"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." Proverbs 18:13

Christian Music: For The Love of Money How So-Called "Christian" Music Has Been Used to Push a Narrative of Anti-Biblical Doctrines and Promote False Teachers This 315-page book is free-to-read here on our website, or available for purchase in paperback or Kindle from the Amazon Store. Click the image for more details.

Though many readers may have as many strong emotions about music as I do, we ought to put aside our emotions to face the facts. Music might make us feel good, but there is a lot of danger in music, as God has declared what will become a theme for this book:

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
-Ecclesiastes 7:5

The Word of God is very clear about the works of ministry, defining the offices available to Christ's disciples. The Bible also states that these are to help perfect us in the knowledge of Christ, that we should not be like children in our understanding, and that we should be able to discern the truth about those who would deceive us:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
-Ephesians 4:11-14

In these verses, the Holy Spirit has taught us that God the Father has gifted apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors and teachers to educate the saints in righteousness, to build up the church, and to do the work of ministry. Where are the musicians mentioned in this passage? Where are the comedians? Where are the dancers? For that matter, where are the "music pastors" or "worship leaders" found in Scripture? The Holy Spirit does not mention entertainers in this passage because it is important to remember that the apostles and prophets of God, in both the Old and New Testaments, were not persecuted unto death because they were amusing the people, but rather, they were persecuted unto death because they rebuked the people, preaching the holiness of God and convincing the people of their sins, knowing that godly sorrow is better than laughter and pleasures.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
-Ecclesiastes 7:3

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
-2 Timothy 3:4-5

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
-James 4:6-10

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
-2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Before we get into specific details, I want Christians to understand that this exposé is not an attack on Christian music, psalms, or hymns that give praise unto God. The Bible is very clear that we should sing to ourselves spiritual songs:

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
-Ephesians 5:19-20

For example, there are many instances in Scripture that repeat words for emphasis, but there is one verse that repeats something four times in a row:

Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
-Psalm 47:6

Most people have an innate, pleasurable favor of music, created in them by God, and so I do not know of any person claiming to be a Christian, or any church building organization, that would be in disagreement with these verses about singing spiritual hymns and melodies because, after all, music typically makes people feel good. However, even though most churchgoers are happy to quote Psalm 47:6, most of them skip the next verse:

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
-Psalm 47:7

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
-1 Corinthians 14:15

In other words, in praise and worship of God, we should not be singing spiritual hymns and songs only for the sake of singing to make music and feel good, but we should also sing with understanding. This means that we should study to show ourselves approved unto God, and with the knowledge and wisdom He imparts to us through humility, study, and prayer, our hearts will be prepared to sing with understanding.

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
-Matthew 13:23

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
-2 Timothy 2:14-16

In this book, I expose the modern-day so-called "Christian" music industry (specifically artists and their songs), how they lack understanding of Christ's doctrine, and how they preach a false gospel. I will show that some "Christian" rock artists have come forward and confessed they were atheists throughout their entire "Christian" music career (i.e. they do not even believe in God), while others openly confess they were sodomites/homosexuals while they performed on stage, and that, in the end, most of those who operate in the mainstream "Christian" music industry today are doing things for the love of money, not the love of Christ.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
-1 Timothy 6:6-11

It is important for me to mention my background with music because, those who hate what I teach on this subject will often falsely accuse me of many things, one of them being the accusation that I have no understanding of music, which is laughable. From a very young age, I took piano lessons (and continued them until I was a teenager), which is where I learned to first read music, I started learning saxophone when I was 10-years-old, playing it in my school's band (including, classic, pep rallies, marching band, and end of year tours), I taught myself to play the oboe and drums while I was in high school, I taught myself to play the bass guitar and played it in jazz band in high school, I was also in my high school's show choir (and traveled with them to perform), singing both tenor and bass, I taught myself to play the acoustic guitar, which I continued to develop a number of styles and techniques for many years into my 20s, and I have worked with various other instruments and many performances, including church building worship bands; thus, to say I do not understand music is absurd because I am intimately familiar with it.

However, what is more important than musical knowledge and skills is to understand the will of the Lord. At the beginning, I quoted from Ephesians 5:19, which says that Christians should be "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord," but often, that verse is quoted among churchgoers while they ignore the verse that prefaces it:

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
-Ephesians 5:15-17

Sadly, in modern-day church buildings, churchgoers are often taught that their feelings are the equivalent of the Holy Spirit, and so they will listen to whatever feeling they get in their hearts, and claim that is God's communication to them. However, the Bible warns us that it is a fool that puts his trust in the feelings of his own heart, rather than the reasoning of the mind.

fool (n): one who is destitute of reason, or the common powers of understanding; a person who acts absurdly; one who does not exercise his reason; one who pursues a course contrary to the dictates of wisdom
(See 'fool', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Oct 1, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
-Proverbs 28:26

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
-Jeremiah 17:9

This is not to say that our feelings cannot align with the will and guidance of the Holy Spirit, but what we feel is not always guided by the Spirit of God (because the heart of the flesh is deceptive), and those who believe the feelings of their hearts are automatically the Holy Spirit make themselves subject to being deceived by their own emotions. This is especially dangerous when it comes to music because music communicates messages that typically cause an emotional reaction, and so music is often used as a tool to lead astray the simple-minded, or in other words, those who do not have a good understanding of musical traps, and other similar deceptions, are almost always fooled by those who know how to manipulate people with a song.

I made the following video to provide some examples of how music manipulates our thoughts and emotions:
In the video, I show an image of a beautiful and relaxing sunrise and let the viewer take in the serenity of the picture, but then I add in some hard rock music in the background and it completely changes the atmosphere and emotions of the viewer. By simply looking at the image, you have a feeling of calmness and relaxation, but by putting in the hard rock music, it created a feeling of adrenaline and a call to action, which sent a different message about what the image is communicating.

In another example, I showed a video clip of two soldiers speaking to one another (i.e. one soldier is inviting another soldier into the next room), but I played some suspenseful violin music in the background (i.e. something you would hear in a horror movie), which made it seem like one of the soldiers might be in danger, and thus, it completely changed the impressions of the viewer to something other than what actually happened. I used the same video clip and put some sleek, R&B romance music in the background, and the scene then took on an inappropriate tone, as if the two soldiers were secretly about to have some sort of sexual interaction, and so the point I am making is that music communicates a message, but the average person never considers how much they are manipulated by music on a daily basis.

Music communicates a message.

Nowadays, people hear music all the time, every day, and yet, most of them are so focused on their feelings, they do not stop to consider that the music is communicating a message to them. When the music we hear communicates a different message than what we are seeing, it creates confusion, or if done purposely, creates a sense of irony, which is why many TV shows and online videos have done this on purpose for comedic effect.


When people are gathered for a funeral, grieving at the loss of a loved one, they play gentle violin music in the background, which pairs well with their grief, helping to calmly support them during their sorrowful burden. However, it would be wildly inappropriate to play heavy metal in the background, which only serves to cause more despair because it communicates a message of destruction and hate that does not allow for the tears of sorrow.

In many cases, people are not deceived by music itself, meaning that the sound of a guitar or a piano does not manipulate; those instruments simply communicate a general thought, feeling, or emotion based on one's own experiences with the musical genre. However, when someone is playing music that is appropriate for the setting, but singing a contradictory message in (or along with) the lyrics of the song, we then find a lot more deception and manipulation than most people are willing to believe.

For example, in the video I mentioned earlier, it was a clip of a humorous cartoon in which a generally angry character was given a beautiful singing voice, and so when the people in the room asked him to sing something from his heart, he sang, "My heart is full of hatred and loathing, for your ugly faces, and stupid, stupid clothing." Of course, if he had said that under normal circumstances without singing it, the people in the room would have been very offended by what he said, but because he sang it in a beautiful voice, they complimented him and told him they thought his song was great.

In this book, I will cover many different types of music, and we will look at the messages they are sending to demonstrate that there is a serious contradiction in many of the "Christian" worship songs that are produced in the mainstream today. To begin, let's take a closer look at what is commonly known today as "rock-and-roll" (i.e. commonly known as "rock music") by looking at the history of rock, how it was applied to a "Christian" genre, and the results of that union today.

First, let's define the term 'rock' in relation to music. I selected Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary because some dictionaries only have a reference to the term "rock-n-roll" because they do not have a musical definition for the word 'rock':

rock (n): popular music usually played on electronically amplified instruments and characterized by a persistent heavily accented beat, repetition of simple phrases, and often country, folk, and blues elements
(See 'rock', Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2020, [merriam-webster.com])

Again, rock is short for the phrase "rock-n-roll," which is used today to describe a form of music. I would ask readers to consider: Why is it called 'rock'? This is a bit strange if you think about it for a moment because we have to ask ourselves, who woke up one day and decided to call this type of music "rock-and-roll," and for what reason?

It turns out that "rock-and-roll" was originally nothing more than a genre called "rhythm-and-blues," which was primarily an African-American form of blues and jazz. A man named Alan Freed broadcast the phrase "rock-and-roll," using it frequently over the radio, and he attached it to rhythm-and-blues music, and though many got the impression that it was a new genre, in reality, it was nothing new:
"'Rockin and rollin' was originally a euphemism [a mild term to represent an offensive term] for the sexual act, as we have noted. The expression had been in use on recordings for almost thirty years by the time disc jockey Alan Freed attached 'rock and roll' to a musical style. Unlike most of the disc jockeys of the era, he refused to play white [musicians'] cover versions of R&B hits, a practice that gained him respect among black musicians but made him enemies in the business. While broadcasting over WJW in Cleveland [Ohio] in 1951, he began using 'rock and roll' as a euphemism [an indirect phrase to refer to something unpleasant or offensive] of a different kind: through him, the term became a code word among whites for 'rhythm and blues.'... Freed linked the term rock and roll to rhythm and blues, so it's no wonder that Fats Domino and producer Dave Bartholomew, the mastermind of so many New Orleans R&B hits, commented that rock and roll was rhythm and blues. Bartholomew said, undoubtedly with some bitterness, 'We had rhythm and blues for many, many a year, and here come in a couple of white people and they call it rock and roll, and it was rhythm and blues all the time!'"
-Michael Campbell, Rock and Roll: An Introduction, Cengage Learning, 2008, p. 101, ISBN: 9780534642952

A euphemism is a word used to hide the offensive nature of the subject matter; for example, the drug cocaine got a bad reputation in the 19th century after the public found out the truth about it, and so instead of calling the white-powdered drug cocaine, dealers and buyers started calling it "snow," because the word 'snow' sounds much less offensive than cocaine, and was not as readily identified by authorities. The music originally associated with rock-and-roll was music designed for sex; however, to call it "sex music" would be offensive to many people, and so to hide what it was, it was given another name.

"When Alan Freed moved to WINS in 1954, he was forced to change the name of his show from The Moondog House Rock and Roll Party to the Rock and Roll Show... Although Alan Freed did not coin the term Rock and Roll (it was a black euphemism for sexual intercourse that had been around for at least thirty years), he undoubtedly helped connect the label to the music for an ever-widening audience."
-Tom Larson, History of Rock and Roll, Kendall Hunt, 2004, p. 26, ISBN: 9780787299699

To provide a bit of background, in the late 40s and early 50s in the United States, there was still a strong moral foundation that most Americans stood on, which came from Scripture. This is not to say that all Americans were Christians, nor is it to say that the country was pure in any sense, but this was a time when if a woman was having sex and/or got pregnant out of wedlock, then it was a major embarrassment to her and her entire family.

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
-1 Corinthians 7:1-3

Rebellious teenagers wanted to be sexually active outside the supervision of their parents, and with the invention and mass-production of the automobile, young men and women now had a way to travel a longer distance away from their family home to have sex in the seclusion of wherever they parked their vehicles. To set the mood, rhythm and blues (R&B) music was played in the background, which is still popular today as a form of sex-inducing music, and so the term "rock and roll" was created for music that helped young listeners to start rocking (i.e. rocking the car back and forth during sex) and rolling (i.e. to drive away afterwards).

Thus, the term "rock-and-roll" was never intended to be a style of music, but rather, it was an indirect reference created by black American culture as a code word for "sex-on-the-go," or in Biblical terms, fornication and adultery. Rock music, as we know it today, has transformed into various branches, which range from the traditional R&B being the sleek version of sex music, to the introduction of electronic and digitized forms of rock that give a more hardcore version of sex music.

Please do not misunderstand, this does not mean that every rock song out there is intended to promote sexual interaction, nor am I arguing any such thing. I am simply pointing out that many R&B songs are created with sexual purpose, and they were eventually given the description of "rock music" to distinguish them.

Rock music has evolved into its own genre, having types of "rock" labels, such as punk rock, alternative rock, heavy metal rock, country rock, goth rock, grunge rock, etc. Frankly, this is nonsense because rock music is not well defined, meaning that almost anything can be considered "rock" if it has a beat to it. Though the label of "rock" music was created based on fornication, the concept of rock music goes far deeper, and becomes much darker when we dig into its philosophical foundation.

In simple terms, the word 'philosophy' simply means "a way of thinking." Everyone has a way of thinking, meaning that everyone has a philosophy, whether they realize it or not, and if they do not realize it, it means that they have allowed someone else to do their thinking for them, and in many instances, the music they listen to does their thinking for them.

There is a common idea among many societies which believe that a man's personality determines what kind of music he listens to, but that is nothing more than deception. In fact, music shapes the personality, not the other way around, meaning that what kind of music someone listens to will determine what way of thinking (i.e. philosophy) they will have.

personality (n): the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others; a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities
(See 'personality', Random House Dictionary, 2020, [dictionary.com]; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co, 2012)

Of course, music without words communicates a general message, like an atmosphere of emotion, but it does not communicate a specific message, which is why it is harder to be deceived when listening to music without words, as wordless music allows you to think for yourself more freely and apply your own philosophy to the music. However, most mainstream music available today has lyrics with it (which is by design), those lyrics teach a philosophy, and that philosophy affects the lives of listeners every day.

When a boy grows up listening to gangster rap and hip hop music, which speaks of sex, drugs, violence, and money, he grows up to be a man whose philosophy (i.e. way of thinking) focuses on sex, drugs, violence, and money. When a girl grows up listening to goth and metal music, which speaks of sex, death, darkness, and suicide, she grows up to be a woman whose philosophy focuses on sex, death, darkness, and suicide.

I know this seems like a simple concept, and frankly, it is, but it is a simple concept that very few people actively think about. They initially listen to music based on what gives them a good feeling, and then with that good feeling, they end up adopting the philosophy of the artist behind the music.

Musicians have a philosophy (i.e. a way of thinking) too, and they express it through their music. For example, one of the most famous rock bands in the world is Led Zeppelin, most notably for their song Stairway to Heaven, which became one of the highest rated and most profitable rock songs of all time.
The record for Stairway to Heaven was published in 1971. The Led Zeppelin members kept the first vinyl album ever produced of the song, and they etched some strange words into the record, which reads, "Do What thou Wilt" and on the other side, reads, "So Mote Be it."
(Click Image for Larger View)

The average person might not know what these phrases mean, but Jimmy Page, lead guitarist for Led Zeppelin, certainly knew what it meant because this was the doctrine of his mentor, Aleister Crowley:
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law... There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt."
-Aleister Crowley, quoted by M. Desti & L. Waddell, Magick: Liber ABA, Vol. 4, Weiser Books, 1997, p. 386, ISBN: 9780877289197

In case any readers may not know who he is, Aleister Crowley was one of the most famous Satanists in the world, and was instrumental in developing aspects of witchcraft that are still used by high-level witches to this day. In fact, I have mentioned Crowley in a number of different teachings in which I rebuke the practices of witchcraft because his name comes up so often while researching those subjects, and in many cases, the origin of demonic practices lead back to him.

The phrase "do what thou wilt" is a doctrine that denounces the Holy Law of God and claims that a man's morals should be based on how he feels, doing whatever pleases his own wicked heart. The phrase "so mote be it" or "so mote it be," is an occultic way of saying "Amen" to a statement, and is used by Satanists, Neopagans, and Freemasons in the Rosicrucianism sect.
(Read Freemasonry: A Luciferian Beacon here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

This is most certainly the doctrine of the Devil, since Lucifer boasts of his own will in his wicked heart:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
-Isaiah 14:12-15

Such philosophy wars in rebellion against the will of God, rejecting His Word. Such ways of thinking trust in one's own heart, which is foolishness, as we have already established.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
-Romans 12:2

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
-1 John 2:17

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
-Proverbs 21:2

Crowley was a member of a group of high-level magicians, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which he joined in 1898, adopting some of their practices and bringing them into Satanism:
"Samuel Mathers (1854-1918), a founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, had a significant but indirect influence on modern religious Satanism through Aleister Crowley, a one-time member of the order."
-James R. Lewis, Satanism Today: An Encyclopedia of Religion, Folklore, and Popular Culture, ABC-CLIO, 2001, p. 169, ISBN: 9781576072929

Soon after he joined the Golden Dawn, Crowley purchased a home called the Boleskine Lodge, located on the shore of Loch Ness, a secluded lake in the mountains of Scotland. The reason this is important is because Jimmy Page purchased Boleskine Lodge in 1971 (a few months before Stairway to Heaven was written), specifically because it was previously owned by Aleister Crowley, and it is where Crowley practiced much of his witchcraft and sacrificed to devils.

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
-1 Corinthians 10:20

Crowley used drugs in magical incantations, which is how witches believe they should be used (i.e. not for recreational use, which is how most people use them):
"Crowley contributed several articles to The English Review under various pseudonyms. Two of these, 'The Great Drug Delusion' and 'The Drug Panic,' described Crowley's attitudes on drug legalization and his emerging theory of addiction. Crowley had experimented with the magical use of drugs, most of which he acquired legally from his chemist."
-Richard Kaczynski, The Weiser Concise Guide to Aleister Crowley, Weiser Books, 2009, p. 29, ISBN: 9781609250744

The use of drugs is what the Bible calls "sorcery," which is the root of the word pharmaceutical (i.e. 'pharma' coming from the Greek word pharmakeia, which means "sorcery"):

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
-Revelation 21:8

Crowley hated the Bible, and wrote his belief that those who take it seriously are mad men:
"One would go mad if one took the Bible seriously; but to take it seriously one must be already mad."
-Aleister Crowley, quoted by M. Desti & L. Waddell, Magick: Liber ABA, Vol. 4, Weiser Books, 1997, p. 116, ISBN: 9780877289197

Crowley wanted to "do what he willed," so he willed to throw away the Word of God, use drugs, and kidnap people to use for blood sacrifices during his witchcraft rituals:
"For the highest spiritual working one must accordingly choose that victim which contains the greatest and purest force. A male child of perfect innocence and high intelligence is the most satisfactory and suitable victim... Those Magicians who object to the use of blood have endeavored to replace it with incense... But the bloody sacrifice, though more dangerous, is more efficacious; and for nearly all purposes human sacrifice is the best... In the Sacrifice during invocation, however, it may be said without fear of contradiction that the death of the victim should coincide with the supreme invocation."
-Aleister Crowley, quoted by M. Desti & L. Waddell, Magick: Liber ABA, Vol. 4, Weiser Books, 1997, p. 206-207, ISBN: 9780877289197

Crowley performed human sacrifices on children as well, and in chapter 15 of his book, he defined what he meant by the "supreme invocation," and that is the height of sexual pleasure. Thus, Crowley not only kidnapped young boys, he would also have sex with them, and then kill them as a blood sacrifice during the height of his sexual orgasm. "It appears from the Magical Records of FRATER PERDURABO that he [Crowley] made this particular sacrifice [a male child with high intelligence] on an average about 150 times every year between 1912 E.V. and 1928 E.V." -M. Desti & L. Waddell, Magick: Liber ABA, Vol. 4, Weiser Books, 1997, p. 207, ISBN: 9780877289197

This means that Crowley was sacrificing a child twice per week, which over the course of 16 years would total around 2400 child sacrifices. This was one of the many reasons that Crowley adopted the title of "The Great Beast:"
"The Great Beast [Crowley] and his followers were against any kind of religion, in any form, except their own. They held group orgies as a part of their ritual, and included in them the small children the women had brought with them... [Concerning paintings in his house] The remainder of the paintings were life-size representations of sexual activity, both homosexual and heterosexual, singly, doubly and in groups, including children. There were also plentiful graffiti, in Crowley's handwriting, all lauding the Great Beast."
-Wardell Baxter Pomeroy, Dr. Kinsey and the Institute for Sex Research, Yale University Press, 1972, p. 413-414, ISBN: 9780300029161

This is just a sample of the vile deeds of Crowley, and so the following excerpt from his "Hymn to Pan" was read aloud at his funeral in 1947, in which he gives his devotion to the Devil:
"Goat of thy flock, I am gold, I am god, Flesh to thy bone, flower to thy rod, With hoofs of steel I race on the rocks Though solstice stubborn to equinox. And I rave; and I rape and I rip and I rend Everlasting, world without end..."
-Aleister Crowley, M. Desti & L. Waddell, Magick: Liber ABA, Vol. 4, Weiser Books, 1997, p. 122, ISBN: 9780877289197

In the history books of this world, we would presume that a man who was responsible for the most disgusting acts of pedophilia, rape, and murder would be chided for his evil deeds, and used as a warning to future generations to depart from the occult, but that is not what happened. Instead, Aleister Crowley has been honored by many people, and in a top-100 chart of the "Greatest Britons" OF ALL TIME, Crowley was #73, ranked among kings, queens, and inventors, which was NOT created based on the opinions of a few men in a committee, but rather, it was taken from television popularity polls!
(See "Crowley," BBC Press Office, 100 Greatest Britons, retrieved Sept 19, 2013, [bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/08_august/21/100_list.shtml])

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
-Isaiah 5:20-21

wo (n): grief, sorrow, misery, a heavy calamity [great distresses from disasters]; a curse
(See 'wo', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved July 2, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

In summary, Led Zeppelin honors the doctrine and philosophy of a God-hating, drug-addicted, child-raping Satanist, but when it is put to pleasant-sounding music, no one seems to be shocked by the offenses, which demonstrates my point, namely, that the public ignores the offenses of the words when they hear feel-good music. Essentially, they are being brainwashed daily. There is a lot more of this going on in the music industry that the average listener is not aware of, and again, with music comes the philosophy of the musician, so we have to be careful about what we listen to.

Robert Plant, lead singer for Led Zeppelin, was the one who wrote the words for Stairway to Heaven, but the words themselves do not make much sense. For example:

Led Zeppelin - Excerpt from Stairway to Heaven: If there's a bustle in your hedgerow Don't be alarmed now It's just a spring clean for the May Queen Yes, there are two paths you can go by But in the long run There's still time to change the road you're on

Please note that whenever you hear a song that has a bunch of lyrics in it that do not make any logical sense whatsoever, there is the possibility that the meaning is rooted in witchcraft, so listeners should take caution. Stairway to Heaven is no exception to this rule, and though I have no interest in understanding the demonic meaning of the song, in order to prove the point, I will note that the lyric "It's just a spring clean for the May Queen" is a reference to Aleister Crowley's poem called "May Queen."
(See Aleister Crowley, The Works of Aleister Crowley, Yogi Publication Society, Vol. 1, 1974, p. 177, ISBN: 9780911662511)

Robert Plant was interviewed about Stairway to Heaven, and he gave his testimony about how he wrote it:
"I was holding a pencil and paper, and for some reason I was in a very bad mood... Then all of a sudden, my hand was writing out the words, 'There's a lady who's sure / All that glitters is gold, / And she's buying a stairway to heaven.' I just sat there and looked at them and almost leapt out of my seat."
-Robert Plant, quoted by Scott Calef, Led Zeppelin and Philosophy: All Will Be Revealed, Open Court, 2013, p. 10, ISBN: 9780812697766; See also Barney Hoskyns, Led Zeppelin IV, Rodale Books, 2006, p. 94, ISBN: 9781594863707

Though the world will find those lyrics to be accidental, what many of them do not know is that this is often referred to as "demonic channeling," in which a man gives himself unto devils to be possessed by them (often through the use of drugs/sorcery), and those dark spirits use the man's hands and mouth to do their bidding. These things were demonically channeled in Crowley's former home, by the devils which worked with Crowley, and therefore, one of the world's most famous rock songs was written by devils, that they might sing unto you (without you knowing where it came from) the same doctrine and philosophy they gave to Aleister Crowley, while pouring honey in your ears to make it feel good as it enters your mind.

In fact, some people decided to listen to Stairway to Heaven played backwards, and found hidden messages within the song. This is something called backmasking:

backmasking (n): the encoding of audio materials (such as words conveying a secret message) on a recording in such a way that they can only be heard and understood when the recording is played backwards
(See 'backmasking', Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2020, [merriam-webster.com])

This is not to say that all backmasking is demonic because some music artists have done this on purpose, leaving what are typically referred to as "Easter Eggs" in their songs for dedicated fans to find, but doing so takes a lot of preparation prior to recording because certain words and phrases must be said in a particular way (and played back at a certain speed and tone) in order to get the message to appear clearly enough when played backwards. However, Stairway to Heaven was written by demonic channeling, as the author testified, with no prior preparation on their part, and because no man could do this on his own (without prior work in a production studio), it means the authors of the backmasking were the devils who were possessing Robert Plant while he wrote this song.

Stairway to Heaven FORWARD: "If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now, it's just a spring clean for the May Queen. Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on." Stairway to Heaven BACKWARD: "Oh, oh, here's to my sweet Satan! The one little path will make me sad. Whose power is Satan? He'll give, girl, me and you 666. And all in my toolshed he made us suffer, sad Satan."

Most people that hear this find this to be scary, if not at least a bit creepy, but they typically shrug their shoulders at it and just write it off as a coincidence. In fact, in an interview with Rolling Stone, Plant himself tried to reason it away in the same manner:
"'Who on Earth would have ever thought of doing that?' Robert Plant said of the backward-Satanism charges. 'You've got to have a lot of time on your hands to even consider that people would do that.'"
-Robert Plant, quoted by Andy Greene, "The 10 Wildest Led Zeppelin Legends, Fact-Checked," Rolling Stone, Oct 16, 2019, retrieved July 3, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2Zwjcdu]

I agree with Plant that it would be ridiculous to believe that people would do that, but "people" did not write that song. The song was written by demonic channeling, and the problem is that Plant does not believe that his hands wrote down that song by inspiration and possession of devils, which means that it was designed by the powers of darkness and spiritual wickedness.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
-Ephesians 6:11-13

The concept of backmasking was born of devils, and it is something Aleister Crowley referred to as "The Occult Law of Reversal," which was his lesson on how to practice witchcraft by speaking backwards, walking backwards, and playing music backwards. For example, the following author interviewed an actress and learned about her experience learning new acting techniques:
"In 1973, I had just met somebody at Reading who could speak backwards, in small sentences at least. It seemed a ridiculous thing for him to have learned to do, and it fascinated me. It related to something in the air [rumored] at the time: Aleister Crowley saying the Lord's Prayer backwards, and magic, shamanistic thought, and the Occult 'Law of Reversal'."
-Anne Bean, quoted by Dominic Johnson, The Art of Living: An Oral History of Performance Art, Palgrave Macmillan, 1982, p. 60, ISBN: 9781137322227

Indeed, Crowley taught this principle in his book:
"11. First Method. Let the Exempt Adept first train himself to think backwards by external means, as set forth here following. (a) Let him learn to write backwards, with either hand. (b) Let him learn to walk backwards. (c) Let him constantly watch, if convenient, cinematograph films, and listen to phonograph records, reversed, and let him so accustom himself to these that they appear natural, and appreciable as a whole. (d) Let him practice speaking backwards."
-Aleister Crowley, quoted by M. Desti & L. Waddell, Magick: Liber ABA, Vol. 4, Weiser Books, 1997, p. 648-649, ISBN: 9780877289197

Crowley also taught that one could obtain "Magical Memory," by learning to speak things backwards. He said that communication with the spirit world could be established through reversed speech.
-M. Desti & L. Waddell, Magick: Liber ABA, Vol. 4, Weiser Books, 1997, p. 207, ISBN: 9780877289197

Of course, this is opposed to all that the Bible teaches us, namely, that we are supposed to speak and sing with understanding, not in a nonsensical manner of reversal. I will repeat this verse I quoted earlier:

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
-1 Corinthians 14:15
(Read "Charismatic Gibberish vs Speaking in Tongues" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Crowley's law of reversal is very subtle, meaning that a lot of people will not notice when practitioners use Crowley's demonic devices of reversal. For example, Oprah Winfrey's production studio is call "Harpo" Productions (as indicated in the fine print at oprah.com) which is her name (Oprah) spelled backwards, and so-called "Christian" musician Michael W. Smith has done similar things, which we will cover later in this book.
(Read "Wolves in Costume: Michael W. Smith" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

There are many other strange backmasking instances, like The Beatles (one of the most famous rock bands of all time) singing the "Get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged," when reversed, was saying "Help me! Help me! Help me!" Or when The Beatles sang "I wonder should I call you, but I know what you would do," but when reversed says, "Oh I wish I was not a Beatle, you should know why." Or at the end of one of their songs, The Beatles recorded a man repeating the words "Number Nine" many times, but when played backwards, it says, "Turn me on dead man." Or even more recent instances of simple things, like a crowd chanting Barack Obama's presidential campaign slogan "Yes we can!" over and over, when played backwards, has them saying "Thank you Satan!" over and over.
(See ANTBOND004, "Beatles Backmasking," Dec 31, 2007, retrieved July 3, 2020, [https://youtu.be/hyTw0lcfgag]; See also AVerdadeLiberada, "Obama: Yes We Can = Thank you Satan," Jun 23, 2013, retrieved July 3, 2020, [https://youtu.be/BZlSFgck3pA])

I am not making the argument that every rock song ever produced has these kind of occult roots, so I hope readers do not misunderstand my meaning; the point of documenting all this is to demonstrate that, not only is there a root of sin involved in the development of R&B and rock music, but as the rock genre evolved (and continues to evolve today), the Devil has chosen rock music to be a primary medium by which he can preach his doctrine. Remember, music communicates a message, and Satan has chosen rock as one means of communicating his message, which is why many of the world's most popular rock artists have studied the works of Aleister Crowley, and honor him in their productions.

In 1967, The Beatles released an album called Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, that portrayed the faces of many people throughout history. When asked about these faces, The Beatles' bass guitarist and singer Paul McCartney said in an interview:
"The cover was going to be us dressed as this other band in crazy gear... And we were going to have photos on the wall of all our heroes: Marlon Brando in his leather jacket, Einstein--it could be anybody who we'd ever thought was good. Cult heroes."
-Paul McCartney, quoted by Tony Scherman, The Rock Musician: 15 Years of the Interviews - The Best of Musician Magazine, Macmillan, 1994, p. 28, ISBN: 9780312304614

The Beatles portrayed some very wicked people in the image. However, notable among them was Aleister Crowley, featured in the top row as one of their heroes:

The Beatles honored Satanist Aleister Crowley as a good man and one of their personal heroes.

Playboy Magazine's interview with John Lennon further demonstrates how much the Beatles were influenced by Crowley:
"What's this game of doing things because other people want it? The whole Beatle idea was to do what you want, right? To take your own responsibility, do what you want and try not to harm other people, right? Do what thou wilst, as long as it doesn't hurt somebody."
-John Lennon, quoted by David Sheff, All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Macmillan, 2010, p. 72, ISBN: 9781429958080

This is one of the reasons why Aleister Crowley was sometimes called "The Unsung Hero of the Hippies."

hippie (n): a person, especially of the late 1960s, who rejected established institutions and values and sought spontaneity, direct personal relations expressing love, and expanded consciousness [most often through drugs], often expressed externally in the wearing of casual, folksy clothing and of beads, headbands, used garments, etc.
(See 'hippie', Random House Dictionary, 2020, [dictionary.com]; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co, 2012)

"It never seems to be possible to describe Aleister Crowley without hyperbole [i.e. without exaggeration] as: the 'Wickedest Man in the World', Beast 666, 'poet, painter, chess master, lecher [a lascivious man, which is one who is given over to sexual lust], drug addict and magician' (Wheatley, introduction to Crowley 1929/1974), 'the Picasso of the Occult... bridges the gap between Oscar Wilde and Hitler' (Cyril Connolly, Sunday Times), 'the unsung hero of the hippies' (International Times)."
-Steve Chibnall & Julian Petley, British Horror Cinema, Psychology Press, 2002, p. 86, ISBN: 9780415230032

Famous rock musician David Bowie has been loved and adored by the world, receiving music awards, acting awards, given honorary doctorates, and was offered a knighthood by the British government in 2003, but he has also openly admitted to being a sodomite, heavy drug user, and Satanist. Bowie has a song called "Quicksand" that has the following lyrics: I'm closer to the Golden Dawn Immersed in Crowley's uniform (Again, the Golden Dawn is an occult organization Crowley used to increase his knowledge of witchcraft, and applied it to Satanism.)

Daryl Hall of the famous rock band Hall and Oates said: "Around 1974, I graduated into the occult, and spent a solid six or seven years immersed in the cabala and the Chaldean, Celtic, and druidic traditions, [and] ancient techniques for focusing the inner flame, the will that can create unimagined things and truly transform your individual universe. I also became fascinated with Aleister Crowley, the nineteenth-century British magician who shared these beliefs...

I was fascinated by him [Crowley] because his personality was the late-nineteenth-century equivalent of mine—a person brought up in a conventionally religious family who did everything he could to outrage the people around him as well as himself."
-Daryl Hall, quoted by Jonas E. Alexis, In the Name of Education, Xulon Press, 2007, p. 137, ISBN: 9781600347603; See also, R. Gary Patterson, Take a Walk on the Dark Side: Rock and Roll Myths, Legends, and Curses, Simon and Schuster, 2008, p. 69, ISBN: 9781439103647; Read "Halloween: Are Christians Lovers of Death?" here at creationliberty.com for more details on the druidic traditions.

Satanic artist Marilyn Manson (member of the Church of Satan), who is well-known for performing wicked acts live on stage (like having a woman perform a mock abortion on herself after cleaning a Nazi flag), also honored Crowley in his 'music'. Manson has a song called "Misery Machine" that contains the following lyrics: "Man in the front got a sinister grin, careen [move swiftly] down highway 666... We're gonna' ride to the abbey of Thelema"

Most readers may not know anything about "Thelema," but it is essentially a cult that follows and worships Aleister Crowley. Thelemites practice witchcraft in combination with many mystic practices from around the world, and even the name "Thelema" is the Greek word for 'will', as in "do what thou wilt:"
"The Greek word Θελημα (Thelema) or Will refers to the legitimate expression of a person's human and divine natures. It may be compared to one's purpose, function, calling, destiny, mission, or similar concept. In accordance with the principle 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,' Thelemites devote themselves entirely to the discovery and fulfillment of their true Wills. (Note: The value of Thelema (Θελημα) in the Greek Qabalah is 93... This led Crowley to abbreviate the phrase, 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law' as '93'... Thelemites often greet each other with '93.')"
-Richard Kaczynski, The Weiser Concise Guide to Aleister Crowley, Weiser Books, 2009, p. 62, ISBN: 9781609250744

Ozzy Osbourne, lead singer of the band Black Sabbath, wrote a song called "Nativity in Black" on his first album that was a first-person invitation to join Satan, saying, "My name is Lucifer, please take my hand!" Osbourne was introduced by Marilyn Manson in his 'Walk of Fame Ceremony' when he received a star on the Hollywood sidewalk:
"This star right here proves that it's quite obvious that Ozzy has managed to succeed while remaining insane and strangely happy despite his various crimes against God and nature."
-Marilyn Manson, quoted by ABC News, "Ozzy Osbourne Gets Hollywood Star," Jan 6, 2006, retrieved Sept 24, 2013, [abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=101221&page=1]

Osbourne also wrote a song called "Mr. Crowley," which refers to Aleister Crowley: "Mr. Crowley, what went wrong in your head? Oh, Mr. Crowley, did you talk with the dead Your life style to me seemed so tragic... You fooled all the people with magic You waited on Satan's call... Mr. Crowley, won't you ride my white horse I wanna know what you meant

He even dedicated an entire album to Crowley:
"It was hype when I started, but I really learned to believe in the devil. I dedicated The Blizzard of Oz to Aleister Crowley."
-Ozzy Osbourne, quoted by Eric Barger, From Rock to Rock: The Music of Darkness Exposed!, Huntington House, 1990, p. 133, ISBN: 9780910311618

Most people believe the The Beach Boys played innocent music, but very few of them understand that they were also involved in witchcraft, allowing themselves to be possessed by demonic spirits, as singer Brian Wilson testified: "We were all messed up on drugs. We were doing witchcraft, trying to make witchcraft music. I was stoned on hashish and grass and I got a little too much into this one tape called 'Fire'. Then, a place down the street burned down the same day we did the song." -Brian Wilson, quoted by Nick Kent & Iggy Pop, The Dark Stuff: Selected Writings on Rock Music Updated Edition, Da Capo Press, 2009, p. 43, ISBN: 9780786730742

Wilson tried all sorts of witchcraft practices to get "the voices" to come to him and give him his music, but eventually, he got so deep into witchcraft, he could not stop hearing the voices:
"He was getting these scary acid flash-backs too, as well as these voices inside his head. They weren't saying anything too distinct yet, just making this dark, ghostly murmuring sound back there in the lower recesses of his brain."
-Brian Wilson, quoted by Nick Kent & Iggy Pop, The Dark Stuff: Selected Writings on Rock Music Updated Edition, Da Capo Press, 2009, p. 39-40, ISBN: 9780786730742

The testimony of Wilson and the interviewer provide plenty of evidence that points to demonic possession:
"...all the voices in his [Brian Wilson's] head now interrupting his thoughts like static on an ill-tuned radio forever muttering, 'You're finished, you're washed-up! You've lost the plot, ***hole, and you've lost your mind! You played with God and messed with forces that can only destroy you'"
-Brian Wilson, quoted by Nick Kent & Iggy Pop, The Dark Stuff: Selected Writings on Rock Music Updated Edition, Da Capo Press, 2009, p. 49, ISBN: 9780786730742

"Rolling Stones magazine has this to say of Brian Wilson, song-writer and singer for the Beach Boys: 'Brian Wilson hears voices. They talk to him. They frighten him, distract him, confuse him... the voices are calling. His eyes roll toward the ceiling; they've gone blank. His brow is furrowed with thick worry lines. He is silent. Gone. He looks up, jerks his head back and forth for a few seconds, as if physically shaking away the voices.'"
-Jonas E. Alexis, Christianity's Dangerous Idea, AuthorHouse, 2010, p. 342, ISBN: 9781452006116

The demon-possession and devil-worship involved in rock music could fill up many volumes of a library. This is just a small fraction of the KNOWN Satanists and witches involved in the music industry, let alone all the ones who are not so forth-coming about their dabbling with demonic forces.

Jerry Lee Lewis, who is known as "rock & roll's first great wild man" and "the killer," stated in no uncertain terms that he was playing music for the Devil:

"When Jerry played a 'boogie woogie' rendition of 'My God Is Real' at a church assembly, school administrators sent him packing that night. Years later, a fellow student at the school asked Jerry if he was still playing the devil's music. He said, 'Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is I know I'm playing for the devil and they don't.'"

-Roderick Biddings, Music to God's Ears, Xulon Press, 2010, p. 139, ISBN: 9781615798728


In 1957, music producer and radio host Sam Phillips had a discussion with Jerry Lee Lewis about the Bible and music, which was concerning his song "Great Balls of Fire" because Lewis had originally taken it from the tune of the hymn "My God Is Real" and turned it into a boogie-woogie rock-and-roll style which was considered sacrilege by many churchgoers in that day:

LEWIS: "H-E-L-L!" PHILLIPS: "Good God Almighty great balls of fire." LEWIS: "That's right! It says-It says, 'Make merry with the joy of God only!' But when it comes to worldly music, rock it out! Anything like that, you done brought yourself into the world, and you are in the world, and you hadn't come from out of the world, and you're still a sinner. And you're a sinner, and unless you be saved and born again, and be made as a little child, and walk before God, and be holy, and brother, I mean you got to be so pure, that no sin shall enter them. No sin! Because it says no sin. It don't say just a little bit. It says no sin shall enter them. Brother, not one little bit. You got to walk and TALK with God to go to heaven! You got to be so good." BAND MEMBER: "*sarcastically* Hallelujah!" PHILLIPS: "Now look, Jerry. Religious conviction doesn't mean anything resembling extremism. Alright. You mean to tell me, that you're going to take the Bible, that you are going to take God's Word, and that you're going to revolutionize the WHOLE universe! Now listen, Jesus Christ was sent here by God Almighty." LEWIS: "Right!" PHILLIPS: "Did he convict, did he save, all the people in the world?" LEWIS: "No, but he tried to." PHILLIPS: "He sure did. Now, wait just a minute. Jesus Christ came into this world. He tolerated man. He didn't preach from one pulpit. He went around and did good." LEWIS: "That's right! He preached everywhere!" PHILLIPS: "That's right! That's exactly right!" LEWIS: "He done everything! He healed!" PHILLIPS: "Now, here's the difference—" LEWIS: "Are you following those that heal? Like Jesus Christ did?" PHILLIPS: "What do you mean?" LEWIS: "Well, it's happening every day." PHILLIPS: "What do you mean?" LEWIS: "The blinded eyes open!" PHILLIPS: "Jerry—" LEWIS: "The lame are made to walk! The cripple are whole!" PHILLIPS: "Jesus Christ, in my opinion, is just as real today as he was when he came into this world." LEWIS: "Right! Right! You're so right." PHILLIPS: "Now, I will—" [A mix of voices between Lewis, Phillips, and his band members all speak up before Phillips is given the chance to speak again.] PHILLIPS: "Now listen. I'm telling you out of my heart, and I have studied the Bible a little bit." LEWIS: "I've studied it through and through and through and through and through!" PHILLIPS: "Jerry. Jerry, listen. When you think that you can't do good as a rock-and-roll star—" LEWIS: "You can do good Mr. Phillips, don't get me wrong!" PHILLIPS: "Wait a minute! Now, when I say do good—" LEWIS: "You can have a KIND HEART!" PHILLIPS: "I don't mean—" LEWIS: "You can help people!" PHILLIPS: "Save souls!" LEWIS: "No. NO!! No, no!" PHILLIPS: "Yes!" LEWIS: "How can a devil save souls?! What are you talking about?! I got the devil in me!" PHILLIPS: "Listen, listen—" LEWIS: "If I didn't have, I'd be a Christian!" PHILLIPS: "Well, you may have it—" LEWIS: "Jesus heal this man, he cast a devil out! The devil said, 'Where can I go?' He says, 'Can I go into this swine?' He said, 'Yeah, go into him.' Didn't they go into him?" PHILLIPS: "Jerry, the point I'm trying to make here: If you believe what you're saying, you've got no alternative whatsoever out of—listen—" LEWIS: "Mr. Phillips, I don't care—it ain't [is not] what you believe. It's what's written in the Bible." PHILLIPS: "Well, wait a minute—" LEWIS: "It's WHAT'S THERE Mr. Phillips." PHILLIPS: "No, no no—" LEWIS: "It ain't what you believe, it's just what's there." PHILLIPS: "If it's not what you believe, then how do you interpret the Bible? Huh? How do you interpret the Bible if it's not what you believe?" LEWIS: "Well, some people, you just can't tell them." PHILLIPS: "No, you've got to make them—Now here's the thing..." [Recording Ends.]

Sadly, this was a debate between two people who thought they understood Scripture, but neither of them understood it. Ultimately, neither of them understood the doctrine of repentance (i.e. godly sorrow of wrongdoing) and remission (i.e. forgiveness) of sins.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
-Luke 24:44-47

The problem Sam Phillips had was that he believed the false message that anyone who claims to believe on Jesus is automatically saved, and that saving souls could occur through the sexual messages of R&B/rock music. The problem Jerry Lewis had was that he was indoctrinated by the Assemblies of God cult, which originated from those who opted to speak demonic and nonsensical gibberish in their unbiblical revival meetings, and therefore, he had never been taught the Gospel of Jesus.
(Read "Charismatic Gibberish vs Speaking in Tongues" & "Revivalism: The Devil's Design" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
-Matthew 7:21-23

The Lord Jesus Christ did not teach that everyone who claims to believe on Him will automatically go to heaven, and there are many cherry-picked verses preachers often use to justify that false doctrine. Jesus taught that few, not many, would find the way to eternal life.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
-Matthew 7:13-14

Why did Jesus teach this? Why is it that so many will profess they believed on Jesus, but will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus saves people by His grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9), not of works, but there is a core doctrine that many pastors, elders, and evangelists do not understand, and if you would like to learn more about that, I have a free-to-read book here at creationliberty.com called Why Millions of Believers on Jesus Are Going to Hell that will provide a lot more information and Scripture on that subject.

Jerry also made a good point that those who are not of Christ are of the Devil, as Jesus pointed out to a crowd of people who believed on Him in John 8:31. They came to listen because they believed in Jesus Christ, and yet, by verse 44, He told them they were of their father the Devil, and that they were not of God:

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
-John 8:44-47

It may surprise some readers to learn that Jerry was more in the right during this discussion than Sam was, and Jerry made a good point when he said that a man with the devil in him cannot save souls. That is true because, first of all, only the Lord Jesus Christ can save souls, and secondly, a man cannot offer help and teach proper doctrine to others for the saving of their souls if he himself is not saved for the same reason a man cannot help someone who is drowning when he himself is drowning; a man must be saved before he can help save others.
(Though God may use the mouth of the wicked to give the law of God for the saving of a man's soul [Gal 3:24], it does not mean the wicked preacher knows what he is doing, which means he cannot consciously do good. [Rom 3:10-12])

I have had many objections raised by churchgoers against my teaching on this subject, and they repeat the typical church-ianity phrase that says, "God can use anything to advance His Kingdom!" That is NOT true because God is not like unto us.

These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
-Psalm 50:21

Assuming that by "advance" they mean "win souls," the question I would ask is this: Can God use lies to save souls? If any reader answered "Yes" to that question, then you do not have good understanding of the doctrines of Scripture because God has not only told us that He cannot lie, but also that He hates lies with the utmost hatred, and even hates the very tongue of the man who lies.

