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Mr. Maples has appeared in these pages before, writing about the exact same thing: Hillsongs. We also critiqued him here on another subject.
Mr. Maples has appeared in these pages before, writing about the exact same thing: Hillsongs. We also critiqued him here on another subject.
This is a long and bombastic article. Mr. Maples has a slash and burn style of rhetoric, frequently devoid of thoughtful analysis and often containing undocumented assertions. Most egregiously, he's also willing to say some pretty awful things about those with whom he differs theologically.
This is the biggest complaint I have about some of the "doctrinal police," or as they would describe themselves, "discernment ministries." This article pins it down the problem pretty well. We would regard Mr. Maples as a textbook example.
It is the bounden duty of every Christian to pray against Antichrist and as to what Antichrist is no sane man ought to raise a question. If it be not the Popery in the Church of Rome, there is nothing in the world that can be called by that name. . .It wounds Christ, because it robs Christ of His glory, because it puts sacramental efficacy in the place of His atonement and lifts a piece of bread into the place of the Savior and a few drops of water into the place of the Holy Spirit and puts a mere fallible man like ourselves up as the Vicar of Christ on earth. If we pray against it, because it is against Him, we shall love the persons though we hate their errors; we shall love their souls though we loathe and detest their dogmas. And so the breath of our prayers will be sweetened because we turn our faces toward Christ when we pray.
– Charles H. Spurgeon 1By far, the greatest evil in the church are the works of darkness that creep in unaware to dilute the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, while building a false church that serves the interest of man. One of the major players in these days of iniquitous works is the world-wide organization known as Hillsong Church. (We await documentation of this claim.)
Hillsong has fed much to the evangelical church in the way of wickedness through it’s (sic) many programs, especially its music production program. Hillsong’s music is played in nearly every evangelical church in the world, as well as many Roman Catholic churches. The purchase of every piece of “worshipful art” from them goes to support their works and pays homage to their apostasy. (Apostasy is a serious charge, one that should not be made casually.)
Does your church worship service include Hillsong’s music?
Hillsong church is a breeding ground for false converts. Some of their New York campus’ flagship products include the homosexual couple, Reed Kelly and Josh Canfield, in which Canfield volunteers as a choir director 2 (We realize Mr. Maples' article is a couple of years old, but he could have easily known he didn't have the facts if he'd done a little research. This article from 2015 says this:
Does your church worship service include Hillsong’s music?
Hillsong church is a breeding ground for false converts. Some of their New York campus’ flagship products include the homosexual couple, Reed Kelly and Josh Canfield, in which Canfield volunteers as a choir director 2 (We realize Mr. Maples' article is a couple of years old, but he could have easily known he didn't have the facts if he'd done a little research. This article from 2015 says this:
Lentz (Hillsongs N.Y. pastor) spoke to Houston (Senior pastor of Hillsongs) about the situation and, as a result, asked Canfield and Kelly to step down from their leadership roles.The article goes on to say,
They are welcome to attend, worship, even participate as members. They are eligible to serve in some roles, but not others. Canfield and Kelly, for example, can sing in the choir, but would not be eligible to direct it.Sounds like Hillsongs has a right idea. We can't think of better place for gay people to be than in a church.)
and Justin Bieber, who has continual run-ins with the law. 3 (Indeed, a troubled young man. However, he got saved. He didn't get perfect.)
Hillsong Australia’s former worship pastrix, Darlene Zschech, has taken the apostate nature of Hillsong’s artisanship to the highest level.
In a recent blog post, she wrote,
What is she referring to? Her recent capitulation to Rome–the Vatican, at an ecumenical worship event lead by the Roman Catholic Church. Don Moen, an American “worship leader” with close ties to Zschech and Hillsong 5, who also participated in the event was quoted as saying in an article at Christianity Today,
the acceptance that contradictory beliefs (The author cannot know if Zschech "accepted" other beliefs.)
can all be from the same God, as a work of the Holy Spirit. (The author runs with his false premise. Where in Zschech's statement did she say anything about contradictory beliefs coming from the Holy Spirit? Does the author understand that people hold different beliefs, often mistakenly, but that does not make them evil?)
