Once again trying to split the bill. Trying to sound reasonable in his unreasonableness. So there are conflicting stories but you need clarification on some things from Bethel? Please stop minimizing this. Kim Walker-Smith did not just "once lead worship at Bethel." Jesus Culture was birthed from Bethel. She was taught her doctrine from Johnson. Her testimony, which she shares at her events, includes a waking visitation where Jesus whisked her away to the throne room of God where she met the Father face to face. She asked Father God what He was thinking about when He made her and God responded by ripping out a piece of His own heart to mold a miniature version of Kim Walker-Smith to dance for Him while He clapped maniacally. Let that settle into your spirit for a second. Now we know that the bible says if this was true she would be dead for no man may see the face of God and live. That leaves two choices. Either she is lying, which I do not believe, or she cannot tell when she is demonically visited. That is who you believe is "solid."
"Because I myself have often been misrepresented, I appreciate those who try to hear both sides. It's good to be concerned and lovingly rebuke churches such as the ones mentioned above, but at the same time, we should consider the heart of the worship leader who is writing and leading the songs. For example, do you have any idea 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 10, 2020, on his Facebook page. In case you missed it, that's a powerful declaration of sound doctrine." - Shane Idleman
Sigh. It is not a powerful declaration of sound doctrine because Jeremy Riddle still remains at Bethel! He is right that the church is filled with heresy but it starts with his church! As for lovingly rebuking these churches - are you serious? These are not small congregations that are dabbling a bit into unsound teaching or error. These are the founding fathers of the most popular errors today! They have been rebuked for decades and they refuse to change because they are making a killing leading the sheep of the Lord to slaughter. You want me to consider the heart of the worship leader who is writing the songs? Sure - it is deceitful wicked above all else. Just like mine and yours. The man who wrote "healer" lied about having cancer to cover up his pornography addiction. The earlier mentioned Israel Houghton was receiving Dove Awards while he was cheating on his wife. I do not need to consider the hearts of the worship leaders - just what they write, speak and sing.
"While not true of everyone, as in the case of Mackenzie Morgan, 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. You can read more about genuine revival in my past articles. 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." - Shane Idleman
But you are validating them Shane. That was the entire point and result of this article. For the record, I disdain emotional worship because it is passed off as spiritual. Let it Rain is fantastic example of a song churches use to gin up emotional responses to cover up the lack of the movement of God's spirit. Revisiting theology is not the issue because the tree is still rotten. Trying to polish spoiled fruit is meaningless.
"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. ... 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 (and that Hillsong, Bethel and Elevation need) is the very thing we are running from: revival and a powerful move of God's Spirit via brokenness, humility and repentance?" - Shane Idleman
Really Shane? Is this where you are left to go? Sean Feucht is 37 years old and has been at this for well over a decade after graduating from Oral Roberts University. He has recorded 22 albums and co-written five books. Kim Walker Smith is 39 years old and has been around since the inception of Jesus Culture in 1999. Here is some disappointing news for you Shane. The bible does not promise that great end times revival you keep seeking. That is because it is NAR theology and not based on sound doctrine. It does however promise a great end times apostasy, of which you are now actively participating. If your revival is partnered with Bethel, Hillsong and Elevation Shane then you got far bigger problems than some heresy hunters who are lovingly trying to correct you.
"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 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 as though people don't want to know the facts." - Shane Idleman
I have removed all hyperlinks, as usual, because I refuse to point people towards more bad teaching. These "additional resources' reveal all we need to know about where Shane Idleman is and what direction he is heading. The NAR video is from Michael Brown, who serves as a gatekeeper for the NAR and has pretended in the past that it does not even exist. The interview with Johnson clarified NOTHING. It was just one softball question after another. He asked him for example what was the deal with the grave sucking. Johnson denied it. Brown exclaimed that he was glad that was settled! Huh? The bottom line here is that the time is running out on this age. The only thing that matters is sound doctrine because only the true gospel can save anyone. Using music from any of the top three heresy swamps on the planet must be met with a decidedly negative response. Perhaps if they left their false church, repented of their teachings and worked to restore sound doctrine we could think otherwise. As for you Shane, you need to stop acting as their gatekeeper. You will answer for every sheep you lead astray. Even if you did not realize you were. Since you like Spurgeon so much I will leave you with his words:
If we choose a false way of worship we shall, ere long, choose to worship a false god.
Reverend Anthony Wade - July 29, 2021
