NEW White Paper: Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation Music: bereanresearch.org

[Matthew6:33]

NEW White Paper: Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation Music - bereanresearch.org​

Should a church use worship music from sources that are proven to be part of the spirit of error and falsehood Jesus warns about? What if the song itself is biblical? Does the source matter? Shouldn’t a song be judged on its own merits and not the source?

These are questions that many church leaders struggle with, along with their congregants. That’s because most of the music licenses churches purchase for Sunday morning worship services originate from the “Big Three:” Bethel Church in Redding California, Hillsong United in Australia, and Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

All three of these organizations and their leaders have proven over and over again to teach a completely different Gospel than the doctrine taught by Jesus and His Apostles. (More on that below.) Their music is emotionally manipulative to create manufactured religious experiences. And all three of these organizations take the focus off of Jesus and onto you.

More at...
https://bereanresearch.org/bethel-hillsong-elevation-worship-music/

 

[Almost Heaven]

Excellent article. Thank you

 

[Tall Timbers]

My church is very good except that they purchase music from the three mentioned. When I picked the church and got my wife settled in town before I went back up to Alaska to prepare the house for sale and to sell it, I wasn't aware of the music issue. Shortly after I moved here permanently I saw it in the credits. I talked to an associate pastor about it and he told me there had been much discussion about that and I could bring it up to the Board if I wanted to. Since there had already been much discussion about it I figured there was no benefit to me bringing it up. When I am discussing the church with others I'll sometimes say how much I like the church except for their use of the NAR music. So far those others have also been aware of that and voice their own displeasure. There is so much good music out there that there is no need to financially support bethel, hillsong, and Elevation...

I told the associate pastor that had I discovered the music issue when I was first visiting the church that I would have walked out and never returned. But as it turned out, by the time I got to town my wife had been attending for a year and had oodles of friends there, so there we are. It's a very good church otherwise, at least it is right now.

 

[Matthew6:33]

My church is very good except that they purchase music from the three mentioned. When I picked the church and got my wife settled in town before I went back up to Alaska to prepare the house for sale and to sell it, I wasn't aware of the music issue. Shortly after I moved here permanently I saw it in the credits. I talked to an associate pastor about it and he told me there had been much discussion about that and I could bring it up to the Board if I wanted to. Since there had already been much discussion about it I figured there was no benefit to me bringing it up. When I am discussing the church with others I'll sometimes say how much I like the church except for their use of the NAR music. So far those others have also been aware of that and voice their own displeasure. There is so much good music out there that there is no need to financially support bethel, hillsong, and Elevation...

I told the associate pastor that had I discovered the music issue when I was first visiting the church that I would have walked out and never returned. But as it turned out, by the time I got to town my wife had been attending for a year and had oodles of friends there, so there we are. It's a very good church otherwise, at least it is right now.

I am in a similar situation and the church I go to is very good except for the music. I have brought it up once casually in an email to a planning group that got forwarded to the pastor. I was told that there have always been disagreements with the music and they are very careful about the theology of the music (I guess besides discerning the theology of those who make it) and sometimes change words in the songs.

This has been a real pain point for me because I feel like this is the crack in the door that the enemy uses to bring churches down from within. I have been praying more fervently that the pastors and the leadership would be convicted over this and fix it. Like you said, there is SO MUCH OTHER BETTER MUSIC TO CHOOSE FROM.

Unfortunately if they continue to yoke with and support the false teachings of Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation, it won't be a matter of if things get worse but a matter of when. You can't fool God.

 

[Hol]

Years ago I read an article by a Rabbi who offered this advice for worship music: Never promise God anything, and never express self flattering feelings or thoughts.

Anyhow, I found his advice helpful.

 

[Amethyst]

A quote from the article

Exodus 22:20 and many other verses say that God is not pleased when we invite a false spirit into our worship, and we cannot go to the altar of God and sit at the table of demons at the same time. (1 Corinthians 10:21)

How might a 'false spirit' manifest itself in these churches? What would that look like, just gradual apostasy or what?