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
-Titus 1:2

A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward [uncontrol and undisciplined] mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; [i.e. they have body language that exposes their lies that cannot be understood without discernment] Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
-Proverbs 6:12-19

abomination (n): extreme hatred; detestation
(See 'abomination', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved July 8, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

Will God use adultery to save souls? Will He use idolatry and witchcraft to save souls? The Lord God certainly has control over all things, and there are evils that He allows by His will, but that does not mean God uses these evil devices to save men because the Bible NEVER teaches us that wickedness and worldly devices will save souls; rather, the Bible teaches us that God brings to nothing the devices of people, and instructs to reprove the unfruitful works of darkness.

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
-Psalm 33:10

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
-2 Corinthians 6:14

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
-Ephesians 5:8-11

Jerry Lee Lewis was one of a number of famous musicians who attempted to break free of the so-called "gospel" music of strict religious cults, and fuse it with rock-and-roll. Various denominations saw this as a threat to their religious organizations, and so there was a social battle between the churchgoers and the young generation of "rockers," but even though the debates were heated, neither side really understood the truth because on the one hand, most churchgoers do not understand the Gospel of Jesus and have silly religious superstitions about music genres, and on the other hand, the young generation does not know how they are being manipulated on both sides, by the rock music they are listening to and by the religious organizations they are attending.

In order to try and breach this gap in the 1960s and 70s, Larry Norman attempted to fuse rock-and-roll with so-called "Christian" lyrics, and he is considered by many to be the very first "Christian" rock artist. Norman began to set a standard of the kind of music that would be acceptable by "Christian" rock standards, and also accepted by many churchgoers, but the major problem is that Norman was not preaching the Gospel of Christ in his music; rather, he was preaching a "Jesus-is-better-than-beer" mentality, which is false doctrine because it is an attempt to bring people to Christ in a different way than the Bible teaches us.

The following are lyrics from one of Norman's most popular songs:

Larry Norman - Why Don't You Look Into Jesus Sipping whiskey from a paper cup, You drown your sorrows till you can't get up, Take a look at what you've done to yourself, Why don't you put the bottle back on the shelf, Yellow fingers from your cigarettes, Your hands are shaking while your body sweats, Why don't you look into Jesus, He's got the answer.

Of course, the average churchgoer will believe this is a good song that helps people find Jesus, but this song will help almost no one find Jesus. Jesus certainly has the answer, but it is not the answer Larry Norman is offering. Please do not misunderstand, it is not wrong to suggest that people get off of alcohol, drugs, sex, and many other things that Norman mentions in his song, but the problem is that this song never mentions sin, nor labels any of these actions as sinful, because Norman is not preaching the law of God to these people.

When Paul wrote to Galatians (i.e. by the Holy Spirit, which is the Word of God), he explained the process by which people come to Christ:

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
-Galatians 3:22-24

The Bible does not teach us that men and women are saved by "trying Jesus" instead of sex, beer, or drugs because that is essentially trying to get a "high" out of Jesus. The true Christian church is not in the business of providing the pleasures of the world by some mystic spiritual method. The Bible teaches us that men are brought to repentance and faith by the hearing of God's law, which is why Psalm says:

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
-Psalm 19:7-8

By the hearing of the law, a man sees himself as a sinner who is guilty, having his own conscience bear witness to the truth of God's law written in his heart:

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
-Romans 2:14-16

Knowing their guilt before the Holy God, they become convicted in their spirits, and come to tears of sorrow of their wrongdoing. If those men believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, they will be saved, converted, and healed.

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
-Matthew 13:15

However, the doctrine of Larry Norman is much different because he did not preach the law of God, nor did he preach repentance of sin in his music. Instead, Norman chose a less-abrasive message that would make his music more pleasant to the hearer (and make him more money in album sales), namely, a false message which teaches people that Jesus replaces beer, instead of teaching the doctrine of regeneration, by which Jesus cleanses a man from his sin.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
-Titus 3:3-7

In summary, Norman is teaching another way to Jesus than what Jesus taught because even Jesus preached the law when someone asked Him how to inherit eternal life, that they might come to repentance:

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
-Matthew 19:16-19

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
-Luke 13:3

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
-John 14:6

Another of Norman's hit singles was a song called "I Love You" which many churchgoers took to mean it was a love song about Jesus, but most of them do not realize that the song he performed was a cover of a song called People!, meaning that it was not his original song. That song came from a British rock band called The Zombies, and the following are the lyrics:

People! - Larry Norman - I Love You We can be together for now and forever, I love you, I love you, Hey can you hear me, I've got to have you near me, I love you, I love you. I was lonely til you came along, Now you've got me singing your love-song. I love you, I love you, I love you.

There are some important things to notice about this song because we are going to see this pattern repeated in many so-called "Christian" songs in this book. Keep these points in mind:

The singer is not the author of the song. The song is vague and open to personal interpretation. The song is self-centered, focusing on one's own feelings.

This is not to say that every "Christian" rock artist takes songs from other people, but many of them do, and they also keep their songs vague and self-centered. The reason for this is because the more ambiguous (i.e. vague) a song is, and the more self-focused it is, the more money it will generally make.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
-1 Timothy 6:9-10

In comparison, let's look at a Christian hymn which truly gives praise and worship unto God:

How Great Thou Art And when I think of God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

There are a few things about this song I want readers to take note of:

The author of the song offered it free of charge. The song is detailed and points directly to God's Word. The song is Christ-centered, rebuking sin and focusing on His sacrifice and mercy.

The Word of God is very specific, and not subject to private interpretation. Therefore, we would expect that the hymns and songs that worship God would be specific as well, pointing to the sacrifice and mercy of Jesus Christ, the grace and miracles of God, and the wonderous love of the Holy Spirit for the children of God.

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
-2 Peter 1:20

When a song is vague, most people give it the interpretation they want. If they want to know the meaning of the words, they have to go to the artist to find out, which means the majority of so-called "Christian" music has secret interpretation because someone cannot know the meaning by just listening to the song; they must go to the artist to learn the private interpretation.

Let's look at a few examples to learn more about this. When I first did research on this subject, I was not familiar with any of these musicians and singers because I did not keep up with the latest music, and so I went to a "top 100" chart and just started picking out names.

The first name I started with was Leah Shafer, a so-called "Christian" singer that has performed in concerts all over the United States, and has sung the national anthem at various sports events. If you go to Shafer's "About" page on her website, it is filled with all her worldly accomplishments (i.e. no personal salvation testimony), and speaks of the false preachers she listens to, but never once mentions God the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ.
(See "About Leah Shafer," retrieved July 8, 2020, [leahshafermusic.com/about])

Before we continue, it should be noted that Leah Shafer now goes by the name Leah Rae because she divorced her husband (on unbiblical terms and for sinful reasons I will mention later in this book). However, I will refer to her as Leah Shafer since most of her career was built on that name, and she is more well-known by it.

Just to give you an idea of her worldly philosophy, the following image is a banner on Shafer's official website: "For me, music and fashion are emotion-driven. I only write and sing what truly moves me. I only wear what I feel good in. Both are statements of the woman I want to be. I've always believed that the best accessory a girl can own is confidence. So, being fashion conscious is all about showing the world how you feel about yourself. If you can pull that off, the world sees your individual style and grace."
-Leah Shafer, Official Website, retrieved July 8, 2020, [https://web.archive.org/web/20190801123705/https://leahshafermusic.com]

According to Shafer, her life is all about what she believes by her personal emotions, not by what the Lord Jesus Christ has taught in His Word. For her, life is all about what she wants to be (not what Christ wants her to be), what the world thinks of her (not what Christ thinks of her), and that the world would see her grace (not the grace of Christ).

After reading Shafer's philosophy, it should be no surprise that she sings songs that are self-centered. Shafer has a song called "In Better Hands Now," and we will compare it to the gospel hymn, "Love Thyself Last" to see the difference between worship of oneself and worship of God:

Leah Shafer - "In Better Hands Now" SELF-Centered	Love Thyself Last GOSPEL-Centered
It's hard to stand on shifting sand It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night You can't be free if you don't reach for help You can't love if you don't love yourself There is hope when my faith runs out Cause I'm in better hands now	Love thyself last. Look near, behold thy duty To those who walk beside thee down life's road Make glad their days by little acts of beauty, And help them bear the burden of earth's load.

Shafer (via her song) is teaching that you cannot love unless you love yourself first, and that is not what the Bible teaches us. In fact, the Bible teaches us that, in the final days of this world, the people would love themselves first and foremost, which stems from the sin of pride that contradicts the doctrine of charity.
(Read "The Biblical Understanding of Pride" & "The Biblical Understanding of Charity" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
-2 Timothy 3:1-5

On the other hand, we have the hymn "Love Thyself Last," which encourages charity, to consider the needs of others before ourselves, and to consider others better than ourselves, and that correlates perfectly with Scripture:

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
-Philippians 2:1-4

The next so-called "Christian" artist on my list was Mandisa Hundley (known primarily as "Mandisa"), who began her career in the "Christian" music industry after she finished 9th place in the fifth season of American Idol, a U.S. television show which turns men and women into idols of worship. Mandisa's "About" page on her official website is mostly a story about her gluttony; there is only one mention of Jesus Christ, and that is in reference to her brother supposedly "accepting Jesus," but there is nothing in it about her faith and testimony. (See Mandisa Official Website, "About," retrieved July 9, 2020, [mandisaofficial.com/home/about-2])

Mandisa is most well-known for her album and song Overcomer, and we will compare her song to the gospel hymn, "Jesus Paid It All" to see the difference between the false and true gospel:

Mandisa - "Overcomer" SELF-Centered

Jesus Paid It All GOSPEL-Centered

Staring at a stop sign Watching people drive by T Mac on the radio Got so much on your mind Nothing's really going right Looking for a ray of hope You're an overcomer Stay in the fight 'til the final round You're not going under 'Cause God is holding you right now You might be down for a moment Feeling like it's hopeless That's when He reminds You That you're an overcomer You're an overcomer

I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all." Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim, I'll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb. And now complete in Him My robe His righteousness, Close sheltered 'neath His side, I am divinely blest.

The problem is that Scripture does NOT teach us that we are overcomers. It is Jesus Christ alone who is the overcomer, and if we overcome anything, it is by and through Him:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
-John 16:33

tribulation (n): severe affliction; distresses of life; vexations; in Scripture, it often denotes the troubles and distresses which proceed from persecution
(See 'tribulation', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved July 10, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

When the children of God overcome any affliction or distresses of life, it is only through the Lord God that we overcome them. The reason we stand strong through tribulation is because of the Word of God abiding in us, but Mandisa is not suffering any tribulation for Christ; she is suffering because of her own sins.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
-1 John 4:4

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
-1 John 2:14

What is taught in First John is NOT what Mandisa is teaching. She is teaching that God just has to remind you that you are naturally an "overcomer," but the Bible teaches us that we are weak, wretched, miserable, blind, and in need of healing.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
-Revelation 3:17

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
-Psalm 6:2

That is exactly the message we see in the gospel hymn, "Jesus Paid It All," but that is not what we see in Mandisa's "Overcomer," and thus, we are beginning to see that many of the so-called "Christian" praise and worship songs are teaching false doctrine. Again, this is why we need to be cautious because the Bible teaches us not to sing in ignorance, but that we should sing with understanding of God's Word, and will repeat these verses again:

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
-Psalm 47:7

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
-1 Corinthians 14:15

That is why we need to study the Word of God before trusting in the first musician that comes along claiming to offer praise and worship unto God. We need to learn the Word of God and compare what they are teaching in the songs with what the Holy Spirit has taught us in His Word:

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
-2 Timothy 2:14-16

Next on the list was Christopher Tomlin, who has received numerous corrupt music awards for his leavened music. Tomlin claims he was saved as a child, but instead of studying Scripture, he sought a degree in psychology, which is a pseudo-science that promotes the lie of so-called "mental disorders," learning the philosophies of the world, and began to partner with corrupt preachers like Louie Giglio to convince people to believe a new-age false gospel. (See Kim Jones, "Get to Know Chris Tomlin," Learn Religions, May 9, 2019, retrieved July 9, 2020, [learnreligions.com/chris-tomlin-biography-709694]; Read Psychology: Hoodwinked by the Devil here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

It should be noted that when someone who claims to be a Christian is receiving a bunch of high-class awards from prestigious organizations, it is almost certain that person is not preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we read about Christ's time in ministry, and we read about His apostles, we do not see them being honored and revered with banquets and awards, but rather, we see them being persecuted unto death.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
-John 15:20

Men like Chris Tomlin are not being persecuted. Wealthy and popular men like Tomlin are highly esteemed by the world, and make every excuse they can to try to justify themselves and the melodies they hold in such high regard.

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [i.e. money] And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
-Luke 16:13-15

Tomlin has a popular song called "God's Great Dance Floor," and we will compare that with the gospel hymn "To God Be the Glory." See if you can tell the difference between their messages:

Chris Tomlin - "God's Great Dance Floor" SELF-Centered

To God Be the Glory GOSPEL-Centered

I'm coming back to the start Where You found me I'm coming back to Your heart Now I surrender, Take me This is all I can bring I feel alive, I come alive I am alive on God's great dance floor I feel alive, I come alive I am alive on God's great dance floor I feel alive, I come alive I am alive on God's great dance floor

To God be the glory, great things He has done So loved He the world that He gave us His Son Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in. O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He has done O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

If any Christian wants to discern what a musician is teaching, in most cases, it is best to turn off the music and just read the lyrics. Because music communicates a message, and because contradictory messages can appear in songs, we can be easily deceived by the melodies, and so reading the lyrics without the music involved helps us see the matter apart from the emotions of the heart, so we can judge righteous judgment.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
-John 7:24

Tomlin speaks a lot about himself in the lyrics, as well as his feelings, and what he believes he can do; repeating the same phrases over and over while his audience vainly dances around to the melody. However, if you read "To God Be The Glory," you will see that it speaks of the things God has done, what Christ sacrificed, and the way to eternal life, so in other words, one song points toward glorifying oneself, but the other song points towards glorifying God, which is how the Bible says that praise and worship music should be sung:

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
-Psalm 51:14

Please do not misunderstand; there are gospel hymns that refer to oneself, but when they speak of themselves, they are not speaking in positive and selfish manner. When a proper gospel song worshiping Christ is written, the "me" referred to in hymns talks about the change 'Jesus has made in me', or the things 'Jesus has done for me', and they always refer to themselves (mankind) as lost, naked, and weary, but it needs to be noted that such a message is not popular, and will not make much money.

We can see more examples of false messages from a band called Building 429, who describe themselves in the following manner in their "About" page on their official website: "Since the release of its debut album in 2004, Building 429 has garnered widespread popular and critical acclaim, receiving numerous accolades all while delivering lyrically-driven, anthemic hit songs with a consistent message of hope along with high-energy concerts in sold-out venues internationally. The band received a 2013 GRAMMY® nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for We Won't Be Shaken, which debuted at No.1 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart and launched the title track to No. 1 at radio. Building 429 also received a 2014 and multiple 2012 'Song of the Year' Billboard Music Awards for 'We Won't Be Shaken' and 'Where I Belong' respectively, two BMI 'Song of the Year' Awards ('Where I Belong' in 2013 and 'Glory Defined' in 2005), a 2014 'Group of the Year' K-LOVE Fan Award nomination and a 'Best New Artist' GMA Dove Award in 2005. RIAA-certified gold single, 'Where I Belong,' further became one of the longest running Christian No. 1's in Billboard's history at 15-weeks and has well over 246-million accumulative audience impressions. The band is also endorsed by Fender Guitars, Gibson Guitars, PRS Guitars, Orange Amps, Ampeg Amps, DW Drums, Guitar Center and many others."
-Building 429 Official Website, "About," retrieved July 10, 2020, [building429.com/about]

Did you read one mention of God the Father or Jesus Christ? Did you see one mention of guilt, sin, the Bible, or salvation? Even though they supposedly named their band after Ephesians 4:29, they only care about ministering their own glory instead of the grace of Christ.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying [building up the church through preaching and charity], that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
-Ephesians 4:29

Let's compare Building 429's song "Where I Belong" with the gospel hymn "It Is Well With My Soul," and again, see if you can spot the major differences:

Building 429 - "Where I Belong" SELF-Centered

It Is Well With My Soul GOSPEL-Centered

Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing but am I alive I won't keep searching for answers that aren't here to find All I know is I'm not home yet This is not where I belong Take this world and give me Jesus This is not where I belong So when the walls come falling down on me And when I'm lost in the current of a raging sea I have this blessed assurance holding me.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.

The focus of Building 429's song is on oneself, which talks about how they feel, what they do, where they think they belong, but is not focused on the grace of Christ. When we look at "It Is Well With My Soul," you can see that when it mentions anything of self (i.e. "Whatever my lot"), it turns that around and focuses on Jesus Christ, what HE has taught us to say, how HE has taught us to think, and what HE has done for us.

The Bible teaches us what a worship song should read and sound like:

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men... For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried... Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
-Psalm 66:2-16

This is just a small sample of what God has said that songs of worship should sound like, and Building 429 does not sing to the praises of God as much as they sing praises unto themselves, and again, that is why they make so much money. There is nothing in Building 429's song that speaks of the great power of God, the honor of His name, or what He has done for our souls; instead, Building 429 sings phrases like "This is not where I belong," which is absurd when we consider that, without the grace of Christ, we would all belong in hell and the lake of fire.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
-Revelation 20:14-15

To further demonstrate the corruption of modern-day "Christian" music, let's look at the story behind the conception of the song "It Is Well With My Soul," so we can compare it with Building 429's song:
"Horatio G. Spafford (1828-88) was a successful Chicago lawyer... In 1873, upon the advice of his family physician, Spafford planned a restful European vacation for his family. His wife was in poor health, and he had sustained losses in the Chicago fire of 1871 as well as in failed real estate ventures. Due to urgent business matters needing his attention, however, Spafford had to remain in Chicago and could not travel with his family as planned. Hence, he sent his wife and four young daughters (ages 2 to 11) to Europe as scheduled on the luxurious French liner Ville du Havre in November, 1873. He planned to follow in a few days. On November 22, the Ville du Havre was struck by a great iron sailing vessel, the English ship Lochearn, and sank within twelve minutes. Mrs. Spafford was saved; sadly though, her four daughters had drowned. When the survivors of the disaster landed at Cardiff, Wales, several days later, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, 'Saved Alone.' Soon afterward, Horatio Spafford left by ship to be with his wife. On the high seas, near the scene of the tragedy, which was pointed out to him by the ship's captain, Spafford wrote the words to the hymnsong 'It is Well with My Soul,' the first verse of which reads: When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea-billows roll, Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say; It is well, it is well with my soul."
-Robert J. Garofalo, On a Hymn Song of Philip Bliss, Hal Leonard Corporation, 2000, p. 25-26, ISBN: 9780634019760

What is unique about this is that, not only did he write these words because his beloved daughters drowned at sea, but these were quotes from the King James Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments:

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
-Isaiah 48:18
"When peace like a river..."

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
-Psalm 42:7
"...like sea-billows roll..."

For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
-Jonah 2:3

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8:28

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
-1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Thou has taught me to say; It is well..."

Spafford understood the Scriptures very well, which is why (despite his great losses) he wrote those words in his grief to give praise and thanks unto God for His great mercy, and to be content with the things he still had. Now let's turn to Building 429 and lead singer Jason Roy to learn why their song "Won't Be Shaken" was written, but first, here are some of the lyrics:

Building 429 - Won't Be Shaken Whatever will come our way Through fire or pouring rain No, we won't be shaken No, we won't be shaken Whatever tomorrow brings Together we'll rise and sing That we won't be shaken No, we won't be shaken Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh No, we won't be shaken

This is what Roy said about the creation of this song during a CBN interview:
"What was interesting about 'Where I Belong' is if you watch God move and you watch Him show up and do things that are ridiculous and impossible--that is really what that last record felt like it was. It felt like it was God saying, 'I got this, guy.' You know what I mean? Like, 'This is not going to be possible without Me.' That's the one thing we knew for a fact when we finished. What it does, though, is it gives you a different level of confidence walking into the next season. For this new record, I don't know, it's one of those weird things where there's never a doubt of what we were trying to accomplish, there was never a doubt that we were going to make a better record than before,"
-Jason Roy, quoted by Hannah Goodwyn, "Building 429's Jason Roy 'Won't Be Shaken'," Christian Broadcasting Network: Music, retrieved Sept 23, 2013, [https://bit.ly/31ziNsM]

Was this song about great loss? No. Was this song about trusting in Jesus? No. Was this song about Christ's great sacrifice and mercy? No. This song was about Building 429 making a "better record," so they could make more money and be more popular, and the world thinks this garbage is "Christian worship music."

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
-Ecclesiastes 7:5

When I first wrote a teaching on this subject, I had many emails from disgruntled so-called "Christian" rockers who tried desperately to justify their music, claiming that many newer songs are written as "messages from God." First of all, I would say that the Bible is the written message from God, so we should look to that first and foremost, but secondly, I think we should put their claims to a test.

Read the following lyrics from this popular song, without knowing who wrote it, and see if you can recognize a message from God:

I would not leave you in times of trouble We never could have come this far I took the good times, I'll take the bad times I take you just the way you are Ah, what will it take till you believe in me? The way that I believe in you? I said I love you and that's forever And this I promise from the heart But I couldn't love you any better I love you just the way you are

Of course, some churchgoers may want to defend this song, claiming that this is saying how much God loves us, and that there is nothing wrong with that. However, the main problem is that this not a Christian song at all; it was written by secular musician Billy Joel, from a song called "Just The Way You Are," a love song (or rather, lust song) that was made for a man to a woman, and it has nothing to do with the Christian God of the Bible.

The reason I set up this test for readers was to help demonstrate that many so-called "Christian" songs out there write the exact same kind of words, and think they are writing "messages from God." Let's try another song, and this one is from a group who claims to be a "Christian" rock band:

Despite the lies that you're making Your love is mine for the taking My love is Just waiting To turn your tears to roses I will be the one that's gonna hold you I will be the one that you run to My love is A burning, consuming fire

If you knew nothing about the band, and nothing about the intentions of the author, you could not distinguish this song from any other secular love/lust song out there. However, this is claimed to be a "Christian" song by the corrupt rock band Skillet called "Whispers in the Dark," which, according to them, was written to be a "message from God."

As far as I am aware, the Bible never describes the love of God as "a burning, consuming fire," but the Bible does describe God Himself as a consuming fire, and that we should fear Him:

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.
-Hebrews 12:28-29

In Hebrews 12, Paul was referring to Deuteronomy 4, which explains the context. The "consuming fire" is the wrath of a jealous God:

Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
-Deuteronomy 4:23-24

And that consuming fire is demonstrated in hell:

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
-Mark 9:43-44
(Read "Hell Is Real And Many People Are Going There" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

So even though Skillet included something in their song that was taken from the Word of God, they took it out of context and twisted it so it would sound more pleasant for their audience, but the Bible warns that those who do such things (i.e. twist and distort the Word of God) do so to their own destruction:

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [i.e. twist and distort], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
-2 Peter 3:15-16

On the rare occasion that these musicians refer to the Word of God at all, they twist the Scripture to make their music more popular, and they keep everything else vague and open to interpretation for the purpose of making more money. It is also important for Christians to understand that these people have an inner circle network, and in order to get access to the market of that industry, you have to abide by their doctrines and principles, or in other words, you have to forsake Christ and bow to their idols to enter into their world and gain recognition from the masses.

To provide examples of this, we are going to take a closer look at a company called Universal Music Group, which is a conglomerate of record label companies. First, let's make sure readers understand what a record label is:

record label (n): a company that produces and sells records, CDs, and recordings
(See 'record label', Random House Dictionary, 2020, [dictionary.com]; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co, 2012)

Record labels are companies that deal in music recordings and videos, and they hire publicists that help artists promote their music through positive media coverage, while also helping them to develop merchandise to increase sales. In short, record labels are seen as companies who are making money by making musicians successful, but in reality, they are in the business of teaching ideology, and they will only bring under their care any musician who aligns themselves with an acceptable public narrative of political, economic, and religious ideas.

ideology (n): the body of doctrine or belief that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group
(See 'ideology', Random House Dictionary, 2020, [dictionary.com]; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co, 2012)

There are only a few major companies that publish most of the "Christian" music genre, starting with Universal Music Group, which owns many well-known labels, including, but not limited to, Capitol Records, Def Jam Recordings, EMI, Republic Records, Virgin Records, Verve, AstralWerks, Boominati Worldwide, Island, Motown, Polygram Entertainment, PM:AM Recordings, MCA Nashville, Machete Music, Shady Records, Harvest, Young Money, and many more. Collectively, these record labels publish and operate in at least 42 countries.
(See Universal Music Group, "Our Labels & Brands," retrieved July 10, 2020, [universalmusic.com/labels])

Countless musicians, singers, and other artists record under labels owned by Universal Music Group. For example, Capitol Music Group has operated as a label for aforementioned, demonically-inspired Beach Boys, The Beatles, Bee Gees, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Green Day, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond, Paul McCartney, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, and Bob Seger, just to name a few; however, there are also other names right beside them who are considered to be "Christian" music artists, such as Hillsong United, TobyMac, and the aforementioned false convert Chris Tomlin.
(See Universal Music Group, "Capitol Music Group Overview," retrieved July 10, 2020, [universalmusic.com/label/capitol-music-group])

Capitol also has a "Christian Music Group" which provides labels for various artists, including, but not limited to, Amy Grant, Jeremy Camp, Ed Cash, the aforementioned fake Christian named Mandisa, Crowder, Passion Band, Kari Jobe, and much more. These artists, whether secular or so-called "Christian," are all published and promoted under the same labels owned by the same company, and as we are about to find out, the "Christian" music artists all rally under many of the same false preachers.

Sony Music Group is another company which owns Columbia, RCA, Epic, Arista, Legacy, and Masterworks, and they produce for Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Blink 182, Busta Rhymes, Fiona Apple, Giveon, Judas Priest, Liza Owen, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Outkast, Ozzy Osbourne (the aforementioned student of Aleister Crowley), and many more. Sony owns Provident Label Group, a so-called "Christian" record label, which publishes for Building 429, Cain, Casting Crowns, I Am They, Jamie Kimmett, Jars of Clay, Leanna Crawford, Lydia Laird, Matt Maher, Matthew West, Michael W. Smith, One Sonic Society, Red, Red Rocks Worship, Third Day, Tauren Wells, Tenth Avenue North, Zach Williams, and more.
(See Provident Label Group, "Artist Roster," retrieved July 14, 2020, [providentlabelgroup.com])

Not only do these musicians yoke together under the same record label, they also yoke together under the same booking agency, which is a company or individual that secures venues for live performances and manages all other aspects around them, working with promoters, festivals, and record labels to make money for the musicians. For example, Jeff Roberts & Associates is a well-known company in the "Christian" music industry, hiring booking agents that promote for Bethel Music and Bethel Music Leaders, Blanca, Britt Nicole, Building 429, Cain, Caitie Hurst, Casting Crowns, Elle Limebear, Flame, For King & Country, Francesca Battistelli, Hannah Kerr, I Am They, Jason Crabb, Leanna Crawford, Ledger (formerly part of Skillet), Leeland, Mack Brock, Martin Smith, Matt Maher, Matthew West, Meredith Andrews, Michael W. Smith, North Point Worship, Rebecca St. James, Ryan Ellis, Skillet, Social Club Misfits, Stephen Stanley, The Young Escape, Unspoken, Vertical Worship, We The Kingdom, and more.
(See Jeff Roberts & Associates, "All Artists," retrieved July 14, 2020, [jeffroberts.com/artists])

Other examples would include Endeavor, formerly known as William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME), who books many secular and wicked artists, actors, and comedians, alongside "Christian" musicians, such as Angie Rose, Austin French, Crowder, David Leonard, Hollyn, Jeremy Camp, Jillian Edwards, KB, Lacey Sturm, Lecrae, MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Riley Clemmons, Shane & Shane, Switchfoot, Tenth Avenue North, Thousand Foot Krutch, Travis Greene, and Trip Lee, just to name a few. There is also Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which also features many secular and wicked musicians, rappers, and comedians along with "Christian" musicians, such as Aaron Cole, Amy Grant, Branan Murphy, Chris Renzema, Chris Tomlin, Coby James, Cochren & Co, Ellie Holcomb, Hillary Scott & The Scott Family, Influence Music, Jess & Gabriel Conte, Jon Reddick, Jordan Smith, Local Sound, Love & The Outcome, Lydia Laird, Mac Powell and the Family Reunion, Mandisa, Mosaic MSC, Needtobreathe, Newsboys, Passion, Ryan Stevenson, Steven Curtis Chapman, Tauren Wells, TobyMac, and We Are Messengers, among many others.
(See WME, "Music," retrieved July 14, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2CAAnCK]; See also CAA, "Browse our artists," retrieved July 14, 2020, [caa.com/entertainmenttalent/touring/search#christian])

I understand that most readers will not sit down and read through all these names, but I needed to list out some of these artists so we can begin to understand how all these people are united together under a common philosophy (i.e. way of thinking). These record labels and booking agencies work for MANY mainstream secular artists, designing their marketing campaigns for the purpose of worldly entertainment, and the so-called "Christian" musicians are no different, meaning that the techniques and methods used to manipulate the masses in mainstream secular music are the SAME techniques and methods used for the "Christian" music industry; or in other words, these "Christian" artists hold hands with the world, and are not of Christ.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
-2 Corinthians 6:14-18

If these church-ianity musicians were really of Christ, they would not be partnering in a company alongside demonic bands, perverted hip-hop rappers, and indecent female artists. The same company that produces for Chris Tomlin also produces for the violent gang messages of the Wu Tang Clan, the same company that produces for Amy Grant also produces for the sexually-driven music of Bon Jovi, and the same company that produces for Natalie Grant also produces for communist, feminist so-called "comedian" Amy Schumer. (During my research, I found so many similar examples, I could not count them all, but these are just a few to get an idea.)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
-1 John 2:15-17

Of course, there are churchgoers out there who will make a lot of excuses for their beloved musicians because they are addicted to the lusts of the ear, and they will claim that these musicians must make compromises in some areas in order "share the gospel with the world." As we have already seen in previous examples, they are not teaching the Gospel of Jesus at all, and furthermore, compromising the doctrines of Christ to reach more people is not Biblically justified.

Some may want to argue that Paul did what he needed to do to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus, even joining in with Nazarites to gain opportunity to preach to the Jews in Jerusalem. However, what Paul did not do is join hands with the Jews, yoke together with the Pharisees and Sadducees, join together with their wicked practices, and take a paycheck from them to "share the gospel with the world."

The problem is that these artists, under the same record labels and booking agencies, are yoked under an ecumenical (i.e. united, one-world) philosophy, and when you listen to music that has lyrics in it, you are allowing those ideologies to take root in your mind.

In the context of music, an ideology is doctrines and beliefs that guide individuals to think in a particular way, to slowly shape and/or change their philosophy, and to invade their minds with worldviews. The music itself communicates a message, and with the beats of the song included, it causes each individual to think in time with one another, with similar emotions and heart rates, unifying them under a message taught in the lyrics, and so if we are not careful with what the lyrics are teaching, then we are subject to adopting the philosophies of the world without ever knowing what happened to us.

Again, these "Christian" musicians always align themselves with a particular religious belief of some sort, or more specifically, preachers who teach a particular religious idea. In order for readers to fully understand this, we need to take a closer look at some large conferences and concerts, and we will begin by looking closely at a very popular conference called Passion.

The Passion Conferences were started by a man named Louie Giglio back in 1997, and today, Giglio's organization is famous for gathering tens of thousands of college students together for a weekend of supposedly inspirational music and speakers. In 2020, Giglio's Passion Conference seated 65,000 young men and women in a stadium, and the following image is a picture of that concert:
Frankly, the arena is breath-taking, and would make Adolf Hitler's Nuremberg rallies look feeble in comparison, so obviously, the emotional highs of all the young attendees would be at their peak for the weekend event, which would make them more vulnerable to deception from both the music and the speakers. The speakers included Louie Giglio and his wife Shelley, Christine Caine, Levi Lusko, John Piper, Ravi Zacharias, Tim Tebow, and Sadie Robertson, and the musicians included the Passion Band, Crowder, Hillsong United, Lecrae, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Elevation Music, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Social Club Misfits, Tedashii, and Sean Curran.
(See Ryan Dennis, "Passion 2020 - Everything you need to know," Alive, Dec 27, 2019, retrieved July 14, 2020, [https://bit.ly/308TbBo])

First, we need to understand that Louie Giglio is a heretic, and there are many false doctrines he teaches. For example, in 2019, Giglio communicated the following message on Twitter for his Passion Conference: "There's divinity in your DNA. There's Heaven inside of you."
-Louie Giglio, Twitter Post for Passion Conferences, Jan 2, 2019, retrieved July 14, 2020, [twitter.com/passion268/status/1080654549776588800]

If the divine nature of God was in our flesh, then there would be no need for us to be regenerated by the Holy Ghost, which means that not only is Giglio's doctrine illogical, but there is no Biblical justification for it. Unless he finds a way to twist God's Word around, he cannot use Scripture to back up his teaching because it did not come from Scripture.

Just to clarify, your DNA is your flesh, and the Bible makes it very clear that the flesh is corrupt, not divine:

And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
-Genesis 6:12

This is why a man must be born AGAIN, being born anew in the Spirit of God:

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
-John 3:6-7

Even for those born again in Christ, the flesh is still corrupt, and therefore, there is no "goodness" or "divinity" in anyone's DNA:

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
-Romans 7:18

If we had divinity in our flesh, then there would be no wrong in walking after the flesh, but that is not the truth because those who walk after the flesh do not walk after the Spirit:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally [fleshly or DNA] minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
-Romans 8:4-8

Giglio teaches the opposite of this doctrine, preaching a "feel-good" message which teaches the dangerous heresy that, inwardly, everyone is good and holy, and they just need to realize it, but the Bible teaches the opposite:

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
-Romans 3:10-12

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
-Romans 3:23

Despite his willful ignorance of Scripture, Giglio preaches his false message to millions of people every year. He has done this for many years, and has even attempted to use a molecule called "laminin" as justification for his doctrine, telling everyone that because the laminin molecule is in the shape of a cross (even though it can be easily demonstrated that is not true), therefore, he says, it is a "Christian" symbol, which is bogus, not only because other examples can easily demonstrate the fallacy of his argument (e.g. potassium channel molecules are in the shape of a Nazi swastika, which proves nothing), but also because the cross symbol is not a Christian symbol in the first place. (i.e. It is a pagan symbol that was adopted by the Catholic Church.)
(Read "Christian Symbols Are Not Christian" and "Is Laminin a Christian Symbol?" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

No man-made symbol of any kind represents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Bible clearly states this:

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
-Acts 17:29

Giglio not only believes the heresy that everyone is automatically good inside, but he also believes in something called a "little god," or in other words, he believes in a heresy that everyone has the potential to become divine as God is, and even become God Himself. This false doctrine of "heaven inside of you" is spreading like wildfire among Charismatics and Pentecostals, and it is also one of the foundational teachings in Mormonism.
(Read "Corruptions of Christianity: Mormonism" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Of course, many of those false teachers might point to Luke:

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
-Luke 17:20-21

This is not to say that "heaven is inside you," but rather, the Pharisees were looking for a physical kingdom because they did not understand the spiritual things of God, that righteousness is imputed to us by Christ (Rom 4:22-24), and that turning from sin, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost cannot be seen with the eyes of men. Jesus responded to their ignorance by explaining to them that the foundations of the kingdom of God are the Godhead (i.e. the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost), and when Jesus redeems a repentant man by that man's faith, He gives them the gifts of the Holy Ghost, namely, mercy, wisdom, and understanding, by which the kingdom of God is seen within those who are the born again children of God because the Holy Spirit lives within them (1Co 6:19); however, what false teachers like Giglio believe is that the heaven will literally be brought to earth through the means of his own works, and the Bible never teaches that.

Giglio and his Passion team even went so far as to write their own bible, which they call The Jesus Bible, which is the corrupt NIV alongside of a bunch of articles written by many wolves in sheep's clothing, including Louie Giglio, Max Lucado, John Piper, Ravi Zacharias, and Randy Alcorn. Although it might be prudent to go through some of it to expose the heresy, their "bible" is not free-to-read online, forcing those who are poor and needy to pay for it.
(Read "Why I Use The King James Bible" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Giglio also met with the king of the devil's ecumenical movement, Pope Francis, on July 3, 2015, at the "Renewal With the Spirit Convocation," in which Giglio gave the Pope a "holy kiss" for a greeting. The Catholic Church and Pentecostal/Charismatic organizations have been in bed with each other for many years while working on building Satan's ecumenical (i.e. united, one-world) religion, and if you want to learn more about that, read our article "Pope Francis's Deceptive John 17 Movement" to get more information.
(See Carol Glatz, "Christians share same baptism, must pray together, Pope Francis tells gathering," National Catholic Reporter, July 6, 2015, retrieved July 15, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2Wos1W1])

Before we continue, it is important that we understand what the word 'yoke' means in Scripture:

yoke (v): to couple; a bond of connection; to join with another
(See 'yoke', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved July 15, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

All those who join hands with Louie Giglio in his Passion Conference are yoked together with him. This means that they agree with his doctrine and philosophy. The musicians and speakers who get invited to Giglio's conference do not get invited by accident; these are men and women who are in complete agreement with what Giglio says and does, and if anyone wants to argue that the musicians and other speakers are ignorant, then that means these men and women are wicked because they willingly blind their eyes to make money, and you should not have anything to do with their music and teachings.

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
-1 Corinthians 5:6-7

As we read earlier about the teachers and musicians in the Passion conferences, Louie Giglio yokes together with false preacher John Piper. Piper teaches his own brand of works-based salvation, claiming (as the Catholic Church does) that both faith and works together bring "final salvation."

In his article "Does God Really Save Us by Faith Alone?" Piper writes his belief that, at the final judgment of God, faith in Christ is not sufficient for grace, but that faith AND works must be combined to enter heaven: "In final salvation at the last judgment, faith is confirmed by the sanctifying fruit it has borne, and we are saved through that fruit and that faith." -John Piper, "Does God Really Save Us by Faith Alone?" Desiring God, Sept 25, 2017, retrieved July 15, 2020, [desiringgod.org/articles/does-god-really-save-us-by-faith-alone]

As you can see, Piper believes that men are saved through "fruit" (i.e. works). His article is very deceptive on this point because prior to his statement, he attempts to trick readers into thinking that he believes in grace through faith for justification, while still appeasing his Catholic masters:
"Only after justification can the five prepositional phrases follow and do their magnificent work to define and protect the gospel from all unbiblical dilution. We are justified by God by grace alone; on the basis of Christ's blood and righteousness alone; through the means, or instrument, of faith alone; for the ultimate glory of God alone; as taught with final and decisive authority in Scripture alone.' All five phrases serve to modify God's work of justification — how sinners gain a right standing with God so that he is one hundred percent for us and not against us."
-John Piper, "Does God Really Save Us by Faith Alone?" Desiring God, Sept 25, 2017, retrieved July 15, 2020, [desiringgod.org/articles/does-god-really-save-us-by-faith-alone]

Of course, Piper leaves out repentance (i.e. godly sorrow of wrongdoing) because he cannot make as much money if he convinces people of their sins; however, that being said, and depending on what he means by some of the words he uses, I could agree with those "five prepositional phrases." The problem is that the average reader will not take notice of the word 'prepositional' because the average reader does not know what it means, and we need to take very careful notice of the phrase "AFTER justification."

Essentially, Piper is claiming that grace through faith on the blood of Jesus Christ is only something that matters AFTER salvation (i.e. justification), which means that, according to Piper's doctrine, before a man is saved, he has to prove himself. That is why he says that "all five phrases... MODIFY God's work of justification," because he does not believe that a repentant man receives justification by his faith only, but rather, he believes that a man needs works in addition to that faith, but he does not want to directly say that because if he says that in simple terms, some people will catch on to what he is really teaching and depart.

Here is another way Piper deceives his listeners:
"How do you get into heaven? You don't get into heaven by faith alone. You get justified by faith alone. You get into a position where God is one hundred percent for you by faith alone. And in order to get into heaven, that faith must bear the fruit of love. Pursue the holiness without which you will not see the Lord. Put to death the deeds of the body, and you will live!"
-John Piper, "How Do You Get into Heaven?" Desiring God, Nov 13, 2017, retrieved July 16, 2020, [desiringgod.org/messages/faith-alone/excerpts/how-do-you-get-into-heaven]

Again, justification is salvation for all intents and purposes because the word 'justification' generally means forgiveness of sins and to be absolved from all guilt and punishment that a sinner would normally suffer. Thus, what Piper is saying is that you can be saved by Jesus Christ, and not go to heaven, which is absurd because those two concepts are not mutually exclusive in Scripture, or in other words, heaven is the place we repentant Christians go after we have been justified by faith, which means living in eternity in heaven goes along with the gift of justification.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
-John 14:1-4

Salvation is not by works of any kind, nor can it be, because no amount of good works can make up for eternal damnation. Therefore, only by the grace and mercy of Christ can one escape hell and enter heaven.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
-Ephesians 2:4-9

However, Piper teaches that you have to "bear fruit" to show yourself worthy of God's love, or rather, you have to do works in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is almost exactly the same false doctrine that the Adventist cult teaches, in which they claim that you can be "saved" by Jesus, but then lose that salvation by not doing enough work to be written in the Lamb's book of life.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 8:37-39

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
-John 10:27-30

These people do not understand eternal security because they do not understand the doctrine of repentance. If you want to learn more about that, I highly recommend reading/listening to our teachings There is No Saving Grace Without Repentance and "Jesus Said There Are Many False Converts" here on our website to get a lot more Scripture on that subject.

John Piper is a false teacher that does not understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are some fans of Piper who will be highly offended by that statement, but it is the truth, and before anyone figuratively burns me at the stake for daring to question him, perhaps you should take a closer look at Piper's own explanation about calling out false teachers:
"And here are some factors, perhaps, to consider when deciding whether to name a false teacher. The urgency of your naming a false teacher increases—you've got, what—five factors that would cause the urgency to name would increase if, one, the seriousness and deceitfulness of the error is great. Two, the size of the audience gets bigger. Three, the duration of their ministry; do they make one blunder, or are they constantly doing it? Four, the vulnerability of the people for whom you are responsible. Five, the role you have in influencing shepherds who really need to be discerning for who the false teachers are. And when you do name a false teacher, best to do it in a setting where you do more than name drop. You explain the error, reasons for rejecting it. You communicate complexities."
-John Piper, "Should We Call Out False Teachers or Ignore Them?" Desiring God Official YouTube Channel, Oct 3, 2019, retrieved July 16, 2020, [https://youtu.be/vSIBbgWZcYk]

As you can see, we have met Piper's standards to call him (and his Passion Conference buddies) out on his false doctrines and expose his deceptions. At the very least, I hope someone out there benefits from this book to discern the heresies of men like Piper, comparing their venomous words with the Holy Word of God, so you can increase in discernment, sanctify yourselves, and go forward to teach others the truth of Christ, no matter how much they hate you for it, because we love them by telling them the truth.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
-John 15:18-19

So far, I have only covered two of the names on the list of the Passion 2020 weekend, and to demonstrate how deep the corruption goes, I am going to cover most of the names on the list. Before we continue, let's refresh our memories on the Passion Conference list of leaders and musicians:

Louie & Shelley Giglio John Piper Christine Caine Levi Lusko Ravi Zacharias Tim Tebow Sadie Robertson Hillsong United Lecrae Kari Jobe Cody Carnes Trip Lee Andy Mineo Tedashii

Moving on to Christine Caine, it should first be noted that, in the religious setting of the assembling of the church for worship and study, women are not given teaching authority. Any woman that stands up as a leader to teach doctrine in the solemn assemblies of the church is rebellious against Christ, and she needs to be rebuked.

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
-1 Timothy 2:9-14

This is not to say that women cannot speak or be heard in any instance, nor is it to say that she cannot teach in any setting because there were many prophetesses in Scripture who were guided by God. However, in the context of the gathering of the church together for study in worship of God, women are to be silent to learn, and that is pleasing to God because, by doing so, the woman demonstrates her obedience to the authority of Christ.

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
-1 Corinthians 11:2-3

Without hearing one word from Caine, we already know that she is in rebellion against Christ, and she lifts herself up in her pride, by which God rejects her in her sin:

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
-James 4:6
(Read "The Biblical Understanding of Pride" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Caine teaches that the Holy Spirit never sent us "to do witnessing," or as she goes on to explain, not to do any street preaching at all: "The Holy Spirit gave us the power to be witnesses, not to do witnessing. And so we need a generation of Christians that understand it's not about standing on a street corner to do witnessing, but to be witnesses on the earth. To bring salt and light in the midst of our darkness. That's what God has called us to do." -Christine Caine, quoted in video, "Christine Caine Said What?" WWUTT, Mar 26, 2016, retrieved July 16, 2020, [https://youtu.be/g_D7JGiwwLU?t=3]

This is Caine's attempt to denounce street preachers, and the reason she is doing that is because most street preachers rebuke her sin and false doctrines. Likely, there were street preachers teaching the message of Christ outside of the conference she was speaking at when she said this, and that upset her, so this was not her preaching anything Biblical, but rather, this was her vengeance to manipulate a crowd against those who were evangelizing the truth to the people.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
-Matthew 10:27-28

Jesus told His disciples to go and preach His Word from the tops of houses, which were the speaking podiums in that day, teaching those things to the people on the street. Furthermore, this is exactly what the Holy Spirit guided the apostles to do on the Day of Pentecost:

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words... Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
-Acts 2:14-38

Thus, not only is Caine a total hypocrite because she gets up on the stage to "witness" to a whole crowd of people who paid money to come see her, but by her doctrine, she is claiming that the Holy Ghost was wrong, and that the apostles were in error by preaching repentance (i.e. godly sorrow) and remission (i.e. forgiveness) of sins to the people on the street. Again, I will quote God's Word as a warning:

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
-Isaiah 5:20-21

Before I continue, I want to make sure that readers understand that all these false preachers I am exposing here use new-age bible versions, they all have government incorporated statuses (like 501c3), they all preach the unbiblical "storehouse tithing" doctrine, and they all scam people by claiming to take them back to "the original Greek." There are a number of standard heresies and offenses against the Gospel of Jesus that they all share, and so I am just pointing out a tiny fraction of their heresies so you can get an idea of what these conferences are like, so we can understand how much leaven (i.e. false doctrine) is spread throughout the so-called "Christian" music industry.
(Read "Why I Use The King James Bible," 501c3: The Devil's Church, "Tithe is Not a Christian Requirement," and "The 'Original Greek' Scam" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Christine Caine is a motivational speaker, not a preacher, and after listening to some of her so-called "teachings," I can boldly say that she does not preach the Word of God, but rather, she just tells stories about herself. That is not how the teaching of the Word of God is done because there is no interpretation of Scripture, but worse still, Caine does something that is commonly referred to as "writing herself into the Bible," which means that she is taking her everyday problems and pretentiously claiming that she had a spiritual experience like (for example) Solomon or Jonah.

