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A defense of singing worship songs from Bethel and Hillsong
Christian Post ^ | 08/14/2021 | Sam Storms

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.


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Religion & Culture; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: bethel; hillsong; songs; worship
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To: mdmathis6

Yeah, it’s not the videos that bug me, it’s saying thinks like the following as if folks are propagating a lie:

“They believe these self-appointed apostles have the power to raise the dead, heal the sick, and do other miracles.”

I don’t know about “self-appointed”; that’d need a cite, but no lesser Authority than Jesus, Himself said:

Most assuredly, 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 My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
— John 14:12-14, NKJV

Jesus said it’d be true, so why’s anybody griping that folks in the present day believe Him? And if those works mark the ministry of an apostle, shouldn’t we acknowledge that those who do them are doing apostolic works, and walking in apostolic authority?

Yeah, some pretty big sandals are in the Apostolic Hall of Fame; just because those sandals are too big for most of today’s ministers who touch apostolic authority, is our only possible conclusion that there are no apostles?

Are we to say there are NO NFL Quarterbacks since nobody playing now beats the stats of Joe Montana?

Are there NO Shooting Guards in the NBA today since none compare to Michael Jordan?

Are there NO Pitchers in Major League Baseball seeing as there’s none can compare to Nolan Ryan?

It’d be idiotic drivel to say anything like that, but we say it about apostles in the church all the time. We’d be really smart to shut up.


21 posted on 08/16/2021 1:06:53 AM PDT by HKMk23 (Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.)
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To: PA Presbyterian

Thanks, I did not know that. THE CHURCH really.... Has Fallen. WHY?It has not done much to save our USA. It is the job of the church to be salt and light. It has lost it’s Saltines, which means it is pretty worthless.


22 posted on 08/16/2021 4:47:43 AM PDT by chicagolady (Mexican Elite say: EXPORT Poverty and Let the the Stupid AmericanTaxpayer foot the bill !)
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To: SeekAndFind

The issue is that modern churches see church as a form of a sales pitch. They feel the need to try and entertain someone so they will become a convert. The problem with this is that if a person comes to church to be entertained you will need to keep upping the ante to keep them coming. A true believer should be content with a couple of songs and a strong expository sermon.


23 posted on 08/16/2021 12:05:42 PM PDT by LukeL
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To: Theo; mdmathis6

Stained glass windows, statues etc. are all about creating a beautiful house of worship worthy of the creator of the universe and direct the peoples attention to heavenly/holy things. If you think that kind of beautification is superfluous, you should look up Gods very detailed instructions to the Israelites for building the temple. Gold and marble everywhere. The place was truly a wondrous place of beauty and opulence.

I encourage you both to do a little research. Much of the design and layout of traditional Catholic churches/cathedrals is taken form the old Jewish temple. Everything had a reason to be there and to be where it was. We’ll, it used to be. Many newer Catholic churches are an abomination of “modernity” IMO.

Likewise with Incense. It has nothing to do with theatrics, or creating “atmosphere”, but is rooted in ancient tradition derived directly from sacrifice and worship in the Jewish temple.

But the Catholic Church is not immune from this kind of modernism/showmanship creeping into their services. In some parishes, the Mass has devolved into some kind of protestant/evangelical like rock show events.

The Church as a whole has embraced far too much of the world’s ways. This is intentional, and it’s from Satan himself.

Honestly, I do not believe there has been a legitimate pope since Pope Pious the 12th. The “seat is empty” as we say. But some of us are still trying to keep the old legitimate Catholic Church alive.


24 posted on 08/16/2021 2:36:51 PM PDT by Jotmo (Whoever said, "The pen is mightier than the sword." has clearly never been stabbed to death.)
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To: mdmathis6

Watch the original videos - the sense that the band, and especially the singer, is worshipping rather than just performing is very strong. Only Jesus can inspire that level of worship IMO.


25 posted on 08/16/2021 7:03:23 PM PDT by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite its unfashionability)
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To: AzNASCARfan
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


Oh my, where do I start with this one? This song absolutely stunned me the first time our church sang it. I couldn't even bring myself to sing it as I felt it had so many untruths to it.

Generally I really dislike a lot of the contemporary Christian music as it is way too repetitive and simplistic artistically. I understand it isn't there to entertain but to lead you to a worshipful experience. There is a lot of music that does that for me, but CCM isn't one of them. Good grief, I'm more moved by Josh Turner's "Long Black Train" than a lot of the CCM stuff nowadays

Back to the aforementioned song. When my very devout Christian mom and I were talking about my dislike for CCM I brought this song up. I asked her how a perfectly ordered God can be wreckless? I also asked her how an omniscient God can leave any believer? On this point I understand the song is using a parable to make a bigger point but good grief, make the point a different way. My mom asked her pastor about it and he didn't address the wreckless part but tried to defend the "leave the 99" part with the parable argument. I just told her "I ain't buyin' it"

My wife loves listening to CCM so I have to subject myself to it in order to keep peace and harmony in the home but I can say with a great degree of certainty....It isn't growing on me...ha ha ha
26 posted on 08/17/2021 10:14:12 AM PDT by copaliscrossing (The truth is always your friend.)
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To: mdmathis6
“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).”