She refers to it as “different characteristics, faces, tastes and giftings.. yet a DNA running through our veins that draw us together.” (That is, not everyone has the same beliefs, but nevertheless recognize that certain things are common ground.)
In Philippians 2:2, Paul teaches us to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (Let's quote the entire passage. Ph. 2:1-4:
True Christians can only be united around the truth because God is truth. (If the event in question has some non-Christians in attendance, it falls outside of the author's definition.)
She goes on to say,
“praise and worship” event put on by the ancient enemy of the Gospel, the Roman Catholic Church. (Somehow the author is privy to inside information as to the saved status of every individual in attendance. Apparently non-believers should not attend worship events. I guess there's a risk of them getting saved...)
It’s quite the opposite. The Holy Spirit leads people out of Rome, and out of apostasy (Revelation 18:4). (The author's eschatology is troubling, and beyond the scope of my critique. But let's go ahead and quote the verse. Re. 18:4:
I was unable to locate a biography of the author. I don't know what his credentials are, if any. But if he is representative of the "true" Christian faith, Christianity is in trouble.)
The Holy Spirit finds what Zschech claims she was led to do by Him as totally unacceptable (Eph 5:11). (Again we quote the passage, which the author seems reluctant to do. Ep. 5:3-11:
The same word, συμμέτοχος, is used in Ep. 3:6:
Zschech has been deceived, as many from Hillsong have, that doctrine is of no importance in the Christian life 7, (Bare assertion. Here is Hillsongs' doctrinal statement, it seems pretty definitive to me. And also orthodox.)
and that all who name the name of Christ–Roman Catholics, homosexuals, unrepentant sinners–as long as you name Christ, we are all united in that confession. (Another bare assertion. The author has not given us confidence that he is providing us an accurate picture, so we reject his assertion summarily.)
She goes on to say,
let’s just jump on the bandwagon of feel-good music, man-centered pep talks and motivational speaking, all while we judge those who truly want to hold to sound doctrine and see people come to a true saving faith in Jesus Christ. (The balance of the sentence makes no sense.)
“Once Jesus is the center, anything can happen,” she says. The center of what? (The author admits ignorance, then goes on to call her names based on that ignorance.)
Your blasphemous, idolatrous event that mocks who he is, and what he has done? Jesus will not be mocked (Gal 6:7). You can rest assured that the Jesus of the Bible was not the center of that event–rather he was looking down at you, calling you to repent. You have more than compromised his name, you have outright denied him. (Slash and burn again. Pretty soon we would expect the author to accuse Zschech of eating babies.)
Nonetheless, she believes that the Holy Spirit has brought her together with the Pope, the Roman Catholic Church, to lead thousands of lost people in an ecumenical worship service, united under a false Gospel, and a false Jesus. But this isn’t surprising considering apostasy coming out of the church she was brought up in. Hillsong has focused on a works-based gospel–a social gospel, nearly identical to that of Rome 8 9. (An accusation which has nothing to do with Hillsongs' actual vision statement.)
She continues,
Besides the fact that vain repetitions are forbidden in Scripture (Matthew 6:7), (The author piles on, getting even more vapid.)
we are taught to humble ourselves before the Lord. (Getting deeper...)
We don’t use him as a wishing well. (Now approaching neck deep.)
However, this practice is nonetheless rooted in the heretical Word of Faith movement that teaches that our words have the power to speak things into being.("Jesus is Lord" is being spoken into being? Does the author ever read back to himself what he has written?)
Proponents of this heresy, such as Kenneth Copeland, have argued that since God was able to speak things into existence, that man has been endowed with the ability to do the same, equating faith to a “creative force.” 10 (The author brings in an unrelated party in an effort to disqualify by association.)
She closes her blog with some very troubling statements–statements that are indicative of the lost state of her soul, as well as many others. She says:
But the author has no such reaction. He thinks the opposite, that it's a bad thing that people are awakening to the truth. He would rather they would all perish, because they are part of the antichrist. Away with them!)