 

[Tall Timbers]

This has been a real pain point for me because I feel like this is the crack in the door that the enemy uses to bring churches down from within. I have been praying more fervently that the pastors and the leadership would be convicted over this and fix it. Like you said, there is SO MUCH OTHER BETTER MUSIC TO CHOOSE FROM.

Unfortunately if they continue to yoke with and support the false teachings of Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation, it won't be a matter of if things get worse but a matter of when. You can't fool God.

I agree. It's the enemy's foot in the door and at some point the door will get opened wide.

 

[1LoverofGod]

It's something to think about that in using the music by these groups which in fact are associated with the Churches they are named after. The names used for the groups are the actual names of the Churches they support.
By purchasing the license to use their music, that money is potentially being used to fund their Churches, and in turn it's supporting their doctrine.
Just my thoughts on this.

 

[Andiamo]

I agree. It's the enemy's foot in the door and at some point the door will get opened wide.

Keep praying about it, that God will convict them heavily. That’s a real bummer. My CC church doesn’t touch that music but they for sure aren’t perfect either.

 

[mattfivefour]

I talked to an associate pastor about it and he told me there had been much discussion about that and I could bring it up to the Board if I wanted to. Since there had already been much discussion about it I figured there was no benefit to me bringing it up.

Respectfully, brother, I would disagree with your conclusion. From my life experience I would suggest there could be a great benefit in you bringing it up. Especially letting the board know what you told the associate pastor about walking out the door (and why) if you had known about this music earlier. You see, boards make decisions based on a preponderance of evidence and the arguments of the people who appear before the board at that specific time. But that decision is not static. Circumstances and situations can change. And fresh voices added to the discussion can change the conclusion that the board reached. Board decisions may appear carved in stone; but having been part of the process on many occasions, I can assure you they are not.

I believe God has you there in that church with the knowledge you have and that He will use what you have to offer were you to present it. I don't know for sure if your well-reasoned views will change theirs, but they might. And even if they don't change at this moment, what you present may well tip the scales when another person comes forward in the future with the same views as yours. As I said, board decisions are not static.

 

[Almost Heaven]

I believe God has you there in that church with the knowledge you have and that He will use what you have to offer were you to present it. I don't know for sure if your well-reasoned views will change theirs, but they might. And even if they don't change at this moment, what you present may well tip the scales when another person comes forward in the future with the same views as yours. As I said, board decisions are not static.

Well said.

 

[Matthew6:33]

I have been feeling convicted to bring this up to the church leadership/board for better or worse. i don't think I want to bring it up to any one individual because I don't know who may be an NAR sympathizer (even the lead pastor God forbid), on this much I am sure. I don't need any additional road blocks.

But like TT, I don't think I would have become a mrmber at this church (or come back) if I knew at first that they were going to be playing a lot of NAR music.

I don't know what I will say or when I might do it but I have been asking for God's help. I don't think He wants me to stay silent.

 

[1LoverofGod]

I have been feeling convicted to bring this up to the church leadership/board for better or worse. i don't think I want to bring it up to any one individual because I don't know who may be an NAR sympathizer (even the lead pastor God forbid), on this much I am sure. I don't need any additional road blocks.

But like TT, I don't think I would have become a mrmber at this church (or come back) if I knew at first that they were going to be playing a lot of NAR music.

I don't know what I will say or when I might do it but I have been asking for God's help. I don't think He wants me to stay silent.

Praying that God gives you direction. Your conviction may very well be by The Holy Spirit and if this is so, then I know that God will lead you to do the right thing and you can trust that The Holy Spirit will give you the words to speak

 

[HYMNGIRL]

I am in a similar situation and the church I go to is very good except for the music. I have brought it up once casually in an email to a planning group that got forwarded to the pastor. I was told that there have always been disagreements with the music and they are very careful about the theology of the music (I guess besides discerning the theology of those who make it) and sometimes change words in the songs.

This has been a real pain point for me because I feel like this is the crack in the door that the enemy uses to bring churches down from within. I have been praying more fervently that the pastors and the leadership would be convicted over this and fix it. Like you said, there is SO MUCH OTHER BETTER MUSIC TO CHOOSE FROM.

