Champion: Another Blasphemous, Self-Idolatrous Song by Bethel Music - by Publisher

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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There are legitimately heretical things out there. Some of them are probably regarding Bethel church. If so, these things should certainly be pointed out.

The problem is, various Doctrinal Police get all worked up over minor infractions, or, get things entirely wrong. But we believe that because there are serious problems in the Church, we think the time would be better spent on the substantial heresies, rather than trivial matters like what is contained in the below article.

We should note that we do not intend to defend Bethel church, rather, we are focused on the author's presentation. 

And we note that the author is unable to quote more than a snippet of a single Scripture in over 700 words. This is a common problem among those who fancy themselves as Bible teachers.

Here are all the words for the song (with Bible references), since the author provides only a portion:

I've tried so hard to see it Took me so long to believe it
That You choose someone like me (Ep. 1:4) 

To carry Your victory (1Jn. 5:4)

Perfection could never earn it (Ep. 2:9) 

You give what we don't deserve it (Ep. 2:8)

You take the broken things (Ro. 7:5) 

And raise them to glory (Ep. 2:6)

You are my Champion (2Ti. 1:10) 

Giants fall when You stand (Ps. 68:1, Ro. 15:12)

Undefeated
Every battle You've won (Re. 19:11-16)

I am who you say I am You crown me with confidence (2Co. 3:4, Ep. 3:12, He. 4:16)
I am seated In the heavenly place (Ep. 2:6)
Undefeated (Ro. 8:37)
With the One who has conquered it all (1Co. 15:55)

Now I can finally see it (Ep. 1:18) 

You're teaching me how to receive it (2Pe. 1:4)

So let all the striving cease (Ps. 46:10)

This is my victory (1Jn. 5:4)

When I lift my voice and shout (Ps. 20:5)
Every wall comes crashing down (Jo. 6:20)
I have the authority (Mk. 13:34)
Jesus has given me (2Co. 10:4)
When I open up my mouth (1Pe. 4:11)
Miracles start breaking out
I have the authority
Jesus has given me

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(...)

So when churches are choosing to sing music from this aberrant false Christian movement, it is important to remember that even in the rare cases that the lyrics may be biblically accurate on the surface, your church is giving tacit approval to, and legitimizing, the movement behind the music. Your church is feeding its sheep to the wolves.

Yet, the majority of Bethel’s music is not biblically sound—not at all. In fact, it’s mostly an expression of self-idolatry, self-worship, and blasphemy. That is certainly the case with one of Bethel’s highly popular songs, Champion.

The song, Champion, starts out with what seems to be a focus on Jesus and his accomplishments, his power, his authority, and his attributes. ("Seems to be?" We can read for ourselves. This is most certainly true.)

And while the beginning of the song’s lyrics are taken out of context and Scripture is misapplied (You are my champion, Giants fall when You stand), (How are they taken out of context? How are they misapplied? Why doesn't the author explain to us the proper context? )

at least it seems as though Jesus is who the song is about. But then, once the chorus hits, the song quickly devolves into a self-glorifying version of what appears to be one of the charismatic cult’s flagship heresies—little god theology. (What "appears to be" is nothing more than a speculation. If Bethel teaches "little god theology," we would like to see documentation.) 

Here are the lyrics:

When I lift my voice and shout
Every wall comes crashing down
I have the authority
Jesus has given me
When I open up my mouth
Miracles start breaking out
I have the authority
Jesus has given me…

As you can see, the song quickly becomes about “me,” what “I” have, and what “I” can do. (This is certainly an issue with this song, and with contemporary Christian music [and hymns] in general. In this particular case, however, we would tend to cut the songwriter a bit of slack, since this song seems more focused in acknowledging the position Christ has raised us to. 

Our tolerance for songs that brag about our position or power is very limited, however. "When I open up my mouth, Miracles start breaking out" comes very close to that line, and we think the songwriter should not include lyrics like this without setting up what he intends. After all, the lyrics repeat several times, thus the songwriter has ample opportunity to contextualize a bold statement by writing another verse.

It seems that songwriters are more and more given to try to be clever and innovative in their lyrics [Reckless Love is an example]. But worship music should be expressions of adoration and exaltation, and should not create confusion or uncertainty.)

This popular heresy, little god theology, or the belief that we as humans carry within us the potential to become God, or divine like God is mainstream in charismatic churches. (An undocumented claim. Since we are familiar with charismatic churches, we would simply counter that we have never encountered any teaching about being little gods.)

But this is not only a heresy found among charismatics, however, but it is also the underlying teaching of Mormonism–that our future as believers is to partake in the divinity of God and become gods ourselves. (Irrelevant tangent.)

The Roman Catholic Church also teaches this, (Irrelevant tangent.)

as it states in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods —CCC, Second Edition, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 3, Paragraph I, I:460)

However, this is patently false. We do not carry within us the divine attributes of God (All the author can manage is a flat denial. Why not quote some Scripture? Why not explain from the Bible the truth? The author simply punts on this opportunity to teach.

Indeed, what, then, is the ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells us? 

2Pe. 1:4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

It's a definite tendency for these heresy hunters to throw out the baby with the bath water.)

nor do we perform miracles (This is standard cessationism. The author does not document this claim.)

or speak them into existence. (Again the author makes a categorical statement without documentation. We know there is power in the tongue [Ja. 3:5-10]. Now, James wrote this in a certain context, which is surely worth studying. Nevertheless, the author prefers to simply deny any aspect of what power the tongue may have.)

The fact that churches blindly sing these heretical songs (The author has yet to identify any heresy. He has claimed it is "little gods" theology, but that is far from being demonstrated. And remember, the title included the word "blasphemous." The author has never  identified, let alone mentioned, any blasphemy as it relates to this song.)

from Bethel is telling about the theological state our Church is in. Pastors and elders are too lazy to actually examine the doctrines expressed in the music they sing and are instead just feeding their sheep an emotional high.

But 2 Thessalonians 5:21 commands us to “test everything; hold fast what is good.” It is clear that Bethel Music is not good.