The Bible teaches there will be a great falling away, a rebellion against God in the last days (2 Thes 2:3), Again it falls to us to actually quote the verse. 2Th. 2:3:
But more to the point, it appears that the author thinks that people coming to Christ is not possible because of apostasy. Meaning, he likes the idea that people will not get saved, thinking that it fulfills Scripture. This is twisted.
I don't have time to delve into this cesspool. One passage will suffice to refute this. Re. 7:9-10:
Finally, she has this to say,
For an explanation of the true Gospel, see here.
Hillsong Australia’s former worship pastrix, Darlene Zschech, has taken the apostate nature of Hillsong’s artisanship to the highest level.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. – Eph 5:11Zschech has chosen instead to bear false witness to the world, blaspheming the Holy Spirit by attributing evil deeds to Him that he did not do. 4 (This is what we mean by slash and burn rhetoric. The reference is Mt. 12:31: And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Astonishing! The author is presuming to suggest that Zschech is committing a sin that cannot be forgiven!)
In a recent blog post, she wrote,
I am writing this mid-air on my way home from Singapore after an amazing time away speaking, leading worship, writing songs, being with dear friends. It has been wonderful. And, to see what the Holy Spirit is doing around the earth is completely breathtaking. Even in all the expressions that make us different as God’s colourful church, its incredible to me that when the Holy Spirit draws near, His role in our experience of following Jesus makes us so very similar.(Hmm. She was glad to be able to minister. That can only be regarded as an unforgivable sin...)
What is she referring to? Her recent capitulation to Rome–the Vatican, at an ecumenical worship event lead by the Roman Catholic Church. Don Moen, an American “worship leader” with close ties to Zschech and Hillsong 5, who also participated in the event was quoted as saying in an article at Christianity Today,
This ecumenical event brings Protestants, Catholics, and Jews together as we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being martyred and persecuted all over the world today 6I find it extremely difficult to reconcile this mindset, (No, he doesn't. He reconciles it quite easily, condemning participation in this event as an unforgivable sin.)
the acceptance that contradictory beliefs (The author cannot know if Zschech "accepted" other beliefs.)
can all be from the same God, as a work of the Holy Spirit. (The author runs with his false premise. Where in Zschech's statement did she say anything about contradictory beliefs coming from the Holy Spirit? Does the author understand that people hold different beliefs, often mistakenly, but that does not make them evil?)
She refers to it as “different characteristics, faces, tastes and giftings.. yet a DNA running through our veins that draw us together.” (That is, not everyone has the same beliefs, but nevertheless recognize that certain things are common ground.)
In Philippians 2:2, Paul teaches us to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (Let's quote the entire passage. Ph. 2:1-4:
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.What is Paul talking about? Just prior to this passage, Paul states,
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. Ph. 1:27-28That is, the Philippian church was experiencing opposition of some sort, and Paul was telling them to "stand firm in one spirit." That is, the Philippians weren't unified in the face of opposition. Apparently, they were fighting among themselves:
Ph. 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing...This passage in its context has absolutely nothing to do with the author's point.)
True Christians can only be united around the truth because God is truth. (If the event in question has some non-Christians in attendance, it falls outside of the author's definition.)
She goes on to say,
A few months ago a very interesting email turned up in my office inviting me to sing at a beautiful event called the ‘Catholic charismatic renewal’ at St Peters Square, to actually lead songs of worship with others as the Pope called people to prayer and unity…Most invites I receive, I am unable to say yes to, but when Mark and I feel a peace about it, I go…This invite to Rome was about many different denominations coming together to pray for the world…The Holy Spirit does not lead Christians into an ecumenical, multi-god (Multi-god? Where did this come from?)
“praise and worship” event put on by the ancient enemy of the Gospel, the Roman Catholic Church. (Somehow the author is privy to inside information as to the saved status of every individual in attendance. Apparently non-believers should not attend worship events. I guess there's a risk of them getting saved...)
It’s quite the opposite. The Holy Spirit leads people out of Rome, and out of apostasy (Revelation 18:4). (The author's eschatology is troubling, and beyond the scope of my critique. But let's go ahead and quote the verse. Re. 18:4:
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues...According to pre-trib dispensationalism, the rapture has already happened by this point, and the tribulation is in full swing. So the author equates the Catholic Church with mystery Babylon, and is telling us in essence that having any sort of fellowship with Catholics is akin to accepting the mark of the beast.