If you listen to her at all, she preaches the same generic messages on faith that are a dime-a-dozen from such people, and she nearly screams at the top of her lungs half the time she is talking. She is irritating to listen to, but if you look up one of her pathetic teachings, you will see what I mean.

In my opinion, the crux of her false doctrine is the following from Passion 2019, as she tries to explain (while screaming) why we have so many problems in the world today:
"It's a faith issue! We have too many unbelieving believers! We need some believing believers that believe God is who He says He is! That God can do what He says He can do! We need a generation of college students that say, 'I believe God!'"
-Christine Caine, "Passion 2019 - Christine Caine," passionconferences, Jan 8, 2019, retrieved July 16, 2020, [https://youtu.be/_FUt5868fOM?t=796]

Simply put: Wrong. The major problem in the early days after Christ was that the world needed to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and believe, but today, there are many people around the world who have heard of Jesus Christ, and so the problem we have today is the same problem that was among the Jews while Christ was preaching in this world.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
-John 8:31-32

As I pointed out earlier in this book, in John 8, Jesus was preaching to those who believed on Him, who believe that He could do what He said He could do because He demonstrated those things right in front of them. That is why many people came from miles around just to see the miracles He would do. The problem was not a belief in the miracles of God, and in fact, Jesus said that was part of the problem; namely, that too many people were looking for signs and miracles instead of looking for the truth.

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
-Matthew 16:4

The problem is that there were a lot of believers in God who did not have a humble heart of repentance (i.e. godly sorrow of wrongdoing). That is why the first thing John the Baptist taught was repentance (Mark 1:4), the first thing Christ taught was repentance (Mat 4:17), the first thing Christ's disciples taught was repentance (Mark 6:7-12), and the first thing the apostles and the church taught was repentance (Acts 26:20). Thus, those "believing believers" were not of God because they had no repentance in their hearts, and Jesus Christ told them this in no uncertain terms, and I will quote this again:

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
-John 8:42-47

By the end of the chapter, they picked up stones to kill Him. I am fully persuaded that if Jesus Christ Himself came down to this world, got up on the same stage that Caine preaches on, and told the world the truth, tens of thousands of people would be angry that He would dare to rebuke their sins, and security guards would escort Him out of the arena because Christ's message is not profitable to corrupt teachers like Christine Caine.

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
-Luke 13:3

Next, we will take a closer look at Levi Lusko, who is a hardcore "prosperity gospel" teacher, meaning that for him, it is all about getting those juicy donations. Just to give readers an idea of who Lusko worships, here is his introduction onto the stage at a concert:
In the video, thousands of audience members cheer and scream as the lights flash and the video screen bears Lusko's name. False preacher Steven Furtick (at his 2016 "Code Orange Revival") introduced Lusko while screaming into the microphone, while the band played wild introduction music to usher in Lusko to the center of the stage, and the roars of the crowd were almost deafening.

Is this how Jesus was treated? Is this how the apostles were treated? Is this how the prophets were treated?

I know one thing for certain: If a preacher is teaching the truth of God's Word, he is not going to be welcomed with bands, lights, and cheering. Lusko is really the man who is being worshipped on that stage, not Jesus Christ, and Jesus would not have done such things because He kept Himself poor and humble.

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
-Matthew 8:20

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
-John 13:15-16

While Levi Lusko stays in comfortable hotels, has thousands of cheering fans, and enjoys the worship he receives through the millions of dollars of funding that go into setting up various venues around the country, Jesus did not even have a place to lay his head. Beware and depart from men like Lusko, who is a lover of his own self.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
-2 Timothy 3:1-2

In the same concert shown in the image and video above, Lusko preaches the following:
"Here's what I've learned: I've learned the actual instruction is actually irrelevant. It's the source of the direction that's significant. We ask, 'What?' We should be asking, 'Who?' What do you want me to do? What does the church need me to do? What are they saying to do? We should be saying, 'Who?' If God wants me to do it, here am I, send me. If God wants me to do it, put me to work coach, I'm ready. I'll just go for it. I assume that it's not going to make sense to me. I'm assuming I don't have all the input; all the data. I'm going to trust my leaders."
-Levi Lusko, quoted in "Levi Lusko Preaches Word Faith Heresies," Phil Berean, Sept 19, 2016, retrieved July 17, 2020, [https://youtu.be/y3XU0-LL_t8?t=120]

Lusko is teaching the audience that the instructions themselves, that is, what we are told to do by church building leadership, is irrelevant, which means that if a church building leader preaches something false and tells everyone else to follow him, the instruction of God does not matter. Lusko teaches that the faithful person should be willing to do whatever their "leaders" instruct them to do without understanding it. Depending on the context, I might be able to agree with the fact that we should be obedient to God even if we do not yet understand everything about His commandments, but that does not make His instruction "irrelevant," and it certainly does not mean that we should just throw aside righteous judgment and discernment concerning church building leadership.

However, the deception gets worse because that was not Lusko's main point. Lusko attempts to put religious leaders in the same position of God in that analogy, telling audience members that, for example, when a pastor says he needs everyone in the audience to give him $1,000 so he can purchase a private jet, they should not question him at all, and just do what he says even if they do not understand it.

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
-Jeremiah 17:5

Just so readers understand, if I were in Lusko's position, I would be teaching you the opposite, meaning that I would tell you that you should not even trust me. You should be going to the Word of God yourself and checking out the things I am telling you (even the very things in this book) so that you would not put your trust in me, or rather, if you trust anyone explicitly, without question, it should be God the Father alone.

Charge [instruct] them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate [i.e. give alms to the poor and needy]; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
-1 Timothy 6:17-19

Lusko's message, instructing churchgoers to give 100% obedience to all church building leadership no matter what, earns him a coveted place of wealth, honor, and worship among religious leadership of all kinds. Unquestioned compliance is the cornerstone of any religious cult, and so they honor Lusko's message because he presents this message with good words and fair speeches to deceive the hearts of simple, who cannot discern the evil spewing out of his mouth.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
-Romans 16:17-18

Understanding this, it should be no surprise that Lusko makes quite a bit of money from the multiple concert halls he owns, which he calls Fresh Life Church. He also started "Fresh Life Leadership College," which is a two-semester, thirty credit course where you can ignore the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to learn to be a "leader" in church-ianity, for the low price of over $10,000 plus books and additional fees.
(See Fresh Life Leadership College, "Tuition," retrieved Oct 6, 2020, [college.freshlife.church/tuition])

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing [i.e. the Holy Ghost] teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
-1 John 2:26-27

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
-Proverbs 23:23

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
-Matthew 10:8

That is why I have always made my books available freely available to read online. If someone wants to purchase a physical copy of a book to help support us, they can do so, but they are not required to do so because it is far more important that Christians know the truth of God's Word, and I do that knowing that I will not profit much from it because Jesus Christ freely gave me His wisdom and understanding, and therefore, I freely share it with others.

When I first got saved, I was flat broke, and if others had not freely shared their materials, I would not have been able to afford to read or listen to anything; however, that is NOT the philosophy of Levi Lusko. He charges for concerts, conferences, and college courses, while unbiblically collecting storehouse tithe, being greedy of filthy lucre, while hiding behind the name of "Jesus," taking the name of Jesus upon himself in vanity because Lusko does not really serve Him.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
-Exodus 20:7

Without going into a lot of lengthy explanations, and based on what little I have seen of Levi Lusko, he frequently makes statements that are based on his personal assumptions. He speculates a lot about things in Scripture that he does not understand (often getting his ideas from commentaries, not from his own thoughts), and then teaches those things boldly, to convince others that he has real wisdom and knowledge, even though he is a fraud.

The false prosperity god that Lusko worships is limited in his power, meaning that he believes in a little false god that cannot accomplish anything without us giving money to him. Obviously, Lusko teaches these things to get people to give him (and his leadership lackeys) more money, as he continues to say in the same teaching:
"When we keep what we have, that is all we have, but when we pour it out, then God can do what he always wants to do, he can multiply it. He can do some mult—the times can kick in, and get this—I love it so much—because when I was a kid, I learned about the times tables. Two times two is four, and four times four is eight... they call that the times table, and God says, 'I want you to come to the times, so there can be food on the table. So there can be food in my house.'"
-Levi Lusko, quoted in "Levi Lusko Preaches Word Faith Heresies," Phil Berean, Sept 19, 2016, retrieved July 17, 2020, [https://youtu.be/y3XU0-LL_t8?t=120]

So we can now clearly see that this was the secret purpose of Lusko's message, namely that God cannot accomplish his tasks without you showering Lusko (and his other fraudulent friends) with all your hard-earned cash. Lusko got up on that stage to preach the false prosperity gospel message, using the false doctrine of "storehouse tithing," to get people to ignore what they are being asked to do, explicitly trusting in religious leadership without question, all so he and his "pastor" buddies can make more money.
(Read "Tithe is Not a Christian Requirement" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

You are nothing but merchandise in the eyes of these false preachers.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
-2 Peter 2:1-3

Let's review where we are on the list:

Louie & Shelley Giglio John Piper Christine Caine Levi Lusko Ravi Zacharias Tim Tebow Sadie Robertson Hillsong United Lecrae Kari Jobe Cody Carnes Trip Lee Andy Mineo Tedashii

Ravi Zacharias died in May of 2020, and based on his doctrine, I can confidently say this man is now in hell because he worshiped a false ecumenical god. For example, in 2004, Zacharias was invited to be a key speaker at a conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (i.e. the Mormons), not to rebuke them for their false doctrines, but to join hands with them in unity, and it is important to note that a man has to be very wicked and leavened to even receive an invitation to such a corrupt event, let alone go speak at that event, as Zacharias did.

The Christian Post reported on the event:
"In 2004, he [Zacharias] spoke at a major dialogue event between Protestants and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which had an estimated 7,000 people in attendance. His participation garnered some negative feedback among evangelicals concerned that he was endorsing Mormon theology, but Zacharias responded that he wanted to 'graciously build one step at a time in communicating our faith with clarity and conviction' rather than to simply condemn certain LDS Church teachings."
-Michael Gryboski, "'Now with Jesus': Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias dies at 74," Christian Post, May 19, 2020, retrieved July 17, 2020, [christianpost.com/news/now-with-jesus-christian-apologist-ravi-zacharias-dies-at-74.html]

Zacharias did NOT address Mormons on the fact that they believe in the false doctrine that Jesus was a mere man who became a god. He did NOT address the Mormons on the fact that they believe they can become gods themselves. He did NOT address the Mormons on the fact that they believe God the Father is having sex with many "spirit wives" to produce "spirit babies," who go to earth to become men and women, and if they are good spirit babies, they get a white-skinned body, but if they are bad spirit babies (i.e. which would require them to believe God produces evil), they get a black-skinned body. The reason Zacharias did not address any of these points, rebuking the Mormons in righteousness and truth, is because righteousness and truth did not matter to him.
(Read "Corruptions of Christianity: Mormonism" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

The Mormons were so pleased with his message that, in 2014, Zacharias was asked to come speak at a Mormon Temple. Over three thousand Mormons gathered together to listen to Zacharias' false ecumenical message, in which he ignored sound doctrine, and invited all false religions to work together in harmony:
"Zacharias' talk was presented by Standing Together, a coalition of evangelical Churches who seek to 'be a catalyst for uniting the Utah Christian community through relational efforts to prayer, worship, and strategic evangelism."
-Morgan Lee, "Ravi Zacharias: Popular Christian Apologist Speaks to 3,500 at Mormon Temple; Asks Faiths to Oppose 'Lost Morality' Together," Christian Post, Jan 20, 2014, retrieved July 17, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2B9UreZ]

During his speech at the 2014 Mormon Temple gathering, Zacharias said:
"There has to be a good moral soil from which great art and great reason sprouts and flourishes. And so what brings us together? As has already been said, yes, we have our deep theological differences, but I think it's commendable that we find a common cause in trying to create a good moral soil in this culture and in this time."
-Ravi Zacharias, "Ravi Zacharias at the LDS Tabernacle in January 2014," Standing Together, Feb 6, 2020, retrieved July 17, 2020, [https://youtu.be/ZSRgNB-bsu0?t=2979]

Zacharias was highly esteemed by the world for his deep intellectual prowess and words, but God most often calls the foolish, lowly, and despised to preach His Word, not the lofty and highly-revered men of this world. God operates in this manner so that men will not glory in themselves, lifting themselves up in pride.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
-1 Corinthians 1:26-29

The reason I am quoting this verse is to help readers understand that God does not respect Zacharias' person like the world does, and that Zacharias was a fool in the sight of God. When Zacharias stated that there were "deep theological differences" (i.e. conflicts in doctrine of God's Word), he then said it was better to find common ground to create a moral foundation, but his foolishness and willful blindness is demonstrated in the fact that moral foundations are laid in theology, or in other words, the study and understanding of God's Word is the source of morality.

Ravi Zacharias is not only ignorant of the foundational doctrines of Scripture, but he openly accepts accursed people as his brethren. Paul, by the Holy Spirit of God, wrote the following to Galatia:

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
-Galatians 1:6-9

accursed (adj): separated from the faithful; cast out of the church
(See 'accursed', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved July 17, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

Zacharias chose to join hands with those who are accursed. Therefore, his ultimate ecumenical message is: "Truth and doctrine does not matter. Unity is all that matters," and that is a false gospel, meaning that Zacharias is (even in hell as he is now) accursed along with his ecumenical pack of wolves.

Zacharias endorsed many other heretics, including multi-millionaire and prosperity gospel false teacher Joyce Meyer, calling her a "great Bible teacher" that God is using for the work of ministry. He also endorsed Henri Nouwen as one of the greatest saints he had ever seen, but Nouwen was a Catholic priest that heavily pushed the ecumenical agenda, and even stated that, "I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God's house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God."
(See Ravi Zacharias & Joyce Meyer, "Ravi Zacharias calls false teacher Joyce Meyer a great teacher," Awitness4Christ, May 31, 2015, retrieved July 17, 2020, [https://youtu.be/Gh5rYB7rYmY]; Read also "Wolves in Costume: Joyce Meyer" here at creationliberty.com for more details; See also Henri Nouwen, quoted by Michael W. Higgins, Impressively Free- Henri Nouwen as a Model for a Reformed Priesthood, Paulist Press, 2019, ISBN: 9781587687631)

Zacharias also has many words of wonderful praise for false preacher and heretic Rick Warren, submitting himself under Warren's religious leadership, and calling him a friend:
"Deeply honored and privileged to be speaking here at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California for their annual Ahmanson Apologetics Lecture Series. Under the leadership of my respected friend Pastor Rick Warren and his able team, this church has touched the world with life-changing impact. Truly one of the great churches of our time and across time. I am praying for God's presence and power in and through these messages. I am blessed just to be here." -Ravi Zacharias, taken from his official Facebook account, Nov 6, 2016, retrieved July 17, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2DTKO5e]; Read "Wolves in Costume: Rick Warren" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
-James 4:4

These are just a few of many examples that could be given to prove how corrupt Ravi Zacharias was. The point is that Zacharias never denounced the false doctrines of these people, but rather, he embraced them, and yoked together with them, leading new Christians into apostasy by traveling around the world to seek new converts, only to turn them into twice the children of hell than himself.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass [travel] sea and land to make one proselyte [convert to a religion], and when he is made, ye make him twofold [twice] more the child of hell than yourselves.
-Matthew 23:15

Next on the list is Timothy Tebow, who is famous for his work as a professional baseball and football player, and is worshiped by the public, just like most other successful sports athletes. It goes without saying that (because of his ecumenical beliefs in combination with his fame) he is a key speaker at Passion to increase ticket sales.

The Christian Post reported on Tebow's endorsement of the book and movie The Shack, which is ecumenical heresy that teaches a false god:

"Popular Christian athlete Tim Tebow took to social media to share his reaction to the upcoming film 'The Shack,' while some agreed with his post others slammed his support for the film. 'Got a sneak-peek of @TheShackMovie last night. Great reminder that God is with us in our highs and lows and LOVES us no matter what! #TheShack,' the former Florida Heisman Trophy-winner tweeted on Friday. Tebow attended an early screening of the film and although the book is highly controversial, the 29 year old praised the movie for highlighting God's love."

-Charity Gibson, "Tim Tebow Receives Backlash for Comments on 'The Shack'," Christian Post, Feb 22, 2017, retrieved July 21, 2020, [christianpost.com/news/tim-tebow-receives-backlash-for-comments-on-the-shack.html]

Exposing the universalist heresies of William Paul Young and his corrupt book The Shack would take an entire book of its own, so obviously, I am not going to cover much of it here; however, I will cover some details on The Shack later in this book concerning the corrupt bands that have made music for the movie. In short, The Shack teaches that God has forgiven all mankind of their sins without any need for repentance or faith, that unrepentant criminals are the children of God, that Jesus never did any miracles, that God is not Almighty first and foremost, that God does not want people to be Christians, and that God does not judge anyone for their sin; that is just to name a few of the many offenses contained in that book.
(Read Wolves in Costume: Kent Hovind - Chapter 7 - Kent Endorses New-Age Fantasy Novels here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Some may want to claim that it should not be taken seriously because it is a fiction story; however, Jesus warned that every word that men speak, they will have to give an account for those words, even things that are said in idle times of relaxation or entertainment:

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
-Matthew 12:36

To give the excuse of it being "fiction" is irrelevant when many people take it as the gospel's truth, and it makes sense that people would do that since Young wrote it to represent what the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost would say to mankind. Furthermore, Young has, on his own official blogs and websites, defended his book from doctrinal critiques, which means that it was intended to be doctrinal from the beginning, fiction or not, and that is exactly how the public views it.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man [i.e. Jesus Christ] whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
-Acts 17:30-31

Continuing on with Tebow, he calls heretic Ravi Zacharias his hero, and claims Zacharias is a hero of Christian faith:
"I have got to tell you, Ravi has been one of my heroes—one of the heroes of the faith."
-Timothy Tebow, "Ravi Zacharias and Tim Tebow | Face To Face," Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, July 21, 2020, [https://youtu.be/dlg1CcJCSoQ?t=283]

Tebow goes on to talk about how he had been listening to Ravi since he was a young man, being dedicated to Ravi's teachings. Thus, Tebow is nothing more than a disciple of the ecumenical heresies of Ravi Zacharias.

Listening to Tebow speak at a Passion 2020 was sickening to say the least because he starts off his speech by talking about his worldly sports accomplishments. Then, he goes on to give the same dime-a-dozen vague message that every other speaker presents, talking about "having faith in God," and what was funny about it was that, if you listen closely, it was not even his idea because he took it from a suggestion given in Bible commentary, not from his own study of Scripture.
(See Timothy Tebow, "Passion 2020 - Tim Tebow," passionconferences, Jan 6, 2020, retrieved July 21, 2020, [youtube.com/watch?v=qOsF85gxuV0])

Tebow goes on to express how much he loves jumping around different new-age bible versions, so he can interpret God's Word any way he chooses to interpret it (instead of looking for the finished, preserved Word of God in the King James Bible), so he can worship the false god of his own mind instead of having to adhere to God's commandments and judgments. He starts out by quoting one verse about "rejoicing," then goes to his Bible commentary that suggests that it is really talking about having faith, then goes to on to brag about how he was taking his fiancé out to great restaurants and fancy shows, and then quotes the lyrics from a song in one of the worldly theatre plays he went to in order to try and encourage people to be "faithful."

In summary, Tebow preached nothing Biblically sound because the Bible does not instruct us to go to the wisdom of the world in order to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Though Paul was a very well-educated man, he did not flaunt his education in front of others, and came to them in humility, claiming to have or know nothing in this world, except Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
-1 Corinthians 2:1-5

However, Tim Tebow will take people to the wisdom of men because he is not of Christ. He came to these people in the pride of his heart and the loftiness of his own accomplishments; he did not come to them in weakness, fear, and trembling.

The reality is that Tebow is a popular figure in the media that is playing the part of a churchgoer to spread heresies and make more money. Tebow brings enticing words to his audience by which he beguiles them.

And this I say, lest any man should beguile [deceive] you with enticing [flattering and persuading] words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy, [way of thinking] and vain deceit [lies] after the tradition of men, after the rudiments [principle teachings] of the world, and not after Christ.
-Colossians 2:4-8

During his speech, Tebow teaches that the world "needs you," not the Lord Jesus Christ:
"Do we live with a sense of urgency for people around the world that are starving for hope, and that need you? They're starving for hope, they're starving for love, they're starving for you."
-Timothy Tebow, "Passion 2020 - Tim Tebow," passionconferences, Jan 6, 2020, retrieved July 21, 2020, [https://youtu.be/qOsF85gxuV0?t=920]

On one hand, Tebow claims all those in the audience are "living for Jesus," which should indicate need for Christ, but on the other hand, he claims that the world is starving for those in the audience, not for Jesus Christ. It was absurd that he went on to say how much they all needed to "count the cost" to follow Jesus, after he just got done explaining how lavishly he spent his money to have a good night out on the town with his fiancé.

After that, Tebow goes on to talk more about his sports career, and he also started promoting Casting Crowns, another leavened, so-called "Christian" rock band. Tebow goes on to claim that his rise to fame and wealth, and having fans around the world love him so much, was so burdensome for him (i.e. his pathetic version of "counting the cost"), and instead of turning to the Word of God for guidance and comfort, he would turn to Casting Crowns and call them the "voice of truth."
(See Timothy Tebow, "Passion 2020 - Tim Tebow," passionconferences, Jan 6, 2020, retrieved July 21, 2020, [https://youtu.be/qOsF85gxuV0?t=1208])

Ultimately, Tebow was preaching the "God has a wonderful plan for your life" message, which is NOT the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. You will not find a verse in the Bible preaching that message, but rather, you will find a message that God has a wonderful plan for the AFTER-life of those who have been born again by coming to godly sorrow of their wrongdoing (i.e. repentance) and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, showing love for Him by keeping His commandments, and rewarding them for their good works.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.
-John 14:15

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
-Luke 6:46-49

Though Tim Tebow is loved and adored by the world, we Christians are not:

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
-John 15:18-19

Next on the list is Sadie Robertson, who (like Christine Caine) is rebellious against Christ because, as a woman, she is taking on the role of teaching authority over the church, when she was not given that authority by God. Robertson got her rise to fame on an A&E reality TV show called Duck Dynasty, which is a show filled with fake Christians, and she continues to rake in the money with her book Living Fearless: A Call to Power, Passion and Purpose, with the forward to the book written by none other than Passion's leader and pope-worshiper, Louie Giglio.

Before I address Sadie's lukewarm doctrine, I do not know much of anything about the Duck Dynasty TV show because I do not watch things like that, and I do not care about it. The only thing I want to say is that, after looking into the matter briefly, the Duck Dynasty people are NOT Christians because they believe in a false gospel, teaching that baptism is a work you must do to receive saving grace, or in other words, they believe people are cleansed, saved, and justified by water baptism, not by the blood of Jesus Christ through repentance and faith.
(See "Phil Robertson Baptism," Brian Richards, Mar 5, 2014, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/e2w7vbeMei0]; Phil Robertson is the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family.)

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
-Ephesians 2:12-13

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
-1 John 1:7

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
-Revelation 1:5
(Read "The Biblical Understanding of Baptism" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

I had the displeasure of having to listen to some of Sadie's so-called "teachings" in preparation for this book, and it was very draining because Sadie is so irritating to listen to, leaving me unable to accurately describe it in writing, other than I would say that she is a very loud, arrogant teenybopper. (i.e. You would have to hear her yourself to fully understand it.) Like Christine Caine, Sadie talks a lot about herself, her teachings are void of any Scriptural value whatsoever, and like all the speakers I have mentioned so far, she repeats the same general pattern which is structured as follows:

The speaker reads a story from Scripture to make it sound like he/she is preaching wisdom from God. The speaker points out that the main character of the Bible story had faith. The speaker writes him/herself into Scripture by telling anecdotes about how the speaker had to have faith in comparison to that Bible character. The speaker tells everyone else that they need to have more faith. The speaker leads the audience to believe that they are proving their faith by purchasing conference tickets, buying books or DVDs, and giving unbiblical storehouse tithe.

Just like all the other speakers I have mentioned, Sadie Robertson's message is void of repentance. In other teachings, I have talked about the parable of the prodigal son, and how preachers often hyper-focus on the forgiveness of the father, but ignore the repentance (i.e. godly sorrow) of the son, and Sadie is no exception because I watched a video and listened to her (while wincing in pain because of her loud and annoying speaking voice) do that exact same thing in one of her teachings at the Passion conference in 2020.
(See Sadie Robertson, "Passion 2020 - Sadie Robertson," passionconferences, Jan 6, 2020, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/rOyj0R0OoPc])

I plead with readers to be very careful if you are looking up messages from false teachers like Sadie Robertson because a lot of the corruption is not in what she is saying, but in what she is NOT saying. There is no rebuke of sin. There is no instruction from the Word of God. There is no call to righteousness. The message she always preaches is a selfish, feel-good message that says "let God handle it," when these people have never been born again and regenerated by the Holy Ghost.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
-Titus 3:5

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
-John 3:3

Without having come to repentance and faith, she tells them that the power to change everything is already inside of each one of them, and therefore, it becomes a message of "self-confidence," but she presents it in a crafty manner because she will present it as "self-confidence in God," which is contradictory. The word 'confidence' means "faith," and so either we have faith in ourselves, or we have faith in God, but Sadie is trying to teach that we have faith in God in order to have faith in ourselves, which is not Scripturally sound.

While preaching to an arena of college students on her "Live Original" Tour to help promote her book, Sadie says:
"I pray that tonight, you come out of here with a deep understanding of how much God loves you, and deep love for who you are yourself."
-Sadie Robertson, "COLLEGE MESSAGE | Sadie Robertson Preaching," Sadie Robertson Official YouTube Channel, 2019, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/q0SzYyFjo0E?t=318]

I quoted these verses earlier, but let's review them again:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away... Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
-2 Timothy 3:1-9

The Bible does not tell us that we need to learn to love ourselves more, but rather, we need to learn to love OTHERS more. Jesus did not say that we need to learn to love ourselves before we love our neighbor, but rather, we need to learn to love our neighbor as we ALREADY love ourselves.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
-Mark 12:30-31

Jannes and Jambres (mentioned in 2 Timothy 3) were the Egyptian magicians who served Pharaoh, and performed miracles by devils through their enchantments. (Exd 7:11-13) These men seemed to be religious, they seemed to have a form of godliness, much more so than the false preachers we see today because they were performing tasks that were beyond the feats capable by men under the laws of nature, but they were lovers of their own selves, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, and they were corrupt in their minds, just as Sadie is corrupt in her own mind, and as she will corrupt the minds of those who listen to her.

The students in the audience are learning a false gospel, namely, that they need to learn to love and adore themselves. They are learning pride, which is sin, to lift themselves up on a pedestal, and glorify themselves, while speaking the name of Jesus in vanity, claiming to be of Christ, which is violation of the commandments of God because they are taking the name of Jesus on themselves under false pretenses.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
-Exodus 20:7

This verse is often taught in church buildings to be using God's name as a curse, which would be wrong for many other reasons, but that is not what this verse is talking about. The context here is speaking of ambassadorship, in the sense that a man would claim to be of Christ, when he is not of Christ, thereby taking on the name of God in vanity (i.e. uselessness).

As I said earlier, Sadie preaches on the prodigal son, and when it comes to the son's debauchery, his fornication, drunkenness, and many other sins, she does not mention any of these things. She does not mention sin at all. Instead, she claims the son was trying to "fill the gap" inside himself, and she compares that to her own feelings of not being pretty enough, taking diet pills, or getting a better app to take pictures of her good side. (I am not joking; if you do not believe me that she was teaching this, listen to it for yourself in the reference below.)
(See Sadie Robertson, "COLLEGE MESSAGE | Sadie Robertson Preaching," Sadie Robertson Official YouTube Channel, 2019, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/q0SzYyFjo0E?t=585])

To Sadie, fornication, drunkenness, drug addiction (i.e. sorcery), and many other such things are not "sin," but rather, they are simply things that are not "fulfilling enough." As ridiculous as this sounds (i.e. I do not want to have to give an analogy for Sadie's nonsense), she is saying that "sin" is like a slider (i.e. a tiny sandwich), while Jesus is like a sub sandwich. Ultimately, she is teaching a false message of "Jesus-is-better-than-beer/sex/drugs," instead of teaching that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that without repentance and faith in Him, no man will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
-John 14:6

Thus, Sadie never preaches that they do evil, but rather, Sadie preaches that all people are the prodigal son, that everyone has mistakenly chosen to do unfulfilling things (for an unknown reason because she says she cannot figure out why people do that), that God has warm, gooey feelings inside for every person in this world, and is just waiting for them to turn around and come home. The word 'love' in Scripture is a selfless sacrifice, not a warm, gooey feeling inside (which is more akin to infatuation or lust by the way the world uses the word), which is why the Bible says God so loved the world (i.e. He made a selfless sacrifice for the world), and that if we love Jesus Christ, we should make a selfless sacrifice to keep His commandments.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
-John 3:16

If ye love me, keep my commandments.
-John 14:15

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
-1 John 5:3

Sadie goes on to say:
"You already have purpose. You already have destiny. You already have all of these things, not because you've done, not because of anything you will do, but simply because of who you are."
-Sadie Robertson, "COLLEGE MESSAGE | Sadie Robertson Preaching," Sadie Robertson Official YouTube Channel, 2019, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/q0SzYyFjo0E?t=720]

Notice that she did NOT say you have purpose and destiny because of who JESUS is, but rather, she believes and teaches a message of inward goodness and value. Sadie does NOT preach the message of Jesus Christ, that we are weak, lowly, wretched, vile creatures that are in absolute need and reliance on Jesus Christ to renew us by the Holy Spirit because THAT message is not profitable to her.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
-Revelation 3:17

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
-Romans 3:10-12

Sadie continues, with her tongue spraying rapid-fire "like" bullets: "You're sitting here saying right now, 'I'm actually like the lost son. I've like, gone off, and I've like thrown it all away. I've like been living my best life partying it up, and everybody sees it on Instagram, and now I'm sitting here in church [i.e. she is calling her book tour a "church"] and I'm feeling a little awkward like, last night, I was in the pit with the pigs.' That's okay!" -Sadie Robertson, "COLLEGE MESSAGE | Sadie Robertson Preaching," Sadie Robertson Official YouTube Channel, 2019, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/q0SzYyFjo0E?t=720]

To Sadie, your sin does not matter, and therefore, she does not rebuke that sin and preach the truth of God's law against it for the saving of souls.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
-Galatians 3:24

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
-Psalm 19:7

Sadie never rebukes their sin, she never calls them to repentance (i.e. godly sorrow of their sin), but rather, she simply tells them they need to turn. The problem with this is that the parable of the prodigal son is for those who are already of Christ, who are already sons and daughters of God, and I suspect there is almost no one in her audience that is actually saved because few (not many) find the way to eternal life through repentance and faith in Christ.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
-Matthew 7:13-14

Sadie glosses over the fact that the prodigal son was repentant of his sin, and tells them that they need "to turn," which is not what the word 'repent' means in Scripture. And by "turning," Sadie does not mean "to turn from sin," as some readers might think she means, but she later says that turning means "you've got to realize your worth, and say 'maybe I'm just worth more than this'." (See Sadie Robertson, "COLLEGE MESSAGE | Sadie Robertson Preaching," Sadie Robertson Official YouTube Channel, 2019, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/q0SzYyFjo0E?t=1034])

At one point, Sadie actually attempted to teach from the Word of God, and watch how she messed it up:
"But you hear what the word of God says, it says, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart can even fathom the love that God has for you, and the plans he has for those he loves."
-Sadie Robertson, "COLLEGE MESSAGE | Sadie Robertson Preaching," Sadie Robertson Official YouTube Channel, 2019, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/q0SzYyFjo0E?t=1140]

I am sure Sadie's confidence in saying that was increased by the fact that she did not bother to reference what verse she was attempting to quote because, after all, it would be a problem if someone in the audience looked up those verses and read them for themselves. What Sadie said is NOT what Paul wrote:

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
-1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Like all the false teachers of Passion, Sadie is teaching the false converts in the audience that "God has a wonderful plan for your life," which is not the Gospel message Jesus taught, nor is it what Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit in First Corinthians. This passage is teaching that God has wonderous rewards for those who love Him, meaning that keep His commandments as we read earlier in John 14:15.

Sadie goes on to say:
"Because like I said, it's not about what you've done. It's about WHO YOU ARE!"
-Sadie Robertson, "COLLEGE MESSAGE | Sadie Robertson Preaching," Sadie Robertson Official YouTube Channel, 2019, retrieved July 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/q0SzYyFjo0E?t=1167]

Sadie is not preaching to these people about what Christ has done, and she is not preaching about who Christ is. Sadie is preaching a self-centered false message that will lead people to hell and the lake of fire.

Of course, all the speakers of the Passion conference believe it is about themselves, and that is the way they live too. The following images are some insight into how much money these speakers are making on their conferences, concerts, books, and videos.

"On March 23-24, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) will formally launch the Zacharias Institute and open its doors to the new global headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia. A series of events will take place including an apologetics symposium on Thursday evening and the formal dedication ceremony on Friday afternoon at the 124,000 square foot building. In addition to office space for the North American speaking team and staff, this facility includes an auditorium, several classrooms and seminar rooms, state-of-the-art television and radio studios, a cafe, a library, a bookstore, and the Still Point Art Gallery."
-Ruth Malhotra, "RZIM Launches Zacharias Institute and New Global Headquarters in Alpharetta, GA," Ravi Zacharia International Ministries, retrieved July 22, 2020, [rzim.org/read/rzim-global/rzim-launches-zacharias-institute-and-new-global-headquarters-in-alpharetta-ga]

"Former NFL quarterback turned minor league baseball player Tim Tebow just snatched up his second Jacksonville, Florida pad for $2.99 million, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. The two-story, almost 8,300-square-foot property is the second home for Tebow inside the exclusive gated community of Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club in South Jacksonville... Built in 2016, the two-story home on 1.49 acres, has five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms."
-Jade Scipioni, "Inside Tim Tebow's new $3 million Florida mansion," CNBC, July 24, 2019, retrieved July 22, 2020, [cnbc.com/2019/07/24/photos-inside-tim-tebows-new-florida-home.html]

(See Cumberland Community Improvement District, "Passion City Church," retrieved July 28, 2020, [cumberlandcid.org/directory/passion-city-church])

Giglio's Passion City official website published their income for 2018, and it showed net assets (which is profit AFTER expenses) for cash, certificates, and property/equipment to be almost $49 million, while their donations and ticket sales totaled over $28 million. Passion City Church's assets for 2018 were about $78,000,000, which does not include Giglio's personal DVDs, books, and other media and personal income he has received, and I will let readers decide how much of that money you think is going to the poor and needy.
(See Passion City Church, "Combined Financial Statements," Dec 31, 2018, retrieved July 28, 2020, [passioncitychurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/PCC-and-PCC-Cumberland-2018-Compilation.pdf])

These false preachers might not be rock stars themselves, but they certainly live like rock stars. Millions upon millions of people are dumping all their hard-earned money and resources into these false preachers, only so they can live in lavish luxury while they preach the message of devils that will drag listeners to hell.

These hypocrites are the doctrinal foundation of the "Christian" music industry.

Again, Jesus said:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass [travel] sea and land to make one proselyte [convert to a religion], and when he is made, ye make him twofold [twice] more the child of hell than yourselves.
-Matthew 23:15

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
-2 Peter 2:1-3

Again, I need to emphasize that all so-called "Christian" musicians have a doctrine and philosophy by which they write their music, and now that we have a little bit of an idea about the false doctrines laid in the foundation of the music, let's continue down the list to reveal the truth about the musicians themselves:

Louie & Shelley Giglio John Piper Christine Caine Levi Lusko Ravi Zacharias Tim Tebow Sadie Robertson Hillsong United Lecrae Kari Jobe Cody Carnes Trip Lee Andy Mineo Tedashii

Hillsong United is a so-called "Christian" band that began from a corrupt church building called "Hillsong Church," a charismatic megachurch located in Australia. Hillsong emerged out of Hills Christian Life Centre, which was founded in 1983, and they formed Hillsong United worship band in 1998, which has rotated leaders many times, ranging from Joel Houston, to Matt Crocker, to Benjamin Hastings, and more.


Hillsong was founded by false prosperity preacher Brian Houston, and he has grown it into a multi-million dollar business. As Houston's organization was picking up popularity back in 2003, he was interviewed by a reporter from the Sydney Morning Herald, and asked why he thought Hillsong was so popular:

"So why does he think the church has been so successful? 'I think the biggest issue is relevance, I really do,' he says, as we tour around the bland suburbs - row upon row of enormous, identical houses - of the Hills District, which surrounds his church. 'We are scratching people where they are itching.' This is the nearest thing Australia has to a Bible belt. Houston says that when he and Bobbie set out to build a church, he wanted to build one that he and his family would want to attend, with good music, good sermons and a positive message."

-Brian Houston, quoted by Sydney Morning Herald, "Praise the Lord and pass the chequebook," Jan 25, 2003, retrieved July 28, 2020, [smh.com.au/national/praise-the-lord-and-pass-the-chequebook-20050218-gdkrdq.html]

That is an interesting choice of words because "scratching people where they are itching" is exactly what God told us false preachers would do, and that many would heap (i.e. pile up) as many false teachers as they could find to preach to them a false message:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
-2 Timothy 4:2-5

Houston wants to scratch the itching ears of the people so he can get their money, and the prosperity false gospel is the foundation of his philosophy, which you can see by the book he wrote, called Money:

ANNOUNCER: "New from Pastor Brian Houston: Money" HOUSTON: "There's no one person in this building who doesn't need more money, and if you say, 'Well, I don't need more money,' then I would say, 'You have a very poor outlook on life.'" ANNOUNCER: "You'll learn why you need more money!" HOUSTON: "Because money is a tool that can accomplish phenomenal things. What money can do in your hand is bless, it can help, it can build, it can increase, it can bring vision, it can strengthen," ANNOUNCER: "You'll learn how to get more money, and you'll learn to have wealth without having a love for money." HOUSTON: "Poor does not have to be permanent!... You say, 'Well, how do you know that?' Because, why would the Scriptures say, 'Let the poor say, "I AM RICH!!"' if it wasn't the will of God to break the power of poverty over people's life?!"

Again, this is another instance in which these false preachers attempt to quote Scripture, and mess it up because, in this instance, the Bible NEVER says "Let the poor say, 'I am rich'." In fact, I even went to thirteen different new-age bible versions just to double check, and I never found it in any of those either, but Brian Houston claims "the Scriptures say" it.

The only place you will find the phrase "Let the poor say 'I am rich'" is in a Hillsong worship song written by Reuben Morgan, called "What the Lord Has Done in Me," which was ripped off from a song called "Give Thanks" by Don Moen, who also took it from songwriter Smith Eustace Henry. Here are some of the lyrics:

Reuben Morgan - Hillsong - "What the Lord Has Done in Me" Let the weak say, "I am strong" Let the poor say, "I am rich" Let the blind say, "I can see" It's what the lord has done in me

The only phrase in this that is Biblical is "Let the weak say, 'I am strong," which is found in Joel 3, but not in the context the song is using the phrase:

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
-Joel 3:9-12

When Joel wrote this prophecy, God was saying these things unto the heathen, the unbelievers, who worshiped false gods. He was causing them to act arrogantly in their pride, believing the Jews to be weak and easy to conquer, by which they believed their farmers could make weapons out of tools and easily seize Judah and Jerusalem, but the Lord God would stand as a judge against them.

If the poor were ever to Biblically say "I am rich," it would only be in spiritual context, not that God has raised up His children to have great material wealth in the world.

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
-Proverbs 13:7

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
-Proverbs 23:4

There is nothing wrong with having wealth because even Job, who was repentant and faithful unto God, had much wealth, but Brian Houston is greedy of filthy lucre (i.e. money):

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
-1 Peter 5:2

It is easy to see how greedy of filthy lucre that Houston really is by how he talks about it. You may have noticed that his description of what money can do for people (i.e. "bless, it can help, it can build, it can increase, it can bring vision, it can strengthen") should have been the description of what Jesus can do for people, but this was no surprise to me because Houston praises that which he worships.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
-Matthew 6:21

In addition to the tens of millions of dollars they bring in every year, Houston and Hillsong are taking advantage of college students to get thousands of hours of free labor. The Australian edition of A Current Affair reported on this:
"Devoted Hillsong volunteers, A Current Affair claims, are being exploited by the gospel church's wealthy pastors who force them to work thousands of hours while they rake in millions. The unpaid volunteers are even told they will fail their Bible college studies unless they give up their free time and devote hours of free labour to the mega church, A Current Affair reported. A former volunteer told ACA some of the volunteers were forced to work so hard and were under so much pressure that they fell sick. Then there's the practice of 'love offerings' — donations given to the mega-wealthy international pastors who [are] in Sydney to speak at the conference. Parishioners are encouraged to dig deep, with some of the international pastors earning $30,000 to $40,000 speaking at two or three different services a day during the annual conference, investigative reporter Adam Shand told ACA. 'There are bags of cash, literally bags of cash within this love offering circuit,' Shand said. 'They walk out of this country with cash in their bags and it's not declared. How much they take out we have no idea because they don't tell us.' The damning investigation also claimed that Hillsong is similar to the Church of Scientology and was more 'like a cult than a proper religion'... Former Hillsong member Tanya Levin's book People in Glass Houses: An Insider's Story of a Life in and out of Hillsong — an expose of life inside the church — has recently been re-released. She told ACA Justin Bieber's new role as Hillsong pin-up boy — the star is currently in Sydney for the conference — would be 'a dream come true' for Pastor Brian Houston. 'Hillsong Church has never really claimed to be much about the poor,' she said. 'They've really only ever claimed spreading their gospel, to be about their version of the gospel, to do that they need a lot of money.'"
-News Corp Australia Network, "Hillsong Church volunteers being exploited, A Current Affair report claims," July 2, 2015, retrieved July 28, 2020, [https://bit.ly/3ffY6pP]

Hillsong is using and abusing college students (who are attending so-called "Christian" universities) that volunteer their time for course credit, getting thousands of hours of free labor from them, while pressuring them that if they do not work stressful, overtime hours, they will not be able to graduate. While the young students are out working overtime in the heat, the motivational speakers are glorified on stage, speaking an average of 10 times per conference, which amounts to about four hours of total speaking time over a four-day period, and are getting paid an average of $35,000 of tax-free money for the event.

Furthermore, Hillsong is not bringing in the poor and needy to their concert halls because the poor and needy do not have money. Rather, Hillsong attracts those with a lot of money, and gives special treatment to VIPs like Justin Bieber, a popular singer with a lot of sexually-charged music, who has become the poster-boy of the Hillsong movement.

If Hillsong were preaching the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Justin Bieber would run as fast as he could in the opposite direction. When I watched Hillsong members who were also Bieber fans chase after his vehicle in the Hillsong parking lot, yelling out "Brother Bieber!" in an attempt to get his autograph, I was sick to my stomach because that was all vanity that opposes what Christ taught us because He said we would be HATED by the world, separated from their company, not honored and adored.

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
-Luke 6:20-26

Bieber developed a bad public image when he was arrested for things like drag racing and DUIs (driving under the influence of alcohol), for which he served some jail time, and so to improve his public image, he joined Hillsong. Hillsong helped to restore the public's perception of him (likely in exchange for Bieber "tithing" a substantial amount to Brian Houston), and has increased his popularity and sales of his music.
(See Tara I. Burton, "Hillsong: the evangelical megachurch that helped save Justin Bieber's soul — and image," VOX, Oct 1, 2018, retrieved July 28, 2020, [vox.com/identities/2018/10/1/17596502/justin-bieber-hillsong-carl-lentz-married])

Bieber was baptized into the Hillsong organization by Carl Lentz, Hillsong's deceptive so-called "pastor" over their New York division, who told Katie Couric that he adores heretic and false preacher Joel Osteen:
"COURIC: Now, how does your message differ—we heard Joel Osteen talk about, sort of, what he preaches; his philosophy. So what is your philosophy Carl?
LENTZ: Well, first of all, I love Joel, and I'm thankful for men like him, who have paved the way for younger guys like me to have an opportunity to do what we do. Joel is a pioneer. His message of hope is similar to ours."
-Katie Couric interview with Carl Lentz, "Carl Lentz with Katie Couric 12:14," Tom Manning, June 4, 2014, retrieved July 29, 2020, [https://youtu.be/_3wLm6pPvRY?t=213]

To give readers an idea of who Joel Osteen worships, the Huffington Post did a video interview with Osteen, in which he verbally bows to the ecumenical throne of Pope Francis, just as Louie Giglio has done:
"HOST: 'What is your view of the current pope?' The Pope has obviously been reaching out, and has been a force of moderation in comparison to his predecessors. What do you make of that?
OSTEEN: I think the Pope is fantastic! You know, I just think his tone, his humility, his—you know, I loved when he said the other day, 'You know, it's our view too. We're not trying to, you know, make this a little-bitty narrow thing. Everybody's welcome.' We may not agree, you know, one hundred percent on doctrine and theology, but, you know what? We—the church, Catholic Church, our church—it's open for everybody. So I like his tone, not pushing people away, but I believe God's big, and his mercy is very wide."
-Joel Osteen interview, "Joel Osteen Talks Pope And Gays | HPL," HuffPost Live, Oct 2, 2013, retrieved July 30, 2020, [https://youtu.be/btZxJN8zoD0]; See also HuffPost, "Joel Osteen Talks Pope, Gays And Why You Should 'Pray For Big Things'," Oct 2, 2013, retrieved July 30, 2020, [https://bit.ly/30e7O7O]

Osteen clearly stated that there was a difference in doctrine and theology, but did not care about those differences, which means he does not care about the truth of God's Word as much as he cares about ecumenically bringing all people under one yoke, which is why he praises the man who is sitting on the Roman throne of antichrist. Furthermore, he goes on to repeat the narrative of now-deceased heretics Billy Graham and Robert Schuller, claiming that the gateway to heaven is "wide," and that they do not want a "narrow" path.
(Read "Wolves in Costume: Billy Graham" & "Wolves in Costume: Rick Warren - The Origins of Warren's Philosophy" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

SCHULLER: "Tell me, what do you think is the future of Christianity?" GRAHAM: "Well, Christianity, in being a true believer—you know, I think there's the Body of Christ, which comes from all the Christian groups around the world; or outside the Christian groups. I think everybody that loves Christ, or knows Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're members of the body of Christ... And that's what God is doing today; he's calling people out of the world for his name. Whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world, or the non-believing world, they are members of the body of Christ because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their heart that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think that they are saved and will be with us in heaven" SCHULLER: "What I hear you saying is that it's possible for Jesus Christ to come into a human heart and soul and life, even if they've been born in darkness and have never had the exposure to the Bible. Is that a correct interpretation of what you're saying?" GRAHAM: "Yes, it is, because I believe that..." SCHULLER: "This is fantastic! I'm so thrilled to hear you say this! There's a WIDENESS in God's mercy!" GRAHAM: "There is. There definitely is."

