But I want to be extremely discerning when it comes to what I am lifting up to God. It’s not to say that all of the music is wrong or un-biblical or manipulative. But as for me, I have stopped listening to Bethel, Jesus Culture, Hillsong and Elevation. We each need to take how we interact with their music, to God. It was actually music that drew me to the New Age in the first place…which then led to my digging deeper into the beliefs and practices. Music is powerful because it is so emotional. This is manipulation…whether the leadership realizes it, or not. I believe Bill has even admitted as much. I do believe the leadership at Bethel is using the music to drive the “revival at any cost” movement.
This, of course, requires us to be in the Word (in context!). I believe we need to become more discerning when it comes to praise and worship…to move beyond how it makes us feel (or what our itching ears want to hear) and to really scrutinize the theology of it. However, if our theology is not biblical, then how we view, and interact with (or even write songs to), God will not be biblically or theologically sound.įor example, I would not praise my God to Mormon worship songs because they, too, worship a different God and a different Jesus. I believe the songs come from a genuine place. While I have issues with what is driving the motivation of the leadership, I don’t doubt the hearts of those who are writing the music. The EXTREMELY short answer is that Bethel accepts a different Jesus, a different spirit and a different gospel* (and to be honest, it pains me greatly to have to say that). Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do that until after Thanksgiving. Q: Hey Allison! I’ve been digging more into Bethel after seeing the videos you’ve posted in your last two blog posts and I was wondering if you think the music that’s coming out of them is being used to manipulate believers to strive for revival or really, just to manipulate believers in general.Ī: Well, you just confirmed that I need to tackle the music issue (I was going back and forth on doing a post about it). This is what she asked and how I responded: So, that is what I am going to share, here. For the last three months, as I have considered what I might write about no longer listening to the music of these bands…my mind always returned to the conversation we had through text, that day. This woman has a passionate heart for praise and worship (and a beautiful voice, I will add!), and I know that she wants to create music that is pleasing to God. Last November, a friend, after reading a couple of posts about some concerns that I had about the “theology” of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, texted me and asked some questions concerning their music.
However, now that I have an understanding of what they truly believe, I no longer listen to them…and I no longer lift their music up to God, in worship. So, for years, I listened to – and worshiped God through – the music of Bethel and others who hold to New Apostolic Reformation (Modern Day Apostles and Prophets) doctrine. I connect with Him through prayer and the reading of the Word, of course! But pouring my heart out, through music, has always been the most natural way of connecting, for me. It was spiritual, calming and euphoric!Īnd it is praise and worship – through song – that I feel most connected to God. I could quickly reach altered states of consciousness by meditating through the music.
I loved everything about the music! It was easy to surrender to. Music was actually my “gateway” into the New Age. To say that “music is important to me” would be an understatement. From life’s most joyous moments – to the very darkest moments – there has always been music. Music is, and always has been, the language of my heart. I loved the music of Bethel, Jesus Culture, Hillsong and Elevation! Had you told me a year ago that I would be writing this post, I would have just laughed, and then turned up my worship music. Music can change the world because it can change people. – Bono If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.
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