record Searchlight. (updated) PT Dec. 19, 2019, 6:20 p.m. ttps://www.redding.com/story/news/2019/12/17/bethel-family-seeks-bring-daughter-back-life-through-prayer-song-and-praise/2676273001/
And Brandon Showalter. “Bethel Music songwriter’s 2-y-o daughter stops breathing, pronounced dead.” The Christian Post. Dec. 16, 2019. https://www.christianpost.com/news/bethel-music-songwriters-2-y-o-daughter-stops-breathing-pronounced-dead.html
19. Thank you once again, Justin Peters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvHK2MjPZCk
20. Justin points out the true chaos behind BSSM. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvHK2MjPZCk
21. It should be noted that not all ministries/churches that make and share these similar music methods and practices are cults. Needless to say, I still believe that we should stop singing their music because of their bad theology, manipulative techniques, and focus on entertainment.
22. Jeannie Ortega Law. “Former Bethel leader speaks out on church’s beliefs, grave sucking and gold dust.” The Christian Post. Nov. 24, 2021. https://www.christianpost.com/news/former-bethel-leader-speaks-out-on-churchs-beliefs-gold-dust.html
23. A fitting example would be Sovereign Grace Music, led by Bob Kauflin. They use guitars, drums, keyboards, and the other “contemporary” musical instruments. But when you see them, you will immediately notice that not only are their songs filled with and based off Scripture and biblical theology, but also their humility in performance. There is no dancing around, no rock concert mindset, no overly loud volume, and the usual things that many “worship bands” will do to gain attention to themselves. Although I do not agree with their belief in continuationism (the belief that the miraculous gifts [speaking/interpreting tongues, prophecy, healing, etc.] still happens today), they are clearly more biblically based and Christ-centered, contrary to many of the big names in Big Eva.
24. John Calvin. The Necessity of Reforming the Church with A Reply to Carinal Sadoleto. Trans. Casey Carmichael. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2020. 7. “But there’s more. His “preaching” can be very bold, yet confusing, concerning, and misleading. For example, Furtick made Christian headlines when he startled many Christians when he belted out, “I AM GOD ALMIGHTY!” in a sermon entitled “It’s Always Been in You.”12 At its worst, it was a terrible message to inspire his audience “to release what God put in us.” It is very unlikely that, compared to many other sources, he is calling himself “God Almighty,” but it was a poor presentation nonetheless of God and depraved mankind.
Plus, a year before that one, he preached another sermon where he made another concerning statement. He said, “When God said, ‘I AM’ to Moses, you know, ‘My name is I AM,’ He was trying to get him to see, ‘you are as I AM.’”13 We are as God is, according to Furtick. We are almost like gods, as it were. Only problem is Scripture explicitly teaches that there is one God only (Deut. 4:35; 1Ki. 8:60; Isa. 45:5, 15, 22; 46:9; etc.). And, as a warning to anyone who may claim any sort of equality with God, “My glory I will not give to another” (Isa. 48:11).
Counterfeit Worship? Why We Must Stop Singing the Music of False Churches. By Isaac Shaffer / Date: January 17, 2024
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