Pastoral Authority Limitations, Critical Race Theory Explained, + Should Churches Use Hillsong & Bethel Music?

How Much Authority Does a Pastor Have?

Have you heard of or been to a church where the people seem to be micromanaged in a way that raises red flags?  

The following article is not exhaustive but helpful to explain the Scriptural pattern for pastors /elders.

How Much Authority Does a Pastor Have? Austin T. Duncan

What is Critical Race Theory, and why is it wrong?

If you are like me and struggle to remember and articulate things, having things available to review  in written form can be very beneficial.  

Not long ago someone asked me what CRT was, and I found myself fumbling to attempt to answer them (despite all I've heard before).

Eric Davis has a blog post which takes information from different sources and describes what Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality are (and their un-Biblical worldview).

Overview of Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality by Eric Davis

Should Churches use Hillsong & Bethel Music?

I've watched a few newer videos in recent times which gave good reasons for avoiding using music from these sources. 

While an occasional song might have okay lyrics and your individual conscience might let you sing those privately, there are ramifications of churches singing their music. 

It can encourage people to look them up and get led to their false teaching, financially aid their dangerous teaching, etc.

Much of the lyrics also reflect the poor Theology and dangerous views of those places.

1. Why We Don't Sing Bethel Music (Costi Hinn and others - Redeemer Bible Church)

2. Why your Church Shouldn't Play Bethel and Hillsong Music (Todd Friel and Justin Peters)

3. "Why our church no longer plays Bethel or Hillsong music," Pastor explains false teachings 

(I don't know the pastor here or what version or paraphrase he was using, but this was a thoughtful message to consider.)

Thoughts on God's Grace

Salvation is by God's grace alone through faith in Christ alone.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB

Grace is unmerited favor.

I think Spurgeon might have described it something like this (which I borrowed from an old post that I did): 

The fountain of God's grace is like a heart pump sending blood through the blood vessel of faith to me (my soul) from God.

God's grace is not a commodity bestowed on us for things we do (the Catholics wrongly treat it like that).

His grace should also not be cheapened by believers as some have tried to do by seeming to think that they can sin all the more that grace may abound.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 

May it never be!  How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
Romans 6:1-2 NASB

It is God's grace that He saves sinners who are unworthy, and believers stand in His grace and grow in grace.
Grace is not a one time event in the life of those whom God has chosen to save.

Grace was realized through Jesus.

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 

John 1:17 NASB

Believers stand in grace.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 

Romans 5:1-2 NASB

God's grace instructs believers to deny ungodliness.

instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 

Titus 2:12 NASB

Are you a Christian?

We cannot be justified by or kept by our works (Law or good deeds).
Nothing we do can make or keep ourselves right with God. 

We are sinful, and God is holy. 

That's why we need Christ as the substitute for us....who lived the perfect life & died taking the punished deserved for all who would ever believe (satisfying God's just wrath against our sin), and He also rose from the dead for the justification of life ---the validation that the sacrifice was accepted. 

All men everywhere are commanded to repent and believe the Gospel.

Those who belong to Him are His children and will have eternal life.  Those who do not believe are condemned and will be judged.  Hell is real.

We aren't promised tomorrow, and there will be no excuses.