Graham and Schuller both took the wide path to hell, where they both reside today:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
-Matthew 7:13-14

Getting back to Carl Lentz's interview with Katie Couric, Lentz said that he is preaching the same ecumenical, Pope-worshiping, prosperity heresies as Joel Osteen; the only difference is that Carl is louder than Joel. Carl was then asked: "COURIC: Do you feel like you have a moral imperative [vital or urgent requirement] to speak publicly about some of these more controversial issues?
LENTZ: No! Because we try to be like Jesus. Very rarely did Jesus ever talk about morality or social issues."
-Katie Couric interview with Carl Lentz, "Carl Lentz with Katie Couric 12:14," Tom Manning, June 4, 2014, retrieved July 29, 2020, [https://youtu.be/_3wLm6pPvRY?t=320]

On the contrary, I encourage readers to open up your Bibles to just about any chapter of the Gospels in the New Testament (i.e. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and you will find that Jesus often spoke out on moral and social issues. For example, a ruler over the people came to Jesus and asked him how to gain eternal life:

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
-Luke 18:18-25

To summarize, the rich ruler asked Jesus how to gain eternal life, but he addressed Jesus by calling Him "Good Master." Please do not misunderstand this passage because Jesus IS good, and is the standard of all goodness because He is God (John 10:28-30), but the reason Jesus questioned the ruler calling Him "Good Master" is because He knew the ruler thought Jesus was just another man, not believing that Christ is divine.

So, as we are instructed in Scripture to preach the law unto lost souls (Psa 19:7, Gal 3:24), to bring them to the humility of repentance (Jms 4:6, Psa 34:18), Jesus then gave the rich ruler the law. In response, the ruler claimed he kept the whole of the law, which was a lie, and so Jesus challenged him by saying he should sell all that he has and follow Christ, and thus, the ruler went away sad because he loved his wealth more than he loved God.

Jesus then openly told the rich ruler, as well as all who were around him, that this ruler would not enter the Kingdom of God in his current state. He further went on to say that it was almost impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and I challenge anyone to find that any place in the preaching and doctrine of Carl Lentz, where he has taught such a thing, because I know with bold confidence that Lentz would never preach that because it would make him a hypocrite, it would ruin his business, and it would embarrass the other preachers (e.g. Brian Houston and Joel Osteen) who are giving him a platform to speak on; the point being that this is the man who Justin Bieber looked to for his baptism, and is a highly-revered figure among "Christian" worship leaders.

For those of you who study Scripture, and have taught the truth to the world, receiving the persecution and suffering the afflictions of it, you know that Carl Lentz claiming to be a Christian is a joke at the very least. He is living in the lap of luxury, and is being adored by the world, while claiming that Jesus did not preach on moral and social issues, like the following verses from Matthew 5, which Jesus preached to a crowd of thousands:

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
-Matthew 5:10-12

This is why Carl Lentz is attracting men like gangster rapper Ja Rule, whose music is all about sex, drugs, and murder, and claims he "accepted God" at Hillsong. At first, Ja Rule claimed that he did not "feel welcome" at typical church buildings, but once he stepped into Hillsong and saw the concert lights, indoor skateboarders, and the worldly music, he accepted it:
"'I felt comfortable,' said Ja Rule. 'I felt like he was really speaking to me. And that moved me to say, 'You know what? Now I get it. I can accept God into my life.'"
-Ja Rule, quoted by Jeff Schapiro, "Ja Rule: Hillsong NYC Helped Me Accept God," Christian Post, Oct 23, 2013, retrieved July 28, 2020, [christianpost.com/news/ja-rule-hillsong-nyc-helped-me-accept-god.html]

The reason Ja Rule does not feel comfortable in a real church is because true Christians rebuke his sin, but once he got involved with Hillsong, it made him feel comfortable because they did not rebuke his sin, and they attracted him because of their worldliness. (i.e. Ja Rule is of the world, and was looking for the things of the world.) Ja Rule was not looking for the Christian God of the Bible, to hear the truth of His Word and humble himself at the foot of the cross, but rather, he was looking for a false god that would accept his sin and justify his wicked words, deeds, and lusts, while making him feel good with the worldly entertainment he so highly esteems.

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
-Luke 16:15

Ja Rule is unwilling to accept Jesus Christ until Jesus Christ accepts him because Ja does not want the Christian God of the Bible who judges his sin. Ultimately, Ja (out of pride and lust) is making a 'rule' for Jesus, demanding of the Lord that He amend HIS ways, before Ja Rule will have anything to do with Him, but that philosophy will only lead Ja Rule into the wide gates of hell.
(Read "Hell Is Real And Many People Are Going There" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Knowing that Lentz endorses false doctrines and wicked men, it should be no surprise to learn that in November of 2020, Carl Lentz had to leave Hillsong because he was cheating on his wife:
"A New York City designer has claimed that she and Hillsong pastor, Carl Lentz, who baptized Justin Bieber, had a serious but secret relationship during which he told her he was an unmarried sports agent. According to a report from the Sun, Ranin, 34, said she dated the megachurch pastor for more than five months before their breakup last week. Lentz, the celebrity magnet of a pastor who brought the global megachurch Hillsong from Australia to the US, was fired on Wednesday after acknowledging on Instagram that he cheated on his wife, Laura. Just days later, Ranin, who wished to keep her last name private, claimed that she wasn't just a fling. 'I wasn't there for just sex, we both found comfort and a deep, special connection with each other. I am very hurt because we both feel the same way about each other,' Ranin told the newspaper. 'He loves me and I love him. It was a love relationship that wasn't planned. It wasn't just a fling or just a sexual relationship,' Ranin said, adding that she is Muslim and had no knowledge of who Lentz was when she met him. Ranin told the Sun: 'He told me his name was Carl but that's it, he wouldn't tell me his last name. And he told me that his job was as a sports agent.' Eventually, Ranin found out who Lentz was after she 'had a feeling something was up'. 'He didn't tell me that he was married at first, he doesn't wear a ring,' Ranin said, adding that she asked him if he was married after a few dates and he confessed to her about his wife of 17 years. Despite being exposed, they continued their affair until last week."
-Valerie Edwards & Charlotte Karp, "'He told me he wasn't married': Designer reveals Justin Bieber's disgraced pastor Carl Lentz posed as an unmarried sports agent, says it was 'love not just sex' and they only broke up last week," DailyMail, Nov 8, 2020, retrieved Nov 9, 2020, [dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8928033/Carl-Lentz-told-designer-lover-unmarried-sports-agent-affair.html]

The following images were taken from Instagram; the left side shows Carl Lentz with his wife Laura, and the right side shows Ranin, Carl's former Muslim mistress. Carl Lentz has a gorgeous wife and three beautiful children, and yet, he decided to commit adultery with a Muslim woman who is littered with tattoos and metal in her face, which I must confess is baffling to me.
Any man can be forgiven of his sin if he repents towards God, but in photos taken by the DailyMail of Lentz's conversations with his wife, she did not look happy with him, and he did not look like a man who has repented (i.e. had godly sorrow) of his wrongdoing. Carl's mistress (Ranin) came out publicly and confessed their relationship in an act of revenge after she discovered Carl was not going to leave his wife for her.

Again, this is the type of depravity that goes on in many areas behind the "Christian" music industry. I want readers to understand that Carl Lentz did not get fired from Hillsong for committing adultery, but rather, Carl got fired because he got caught, and Hillsong cannot have their feigned reputation ruined by his sexual exploits.

Nonetheless, it makes sense why so many wicked people are attracted to Hillsong, especially since their musicians are so leavened and lukewarm. For example, one of Hillsong United's singers, Lauren Daigle, participated in a telephone interview and was asked if she thought homosexuality was a sin:

"'I can't honestly answer on that,' Daigle responded. 'In a sense, I have too many people that I love that they are homosexual. I don't know. I actually had a conversation with someone last night about it. I can't say one way or the other. I'm not God. So when people ask questions like that... that's what my go to is. I just say read the Bible and find out for yourself. And when you find out let me know, because I'm learning too,' she continued." -Lauren Daigle, quoted by Steve Warren, "Christian Singer Lauren Daigle on Homosexuality: 'I Can't Say One Way or The Other. I'm Not God'," Christian Broadcasting Network, Dec 3, 2018, retrieved July 28, 2020, [https://bit.ly/308eEve]

This means that Daigle, who is a so-called "worship leader," does not study the Word of God because the Bible makes it very clear:

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [i.e. lesbians] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men [i.e. homosexuals] working that which is unseemly [i.e. indecent], and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
-Romans 1:26-32

As Daigle just told us, she has close friends who are homosexuals, and so she takes pleasure in those who do that wickedness (i.e. they fornicate among themselves, and she does not care), while ignoring the fact that God hated the sin of homosexuality/sodomy so much, that He commanded the Israeli government to banish those who committed such acts, and have the civil magistrates punish them; the sentence of which was typically death:

Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her. [No fornication or adultery.] And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. [No abortion.] Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. [No homosexuality.] Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. [No bestiality.]
-Leviticus 18:20-23
(Read "Abortion: Paganism, Satanism, Sacrifices, and Witchcraft" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Thus, it should be no surprise that Daigle decided to appear on queer/lesbian talk show host Ellen DeGeneres's show: (See TheEllenShow, "Singer Lauren Daigle Makes Her Ellen Debut," Oct 24, 2018, retrieved Sept 4, 2020, [https://youtu.be/RcjgIEtKes8]; In 2020, DeGeneres was labeled one of the meanest people in Hollywood, having hundreds of people she has worked with come forward and testify how cruel she is to staff and fans; See also Kat Tenbarge, "A comedian asked for stories of Ellen being mean and got 2,000 replies. Now, her show is mired in controversy." Insider, Aug 12, 2020, retrieved Oct 6, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2Faa8F8])

Daigle does not understand Scripture because the Holy Spirit is not within her. She has no business being in a position of musical leadership in any religious sense because she has no understanding of doctrine, and again, only those who continue in God's Word provide evidence that they are disciples of Christ.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
-John 8:31

The Hillsong organization is a worldly conglomerate of ecumenical heretics and false converts, both in preaching and in music, that are leading people to hell. Their entire premise is built on the foundation of making a church building look like a concert venue, so they can entertain people, and make money by convincing people that giving to their worldly spectacles is the equivalent of "giving to God." (See Hillsong Church, "Hillsong Church - Christmas Celebration," Dec 22, 2019, retrieved July 29, 2020, [https://youtu.be/e20vWv3o1oY]; See also "Christmas: Rejecting Jesus" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

That covers Hillsong United, and I want to mention a side note that Hillsong United does not just perform for Hillsong, but they yoke together with many other shows and conferences. One of those is called Outcry, and in 2015, they gathered together Hillsong with Jesus Culture (another ecumenical group of heretics and their musicians), Kari Jobe (who is on the list, and we will cover more on her later), Crowder (who performs with Giglio's Passion conference), Passion, Bethel Music (another ecumenical group of heretics and their musicians who we will cover later), and Lauren Daigle (who we just analyzed).
Continuing down the list, there is Lecrae Moore, who goes simply by "Lecrae" and has been called a "Christian" rap artist, a label he (like many other "Christian" musicians) is trying to get away from because it hinders his ability to produce and sell albums in the secular industry. In an interview on Sway's Universe, Lecrae was asked if he ever "sold his soul" to be successful in the music industry:
"PRODUCER: Do you believe that you have ever been approached to sell your soul?
LECRAE: You see—I don't understand what that looks like. Like, nobody's going to be, 'Yo! Lecrae, let me get your soul for like a mil.' Like, I just don't—I can see, conceptually, people say like selling your soul means like you're going to compromise your beliefs for some kind of success or something like that."
PRODUCER: Yeah, like somebody invited—you get signed to your new label, and they invite you to a party, and you have to go to that back room where they're doing some kind of thing. You never had that happen to you?
LECRAE: Nah. Not at all. If—you know what's funny? Like, just transparently, is I've had more success both, like, in terms of like fanfare and financial, from the faith-based market. So it's weird when people say, 'Oh, you sold out for this.' I'm like, 'This ain't, like, more poppin' in terms of like, where they really paying.'
HOST: It's more lucrative in the faith-based market.
LECRAE: Yeah!"
(See Lecrae Moore, "Lecrae speaks on heaven & hell, selling his soul for the music industry + New Album," Sway's Universe, Aug 30, 2017, retrieved July 30, 2020, [https://youtu.be/DjVvrgogFas?t=422])

Never once does Lecrae mention that what he is doing is for the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he is molding his words and actions to fit with Christ's commandments, but rather, he is entering the secular market because he does not want his name to be associated with Jesus Christ in the media. The sad thing is, if someone was lured by money, at least they would have a reason why they distanced themselves from Christ, but for Lecrae, he is claiming that it is not even about the money; he just does not want to be associated with Christ's name for his music label.

In a separate interview, Lecrae says that he does not call himself a "Christian" for anything concerning the creation and production of his music. One of the big reasons for this is because if an artist or musician wants to break free of the "Christian" label, it is almost impossible to do it, which is why the Berklee College of Music has labeled the "Christian" music genre as the "ghetto" of the music industry:
"Christian music has a reputation of producing somewhat of a 'ghetto', in the sense that those artists that rise to any sort of prominence within the genre have a challenging time crossing over into the general market."
-Music Business Journal, "Christian Music," Berklee College of Music, retrieved July 30, 2020, [thembj.org/2016/06/christian-music]

Furthermore, Lecrae's motivation has nothing to do with Christ or the church, but rather, those who follow Christ are nothing more than a "market" to him. This is why I quoted from 2 Peter 2:1-3 earlier in this book, about how many will follow after these wicked men, and those wicked men will "make merchandise" of the people, meaning that they will use them for financial gain. Lecrae is a business owner, both making and producing music under his own label, and so to have his label "tarnished" with the name of Christ will not allow him to expand and become a major record producer like the other big corporations out there, which means his testimony about not "selling his soul" is a lie.
When Lecrae said he did not know what "selling his soul" looked like, that is because he does not understand enough about the doctrines of Christ in order to have understanding of the matter. He does not have understanding because he does not have the Holy Spirit to understand it, and therefore, he cannot see that getting involved in the so-called "Christian" music industry in the first place, with all their corrupt antichrist doctrines, was the very definition of selling his soul to the devil.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
-1 Corinthians 2:14-16
(Read "Unbiblical Cop-Outs: 'Don't Judge Me!'" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's [money's] sake.
-Titus 1:10-11

I could not imagine the Lord Jesus Christ attending an award ceremony like the Grammy Awards because such a thing is so vain and prideful, but not only was Lecrae honored with a Grammy Music Award in 2013 (which you have to be very worldly to even get nominated for), he was also complimented for breaking the barriers of the "gospel" music industry, and in turn, Lecrae compliments all the wicked musicians who are being honored at the Grammys:
"HOST: You do gospel-rap music, and you're here at the Grammys. So, some barriers have already been broken down. Can you just talk about that process?
LECRAE: Yeah, well, I mean, you know, just first of all, even the labels—like, I don't try to do gospel music. I don't try to be a gospel rapper. I'm a hip-hop artist, you know what I'm saying? So I just want to be honest about what I believe in my music... and I just think if it's good, it's good. If it's good hip-hop, it's good hip-hop, and it should just be embraced, and that's the aim for me. So I'm glad to be out here amongst people who good music, and can appreciate good music, and some of it may talk about God, some of it may not."
HOST: When it comes to your music, you are definitely standing in a lane, in a league of your own. Was there anybody in particular who you'd like to work with or maybe kind of bring into your realm a little bit?
LECRAE: Yeah, I think, you know, Janelle Monáe's a big one, man. I think she's a phenomenal artist, and you know, I just love creativity and creative people, man, and so you know, that's a dream colab [collaboration] for me, off top."
-Lecrae Moore, "Lecrae says he's not a gospel rapper but a Hip Hop artist | Gospel Grammy Winner," BlackTree TV, Feb 18, 2013, retrieved July 30, 2020, [https://youtu.be/LrdZiGdkcSI]

When Lecrae was asked who he would like to collaborate with on a musical project, he picked Janelle Monáe, and if you do not know who Monáe is, this interview with her might shed some light on the type of person that Lecrae admires: "I think it's great. I mean, you know, I'm proud to be a young, African-American queer woman; bisexual, pansexual woman, and pansexuality can mean something different to those who identify with it. For me, it's about your gender, it's not about you being a woman or a man, it's about your spirit. It's about your heart, and that's what I see first." -Janelle Monáe, "Janelle Monáe's Talks Her Pansexuality," The Bert Show, May 9, 2018, retrieved July 30, 2020, [https://youtu.be/_uT_WAdkpVY]

Of course, for Monáe, her focus is all about her corrupt spirit because she wants nothing to do with the Lord Jesus Christ. Her first love is her own wicked heart because she is a fool that trusts in it.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
-Jeremiah 17:9-10

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
-Proverbs 28:26

This is the type of person who Lecrae desires to be yoked together with, and therefore, it shows us how corrupt his heart is as well. He has no concern about following the Lord Jesus Christ, but is happy to make millions from the "faith-based market" provided courtesy of heretics like Louie Giglio and the Passion conference.

Of course, one of the major reasons Lecrae stays in the mainstream spotlight is because he kisses the feet of those who already have the fame he is seeking. For example, Lecrae has a blog on his website in which he asked if tithe was necessary for Christians to do, in which he compares a Christian who does not tithe as a Christian who walks around outside without any clothes on, and then points everyone to corrupt prosperity false teacher Creflo Dollar, a man who teaches that people in his church building should be shot if they do not give Creflo his tithe.
(See Lecrae, "Do We Have To Tithe?" lecrae.net, Nov 22, 2009, retrieved Aug 6, 2020, [lecrae.net/do-we-have-to-tithe]; See also "Tithe Is Not a Christian Requirement" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

In case you do not know what Creflo Dollar teaches, here is a sample:

CREFLO DOLLAR: "I thought about when we first built the dome [his massive stadium-like church building] to put some of those little moving bars and give everybody a little card, they stick it in a little computer slot. If they were tithing, beautiful music would go off: 'WELCOME! WELCOME! Welcome to the World Dome!' But, if they were not tithing, the bar would lock up, the red and blue lights would start going, the siren would go off, and a voice would go throughout the entire dome: "CROOK! CROOK! CROOK!" Security would go and apprehend them, and once we got them all together, we would line them up in the front and pass out Uzis [automatic machine guns] by the ushers... and at the count of three 'Jesuses' we'd shoot them all dead, and then we'd take them out the side doors there, have a big hole, bury them, and go ahead and have church and have anointing."

Creflo Dollar is a man who Lecrae looks to for doctrine and philosophy. Therefore, because Lecrae is leavened with the heresies of Creflo Dollar, so also will Lecrae's music be corrupted with that same false doctrine.

Getting back to our list, we are now on Kari Jobe:

Louie & Shelley Giglio John Piper Christine Caine Levi Lusko Ravi Zacharias Tim Tebow Sadie Robertson Hillsong United Lecrae Kari Jobe Cody Carnes Trip Lee Andy Mineo Tedashii

Just like Joel Osteen and the Charismatic ecumenical false preacher Kenneth Copeland, Kari Jobe is a graduate from Oral Roberts University, and still sometimes performs there. Oral Roberts was the false prophet who claimed he saw a 900-foot tall Jesus who told him to build a giant hospital in Oklahoma which quickly went bankrupt because it was not only unwanted in the area (i.e. there were already too many empty beds in the hospitals in that region), but they were attempting to perform Pentecostal faith-healing rituals on their patients.
(See Official ORU Alumni Facebook Page, Nov 21, 2013, [https://bit.ly/3k5saYT]; Read "Charismatic Gibberish vs Speaking in Tongues" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

The Charismatics and Pentecostals have formed a movement they call the "New Apostolic Reformation," which is a group of people who believe they can perform all miracles, and believe that all Christians have to show the signs and gifts of miracles, or they are not of Christ. Kari Jobe is a part of this movement, and some of the evidence of that can be seen with the death of Olive Heiligenthal.

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
-Matthew 16:4

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
-John 20:29

Olive Heiligenthal was a two-year-old girl who simply stopped breathing one night in her sleep, which is a very sad situation for the parents, but her parents (Andrew and Kailey) thought that if they got enough Charismatics and Pentecostals to perform chanting and rituals, they could bring her back from the dead. The point I am making here is that Kari Jobe was one of the participants in this movement to bring Olive back from the dead: (Click Image for Larger View)
"We're still standing in faith for Olive to wake up. [Rita Springer] post says it so powerfully and wisely... 'Thousands are contending in prayer right now for Olive. What we are asking for is supernatural. The belief for life to come into what is dead is not what many would say feels normal. But, if you have a relationship with the God of scripture, then you have set yourself in a family of the new normal.'"
-Kari Jobe, Instagram post on Dec 17, 2019, retrieved July 31, 2020, [https://www.instagram.com/p/B6MPihMHtO7]

One of Kari Jobe's most famous performances (as of 2020) was a song called "The Blessing" with leavened musician Cody Carnes (i.e. Kari's husband), gaining over 22 million views on YouTube in under five months. The lyrics are as follows:

KARI JOBE - THE BLESSING The Lord bless you And keep you Make His face shine on you And be gracious to you The Lord turn His Face toward you And give you peace

This phrasing is repeated over and over again in the song, and before she performs the musical number, Jobe talks about how the song was created:
"After a couple of hours, just felt like the presence of God just stopped everything, and we wrote a song called 'The Blessing', and it's straight from Scripture."
-Kari Jobe, "The Blessing with Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes | Live From Elevation Ballantyne | Elevation Worship," Elevation Worship, Mar 6, 2020, retrieved July 31, 2020, [https://youtu.be/Zp6aygmvzM4]

However, this is a lie because, first of all, if it came from Scripture, then she and her false preacher pals did not write it. If it came from Scripture, that means it was written by men chosen by the Holy Spirit to write it down, and so it should be attributed to the Word of God, which comes from Numbers 6:

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
-Numbers 6:24-26

If you read the context of Numbers 6, you will find that this was concerning the Nazarite vows, which was the commitment of sanctification (i.e. separation) of a man or woman in dedication unto the Lord for a certain amount of time. The blessing being spoken of at the end of the chapter is a blessing poured out upon Israel for the dedication of the Nazarites, keeping their vows unto God in sanctification according to His righteousness, not a blessing for false preachers and wicked musicians to give a crowd of unrepentant people happy, warm feelings.

Furthermore, these musicians and preachers are all part of the ecumenical movement of Rome, and it just so happens that Numbers 6:24-26 is something called a "Benediction Prayer" in the Catholic Church, which they use for different reasons at different times depending on what ritual they are performing. In other words, it is one of the many vain repetitious prayers used by the Catholic Church in opposition to the commandment of Christ, in which He told us not to do that:

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
-Matthew 6:7

Thus, Kari Jobe lied when she told everyone a story about her sitting down one evening with a couple of leavened pastors to "write" this song because they did not write it, and then she lied when she said they got it from Scripture. I guarantee that those people were not sitting around reading Numbers 6 one evening and decided this would be good for a song, but rather, they used these verses because the Catholic Church commonly uses them for their "Benediction Prayer," as the following website explains:
"This famous priestly blessing continues to be used as part of worship today in Christian and Jewish faith communities and is universally used in Roman Catholic services. It is often said at the close of a service to pronounce a blessing upon the congregation, at the end of a baptismal service, or in a wedding ceremony to bless the bride and groom."
-Mary Fairchild, "Benediction Prayer: 'May the Lord Bless You and Keep You'," Learn Religions, July 23, 2019, retrieved July 31, 2020, [learnreligions.com/benediction-may-the-lord-bless-you-700494]

How do I know they did not pull this from Numbers 6? Because the leavened preachers she was sitting with were part of the ecumenical movement of Rome, and they have no understanding of the context of the doctrine they singing about. Some of the men she was sitting with in that room to write that song are men who I will cover later.

In like manner to the other corrupt "Christian" songs we have analyzed in this book, Kari Jobe's song does not speak of what Jesus has done for us. It is not just this song, but many other songs she performs that are quite vague; for example, one of Jobe's greatest hits is a song called "The Garden," which never once mentions the name of Jesus.

KARI JOBE - THE GARDEN I had all, But given up, Desperate for, A sign from love Something good, Something kind, Bringing peace to every corner of my mind Then I saw the garden, Hope had come to me, To sweep away the ashes, And wake me from my sleep I realised, You never left, And for this moment, You planned ahead That I would see, Your faithfulness in all of the green I can see the ivy, Growing through the wall 'Cause You will stop at nothing, To heal my broken soul

The following is an example from another famous song by Jobe:

KARI JOBE - I AM NOT ALONE When I walk through deep waters, I know that You will be with me When I'm standing in the fire, I will not be overcome Through the valley of the shadow, I will not fear I am not alone, I am not alone, You will go before me, You will never leave me (x2) In the midst of deep sorrow, I see Your light is breaking through The dark of night will not overtake me, I am pressing into You Lord, You fight my every battle, Oh, and I will not fear I am not alone, I am not alone, You will go before me, You will never leave me (x2)

If you read these words carefully, you will notice that this song could be sung by Buddhists or Hindus without any contradiction because they are not specific enough to indicate otherwise. As I said before, they do not speak of Jesus Christ at all, and if any of her songs do, they do not speak of anything specific on sin, repentance, and remission of sins through the blood of the Son of God. The reason for this is because these songs are being designed with the purpose of applying to as many people as possible, not only to make money, but also to fit into the ecumenical narrative of the so-called "Christian" music industry, that as many as possible would be corrupted into the antichrist philosophy of Rome.

Next on the list is Cody Carnes, who is Kari Jobe's husband, so there is not a whole lot that needs to be said about him because, as the saying goes, what is good for the goose is good for the gander, or in other words, they share the same religious philosophies. Jobe mentions that, while writing the aforementioned song, "The Blessing," they were with someone she referred to as "Pastor Steve," and that is Steven Furtick, a close friend who Jobe and Carnes both yoke together with because they share the same doctrine.

Steven Furtick shares the same doctrine and stage with many false teachers, as you can see from the now canceled (due to COVID-19) "Love Life" conference hosted by Joyce Meyer. Just look at the roster:
"Peace is around the corner. Learn how to rest internally, even when the world continues to spin. Slip into the cool waters of God's Word and be totally refreshed. Join us in the peachy, sun-kissed playscape of Atlanta, Georgia, take the time you need... and just breathe. Speakers & Worship include: Joyce Meyer, Steven Furtick, Annie F. Downs, Chris Tomlin, Tauren Wells, & Lisa Osteen Comes. [i.e. Joel Osteen's sister]"
-Joyce Meyer Ministries, "Love Life 2020," retrieved Aug 4, 2020, [facebook.com/events/694060411083087]

It should be noted that Jesus did not teach us to "love life," but rather, those who love their lives will lose them:

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
-John 12:25

When writing this book, I listened to Steve Furtick for the first time, and though I can understand how many might think this man is some great preacher of God, all I could hear was the venom of a viper pouring off his tongue. His messages are so vile against the Word of God, but the average churchgoer does not understand it because they have not had their understanding unlocked by the Holy Spirit to know the truth.

For example, Furtick gave a teaching he called "My Maker Is My Mirror," in which he teaches people that they are all little "gods" that are a reflection of God. He begins by telling everyone:
"It's not how God sees me. It's how I think God sees me that determines where I end up."
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020, [https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=432]

By saying "It's not how God sees me," what Furtick is actually saying is, "It does not matter what God says about me in His Word." Once you break it down, Furtick is teaching a false message of the devil by telling people that they should look into their own wicked hearts and trust in the emotions of their vain imaginations.

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
-1 Chronicles 28:9

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
-1 Thessalonians 2:4

Furtick has built himself up in the pridefulness of his heart, in which he has imagined himself to be good and wonderful. The Bible uses the word 'conceited' to describe such men:

conceit (n): conception; that which is conceived, imagined, or formed in the mind; opinion; notion; fancy; imagination; favorable or self-flattering opinion; a lofty or vain conception of ones own person or accomplishments
(See 'conceit', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Oct 6, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
-Proverbs 26:5

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
-Proverbs 26:12

Furtick continues his disgusting dialogue by saying:
"I'll prove it to you all the way from Genesis chapter one. Remember? 'Let us make man in our image?' God needed someone to show the world what he looked like, or else he would have just been a concept. God would have been an abstract theory."
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020, [https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=441]

Without over-scrutinizing his ignorance about the nature of God and His Word, essentially, Furtick is making the argument that God needs mankind, but that is a doctrine he made up from his own corrupt philosophy. Ultimately, Furtick believes that God is nothing more than an abstract concept, and that the evidence of God is found within mankind, not within God's Word, which means that Furtick's message is, "YOU are so important," and not, "Jesus is so important."

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
-Philippians 2:9-11

Furtick is teaching that the glory belonging to God alone is something that we, as feeble men, should take upon ourselves, since he is teaching us about mankind's supposed value, instead teaching about Christ's value. Furtick is teaching about God's reliance on men, as a positive-sounding feel-good message to uplift mankind in their pride, not about men's reliance on God, and our desperate need for His mercy to restore our broken and lost souls.

Furtick goes on to say so many incorrect things in his teaching, it would take far too long to address them all in this book alone, meaning that it would take an entirely new book to go through all his heresies. His perspective on the Jews and the prophets is backwards from how the Bible teaches it, he only focuses on the positive-sounding pieces of Scripture and ignores the rebuke, and more specifically, he claims that Moses did wrong by killing the Egyptian taskmaster to defend the poor and needy, which is a gross error and misunderstanding of Scripture:
"He [Moses] ran! We don't really see him in his next stage of assignment until forty years later. He ran because he was too Hebrew for the Egyptians, and too Egyptian for the Hebrews!"
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020,[https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=900]

The reason Moses had to run was because the very poor and needy Hebrews that he rescued by doing the right thing were the same ones who turned against him. They sought to turn him in for saving their lives.

And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?
-Exodus 2:11-13

Though it may have been wrong according to Egyptian law, what Moses did was right according to God's law, and therefore, the Hebrews should have supported him. However, they did not go to Egyptian authorities immediately, and the reason someone who witnesses a crime does not go directly to the authorities is for one of two reasons; either they are afraid, or they are trying to take advantage of someone by blackmailing him/her into silence or extortion, and as it says, they "strove together," which is from the word 'strive', which means they were struggling for superiority over one another, and over Moses, so they could manipulate a prince of Egypt for their own gain. Therefore, the very Hebrews who should have been grateful to the man trying to save their lives were instead so wicked in their hearts, they sought to take advantage of their savior, which is quite similar to how those who follow Steven Furtick will rail and speak falsely against the very preachers who rebuke their sin to try and save their lives because they want to follow the false "jesus" who makes them feel good instead of coming to repentance of their wrongs.

As Furtick said, "let me prove it to you," so here is his "proof" for his claim:
"You spend years of your life running from who you really are, looking in the mirror of your last mistake. He ran and he ran and he ran. And you see, the question is the right one. He said, 'Who made you?' Who made you? But if you don't know that, you will hand other people your mirror to show you who you are. And let me tell you something about people. People would rather define you by your worst mistake. [cheers from the audience] What's crazy about Moses is that he killed a man, but there's only one verse in the Bible about the murder. Now, if you let church people write the Bible, they would have had a whole book about—it would be called, 'The book about Moses' murder.' 'The book of Moses' mistake.' 'The book of Debby's divorce.' 'The book of your lowest moment.' But maybe God doesn't see you through the lens of your mistake. [audience screams in approval and some give standing ovation]"
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020,[https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=922]

First of all, in the process of unraveling this train wreck of a sermon, when a man commits sin, God does not justify that sin by asking mankind to simply reflect on "Who made you?" That is a lie, and Jesus never taught that.

Secondly, he said that the Bible only has one verse that mentions Moses killing the Egyptian. That is not true, which is more evidence that Furtick is a fraud that does not study with understanding. As you just read, I explained the proper interpretation of those verses in Exodus, and the reason I knew the proper interpretation is because I read about it in the book of Acts:

And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
-Acts 7:23-29

Moses did what was right by God, but the Hebrews did that which is evil, and then when they sought to take advantage of him, and threaten him after he had done good unto them to bring peace to them, he ran, knowing that he was going to be attacked from both sides. Furtick does not understand this because Furtick is a false teacher trying to peddle a new-age false gospel.

Finally, Furtick claims that the Bible is not a book about rebuking mankind's sin, but that is an overtly gross error, demonstrating his broad lack of understanding. Furtick makes a snide remark about "church people," meaning that he is accusing those who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and who preach the truth of God's Word, as being false teachers, calling those who preach the good Word of God 'evil' people, while praising himself in his conceited self-righteousness, and pouring honey in the ears of his listeners so they will be lifted up in their self-righteousness.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
-Isaiah 5:20

The Bible IS a book that rebukes sin. The Bible IS a book that rebukes "Debby's divorce," and likely her fornication and adultery, and her corrupt feministic philosophy, leaving her husband and tearing his children away from him, while Steven Furtick attempts to rewrite and reinterpret Scripture into an abomination that helps Debby justify her wicked deeds.
(Read Feminism: Castrating America here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
-Leviticus 26:21

Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
-Psalm 25:18

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
-Psalm 69:5

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
-Proverbs 28:13

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
-Galatians 5:19-21

After Furtick finishes mocking parents for teaching their children Scripture (go check out his teaching if you do not believe me because that is exactly what he does), he goes on to tell churchgoers that they are not worldly enough:
"But you're really not worldly enough because the spirit of God is on the inside of you when you try to sin, telling you that you're something greater than that."
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020,[https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=1063]

The reason Furtick is teaching such repulsive heresy is because he does not understand the doctrine of repentance and remission of sins, and if anyone is reading this and would like to learn more, read Why Millions of Believers on Jesus Are Going to Hell here at creationliberty.com to get a full understanding of what Jesus told us to go teach. Furtick believes that, when a churchgoer sins, God is trying to tell them how wonderful they are and that God is just like them, but he is deceiving them with false doctrine, and that is how Furtick will continue to make money because, as God told the Jews who were doing all their wicked deeds, He would reprove their sin, not justify them in it:

But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
-Psalm 50:16-21

Furtick goes on to talk about neurons in monkey brains and how we all have mirror neurons that link us to one another. (I know this is all absurd, but again, that is exactly what he taught; go listen to it for yourself.) Then, Furtick says: "And so a lot of times, when people don't accept you, it's because they have rejected themself."
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020, [https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=1500]

No, the reason people reject born again Christians is because they have not received a love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
-2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
-Luke 6:22

The reason the saints of God reject the followers of Steven Furtick is because he preaches a vile, false gospel that will lead those people to hell, and we love them enough to tell them the truth that they might be saved. The followers of Steven Furtick reject the saints of God because the message of Christ's gospel does not make them feel good, and so (as we mentioned earlier with Brian Houston of Hillsong) they heap unto themselves teachers, having itching ears, turning themselves away from the truth.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
-2 Timothy 4:3-4

Furtick continues to say:
"Most people see God really big. Even those who barely believe in God see him really big. It's not how big you see God, it's how much you believe that God is in you."
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020, [https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=1618]

This is why nearly all of Furtick's followers are false converts because he does not preach how great Jesus is to save the lost sinners of this world. Furtick does not teach them the message of repentance and remission of sins, but rather, all he tells them is to believe how big God is inside of you already, and that is a lie of the devil because these people have never been born again.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
-John 3:3

What Furtick says next is almost unreal:
"James said something curious. He said, 'If you listen to the word and don't do it, you're like a man who looks at himself in a mirror.' [Furtick holds the Bible up to his face as if he was looking into a mirror.] 'In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.' My maker is my mirror. So I can't—look, I can't run around to people who are struggling with their own sense of self to determine mine."
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020, [https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=1817]

Ultimately, Furtick is teaching that by looking into the Word of God, we see ourselves, but the trick of his words is that the interpretation of the Word of God reveals us for our vile, wretched, and foolish selves, not something that is to be glorified and worshiped. For all intents and purposes, Furtick believes that he is a god. Furtick is teaching these people that if they will look into the Word of God, they will see how great they are, or in other words, they will see the glory of God within themselves, which is nothing more than pride, vanity, and could even be taken as blasphemy.


Furtick, along with the rest of the preachers in this new-age movement, use phrases like "sense of self," which has no clear definition. The Bible does not use such phrases, and so they leave those phrases undefined on purpose so the listener will define them however he/she decides to define them, thereby drawing some sort of vague meaning out of it, and falsely believing that Furtick (in his foolishness) is passing on wisdom because Jesus taught that those who exalt themselves (i.e. lift themselves up) will be abased (i.e. brought down to nothing):

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
-Luke 18:13-14

Furtick ends with the most sickening statement of all:
"When God said 'I am' to Moses, you know, 'My name is I am', he was trying to get him to see, 'You are as I am.' [cheers from the audience]"
-Steven Furtick, "My Maker Is My Mirror," Elevation Church, Apr 29, 2029, retrieved Aug 5, 2020, [https://youtu.be/CHYcKWHcDEE?t=2028]

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
-Exodus 3:14

By saying "I AM that I AM," God is saying that He is eternal, present, past, and future all at the same time, being the source of all good and power in this world and beyond, having no beginning or end (Rev 22:13), and clearly distinguished this from Moses by telling him to say to the Hebrews "I AM hath sent me unto you." However, Steven Furtick teaches people that they are more than just created in the image of God, he is teaching that they are little gods themselves, and that they are the essence of the divine nature of God, which is a nauseating lie of the devil.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
-Genesis 3:4-5

Now I hope readers can see the corruption when Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes sit together in a room with this man to write a song, and I hope readers can also see why it is so easy for him to yoke together with false preachers like Joyce Meyer and Lisa Osteen Comes. In the image below, Steven Furtick is seen yoking together with Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, along with Chris Brown of Elevation Worship, all in one big, happy apostate family, claiming that they are of Jesus Christ, while they preach heretical, false messages together. (See Worship Together, Livestream Uploaded to Facebook, Mar 23, 2020, retrieved Aug 6, 2020, [facebook.com/watch/?v=149684999668497])

Louie & Shelley Giglio John Piper Christine Caine Levi Lusko Ravi Zacharias Tim Tebow Sadie Robertson Hillsong United Lecrae Kari Jobe Cody Carnes Trip Lee Andy Mineo Tedashii

Trip Lee is a so-called "Christian" rapper, and claims to be a "pastor," but just like Lecrae, he has declared in no uncertain terms that he does not want his rap music to be associated with the name of Jesus Christ:
"When people hear 'Christian rap' [makes quotation marks with his fingers] — which is not what I want to call myself because they think it's something very different than what I do. People think 'Christian rap' they think, 'Oh, this is music he makes just for Christians to listen to, so that's not me, I shouldn't listen to it.' That's why I don't want to call myself that."
-Trip Lee, "Trip Lee on BET - I Am Not a Christian Rapper," Charles-william Mpondo, Oct 9, 2014, retrieved Aug 6, 2020, [https://youtu.be/0T5fmvjc9s4]

Is Trip Lee disassociating himself from the title of "Christian" because he thinks it will reach people with the Gospel of Jesus? No. Trip Lee is distancing himself from the name of Jesus Christ because he wants to get more listeners, which leads to increasing his popularity and selling more records.

The leavened sell-out Todd Friel of Wretched Radio claims that Trip Lee "can preach like nobodies' [sic] business," despite the fact that Lee distances himself from the name of Jesus. It should be noted that Trip Lee tends to preach in a way that is different than the other leavened preachers we have seen in this book, preaching that we should glorify and honor Jesus Christ, that Jesus is the savior of sinners, and that we should not glorify ourselves, but even though he claims to believe those things, he still yokes together in unity with all the wicked men and women I have previously mentioned, which makes him a hypocrite.
(See Todd Friel, "This Rapper Fellow (Trip Lee) can preach like nobodies' [sic] business," Wretched, Sept 14, 2017, retrieved Aug 6, 2020, [https://youtu.be/c-TC-2ktNPw])

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
-Ephesians 5:11

In an interview, Trip Lee attempts to justify his use of "hip-hop" music to preach the truth:
"Hip-hop is another music form that can be used to express truth, celebrate truth, so I think one way the church can be supportive of us is being open to new ways to do the same thing, you know, and paying attention to the kind of cultural things that impact people."
-Trip Lee, "Trip Lee Interview," New Release Today, Jan 5, 2013, retrieved Aug 6, 2020, [https://youtu.be/f3UyLKG9kH0?t=302]

Of course, the average listener will not slow this down enough to catch what Trip Lee is actually saying here because it is subtle. Lee is actually saying that it does not matter what Jesus taught us to do, or the example that He set for us to follow; what really matters to Lee are "cultural trends," taking the focus away from God's Word and putting it in the hands of however society feels at a particular point in time, and that is exactly the philosophy of the musical style known as "hip-hop."

The origin of hip-hop came from South Bronx in New York in the late 1970s, and after being reported in some mainstream articles, it started to spread out around the country and the world, to the point that Jet magazine claimed that it would be "the most popular music form since rock 'n' roll," and it has become exactly that. The problem is in the name, and as reported in an article by Merriam-Webster, hip-hop pairs the word 'hip', meaning "trendy" or "fashionable," with the word 'hop', meaning to jump in the form of dance.
(See Merriam-Webster, "Where Did 'Hip Hop' Get Its Name?" retrieved Aug 6, 2020, [merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/top-10-words-of-the-80s])

When Jesus taught the people, it angered many of the Jews, and they hated Him for what He preached because Jesus taught them repentance and remission of sins. If Jesus had preached whatever was "trendy" or "fashionable" to get the people to dance around, then He would have been much more readily accepted by the Jews, and thus, hip-hop's musical message is dance through trends and fashion, while the message of Jesus Christ is repentance of sin and the grace of God, which means that they are two contradicting messages that cannot coexist.

Essentially, worldly men like Trip Lee are attempting to take the message of Scripture and turn it into a cultural fad by masking it behind music that makes people happy. If that method made the Gospel of Jesus Christ more effective, then God would have started doing that thousands of years ago, and so the real problem is that men like Trip Lee think they have discovered a more efficient method than Jesus Christ taught us, therefore leaving us with evidence that Lee does not trust in Christ.

Lee goes on to say:
"And then I love people who say, 'You know, I've loved hip-hop my entire life, and I was listening to dudes like this [referring to other rappers], and I heard your music, and I love the stuff it was talking about, and it helped me to grow, it helped me to meet Christ. I think hip-hop effects everybody."
-Trip Lee, "Trip Lee Interview," New Release Today, Jan 5, 2013, retrieved Aug 6, 2020, [https://youtu.be/f3UyLKG9kH0?t=388]

Alright, let's put that to a simple test. How does the Bible say that men are led to Christ?

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
-Galatians 3:24

The following reference is a link to AZLyrics, where they have listed out the lyrics of all Trip Lee's albums, and I challenge you to find anywhere the law of God is preached in his gangster rap songs. I went through many of his songs, looking for what he was preaching to these people, and it was same tired, false message that you hear in new-age church buildings all over the place, namely, a "Jesus-is-better-than-beer" mentality which teaches people that if you have tried drugs, sex, or alcohol, and it did not make you feel good, then try Jesus, but that is NOT how people come to the grace of salvation.
(See AZLyrics, "Trip Lee Lyrics," retrieved Aug 6, 2020, [azlyrics.com/t/triplee.html])

I listened to a few interviews and sermons preached by Trip Lee, and something was off about him that was hard to identify. As I listened to him, I noticed something extremely repetitive about his speech, namely, that he would say things like "It's not about you, it's about Jesus," and he would say these phrases over and over and over again, but without hardly any substance of actual doctrine and interpretation of Scripture.

This message is somewhat contradictory to the generally self-serving message of all the other false teachers on the list, and so the fact that Lee yokes together with them (and that they accept him as well) left me with a lot of skepticism. This led me to investigate Lee's church building where he preaches, and what organizations he was involved in to get a better idea of what he actually believes versus what he tells people in front of the camera.

For example, Trip Lee is a member of The Gospel Coalition, where they publish a number of his teachings, and that organization was founded and is led by Tim Keller, who believes in a number of very strange doctrines. One of those doctrines is evolutionism, meaning that Tim Keller is what is known as a "theistic evolutionist," which is a doctrine contradictory to Scripture, attempting to combine atheistic evolutionism with the history of the Bible.
(Read "Evolutionism: Another New-Age Religion" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

(Click Image for Larger View)
(See The Gospel Coalition, "Trip Lee" & "Tim Keller," retrieved Aug 7, 2020, [thegospelcoalition.org/profile/trip-lee])

Keller has given many teachings on behalf of an organization called BioLogos, whose mission statement reads as follows:
"BioLogos invites the church and the world to see the harmony between science and biblical faith as we present an evolutionary understanding of God's creation."
-BioLogos, "What We Believe," retrieved Aug 7, 2020, [biologos.org/about-us/what-we-believe]

In the Bible, God made this matter very clear to the Hebrews in His law, which He personally wrote on stone tablets:

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
-Exodus 20:8-11

The Lord God told the Jews that they were to work six days in the same way that God worked six days when created the universe, this world, and everything in it. Were the Jews to work 6 billion years and then rest a billion? Or do they work six normal 24-hour days just like we experience today? The Bible gives us very clear language which explains that God made the world in six, literal 24-hour days as we experience them today, and if someone wants to believe something other than that, then they do not believe Jesus Christ either:

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
-John 5:46-47

Thus, if you believe in evolutionism, then you do not believe the Lord Jesus Christ, and indeed, that means that the age of this world affects the doctrine of salvation. If any readers would like to learn more about that, I have a full-length teaching on that subject called "Evolutionism: Another New-Age Religion," and free-to-watch and free-to-download DVD seminar on the subject called "The Age of the Earth" here at creationliberty.com.
(See also "The Earth's Age Affects Salvation Doctrine" here at creationlibety.com for more details.)