I was unable to locate a biography of the author. I don't know what his credentials are, if any. But if he is representative of the "true" Christian faith, Christianity is in trouble.)
The Holy Spirit finds what Zschech claims she was led to do by Him as totally unacceptable (Eph 5:11). (Again we quote the passage, which the author seems reluctant to do. Ep. 5:3-11:
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.So what is the context? Paul says, "among you." Paul is talking about the needed characteristics within the local fellowship of believers. Paul is telling the Ephesian believers that they should not tolerate sin in their midst. They should not be partners [actually, partakers, συμμέτοχος.] The idea is the fellowship of the saints should not be a part of those who claim to be in fellowship but engage in "deeds of darkness."
The same word, συμμέτοχος, is used in Ep. 3:6:
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.This makes the concept clearer. "Sharers" συμμέτοχος, participate together in the promise, the gospel. This has nothing a t all to do with sharing in an worship event, especially an event that may have the effect of saving people.)
Zschech has been deceived, as many from Hillsong have, that doctrine is of no importance in the Christian life 7, (Bare assertion. Here is Hillsongs' doctrinal statement, it seems pretty definitive to me. And also orthodox.)
and that all who name the name of Christ–Roman Catholics, homosexuals, unrepentant sinners–as long as you name Christ, we are all united in that confession. (Another bare assertion. The author has not given us confidence that he is providing us an accurate picture, so we reject his assertion summarily.)
She goes on to say,
I was not there to judge, I was not there to become a Catholic, I was not there to sightsee. But I WAS there to lift up the name of Jesus.. without any hesitation or compromise.. for as I have learned over many years, that once Jesus is the centre.. anything can happen.Right Darlene, let’s not judge, (Was Zschech make a prescription? No. Was she making a universal declaration? No. Was it a doctrinal statement? No. She simply was telling us HER reason for being there.)
let’s just jump on the bandwagon of feel-good music, man-centered pep talks and motivational speaking, all while we judge those who truly want to hold to sound doctrine and see people come to a true saving faith in Jesus Christ. (The balance of the sentence makes no sense.)
“Once Jesus is the center, anything can happen,” she says. The center of what? (The author admits ignorance, then goes on to call her names based on that ignorance.)
Your blasphemous, idolatrous event that mocks who he is, and what he has done? Jesus will not be mocked (Gal 6:7). You can rest assured that the Jesus of the Bible was not the center of that event–rather he was looking down at you, calling you to repent. You have more than compromised his name, you have outright denied him. (Slash and burn again. Pretty soon we would expect the author to accuse Zschech of eating babies.)
Nonetheless, she believes that the Holy Spirit has brought her together with the Pope, the Roman Catholic Church, to lead thousands of lost people in an ecumenical worship service, united under a false Gospel, and a false Jesus. But this isn’t surprising considering apostasy coming out of the church she was brought up in. Hillsong has focused on a works-based gospel–a social gospel, nearly identical to that of Rome 8 9. (An accusation which has nothing to do with Hillsongs' actual vision statement.)
She continues,
A message was preached about the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our midst, and about the great grace of God which we are all dependent. Pope Francis asked the crowd to declare loudly,’Jesus is Lord’ three times and each time it grew in confidence and intention. Worship was lifted up which had the many thousands of people who attended all singing in free-flowing moments which to be honest, was reminiscent of a time I sang on a John Wimber crusade in New Zealand many years ago.So the Pope asks the crowd to repeat a mantra, and their “confidence and intention” grew with each repetition? Strangely, this sounds a lot closer to Eastern Mysticism than to Christianity. (There is simply nothing to say about such a vapid comment.)
Besides the fact that vain repetitions are forbidden in Scripture (Matthew 6:7), (The author piles on, getting even more vapid.)
we are taught to humble ourselves before the Lord. (Getting deeper...)
We don’t use him as a wishing well. (Now approaching neck deep.)
