Hillsong Church and Music

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C

claysmithr

Guest
#1
#1
OK, I admit, I like some of their music, but I have conflicting feelings about whether or not THEY or THEIR MUSIC are genuine.

Their church seems like it's basically a Christian rock concert where I am guessing they don't even preach the gospel. Their website never mentions the death or Resurrection of Jesus Christ, just basically say a prayer and go to our rock concert and be saved approach.

They are attracting celebrities like Justin Beiber or Kanye West, and I'm also afraid they aren't sufficiently guiding them to live a Christian life. There are a lot of weird pictures with Justin hanging out with his pastor with both their shirts off it's a little strange.

There are also some really strange things they do, like having a "Naked Cowboy" at a women's conference, or the time where they have a bunch of demons take front stage dancing in front of a crucified Christ. There are a lot of weird things surrounding this "Church", and I expect they are going to be pushing the pro-gay and pro-evolution agenda in the coming years.

What are your views? Is it ok to listen to some of their music?
 
Musicus

Musicus

Senior Member
#2
Oct 26, 2017
314
39
28
#2
claysmithr said:
OK, I admit, I like some of their music, but I have conflicting feelings about whether or not THEY or THEIR MUSIC are genuine.

Their church seems like it's basically a Christian rock concert where I am guessing they don't even preach the gospel. Their website never mentions the death or Resurrection of Jesus Christ, just basically say a prayer and go to our rock concert and be saved approach.

They are attracting celebrities like Justin Beiber or Kanye West, and I'm also afraid they aren't sufficiently guiding them to live a Christian life. There are a lot of weird pictures with Justin hanging out with his pastor with both their shirts off it's a little strange.

There are also some really strange things they do, like having a "Naked Cowboy" at a women's conference, or the time where they have a bunch of demons take front stage dancing in front of a crucified Christ. There are a lot of weird things surrounding this "Church", and I expect they are going to be pushing the pro-gay and pro-evolution agenda in the coming years.

What are your views? Is it ok to listen to some of their music?
Click to expand...
I would do a little more research on them before making guesses about what they preach, but their music is mostly praise and worship, and the tracks I've listened to are pretty much standard fare.

It's a Pentecostal megachurch, and like most megachurches they get into politics and stuff, so there's bound to be controversial things they say and do, and allegations. I notice on their site that they are against homosexuality, and that they are pushing to get Creationism and "intelligent design" taught in schools. I don't know why they would change a core belief like that.

Listening to find out what they sing about is a good thing. If it turns out they preach against Christ in the music, then it's a bad thing, but so far I don't see this as being the case. I'm going to take a closer look, since they play a lot of Hillsong stuff at the Mission I stay at.

But let Holy Spirit be your guide.
 
C

claysmithr

Guest
#3
#3
U

Ugly

Guest
#4
#4
claysmithr said:
OK, I admit, I like some of their music, but I have conflicting feelings about whether or not THEY or THEIR MUSIC are genuine.

Their church seems like it's basically a Christian rock concert where I am guessing they don't even preach the gospel. Their website never mentions the death or Resurrection of Jesus Christ, just basically say a prayer and go to our rock concert and be saved approach.

They are attracting celebrities like Justin Beiber or Kanye West, and I'm also afraid they aren't sufficiently guiding them to live a Christian life. There are a lot of weird pictures with Justin hanging out with his pastor with both their shirts off it's a little strange.

There are also some really strange things they do, like having a "Naked Cowboy" at a women's conference, or the time where they have a bunch of demons take front stage dancing in front of a crucified Christ. There are a lot of weird things surrounding this "Church", and I expect they are going to be pushing the pro-gay and pro-evolution agenda in the coming years.

What are your views? Is it ok to listen to some of their music?
Click to expand...
I see a lot of guesses and assumptions but less verifiable facts. So it's a rather judgmental stance you're taking.
Both Beiber and West have Christian backgrounds. Beiber in particular was a homeschooled Christian. Criticizing a church because some celebs are attracted is hardly evidence of wrongdoing.
I'd suggest less "I'm guessing, I'm assuming" and more fact would suit you before making such a thread.

That said I am no supporter of them or their music, which I find to be trite and uninteresting. I've heard claims that they do have some false teaching as well. I didn't see the video, yet, but YouTube tends to attract people that are overly dramatic.
 
