Bethel Music – Unfruitful Works of Darkness - By JEFF MAPLES

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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Jeff Maples is in his typically bombastic style. He clearly hates Bethel church and all it stands for, but takes no time to teach the Bible or edify us. He manages to quote a couple of Scriptures, but does not discuss them or tells us how they apply.

It's almost comical that the author complains about Bethels' profit motive: "There is no question that Bethel Music exists to make money..." This is the reason why we left the advertising embedded in the article.  It is a short article, less than a thousand words, but contains four advertisements. Irony, indeed.

Lastly, we should note that we are not here to defend Bethel or Jesus Culture, we intend to examine the author's presentation.
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If you’ve followed Pulpit & Pen, you know we’ve covered the contemporary Christian music movement and have written about several of its mainstream figures, including Kari Jobe and Hillsong. It’s no secret we believe that the relentless promotion of much of this flesh-feeding ecstatic music does no good for the edification of the body of Christ. But perhaps one of the most deceitfully nefarious organizations pumping out poisonous exhaust is Bethel Music.

According to Wikipedia, Bethel Music is a collection artists based out of the worship ministry at Bethel Church in Redding, California. Some of its artists include Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Riddle, Amanda Cook, William Matthews, Kristene DiMarco (of Jesus Culture, also out of Bethel Church), and quite a few others.

Bethel Music is known for its popular songs, such as This Is Amazing Grace (Lyrics:

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 laid 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

Worthy, worthy, worthy

and We Will Not Be Shaken, (Lyrics:

For we trust in our God, And through His unfailing love
We will not be shaken, We will not be shaken,
We will not be shaken

Though the battle rages, We will stand in the fight
Though the armies rise up against us on all sides
We will not be shaken, We will not be shaken
We will not be shaken

For in the hour of our darkest day
We will not tremble, we won’t be afraid
Hope is rising like the light of dawn
Our God is for us He has overcome

All those against Him will fall
For our God is stronger
He can do all things
No higher name we can call
For Jesus is greater

We can do all things

One would think that if the author is so concerned with heresy he could have picked a couple of songs that demonstrate that. However, these two songs appear to be doctrinally solid.)

that are played throughout churches of all breeds on Sunday mornings. Of course, some of their music may appear to be just fine on the surface, but is this just a deceptive bait to reel you in? (Is there some evidence that Bethel is baiting people, i.e., causing them to want to move to Redding, CA, emptying their pockets for the sake of the cause, or maybe selling all their possessions to live in some sort of Bethel commune? 

The author asks the question. If he doesn't answer it then the question was asked to manipulate us into believing there is something nefarious going on. 

Now, there may be something wrong with Bethel, but if the author doesn't tell us what that is, then he is also a deceiver.)

For even Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and he’s always looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). This is why we must be sober-minded and alert, and always on the watch for his deceptions.

Bethel Music unashamedly promotes false doctrine. (Examples?)

Let’s be clear, all of the music that comes from this church are designed to draw people in and promote the message of Bethel Church. Under the leadership of Bill Johnson, the church promotes a message that is anti-gospel and cultish. (Let's quote their statement of faith:

We believe that there is only one true God who is the eternal King, Creator, and Redeemer of all that is. He is perfectly holy, just, loving, and truthful. He has revealed Himself to be eternally self-existent – one being in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative Word of God.

We believe that humankind was created in the image of God to know and enjoy Him, yet we willfully rejected the Lordship and glory of God for which we were intended. Because of this, sickness, death, and judgment entered the world and now creation experiences the effects and consequences of sin.

We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is God’s Anointed One, empowered by the Holy Spirit to inaugurate God’s kingdom on earth. He was crucified for our sins, died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven, and is now alive today in the presence of God the Father and in His people. He is "true God" and "true man."

We believe that we are saved by God’s grace, through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Anyone can be restored to fellowship with God through repenting, believing, and receiving Jesus as their Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and adopts us as we enter the kingdom of God as His sons and daughters.

We believe in the ongoing, sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life and minister super-naturally. The baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 1:4-8 and 2:4, is poured out on believers that they might have God’s power to be His witnesses.

We believe in the victorious, redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides freedom from the power of the enemy – sin, lies, sickness, and torment.

We believe that the Church consists of all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. He gave His Church the ordinances of baptism and communion. The Church exists to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ and further advance His kingdom by undoing the works of the enemy, preaching and living the good news of God’s love, and discipling the nations – baptizing and teaching them to love and obey God.

We believe in the ever-increasing government of God and in the Blessed Hope, which is the glorious, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign with His overcoming bride – the Church.

We believe that heaven and hell are real places. There will be a resurrection of the lost and the saved, the one to everlasting death and the other to everlasting life.

This is pretty conventional. We suppose the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is something that would get Mr. Maples into a lather. But as far as "anti-gospel and cultish," well, we just don't see it.)

Bethel is a New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) church that promotes nefarious theologies (It would be nice if the author provided links to examples of these "nefarious theologies.")

such as Word of Faith, (We have been unable to locate any NAR writings that teach Word of faith.) 

Dominionism, (We have been unable to locate any NAR writings that teach dominionism.)

Latter Rain, (Today, the term “latter rain” is rarely used...