However, Tim Keller believes in the false doctrine of evolutionism, and Trip Lee follows this man. This is not just some side note or trivial matter; this is very important because if Trip Lee does not believe these heresies, then why does he yoke together with those who do?

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
-2 Corinthians 6:14-18

We Christians are commanded to be separate from such men who teach false doctrines, not yoke together with them. Our job is to reprove them, not join their organizations, and again from Ephesians 5:

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
-Ephesians 5:8-11

The reason Trip Lee does not reprove false teachers is because he is not of Christ, and that is also why he joins hands with false teachers. Lee primarily preaches at Concord Church in Dallas, Texas, an incorporated entity that teaches the "storehouse tithing" false doctrine so they can make more money, they participate in all the pagan witchcraft celebrations of things like Christmas and Easter so they can boost their popularity rating with the public, they use various corrupt, new-age bible versions, and their senior pastor, Bryan Carter, does not even mention the Lord Jesus Christ on his "About" page, instead, he advertises all his worldly accomplishments.
(See Concord Church, "Our Giving Philosophy," retrieved Aug 7, 2020, [concorddallas.org/our-giving-philosophy]; see also Concord Church, "Our Pastor," retrieved Aug 7, 2020, [concorddallas.org/meet-our-pastor])

If you would like to learn more about the heresies and offenses against Christ concerning those subjects, I would recommend reading/listening to the following teachings here at creationliberty.com: Respecting Persons Is Sin
Tithe is Not a Christian Requirement
Christmas: Rejecting Jesus
Easter: Christians Celebrating Abomination
Why I Use The King James Bible

Concord Church has a section called "Accept Christ," where they present what they believe is the message of salvation:
"Acknowledge that you are a sinner, Pray and confess your sins to God, Ask God to forgive you of your sins, Ask God to come into your heart" -Concord Church, "Accept Christ," retrieved Aug 7, 2020, [concorddallas.org/accept-christ]

There are millions of churchgoers who have very casually admitted they are sinners, asked God to forgive their sins, and accepted Jesus, but most of them have never come to repentance, which is grief and godly sorrow of the wrongdoing. They remain in their sin because they have no sorrow for it, meaning that they are not truly sorry for anything they have done wrong against God, but rather, they have a worldly sorrow that works death, and thus, Concord Church and Trip Lee are leading millions to the wide gates of hell with a false message to make people smile instead of a message to make them fall on their knees with a broken heart.
(Read "There is No Saving Grace Without Repentance" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
-2 Corinthians 7:10

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
-Luke 24:47

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
-Ecclesiastes 7:2-5

God will not save the proud of heart. He only gives grace to those who have been humbled to repentance:

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
-James 4:6

Trip Lee thinks he has found a way to preach a better gospel message than Jesus taught us, and Lee is turning a huge profit on those who believe in his false message. Now it should be clearer why he has no problem yoking together with wicked men like Louie Giglio, Brian Houston, Ravi Zacharias, Tim Tebow, and many others, and why they have no problem yoking together with him; they all teach the same false ecumenical message.

Moving on, let's look at Andy Mineo, a so-called "Christian" hip hop artist who has been featured on Billboard's top ten hits for the Christian music genre. In 2017, Mineo uploaded a video to his YouTube channel promoting one of his favorite books: "I recently was able to read some of this book by Gregory Coles called 'Single Gay Christian'. I got to write a small forward in there, in the front. It's super important for me to be able to read resources from LGBTQ community, brothers and sisters who wrestle with their sexual identities and their love for God." -Andy Mineo, "'Single, Gay, Christian' book & story of suicide encounter w transgender person," Andy Mineo Official YouTube Channel, Sept 2, 2017, retrieved Aug 11, 2020, [https://youtu.be/hSpfNokJN1A]

You read that correctly, Andy Mineo not only promoted a book called Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity, but also wrote a forward to the book. Not only did he write the forward, but his wording indicated that he did not bother to read the book he wrote the forward for; he was just supporting sodomy/homosexuality in general.

In the forward, Mineo said:
"Before we can speak, we must listen. Especially to those who have been marginalized, pushed aside, and undervalued. This book serves as an opportunity to do just that. To hear from a man who knows and loves Jesus and wrestles honestly with himself and God. Listen to him. Hear his story. Enter into another perspective, a narrative that is often untold."
-Andy Mineo, quoted by Gregory Coles, "Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity," Amazon, retrieved Aug 11, 2020, [amazon.com/Single-Gay-Christian-Personal-Identity/dp/0830845127]

Just like Lauren Daigle, Andy Mineo is sympathetic to the homosexuals/sodomites who live according to the corrupt lusts of the flesh, and he tries to help them have an excuse for their sin. This so-called "Christian" artist has the law of God written on his heart, as all mankind does, and so he knows what he is saying and doing is wrong, but Mineo does it anyway for his own selfish motivations.

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
-Romans 2:15-16

In case anyone might think he was just misunderstood in his support of the sodomites, he ended his video by saying:
"So if you got anything to say about my endorsement of this book, which is encouraging people to read it, to understand the struggle of what it means to be a 'single gay christian' in the world, completely unfollow me right now. Goodbye. Good riddance. Peace to you."
-Andy Mineo, "'Single, Gay, Christian' book & story of suicide encounter w transgender person," Andy Mineo Official YouTube Channel, Sept 2, 2017, retrieved Aug 11, 2020, [https://youtu.be/hSpfNokJN1A]

I would say that if you were following Andy Mineo in the first place, then there is a high probability that you were already leavened because there is nothing good coming from this man's works. Thus, there should be no need to unfollow him in the first place because Mineo is not of Christ, and born again Christians that have had their senses and discernment exercised would have nothing to do with him in the first place.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
-Hebrews 5:14

What some readers may not realize is that Andy Mineo's albums are produced by a company called Reach Records. It should be no surprise for readers to learn that Reach Records is founded, owned, and operated by Lecrae, and Lecrae not only provides a label for Andy Mineo, but also for Trip Lee, and it is important to note that all of these rappers have produced videos and songs together.
(See Reach Records, "Artists," retrieved Aug 11, 2020, [reachrecords.com/artists])

Last on the list is Tedashii, and at this point, there is no need to go into detail about him because he is also part of Reach Records. Tedashii, Lecrae, Andy Mineo, and Trip Lee have all produced songs and videos together because they all yoke together, and as a side note, when leavened preacher Todd Friel said that Trip Lee could "preach like nobodies' [sic] business," then why is Lee making music videos with an ecumenical, sodomite-sympathizer like Andy Mineo?
(See Tedashii, "Tedashii - Dum Dum - feat. Lecrae," Reach Records, Oct 5, 2011, retrieved Aug 11, 2020, [https://youtu.be/ZWwPlldEiUY]; See also Trip Lee, "Trip Lee - Insomniac ft. Andy Mineo," Reach Records, Oct 27, 2014, Aug 11, 2020, [https://youtu.be/qo3nLF4hmzE])

yoke (v): to couple; to join with another
(See 'yoke', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Aug 11, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

It does not matter who the musician is, it does not matter if there are minor differences between the musicians, differences in their style or how they say things, they are ALL YOKED TOGETHER because they are all under the same heretical umbrella. The songs coming from the so-called "Christian" artists are rooted in a corrupt philosophy that is preached by false teachers.

Brian Houston's Hillsong Church works directly with Louie Giglio's Passion Church. ALL of the so-called "Christian" musicians on the list we just covered submit themselves under the authority of these men. (See Louie Giglio, "Hillsong Church - The State of Origin," Hillsong Church, July 19, 2019, retrieved Aug 11, 2020, [https://youtu.be/XKbm6FJc1ng])

Giglio and Houston both yoke together with many other false teachers through various conferences, such as Passion, Proclaim, Grace Life, Exceeding Grace in Uncertain Times, Purpose Driven Church, and many more. If you research these conferences, you can find each false preacher yoking together with one another, and when you combine them all together, you will find that they are ALL yoked together under one big apostate umbrella.

The following is a list of mainstream preachers (in no particular order) who you will find yoked together at these conferences and/or those who work closely together with those who are yoked together at these conferences. They include, but are not limited to:

T.D. Jakes The Potter's House Joel Osteen Lakewood Church Victoria Osteen Lakewood Church Lisa Osteen Comes Lakewood Church Steven Furtick Elevation Church Craig Groeschel Lifechurch.tv Judah Smith The City Church Charles Blake West Angeles Church of God in Christ Frederick K.C. Price Crenshaw Christian Center Matthew Ashimolowo Kingsway International Christian Centre E. Dewey Smith The House of Hope Creflo Dollar World Changers Church International Taffy Dollar World Changers Church International Mensa Otabil International Central Gospel Church Gregory Dickow Life Changers International Church Earl Johnson Oasis Church Andrew Wommack Real Life Church Greg Laurie Harvest Christian Fellowship John MacArthur Grace to You Rick Warren Saddleback Church Kay Warren Saddleback Church Joni Eareckson Tada Joni and Friends Charles Stanley In Touch Ministries Kirk Cameron Way of the Master Ray Comfort Living Waters Kay Arthur Precept Ministries International Ken Ham Answers in Genesis Joyce Meyer Joyce Meyer Ministries Phil Johnson Grace to You Chris Hodges Church of the Highlands Todd Mullins Christ Fellowship Church Julie Mullins Christ Fellowship Church Ed Young Fellowship Church

Personally, I know of some people who will be shocked to see names like Ray Comfort, Charles Stanley, and John MacArthur on this list, but even though they might have separate ministries, they have all yoked together through colleagues and conferences. For example, a conference called Proclaim, held by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Christian Media Convention, hosted various "Christian" speakers in the popular media, including Rick & Kay Warren, Kirk Cameron, John MacArthur, and Charles Stanley.

The argument from leavened, watered-down "ministries" is that attending and/or speaking at a conference with other gospel teachers does not mean they are yoking together, but that is an absurd argument when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ because there is only one truth. There cannot be multiple truths, and therefore, when people meet together for a religious purpose, they are making a philosophical statement that their fundamental beliefs are united and working together to achieve the same goal, otherwise, they would need to separate themselves (i.e. sanctify) and reprove the darkness of the corrupt organization and its speakers.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
-Ephesians 5:11

Let's look at the example of Rick Warren and John MacArthur because many who follow John MacArthur will know that he openly preaches against the heresies of Rick Warren, and so the question we must ask ourselves is this: Why would John MacArthur be willing to have his organization attend a conference alongside Rick Warren? Why would he share space for a booth and a speaking platform with a heretic?

Some might want to argue that it is an opportunity to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, but many of them do not understand that John MacArthur teaches just as much heresy as Rick Warren. Whereas Rick Warren clings to the easy-believism of just "believe and you are saved," John MacArthur teaches that one must turn from his sin to be saved, which is a works-based doctrine (despite the fact that his ministry is called "Grace to You"), and neither of them understand the truth of the Gospel of Jesus.
(See John MacArthur, "The Doctrine of Repentance by John MacArthur," locreo, retrieved Aug 12, 2020,[https://youtu.be/QMCWFy7aoGY?t=806]; Read "There is No Saving Grace Without Repentance" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Furthermore, Rick Warren and John MacArthur yoke together with the same people. For example, John Perkins is a civil rights activist, and to gain political clout for their organizations, both Warren and MacArthur yoke together with him; MacArthur calling Perkins his "dear friend," while Warren interviews Perkins at Proclaim 2018.
(See Rick Warren, "Rick Warren, John Perkins Call for Racial Unity in the Church at Proclaim 18," NRB, May 30, 2018, retrieved Aug 12, 2020, [https://youtu.be/dH-nDnzON5o?t=886]; See also John MacArthur, "Bible Questions and Answers, Part 66," Aug 20, 2017, retrieved Aug 12, 2020, [gty.org/library/sermons-library/70-42/bible-questions-and-answers-part-66] & [https://youtu.be/3xetkHvadJ0?t=2921]

Meanwhile, these two false teachers are sharing a stage at the NRB convention with Kirk Cameron, another well-known false teacher. Kirk Cameron is a well-known associate of Ray Comfort. Ray Comfort has also yoked himself together with other heretics such as Joyce Meyer, and one of the organizations represented at NRB was DonorDirect, which serves Joyce Meyer, Charles Stanley and T.D. Jakes.
(See NRB International Christian Media Convention, "proclaim17" retrieved Aug 12, 2020, [na.eventscloud.com/ehome/188531/exdir]; Read "There is No Saving Grace Without Repentance" for more details on Ray Comfort's deceptive teachings and his public admission of never having come to repentance of his sin.)

The point is that they are all connected through speaking on stages, in conferences, through organizations, and through business practices. Jesus warned these covetous, false teachers:

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
-Luke 12:16-21

The following names are those who have been invited to Uprise Festival between 2016-2019, and I want to list these out, not because I know who all of them are (i.e. I am not familiar with most of these artists), but in case any readers might know who they are, and will know to separate themselves from the leaven. Andy Mineo, Apparatus, As We Ascend, Austin French, Blanca Callahan, Building 429, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Canon, Carrolton, Colton Dixon, Crowder, Danny Gokey, Death Therapy, Decyfer Down, Demon Hunter, Derek Minor, Disciple, Family Force 5, Finding Favour, Fit for a King, For King & Country, For Today, Gawvi, Gideon, Hawk Nelson, Hollyn, Jeremy Camp, Jordan Feliz, JJ Weeks Band, KB, KJ-52, Lacey Sturm, Lecrae, Ledger, Mac Powell, Mandisa, Matthew West, Newsboys, Oh Sleeper, Plumb, Project 86, Red, Reunion, Sanctus Real, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Social Club Misfits, Stars Go Dim, Steven Malcolm, Tedashii, The Protest, The Red Jumpsuit, Thi'sl, To Speak of Wolves, TobyMac, Veridia, Wage War, War of Ages, Wolves at the Gate, and Zach Williams.
(See The Setlist Wiki, "Uprise Festival 2019," retrieved Sept 4, 2020, [setlist.fm/festival/2019/uprise-festival-2019-3bd71828.html])

To give another example, a conference called Together was hosted in 2016, and by now, readers should not be too surprised by who was in attendance. Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell (popular evangelical author), Francis Chan, Matt Maher, Matthew West, Michael W. Smith, Passion Band, Christine Caine, Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Casting Crowns, Crowder, Hillsong United, Jeremy Camp, Kari Jobe, Lauren Daigle, and special guest speaker Jorge Bergoglio, who is more well-known as Pope Francis, demonstrating the united ecumenical heresy of devils.
(See Jeannie Law, "Pope Francis Joins Lecrae, Hillsong at Historic 1 Million-Strong 'Together 2016' DC Event," Christian Post, June 7, 2016, retrieved Sept 4, 2020, [https://bit.ly/31Y2pSX])

Many books could be written on the connection between these people, but the reason I am briefly addressing these connections is because:

The music of these artists grows out of the foundation of false doctrine laid by heretics who give them a stage on which to perform.

Before the music is created, and before a single lyric is written, the false doctrines of these mainstream wolves lay a theological foundation. Most of the music coming out of the record labels and radio stations that is played throughout most church buildings today is based on lies and deception coming out of the devilish organizations that these people oversee, and the so-called "Christian" musicians submit themselves under the authority of these false preachers BEFORE they hit the airwaves.

Of course, not every Christian musician bows to the whims of these false teachers; however, for them to achieve fame and fortune in the industry, they must first bow and kiss the feet of those religious leaders who are rich in worldly wealth and popularity. They ignore Jesus Christ when He taught us that, if we teach the truth, we will be hated by the world, not adored by the world with fancy interviews and lavish awards.

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
-John 17:14

These people are spreading the ecumenical message like wildfire, not only bringing together vile heretics who teach lies, but profiting greatly from it. Because of the promise of so much money, many false teachers around the world are modeling their conferences to look like worldly rock concerts because they are showing massive success in ticket sales, merchandise sales, and donations.

For example, when Anglican priest Nicky Gumble (leader of Holy Trinity Brompton [HTB], a Catholic church building in London, England) saw what his close friend Brian Houston was doing with Hillsong and the "Christian" music industry, he wanted a piece of that very lucrative pie:
"FEMALE HOST: Now, this is your first time in Australia?
GUMBLE: No, not our first time in Australia—
FEMALE HOST: First time at the conference.
GUMBLE: First time at a Hillsong conference, yeah.
FEMALE HOST: How are you finding it?
GUMBLE: We are absolutely—I mean, there aren't words to describe it. It is SO amazing. We've had three days of just the love, the welcome, but also the inspiration. There is so much—I don't think I've ever had three days in which I've learned so much or been inspired so much, and seen a model which is so the thing that we want to do. And so we were leaving here thinking, 'We're going to have a revolution when we get home.' This is amazing!"
-Nicky Gumbel, "Nicky Gumbel interview Hillsong Conference 2011," Vickie Reddy, Aug 11, 2011, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [https://youtu.be/n_5q-Oc2jFc]

Nicky Gumbel has a corrupt teaching course called "Alpha," which teaches a false message about Jesus by which hundreds of thousands of people around the world will enter hell, and based on his Alpha course, in combination with what he learned from Hillsong in 2011, he went on to create the Leadership Conference. I will not be covering Gumbel's Alpha course in this book because I could write an entire book just exposing that heresy alone, but to give readers an understanding of how corrupt it is, Rick Warren calls it "one of the most effective evangelism tools for the 21st century," and if it is Warren-approved, it is vile to say the least.
(See Alpha USA, "Conference to Reveal Secrets of Dynamic Church Growth," Cision, Feb 22, 2010, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [https://prn.to/33WRQRK])

Gumbel's HTB Church put out a video of highlights on their channel from the 2015 conference, which opens with Gumbel saying:
"What unites us is infinitely greater than what divides us."
-Brian Gumbel, "The Leadership Conference 2015 | Highlights," HTB Church, May 18, 2015, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [https://youtu.be/h-h5o7n6R2E]

That is a message straight from the Devil, but the average churchgoer will not be able to discern it because the truth is the opposite, namely that what divides the church from the world (i.e. the Holy Ghost) is infinitely greater than what unites the world. This is why Jesus did not come preaching a message of world peace and unity, but rather, He preached division:

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
-Luke 12:51-53

Jesus did not say this because He loves division, but rather, He knows that the truth requires division. The Bible calls it "sanctification," which means to be set apart for a holy use, which is why Jesus prayed the following to God the Father:

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
-John 17:15-19
(Read "The Biblical Understanding of Sanctification" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

A blogger shared her experience about the first day at Gumbel's 2015 Leadership Conference, singing along with 6,000 people to the music of Chris Tomlin. She reported what Gumbel said when he got on the stage:
"Unity is the only hope for the world. The same Spirit lives in the Catholic, the Pentecostals, the Anglicans - that's what makes us one."
-Nicky Gumbel, quoted by Lucinda van der Hart, "Leadership Conference Day 1: Nicky Gumbel & Joyce Meyer on unity," Premier Christianity, May 4, 2015, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [premierchristianity.com/Blog/Leadership-Conference-Day-1-Nicky-Gumbel-Joyce-Meyer-on-unity]

As we can see, there is a direct contradiction between Christ's gospel and Gumbel's gospel because Christ preached division and sanctification, while Gumbel preaches that all should become one. The one point I will agree with Gumbel is that there is one spirit that lives in Catholics, Pentecostals, and Anglicans, and that is the spirit of the devil because it is Satan that makes them one.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not... He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
-John 8:44-47

Gumbel was on stage honoring the heretic priests of the Catholic Church, calling them "Father" in their title, which Jesus strictly instructed us not to do:

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
-Matthew 23:9
(Read "Titles Are Unbiblical in the Church" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

The blogger goes on to point out that Raniero Cantalamessa, a Catholic priest and close friend of Pope Francis, showed up to give a speech, and right after that, Joyce Meyer was interviewed. There was also Richard Chartres of the Catholic Church of England, Robert Madu (from Steven Furtick's corrupt Elevation Church), Justin Welby (Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury), and Vincent Nichols (Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of Westminster).
(See HTB Church, "The Leadership Conference 2015 | Highlights," May 18, 2015, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [https://youtu.be/h-h5o7n6R2E]; Read Corruptions of Christianity: Catholicism here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Raniero Cantalamessa was invited to pray at the conference, and he said:
"Father, make us one. Jesus, make us one. Holy Spirit, make us one."
-Raniero Cantalamessa, "The Leadership Conference 2015 | Highlights," May 18, 2015, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [https://youtu.be/h-h5o7n6R2E?t=225]

The music of false converts like Chris Tomlin is being used to help support this false message from an antichrist heretic out of the Catholic Church. Tomlin, likewise, has no problem being used for that purpose because he believes in the false ecumenical narrative that comes out of the mouths of these wicked preachers.

This ecumenical narrative is supported by the "Christian" music industry in general, and we can see more examples of this in a famous musician named Matt Maher, who is a Catholic. He was on the list of the many names of musicians we read earlier, who are operating under Sony Music and Provident Label Group, and in another teaching I did called "Wolves in Costume: Michael W. Smith," Maher was one of the primary featured artists in Michael W. Smiths A New Hallelujah concert. "I lead worship every week. I do a mass every Sunday night at 6 PM at my church, Saint Tims, and on Tuesday nights we do a thing called XLT. Basically what it is is a gathering for high school and college students. It's consistent with about 40 minutes of worship, 20 to 25 minutes of teaching and about 25 to 30 minutes of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament."

-Matt Maher, quoted by Kim Jones, "Matt Maher: Unity Comes Through Dialog Through Relationships," April, 2005, retrieved Dec 9, 2014, [https://bit.ly/37Qtyuv]

In case some readers are not aware, the "Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament" is transubstantiation. In other words, it is the vampire-like belief that drinking blood will gain one eternal life, only the Catholics believe that wine is "miraculously" turned into blood, while maintaining the appearance of wine.
(Read Corruptions of Christianity: Catholicism - Chapter 3 - Mass/Eucharist: Never-Ending Blood Sacrifices here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

What is really ironic about this is that Matt Maher wrote a song for Chris Tomlin called "Your Grace Is Enough," which peaked at #40 on Billboard's top 100. Most people who listen to Chris Tomlin do not know that Matt Maher wrote that song, and they also do not realize that the song is a lie because Maher is a Catholic, and the Catholic Church teaches that you need grace AND works to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and so according to Matt Maher's religious philosophy, God's grace is NOT enough, but he is happy to sell you his lie anyway, so long as you join in with his ecumenical heresy.
(See Chris Tomlin, "Your Grace Is Enough," Billboard, peaked Nov 26, 2011, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [billboard.com/music/chris-tomlin/chart-history/CRT/song/693051])

Worse still, during an interview, Maher admitted openly that the purpose of his music is to bring the Sacraments of the Catholic Church to the world:
"That's the great thing about the movement of God, the movement of the Holy Spirit, and specifically, as a Catholic, what makes it so amazing is just that, we bring the Sacraments to the world."
-Matt Maher, quoted by Servus Christi, "Apostasy Report - The Corrupt Christian Music Industry," Jan 27, 2020, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [https://youtu.be/H9Gn4zK7VUs?t=2989]

What this means is that all the music Matt Maher is making has a foundational purpose in bringing the corrupt Sacraments of the Catholic Church, which is the cup of devils presented in the masses by the priests of Catholicism, to the world. This is just one of the many reasons we need to be careful what we are listening to, or more specifically, what we consider to be "Christian worship," because there are many churchgoers singing the songs written and performed by this man, unknowingly singing songs that are designed to give praise to a false god that presides over the devilish practices of the Catholic Pope and his cohorts.

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
-1 Corinthians 10:20-21

Maher was also interviewed by Alpha USA, a division of Nicky Gumbel's Alpha course. He said:
"There's been a buzz word floating around Catholicism now for about 40 years called 'The New Evangelization', and I think what a lot of practicing, faithful Catholics have come to realize is that 'New Evangelization' primarily is about the reawakening of the Catholic Church."
-Matt Maher, "Matt Maher | Alpha In A Catholic Context," Alpha USA, retrieved Aug 13, 2020, [https://youtu.be/UYR_sZRv_c4]

The "Christian" music industry is pushing this "New Evangelization" heresy, disguising it within their songs. Matt Maher gathered together with a number of "worship leaders" in a Q&A panel at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) conference (also known as the OneThing conference), hosted by a Catholic priest, and I can say confidently that anyone could learn more truth about the Christian God of the Bible from the International House of Pancakes than they could from the International House of Prayer.

Audrey Assad has worked and toured together with Matt Maher, Tenth Avenue North, Chris Tomlin, and Jars of Clay. Jon Thurlow has made his way to #11 on Billboard's top 100. Justin Rizzo has created several albums, and written a book called 10 Keys to Being a Successful Worship Leader. Jaye Thomas has worked and toured together with Misty Edwards, Cory Asbury, Davy Flowers, Julie Meyer, Audra Lynn Huff, Chandler Moore, Dante Bowe, Brandon Lake, Housefires, Michael Ketterer, Bri Babineaux, Dustin Smith, and more. Murray Hiebert was the head worship leader for the International House of Prayer in Minneapolis before branching off into his own organization, Global Prayer Room, in Kansas City. Nathan Panke wrote a book and started an organization under the title The Modern Psalmist, and has trained thousands of people in new-age methods of so-called "worship."

Matt Maher has not just written songs for Chris Tomlin, but also for many "Christian" artists aforementioned in this book, including, but not limited to: Crowder, Third Day, Jeremy Camp, Matt Redman, Hillsong, Casting Crowns, Meredith Andrews, Jesus Culture, Jars of Clay, and Passion. Keep in mind that this same man has performed his music to three million people at a vigil mass presided over by Pope Francis during World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
(See Matt Maher, "About," Maher's Official Website, retrieved Aug 14, 2020, [mattmahermusic.com/about])

If you thought some of these bands were "good Christian musicians," think again, because we can clearly see the same leaven in the same yoke when we look at the foundations of the music these people perform. For example, it makes sense why David Crowder performs music written by Matt Maher when you read his explanation of why he wrote a song that most people know as "Give Us Rest," but the full title is called "Give Us Rest, A Requiem Mass in C," which is a reference to the corrupt Catholic mass and the demonic Eucharist they practice:
"Hey! This is David Crowder and Jack Parker from the David Crowder Band, and we'd like to tell you about our newest record. It's going to sound ambitious and daunting too, and for us, it actually was. We have written a requiem mass. The title of it is actually 'Give Us Rest: A Requiem Mass in C', the happiest of all keys. That's the thing you need to remember: This is happy. This is—here's the thing about requiem mass... the beautiful thing about the mass is that the centerpiece is the Eucharist, and it's a celebration of sorts, and here, the requiem has got so much of the stuff we were saying in this thing, but in a way that's connected to the liturgy and history of the [Catholic] church."
-David Crowder, "David Crowder Talks About The Concept Behind Give Us Rest," Capitol Christian Music Group, Jan 10, 2012, retrieved Sept 4, 2020, [https://youtu.be/50DStEt4uwk]

Some readers might believe that they are giving genuine praise and worship to God when they listen to (and sing along with) these songs. However, these musicians are writing these songs based on false doctrine, and that leaven carries over into their music, so it is extraordinarily arrogant for a disciple of Christ to sit back and think they will not be affected by leaven, believing that the Holy Spirit was wrong to teach us that a little leaven will leaven the entire lump.

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
-1 Corinthians 5:6

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
-1 Corinthians 10:12

In a Gospel Music Association interview with Matt Maher called "Why We're Better Together," Maher was asked what his favorite song was that he has written for another artist:
"Right now 'Come As You Are' that I wrote with David Crowder is up there, but 'White Flag' that was written by a group of us for the Passion conference in 2012 was a special moment. Being at the conference and seeing that song impacting so many lives—it's a great reminder of the gift of writing songs for the [Catholic] Church."
-Matt Maher, quoted by the Gospel Music Association, "INTERVIEW: Matt Maher on Why We're Better Together," Sept 28, 2015, retrieved Sept 4, 2020, [gospelmusic.org/interview-behind-the-music-with-matt-maher]; NOTE: The Gospel Music Association is made up of many heretics, including Chris Estes from Bill Johnson's Bethel Music, and we will see the heresies of Johnson and Bethel Church later.

Keep in mind, when men like Matt Maher and David Crowder say, "the Church," they are NOT referring to the body of Christ. They are referring to the Catholic Church in which they serve and worship priests under a false "jesus."
(Read "Corruptions of Christianity: Catholicism" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

To get a better idea of how much the Catholic ecumenical movement is a staple in the "Christian" music industry, let's take a closer look at Matt Redman, who is also quite famous on his own, having won two Grammy Awards for his song "10,000 Reasons," and has reached #1 on Billboard's charts. Matt Redman and his wife sat down for an interview hosted by heretic Nicky Gumbel and his wife, and when introducing him, Gumbel said Matt Redman was his "wonderful, wonderful friend." (See Nicky Gumbel, "Interview with Matt & Beth Redman," HTB Church, June 24, 2019, retrieved Aug 14, 2020, [https://youtu.be/9rWdunyKbb0?t=28])

Matt Redman attended and performed at Love Life 2013, and he made a short video describing his experience there:
"Hey everyone! This is Matt Redman. I'm actually back stage at Love Life Conference 2013. It has been a beautiful time. Absolutely amazing. Joyce's teaching has been stunning as always, then Andy Stanley also, and Priscilla Shirer. It's just been immense, and to gather in this place, to get to lead worship with thousands and thousands of women pouring their hearts out to God together, it's just been so powerful."
-Matt Redman, "Matt Redman: Love Life 2013," Joyce Meyer Ministries, Sept 14, 2013, retrieve Aug 14, 2020, [youtube.com/watch?v=5DF0ZYsEsNg]

When Redman referred to "Joyce," he was referring to Joyce Meyer because that is the host of Love Life, and I got that quote from Joyce Meyer's official YouTube channel. Redman also mentioned false preacher Priscilla Shirer, who is another woman rebellious against Christ in claiming teaching authority over men in the church, and Andy Stanley, the son of Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries, both of whom are friends with Louie Giglio of Passion City Church. (See The Joy FM, "Faith And Faithfulness: A Conversation with Louie Giglio, Andy Stanley and Dr. Charles Stanley," July 5, 2017, retrieve Aug 14, 2020, [https://bit.ly/3kLniZe]; Charles Stanley claims that God tells him which turkey to buy for his Thanksgiving dinner; See also Charles Stanley, "'How can I hear God's voice?' Ask Dr. Stanley" In Touch Ministries, Mar 23, 2012, retrieved Aug 14, 2020, [https://youtu.be/V4ocm31RJ7g];

Joyce Meyer has hosted Love Life for many years, and has joined together many corrupt preachers and musicians. In 2019, Meyer brought together Christine Caine, Holly Wagner, Henry Cloud (author of the "Boundaries" books), Dave Meyer, Donnie McClurkin (three-time Grammy Award winner and two-time BET Award winner), Bryan & Katie Torwalt (part of the corrupt musicians of Jesus Culture), Phil Wickham (has written songs that have topped Christian Airplay charts), and Mack Brock (one of the founding members of Steven Furtick's Elevation Worship).
(See Joyce Meyer Ministries, "Love Life Women's Conference," Sept 18, 2019, retrieved Aug 14, 2020, [joycemeyer.org/en/about/news/releases/love-life-womens-conference-2019-east]; Read "Wolves in Costume: Joyce Meyer" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

These big name musicians also appeared alongside Rick Warren at the Worship Night in America 2016. The roster includes, but is not limited to, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Kim Walker Smith, Phil Wickham, Rick Warren, Louie Giglio, Max Lucado, Matt Maher, Israel Houghton, Bryan and Katie Torwalt, and DJ Promote. (See Built For Greatness, "Chris Tomlin Worship Night In America 2016 - How He Loves Us - Kim Walker Smith," July 12, 2016, retrieved Aug 14, 2020, [https://youtu.be/YDuKbmqwJPo]; See also The Christian Beat, "Chris Tomlin Presents 'Worship Night In America' 2016," Dec 7, 2015, retrieved Aug 14, 2020, [thechristianbeat.org/index.php/news/1339-chris-tomlin-presents-worship-night-in-america-2016])

Just to help prove the point to those who might be shocked to see all these names yoked together, I went to Hillsong's Online TV station to see what shows they make available on their platform. The following preachers all have programs featured on Hillsong's channel: Brian Houston, Charles Stanley, Robert Morris (i.e. a man who teaches that demons will attack you if you do not tithe to his organization), John Gray, Billy Graham, Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick, Joseph Prince (friend of Joel Osteen), Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, David Jeremiah, Louie Giglio, Donna Crouch (executive so-called "pastor" over Hillsong City Care), Gregory Dickow, along with nearly every so-called "Christian" musician I have named in this book.
(See Hillsong Channel, "Hillsong Channel Shows, " retrieved Aug 14, 2020, [hillsongchannel.com/shows])

Brian Houston's Hillsong Conference 2019 featured a list of corrupt speakers, including some names we have already seen, but I would like to highlight one speaker, and that is Bill Johnson of Bethel Church and Bethel Music Group. Bethel Church is a charismatic megachurch that operates out of Redding, California, and they practice the Satanic gibberish that is falsely referred to as "speaking in tongues," and if any readers do not understand that the speaking in tongues in Scripture is not the same as the blabbering nonsense of the charismatics and pentecostals, please read our teaching "Charismatic Gibberish vs Speaking in Tongues" here at creationliberty.com to learn how the Holy Spirit rebukes these false preachers in the Word of God.

It is difficult to explain all the heresies of Bill Johnson and Bethel Church in a short summary, as the many false doctrines they preach are worthy of an entire book on their own. However, in summary, Bethel teaches that everyone is required to exhibit miraculous gifts, meaning that they must give prophecy, they must speak in tongues, they must do healings, etc.

Some readers may be familiar with the name Todd Bentley, who is a man that has deceived thousands of people with false "miracle healings" he claimed to have performed, and is most well-known for having claimed to "heal" an old woman by punching her in the face. What many readers may not know is that Todd Bentley was anointed for ministry by Bill Johnson.
In the video, Bentley tells stories about punching and kicking old women in the face during his fake "faith-healing" services. At one point, Bentley is speaking on stage to a crowd of his followers, and says:

BENTLEY: "And I saw him, and gift of faith came on me! I said, 'What do I do God?!' And God told me to just run him down. So I jumped up in the air and I went, BAM!!! And I hit him to the ground, jumped on to him, and got into a full mount! Ground and pound! I jumped on him, and I was in a full mount! And something came over me, and instead of punch [sic] him, I grabbed him by the neck and started choking him! [imitates the choking manner with his hands] And I said, 'COME OUT OF HIM DEVIL!!! COME OUT OF HIM DEVIL!!!'... I was in another meeting one time and I called out this Chinese gentleman, and all of the sudden I went running down the aisle and I hit this guy SO HARD, it drove him back several feet! He hit the ground, and his tooth popped right out of his mouth! "

That quote should tell you just about everything you need to know about (the) so-called "ministry" of Todd Bentley. Again, Bill Johnson laid hands on Bentley to ordain him into his ministry, and said:
"Giving honor where honor is due, you welcome the glory as well as anybody I've ever seen in my life. I long to learn from you."
-Bill Johnson, "Heretic Bill Johnson Ordaining Todd Bentley," CLE Official YouTube Channel, Oct 8, 2020, [https://youtu.be/m8ee6Ffnpy4?t=252]

However, a few years later, it was discovered that Todd Bentley was involved in acts of fornication and sorcery (i.e. drug abuse):
"Todd Bentley, a bearded, tattooed Canadian charismatic preacher who once claimed to heal people by punching and kicking them at a Florida revival, is no longer fit for ministry, a group of Charismatic ministers announced this week... Bentley had been accused of 'ungodly and immoral conduct,' including adultery, substance abuse, and sexting [inappropriate phone texting], according to the panel."
-Bob Shietana, "Todd Bentley Investigation Finds 'Steady Pattern' of Immoral Conduct," Christianity Today, Jan 3, 2020, retrieved Sept 8, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2R4Xeua]

To say that Todd Bentley was "no longer fit for ministry" is absurd because he was NEVER fit for ministry. Bill Johnson (along with all his cohorts at Bentley's ordainment) lacks any discernment because if he cannot see that kicking old women in the face, choking vulnerable men, and knocking the teeth out of people in the audience, disqualifies a man from being fit for ministry, then Johnson has no business being in ministry either, and that is because he remains blinded in his sins and has not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

There are many indications of contradiction and hypocrisy in Bethel on the subject of "spiritual gifts." For example, they claim to have gifts of healing, and yet, when the (Chinese) coronavirus (i.e. COVID-19) was spreading, on June 6, 2020, Bethel Church announced that they would be closing their healing rooms, and shifted their sessions to be online only, which means their actions contradict their claimed beliefs.
(See Bethel Church, "Bethel's Response to the Coronavirus," retrieved Aug 18, 2020, [bethel.com/coronavirus-response]; Please keep in mind that COVID-19 cases are extremely over-inflated in the United States due to foolish government subsidies to hospitals, financially incentivizing them to claim more cases than they actually have.)

If you remember earlier, I mentioned Kari Jobe's involvement in the Charismatic movement for the resurrection of two-year-old Olive Heiligenthal, and the leaders of that movement are none other than Bethel Church. (i.e. Kari Jobe stands yoked together with Bethel.) Bethel released a social media PR (i.e. public relations) statement late on a Friday night announcing that their prayers for raising the dead had failed, and the timing of that post was no coincidence because it is after most media companies and social media influencers have gone to bed, which means Bethel had someone on their team that understood PR management, and after doing some research, I found out that Bethel hired Hunter Frederick as their PR manager, the same man who used to be Lindsay Lohan's Hollywood crisis manager, attempting to restore her public image after her rampant binge on drugs, alcohol, and sex had destroyed her reputation.
(See Pulpit & Pen, "Bethel Church Hires Lindsay Lohan Crisis Manager Over Dead Baby Controversy," Dec 21, 2019, retrieved Aug 18, 2020, [https://pulpitandpen.org/2019/12/21/bethel-church-hires-lindsay-lohan-crisis-manager-over-dead-baby-controversy])

Let's go over just a few of the many heresies Bill Johnson teaches to get an idea of how much corruption is within this man. Johnson teaches the heresy that Jesus was born again: "Did you know that Jesus was born again? I asked the first service. Many said 'no', but I will show you, it's in the Bible. Jesus was born again. He had to be, he became sin." -Bill Johnson, "Bill Johnson False Teacher," raideragent, Aug 19, 2010, retrieved Aug 18, 2020, [https://youtu.be/UzAwFYKe3h0?t=220] The "evidence" Johnson provides is from Psalm 2:

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
-Psalm 2:7

This chapter has nothing to do with Christ's death and resurrection, and therefore, it has nothing to do with being born again. God is declaring Christ to be His "begotten," which indicates Christ's office and station in the same manner when God calls Him "firstborn:"

Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
-Psalm 89:27

This is not to say that Christ was born of God because Christ is divine and eternal, the creator of this world (Col 1:16), and thus, the word "firstborn" in this passage means "higher than the kings of the earth," which is declaring the office or station of Christ. Therefore, being God (John 10:30, John 14:8-9), Jesus has no need to be born again because He does not need to be regenerated in any sense, and that is because He has no sin. (Heb 4:15)

In his book, Face to Face With God, Johnson said:
"As previously stated, Jesus set aside His divinity, choosing instead to live as a man completely dependent on God. In doing so, He not only modeled a supernatural lifestyle, but He also illustrated that the ultimate quest is for the face of God. His lifestyle of both fasting and praying on the mountain throughout the night—a lifestyle He no doubt had established long before the Spirit descended upon Him—demonstrated His unquestionable priority to seek God's face."
-Bill Johnson, Face to Face With God, Charisma House, 2015, p. 108, ISBN: 9781629982519

Jesus never "set aside His divinity" because that would require that He would have to stop being God, which is impossible for many Biblical reasons. Johnson is teaching that Jesus was just a mere man, but Jesus said:

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
-John 8:23-24

Bill Johnson does not believe in the Jesus Christ of Scripture, and as Christ said, he will die in his sins unless he comes to godly sorrow of his wrongdoing and believes on the true Jesus Christ. Johnson also taught that Jesus's purpose on earth was to "seek the face of God," but that is not what Jesus said He came to do:

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
-Mark 2:17

Jesus came from heaven to earth to call sinful mankind to repentance, not to seek the face of God. Why would Jesus need to seek Himself? Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father, and Jesus replied:

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
-John 14:9

However, due to the pride in his heart, it is likely that Bill Johnson will never come to repentance because, not only does he not understand what repentance is, but he twists and distorts it into something absurd:
"Renewing the mind begins with repentance. That is the gateway to return to our original assignment on earth. Jesus said, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' To many Christians, 'repent' refers to having an altar call where people come forward and weep at the altar and get right with God. That is a legitimate expression of repentance, but it's not what the word repentance means. 'Re' means to go back. 'Pent' is like the penthouse, the top floor of a building. Repent, then, means to go back to God's perspective on reality."
-Bill Johnson, The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind: Access to a Life of Miracles, Destiny Image Inc, p. 44, ISBN: 9780768404210

This is so absurd, I had a hard time believing this quote was real until I saw it for myself in his book. He is literally teaching that the word 'repent' is like to go down to the bottom floor of a building, and then go back up the elevator to God's "penthouse" suite at the top.

The word 'repent' comes from the common Latin word penitire, which means "to regret," and that comes from the Latin poenitire, which means "to make sorry." Poenitire is where we get the word 'penal', which is where we get the phrase "penal system," which are correctional facilities, intended to make criminals have sorrow for their wrongdoing.
(See 'repent', Online Etymology Dictionary, retrieved Aug 19, 2020, [etymonline.com/word/repent])

Bill Johnson does not outright mock godly sorrow of wrongdoing, but he does dismiss it; claiming that it is not repentance. Instead, he offers an absurd and vague idea that we simply need a mindset that takes us to God's philosophical top-floor hotel room, which is supposed to be "our original assignment on earth," whatever that is supposed to mean because such phrasing is not mentioned in Scripture.

Johnson also claims that his organization has sometimes experienced what he calls God's feathers and gold dust falling out of the sky during their charismatic gibberish sessions:
"Occasionally, we have unusual things happen that we—I don't take a service for it, I just don't. I'll make reference and I'll leave it alone. That's typically my response to the signs that make you wonder, and it would be about fifteen, or maybe fourteen years ago, somewhere in that area, fourteen years ago probably, that feathers started just appearing, falling in meetings, and then they started falling in our homes, in restaurants, and things like that—just unusual that, you know, they're signs that make you wonder. People say, 'Where is that in the Bible?' Well, he said he would cover you with his feathers."
-Billy Johnson, "Response to Glory Cloud at Bethel," pastorkimo4960, Oct 22, 2011, retrieved Aug 20, 2020, [https://youtu.be/tcPkOR4Lwj0?t=30]

This is very odd to say the least, and I am not referring to the gold dust, but rather, I am referring to Bill Johnson and Bethel Church not wanting to make a big deal out of it. That is extremely suspicious coming from an organization which builds their entire belief system on miracles, but there is an important reason why Johnson does not want to talk about it much, and I will explain more about that in a moment.

Before we continue with this quote, it is important to address the Scripture on this matter because Bill Johnson does not understand what he is talking about. When he claims that God said He would cover us with His feathers, he is referring to Psalm 91:

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
-Psalm 91:3-4

This is another example of a false preacher who takes a metaphorical phrase and attempts to give it a literal meaning, therefore twisting and distorting the Word of God to his own liking. This is a metaphor that, as a bird covers her chicks under her wings, so will God cover His children and protect them; this is not to say that God literally has bird wings that literally shed feathers.

If Bill Johnson took those verses literally, then why does he not hold up a literal shield while he speaks on stage, calling it "the shield of truth?" Why does he not preach that our enemies are literal fowlers, which are poachers who snare animals to kill and butcher them? These are nonsensical ideas because they are not meant for literal interpretation, but rather, metaphorical interpretation to help us understand spiritual matters, not to be used to claim that God has bird feathers and they will fall out of the sky if you convulse around on the floor and scream gibberish.
(Read "Charismatic Gibberish vs Speaking in Tongues" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Bill continues to say:
"[You say:] 'Well, that's not literal.' That's what I thought. That's what I thought, I thought it wasn't literal. It also says there's healing in his wings. [shrugs his shoulders] Should make somebody happy. But things like that happen. A wind will—a gust of wind, that I'll get hit with. I mean, not imaginary things. People get weird, and I understand they want something supernatural so bad, they start imagining things; I understand that problem will probably always be with us, but that is no reason to discount what he does do. And we've had, gold dust appear in people's hands for years. I don't ever talk about it, but frequently during worship, we actually had it today, Beni [his wife] and I both saw, gold will start falling during worship. This time I think it started falling during our prayer time. And we'll see, it will just drop like rain."
-Billy Johnson, "Response to Glory Cloud at Bethel," pastorkimo4960, Oct 22, 2011, retrieved Aug 20, 2020, [https://youtu.be/tcPkOR4Lwj0?t=74]


Before we come to any conclusions in judgment, we need to recognize that there are three possible explanations for gold dust and feathers falling from the ceiling at Bethel Church:

This is a miracle of God. This is the result of Bethel's production team putting glitter in the air vents. This is a lying wonder of the Devil.

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
-2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

So the first thing we need to establish is whether or not this is of God or of the Devil, and that is fairly simple because, once we compare what he teaches with what the Bible teaches, we have already established that Bill Johnson is a false preacher, teaching new-age doctrines from his imagination that are far removed from the Word of God. Therefore, there are only two options left, it is either the design of the devil, or it is the design of Bill Johnson, and I am open to believe either one.

However, I am much more inclined to believe that this is nothing more than a show put on for Bethel after Bill Johnson's trip to Hobby Lobby (an arts and crafts store), and my reasoning for that is because, very conveniently, no one from Bethel has ever kept any of the gold dust or feathers so they could be tested, and this is one of the reasons Bill does not typically talk about it. Bill claims these things have happened in their homes and in public restaurants (oddly, never outside), but coincidentally, no one has ever filmed it in public areas or homes, nor has anyone kept any of the gold dust to be tested.