Waggles

Waggles

Senior Member
#5
Sep 21, 2017
3,338
1,262
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adelaiderevival.com
#5
Musicus said:
It's a Pentecostal megachurch, and like most megachurches
Click to expand...
Hillsong is not Pentecostal - they do not preach or live the full gospel of salvation.
They do not preach Mark 16:15-20 nor Acts 2:4 and 2:38
What they do emulate is the pastor based evangelical prosperity gospel praise and worship ministries that are the
hallmark of U.S. style churches.

Hillsong is a business and is all about making lots of money. Worldly wealth and worldly happiness now.
The Pastor and family are millionaires … not humble disciples of Jesus forsaking the world for treasure in Heaven.
 
M

mar09

Senior Member
#6
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
1,259
113
#6
Waggles said:
Hillsong is not Pentecostal - they do not preach or live the full gospel of salvation.
They do not preach Mark 16:15-20 nor Acts 2:4 and 2:38
What they do emulate is the pastor based evangelical prosperity gospel praise and worship ministries that are the
hallmark of U.S. style churches.

Hillsong is a business and is all about making lots of money. Worldly wealth and worldly happiness now.
The Pastor and family are millionaires … not humble disciples of Jesus forsaking the world for treasure in Heaven.
Click to expand...
I've heard some of the things you said. I personally know some of their songs, sang in church too. But normally, as i gravitate towards the older, meatier hymns, i do not play them often but would sing or play along when i found nothing wrong with some familiar tunes. As some are saying it would appear we are judging from the outside when we instantly cut all 'ties' to their songs and music, some of which are the only songs some young people/converts now know. But if i would promote certain kinds of songs, for ex., if i was a church worship team director or leader, their songs would not be those i would probably include, thinking as many other believers stumble on hearing or thinking that these may be prosperity gospel promoters, etc. and not the humble followers of God that Christians are meant to be.
 
Waggles

Waggles

Senior Member
#7
Sep 21, 2017
3,338
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#7
mar09 said:
thinking as many other believers stumble on hearing or thinking that these may be prosperity gospel promoters, etc. and not the humble followers of God that Christians are meant to be.
Click to expand...
The problem is not so much the music per se - I enjoy playing praise and worship music on my hi-fi set and in the car.
Matt Redman, Joel Houston, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech and others can write catchy tunes and feel good music.

But Hillsong as a church uses music to emotionally charge or pump up the audience and woven in with this is
a feel good prosperity gospel in which everything is pretty much about "you can have it all now."
Music has replaced the substance of reading and expounding the Word of God from the stage.
Hillsong are fabulously wealthy and have their own TV channel and music label - royalties from their music is worth
millions of dollars.
They emulate the populist TV pastor based ministries that have flourished in the U.S.

They certainly have very little in common with the likes of Martin Luther and Smith Wigglesworth.
 
Musicus

Musicus

Senior Member
#8
Oct 26, 2017
314
39
28
#8
Waggles said:
Hillsong is not Pentecostal - they do not preach or live the full gospel of salvation.
They do not preach Mark 16:15-20 nor Acts 2:4 and 2:38
What they do emulate is the pastor based evangelical prosperity gospel praise and worship ministries that are the
hallmark of U.S. style churches.

Hillsong is a business and is all about making lots of money. Worldly wealth and worldly happiness now.
The Pastor and family are millionaires … not humble disciples of Jesus forsaking the world for treasure in Heaven.
Click to expand...
Beg pardon, but yes they are Pentecostal. Their 'About us' on their website refers to the ACC (Australian Christian Churches) website https://www.acc.org.au/about-us/ which states they are part of a Pentecostal movement. Also states they believe in the Spiritual Gifts, including speaking in tongues. In other places they advertise they are Pentecostal, also it's stated in the Wikipedia article. I've seen sermon videos where they teach Acts 2.
 
Musicus

Musicus

Senior Member
#9
Oct 26, 2017
314
39
28
#9
Waggles said:
The problem is not so much the music per se - I enjoy playing praise and worship music on my hi-fi set and in the car.
Matt Redman, Joel Houston, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech and others can write catchy tunes and feel good music.

But Hillsong as a church uses music to emotionally charge or pump up the audience and woven in with this is
a feel good prosperity gospel in which everything is pretty much about "you can have it all now."
Music has replaced the substance of reading and expounding the Word of God from the stage.
Hillsong are fabulously wealthy and have their own TV channel and music label - royalties from their music is worth
millions of dollars.
They emulate the populist TV pastor based ministries that have flourished in the U.S.