Latter Rain doctrine includes the following beliefs:

- the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are received through the laying on of hands

- Christians can be demonized and require deliverance

- God has restored all the offices of ministry to the Church, including apostle and prophet

- divine healing can be administered through the laying on of hands

- praise and worship will usher God into our presence

- women have a full and equal ministry role in the Church

- denominational lines will be destroyed, and the Church will unify in the last days

- the “latter rain” will bring God’s work to completion; the Church will be victorious over the world and usher in Christ’s kingdom)

We don't know if gotquestions.com is accurately presenting "latter rain" beliefs, but we will take them on face value. Some of these might or might not be held by Bethel. Again, the author never bothers to tell us. Of course, some or most of them might be offensive to a cessationist, but that does not make them false.

The problem, then, is not the NAR or Bethel. The author is actually taking a position against charismaticism in general. Though the author frequently brings guns ablazing against Bethel, he's actually anti-charismatic.)

and Joel’s Army. (Joel’s Army is a charismatic movement closely connected with the Latter Rain Movement that began in the 1940s...)

Below is a video of Bethel Church practicing what they call a “fire tunnel,” in which people will quickly pass through the tunnel while others supposedly speak blessings and healings on the participants. (...)

The NAR is a movement that elevates experience above doctrinal truth. (Quite an accusation, left undocumented.)

Often times you will see many with contradictory beliefs about the basic tenets of Christianity come together in prayer and worship. (We just can't have people praying and worshiping! We need to check their doctrine at the door, every jot and tittle.)

Bethel’s pastor, Bill Johnson, who was labeled an Apostle by C. Peter Wagner, advocates for less Scriptural knowledge and promotes extra-biblical experiences as security for your relationship with God. He says in his book When Heaven Invades Earth:

ReformedGear.com

Those who feel safe because of their intellectual grasp of Scriptures enjoy a false sense of security. None of us has a full grasp of Scripture, but we all have the Holy Spirit. He is our common denominator who will always lead us into truth. But to follow Him, we must be willing to follow off the map—to go beyond what we know (Johnson, p. 76)

This is clearly a denial of the sufficiency of Scripture, and a promotion of extra-biblical revelation. (It is? We can interpret this for ourselves. It seems clear that Johnson is referring to head knowledge. Head knowledge does not save. We need the Holy Spirit. We follow Him, even if it takes us past our head knowledge.

The author will not explain how it's wrong, what this means to him, or why it's bad. We discuss "sufficiency" here. We discuss prophecy here and here.)

It’s no wonder that most of their music is shallow and insipid. (Generally, we have not been a fan of Jesus Culture's music. However, "shallow" music is not evil.)

Johnson was also instrumental in bringing false prophet Todd Bentley back into the mainstream. Bentley, who claims to raise people from the dead, is a false teacher that promotes Word of Faith theology and performs false signs and wonders. (Todd Bentley is certainly a significant mistake and error in judgment. Of course, the author and his friends never make mistakes.) 

But if that isn’t enough, Bethel Church recently hosted false prophet Heidi Baker, to impart demons and cast spells in front of their congregation.

By the way, did you know Reformation Charlotte has a Christian gear and apparel store? Check it out at ReformedGear.com.

This is purely demonic witchcraft, and there is absolutely nothing Christian about this. (It would be interesting to know the outcome of these supposed demonic impartations. We don't intend to defend Ms. Baker, but is it possible for weird things to happen that God causes? Of course. Was this particular situation with the young man in the video caused by God? We don't know. Weird does not equal demonic.

Having said that, we certainly accede to the idea that there are demonic forces at work in churches.)

The New Apostolic Reformation is the driving force behind modern worship. They use a deceptive tactic that mixes a little bit of truth with error which gives their music the appearance of holiness. (No examples given.)

But the fact is much of the music that comes out of this demonic center of darkness is designed to empty your mind by the use of repetitive lyrics, sensual music and a fleshly experience that puts you in a state of hypnotic trance. (This is quite an accusation, not documented.)

An example of this would be Jesus Culture’s song, Fill Me Up, that repeats this phrases over and over, (We certainly don't care for this song...)

inviting an altered state of mind, and opening one’s self up to suggestion. (This also is quite a claim. We certainly don't know if this is the case, but for the author the inference is enough.)

John MacArthur says of this kind of music, “This is paganism. This is the Kundalini cult…This is what Hindus do.”

…I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. – 1 Corinthians 14:15 (Mr. Maples quotes a verse without comment. Notice that Paul says he will sing with his spirit and singe with his mind. Mr. Maples simply punts and doesn't explain what it means to sing with one's spirit.)

Besides the bad theology in much of the music’s lyrics, (No examples given.)

the bigger problem lies in the music itself. There is no question that Bethel Music exists to make money, (Again we note the irony of the advertisements used by the website to monetize it.)

and to promote their ideology, false signs and wonders, and the so-called ministry of their leaders. But the music they put out that has the appearance of holiness only serves to attract people to the blatantly unholy. Most people just assume that because Bethel Music and Jesus Culture are labeled “Christian music,” that it’s fine, but it isn’t. The music serves to marginalize God from true worship in truth and spirit (John 4:24), and promotes the singers, or even music itself as the object(s) of worship. (A series of undocumented assertions.)

This is mainstream contemporary Christian music. It feeds the flesh and weakens our mission (Galatians 5:16). Bethel music, in its insatiable lust for more followers, is seeking to devour anyone who has itching ears (2 Tim 4:3). We are commanded in Scripture to avoid these false teachers, these workers of darkness who produce bad fruits, to have absolutely nothing to do with them, rather expose them (Eph 5:11). (Another series of undocumented accusations.)

Christians need to turn from their fleshly desires of unholy worship and focus on that which is acceptable in the eyes of God, and what brings Him alone glory. (Something the author never tells us.)


Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2