Allowing analysis of the gold dust and feathers, if they are legitimate, would be very beneficial to Bethel Church's cause, not only because it would give confirmation of the alleged "miracles," and gain attention for their cause, but it would earn them a $1 million reward that has been posted by filmmaker Richard Rossi for evidential confirmation:
"'You get a lot of claims about people having gold from God's presence and angel feathers come on them, but if you ask them if they saved any of it they hem and haw [hesitate] and say no,' Rossi said, adding that most baulked [hesitated] at the challenge of confirming their claim. Martin Kelly is one of the scientists awaiting the submission of gold and feathers from the growing number of charismatic churches making the claims. 'We want to evaluate for the prize if the gold is truly of a higher heavenly standard and the feathers are of celestial origin, then it wouldn't test out to be gold glitter from craft stores or bird feathers as previous samples from churches did,' Kelly said. 'It actually has to be proven in the way that any other scientific claim would be proved,' Kelly said. The prize is backed by several benefactors dedicated to rooting out fraudulent supernatural claims that mislead the public."
-Charisma Broadcast, "Million Dollar Gold Dust Challenge: Prize Offered If Churches Submit 'Gold Dust & Angel Feathers' to Validation," Medium, May 29, 2018, retrieved Aug 20, 2020, [https://bit.ly/32gynZU]

Of course, the challenge they are giving to test the dust and feathers is absurd because unless you already had a protein analysis of what they were calling "celestial feathers" or "celestial gold," then you would not have something to compare it to in order to disprove the claim. However, that being said, it would not be difficult to gather up as much "gold dust" as they could after a Bethel service, and have it tested because, if it were real gold, then they could sell it for a lot money, or more likely, put it in a special, secure glass case for visitors to look at in order to increase traffic to Bethel, but they do not do these things because they all know it is a fraud.

Bill Johnson has openly professed and promoted prophecies that have not come to pass, or in other words, he is a proven false prophet. The following video is one such example:
In the video, Johnson read the prophecy of a man named Steve Witt, who is one of Johnson's disciples and the founder of Bethel Church's branch in Cleveland, Ohio. Johnson claimed that Witt has been a "VERY accurate and faithful prophetic voice," even though none of his prophecies came true. (i.e. Steve Witt and Bill Johnson are liars, not prophets of God.)

BILL JOHNSON: "'2004, Sundial Bridge was a turning point for Redding, and for Bethel. It was a breach in the heavens, a Jacob's ladder. [i.e. claiming that angels will move through it from heaven] It's as if the enemy could not hold his finger in the dyke any longer. The bridge is a symbol of the sons of Issachar. [i.e. one of the tribes of Israel] They understood and knew what to do. This is the Redding anointing; a chief navigator in perilous times.' Remember that phrase for your sake, 'a chief navigator in perilous times. Revelation is a natural byproduct; bridge is a sign. Redding is about to advance quickly as a city, doubling in size; a boom town. That which is the butt of California jokes... will become a jewel."

Sundial Bridge is a structure that was built in Redding as a tourist attraction, and although it is nothing more than a pedestrian crossing/bicycle path, it is being claimed by Johnson to be sign from God, and "a chief navigator in perilous times." This is nothing more than nonsense; it is vague statements pompously written to impress an audience with positive-sounding words to deceive them.

As we just read, Johnson was in agreement with Witt that this bridge was a sign that Redding was about to have a population explosion, doubling in size, and was predicted to do so very quickly. It should be noted that this "prophecy" was given in 2009, and by 2019, ten years later, the population growth of Redding had dropped to 3%, the lowest it has been since World War I, and in a moment, I will explain why that happened. (See TownCharts, "Redding, California Demographics Data," retrieved Sept 3, 2020, [towncharts.com/California/Demographics/Redding-city-CA-Demographics-data.html])

BILL JOHNSON: "I sense that Governor Schwarzenegger [i.e. the governor of California at the time] will be a key. I saw him coming to Redding [i.e. no one knows if that happened either], a veil being removed off his face. He will see Redding as it is seen by heaven. He will blow a trumpet and declare to all of California that Redding is open for business. This will be a turning point and a draw for business in Redding, a magnetism, as well as attracting national headquarters to the area."

The only national headquarters currently located in Redding is The Fly Shop, which is the largest commercial fly fishing distributor in the world. I can assure all readers that, although Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Johnson are both just as wicked as the other, Schwarzenegger never came to Redding to blow a trumpet for a fly fishing shop.

BILL JOHNSON: "Properties will skyrocket. This is the time to buy and build in Redding. These new companies in the area will love the new, vibrant workforce created from the Bethel culture."

Sadly, anyone who listened to this nonsense and took it seriously would have been devastated in 2018 when one of California's largest wildfires swept the countryside in Redding, destroying hundreds of homes, and forcing almost half the population to evacuate:
"A fast-moving wildfire scorching Northern California — specifically in the city of Redding — has left a path of death and destruction as more than 3,300 firefighters work to tame its aggressive flames. Dubbed the Carr Fire, the fatal inferno has killed six people, including three members of one family and two firefighters, since it started last week and has the potential to become among one of the largest wildfires in California's history as it continues to burn with 20% containment... The fire began last week in the foothills of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and spread throughout the week and weekend down toward Redding and surrounding neighborhoods and roadways. The fast-moving flames picked up speed last Thursday, when it expanded by 33,444 acres, according to a detailed map from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. The next few days it expanded by more than 23,000 acres each day. As of Monday morning, the fire burned through 98,724 acres."
-Jennifer Calfas, "The Carr Fire is California's Deadliest and Biggest Blaze of the Year,' TIME, July 30, 2018, retrieved Sept 3, 2020, [time.com/5352624/carr-fire-redding-california]


A few weeks later, more information came in about the full scope of the destruction:
"This summer's relentless California wildfires have claimed at least a dozen lives and destroyed more than 1,200 homes. But along with the loss of life and property, the blazes have also taken a tremendous toll on taxpayers and the state's huge tourism industry. In less than two months, California has nearly wiped out the emergency wildfire funds set aside for the entire fiscal year, spending about $405 million out of the nearly $443 million allocated."
-Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, "California's wildfires are deterring tourists and hitting taxpayers hard," Los Angeles Times, Aug 24, 2018, retrieved Sept 3, 2020, [latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-wildfire-costs-california-20180824-story.html]

After the fires, local news stations reported property values falling, and even though property owners were attempting to sell their land for low prices, no one was buying in Redding, proving once again that the so-called "prophecies" of Bethel Church are nothing more than the typical garbage that is spewed out of the mouths of Charismatics:
"Joe Baker, a Redding home builder, said wildfire-burned lots that have come on the market at this point are reasonably priced. 'On the flip side, you see quite a few existing homes here that I thought would fly off the market,' Baker said. But that doesn't mean the Carr Fire hasn't affected the local real estate market, said Josh Barker, a broker at ReMax Town & Country in Redding. Recent numbers show buyer demand in Shasta County has slowed... 'I thought people who lost homes from Keswick Estates would come down and buy these. It's very weird,' Baker said."
-David Benda, "Still no huge bump in housing market after Carr Fire," Record Searchlight (local Redding news), Oct 23, 2018, retrieved Sept 4, 2020, [redding.com/story/news/local/2018/10/23/still-no-huge-bump-housing-market-after-carr-fire/1739283002]

And yet, Bill Johnson and Steve Witt claimed that they would be "exhausted" with the blessings of God. Witt and Johnson went on to say in this so-called "prophecy" that "the party will not end."

Certainly, things could have been much worse in Redding than they are, but according to the predictions of Bill Johnson and Bethel, this should have been the polar opposite. We should have seen a huge increase of traffic flooding into Redding, but instead, the Lord God allowed the fire to burn the town, which should make us Christians reflect on an important thought: If there is a false prophet running around our town teaching lies, it is vital that we speak the truth against them, lest we suffer the consequences along with them when God chooses to judge their iniquity.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
-Ephesians 5:6-7

As I said earlier, an entire book could be written exposing the deceptions of Bill Johnson and the Bethel organization, meaning that this book alone would not be enough to contain that amount of information. Johnson and Bethel have made many extraordinary claims, including their claim to have raised the dead, and though many people have requested evidence for their claims, conveniently, they seem unable to provide any evidence after they emerge from behind closed doors; in other words, it would be like Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, but no one had seen Lazarus dead beforehand, or alive afterwards.

There are many other things that Bethel Church teaches that are part of witchcraft, including, but not limited to, "grave sucking" or "grave soaking" which is a practice of laying on the gravestones of dead people to "suck up," or absorb, their anointing to gain their power. Charisma Digital Magazine, in their attempt to justify this pagan practice, defines what it means:

"Grave sucking, sometimes called grave soaking, is the process by which someone lays on the grave of a deceased Christian in order to absorb their mantle or anointing." -Jessilyn Justice & Taylor Berglund, "Banning Liebscher: Why Bill Johnson Didn't Immediately Shut Down Grave Sucking," Charisma, 2018, retrieved Aug 20, 2020, [https://bit.ly/3gg4CNE] The image on the left is of Bill Johnson's wife Beni practicing grave sucking. This is why she is hugging the gravestone of Charles Finney, who many believe was a Christian, but in reality, Finney was a false preacher who taught many false doctrines (including the "inward goodness" of mankind, a doctrine that rejects the sinful nature of man), and he is the inventor of modern day "revivalism," a corrupt religious practice that is not founded on the Word of God. (Read "Revivalism: The Devil's Design" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

The reason Bill Johnson did not condemn this witchcraft practice is because his new-age teaching aligns with it. Bill and Beni Johnson both contributed content to a book called The Physics of Heaven, and under a section called "Unclaimed Mantles," it says:
"There are anointings, mantles, revelations, and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left, because the generation that walked in them never passed them on. I believe it's possible for us to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades simply by choosing to reclaim them and perpetuate them for future generations."
-Judy Franklin & Ellyn Davis (with contributions by Bill and Beni Johnson), The Physics of Heaven, Destiny Image Inc, ISBN: 9780768407860

Again, this is nothing more than witchcraft, and God makes it very clear that He hates such things:

And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
-2 Chronicles 33:6

However, it should be no surprise to learn that Bethel Church set up a booth at Sydney's Mind Body Spirit Festival in Australia, a gathering of witches (i.e. psychics and mediums) from all around the country: (Click Image for Larger View)
(See Jenny Hodge, Facebook Post, KenandJenny Hodge, June 20, 2016, retrieved Aug 21, 2020, [https://bit.ly/32bs5dX]; See also Mind Body Spirit Festival, retrieved Aug 21, 2020, [mbsfestival.com.au])

The woman named in the Facebook post, Jenny Hodge, makes these "spirit cards" that are just another so-called "Christian" version of tarot cards, but serve the same function as tarot cards in witchcraft. After some internet blowback from the story spreading, Bethel Church chose to defend Jenny Hodge (whose son, Ben Fitzgerald, happens to be a pastor in Bethel's organization), saying:
"This ministry [i.e. Hodge's "spirit" cards] is a way of getting people to stop and engage with fellow humans so that they might encounter the love of the Father and the truth of His Son Jesus Christ."
-Anugrah Kumar, "Bethel Church Responds to 'Christian Tarot Cards' Controversy," Christian Post, Jan 6, 2018, retrieved Aug 21, 2020, [christianpost.com/news/bethel-church-responds-christian-tarot-cards-controversy.html]

Again, these are the philosophical foundations of those who are writing and playing so-called "worship music" in the Christian music industry.

There is no place in the Word of God that you will find sin used as a valid practice of evangelism. There is no place in Scripture where God uses the wicked devices of men to proclaim His Word, and a true ministry of Christ will reprove the unfruitful works of darkness, not fellowship with them.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
-Galatians 5:19-21

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Ephesians 5:11

Bethel Church and Bethel Music also host WorshipU, which is a school people can attend to learn to be a "worship leader." This school was co-founded by Bethel speaker and musician Jenn Johnson, the daughter-in-law of Bill Johnson.
(See WorshipU, "Become a Thriving Worship Leader," retrieved Sept 1, 2020, [https://freetrial.worshipu.com])

Jenn Johnson is a self-proclaimed prophetess, who claims to have "visions," but she is a false prophet and her visions are heresy against God's Word, which means what she sees comes from the sin of her heart and from her father the devil, not from the Holy Spirit. The following video is my doctrinal analysis of just one of her heretical teachings:
In the video, Jenn shares her so-called "vision" with the audience, claiming that God says to mankind, "You are as I am," or in other words, God reflects the glory of His worship back down onto mankind:

JENN JOHNSON: "And for so many years in church, we have, kind of, embodied the mindset of the 'woe is me' and 'you're so amazing and wonderful, but too bad I'm lame'. You know what I mean?"

Yes, Jenn, I know what you mean. I know where you are going with this, and I know that your heresy that is leading millions of people away from true repentance and faith in Christ.

JENN JOHNSON: "That concept of like, almost like, 'You're there [points up], and I'm here [points to herself]', and, you know."

In her teaching, Jenn is telling everyone that it is wrong to think that God is above us, and that we are wretched people beneath Him.

wretched (adj): very miserable, sunk into deep affliction or distress, either from want, anxiety or grief; worthless; paltry; very poor or mean
(See 'wretched', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 1, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

It is the acknowledgment of our own wretched state that brings us to the humility of godly sorrow (i.e. repentance), in which God helps us in our brokenness to acknowledge the truth. That repentance is a gift from God, as the Bible tells us:

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
-2 Timothy 2:25-26

This is why the Holy Spirit led Paul to write the following verse to the church in Rome:

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
-Romans 7:24

When he was in repentance of his wrongdoings against God, this is why Job said:

Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? [i.e. Job is repeating God's original question to him, and then answering it:] therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. [i.e. Job is repeating God's demand on him to answer His questions, and Job answered:] I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
-Job 42:3-6

abhor (adj): to hate extremely, or with contempt; to lothe, detest or abominate
(See 'abhor', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 1, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

Job hated himself with the utmost hatred because of his vile and wretched state, and when I finally came to repentance of my sins, in tears of godly sorrow, I hated myself too, knowing how detestable and wicked I was. Therefore, it makes us wonder why God, being so holy, good, and perfect in all His ways would have any mind to even consider mankind:

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
-Psalm 8:4

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
-Hebrews 2:6

LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
-Psalm 144:3

And as we read earlier in this book, the Lord Jesus Christ rejects lukewarm hypocrites that foolishly believe they are not wretched people in need of the Savior:

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
-Revelations 3:15-19

Thus, Jenn rejects the concept of humility, and instead teaches a false narrative that we should not worship God as if He is in heaven, sitting on His great and holy throne, while we bow to His great mercy beneath.

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
-Ecclesiastes 5:2

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
-John 3:31

Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
-Acts 7:49

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
-John 8:23

Despite her gross conflict against the Word of God, Jenn continues to talk about her false visions, claiming that God is saying unto her, "You are as I am," which is very dangerous speech, demonstrating that she has no fear of God:

JENN JOHNSON: "I had this vision of worship one time, and this is nowhere in the Bible I don't think, but I saw it, so I'm just going to tell you... I saw, corporately, I saw us worshiping, and our worship shot up to heaven, and the Lord stood, and he absorbed our praise... but in the same motion, he held a mirror, like under his armpit... our praise rose up and it shot into this reflector, and it shot back down to us, and he said, 'You are.' So we would—as we were worshiping, we would say 'You're wonderful Lord!', and he would hold this reflector and he would say, 'You are!'"

Thus, Jenn believes that whatever she sings in praise to God, she believes those same things about herself, or in other words, she believes that she is altogether such as God is, but God has said that He will rebuke such foolish thoughts:

Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit... These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
-Psalm 50:19-21

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
-Isaiah 42:8

It is not surprising to me that Jenn would teach these self-glorifying heresies because she does not judge herself, nor does she teach anyone else to judge themselves; rather, she teaches them that nothing good has ever come from self-examination:

JENN JOHNSON: "Because nothing good has come from people looking inward. That lower state that he [i.e. another speaker] talked about today, nothing good has come from that sulking, depressed state. You know, when you look inward in your life, it's not so pretty."

Instead of acknowledging her wretched state, Jenn chooses not to look at it. Though she has understanding that what is within her is ugly, she averts her gaze from it, and teaches everyone else not to look at themselves either because she holds the truth in her unrighteousness.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
-Romans 1:18

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
-1 Corinthians 11:31

judge (v): to compare facts or ideas, and perceive their agreement or disagreement, and thus to distinguish truth from falsehood
(See 'judge', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 1, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

Jenn has no problem with judgment in general, but what she has a problem with is RIGHTEOUS judgment, or in other words, she hates judgment that compares the Word of God against her wicked words and deeds. She loves to hear herself proclaim the false message that God thinks she is wonderful, but hates to hear Him tell her that she is wretched and vile, and that is because she does not judge righteous judgment, as Jesus commanded us to do.
(Read "Unbiblical Cop-Outs: 'Don't Judge Me!'" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
-John 7:24

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
-2 Corinthians 13:5

The reason Jenn does not like righteous judgment is because she thinks she is a good person:

JENN JOHNSON: "Okay, I get [i.e. she means this in the sense of understanding] the right answers for church, I get worship, I be—I'm a good person, I get the rules, ten commandments, check!"

When Jenn says "check," she means it in the sense of checking boxes on a "to-do" list, meaning that she believes she has kept all the commandments of God and is a "good person," but that is the polar opposite to what the Bible teaches us. We have already seen these verses earlier in this book, but we need to repeat them because the same false doctrines keep appearing:

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
-Romans 3:10-12

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
-Mark 10:18

Please do not misunderstand that last verse because Jesus Christ IS good because He is God. Again, the problem was the rich ruler who came to Him did not believe Jesus is divine, and since the ruler believed that Jesus was just a mere man, Jesus addressed his false belief, correcting him that no one is good except God.

After hearing many of Jenn's heresies, it should be no wonder that she makes a mockery of the Holy Spirit by claiming that He is like the genie from Disney's Aladdin:

JENN JOHNSON: "This will kind of, probably, offend you, but oh well! It's what I see. I view the Holy Spirit like the genie from Aladdin, and he's blue."

The Godhead, which is the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is not to be compared with the devices of men created by art:

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
-Acts 17:29

Not only should we not make God like unto these things, but most especially not something as wicked as Disney's creations. The genie from the movie Aladdin is an invention of Arabic pagan lore, and in the movie, he deceives by making Aladdin a "prince," when he was not a prince at all, and helps Aladdin promote and cover up his lies; thus, Jenn Johnson is describing her father the devil, not the Christian God of the Bible.

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
-John 8:43-45

Jenn teaches many more heresies, including, but not limited to, her teaching that God is not a parent, that Christians should not earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), that sin is not a black versus white issue, that Christians are allowed to have worldly pleasures under grace, that nothing good has ever come from people looking inward and examining themselves, and her promotion of worldly fiction novels and movies, like C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. (i.e. C.S. Lewis was NOT a Christian; rather, he was a pagan occultist.)
(Read "Fantasy Novels: Invitations to Hell" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Again, I want to emphasize that Jenn Johnson is a very popular icon in the so-called "Christian" music industry. Not only is she a popular worship leader, but as I pointed out earlier, she is also the co-founder of WorshipU, which is training a new generation of worship leaders under these same false doctrines!

And again, Jesus said:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass [travel] sea and land to make one proselyte [convert to a religion], and when he is made, ye make him twofold [twice] more the child of hell than yourselves.
-Matthew 23:15

As much as I want to move on from the topic of Bethel Church, they are so deeply rooted in the vilest of heresies, it is difficult not to make mention of their doctrines concerning astral projection. Astral projection is a demonic practice of high-level witchcraft in which those who are trained in the ways of devils can have out-of-body experiences, and I exhort Christians to keep your distance from those who claim to do these things because it is a very dangerous practice.

Deborah Reed is another female Bethel teacher (and a rebellious one, claiming teaching authority over men in the church), who teaches a version of astral projection. Not only are her practices and beliefs dangerous, but Bethel made her the director of their children's ministry!

In her presentation, Reed said: "We take our kids to heaven. I mean, who doesn't? Okay? Our kids go to heaven! And people that know how to do heaven things take them to heaven. And so we have a middle school that was—tour guides, is that what they call them?—take our middle school kids to heaven. So, we have this one—they get crazy, you know?" -Deborah Reed, "Bethel Inducing Trances/Prophecies/Mysticism In Children - Deborah Reed - Becoming Like A Child," danielmamecke, Feb 12, 2020, retrieved Sept 4, 2020, [https://youtu.be/ttGtLFXuDMY?t=2708]

Essentially, Reed is explaining that Bethel has what they called "tour guides" to heaven, in that they are teaching a so-called "Christianized" version of astral projection techniques in which children are being trained to have out-of-body experiences in the spiritual realm. This is unbelievably dangerous to be doing, especially with children. Reed provided some evidence to the fact that the children were having these experiences, as some would all have the same dream/vision in "heaven," and without any communication between them, drew the things they saw in exactly the same way.

After showing the drawings to get the crowd excited with passions, Reed continued:
"Now, I'm sorry, but that's fun. Okay? You want to know if you're really going to heaven? Okay, you know, don't go, but these guys, they think it's really cool. They meet each other! They see each other in heaven, hang out—I mean, the neat thing about it is, it is real to them because it is real."
-Deborah Reed, "Bethel Inducing Trances/Prophecies/Mysticism In Children - Deborah Reed - Becoming Like A Child," danielmamecke, Feb 12, 2020, retrieved Sept 4, 2020, [https://youtu.be/ttGtLFXuDMY?t=2810]

Please do not take this lightly because, on this point, I agree with Reed: It is real—it is a REAL demonic practice! I would not presume to understand the mind and judgments of God concerning why He allowed fire to spread across Redding, California, but I highly suspect this is one of the reasons. What these children are experiencing is coming from the devil, not from God, and you will not find such practices taught anywhere in Scripture; rather, such practices are condemned.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
-2 Corinthians 11:13-15

necromancy (n): the art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the dead
divination (n): the act of divining; a foretelling future events, or discovering things secret or obscure, by the aid of superior beings
charmer (n): one that charms, or has the power to charm; one that uses or has the power of enchantments
enchanter (n): a sorcerer or magician; one who has spirits or demons at his command, or pretends to perform surprising things by the agency of demons
wizard (n): a conjurer; an enchanter; a sorcerer
(See 'necromancy, divination, charmer, enchanter, wizard', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 1, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

Bethel Church has had several speakers teach their congregation meditation and breathing techniques to call upon the spirit world. This is the witchcraft of the heathen, which God says is an abomination in His sight, meaning that He hates it with the utmost hatred, while these people are laughing their way down the wide path to hell, and dragging all their children with them.

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
-Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Now, keep in mind, I do not believe half the things Reed was saying; for example, she said the children prayed that a particular apartment building would be free from drugs, and she said later that week, the police came to raid the apartment complex, arrested some drug dealers, and then said that ALL the drugs in the neighborhood were gone. How would anyone know that? It would be impossible to prove such a thing, especially since the dealers were dealing to addicts, and those addicts did not disappear after the raid; therefore, knowing that supply always meets demand, I am certain they found other sources around the neighborhood that Reed just did not know about. That being said, there are some things that, if they are true, they are of the devil, and not of God, so I want Christians to be warned about what is really happening, that you all might know how to interpret these things as they get progressively worse.

Again, these corrupt doctrines and wicked philosophies are the driving force behind the "Christian" music industry. An organization called CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) has a "Top 100" for current Christian music, and as I read through the top ten artists, they consisted of many of the musicians and singers I have already listed out in this book, and upon researching the names I did not recognize, it turns out that they all yoke together under the same tours and conferences.
(See SongSelect, "CCLI Top 100" retrieved Sept 8, 2020, [songselect.ccli.com/search/results?List=top100])

One of the songs listed out in the top ten was "This Is Amazing Grace" by Phil Wickham, who has toured with Catholic ecumenist David Crowder, and performed at Joyce Meyer's Love Life conference. Let's compare Wickham's watered-down version of so-called "Christian worship" with the "Amazing Grace" hymn of real praise and worship:

Phil Wickham - "This Is Amazing Grace"

Amazing Grace

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness Whose love is mighty and so much stronger The King of Glory, the King above all kings Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder The King of Glory, the King above all kings This is amazing grace, This is unfailing love That You would take my place That You would bear my cross You lay down Your life, That I would be set free Oh, Jesus, I sing for All that You've done for me Who brings our chaos back into order Who makes the orphan a son and daughter The King of Glory, the King of Glory Who rules the nations with truth and justice Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance The King of Glory, the King above all kings Worthy is the Lamb who was slain Worthy is the King who conquered the grave (The last two lines repeat many times.)

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we first begun.

The topic of both songs, as indicated in the title, is grace, specifically, the grace of God, and how amazing it is, but the problem is that only one song actually preaches the proper gospel of grace. Though many readers might look at Wickham's song and think they are acceptable praise and worship lyrics, there is a serious problem with it, and it is not what he included in his song that is the problem; rather, it is what he did NOT include.

As we covered earlier in this book, God does not give His grace to the proud of heart:

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
-James 4:6-10

Though grace is a free gift, as the Scripture clearly teaches (Rom 5:18), it is not a gift automatically given to everyone. Most church buildings treat grace like it is a free sample at a grocery store, which you can just grab a sample of as you pass, or maybe two if you are hungry, but rather, grace is a free gift that is SELECTIVELY given, meaning that there are conditions upon which God chooses to give His grace.

It is only through repentance (i.e. grief and godly sorrow of wrongdoing) and faith (i.e. belief in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that His shed blood on the cross cleanses us) that a man is given the free gift of grace and eternal life.

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
-Mark 1:15

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
-Luke 13:3

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
-2 Peter 3:9

So the difference in what you see in Wickham's song versus "Amazing Grace" is repentance and faith in Christ, which is not to say that Wickham preached against it, but that he was silent concerning these very important foundations on the doctrines of Christ and salvation, and that is because he does not understand them. (i.e. Wickham is more focused on making popular and profitable music than he is concerned with doctrine.) In "Amazing Grace," the author points out that he is a wretch, which is someone who is worthless, contemptible, and miserable, and that he was blind; whereas, after he came to grief of his miserable state, acknowledging the truth (2Ti 2:25), he was both relieved of his fears of this world and the damnation of hell, and was taught the fear of the Lord.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
-Psalm 111:10

And therefore, as I have pointed out earlier, Wickham, along with all the other frauds in the "Christian" music industry, sing and pray without understanding.

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
-Psalm 47:7

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
-1 Corinthians 14:15

Although many artists write their own songs, there are many among them who perform the works of other people, and this involves a much deeper layer of deception in the "Christian" music industry. For example, there is a very famous song performed by Michael W. Smith called "Let It Rain," which many churchgoers are familiar with because, despite its repetitive worthlessness (i.e. most of the song is just repeating "let it rain, let it rain, open the floodgates of Heaven" countless times), worship leaders love to use this because it takes very little work to prepare, and it puts listeners into an emotional trance.

What most readers may not know is that "Let It Rain" was only performed by Smith, but it was actually written by a man named Michael Farren of Gateway Church in Franklin, Tennessee, a corrupt megachurch that has all the standard staples of mainstream church-ianity, including, but not limited to, female pastors, storehouse tithing, 501c3 incorporation, pagan holidays (like Easter & Christmas), new-age bible versions, etc. Farren has written music for many other corrupt "Christian" musicians, including Lauren Daigle, who we read about earlier having no understanding or love for the Word of God, and he is a leader of WeAreWorship, another corrupt "Christian" music group that features many more corrupt artists than I could cover in this book. (And they are ALL yoked together!)
(See WeAreWorship, "Michael Farren," retrieved Sept 9, 2020, [weareworship.com/us/worship-leaders-2/michael-farren]; See also Gateway Church, Franklin, Tennessee, retrieved Sept 9, 2020, [gatewayfranklin.com])

Most of the popular "Christian" artists you see in the mainstream love to talk about how much they are focused on the worship of God when they are in front an audience of churchgoers, but when they are being interviewed by secular sources, some of the truth in their hearts starts to pour out of their mouths.

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
-Matthew 15:18

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
-Jeremiah 17:9

For example, when I was a churchgoing teenager (i.e. back in the late 1990s, before I was saved), I was led into the standard "Christian" rock music that permeates most church buildings today, and one of the biggest bands at that time was DC Talk. Of course, I thought this was all good Christian music back then in my ignorance, but today I know better. Kevin Max (full name Kevin Max Smith), one of the three members of DC Talk, participated in an interview with TIME Magazine after DC Talk's album started hitting the top ten of SECULAR music charts:
"Social critics have long debated whether rock 'n' roll is the devil's music or heaven inspired. The latest Billboard album charts should add fuel to that theological fire. Last week dc TALK's album Supernatural debuted at No. 4, landing between Psychic [Psycho] Circus by KISS at No. 3 and Mechanical Animal by Marilyn Manson at No. 5. But while the demonic Manson courts controversy and the geriatric [elderly] KISS covets relevance, dc TALK is appealing to a higher power. The Christian rockers consider the Almighty their greatest musical influence. Asked his opinion of Manson, whose last album was titled Antichrist Superstar, dc Talk's Kevin Max said, 'I'd love to hang with him and discuss 80s music.' Maybe they should talk literature. Manson's autobiography was titled Long Road out of Hell."
-Henry R. Luce, Time, Vol. 152, Issue 10-17, 1998, p. 125

It is sad to see that TIME Magazine's secular authors have more discernment than Kevin Max and DC Talk, and what is more absurd is that the name "DC Talk" stands for "Decent Christian Talk." The reason this does not make any sense to the average person is because they are ASSUMING that Kevin Max and DC Talk are Christians, but if we put aside that assumption, and compare what Max and DC Talk say, do, and teach with the Word of God, then we can more easily discern that they are NOT Christians, and that is why men like Kevin Max have no problem being buddies with a man like Marilyn Manson, who not only considers himself an "Antichrist Superstar," but is a follower and worshiper of Satanist Aleister Crowley, and a "reverend" of the Church of Satan!
(Read "Jesus Said There Are Many False Converts" here at creationliberty.com for more details about discerning a true Christian from a false convert.)

Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
-Proverbs 24:1

Kevin Max believes that because Christ spent time with sinners to save the lost, therefore, Christians have liberty to yoke together with whoever they please, but that is simply not true.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
-2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Max's corrupt philosophy has spread to his listeners, and today, there are many churchgoers who desperately try to justify the wicked music they listen to so they can hold on to their lusts of the ears. For example, I once had a young man named Phil write to me in attempt to justify listening to "Christian" heavy metal (which is a lot of hard electronic guitars and drums with men screaming into microphones), believing that he was helping people to be converted and saved by relating to them through that music.

Before I begin to address Phil's argument, I would first challenge anyone to find any place in Scripture where Jesus Christ or His apostles went to concerts and danced to pagan music to "relate" to the people, and then teach them about Jesus. Worse still, you will never find a place in Scripture where Christ and His disciples went to head banging mosh pits to discuss doctrine because the Bible teaches us that those who have the Holy Spirit will also have a meek and quiet spirit, not a prideful and loud spirit.

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
-Ecclesiastes 9:17

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
-1 Peter 3:4

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
-1 Thessalonians 4:11

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
-1 Timothy 2:1-2

The young man attempted to use 1 Corinthians 9 as his justification for his "Christian" heavy metal, which is something he likely learned from a corrupt youth pastor. (SIDE NOTE: Where are "youth pastors" in Scripture?) He quoted the following verses:

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
-1 Corinthians 9:19-22

After quoting these verses, Phil said: "Paul said that you have to become waht [sic] you must to relate to people to enable them to be saved." Before addressing his error on the Scripture, I wanted to ask him a question in response to see what he would say:
"ME: Let's assume your interpretation of this scripture for a moment. Does that mean if I want to reach pagans, I must start practicing witchcraft, and God approves of me practicing witchcraft?
PHIL: If you consider the gospel put into a secular band to be witchcraft then yes and I'd also say God approves of that. I don't know about you but I can't see sin in that."

The reason Phil could not see sin as sin is because he does not have the Holy Spirit in him to see it in the first place.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
-1 Corinthians 2:14

When the Bible tells us that God hates the practices of witches, then witchcraft should not be practiced under ANY circumstance. This is why Paul said "To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ)," meaning that he might participate in some of their traditions so that they would not be offended, not that he would start practicing Jewish mystic witchcraft of the Kabbalah in order to reach the Jews because that would be an offense against God.
(Read "The Book of 1st Corinthians: My Notes on Chapter 9" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

When Paul said, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some," it is not meant that we can become anything we feel like becoming, or doing anything that is pleasing to our flesh, because such things do not save men; rather, Paul said this in the context of what he was writing in 1 Corinthians 9, which was the observation of certain religious rituals, like the eating (or not eating) of meats, or the shaving of one's head, as Paul had done with the Nazarites in Cenchrea (Acts 18:18). This does not mean we are permitted to commit sin, and to yoke ourselves with the unfruitful works of darkness, in order to reach the lost because one cannot preach the gospel of Jesus Christ while violating it at the same time, or in other words, we cannot rightly preach to fornicators by sitting with them at a strip club, we cannot rightly preach to witches by participating in séances that commune with devils, and we cannot rightly preach to heavy metal rockers while head-banging to men screaming nonsense into a microphone.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
-Ephesians 5:11

Phil has no spiritual discernment because he is lusting after music, and Jesus Christ takes a back seat to the feelings Phil gets when he listens to his corrupt music.

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
-Luke 16:13

Liberty in Christ does not mean Christians get to do whatever we want under grace, as sin should not be committed that God's grace should be spread far and wide:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
-Romans 6:1-2

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
-Galatians 5:13

Phil was deceiving himself because he was not listening to heavy metal music as a servant who was suffering it for the sake of the souls of others. He listened to it because HE liked it, not because he was helping anyone else, and likewise, churchgoers are listening to music based on how they FEEL, not based on the facts, comparing the lyrics with the doctrines of Scripture.

To address the hard rock music, the term 'heavy metal' was a combination of the already-familiar modern use of the adjective 'heavy', which was something to be taken seriously, as in a weighty matter, and 'metal', which was referring to the manufacturing of large weapons (tanks, guns, etc). The name 'heavy metal' is directly associated with destruction and death, which is why so many movies play heavy metal music while the actors are shooting people and blowing things up.

When I was younger, I remember seeing an old U.S. Navy Ad that incorporated heavy metal:
The video shows images of soldiers jumping out of helicopters and riding in speed boats to storm beaches with their weapons, all the while playing heavy metal (i.e. hard synthesized guitar and a man screaming into a microphone) in the background. As I stated at the beginning of this book, music communicates a message, and the message which is communicated by heavy metal is a message of death and destruction.

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
-Proverbs 8:36
(Read "Halloween: Are Christians Lovers of Death" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Thus, churchgoers are taking the dark and deceptive things of this world and calling them "good" because they lust after the feelings they get from listening to the music they love.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
-Isaiah 5:20

These facts anger the "Christian" rockers greatly, and that is because they do not worship Jesus Christ nearly as much as they worship their feelings, and the music which brings them those feelings. Even though the music they listen to has nothing to do with the truth of God's Word, they want an excuse to claim they are servants of Jesus Christ (i.e. going to heaven) while not having to give up any of the worldly lusts they enjoy.

For example, a song I really liked listening to when I was a teenager was called "In The Light" by DC Talk, but today, I now see it for what it is; a song written by heretics for unsuspecting, lukewarm churchgoers to focus on themselves instead of Jesus Christ. Read these lyrics carefully, and notice how self-focused they are:

DC Talk - "In The Light" I keep trying to find a life On my own, apart from You I am the king of excuses I've got one for every selfish thing I do What's going on inside of me? I despise my own behavior This only serves to confirm my suspicions That I'm still a man in need of a Savior I wanna be in the Light As You are in the Light I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation Cause all I want is to be in the Light All I want is to be in the Light

Please do not misunderstand, I am not saying that it is wrong in any sense to speak of despising one's own actions, nor to speak of one's own salvation in Christ, but this song is very deceptive because it denies the working of the Holy Spirit on a born again Christian. The main theme of the song focuses on being "in the light," but they sing, "I wanna' be," or rather, "I want to be," expressing a desire for the light of Christ, not confessing to have the light of Christ.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
-2 Corinthians 4:4

The word 'hath' is the same as the word 'has', which is a form of 'have', and the word 'have' means "to possess or contain," which is a present tense, meaning that we who have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ HAVE, in this present moment, the light of Christ. It is not something we are left wanting, having desire to obtain it, but rather, we have it, and therefore, we should let that light shine before all men:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
-Matthew 5:14-16

Of course, some churchgoers may argue that this song would be good to hear for those who are lost, and to that I respond: No. In fact, to the lost, this preaches a false gospel.

In the song, they teach that one WANTS or DESIRES to be "in the light" of Christ, but that is not what the Scripture teaches us:

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
-Romans 3:10-12

This means that God must come to us in our foolish and broken state, to bring us to repentance (i.e. godly sorrow, 2Ti 2:25) and give us a humble heart, that we might see the truth of Christ and be saved. No man desires the light of Christ of himself, but rather, Christ must give that desire to him, and once he has been given that light, his spirit then contains the light of Christ, and he no longer needs to desire it; only that he might desire to learn and understand more about God's will from the Scriptures, that he might better understand how to give answers to every man concerning the light of Christ within him.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
-2 Timothy 2:15

But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
-1 Peter 3:14-16

The DC Talk song is not preaching the light of Christ as much as they are preaching a message that says, "Come join the party," which is precisely what such ecumenical bands truly desire. They want as many people as possible to listen to their music because, the more people listen, the more money they make, and the more worldly honors they receive.

Of course, many churchgoers will hate the fact that I point these things out, but few may realize that the entire song "In The Light" never once mentions the name of Jesus Christ, it speaks nothing of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and though blood is mentioned in the song, it refers to one's own blood, not the cleansing blood of Jesus. This leaves the song open to personal interpretation by many people of various false religions.

Churchgoers who are also fans of DC Talk will object to that, but Kevin Max Smith said it himself:
"My music is for a Christian and a Buddhist to pick up and still enjoy, as well as for an atheist."
-Kevin Max Smith, quoted in an interview, "Kevin Max Ready to Release 'The Blood' This Fall," Soul Shine, Apr 20, 2007, retrieved Sept 10, 2020, [https://bit.ly/3hfIXpf]

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
-1 John 5:12

It was never DC Talk's concern as to whether or not Christ was glorified, but rather, their concern was more about making music that was acceptable across all religious beliefs. It is fascinating to me that this song says, "The disease of self runs through my blood, It's a cancer fatal to my soul," but the entire song is self-centered (i.e. cancerous to the soul), and yet, remembering back to my youth, I was completely blind to the lyrics because I was so entranced by the music.

Music can be a useful tool as much as it can be a dangerous weapon. Music has the potential to lull the mind and blind the eyes of the hearer.

As I went back to listen to this song while writing this book, it was very bittersweet because, on the one hand, I had cold chills in my flesh at the memory of the beautiful music they played and how much I used to enjoy it, but on the other hand, in the spirit of my mind, I was angry at the deception. You can hear them sing, "I am still a man in need of a savior," when those of us who have been born again already HAVE the Savior, which is not to say that we do not constantly rely on Him, but that once we have Christ, we no longer sing from a perspective of a desire to have Christ.

However, this gets more interesting when we consider what I stated earlier, namely that many famous "Christian" artists do not perform original works because the song "In The Light" was not originally written by DC Talk. It was originally written by a man named Charlie Peacock, but to make sure it would not be offensive to many, DC Talk removed nearly all verses that pointed to Jesus Christ.

The following is a portion of the original song:

Charlie Peacock - "In the Light" Is there such a thing as a man of peace? If there is, then a man of peace I want to be I will need your help if I'm ever to be that If I'm to lay down, lay down, lay down Then I'll lay my life for my brothers and sisters I will need your help, Jesus I need your light

They took the song from "Jesus I need your light" to "I wanna' be in the light." DC Talk purposefully removed the name of Jesus so it would be more popular, and they could sell more records.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
-1 Timothy 6:10

DC Talk is another example of false converts creating music to deceive the masses. This is not praise and worship of God because it has no understanding of His Word.

Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
-Psalm 47:6-7

I have seen many churchgoers say that these corrupt songs have "increased their faith," but I know that is a lie. If it increased their faith, it is the faith they hold in a false "jesus" and false "christ" because increasing faith in the Christian God of the Bible requires study of His Word.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
-Romans 10:17

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
-Proverbs 15:28

The practice of removing key words and phrases to make a new version of someone else's song is very common in the "Christian" music industry, and they have been doing it for many decades. For example, I got a lot of hate mail when released my exposé on Amy Grant because, even though I used to listen to her music when I was young, the Lord God has given me understanding today that she is nothing close to a Christian, and she gained her popularity through sexualizing her music.
(Read "Wolves in Costume: Amy L. Grant" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Grant released a very well-known song called "El Shaddai," which many people believe has a lot of good lyrics in it, and indeed, it does. However, what churchgoers do not know is that Grant did not write that song (i.e. she only performed it), and she changed some of the lyrics of the song from "though the Jews couldn't see," to "the people couldn't see," because she and her producers all knew that she would not make very much money with the song if they offended the Jews by being forthcoming with what the Bible teaches, so they made it more "politically correct" to increase sales.

For contrast, let's look at one of Amy Grant's original songs, meaning that she wrote it herself:

"How Mercy Looks From Here" - Amy L. Grant The water rose today, The river with the rain Memories and picture frames, Are floating miles away. Through the wreckage and the mud, The ruins after the flood, She survived at 91, hmm, Some would have given up Drowning in their tears, But on her wrinkled face A smile appeared, When you face your greatest fear Losing all that you hold near, Open up your eyes my dear, Oh how mercy looks from here, I would have given up, drowning in my tears If it wasn't for your voice all these years That's when boundless grace appears Unseen angels hover near, Saints are singing loud and clear Oh how mercy looks from here.

After reading those lyrics, did you see any mention of the Lord Jesus Christ? Is there any mention of the blood of Jesus cleansing sinners? What about repentance of sin and faith in Christ's finished work on the cross? For that matter, since the song is called "How Mercy Looks From Here," how about one mention of God's grace? Grant wrote this song in a vague manner on purpose because she knows the same thing everyone else in the "Christian" music industry knows: The more vague you make your lyrics, and the more lukewarm the doctrine, the more money you will make from the song.

The reason modern-day churchgoers cannot see these things is because, not only do they not do any research on the subject matter, but they also tend to think that if a song makes them feel passionate, it should automatically be considered "worship of God." For example, every year in December, most leavened church buildings celebrate their pagan Christmas rituals, and during this time, most of the pulpits are filled with stories about Mary giving birth to Jesus (even though it is unlikely that Mary gave birth to Jesus anywhere close to December), and therefore, a song called "Mary Did You Know" became very popular in the Americas.
(Read Christmas: Rejecting Jesus here at creationliberty.com for more details about the corrupt pagan witchcraft festival commonly known as "Christmas," which has nothing to do with Jesus Christ or His birth into this world.)

Greene wrote this song at the request of a pastor in 1984, and the following is a sample of the lyrics:

"Mary Did You Know" - Buddy Greene Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? The child you delivered will soon deliver you.

Of course, the lyrics are creative, and it will certainly appeal to women (especially mothers), but if you simply read the lyrics slowly and carefully, you will see that this song does not focus on Jesus Christ at all, but rather, this song focuses solely on Mary's thoughts and feelings. That is also why this song became very popular in the Catholic Church, since Catholics worship a false goddess they call "Mary."
(Read Corruptions of Christianity: Catholicism - Chapter 6 - Idolatry: The Goddess Called 'Mary' here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

The song is designed to strike up the emotions of women in particular because, upon hearing the words of this song, they begin to think of their own experiences instead of Jesus Christ. They think about what it is like to bear children, and what it would be like to be Mary in that circumstance, and thus, this song is focused on Mary, not Jesus, and by focusing on their own experiences, essentially, women are worshiping their own feelings and accomplishments instead of Christ.

This is why I encourage Christians that, if you want to discern whether or not a song of praise is truly of Christ, then take away the music and read the words. Please do not misunderstand, the music is important in that music communicates a message (i.e. you cannot properly preach the grace of God by screaming death metal into a microphone), so the music should be communicating the same message as the words, but the most important part of the music is the doctrine and philosophy that the song is teaching in the words.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
-Matthew 12:34-37

There are many church buildings that further corrupt the worship music of God by ignoring the verses of a song, which explains the context of what is being talked about in the song, and simply repeat the chorus of the song over and over and over again, in order to get an emotional effect out of the audience. For example, the song "Awesome God" by Rich Mullins is often sung only for the main chorus, which says, "Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love," but most churchgoers do not even know there are more words to the song, let alone do they know what those words are.

Of course, there are some doctrinal problems with this song as well, and I have my own reasons for avoiding it, but it is more Scripturally sound than most, which is why the words are often left out of so-called "worship sessions" in many church buildings:

"Awesome God" - Rich Mullins And the Lord wasn't joking, When He kicked 'em out of Eden It wasn't for no reason, That He shed His blood... And when the sky was starless, In the void of the night He spoke into the darkness, And created the light Judgment and wrath He poured out on the Sodom Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross I hope that you have not, Too quickly forgotten that Our God is an awesome God

For those of you who grew up in church buildings like I did, you may recall having a leader silence all the instruments so only the voices of the congregation would be heard, singing only the main chorus of songs like "Awesome God" (which was designed to be sung over and over again), and it created a very powerful emotional atmosphere in the room, but please keep in mind that these are more often parlor tricks used to deceive, rather than a genuine call to worship God. This technique is typically used by so-called "worship leaders" after a few songs have been sung, usually towards the end of the song-singing part of the service, and it is done to put people into an emotional state, right before the unbiblical storehouse tithing plates are passed, so the emotionally hyped-up audience will give more.
(Read "Tithe is Not a Christian Requirement" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

As with many things in Scripture, the good practice of singing praises unto God can also be used by extortioners as a tool to deceive, especially those who WANT to be deceived. There are many people who use the singing of songs as a justification, or outward proof, that they are the children and servants of God, but inwardly, they could not care less about Christ's commandments.

For example, a former friend of mine is a music pastor (even though there is no such thing as a "music pastor" in Scripture), and I have rebuked him for doing things like teaching unbiblical storehouse tithing sermons, and preaching from atheistic and secular articles rather than the Word of God. His response was anger (obviously), and he retorted by complaining that I had not attended one of his "worship services," and so what he attempted to do was cover up his sin and leaven by holding up a "worship service" in front of me, which demonstrated that he holds the passion of songs in much higher regard than the doctrines of God's Word.

