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The unnamed "Publisher" can barely be bothered to quote the Bible. He manages only two snippets of Scripture, neither of which come to bear on any of his fevered speculations. He constructs a Straw Man and lumps every charismatic Christian into the pot and turns the heat to high.
But he has nothing to offer. Nothing edifying. No insight into the Bible. No teaching. No encouragement. Not even correction. Nothing. His only achievement is to insult and demean his Christian brothers and sisters. Even if the subjects of his wrath weren't Christians, no one deserves to be treated this way.
It's a truly despicable presentation.
We’ve witnessed in recent years a surge of hyper-emotional events masquerading as expressions of genuine Christian faith. ("Publisher" presumes without evidence that all these events are solely emotional. He will persist in this characterization throughout this presentation, without telling us how he knows peoples' emotional and spiritual status.)
These gatherings, such as the Passion Conference, Hillsong concerts, and other events connected to the charismatic, word of faith, and prosperity gospel movements, claim to be fueled by the Holy Spirit. Yet, the truth of the matter is, what’s happening at these events is far removed from Biblical worship. ("Publisher" will not tell us where in the Bible we find biblical worship.)
The atmosphere at these events is emotionally charged (How does he know this? Was he in attendance? He presumes this "emotionally charged" status for a reason, to expound on his theory: These people aren't worshiping, they're being emotionally manipulated.)
The atmosphere at these events is emotionally charged (How does he know this? Was he in attendance? He presumes this "emotionally charged" status for a reason, to expound on his theory: These people aren't worshiping, they're being emotionally manipulated.)
—highly orchestrated music, impassioned speakers, and provocative visuals often lead participants to believe they are experiencing the Holy Spirit. ("Publisher" somehow knows for certain it isn't the Holy Spirit.)
However, what they’re actually experiencing is emotional manipulation, cleverly crafted through a phenomenon known as “dopaminergic activation.” ("Publisher" probably came across this phrase and thought, "oh, boy. Here's something I can use to beat charismatics over the head.")
Here’s just one example I recently saw:
(link) (Oh, my. This is the worst offender "Publisher" can find? Really?
The crowd is dancing and singing, waving their hands, and rejoicing. So, will "Publisher" tell us exactly what part of this is unbiblical? Will he tell us which of these individuals are afflicted by “dopaminergic activation?” Or perhaps he has some sort of super power that gives him spiritual insight by which he determines this?
Here’s just one example I recently saw:
(link) (Oh, my. This is the worst offender "Publisher" can find? Really?
The crowd is dancing and singing, waving their hands, and rejoicing. So, will "Publisher" tell us exactly what part of this is unbiblical? Will he tell us which of these individuals are afflicted by “dopaminergic activation?” Or perhaps he has some sort of super power that gives him spiritual insight by which he determines this?
Or maybe he's claiming they're all on a dopamine high?
Ah, the latter is probably true. Simply because the crowd isn't sitting somberly in their chairs with their hands folded in their laps like they do in "Publisher's" dead church, these folks must all be demon-possessed emoters.
"Publisher" mistakes his tradition for what is biblical. But he cannot find his church in the Bible. There are no examples of staid, reserved worship in Scripture. We shall demonstrate for "Publisher" how this is proved. We shall open our Bibles and quote it:
Ps. 30:11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy...
Ps. 149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.
Ps. 150:4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
2Sa. 6:14-16 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.
He is apparently ignorant of what the Bible says. Sadly, "Publisher" finds himself in agreement with Michal, despising those who worship God in a manner he doesn't approve of.)
(Now comes some high-minded quasi science, doubtless obtained via a google search...) When emotionally charged music starts playing, (All music connects to our emotions.)
your brain’s limbic system—the control center for your emotions—springs into action. Think of it like a well-tuned orchestra coming to life, ready to play a captivating symphony. In this neural symphony, dopamine acts as the lead violinist, setting the pace and tone for the experience. This neurotransmitter is released in a specific area of your brain known as the striatal system, which is particularly centered around the nucleus accumbens. This part of the brain can be likened to the VIP section of a concert, where the most exhilarating parts of the show are felt. It’s this area that lights up with activity, producing the sensations of intense happiness, emotional elevation, and pleasure that people often describe as a “high.” ("Publisher" is doing his best to sound authoritative. It's only so much blather, however, since he's not dealing with the Bible, nor does he have the expertise to apply this information to people he's never met.)
While these sensations may feel extraordinary, they are not unique to these charismatic so-called Christian “worship” events. In fact, the exact same neural symphony plays out in various other cultural and religious settings, including Eastern mysticism, where practices like meditation or chanting can induce similar emotional and psychological states. Similarly, African tribal dances, which often involve rhythmic music and movements, are designed to bring about heightened emotional states. Even secular rave parties, where pulsating music and lighting effects aim to produce an emotional crescendo among the crowd, are indistinguishable from such charismatic euphoria. ("Publisher" is clumsy and pedantic. He waxes eloquent about things he cannot possibly know.)
In all these scenarios—Eastern mystic rituals, African tribal dances, and rave parties—the same brain chemistry is at work. The limbic system activates, dopamine is released, and the striatal system, with its nucleus accumbens, produces that familiar emotional “high.” The context may differ, but the physiological process is remarkably consistent. (And thus charismatic worship must be the same thing.)
