Why I Stopped Singing Hillsong - by Bruce Herwig

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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The author misrepresents some things, particularly certain Scripture references.
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Hillsong Preaches The Prosperity Gospel

“What God births in your heart, he will manifest in your life.” – Brian Houston

One of my big takeaways from attending the Hillsong grand opening was the clarity in which Brian Houston taught the Prosperity Gospel. While it was a subtle shift from the traditional “bigger car, more money, gold in your teeth” we’ve seen on TV, it has been changed to dreams, hopes and aspirations that turn into incredible exploits, kingdoms business and social justice endeavors. 

How about infertility? Solved, just like Hanna in the Old Testament. (Later in his presentation, he gives a modern version of the story. The reason, according to Brian Houston, “What God started in their heart, he finished in their life.”

Then he prooftexts various heroes of the faith and how this principle worked in their lives.

There was an awkward part of the service where Brian confessed that growing up, he thought his son Joel was gay.

How do you get these secret longings and desires to come into being? Simply make room in your heart for God. (We have little use for the "prosperity gospel," but this is all pretty thin stuff as far a criticism goes. We happen to think that we should look to God to empower us to do greater things. It makes sense to us that God heals. We do agree that the power of God in us should be tapped into. We are called to greater faith, greater power, and greater vision. It's not the only thing we are called to, but it is a part.) 

There was no mention of sin. No mention of God’s righteous wrath. No mention of repentance. No mention of the cross. (So the author goes to a Hillsongs service and they don't mention sin or repentance. Does that mean they never mention these things? Is it required that every church mention them in every service? 

The author is intent on establishing that Hillsongs preaches a false gospel. Because of the author's one experience. It is certainly possible there are some problems with Hillsongs. But the author is using this article to explain why he doesn't sing Hillsongs, which means they crossed a line which goes well beyond doctrinal differences. 

Here's part of Hillsongs' doctrinal statement:

We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and His purpose for our lives.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ as both God and man is the only One who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life, died on the cross in our place, and rose again to prove His victory and empower us for life.

We believe that in order to receive forgiveness and the ‘new birth’ we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.

Clearly the author never took the time to do even a rudimentary researching of this.)

* If you disagree that this subtle twist isn’t the real “prosperity theology”, don’t worry…Brian makes himself perfectly clear in his book entitled You Need More Money. (A book written in 2000. Is it possible that Houston's perspective might have evolved over the last 18 years? We don't know if it has, but it would be a nice piece of information to have.

And the author doesn't even quote from his primary evidence.)

I firmly believe that the Prosperity Gospel is either a perversion of the true gospel…or falls so far off that it is “another gospel” (Galatians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 11:4) and has no place in the church or a true Christian’s worldview.

Please let me clarify…

The true gospel is a message of YOU CAN’T… (The author commences to conflate the Gospel [i.e., our state before we were saved and what is needed for us to be saved] with sanctification [how we work out our faith].

The Gospel tells us we couldn't, but that is past tense. Now we are new in Christ, and that means we now can in Christ. That's why Paul tells us, I can do everything through him who gives me strength [Ph. 4:13]. )

Our heart is evil and full of deceit and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9). (Not any more. 

Ez. 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 

2Co. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!)

We need to lead our hearts…not follow them. (No Scripture reference supplied.)

We are dead in our sin (Colossians 2:13-14), (No the author is misrepresenting the Scriptures. Let's quote it, since the author appears reluctant to do so:

Col. 2:13-14 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

Notice that Paul says, "were dead in your sins." Past tense.)

separated from God (Isaiah 59:2) and there is nothing we can do about. (This is an accurate depiction of our pre-salvation status. But as we have seen, it is no longer true of us.) 

The GOOD NEWS is that God CAN…that Jesus paid the price (Romans 3:24) and that for all who turn from their sin (Acts 3:19), repent and call the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). The message of the Bible is that we will be transformed through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). (Sigh. Again we quote the Scripture:

Ro. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Does this say "we will be transformed," or does it say "be transformed?" The author again misrepresents Scripture. Paul is giving a command. He says "do not conform." He is not telling us that God will do something. He is telling us to do something.)

God wants us to learn contentment (Philippians 4:11-13) and bring our hearts desires to him. That our true desires are ultimately fulfilled in Christ alone. We are called by him and kept by him…and that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) (The author concludes his presentation about the Gospel, and we are left wondering why he presented this, since none of it is relevant to his critique of Hillsongs.)

Singing Hillsong Furthers Their Mission And Their Message

In 1995, Brian Houston wrote a vision piece called The Church I Now See.  I highly recommend you read it. It clearly layouts out Hillsong’s strategy as well as tips their hand to their theology. Interesting to note “lead / leader” is mentioned 11 times…while “serve” is mentioned once. (This is trite. Houston's vision for the church is actually quite inspiring. He wants a church where people aren't bench warmers. He wants them to be leaders. He wants a global movement of Christians impacting the world. This is a noble vision, one that does not deserve the criticism being leveled at it by the author.

Since the author wants to play word games, let's count the number of times he uses the name "Jesus." Oops, only once. Should we draw conclusions from that? No. Would it be wrong to suggest the author doesn't value Jesus? Yes. Is counting words manipulative and puerile? Yes.)

One part that stood out to me:

“I see a church committed to an innovative NETWORK that connects hundreds of thousands of pastors and leaders and equips them to flourish. A network committed to the apostolic anointing of leaders who are desperate to see the Church of Jesus Christ rise up to live the un-lived life within her… His glorious Church.”

Every time we sing a Hillsong song, we promote to our congregations the Hillsong brand, send them money, and, in effect, join them in their network and help them spread their message. (True, but we also sing some incredibly expressive and well written songs that speak eloquently of the greatness of God, the power of the blood of Jesus, and the surpassing greatness of knowing Him. 

If our purpose in singing is to worship, Hillsongs is extremely good at providing a vehicle to do so.)

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It was tremendously helpful for me to have the chance to experience Hillsong and hear Brian Houston personally…straight from the horse’s mouth so to say. As for me, I do not align with Hillsong, their teaching or their theology. Therefore, no matter how popular they are, or how I might not take issue with a particular song, I do not think it is wise to partner with them in worship. There are enough good songs out there that don’t have the baggage. We have a choice…we can sing something else.