They certainly have very little in common with the likes of Martin Luther and Smith Wigglesworth.
Click to expand...
Which leads me to ask if churches that put out music and make money from it are wrong to do so. And how 'bout Christian artists in general? This is important to me because I'm a musician shortly to be involved in a ministry of this type, and I plan to make my living from it. I hear you about the emotional experience part. This is unrelated maybe, but lots of churches when they do alter calls seem to think they have to have tinkly music in the background to complete the experience. I don't understand that.
 
Waggles

Waggles

Senior Member
#10
Sep 21, 2017
3,338
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#10
Musicus said:
Which leads me to ask if churches that put out music and make money from it are wrong to do so. And how 'bout Christian artists in general?
Click to expand...
Learn from Jesus - your walk is your own.
But always measure or examine yourself against the Word of God; and the teachings /warnings given by Jesus.
 
Waggles

Waggles

Senior Member
#11
Sep 21, 2017
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#11
Musicus said:
Beg pardon, but yes they are Pentecostal.
Click to expand...
I am very surprised. Indeed flabbergasted.
Having watched them on their own TV channel a number of times I would never have thought of Hillsong as
Pentecostal.
Perhaps at best they are disorderly charismatic.
When I read the epistles to the Spirit-filled church of the first century and the instructions on Godliness and on how
a Spirit-filled church is to conduct itself, and then compare this with what I see of Hillsong, it is pretty obvious that there
is a great divergence from the Word of God.
 
O

oldethennew

Banned
#12
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,974
113
#12
'advertising' what people desire to hear instead of the Holy Truth
has led to the destruction of many societies -

the (music-salesmanship-false promises) through un-biblical means
to acquire control and gain wealth, this is just the opposite'
of what our Saviour preached -

you cannot serve God and mammon...
 
S

SpoonJuly

Guest
#14
#14
Musicus said:
Which leads me to ask if churches that put out music and make money from it are wrong to do so. And how 'bout Christian artists in general? This is important to me because I'm a musician shortly to be involved in a ministry of this type, and I plan to make my living from it. I hear you about the emotional experience part. This is unrelated maybe, but lots of churches when they do alter calls seem to think they have to have tinkly music in the background to complete the experience. I don't understand that.
Click to expand...
If you plan on making a living in music, that is your business, but do not call it a "ministry".
There is no Scriptural basis for a music "ministry", especially a paid one.
 
C

claysmithr

Guest
#15
#15
Honestly I think they could be worse, while they can possibly be used as a tool for evil in the upcoming years, they seem to have the right views on LGBT (welcoming but not affirming) and I can look past the hint of evolution in their song 'So Will I' since so many are deceived to think it's a fact.

Unless I feel they start pushing an obvious non-Christian agenda, I think I will still listen to some of their songs. I feel because of their fame they attract a lot of conspiracy theories, like most people or things with fame do.
 
M

mar09

Senior Member
#16
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
1,259
113
#16
SpoonJuly said:
If you plan on making a living in music, that is your business, but do not call it a "ministry".
There is no Scriptural basis for a music "ministry", especially a paid one.
Click to expand...
Hi spoon!
I see no reason why the Lord cannot or will not pay or bless whatever ministry, be it writing, music, teaching, etc.
 
S

Spiral2

Active member
#17
Jul 25, 2018
77
126
33
England
#17
claysmithr said:
OK, I admit, I like some of their music, but I have conflicting feelings about whether or not THEY or THEIR MUSIC are genuine.

Their church seems like it's basically a Christian rock concert where I am guessing they don't even preach the gospel. Their website never mentions the death or Resurrection of Jesus Christ, just basically say a prayer and go to our rock concert and be saved approach.

They are attracting celebrities like Justin Beiber or Kanye West, and I'm also afraid they aren't sufficiently guiding them to live a Christian life. There are a lot of weird pictures with Justin hanging out with his pastor with both their shirts off it's a little strange.

There are also some really strange things they do, like having a "Naked Cowboy" at a women's conference, or the time where they have a bunch of demons take front stage dancing in front of a crucified Christ. There are a lot of weird things surrounding this "Church", and I expect they are going to be pushing the pro-gay and pro-evolution agenda in the coming years.

What are your views? Is it ok to listen to some of their music?
Click to expand...
I did used to talk to someone who attended the church and she was always going to women's bible studies so I think what you see on Social media is for Social media. I think you don't see the other bit.
A church who used to come under the same apostolic umbrella as mine has changed to Hillsong and they just know how to do worship.They visited our church and took the worship. It was awesome. They also function like a church. Teaching, home groups, prayer meets ect.
My favorite song from Hillsong atm is 'What a Beautiful Name'
 
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