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.)

Cessationism, the NAR, Bethel Church, & IHOP

Cessationism
John MacArthur has been blogging on the Master's University site lately, and the recent article on cessationism gives a history of how the charismatics / Pentecostals have redefined the gifts to support their position.
Strange Fire Redux - Part 2 by John MacArthur 


New Apostolic Reformation Adherents Reject the Sufficiency of Scripture
47 minutes into a program I watched recently, the topic of the NAR (which includes Bethel Church in Redding, CA and IHOP) came up. 
The topic concludes around 1 hour and 19 minutes in.
It explains how the NAR has a form of ecumenism and a wrong view of Jesus which leads to accepting other things that don't line up with Scripture.
Watch out for those who hold experience over Scriptural truth.
The NAR & Bethel Church (Podcast Version)


The IHOP You Should Avoid

Reformation Still Needed

Many are celebrating 500 years since Martin Luther posted (nailed to a door) a calling out of the non-Biblical practices of the Roman Catholic church with his 95 theses.
Sadly, many are still being deceived by Roman Catholics.
They still have another "gospel."

The churches of today now have additional deceptions that are equally dangerous.
Linked below are a few examples.

Prosperity preaching 

The heresy of Bill Johnson of Bethel Church 
(NAR - an example of false teaching, practice, & prophecy)

Acceptance of Immorality - What Is God's Plan? (GTY)

Mysticism, women taking leadership in the church, and contextualization are all wreaking havoc on the church.

Reformation is still needed, but then the Biblical Gospel is also needed.
If you don't have the Bible as your ultimate source of authority as the Word of God (and not just a self-help guidebook that can be interpreted by your own worldview), and if you don't accept Christ as the head of His church...you will have a mess.
The Bible must be rightly divided!

Shocking Bible verses that many who are being led astray do not seem to know.