But, with that said, I have also heard Bill Johnson say things that he needs to clarify. Because I myself have often been misrepresented, I appreciate those who try to hear both sides. That’s where many of us are at; are we not allowed that opportunity? I just wish that the majority of the critics weren’t so arrogant and condescending. It really reveals their heart.
3. Human opinion never trumps God’s Word, but there is safety in the multitude of counsel. I have asked countless believers for their input, and a significant percentage saw nothing wrong with playing music that is questionable to some. I also look at the spiritual condition of the worship leaders. For example, any idea on who wrote this: “So much heresy is running rampant in the church because we’re not clearly preaching the reality of eternal judgment, the reality of heaven and hell, or the frequent commands concerning holiness, godliness, purity and true Jesus apprenticeship”? Jeremy Riddle, worship leader at Bethel, wrote that on April 10th of this year on his Facebook page. In case you missed it, that’s a powerful declaration of sound doctrine. My concern is that we may be throwing out the baby with the bathwater too soon.
While not true of everyone, the vast majority of those who have issues with this music seem to disdain emotional worship and are often not open to what is referred to as revival. They don’t like to sing “Let It Rain” because they don’t want to get wet.
MOCKING A GENUINE MOVE OF THE SPIRIT
I stand in awe of how many famous conservative pastors quote George Whitefield yet fail to acknowledge the oddities that happened under his preaching. The same is true of Jonathan Edwards and others who ushered in great moves of the Spirit. Now, with that said, I am not validating questionable ministries. I have similar concerns as many of the critics, but it is interesting that those mocking are often the same people who would (and do) mock a genuine move of God’s Spirit. I’m hoping that this article sparks dialogue within the controversial bands and a movement to revisit theology is sparked.
Most of these worship groups are young and need theological grounding. Perhaps the young musicians in some of these bands just need believers who are spiritually mature reaching out to them rather than calling them heretical.
In closing, my big concern for many of us is found in Revelation 2:2-5 (NIV), “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.” Jesus continues, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
Could it be that the very thing we need is the very thing we are running from, that being revival and a powerful move of God’s Spirit? My new book, Oh God, Rend the Heavens, was written for this very reason.
Additional Resources
In this sermon, I talk about when my heart was very hard and I was becoming a modern-day Pharisee.
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) always seems to slip into this type of discussion. Since I don’t know much about the NAR, I found a video for those interested: “The Truth About NAR and 7 Mountain Theology.”
Michael Brown also interviewed Bill Johnson in this video. Granted, I would have asked harder questions, but he was still able to clarify many things. Here is what baffles me: it’s almost like people don’t want to know the facts.
This article originally appeared here.