The obsession with musical entertainment in church buildings is sickening, and to give another example, back when I was giving presentations on creation (against evolutionism), I was in communication with a pastor who ended up giving me the run-around about me giving some creation presentations in the church building that is less than a block from my house. I could tell stories about how he, on the one hand, would claim to be interested and wanted to support what I was doing, while on the other hand, he kept dodging me, and all the while, he would visit homes and businesses every week all over town to advertise music groups they would bring in for church building performances, and that is because he knew what was popular and would bring in more money.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
-2 Timothy 3:1-9

And again, I have had countless churchgoers get furious with me after talking about these corrupt songs, and that is because their first love is the pleasure they get from the music, not the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus simply becomes a name of convenience for them to pull out whenever they want to feel more holy and righteous. (i.e. Taking His name in vain - Deut 5:11) However, I am not their enemy because I care enough about them to tell the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that they will not hear from the leavened preachers and musicians in their church buildings.

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
-Galatians 4:16

Please do not misunderstand, it is not a sin to listen to DC Talk or to sing "Awesome God" in a church building, but what Christians need to understand is that the music is based on religious ideology of some sort.

ideology (n): the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc, that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group
(See 'ideology', Random House Dictionary, 2020, [dictionary.com]; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co, 2012)

An ideology is a set of beliefs that guide a group of people, and the modern-day "Christian" music industry (as we have already seen) is based on a false ideology that wars against Christ. If we fill our minds and hearts with false ideology, it will lead us away from Jesus Christ, and most people do not stop to consider that music teaches an ideology, which means music can corrupt as much, if not more, than false prophets and teachers.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy [a way of thinking] and vain deceit [useless lies], after the tradition of men, after the rudiments [first teachings] of the world, and not after Christ.
-Colossians 2:8

Many of the letters I have received on this subject over the years have contained excuses from churchgoers claiming that "God can use anything for his glory," which is simply not Biblical. In an attempt to use this excuse for his own profit, Eddie DeGarmo, a representative of "Christian" rock label Forefront Records, said the following in an interview:
"One of the stances that we take and that I take in my personal life is that our God through Christ is a God of redemption—he redeems all sorts of things. I don't think you can make music the culprit. People who live the (rock 'n roll) lifestyle live that kind of lifestyle whether they work construction or play rock music. I think that if you start damning any style of music you find yourself in a very awkward theological position of having to describe what kind of music God likes."
-Eddie DeGarmo, quoted by Michael Henningsen, "Despite doubters and detractors, Christian music is the fastest-growing segment of the music industry," Monterey County Weekly, July 30, 1998, retrieved Sept 11, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2Zr8mXa]

First of all, notice that DeGarmo did not begin his sentences with "The Bible teaches us." Rather, DeGarmo started his sentences with "I take this stance," and "I think," which means DeGarmo's foundation for what he says and does is based on his own thoughts and opinions, not based on the Word of God.

Secondly, DeGarmo focused on people attacking a "style" of music, rather than first addressing the fact that the music is teaching false doctrine and based on corrupt ideology. This is a common tactic used by the so-called "Christian" rockers, who do everything in their power to ignore the doctrine of Scripture and justify their "rock 'n roll lifestyle."

Thirdly, the reason DeGarmo finds it to be a "very awkward theological position" to describe what kind of music pleases God is because DeGarmo has no interest in studying Scripture to find out. Earlier in this book, I quoted from Psalm 66, in which God describes how songs should be written unto Him:

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men... For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried... Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
-Psalm 66:2-16

Therefore, God has declared what is pleasing to him, but DeGarmo and his company are much more pleased to do what is popular among men rather than focus on what pleases God. The reason making such a statement is no problem for me is because I have been born again in Christ, and he has blessed me with His mercies of wisdom and understanding through His Word, but for a man who stands on pretense concerning Christianity, and is trying to justify the lusts of the world for the sake of his business, such a statement is grievous and offensive.

Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
-Proverbs 15:10

Finally, I would challenge DeGarmo to find any place in Scripture that teaches us that God "redeems all sorts of things" because the Bible does NOT teach that. Jesus Christ did not die on the cross to redeem "things" (i.e. the wicked and corrupt inventions of men), but rather, Jesus died on the cross and was risen from the dead to redeem MANKIND, to save PEOPLE from their sins.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
-Matthew 1:21

All throughout Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments, the Lord God did not approve of the use of the pagan and corrupt inventions of men for His glory. He instructed them to destroy those corrupt things, which is why the Christians in Acts (after they had been born again in Christ) took the wicked things they had previously lusted after and worshiped, they burned them, and through those actions, the Word of God was spread out among the people:

And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
-Acts 19:18-20

What reason could anyone give that the Holy, Almighty God would need to take the sexually-motivated, destructive music of men and use that for His glory? Such things are not of God, no matter how much men may want to transform them to look good on the outside:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
-1 John 2:15-17

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
-Matthew 7:17-19

Did the Bible say that which is of the lust of the flesh can be transformed for the glory of Jesus? Or did the Bible say that which is of the lust of the flesh is NOT of the Father, and that such things which produce evil fruit are cut down and cast into the fire?

The Lord God has NEVER used evil inventions for His glory, and artistic creativity is not a justification for wickedness.

The reason so many churchgoers are obsessed with the music is because it allows their passions to be a shield that prevents them from considering the doctrine of those who would rebuke their sin. Almost none of those churchgoers would sit down to read a book like this because they believe what I am saying to them from the Bible is foolishness, but that is because they do not have the Spirit of God in them to understand:

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
-1 Corinthians 2:13-16

I have quoted such Scriptures more than once in this book because it is important that Christians understand the philosophy (i.e. way of thinking) of Christ, that they might have discernment, and be sanctified from evil for His sake. Please do not misunderstand; I am not expecting new Christians to understand all of these things the moment they are first saved, and often, they are led astray into the "Christian" music industry because it seems good on the surface, but I have written this book for their sakes, that they might continue in God's Word, understand the truth, and be set free from the deception of men.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
-John 8:31-32

As we have already learned in this book, those in the mainstream "Christian" music industry are corrupt with false doctrines, and they yoke together with false teachers. However, what many churchgoers do not realize is how worldly these musicians really are, and how much they worship men more than Christ.

Let's take another look at DC Talk because they became famous worldwide with their hit song "Jesus Freak," even naming their tour "Welcome to the Freak Show" after the name of their chart topping album. At the end of that song, they added in music and lyrics which reflected Kurt Cobain's (i.e. Nirvana's) "All Apologies" song, replacing the words "everyone is gay" with "Jesus is the way." "'What else can I say/Jesus is the way.' -- from Christian pop-rap group DC Talk's version of Nirvana's 'All Apologies,' performed at New York's Mercury Lounge"

-CMJ New Music Monthly, No. 33, CMJ Network Inc, May, 1996, p. 34, ISSN: 1074-6978

Earlier, we read Kevin Max Smith's desire to hang out with Satanist Marilyn Manson, and therefore, it should come as no surprise that Kurt Cobain was secretly one of Kevin's idols, meaning that he looked up to Kurt Cobain as a musician, which is why a piece of "All Apologies" appears at the end of DC Talk's "Jesus Freak." On his Twitter account, Kevin Max keeps track of the day in which Kurt Cobain killed himself, praising Cobain for changing the music industry in what he believes reflects positive progress: "Kurt Cobain died 19 years ago today- I remembered how he changed the music industry-now I'm hoping for the next movement in change #progress"
-Kevin Max Smith, Max's official Twitter account, Apr 5, 2013, retrieved Sept 11, 2020, [twitter.com/kevinmax/status/320269941821538304]

It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to see how a man who claims to be a Christian could idolize a man like Kurt Cobain, who hated the Christian God of the Bible. As a young man, Cobain would go out at night and spray blasphemies against Christ on peoples' vehicles and houses:
"In true punk rock fashion, Kurt [Cobain] loved to go out every night with a couple of friends and spray-paint slogans all over the town. Each morning the residents of Aberdeen would wake up to find 'God is Gay' or 'Abort Christ' sprayed on their walls and pickup trucks."
-Ian Halperin & Max Wallace, Who Killed Kurt Cobain?: The Mysterious Death of an Icon, Citadel Press, 1999, p. 25, ISBN: 9780806520742

Furthermore, Cobain once said it was his mission in life to get high on drugs and worship the Devil: "[Kurt] Cobain now gave it as his ambition to 'get stoned and worship Satan'. He routinely achieved the first, traveling in to Aberdeen with what Megan Kern called 'a ton of grass' zippered into his quilted jacket. (Cobain still sang in the church choir, where his voice attracted attention.)" -Christopher Sandford, Kurt Cobain, Hachette UK, 2013, p. 1982, ISBN: 9781409148012

Cobain never repented of any of the philosophy that led him to say and do these things, but Kevin Max Smith does not care. In fact, Kevin was so infatuated with Cobain that he copied Cobain's hair style so he could look like him:
After the members of DC Talk broke up and went their separate ways, Kevin Max was picked up by Christian labels to produce his music, including ForeFront Records (the same company of the aforementioned false convert Eddie DeGarmo), Star Song Communications, and Northern Records. However, most of Kevin Max's solo albums have not been seen or heard because many churchgoers stopped listening to him, and that is because he quickly dropped "Jesus songs" from his album:
"It fell on deaf ears within the Christian community because they were like, 'Where's our Jesus songs?' There are no Jesus songs on the record."
-Kevin Max Smith, quoted by Chad Radford, "Life After DC Talk," CL Atlanta, Aug 23, 2010, retrieved Oct 2, 2013, [www.clatl.com]

Like many other "Christian" artists, Kevin Max was attempting to break free from the bonds of the name of Jesus. To try and increase his record sales in 2009, he threw in a few secular songs to his album:
"I threw in a Prince song and a George Michael song, and they thought I wasn't being serious about it, so that fell on deaf ears again."
-Kevin Max Smith, quoted by Chad Radford, "Life After DC Talk," CL Atlanta, Aug 23, 2010, retrieved Oct 2, 2013, [www.clatl.com]

Please understand that Kevin Max has no discernment whatsoever because he was trying to copy George Michael, who wrote the song "I Want Your Sex," and Prince, who wrote the song "Dance With The Devil." Why would any believer on Jesus Christ think that these men were worthy of honoring in music unless that believer had no understanding of God's Word?

He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
-John 8:47

In the parable of the sower, Jesus taught us about false converts, namely that the man who received the Word of God with a heart covered in thorns would love the cares and riches of this world. However, the man who hears the Word of God and understands it would be saved.
(Read "Jesus Said There Are Many False Converts" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
-Matthew 13:22-23

The seed that fell among the thorns are the type of men who are leading the charts in the "Christian" music industry. Another singer in DC Talk was Toby McKeehan, and if you have been paying close attention while reading this book, you might recognize him by his artist name, TobyMac, because he was among some of the artists listed earlier.

McKeehan operates under the same corrupt record labels as every other popular "Christian" artist out there, and he is invited to the same deceptive conferences with all the other leavened preachers I have mentioned in this book. While I was doing research on TobyMac, I looked up one of his music videos on YouTube, and it had almost 53 million views, and that is because, unlike Kevin Max, McKeehan stayed in the "Christian" music genre to profit off of unsuspecting churchgoers. (See TobyMac, "TobyMac - I just need U," TobyMac Official YouTube Channel, Mar 25, 2018, retrieved Sept 11, 2020, [https://youtu.be/4wNpOeakhEM])

McKeehan is a member of Bethel World Outreach Church in Nashville, Tennessee, which is one of the largest church buildings in Nashville, especially after they installed their massive rock concert auditorium back in 2014, an expansion that cost about $6.5 million. Bethel World Outreach is run by Rice Broocks, a false preacher who teaches people that they must turn from their sin to be saved, a works-based doctrine of the devil, and though he claims to call people out of the world for Jesus, in reality, he is inviting people of the world to participate in worldly events in his church building, which is why it is so attractive to wealthy and worldly false converts like McKeehan.
(See Getahn Ward, "Bethel World Outreach Church plans $6.5 million expansion," Tennessean, Feb 19, 2014, retrieved Sept 15, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2Rw1inw]; See also Rice Broocks, "Repentance - The 'Other Side' of Faith," retrieved Sept 15, 2020, [churchplanting.com/repentance-the-other-side-of-the-faith/#.X2DooRBKiUk])

DC Talk's third member, Michael Tait, also went solo up until 2009 when he joined the Newsboys as their lead vocalist, and as we have seen from all the other wicked bands, they operate under the same corrupt record labels and get invited to the same deceptive conferences. It is interesting to note that the Newsboys was co-founded by guitarist George Perdikis, but in 2015, Perdikis confessed that he is not a Christian:

"In 1985, I co-founded Newsboys, one of the most successful Christian rock bands in history. You may have heard the band's music in the film 'God's Not Dead'. The band's album of the same name hit No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. And I'm now an atheist. How did that happen? Well, let me go back to the band's founding... Peter, Sean, John, and I started out as a cover band playing parties, pubs, churches, youth groups, parks — anywhere someone would have us. As we grew in confidence, we began to add some original songs to our repertoire. The band evolved quickly... The choice to become a 'Christian Rock Band' was heavily influenced by Peter's parents, Bill and Rosalie Furler. As fundamentalist Christians, the only acceptable form of music was the kind that worshipped God. Bill and Rosalie were like second parents to me and, for that reason, I never questioned their advice...

We might have been classified as Christian Rock, but, musically, I felt we were as good as any secular band... I always felt uncomfortable with the strict rules imposed by Christianity. All I wanted to do was create and play rock and roll... and yet most of the attention I received was focused on how well I maintained the impossible standards of religion... I left the band in 1990 and went back to Adelaide. There, I got married, taught guitar, played pubs and clubs, built homes, and had two beautiful daughters.
As I carved out a life for myself away from the church, I began my own voyage of inquiry into what I believed. My perceptions started to transform when I became interested in cosmology in 1992. I soon found myself fascinated by the works of Carl Sagan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Lawrence Krauss, Brian Cox, and Richard Dawkins. I learned so much and was blown away by all the amazing scientific discoveries and facts. When my marriage dissolved in 2003, I turned my attention to human psychology. By 2007, I renounced Christianity once and for all and declared myself an atheist."
-George Perdikis, "I Co-Founded One of the Most Popular Christian Rock Bands Ever... and I'm Now An Atheist," patheos.com, Jan 21, 2105, retrieved Jan 22, 2015, [www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/01/21/i-co-founded-one-of-the-most-popular-christian-rock-bands-ever-and-im-now-an-atheist/#ixzz3PVG6LwO8]

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
-Matthew 7:17-20

Again, Jesus clearly taught us that we cannot get good fruit out of an evil tree. It is not possible to get good fruit out of a tree that was born from the heart of an atheist, and therefore, nothing good can come from Newsboys, but Tait does not care about that because he has too much fame and fortune to distract him from the truth.

It should be noted that a Christian who has been born again in Jesus Christ has eternal life in them, and they will never leave the truth because the Spirit of God has opened their eyes to know that there is no other way but Jesus Christ. The problem is that Perdikis was never converted in the first place, meaning that he was a fake Christian all along, playing church while playing guitar.

Of course, many churchgoers would claim that this man had "fallen away" from the faith, and I agree with that, but the problem is that those churchgoers do not understand that Jesus defined what "fallen away" means in the parable of the sower:

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
-Luke 8:13

Those who fall away from the faith are those who never had root in the faith to begin with. The seed (i.e. the Word of God) which falls into stony ground (i.e. the heart of a man) is the man who hears the doctrine of Jesus and receives it quickly with joy, rather than with tears of godly sorrow concerning the guilt of his own wrongdoing.
(Read "Jesus Said There Are Many False Converts" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

After everything we have learned in this book, and knowing that the "Christian" music industry is very profitable, it should be no surprise that there are many fake Christian musicians in the industry. In other words, there are many people in the "Christian" music industry who do not believe on Jesus Christ at all, but know they can make a lot of money by singing songs about Jesus, as long as they keep their true beliefs a secret.

For example, the band As I Lay Dying has told the public that they are all practicing Christians, playing music that is commonly referred to as "Christian metal," which is a form of death metal. (The word 'death' often left out of the genre title when referring to so-called "Christian" music because it is an obvious contradiction between the music style and the message.) The band was founded by vocalist Tim Lambesis back in 2000, but in 2014, he came forward and admitted he was an atheist the entire time:

"The first time I cheated on my wife, my interpretation of morality was now convenient for me... I thought of myself as super-scholarly at the time. 'My academic pursuit has led me to this.' I was sincere to a certain degree, but we all hear what we want to hear to justify our actions. I interpreted the evidence how I wanted and felt it was intellectually dishonest to consider myself a Christian. I felt at best I could consider myself agnostic, and at least I would consider myself an atheist." -Ryan J. Downy, "Tim Lambesis World Exclusive Interview: The As I Lay Dying Singer Breaks His Year-Long Silence," May 16, 2014, retrieved Aug 4, 2014 [www.altpress.com]; Photo by Joey Foley - Getty Images

At the very least, we can thank the Lord Jesus Christ that Lambesis finally stopped deceiving churchgoers to extort money out of them, and came forward with the truth. However, the fact is that there are many "Christian" bands out there making money off of foolish churchgoers who have no discernment, and Lambesis testified that he met many of these swindlers while he toured across the country:
"There are bands out there right now, playing Christian festivals, cashing the Christian checks, selling CDs in the Christian stores, who are not Christians. Maybe one or two guys are, but most of them aren't... I know of one band who says, 'Well, we don't want to let our fans down, because we love them so much.' We toured with more 'Christian bands' who actually aren't Christians than bands that are. In 12 years of touring with As I Lay Dying, I would say maybe one in 10 Christian bands we toured with were actually Christian bands... We talked about whether to keep taking money from the 'Christian market.' We had this bizarrely 'noble' thing, like, 'Well, we're not passing along any bad ideas. We're just singing about real life stuff. Those kids need to hear about real life, because they live in a bubble.'"
-Ryan J. Downy, "Tim Lambesis World Exclusive Interview: The As I Lay Dying Singer Breaks His Year-Long Silence," May 16, 2014, retrieved Aug 4, 2014 [www.altpress.com]

Lambesis is a fool, not only because he is an atheist (Psa 14:1, Rom 1:22), but also because those bands ARE teaching bad ideas, especially when they do so under false pretenses because those bands are nothing more than scammers. They do not love their fans because they continue to lie and deceive them, and the Bible says that those who lie to people also hate those people.
(Read "God Does Not Justify Lies" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
-Proverbs 26:28

It is not hard to discern that it is NOT the fans they really love because if they were not making money, they would not care about the fans at all. Rather, their true love is the money they make from the fans, and that leads us right back to the title of this book, Christian Music: For the Love of Money.

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
-Proverbs 23:4

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
-1 Timothy 6:9-10

It should be noted that while undiscerning churchgoers drove around playing As I Lay Dying music CDs in their vehicles, Lambesis was planning to have his wife killed by hiring a hit man:
"As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a murder-for-hire plot to kill his wife. In February [2014], the singer pleaded guilty to soliciting an undercover cop to murder Meggan Lambesis, whom he had married eight years prior and adopted three children with; at the time, he faced up to nine years in prison."
-Kory Grow, "Tim Lambesis Sentenced to Six Years in Jail for Murder-for-Hire Plot," Rolling Stone, May 16, 2014, retrieved Aug 4, 2014, [https://bit.ly/33zCAIH]

This is why we Christians need to trust in the Word of God, judging righteous judgment (John 7:24), and using proper discernment (Heb 5:14) concerning music. The Christians who trusted in God, judging and discerning the matter Biblically, would have stayed far away from this man and his music, thereby protecting themselves from his corruption, but those who did not trust in God, choosing to follow their feelings, were deceived and taken advantage of by this man and his band so they could turn a profit.

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
-Proverbs 22:16

In another example, a "Christian" metal band called The Order of Elijah came forward and publicly denounced Jesus Christ. After talking about how much he was displeased with the judgments of God, lead singer Shannon Low said:
"I had no choice but to accept that I had shed my faith like a cocoon. It was scary yet liberating, it [was] confusing yet simple, I felt at peace yet completely shaken, I pretty much had to reprogram my way of thinking about the world. Not only that, I felt I had lived a lie for half my life. I read books, tried meditating, hell sometimes I'd even try to talk to god... I became very interested in researching science and the culture of other religions daily... So here we are today. Look, I love you guys and I'm sorry I'm not a Christian anymore. This is honestly me completely coming out of the faith closet, I tried to avoid throwing all my mental baggage into the road but you guys very important to me and the rest of the TOOE crew."
-Shannon Low, The Order of Elijah Community Facebook Page, May 21, 2016, retrieved Jan 26, 2018, [facebook.com/theorderofelijah/posts/1040598199319463]

As born again Christians, we would expect rebuke, correction, and exhortation coming from the responses of Low's Christian fan base. However, there was there not a word of reproof in the responses to Low's post; rather, the responses were encouragement to his atheist testimony:
"MATTIAS W: This is a wonderful post. I am very happy for you being on more stable ground,"
Dylan D: As a Christian, as long as they know why they don't believe in God and went through the evidence case by case... then go ahead, it's your choice. (smile emoji)
Notch J: You can be a good person without religion... Breathe the free air. You've just liberated yourself.
Oz A: As a Christian... I have many problems in Life that are healed without me going to God. My immediate family consists of Atheists, Agnostics, Budist [sic] and Christian beliefs and we all get along, love and respect each other. I dont [sic] pretend to have all the answers to the Bible and I've not once come across anyone Chritiain [sic] or not that has been forceful to how I should live.
Kurtis K: I have nothing to say except good on ya! Takes a real man to look at his life and problems and decide to do something about it."
-Shannon Low, The Order of Elijah Community Facebook Page, May 21, 2016, retrieved Jan 26, 2018, [facebook.com/theorderofelijah/posts/1040598199319463]

The reason Low got these responses is because not only was Low a false convert, but his entire fanbase is full of false converts. Their fans obviously have no concern for the state of Low's soul, that he is on his way to hell and the lake of fire for his rejection of Christ, and likewise, he has no love for them either because he lies against the truth.

If a man truly desires liberty, it can only come through Jesus Christ:

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
-2 Corinthians 3:17

Low went on to laugh at churchgoers who abandoned his band after they came out as unbelievers, and especially after they started supporting sodomites/homosexuals:
"Some people have already declared things such as ripping out posters off their walls, breaking our CDs in two, vulgar messages, deleting us from their music, and hundreds of dislikes from the page. Especially after we took a stand for LGBT equality lol. [laugh out loud] Although, while its thinned out the zealots it has brought a lot of new opened minded fans. Many who have reached out to us about having the same doubts but have nobody to talk to. Most with the same fears that they will be shunned by their family or peers. I think it will be a transitional process, but separating myself from Christianity has been a great decision."
-Hemant Mehta, "The Lead Singer of a Christian Metal Band Just Came Out As An Atheist," Patheos, May 22, 2016, retrieved Jan 26, 2018, [http://bit.ly/2GjRHte]

Aside from the deception of men like Shannon Low, at least he was willing to come out and admit the truth, namely, that he hates the Christian God of the Bible. The truly sickening part about the entire thing are the undiscerning churchgoers, who are themselves hypocrites, because on the one hand, they want to claim they are servants of Jesus Christ, while on the other hand, remaining lustfully addicted to their corrupt music, refusing to judge righteous judgment, and compare spiritual things with the Word of God to find the truth, while they lash out at people like me for daring to expose the unfruitful works of darkness.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
-John 7:24
(Read "Unbiblical Cop-Outs: 'Don't Judge Me!'" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
-Amos 5:23-24

judge (v): to compare facts or ideas, and perceive their agreement or disagreement, and thus to distinguish truth from falsehood
(See 'judge', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 1, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
-1 Corinthians 2:13-15

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
-Ephesians 5:8-13

Earlier in this book, I briefly mentioned Hawk Nelson, a "Christian" band that was performing with all the other corrupt bands at Uprise Festival, and in 2020, Hawk Nelson's lead singer, Jonathan Steingard, confessed he was an atheist:
"Jonathan Steingard, frontman for the Christian rock band Hawk Nelson, has gone public with some personal news. In a recent lengthy post on his Instagram account, the singer shared that he no longer believes in God. 'I've been terrified to post this for a while — but it feels like it's time for me to be honest... After growing up in a Christian home, being a pastor's kid, playing and singing in a Christian band, and having the word 'Christian' in front of most of the things in my life — I am now finding that I no longer believe in God... The last few words of that sentence were hard to write. I still find myself wanting to soften that statement by wording it differently or less specifically — but it wouldn't be as true.'"
-Lisa R. France, "Jonathan Steingard, Christian singer, reveals he no longer believes in God," CNN, May 27, 2020, retrieved Sept 15, 2020, [cnn.com/2020/05/27/entertainment/jonathan-steingard-atheist/index.html]

A major problem is when a young man grows up under a so-called "Christian" pastor who adopts the world's methods into his leavened church building. The young man grows up learning the traditions of men and the ways of the world in a corrupt church building, while listening to his hypocrite father preach about the love of Jesus, seeing the constant contradiction between what his dad says and does, and then when he finally gets out into the world, he realizes that he is like-minded with the world, so he does exactly what Steingard did, which was to get rid of the excess baggage he calls "Jesus."

In 2019, Marty Sampson, a very influential Hillsong musician and songwriter, came forward and announced that he was not a Christian:
"A musician who spent years writing songs and performing with the globally influential Christian music collective Hillsong now says he is questioning his faith. Marty Sampson is a songwriter and worship leader for the recording label that grew out of Hillsong Church, a congregation based in Sydney that now has branches in 23 countries. Sampson has been writing for Hillsong since at least 1998. More recently, he was one of the musicians behind 'The Lord's Prayer,' a song that appears in Hillsong Worship's 2018 album, 'There Is More.'... [T]he musician has been posting memes scrutinizing Christianity and expressing doubts about how a good God could condone evil and suffering in the world."
-Carol Kuruvilla, "Evangelical Songwriter Says He's No Longer Christian In Emotional Instagram Post," Aug 26, 2019, retrieved Sept 16, 2020, [https://bit.ly/32C4KDw]

Again, these so-called "Christian" musicians are not Christians, and the only difference between the popular singers still on stage versus men like Marty Sampson is that Sampson still has a conscience strong enough to convict him not to live a lie. Of course, this does not make Sampson guiltless in the matter, in that he led millions of people astray, just like everyone else in the "Christian" music industry.

To address Sampson's concerns, it should be first noted that the ridiculous, clown-like "god" of Hillsong's circus is the not the Christian God of the Bible. That being said, the Christian God of the Bible has NEVER condoned evil, and to understand that more clearly, let's look at a definition of the word 'condone' by the context in which it was used in the article:

condone (v): to disregard or overlook
(See 'condone', Random House Dictionary, 2020, [dictionary.com]; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co, 2012)

The Almighty God has never disregarded or overlooked evil of any kind because He is omnipresent, meaning that He is in all places, at all times, at the same time. The word 'god' literally means "judge," which is why, in Jewish society, they used to call their judges "gods," because that is what the word means; one who is in authority to pass sentence on wrongdoing.
(Read "Does the Bible Say 'Ye Are Gods?'" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

The first thing I would ask Sampson is, after so many years of being a liar and deceiver, on what basis does he think he is righteous enough to judge the Holy Godhead? The first problem Sampson has is that he is prideful and arrogant, thinking he is not wretched, poor, and blind; however, that being said, Brian Houston and Hillsong never taught him that message.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
-Proverbs 16:18

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
-Proverbs 26:5

conceit (n): conception, imagination, opinion, notion, fancy
(See 'conceit', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 16, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
-Romans 1:19-21

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
-Revelation 3:17

The Bible says that God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather, He wants them to turn from their evil ways and live:

For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
-Ezekiel 18:32

This is the same way which any judge operates when sentencing criminals in a courtroom. Does Sampson believe that judges in a courtroom enjoy the death of the criminals they are sentencing? No, they do not. Judges do not like to have to hand out sentences, especially those of life in prison and/or death penalties, but it is their duty to judge righteous judgment onto wicked men and women, and punish them for their crimes.

What Sampson ignores is the fact that he is also one of those wicked people, having much sin on his account, just as all mankind does. It is the pride in the heart of Sampson that prevents him from seeing clearly what the Bible teaches on repentance (i.e. godly sorrow) of sin, and that God is also merciful to those who cry out to Him with a broken heart, but God will NOT pardon the proud of heart who lie against the truth.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
-Psalm 34:18

contrite (adj): broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent
(See 'contrite', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 16, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
-James 4:6

Many of the musicians and speakers I have mentioned in this book might try to convince you they are humble people when they are on stage, but in their hearts, they hate the Christian God of the Bible, which is why they preach the messages loved by the world instead of preaching the truth of God's Word. Knowing this truth, it should be no surprise that George Perdikis went on to say:
"The Christian music scene is populated by many people who act as though they have a direct hotline to a God who supplies them with the answers to the Universe. There seems to be more ego and narcissism amongst Christian musicians than their secular counterparts. They demonized everyone while giving a pass to their own particular brand of Christianity, making themselves look like fluffy white angels with perfect, synchronized lives."
-George Perdikis, "I Co-Founded One of the Most Popular Christian Rock Bands Ever... and I'm Now An Atheist," patheos.com, Jan 21, 2015, retrieved Jan 22, 2015, [www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/01/21/i-co-founded-one-of-the-most-popular-christian-rock-bands-ever-and-im-now-an-atheist/#ixzz3PVG6LwO8]

One of the major problems with Perdikis's statement is that mankind does have a direct hotline to God in prayer, and that He does supply us with answers in His Word. If Perdikis had been given a humble heart of repentance and sought the wisdom of God, he would have seen clearly that Jesus already taught about hypocritical people who take on the name of God in vain.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
-Matthew 23:27-28

That being said, I can fully agree with Perdikis that there is a lot of pride (i.e. sin) among the musicians in the "Christian" music industry. The problem that Perdikis left out is that the entire secular music industry is the exact same way, always trying to make themselves look good in front of a camera, while hiding the debauchery that goes on behind the scenes, and the "Christian" music industry is full of hypocrites that are only one step away from the rest of the world, being even worse than the secular industry because they consider themselves to be "sanctified," when they are anything but.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
-Matthew 12:34

Even though these musicians may have left the so-called "Christian" church buildings, it does not mean they still do not have a career in the music industry, and many of them go on to make a living playing and producing secular music. However, I want to remind readers that this does not mean they have "switched sides," but rather, they have simply moved from one genre to another in the SAME industry because, aside from the word 'Christian', there is no difference between the music industry and the Christian music industry—they are one and the same.

Famous "Christian" musician and ecumenical heretic Michael W. Smith has made much effort to bridge the genre gap when he created an organization called "Rocketown" back in 1994. Since then, many parents have begun to express their concerns about what kind of music their children are listening to at Rocketown events, and the following video is a news report on that controversy:

FATHER: "My concern is for my 16-year-old son, keeping him out of an environment like that." REPORTER #1: "A Christian-themed hangout, Rocketown, is in the middle of a controversy. Dozens of parents are upset that allegedly anti-Christian bands have been booked to play there..." REPORTER #2: "[screaming singer of metal band playing in background] This is a band called Toxic Holocaust, singing its song 'Hang The Pope'. Some of the lyrics, quote, 'Let's go to the Vatican, get him out of bed, put the noose around his neck, and hang him 'til he's dead.'" FATHER: "We just thought that that was a little over the top, you know, to promote at a Christian venue..." REPORTER #2: "The headliner, Black Dahlia Murder, has a song called 'Black Valor,' and part of the chorus is, quote, 'Striking with Satanic force, we'll crush their fabled Christ.'" FATHER: "I went to MySpace and checked out their promotional video to that band, you know, they're on the tour bus doing bong heads, drinking Jack [Daniels, a brand of alcohol], cussing like sailors. I'm thinking these kids are going there thinking, 'Well, if Rocketown's booked them in, then that's an okay thing to do.'" REPORTER #2: "Dozens of other parents have raised questions about these metal bands, but Rocketown is standing firm." ROCKETOWN MANAGER: "So I understand that there are some people who find this controversial. We're a very non-traditional ministry, and we're proud of that because it allows us to reach kids that traditional ministries aren't reaching..." REPORTER #2: "[T]he venue welcomes all different kinds of bands to attract all different kinds of kids. That way, she says, you're not preaching to the choir." ROCKETOWN MANAGER: "Because lots of times, that is that expectation: 'We don't want you here if you have a different belief than us. We don't want you here if you are going to have an opposing viewpoint.' That's not our philosophy at all. We want you to come no matter who you are because Christ's love is big enough for everyone..." REPORTER #2: "[T]here are standards, and some bands are rejected for content or profanity. Regardless, she says, kids are going to see concerts in a safe environment."

One of the major problems I saw in this report was not the music (although we will get to that in a moment), but rather, the apathetic way in which the father in the interview was concerned about the offenses of the music. The man was supposed to be a Christian leader in his local church building, and instead of saying that these were grave offenses against the Lord Jesus Christ that no one should be listening to, he instead says that he felt like it was "a little over the top," as if he was watching a teenager drink bleach, and casually suggesting that the teenager should drink some tea with it to soothe his stomach.

The reason Rocketown does not care about bringing in bands that sing about murdering Christians on a blood-soaked battlefield and wielding the power of Satan is because Rocketown's goal is only to bring in more people to their concerts. They can talk about "Christ's love" as much as they want, but they are hypocrites because it is not loving to withhold the truth from those who are in darkness, which is why I rebuke Rocketown and all their unbiblical, fake leadership as much as I rebuke the Satanic music.

It is bad enough that a worldly band would sing about joining with Satan, but at least someone who sings about such things has chosen a side; meaning that we can clearly see them as wolves seeking to devour the youth and extort them for money. However, what is FAR worse is Michael W. Smith and Rocketown because they want to devour the youth and extort them for money, only they want to do it while disguising themselves hypocritically under the name of "Jesus," which is why, on my website, I have an entire series called "Wolves in Costume" (i.e. that they are wolves disguised as sheep), and Michael W. Smith is on that list.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
-Acts 20:28-31

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
-Matthew 7:15

At the beginning of this book, I mentioned briefly that Michael W. Smith had done some things similar to the witchcraft practices of Satanist Aleister Crowley, and though that might sound far-fetched to those who are avid fans of Smith's music, we need to put aside emotion to look at the facts. We are about to see why Michael W. Smith does not care whether or not young men and women are listening to any style or lyrics of music.

The following image is from the front and back covers of Smith's album, The Big Picture. Notice that in the top corners of the album, Smith writes his name forward and backward, which is similar to Crowley's Satanic doctrine of reversal we covered in the early stages of this book. Of course, that alone would not be enough to convince me that Michael W. Smith is involved in (or at the very least, has intimate knowledge of) witchcraft; however, the lettering adds more details.

The average reader may see the lettering of Smith's name to be stylistic, but those letters/symbols were not chosen without meaning. The letters I highlighted in the image (i.e. the 't' and 'm') were chose by Smith on purpose, and they are symbols used in Nordic witchcraft. "The runic alphabet or futhark... is shown here in one of its earliest forms. It was to be used in the north for more than a thousand years."
-Museum of Natural History, "The Futhark Runic Alphabets," retrieved Dec 8, 2014, [https://bit.ly/3kj7Bay]

The following quote is from a witchcraft coven in Southlake, Texas, explaining that these are the "Elder Futhark Runes," which are the most commonly used by witches:
"Runes are the individual elements, or letters, which were use [sic] to create ancient alphabets in centuries long past. The three most popular and most widely-known runic alphabets are the Elder Futhark, the Younger Futhark and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc... Though each ancient runic language has its own inherent power, the Elder Futhark Runes are the most commonly used set of runes in modern magick. They are excellent tools for various uses as each witch determines to use them. The runes may be used in the physical sense by writing, carving, painting, casting as jewelry, etc. or used as a mental sign or sigil, signed into the air, with the power of the rune visualized by the witch and 'sent' to a location determined by the witch signing it for magickal purpose according to their needs. All are old practices used for centuries and still in use today by many magick practicing peoples of multiple paths."
-Sacred Hands Coven, "Witches Tools: Runes in Modern Magick," 2018, retrieved Sept 17, 2020, [sacredhandscoven.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/witches-tools-runes-in-modern-magick-2]

Please do not misunderstand, we are covering this because Smith chose this Elder Futhark lettering on purpose, and the Encyclopaedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism will give us more details to understand why he did that:
(Image from book by Timothy Roderick, Wicca: A Year and a Day - 366 Days of Spiritual Practice in the Craft of the Wise, Llewellyn Worldwide, 2005, p. 53-54, ISBN: 9780738706214; Roderick is a psychotherapist in southern California and an initiate in Traditional Wicca.)

"The magical use of runes is well documented. There are several passages in the Norse Sagas and Eddas and in Anglo-Saxon literature telling of people carving runes into bits of wood, artifacts such as weapons or drinking horns, and even body parts, in order to achieve magical effects such as healing, cursing, or protection."
-Shelley Rabinovitch & James Lewis, The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism, Citadel Press, 2002, p. 237-238, ISBN: 9780806524061; Rabinovitch is a cultural anthropologist at the University of Ottawa, Ontario.

In the above image, I highlighted the two symbols Smith used, which is the Teiwaz (i.e. the T-shaped letter that looks like an arrow pointing up) and the Mannaz (i.e. the M-shaped letter that looks like the back of a chair). The following book on witchcraft documents the meaning of the Mannaz:
"M is connected with the holly tree, and the gods Heimdall and Odin. The Norse names are mannaz, man, and madhr. The literal meaning is 'mankind, human being, or the physical world.' The magical and divination meanings are a male influence in life, new career opportunities, and developing a link with the deities."
-D.J. Conway, Wicca: The Complete Craft, Crossing Press, 2001, p. 342, ISBN: 9781580910927; Conway is an honorary member of the Council of Elders of the Society of Celtic Shamans, and she has studied/written about new-age religions and witchcraft for more than 40 years.

The same book continues to document the meaning of the Teiwaz:
"T is connected with the oak tree, and the god Tyr. The Norse names are Tiwaz, Tyr, Tiu, and Tir. The literal meaning is 'sky god or the god Tyr.' The magical and divination meanings are wisdom, justice, the law, justified victory, and success."
-D.J. Conway, Wicca: The Complete Craft, Crossing Press, 2001, p. 342, ISBN: 9781580910927; Conway is an honorary member of the Council of Elders of the Society of Celtic Shamans, and she has studied/written about new-age religions and witchcraft for more than 40 years.

To summarize, Smith utilized the runic symbols of witches to connect mankind and the physical (i.e. Mannaz, the M-shaped symbol) to his "sky god" (i.e. Teiwaz, the T-shaped symbol), and it is clear that Smith has intimate knowledge of these things. Smith was a college dropout after one semester, which means he did not have enough time in any courses to learn such details on this subject, and thus, Smith studied this somewhere on his own. Again, the Bible tells us that God hates witchcraft, so why would anyone calling themselves a "Christian" turn to the tradition and languages of witches?

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
-Galatians 5:19-21

Over the years I have received scathing letters from Smith's fans who were furious that I would dare rebuke their holy, sacred cow Michael W. Smith, claiming that the lettering on The Big Picture album was just a coincidence. However, I simply ask readers to look at the following image of Smith's 1989 Christmastime album and judge righteous judgment: (Read "Wolves in Costume: Michael W. Smith" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

For anyone claiming this is coincidental, why would a man go out into a snowy field in the middle of nowhere with a chair shaped exactly like the Mannaz symbol, and then stand on it with his head down and arms out to his side to form the up-arrow, T-shaped, Teiwaz symbol we just saw in the witchcraft runes? That is not a natural thing to do. Of course, churchgoers may want to justify this to say that he had no witchcraft intent, and was simply using these things as a symbol of God, but the Bible teaches us that we ought NOT to do such things.

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
-Acts 17:29

Some churchgoers may want to argue that was decades ago, and that he has probably grown and changed since then. If that is the case, how do you explain the symbol of Rocketown?
The image is a screenshot I took directly from Rocketown's main page on their official website in September of 2020. That is no coincidence. The reason that Michael W. Smith does not care whether or not young men and women are listening to demonic music at Rocketown venues, and the reason foolish churchgoers try to defend him, is because the world loves its own.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
-John 15:19

Here is just one of the bands featured at Rocketown:

"Black Valor" - Black Dahlia Murder Join us! Black valor's on our side Striking with satanic force we'll crust their fabled Christ Decimated by a whirlwind of insufferable attacks Impenetratable [sic] black phalanx of our unblessed spear and shield We march upon the enemy with hate, with hate On this day of victory Christian blood will soak these battlefields The tidings of a war infernal Destruction of all angelic life To bear the mark of the pentagram circle reviled Armageddon's drawing nearer On the coattails of the end we'll ride Of death we hath no fear, Hails! black valor's on our side! Boundless is unholiness iniquitous our pride Each man a god unto himself spirit never to die

The following video consists of a lot of screaming, so please check your device's volume level before watching it. This will give you an idea of what a Rocketown concert looks like:
The so-called "singer" of the band is literally "woofing" like a dog into the microphone while guitars and drums are banging out death metal in the background, and meanwhile, the young men are jumping around, punching, kicking, and screaming. Does that sound like they are (as the Rocketown manager put it during her interview) sharing "Christ's love... in a safe environment?"

Abstain from all appearance of evil.
-1 Thessalonians 5:22

Let all things be done decently and in order.
-1 Corinthians 14:40

However, despite what the Bible says, Rocketown states on their website:
"Rocketown has grown into a regional outreach as well as a model for Christian-based relational outreach across the country."
-About Rocketown, "History," retrieved Dec 8, 2014, [web.archive.org/web/20141111222008/rocketown.com/about-rocketown])

It should be noted that was back in 2014. Since then, Rocketown has changed their statement from a more or less Christian-based model to a more generalized "faith-based" model:
"Rocketown is a faith based youth outreach facility in the heart of Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Our approach to working with youth is holistic [considering mental and social factors], with programs and services nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. We engage youth through attraction-based facilities and programs, like our Sixth Avenue Skatepark, live music and concert venues, Coffee & Snack Bar, and afterschool academic enrichment and creative arts programs."
-Rocketown, "About Rocketown," retrieved Sept 17, 2020, [rocketown.com/about]

Violence and screaming of death metal certainly nurtures the mind, body, and spirit, but not in a good way. This type of concert might be considered "enriching" and "creative," but it is poison to the minds and philosophies (i.e. ways of thinking) of these young men and women, and they will certainly not lead anyone to Christ through such rebellious methods.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
-1 Samuel 15:23

The reason Rocketown now calls itself "faith-based" is because the so-called "Christian" musicians are always shifting towards the ecumenical movement, which is what Michael W. Smith supports and teaches. Smith yokes together with the same deceptive ecumenical crowds as aforementioned false converts, like TobyMac, and believes in the same heretic doctrines of aforementioned false preachers, like Billy Graham, and thus, it should be no surprise to see Smith hugging it out with both TobyMac and Billy Graham on stage. (Image by Paul M. Walsh, CC BY-SA 3.0, retrieved Sept 17, 2020, [commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4939809])

Earlier in this book, I briefly mentioned a band called Skillet and how they were teaching false doctrine in their music. Over the years I have had some letters sent to me that have verbally burned me at the stake for daring to question the faith of Skillet's band members, and so I was convicted to uncover the truth behind this band because, as DC Talk was to me as a teenager in the 90s, Skillet is to teenagers growing up in the 2010s.

Much of the reason Skillet is so deceptive is because of the statements coming from their leader, John L. Cooper. In a Facebook post he made in 2019, Cooper made a lengthy statement that would be hard for any Christian to disagree with:
"What is happening in Christianity? More and more of our outspoken leaders or influencers who were once 'faces' of the faith are falling away. And at the same time they are being very vocal and bold about it... My conclusion for the church (all of us Christians): We must STOP making worship leaders and thought leaders or influencers or cool people or 'relevant' people the most influential people in Christendom. (And yes that includes people like me!) I've been saying for 20 years (and seemed probably quite judgmental to some of my peers) that we are in a dangerous place when the church is looking to 20 year old worship singers as our source of truth. We now have a church culture that learns who God is from singing modern praise songs rather than from the teachings of the Word. I'm not being rude to my worship leader friends (many who would agree with me) in saying that singers and musicians are good at communicating emotion and feeling. We create a moment and a vehicle for God to speak. However, singers are not always the best people to write solid bible truth and doctrine. Sometimes we are too young, too ignorant of scripture, too unaware, or too unconcerned about the purity of scripture and the holiness of the God we are singing to. Have you ever considered the disrespect of singing songs to God that are untrue of His character?... It is time for the church to rediscover the preeminence of the Word. And to value the teaching of the Word. We need to value truth over feeling. Truth over emotion. And what we are seeing now is the result of the church raising up influencers who did not supremely value truth who have led a generation who also do not believe in the supremacy of truth. And now those disavowed leaders are proudly still leading and influencing boldly AWAY from the truth... let us NOT find creative ways to shape Gods word into the image of our culture by stifling inconvenient truths. But rather let us hold on even tighter to the anchor of the living Word of God. For He changes NOT."
-John L. Cooper, "What in God's Name is Happening in Christianity," Facebook, Aug 13, 2019, retrieved Sept 18, 2020, [facebook.com/johnlcooperstuff/photos/a.2899206263638620/2899204140305499]

Again, what professing Christian could disagree with such a powerful statement? Many of you may think that John Cooper is a strong, discerning Christian after reading such statements that seem to, on the surface, agree with what I have written in this book. My problem is not with what Cooper said, but rather, my problem is what he did NOT say, and we are about to find out that, while Cooper is rightfully pointing out the hypocrisy of church buildings, he is one of the biggest hypocrites of them all.

Though John Cooper likes to portray to his churchgoing followers that he is a soldier of truth that puts aside emotion to look at the Gospel of Jesus, in reality, he writes music based on attracting people by their emotions instead of the truth. In a 2016 interview, Cooper confessed that he has many adoring atheist fans:
"And how many thousands of people we've met that have said, 'Hey, I'm an atheist. I don't get this Jesus thing or not, but you guys' music makes me feel good.'... and that's awesome."
-John L. Cooper, "Skillet Interview 2016," skillet_johncooper, Aug 30, 2016, retrieved Sept 18, 2020, [https://youtu.be/R7t1OpZ5_7A?t=143]

We just read John Cooper saying that "We need to value truth over feeling. Truth over emotion," but then he turns around to say how "awesome" it is to have atheist fans who choose emotion over truth, which means that Cooper is a hypocrite that could not care less about Christ's doctrines. Cooper is trying to play both sides for financial gain, and this same hypocrisy exists all over the "Christian" music industry.