This makes it clear that the emotional highs experienced in these various settings are not exclusive markers of the Holy Spirit’s presence or work. (No one has claimed such a thing.)
While these sensations may feel extraordinary, they are not unique to these charismatic so-called Christian “worship” events. In fact, the exact same neural symphony plays out in various other cultural and religious settings, including Eastern mysticism, where practices like meditation or chanting can induce similar emotional and psychological states. Similarly, African tribal dances, which often involve rhythmic music and movements, are designed to bring about heightened emotional states. Even secular rave parties, where pulsating music and lighting effects aim to produce an emotional crescendo among the crowd, are indistinguishable from such charismatic euphoria. ("Publisher" is clumsy and pedantic. He waxes eloquent about things he cannot possibly know.)
In all these scenarios—Eastern mystic rituals, African tribal dances, and rave parties—the same brain chemistry is at work. The limbic system activates, dopamine is released, and the striatal system, with its nucleus accumbens, produces that familiar emotional “high.” The context may differ, but the physiological process is remarkably consistent. (And thus charismatic worship must be the same thing.)
This makes it clear that the emotional highs experienced in these various settings are not exclusive markers of the Holy Spirit’s presence or work. (No one has claimed such a thing.)
Rather, they are part of a universal human experience—a physiological response that can be induced by a wide range of stimuli. It’s critical, therefore, to distinguish between what feels spiritually exhilarating and what is genuinely a work of the Holy Spirit, rooted in the truth of God’s Word. (Is this a concession that some emotion is permitted, or some amount of celebratory worship is Spirit-led?)
The Bible warns us to be vigilant and discerning, holding every experience up to the light of Scripture. Paul tells the Thessalonians to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV). (Our first Scripture, but "Publisher" does not deploy it to document his assertions about what worship should be or why charismatics are wrong.)
The Bible warns us to be vigilant and discerning, holding every experience up to the light of Scripture. Paul tells the Thessalonians to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV). (Our first Scripture, but "Publisher" does not deploy it to document his assertions about what worship should be or why charismatics are wrong.)
If we evaluate these emotionally charged events through the lens of Biblical teaching, (Where in the Bible?)
it becomes evident that they bear little resemblance to the worship of God as revealed in Scripture. (Please, would you supply just one example? Would you just tell us one place in the Bible where these things are found? C'mon, man!)
Worship, in the Biblical sense, involves recognizing the greatness and holiness of God, confessing sin, and humbling oneself before Him—it’s not about chasing an emotional high. (False choice.)
While the emotional highs produced at these events may feel exhilarating, they are not evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. Instead, they are the result of emotional manipulation, achieved through neurochemical changes in the brain—something that’s not unique to Christian settings but common to various secular and religious experiences. True worship is not about chasing emotional highs; it’s about humbling oneself before a sovereign God, in spirit and in truth, just as He commands in His Word. (Where? Where in His Word? Does "Publisher" even know where his Bible is? Is it covered with dust from lack of use?
The role of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and to guide us into all truth (John 16:8-13). No mention is made of inducing ecstatic, emotional experiences as evidence of His work. (Who claims that emotions are evidence of God? Name one example, "Publisher." These casual accusations are becoming tiresome.)
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and He doesn’t engage in manipulation—emotional or otherwise. His work is the will of God and He is sent by the Father and the Son to carry out His purposes. When David repented in Psalm 51, he didn’t ask for an emotional experience but for a “clean heart” and a “right spirit” (Psalm 51:10, ESV). (Subject change. Previously we were being told about worship. Now we are dealing with repentance. Either "Publisher" is completely unaware of his biblical inadequacies, or he is being deliberately deceptive.)
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and He doesn’t engage in manipulation—emotional or otherwise. His work is the will of God and He is sent by the Father and the Son to carry out His purposes. When David repented in Psalm 51, he didn’t ask for an emotional experience but for a “clean heart” and a “right spirit” (Psalm 51:10, ESV). (Subject change. Previously we were being told about worship. Now we are dealing with repentance. Either "Publisher" is completely unaware of his biblical inadequacies, or he is being deliberately deceptive.)
Likewise, the early church in Acts was committed to the “apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42, ESV), not to manufactured emotional experiences. (Our second Scripture, also not used to document his assertions.
"Publisher" seems to love these false choices. Worship is not even mentioned in this passage. However, given the cultural situation of those times, we can be sure that when these early Christians went to the Temple [Ac. 2:46] they worshiped and danced with abandon as was the custom.)
While the emotional highs produced at these events may feel exhilarating, they are not evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. Instead, they are the result of emotional manipulation, achieved through neurochemical changes in the brain—something that’s not unique to Christian settings but common to various secular and religious experiences. True worship is not about chasing emotional highs; it’s about humbling oneself before a sovereign God, in spirit and in truth, just as He commands in His Word. (Where? Where in His Word? Does "Publisher" even know where his Bible is? Is it covered with dust from lack of use?
Why is "Publisher" so averse to making his case from the Scriptures? It's mystifying.)
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