Unfortunately if they continue to yoke with and support the false teachings of Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation, it won't be a matter of if things get worse but a matter of when. You can't fool God.

I feel strongly about the music and that it should be scriptural and uncorrupted. I know one Calvary Chapel pastor that isn't bothered by who wrote it but that it is scripturally sound. I agree with you that a crack in that door will grow once we give the enemy a foothold. It is not about right and wrong, but about almost right. You have surely heard that quoted before and we must remember that the enemy is well versed (no pun intended) in music which is one of his most powerful tools. I long to find a good church here in SOCAL, but unfortunately most of the Spirit led churches are using this music which causes my spirit to be unsettled. Is it the sign of the times that many like me cannot find a church to call home and be ministered to or minister to others?

 

[Work4Peanuts]

I feel strongly about the music and that it should be scriptural and uncorrupted. I know one Calvary Chapel pastor that isn't bothered by who wrote it but that it is scripturally sound. I agree with you that a crack in that door will grow once we give the enemy a foothold. It is not about right and wrong, but about almost right. You have surely heard that quoted before and we must remember that the enemy is well versed (no pun intended) in music which is one of his most powerful tools. I long to find a good church here in SOCAL, but unfortunately most of the Spirit led churches are using this music which causes my spirit to be unsettled. Is it the sign of the times that many like me cannot find a church to call home and be ministered to or minister to others?

Definitely a sign. Falls under "itching ears"

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Definitely a sign. Falls under "itching ears"

and falling away and apostasy and heterodoxy . . .

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Yet another reason I like an old-fashioned hymnal, organ, etc. and traditional service, which is LED BY THE PASTOR, and assisted by musician(s)/singer(s). I would much rather a totally tone-deaf Pastor with no sense of rhythm and a horrible voice lead the worship than anyone else, no matter how beautiful or perfect. And I'd much rather an out-of-tune organ or piano with a struggling organist/pianist or make-shift group of musicians playing/singing/chanting traditional liturgy/Psalms/hymns, which are focused on GOD, and supporting the Congregation's singing, than the most vibrant, "exciting" band, choir, or soloist playing/singing senseless drivel about me-me-me to the audience

When selected correctly, the hymns reinforce the Scripture lessons and sermon. People learn by participating (reading and singing) and seeing (printed words and Bible passages and music), as well as by hearing (Scripture readings, sermon and music)

A modern service with a "song leader" or "worship leader" is a performance/concert, even if words are flashed on a screen for the congregation audience to "participate." Especially when the band, singer, choir, etc. are front and center, on a stage, in front of where the altar and cross should be
This is true, even if the band and "song leader"/"worship leader" perform a traditional hymn (modern music or otherwise).

And, when the PRINTED hymnals are removed and an electronic screen in front takes their place, there is no "authoritative" version in the pews for people to use as a reference for discernment of changes to traditional hymns, Psalms, liturgy, etc. and short people, children, disabled/elderly in wheelchairs/seated in pews can't see the screen, and are de facto excluded from any participation. Especially when words and tunes are unfamiliar and no one knows anything from memory


It's been said that doctrine drives form (and music).
It's also been said that form and music drive doctrine in the absence of written doctrine.


RANT OVER.
Back to our regularly scheduled program . . .

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

FROM THE SONGS/HYMNS/WORSHIP THREAD:

What depths of theology can be found in these old hymns. The writers weren't superficial; they were deep, deep men and women of God, truly conversant with His Word.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
THIS

 

[Andy C]

I have camped in a RV park in Redding several times, which is about 1/4 mile from the Bethel “church”. I ran early in the mornings several times there, and it felt colder and dreary whenever I would run through the church parking lot. It was probably my imagination, but it felt like there was a dark presence there inviting me in.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I have camped in a RV park in Redding several times, which is about 1/4 mile from the Bethel “church”. I ran early in the mornings several times there, and it felt colder and dreary whenever I would run through the church parking lot. It was probably my imagination, but it felt like there was a dark presence there inviting me in.

It probably wasn't your imagination. God always warns His children.