In another Facebook post, Skillet posted an advertisement for FortaRock, saying:
"Just a few more days until FortaRock - The Festival! Who are we going to see there?! If you haven't gotten tickets yet - grab them here:"
-Skillet Music, Official Facebook Page, May 27, 2014, retrieved Sept 18, 2020, [facebook.com/skillet/photos/a.10150357061823720/10152219849278720]

What we need to understand is that Skillet is PROMOTING this event, and therefore, they are also promoting the bands playing at that event, since tickets include all the performances. As you can see from the following image taken from Skillet's Facebook page, they are promoting bands such as Iron Maiden, Slayer, Anthrax, Carcass, Graveyard, Blood Ceremony, and of course, Skillet is one of the featured bands at this event.
Not only are the names of the bands obviously promoting death and violence, but to get an idea of what these concerts are like, let's look at some of the lyrics to the songs:

Iron Maiden - "Number of the Beast" 666 the number of the beast Hell and fire was spawned to be released Torches blazed and sacred chants were phrased As they start to cry, hands held to the sky In the night, the fires are burning bright The ritual has begun, Satan's work is done 666 the number of the beast Sacrifice is going on tonight This can't go on, I must inform the law Can this still be real, or just some crazy dream? But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes They seem to mesmerize, can't avoid their eyes 666 the number of the beast 666 the one for you and me I'm coming back, I will return And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn I have the fire, I have the force I have the power to make my evil take its course

When I showed my wife what I was working on, and she saw this image, she was immediately disgusted, and turned her head away. She told me she did not want to see that because it was horrifying and made her sick to her stomach. We who are born again in Christ have a hard time even looking upon such an image without disgust, and we would immediately depart from a venue hosting such things, but not only is Skillet not bothered by these things, they are willing to get on the same stage as these people to perform at the same concerts.

We just read Cooper say that many so-called "Christian" preachers were falling away, and "those disavowed leaders are proudly still leading and influencing boldly AWAY from the truth," while he and his band hypocritically lead their followers to attend concerts that sing music that opposes the Almighty God in every way. Just so there is no confusion about who Skillet tours and yokes together with, let's look at another example of a band that featured at FortaRock:

Slayer - "Altar of Sacrifice" Altar of sacrifice, curse of the damned Confronting the evil you dread Coalesce into one your shadow and soul Soon you will meet the undead Enter to the realm of Satan! Blood turning black, the change has begun Feeling the hatred of all damned in Hell Flesh starts to burn, twist and deform Eyes dripping blood realization of death Transforming of five toes to two Learn the sacred words of praise, hail Satan A gift of powers disposed upon you Use them when you feel the need Master the forces and powers of Satan Controlling the creature's instinct Drawn to the castles that float in the sky Learn to resist the temptation Watching the angels sift through the heavens Endlessly searching for salvation

Just to clarify, the word 'repent' means to have grief and godly sorrow of wrongdoing, and is a condition for salvation in Jesus Christ. However, Slayer is preaching a repentance-less message, meaning that they are proud to be without godly sorrow for their sins.
(Read "Is Repentance Part of Salvation?" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Skillet was invited to perform at Epicenter 2019, which included a roster of bands such as Korn, Rob Zombie, Judas Priest, Foo Fighters, The Cult, and Tool, just to name a few. With Judas Priest singing songs like "Race With The Devil" which says that "The Devil will catch you" no matter where you go, and with Rob Zombie (who also tours with Satanist Marilyn Manson), who has an album called The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser, it is clear that John Cooper and Skillet not only have no discernment, but they simply do not care.
(See Jeffrey Greenblatt, "Epicenter Festival Announces 2019 Lineup," JamBase, Dec 10, 2018, retrieved Sept 22, 2020, [jambase.com/article/epicenter-festival-2019-lineup])

The following image is another Facebook post by Skillet, in which they are "excited," promoting ticket sales to Rock Fest 2019, which features Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson: (See Skillet Music, Facebook Post for Rock Fest 2019, retrieved Sept 22, 2020, [https://bit.ly/33TSQ7m])

These are just a few examples of the wicked bands Skillet tours with, the bands they are excited about, and the bands they want you to pay money to go see and hear. This means that John Cooper was putting on a false appearance to his fans in his Facebook post, claiming that they need to "STOP making worship leaders... the most influential people in Christendom," while at the same time, he promotes and plays in the same concerts as Satan's worship leaders.

Radio station Pulse FM interviewed John Cooper in 2018 about this obvious contradiction, but in a way that allowed him to put a positive spin on it for the media:
"HOST: You just got done [touring] with Korn.
COOPER: Yeah!
HOST: And now you're stepping into our CCM world again. Talk a little bit about that, just what that's like. I love that you're out doing that, but what's it like being out on the road with Korn, and then stepping back here for festivals and what not? You've got a foot in both worlds.
COOPER: Yeah, we do, and we're very lucky. Part of the original vision for Skillet, I never wanted to be—I always wanted to sing about my faith. I never wanted to be just known as Christian band, meaning, only playing for Christians... I've always seen Skillet as a little bit of a bridge, and I think it's important that people in the world that don't know Jesus see a band like Skillet or whoever, and go, 'You know what? Christians aren't that bad. You know, maybe they're okay.' And also a bridge on the other side, for Christians not to be scared of having friends that are unsaved. You know, we don't want to be influenced by them, but it's good to have friends that are heathens."
-Pulse FM, "John Cooper Skillet Interview Part 2 Playing Christian and Non Christian Shows," Aug 6, 2018, retrieved Sept 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/z2QdmYDKpa4]

Notice that Cooper used the word 'lucky' and not 'blessed' because luck is of the Devil, not of God. The reason Skillet is welcomed among bands like Korn is because the world loves its own, which is why the world does not hate Skillet.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
-John 15:18-20

Skillet's "original vision" was to have fellowship with the world.

fellowship (n): companionship; society; consort; mutual association of persons on equal and friendly terms; familiar intercourse
(See 'fellowship', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 22, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

Therefore, there is a huge difference between talking with heathens and preaching to heathens, and having fellowship with heathens. The common mantra said by churchgoers all the time is that "Jesus was a friend of sinners," but that is not what the Bible tells us:

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
-James 4:4

Jesus ate with sinners, He talked with sinners, He preached to sinners, but He did NOT travel with them, nor did He spend intimate time with them. Jesus spent his intimate time of friendship with those who had come to repentance and faith, who He called to be disciples and were part of His beloved church.

God is a friend to those who come to repentance and faith, but Skillet believes that they should fellowship with the world because Skillet is of the world. John Cooper is not a born again Christian, which is why he has no discernment about yoking up with the world.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
-2 Corinthians 6:14

Nobody is persecuting Skillet because Skillet does not teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is because they are not children of God. Skillet are servants of the world, not servants of Christ, and they continue to walk in darkness, which is why they are liars when they claim to have fellowship with God.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
-1 John 1:6

In a Loudwire interview, John Cooper praised the wicked band Korn as the best band he has ever seen do a live performance:
"First of all, I am a huge Korn fan. And I have had the privilege of playing with Korn, probably the best band I have ever seen live, and I'm so thrilled they're having us, so thank you to whoever made that happen, all those Korn guys... I think it's great because I'm a fan of all kinds of tours. I'm a real believer: If you can get a lot of different kinds of stuff, you're going to get fringe people, so you're going to get—there's a lot of Korn fans that don't know Skillet—that's good, good for me, but there might be a few Skillet fans that don't love music that heavy, or don't love music as so-n-so, so hopefully, if you bring them all together, all these groups, and it's good for everybody. Mainly good for me because I'm the opener."
-John Cooper, "Skillet's John Cooper: Don't Tell Me Rock Is Dead," Loudwire, June 27, 2017, retrieved Sept 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/GGHQKKn5nk0?t=233]

Not only is Cooper a huge Korn fan, but he promotes them as well. Cooper was not saying "I'm a real believer" in the context of believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but rather, he was a "real believer" in yoking together with as many wicked bands as possible to increase his own popularity.

Instead of trusting in the hope and guidance of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, John Cooper acts like the sellout he is, suckling at the teat of Korn, and he would not dare speak one word of rebuke to them, lest it be taken as biting the hand that feeds him, knowing that Korn would never invite Skillet back to their concerts. Cooper does not care about right and wrong, nor does he care if he is yoked together with the world, so long as it financially benefits him.

John Cooper hangs out with the enemies of Christ and does not rebuke their sin because he knows he would not get invited back to these demonic concerts, and the reason he avoids that is not only because he has little understanding of God's Word, but also, as we have already seen in many other instances in this book, Skillet does not want to be associated with the name of Christ. He knows that, in order to be accepted by the world, he has to get rid of the "Christian" title, and in another interview, Cooper gave more details:
"In an interview with STLtoday, front man of the band Skillet, John Cooper, went into greater detail about why he and his band prefer to avoid using the word 'Christian.' I just tell people I'm in a hard-rock band. I leave "Christian" out,' he told STLtoday. 'A lot of people don't know what Christian rock is, or they think it's only for Christian people. We're not a band that only sings to Christian people. I meet tons of fans, and I've had fans that said, "I'm an atheist and I love your message."' The rocker stated he does not however want anyone to think he is hiding his faith. 'I want to make it clear Skillet is never embarrassed about the fact we're in the Christian music industry or that we're a Christian band,' he explained. 'Everywhere we play, I talk about my faith. I leave the 'Christian' off because I don't want to alienate.'"
-Jeannie Law, "Skillet Band Shed Christian Title; 'I Leave 'Christian' Out... I Don't Want to Alienate' Says Lead Singer," BreathCast, May 9, 2014, retrieved Sept 22, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2FXhQCs]

Again, the message that would appeal to an atheist is a message that lacks the truth of God's Word. If Skillet were preaching the truth of Christ in their music, atheists would hate them, and so they remove anything that would resemble the things Jesus preached so they will be loved by the world.

When asked how she views the band, member of Skillet and wife of John Cooper, Korey Cooper, responds:
"I look at ourselves as a band whose members are all Christian people, so the things that we write are going to be coming from that paradigm. We don't want to just exclusively sing to Christian people. We want our music to resonate with all sorts of people, so we have fans that are atheists, we have fans that are Muslim, we have fans that are Jewish. We don't want our music to be polarizing and we don't want our lyrics polarizing, but there is a positive message in the way we view life that I think comes across in our music."
-Korey Cooper, "Interview - Korey Cooper of Skillet," Cryptic Rock, July 24, 2017, retrieved Sept 22, 2020, [crypticrock.com/interview-korey-cooper-skillet]

Are the Jews offended by the doctrines Jesus taught? Yes. Are Muslims offended by the rebuke of their evil deeds and traditions? Yes. There is no way you would ever see Muslims, Jews, or atheists singing the hymn "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus" because that preaches the Gospel of Christ, but they are thrilled to sing along with Skillet, which means that whatever Skillet is singing about lacks any relevance to the Gospel of Christ.

For example, here is one of Skillet's hit songs from 2016:

Skillet - "Feel Invincible" Hey, hey, hey everyday when I wake I'm trying to get up, they're knocking me down Chewing me up, spitting me out Hey, hey, hey when I need to be saved You're making me strong, you're making me stand Never will fall, never will end Shot like a rocket up into the sky Nothing could stop me tonight You make me feel invincible, Earthquake, powerful Just like a tidal wave, You make me brave You're my titanium, Fight song, raising up Like a roar of victory in a stadium Who can touch me 'cause I'm (I'm made of fire) Who can stop me tonight (I'm hard wired) You make me feel invincible I feel, I feel it, Invincible I feel, I feel it, Invincible

Essentially, the lyrics are saying nothing with any meaning at all, which means that any meaning which might be drawn from this song is completely subjective, or in other words, someone would simply look to their own feelings and experiences for a message in this song, interpreting it however they please, and that is Skillet's ultimate goal. There is no praise and worship of God, and that is done on purpose. This song has nothing to do with the Word of God, and it has the same worldly, self-centered message that we see from the lyrics of most so-called "Christian" music. (e.g. "I wake, I'm trying, I'm made, I'm wired, I feel," etc.)

However, the lyrics make sense from the worldly philosophy that Korey Cooper expressed in her interview. Notice that she said the band was trying to create "a positive message in the way we view life," not in the way that Jesus Christ views their lives, but in the way they personally want to view them, which is based on positive feelings and opinions of themselves.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
-John 12:25

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
-Proverbs 16:2

There is a corrupt philosophy spread out by most church buildings today, and that is the idea that a "positive" message is automatically a "Christian" message. That is simply not true, and many people hated Jesus Christ when He moved from place to place, preaching repentance (i.e. godly sorrow) and remission (i.e. forgiveness) of sins, and telling the people who would not listen that they were of their father the Devil.

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God... Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
-John 8:43-59

Skillet pretends to be going to these concerts to evangelize to people, but they are not doing any evangelizing at all. In fact, I do not believe they know what real evangelism means. They are not standing on the street outside the concert hall and preaching repentance and remission of sins to the people, but rather, they join hands with bands like Korn, Marilyn Manson, Iron Maiden, and Rob Zombie.

Let's go back to the Pulse FM interview with John Cooper because it will reveal Cooper's hidden philosophy when he was asked what advice he would give to himself back when he was only 20-years-old:
"I wish I could go tell young John that they call it the music business for a reason because it's business. It's not just art. I always wanted to do music—the art side of music was always fun, but the business side was always a hassle. It was like, 'I don't want to deal with all that.' And what I'm realizing is that if you want to be able to continue to do your art, you have to do the business side, you got to pay the bills, you got to pay the taxes, you got to think about things like that, where to invest, where not to invest, in terms of your buses, gear, new amplifiers, production, lighting, I would go, 'Hey, you need to read up. Get some books, and read up. Find out what this is all about.'"
-Pulse FM, "John Cooper Skillet Interview Part 1 Music Industry," July 17, 2018, retrieved Sept 22, 2020, [https://youtu.be/bNqbZ_22mGQ?t=99]

You may have noticed that John Cooper did not desire to go back in time and tell his younger self that he ought to study God's Word, learn more about the Gospel, how to share it with others, and to exercise discernment, but rather, he wanted to tell his younger self to become business savvy. Cooper knows that his music is a business in which he has to market himself, and he has marketed himself in the business ventures of demonic rock bands, promoting them and their Satanic music, because he knows that is where the big money is for rock musicians, and he wants a piece of their very lucrative pie.

Skillet also created a special version of one of their songs that was featured in the movie The Shack, which is based off of the ecumenical, universalist false doctrine of William P. Young's book by the same title. Cooper testified that he read it, then watched the movie five times in eight days, but instead of rebuking it for its many heresies, Cooper said that he and his wife loved it.
(See William P. Young & John Cooper, "I'm LIVE now with John Cooper from Skillet," Facebook, retrieved Sept 22, 2020 [facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1257038501051170]; See also Melinda Newman, "Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Antebellum, Skillet and More Contribute New Songs to 'The Shack' Soundtrack: Listen," Billboard, Jan 27, 2017, retrieved Sept 23, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2Hr4Ndj])

Author William P. Young wrote The Shack to portray God as an African female, Jesus as an Arabic male construction worker, and the Holy Spirit as an Asian female. Young contradicts the Bible throughout the entire book, and gives the reader a false impression and misunderstanding of the True Living God, so let's go over a few quotes from the book to get an idea of Young's deception.

A man named Mack is the main character of the story, and his wife calls God "Papa." Papa (aka "God according to William P. Young") says:
"I don't need to punish people for sin... It's not my purpose to punish it;"
-William P. Young, The Shack, Windblown Media, 2008, p. 120, ISBN: 9780964729292

This is a direct contradiction against the Word of God, and it is teaching people that God does not issue punishments for sin. In fact, the word 'god' means "judge," and the job of a judge is to convict and sentence criminals. I was so blown away that Young would teach something so obviously wrong that I had a hard time knowing where to begin since most of the Old Testament is about God punishing the wicked.

If God did not punish people for sin, then why did He destroy almost everyone in the world with a global flood? God looked into the world, he saw the wickedness (i.e. sin) of man, how great the sins had become, and He repented (i.e. grieved in his heart) that He had made man, so he destroyed everyone except Noah and his family.

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
-Genesis 6:5-7

Jesus also warned people about hell, which is an everlasting punishment for sin, and it burns continually without being quenched (i.e. the fire cannot be put out).

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
-Mark 9:43-44
(Read "Hell Is Real and Many People Are Going There" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked... The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
-2 Peter 2:4-9

The Bible also teaches us that, at the end of this world, those in hell, and hell itself, will be thrown into the lake of fire forever. All those whose names are not written in the book of life (i.e. those who have been born again in Christ) will be cast into the lake of fire.

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
-Revelation 20:10

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
-Revelation 20:14-15

So we can clearly see that Young has no understanding of Scripture, and no concept of who God really is, which means he should not be writing a novel about it in the first place. However, Cooper swallowed the lure of this false doctrine willingly—hook, line and sinker.

In the book, Young also teaches:
"In Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me, but only some choose relationship."
-William P. Young, The Shack, Windblown Media, 2008, p. 225, ISBN: 9780964729292

Again, this directly contradicts the doctrine of Scripture because the forgiveness (i.e. remission) of sins is not given to mankind automatically, but it is only given to those who have come to repentance (i.e. grief and godly sorrow of their sin), and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
-Luke 24:44-47

The grace of salvation is not like a free sample at a grocery store, but that is how William Young, John Cooper, and many other pastors often treat the matter. They often see it like you can just come along and receive God's grace whenever you choose, but God's grace is conditional, in that God does not give His grace to the proud of heart; rather, God only saves those who have been humbled to a repentant and contrite heart, meaning that they have sorrow of their wrongdoing.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
-James 4:6

The LORD is nigh [draws close] unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
-Psalm 34:18

contrite (adj): broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent
(See 'contrite', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Apr 10, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

However, Young is teaching that everyone has forgiveness without repentance or faith in God, and Cooper thought this was a wonderful teaching. Young is teaching a new-age false narrative that salvation (and the fullness of the Gospel of Christ) is as routine, mundane, and meaningless as walking into a church building and claiming "I want a relationship with God," and again, Cooper is promoting the same false doctrines.

There are many other vile heresies that Young teaches in The Shack, and I talk more about that in a book I wrote called Wolves in Costume: Kent Hovind (specifically in chapter 7). The reason Cooper and Skillet have no problem yoking together with heretics is because, to them, doctrine does not matter.

At the beginning of this book, I briefly documented Ozzy Osbourne's musical lyrics, demonstrating that he writes Satanic songs, even going so far as to honor Satanist Aleister Crowley in his music. John and Korey Cooper decided to model themselves after the Osbournes, but tried to paint a little bit of a fluffier picture to satisfy the church-ianity crowd:
"I tell people we're like the Osbournes, just without the profanity and the drugs."
-Associated Press Interview with John & Korey Cooper, "Skillet's Following Grows Beyond Christian Rock," Associated Press, Oct 2, 2013, retrieved Sept 23, 2020, [https://youtu.be/7ytZhG-KogY]

Again, Skillet was one of the most popular "Christian" bands of the 2010s, and they wanted to model themselves after a follower of Aleister Crowley. The standard for what is called "Christian" music is not very high in our society because many corrupt church buildings are teaching that Christians are supposed to be born of the world, serve the world, and love the world.

When Peter and John went forth to preach the Gospel of Christ to the people, they took no money with them, nor did they charge ticket fees:

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms [donations of bread or money to the poor] of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
-Acts 3:2-6

The Lord Jesus Christ was homeless:

And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
-Luke 9:58

However, John & Korey Cooper are millionaires. Skillet's general net worth ranges between $12-16 million dollars.
-The Net Worth Portal, "Skillet Net Worth 2020," Jan 13, 2020, retrieved Sept 23, 2020, [thenetworthportal.com/celeb-net-worth/bands/skillet-net-worth]

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
-Matthew 19:24

It is vitally important for readers to understand that the music of bands like Skillet is FAR more dangerous than the music of Marilyn Mason and Rob Zombie. The reason for this is because if a man spots a wolf charging at him, he will immediately know to defend himself and/or flee, but if a man spots an animal that looks like a sheep outwardly, he will not prepare himself to defend or flee.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
-Acts 20:29-31

Such men are what Jesus called hirelings:

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
-John 10:12

If someone approaches a Christian and asks them to sing songs that worship Satan, even a Christian with very little discernment would know to reject that offer. However, if someone approaches a Christian and asks them to sing songs that worship Jesus, and include all the bells and whistles that make it look like it is worship of God, then Christians with little discernment will not know the difference.

This is why it is so important for Christians to study the Word of God and exercise their discernment, so they can grow spiritually and become stronger in the faith, that they can spot the wolf in a sheep's costume:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
-2 Timothy 2:15

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
-Proverbs 15:28

But strong meat [the heavier understanding of doctrine] belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
-Hebrews 5:14

For example, we went over Scriptures earlier in this book to demonstrate that sodomy/homosexuality is a sin, and that God hated it so much, He gave instructions to the Jewish government in the Old Testament that they were to execute anyone found guilty of committing what the "LGBT" crowd today is doing openly:

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
-Leviticus 20:13

Christ's church has no such commandment to execute punishments on the wicked, but nonetheless, the sodomy/homosexuality is still sin, and we are commanded to sanctify (i.e. separate) ourselves from their iniquity:

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections [i.e. repulsive and disgusting emotional attachments]: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
-Romans 1:26-28

Despite the fact that the Bible condemns sodomy/homosexuality as a grave sin that is worthy of death, more and more churchgoers every year are accepting sodomites/homosexuals among them, specifically in the "Christian" music industry. Trey Pearson, founder and lead singer of Everyday Sunday, came forward and admitted that he is, and has always been, a homosexual:
"'I finally decided to come out because I couldn't keep trying to be something that I wasn't... I was scared of what God would think and what all of these people I loved would think about me; so it was never an option for me,' he says in the 614 interview... Pearson says he knew from a young age that he was attracted to men, but pushed down those feelings to 'be straight,' marrying a woman eight years ago — with whom he has two children — in an effort to live the lifestyle his community expected. Even then, though, it was clear that he 'was never going to be who my wife needed me to be.' And while he will continue to practice his faith, Pearson said he realized he needed to come clean for himself, his family, and his fans. 'I was not making it an option to be gay so I could be loyal to her and my children,' he told Religion News Service writer Jonathan Merritt. 'But then I realized the only way I was ever going to be my best for them was to be healthy myself.'"
-Gil Kaufman, "Christian Rock Star Trey Pearson Comes Out to Fans in Emotional Letter," Billboard, June 2, 2016, retrieved Sept 23, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2EpPvUS]

In order to keep up with the expectations of other churchgoers, and for the sake of his music career, Pearson lived a lie, namely that, inwardly, he wanted the homosexual lifestyle, while outwardly, he dressed and talked like a sheep. He married a woman that was likely heart-broken that she had been taken advantage of, and had two children with her, admitting that it was all for show, which I am sure was secretly heart-breaking to his children, to learn from their father that, in truth, they were nothing more than his mistake.


Pearson might continue to practice a "faith," but it is a fake faith that is not in Jesus Christ. His focus was never about serving Christ, but rather, he wanted to serve himself, while making excuses for his sin by calling it "healthy" for him to live a sodomite/homosexual lifestyle. If anyone believes that God-pleasing praise and worship music would come from this man's mouth, then I would say you have no understanding of Scripture because Jesus clearly said that those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart:

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
-Matthew 15:18

Therefore, that which came out of Pearson's mouth was from a heart filled with the lusts of sin, not a humble man filled with repentance of his sin. Such a thing cannot be considered good because good fruit cannot come from an evil tree, and so anyone who would claim that such a man's music can benefit Christians does not believe the Lord Jesus Christ.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
-Matthew 7:18

That being said, at the very least, I appreciate Pearson's honesty in coming forward with this information, and I wish more musicians in the "Christian" industry would speak up. The more who come forward, the easier it is for Christ's preachers to reveal the truth and warn the church.

Pearson is not just a unique case. As the years go by more "Christian" artists are going public and admitting they are queers posing as worship leaders, while deceiving men, women, teens, and children in church buildings, concert halls, and on radio stations worldwide:
"Pearson joins a slowly growing list of popular Christian musicians who've come out over the past decade, including Ray Boltz, Grammy-nominated singers Anthony Williams and Jennifer Knapp and worship music artist Vicky Beeching, who announced she was a lesbian in 2014. According to the News Service their careers have taken a hit among conservative Christian fans and radio programmers who typically see homosexuality as a sin, resulting in their music being dropped from playlists on radio and in churches."
-Gil Kaufman, "Christian Rock Star Trey Pearson Comes Out to Fans in Emotional Letter," Billboard, June 2, 2016, retrieved Sept 23, 2020, [https://bit.ly/2EpPvUS]

I remember Jennifer Knapp and how popular she was back in the late 90s when I was a teenager, and though she has a beautiful voice, she is as deceptive as they come. Knapp has a song ("Hallowed") in which she sings the Lord's prayer from the King James Bible, and she has another song ("Undo Me") in which she sings of God putting away her flesh to purify her spirit and bring her to her knees in prayer, but when it comes to putting down the music to demonstrate obedience to God's Word, she hypocritically throws the Bible to the ditch and drives forward into lusts of the her flesh, justifying sin instead of rebuking it.

Never have I taught that a born again Christian would not sin, as the Bible clearly states:

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
-1 John 1:10

However, that does not give Christians an excuse to live in sin. We should not live in such a manner that God would have to continually pour out His grace far and wide from our actions:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
-Romans 6:1-4

Knapp never walked in the newness of life because she has never been humbled to repentance. Like almost every other "Christian" musician in the industry, Knapp grew up going to leavened church buildings, and very rarely do you ever see anyone in the "Christian" music industry who was born again after a life of sin because these leavened artists are only copying what they have seen and heard (and what is popular) among leavened church buildings.

The music these false converts create has consequences that are far reaching. For example, lesbian blogger Jeanna Kadlec wrote an article called "I let Go of My Faith When I Came Out — But I Still Believe in Jennifer Knapp," in which she spoke about Knapp as an inspiring "lesbian elder," to help guide her out of her marriage, and to cling to her lesbian lifestyle.
(See Jeanna Kadlec, "I let Go of My Faith When I Came Out — But I Still Believe in Jennifer Knapp," Catapult, June 17, 2019, retrieved Oct 8, 2020, [https://bit.ly/33IDxiU])

In 2010, Knapp started an organization called Inside Out Faith, which was designed to be a community to unite queer churchgoers together:

"In the 40 plus years of growing LGBTQ awareness, the pain caused by religious prejudice has only served to remind us of how deeply powerful, personal and spiritually nourishing accepting one's own sexual orientation and gender identity can be. Inside Out Faith Foundation strives to highlight positive voices coming from within spiritual communities seeking to support LGBTQ dignity." -Inside Out Faith, "What is Inside Out Faith Foundation (IOF)?" retrieved Sept 24, 2020, [insideoutfaith.org]

Notice that the goal of this organization is NOT to learn of Jesus Christ and to be obedient unto His Word because they will only accept "positive" words, while rejecting anything that would rebuke their sin. The purpose of the organization is to dignify sin, or in other words, it is to lift themselves up in their pride of self-worth.

dignity (n): bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation; nobility or elevation of character; worthiness; a sign or token of respect
(See 'dignity', Random House Dictionary, 2020, [dictionary.com]; See also Collins English Dictionary, 10th Edition, William Collins Sons & Co, 2012)

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich [i.e. in this context, those who are rich in wisdom and understanding] sit in low place.
-Ecclesiastes 10:5-6

It is foolish (i.e. unreasonable) for a man to set himself in great dignity, but again, Jennifer Knapp cares nothing for the Word of God. In fact, I have no problem stating that her entire Inside Out organization is nothing more than her way to justify her sin, and she is using many people in the process, taking pleasures in others who commit the same sins that are worthy of death according to the law of God.

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
-Romans 1:29-32

Therefore, by the popularity Jennifer Knapp gained in the "Christian" music industry, she is now leading many down the path to the wide gates of hell.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
-Matthew 7:13-14

And Knapp learned to do this from the very false preachers, churchgoers, and church buildings, who made her twofold the child of hell than themselves.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
-Matthew 23:15

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
-Jeremiah 23:1

Similar to Jennifer Knapp is Leah Shafer, who I mentioned earlier in this book is now going by Leah Rae because she unbiblically divorced her husband, and part of the reason she divorced was because she wanted to start a lesbian affair with Sandy Yawn from the TV show Below Deck Mediterranean. There are many young female churchgoers who have looked up to Leah Shafer, buying her skin care products, only to be blindsided by the grave sins of feministic philosophy that she teaches in her lifestyle and music.
(See Joelle Goldstein, "Below Deck Mediterranean's Captain Sandy Confirms She Is Dating Gospel Singer Leah Shafer," People, May 29, 2019, retrieved Nov 7, 2020, [people.com/tv/below-deck-mediterranean-captain-sandy-dating-leah-shafer]; NOTE: Leah Rae is a disciple of some of the false teachers I have mentioned in this book, like Joyce Meyer and Charles Stanley, just to name a couple; See "About Leah Shafer," retrieved Nov 7, 2020, [https://web.archive.org/web/20200729125251/https://leahshafermusic.com/about])

There is far more philosophical damage that is being done to churchgoers by the "Christian" music industry than we could ever hope to learn in this book alone, but my goal with this book is to explain the philosophy (i.e. way of thinking) of the world versus the philosophy of Christ.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy [a way of thinking] and vain deceit [useless lies], after the tradition of men, after the rudiments [first teachings] of the world, and not after Christ.
-Colossians 2:8

This is one of the reasons why I request that readers DO NOT write to me asking me which kinds of music you should listen to, nor my recommendations for Christian hymns and songs. It is impossible for me to keep track of every song released, nor am I able to do research on every band or singer in existence, and that is not my job because I cannot continue to write and do the work the Lord has called me to do while having to monitor every song that comes out around the world.
(See CLE FAQ, "Will you send me a list of Christian songs and hymns?" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Please do not write to me asking for music suggestions or to discern songs for you.

Rather, my job is to do as Jesus did, which is to teach doctrine and philosophy that is spiritual, that if you have been born again in Christ (John 3:7), you might grow in discernment and be able to judge for yourself between good and evil, as we read earlier in Hebrews 5:14. To do that, you do not need a theology degree, nor do you need to write entire books as I have done; you simply need to study the Word of God, and rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment.

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
-1 John 2:26-27

What we (as Christians) need to recognize is WHY music has such a deep meaning to so many people. It is unlikely that you have ever heard someone say that they hate music, or that they avoid music, and that is because God has designed the ears of mankind to enjoy melodies, which is a self-evident truth, or in other words, it is a fact that is true of itself in our minds and hearts, without the need for supporting evidence.

Therefore, knowing this self-evident truth, why does music have such a deep meaning for so many people? Why is it that people have gotten so defensive when others are critical of the music they enjoy?

What I am about to say is my opinion based on my own thoughts on the matter, and so I would only ask that you hear me out and consider it for yourself. I will explain my theory the best I can, and then give some personal examples to help understand it fully.

Not everyone has grown up in a warm or safe environment, but for those who have grown up in a household as I did, in which your parents cared for your needs, giving you food, drink, clothing, and shelter, the time in which we were teenagers were some of the most memorable of our lives. Much of the reason for this is because, when we are teenagers, we are transitioning from children to adults, gaining the freedom to experience making our own choices, while at the same time, not having the many burdens of responsibility, nor having to make the difficult sacrifices that adults normally make for their children.

In that sense, when we are teenagers, we are completely unaware of the gift we are given for a very short window of time, and we often take advantage of it without understanding that it will soon be gone. It is a time in our lives when we get to (in a small, philosophical way) have an experience similar to the Garden of Eden, and again, before jumping to conclusions, please hear me out.

When Adam and Eve were created and put in the Garden, they did not have to worry about food, water, clothing, or shelter because it was a perfect environment in a perfect creation. God gave Adam liberty to make choices about what he would do in the Garden, and how he would like to manage it, but without having to labor constantly to upkeep the necessities of maintenance and repair on his body and home.

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
-Genesis 2:15

I am in no way saying that being a teenager is like living in the Garden of Eden, nor am I teaching any oddball, ludicrous doctrines from such a thing, but rather, I am simply pointing out that there is a similarity in duties and responsibilities between that time in a young person's life and Adam in the Garden. Because of the feelings and memories that are created during this adventurous time in our lives, the music we listen to at that time becomes a link to those emotions and experiences.

Therefore, what music we listen to during this time in our lives is vitally important, as is who we spend time with, and what philosophy we uphold, both of which will have an effect on what music we listen to. I did not have very many friends growing up, and though they came and went, they introduced me to a variety of bands, including Nirvana and Metallica.

For those of you familiar with Nirvana and Metallica, you will know that they created a lot of music that is suicidal in nature, and therefore, it should be no surprise that I had many suicidal thoughts when I was a teenager because music is not just melodies that make us feel a certain way, but music communicates a message, and if the music has lyrics, it also preaches a philosophy and ideology. Of course, a suicidal message is a dangerous message to have in music, even though the world seems not to care, but what churchgoers do not understand is the music coming out of the "Christian" industry is MORE dangerous than the secular, suicidal music of Nirvana and Metallica.

When I was a teenager, my suicidal tendencies were becoming so great, I eventually understood that I needed to stop listening to the dark music I had, and so I switched from them to the music that was being promoted in the youth group of the church building I was attending with my parents at the time. Thus, I went from Metallica and Nirvana to DC Talk and Five Iron Frenzy, essentially jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

At this point, the average reader probably believes that the switch I made was the lesser of two evils, but if you believe that is the case, then you do not fully understand the message I have been trying to get across in this book. Though Metallica and Nirvana may have eventually led me to kill myself (as Nirvana's leader Kurt Cobain killed himself), DC Talk and Fire Iron Frenzy may have eventually led me to reject the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ by preaching a false gospel, thereby leading me to an eternal death, and that is a FAR greater offense.

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
-Mark 9:42

For example, one of my all-time favorite songs when I was a teenager going to church buildings was "Dandelions" by Five Iron Frenzy, and though it has been decades since I threw off the songs of the "Christian" music industry, for the sake of this book, I decided to go back and listen to it. What I experienced when listening to this song again was one of the most bitter-sweet, joyous griefs I have ever felt in my life, and though it will be difficult to explain in words, I will try my best.

First, we need to look at the lyrics of the song:

Fire Iron Frenzy - "Dandelions" In a field of yellow flowers underneath the sun Bluest eyes that spark with lightning; boy with shoes undone He is young, so full of hope reveling in tiny dreams Filling up his arms with flowers right for giving any queen Running to her, beaming bright while cradling his prize A flickering of yellow light within his mother's eyes She holds them to her heart keeping them where they'll be safe Clasped within her very marrow, dandelions in a vase She sees love where anyone else would see weeds All hope is found, here is everything he needs... Lord search my heart create in me something clean Dandelions: You see flowers in these weeds

This song always resonated with me in a very intimate way, knowing that I have always been worthless and useless, but I wanted someone to see something valuable in me and what I could offer. I never had muscles and athletic ability, I had no confidence in anything I did, I had no knowledge or understanding or wisdom, I had no resources (i.e. money); I had nothing except the gift of God to be given a heart that desired to understand, so what was I other than a worthless weed?

Most churchgoers would never see any problem with such a song, and believe that the words of this song are beautiful and could in no way harm any listener, but I want readers to understand that what they taught in this song is NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ taught us in the parable of the sower:

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
-Matthew 13:23

It is not that God sees a flower in a weed, but rather, it is that we must die of ourselves, come to repentance and faith, and be born again in Christ. The Holy Spirit must resurrect and purify our souls, and then we are no longer weeds, but rather, we have become a tree which grows strong and bears fruit.

However, if a man remains as a weed, he will suffer the everlasting fire of hell that is reserved for the faithless. Jesus spoke of this in the parable of wheat versus the tares (i.e. weeds that have a similar outward appearance to wheat).

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
-Matthew 13:24-30

The concept that "Dandelions" is preaching is a message of being a weed AND being saved at the same time, which is the new-age ecumenical false gospel that denies the regeneration of the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in Christ for the remission of sins.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
-Luke 24:44-47

Please do not misunderstand my meaning because enjoying a particular melody is not a sin. However, when you choose to ignore the false doctrines and dangerous ideologies of a song because you like the melody, it means you have created an idol in your heart that you hold in higher esteem than the Lord Jesus Christ, making your own thoughts and feelings the "god" over your decision-making process, and therefore, idolatry becomes the sin.

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
-1 Corinthians 10:14

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
-Exodus 20:3

If anyone believes that idolatry is only about carving a statue and worshiping it, then that person has little understanding about what idolatry is, and less understanding about what the Bible teaches on that subject. Idolatry begins in the heart.
(Read "The Biblical Understanding of Idolatry" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
-Ezekiel 14:4-6

Many churchgoers believe the passion of their hearts is what proves their faith, but the passions of their arrogant hearts blind them to the truth.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
-Proverbs 21:2

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
-Jeremiah 17:9

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
-1 Corinthians 10:12

This is the philosophy we should have when it comes to music, most especially to music that has words because words teach philosophy, and when those words are set to music, they become much more influential to the listener. If we simply stay close to the Word of God, and reject those things which contradict His Word, we will keep ourselves safe from false doctrines which can harm us.

To make that point clearer, Reese Roper, lead singer for Five Iron Frenzy, wrote an article on his blog in 2014 about how he led prayer at the reception dinner for his aunt's lesbian wedding. He wrote about his belief that Jesus Christ fulfilled the law, so a man lying with another man no longer applied, he used the 'original Greek' scam to change the wording and interpretations of Romans 1, and then claimed that Paul never preached against homosexuality.
-Reese Roper, "Homophelia," A High Five Should Boost The Morale, Dec 1, 2014, retrieved Sept 24, 2020, [https://bit.ly/368lvs6]; Roper is a licensed pastor for Alliance of Renewal Churches. Read "The 'Original Greek' Scam" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Saxophonist Leanor Ortega-Till is rebellious against Christ, taking up the position of a pastor of her church in Denver, Colorado, claiming to be a "Women and Arts Pastor," whatever that is supposed to mean. Leanor claims to be aligned with Calvinist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, and Assemblies of God denominations, all of which preach false doctrines.
(See Broken.FM interview with Leanor Ortega-Till, Read "Denominations Are Unbiblical" & "Can Women Be Pastors?" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)

Bassist Scott Kerr denied Christ and renounced his so-called "Christian faith" in 1998, five years after the formation of Five Iron Frenzy, and he departed from the band. He said:
"It sort of began in high school, but during college, some of my doubts about the truthfulness of Christianity came into question and became troublesome enough that I made a full-fledged effort to get to the bottom of it. I started reading Christian apologetics' books. Truthfully, they did more to erode my faith than anything. I found a lot of the explanations, at best, not persuasive, and, at worst, intellectually disingenuous... It wasn't a shock to the band, I don't think."
-Scott Kerr, quoted by Tom Murphy, "Five Iron Frenzy: An extensive oral history of the band straight from the members themselves," Westword, Dec 31, 2012, retrieved Sept 24, 2020, [https://bit.ly/306mi9e]

The reason the members of Five Iron Frenzy were not surprised that Kerr rejected Christ is because they already knew it. Despite the fact that they knew this man did not believe in the Christian God of the Bible, they kept him in the band, and continued to tour with him, playing their so-called "Christian" music with an unbeliever, and deceiving their listening audience.

Such details are often hidden from the public eye because the bands and their producers know that sales will drop if there are conflicts of faith. Instead of coming to the light, they skulk in the darkness for the sake of increasing profits.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
-John 3:19

This is just a sample of a few of the members because much more could be said about the heresies and leaven that the members of Five Iron Frenzy have spread during their time together, and much more after their band separated. However, these are enough examples to show us that there is danger is listening to the songs of leavened musicians and false preachers.

Again, enjoying a melody is not a sin, but just because we might like a melody, that does not automatically make it good for listening. Yet, pastors and churchgoers all over the world are now selecting music based on whether or not it sounds good, rather than discerning false doctrine and removing the leaven, and again, the reason they are not discerning the spiritual offenses of the music is because they do not have the Spirit of God in them to see clearly.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
-1 Corinthians 2:14

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
-1 Corinthians 5:6-8

leaven (n): something which corrupts or depraves that with which it is mixed
(See 'leaven', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Sept 25, 2020, [webstersdictionary1828.com])

We who are born again in Christ should not fellowship and yoke together with those who preach false doctrines because, if we do, we then run the risk of becoming leavened ourselves. Therefore, if we sanctify ourselves from leavened preachers, but refuse to sanctify ourselves from leavened musicians, then we are nothing more than hypocrites because the philosophies, ideologies, and doctrines taught through music have a FAR greater potential to deceive us.

Over the years, I have had many churchgoers call me a "Pharisee" and a "legalist," which are quick-draw accusations they can make when they are left without a proper argument to justify their lust for music and ignorance of God's Word. The Pharisees are those in religious leadership (like the pastors and musicians we have examined in this book) who claimed to be righteous but they were not, and the legalists are those who demand strict adherence to the law rather than to the understanding of doctrine. I am not guilty of preaching Pharisaical or legalist doctrine, and yet, I am often accused of such things by churchgoers so they can feel better about their idolatry and ignore the truth.

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
-Luke 6:21-25

This book is intended to warn my Christian brethren of the dangers involved in the so-called "Christian" music industry, and the sinful origins of the styles of music which dominate mainstream music today. The primary purpose of the "Christian" music industry is to take the entertainment of the world and bring it into church buildings so churchgoers can find amusement on Sunday mornings, and thereby, pastors can increase the number of people sitting in the pews so their paychecks will increase, which in turn will increase the popularity and paychecks of the musicians who feign Christ while serving the world.

For those who are born again in Christ, doctrine is the most important thing we should focus on because what is taught in Scripture develops our way of thinking, speaking, and living. When churchgoers hold the music in higher regard than the doctrine of Christ, then there is a serious problem somewhere in their hearts, and it might be that they have not come to repentance and faith in Christ (i.e. they are churchgoers, but not Christians), because the doctrine of Scripture is hidden to those who are lost, being unable to see past the blindfold of the devil's music.

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
-2 Corinthians 4:2-6

The music and lyrics we have covered in this book are only "Christian" on the outside, but upon close examination, they are not of Christ, and worse still, many of them oppose the doctrine of Christ. Therefore, when it comes to the spiritual worship of God, I encourage readers to stop making decisions about music based on what might personally sound good to you, and instead make those decisions based on what is true in the Word of God.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
-Titus 2:11-12

The reason these musicians sing in ignorance is because that which proceeds out of the mouth comes from the heart:

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
-Mark 7:20-23

A man who has the Holy Ghost within him should be able to read the words of song lyrics and judge righteous judgment about whether or not those words are in accordance with the Word of God. If they are not in agreement with God's Word, then we throw them out.

However, we also need to remember that just because someone might sing a song that has words that are in agreement with God's Word, it does not automatically mean that musician is of Christ. I have heard many of the musicians listed out in this book sing hymns that are true praise and worship unto God, but that does not mean the singers themselves are of God.

Likewise, a preacher can quote the Word of God, and even quote Scripture from the King James Bible, but that does not automatically mean he has been born again in Christ.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
-Acts 20:29-31

And just because a man claims to believe in God, does not automatically make him a born again Christian because even the devils believe and tremble.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
-James 2:19

The devils believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and shed His blood for the sins of man, but they are not the children of God. As I mentioned earlier, even Satan has the power to transform himself to appear as an angel of light unto men:

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
-2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Therefore, we can easily be deceived if we are not exercising discernment. The Lord God gave us music, and He also gave us ability and creativity to make a wide variety of styles; however, if music is more important to you than the Lord Jesus Christ and His doctrine, then you are not worthy of Christ.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
-Matthew 10:37-39

In the end, full-time musicians are business people, just like anyone else from farmers to corporate executives. Whether they be worship leaders, music pastors, producers, labels, or anything in between, their primary goal is to make a living, and if they cannot make a living with their music, they have to change what they are doing to increase their income, which is why there has been such a drastic change in the development of church buildings, in which they are designed with stage lights, amplifiers, and other features normally seen at a concert venue.

The Word of God does not take priority in the minds and hearts of most musicians, just like the Word of God does not take priority in the minds and hearts of most churchgoers, pastors, and elders. They learn the traditions of men, which are designed to generate fame and fortune, and operate according to those traditions without any remorse, making the Bible of no effect to the hearers.

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
-Matthew 7:13

Music has the ability to make the hearts of listeners all beat to the same rhythm, increasing or decreasing heartrates based on the style, which gives a fake appearance of unity. If you take away the music and fanfare, no one would care about the ridiculous false doctrines of the greedy preachers who share the stage with the leavened musicians.

This is why, at the beginning of this book, I quoted the wisdom God gave to Solomon:

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
-Ecclesiastes 7:5

This is because, as it says a few verses earlier, sorrow is better than laughter, and that it is better to come to the house of mourning (i.e. sadness) than to come to the house of mirth (i.e. joyous celebration, like that of a music concert):

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
-Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

It is by the sadness of man's heart, in acknowledgment of his broken and wretched state of being, by which his sin is the cause, that he can come to the godly sorrow that is repentance, so he can be saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, most so-called "Christian" musicians are leading their audience away from that repentance, entertaining them for the money.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
-1 Timothy 6:6-11

Jesus taught us (in what is commonly referred to as "The Sermon on the Mount") that many would call Him "Lord," meaning that they claimed to follow and serve him all of their lives, but on the day of His judgment, He will tell them that He never knew them, and He will send them to the everlasting fire of hell:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
-Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus said MANY, not few, would be turned away from the Kingdom of God, which means that millions upon millions of churchgoers in church buildings all over the world will end up in hell, placing their hopes in pastors and priests rather than Jesus Christ and the Bible. If you want to learn more details about what Jesus taught on that subject (i.e. why He said those things in Matthew 7), and why there are so many false converts in the "Christian" music industry, I have a free-to-read book on our website called Why Millions of Believers on Jesus Are Going to Hell where you can learn more.

If you read this book in its entirety, I want to thank you for taking the time. Though I do publish some of my books, I always make them available for free online because I want to be sure that the poor and needy have access to the truth, free of charge, and if you want to help me in that endeavor, I would only ask that you share this with others, that they might know the truth of Christ's Gospel, come to repentance and faith in Him, and be born again into His Kingdom.

🔍