Yet enjoying a communal meal was one of the earliest practices of the Christian church - as recorded in both scripture and historical sources.

27 posted on 08/17/2021 10:50:01 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: circlecity

Yup...what you said!


28 posted on 08/17/2021 11:52:30 AM PDT by mdmathis6 (Having the Conch shell is no longer recognized by Dem "Flies" as giving one authority to speak.)
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To: Jotmo

Like candles and incense? I don’t do stove lights and smoke machines but I dont do incense either. The body of Christ has many members that praise Him in different ways.


29 posted on 08/17/2021 11:57:30 AM PDT by Mom MD ( )
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To: copaliscrossing

Yeah that sounds like the same conversation my mom had with their pastor... That and basically that he was not going to micromanage the music director, which is why she went to the church elders... I have not heard that song in awhile now, actually.


30 posted on 08/17/2021 12:31:58 PM PDT by AzNASCARfan
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To: copaliscrossing

... wat is CCM?
“ contemporary Christian music?”


31 posted on 08/17/2021 12:39:01 PM PDT by pollywog (" O thou who changest not....ABIDE with me")
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To: pollywog
... wat is CCM?
“ contemporary Christian music?”


Yes, Contemporary Christian Music.
32 posted on 08/17/2021 1:03:28 PM PDT by copaliscrossing (The truth is always your friend.)
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To: copaliscrossing
I also asked her how an omniscient God can leave any believer?

Oops.. In my rush to type this out I accidentally typed "omniscient" instead of "omnipresent".... Oh well... I think all y'all got the point...lol.
33 posted on 08/17/2021 1:07:02 PM PDT by copaliscrossing (The truth is always your friend.)
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To: HKMk23

I think there are those who are truly apostles in this day and age but are such, not knowing that God had appointed them to be his apostles. You’ll find them in situations where they are whole hearted servants of Jesus, serving as he served, “washing the feet” of others as it were in a variety of ways. They think nothing of it or may not even know until much later when they had prayed and they discover God has answered their prayer. In their discussions, their church friends would discover that their words and wisdom are reliable and never seem “to fall on the ground”. Their solutions to issues and problems are genius, they might even discover the bug that was fouling up the church office computer. They would never promote themselves via glitzy websites or be all over media and the internet. They would even feel like dying at the thought that someone has plastered their names all over as being some great “apostle for Jesus. They might the odd sort of guy or gal in church that has something special about him or her...he or she has an isolation about them yet they are not unhappy but are known as friends to all. You watch such people at silent prayer or at worship as they sing and contemplate and you realize such people are in a class all by themselves which makes one long to have that same special niche with God...which everyone does but these people are living reminders of that fact.

In doctrinal discussions though about complex Bible issues such persons can just bury you with Biblical based verses(IN CONTEXT NO LESS!) to prove their wise points even though such people may not always remember the precise chapter and verse and will humbly and sheepishly admit it! You discover later when checking that they have cited whole passages of scripture as though the Holy Spirit was speaking directly thru them...which he was! Many such people are in churches all over but they would never think themselves as being a Peter or James or John. Yet I think there are such folks like I’ve described who are in truth apostles or at least operating with apostolic ministry. Apostles have the most influence sometimes by just being quietly present with the Holy Spirit outflowing from such persons to “moderate the room” in an unspeaking sort of way.(driving out demons and filling the air with a breath of God’s Shekinah glory)

I believe there are apostles amongst us but they are mostly unsung, doing by nature what the Holy Spirit has built into them to do in humble manner, often praying prayers deeply, being vexxed by the ills of our society and for the lost souls all around us. Many fast and pray quietly and serve humbly and the Lord who watches in secret shall reward such openly.

These are my own opinions based on observations over the years....


34 posted on 08/17/2021 1:15:50 PM PDT by mdmathis6 (Having the Conch shell is no longer recognized by Dem "Flies" as giving one authority to speak.)
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To: mdmathis6

Yes. I think that’s really the case.

As if to confound those who get Pharisaical about the matter, God even used prophetic anointing to stymie King Saul when he sought to capture David.


Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. And when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is at Sechu. So he asked, and said, “Where are Samuel and David?”

And someone said, “Indeed they are at Naioth in Ramah.” So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
— 1 Samuel 19:20-24


Now, if the LORD God Himself will come upon three separate bands of unanointed men such that they begin to prophesy and are unable not to, and shall likewise fall upon a King of Israel to thwart his efforts, delay, and bring him to naked humiliation...

What do we believe this same God would NOT do for His faithful who call out to Him day and night?

It boggles my mind the legalism I’ve seen and heard; they speak and it’s like listening to a man blind from birth expound on the glory of a rainbow.

But I’m with you: there are true apostles at work among the sheep unbeknownst even to themselves.


35 posted on 08/17/2021 4:03:00 PM PDT by HKMk23 (Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.)
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