However, this practice is nonetheless rooted in the heretical Word of Faith movement that teaches that our words have the power to speak things into being.("Jesus is Lord" is being spoken into being? Does the author ever read back to himself what he has written?)
Proponents of this heresy, such as Kenneth Copeland, have argued that since God was able to speak things into existence, that man has been endowed with the ability to do the same, equating faith to a “creative force.” 10 (The author brings in an unrelated party in an effort to disqualify by association.)
She closes her blog with some very troubling statements–statements that are indicative of the lost state of her soul, as well as many others. She says:
It all comes down to a seeking heart. And a God, who is seeking us, is NOT defined or intimidated by denomination, liturgy, age or preferences… the TRUTH of our hearts toward Him is what He is after. Not controlled or manufactured, outside in expressions of lives trying to present a Holy life. Jesus, only Jesus is the answer. He takes us as He finds us. He works with us every day, from the inside out, patient and kind in His love for us and His ultimate work in our lives, leading us daily in our life’s purpose.She’s right that Jesus is the only answer, but which Jesus? The Jesus of the Roman Catholic Church is not the same Jesus of the Bible. The Roman Catholic Jesus is a Jesus who is summoned by a priest, and dwells within the body of a wafer during his repeated sacrifice on the altar of the Satanic temple daily. (Again, how is it possible to comment on such drivel?)
So yes, I did meet Pope Francis. And yes, I did witness something truly miraculous…Change is happening all over the planet. There is a hunger for the truth of being a Christ follower, and so Christ followers need to be found EVERYWHERE.. that we will be a witness BY OUR LOVE.Change is certainly happening all over the planet, but it’s not for the truth. (Ok, let's stop for a moment. Let's assume Zschech is a Christian, and her desire is to share the Gospel. So she gets the bright idea that talking to the Pope, having a worship event, and trying to find common ground would be a good way to evangelize people. She discovers that there is an increasing hunger for the true Jesus. What should be our response to this? We would rejoice and parise God for moving in deceived churches and lukewarm or lost people, right?
But the author has no such reaction. He thinks the opposite, that it's a bad thing that people are awakening to the truth. He would rather they would all perish, because they are part of the antichrist. Away with them!)
The Bible teaches there will be a great falling away, a rebellion against God in the last days (2 Thes 2:3), Again it falls to us to actually quote the verse. 2Th. 2:3:
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.Hmm. That day will not come until... That is, the antichrist must be here BEFORE that day. The author's eschatology is very confused.
But more to the point, it appears that the author thinks that people coming to Christ is not possible because of apostasy. Meaning, he likes the idea that people will not get saved, thinking that it fulfills Scripture. This is twisted.
I don't have time to delve into this cesspool. One passage will suffice to refute this. Re. 7:9-10:
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”and we see it happening right in front of our eyes. The apostate church of Rome is leading the way, and Zschech, and Hillsong are right behind them. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says that people like Zschech are “false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” Zschech, is following a false path, and teaching a false Gospel. Her ends will correspond to her deeds.
Finally, she has this to say,
C’mon church. Isaiah 60 says to ARISE SHINE Thy light has come that even as the earth grows darker, Christ’s light in us shines brighter. Let’s not be dulled down by a lack of understanding, or a judgmental attitude. I had to continually remind myself that I was there to announce and declare the Kingdom of God and not to fault find but to be aware and awake to something very precious. And so on we go, hearts and hands ready for all God is calling us into.Folks, this lady is totally, and completely lost. She has absolutely no idea who Jesus Christ is, what he has done, or why he has done it. Yet, her music is played in solid churches and listened to by faithful people all around the world. Why do our churches continue to promote and support the rank heresy that comes out of Hillsong Church? Is it because we don’t any better? Arguably, most evangelical churches are on the same page as Zschech, but some would openly reject this false doctrine, and preach it back to the pits of Hell where it belongs, yet they are completely blind to the fact that they are supporting it, and feeding it, by purchasing the rights to this music to lead their faithful congregations in worship of the one true God. Can we not see the absolute hypocrisy here? Why?
For an explanation of the true Gospel, see here.
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