Bethel Faux Worship Song "Champion" Makes YOU the Champion - By Anthony Wade

Found here. Our comments in bold.
------------------------

Sadly, the eristical Rev. Wade returns to our blog. We continue to comment on his articles because we view it to be our duty to stand as watchmen on the wall. We would not write about everyday Christians getting something wrong, but we do feel obligated to oppose those who would position themselves as truth-tellers, teachers, and Correctors of Doctrine while teaching errantly.

We have deemed people like him as the "Doctrinal Police." The Doctrinal Police have particular characteristics, including

• they avoid quoting Scripture
• they make undocumented assertions 
• they personally attack their theological opponents
• they narrow the spectrum of orthodoxy so that any deviation is heresy
• they engage in breathlessly urgent rhetoric over relatively small matters
• they have thin skins when they are subjected scrutiny themselves

Rev. Wade is a particularly spectacular example of this, so much so that we created another tag, "scorched earth discernment," to account for the often egregious rhetoric that spews from his word processor.

Rev. Wade once again only manages to quote a single Scripture, which he barely discusses right at the end. We suspect it's there to provide cover for his desire to write about other things.

We should note that we are not particularly interested in defending the song. Rather, we are here to examine Rev. Wade's presentation.

----------------------

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." - John 4:23-24 (ESV)

I understand that we like our worship music and do not often pay the same scrutiny to it that we pay to preaching. In many ways, false worship can be just as damaging because not only is the general message wrong, but we internalize it without question. I will never forget one time visiting a church, walking in late, and shuffling into the pew and putting my hands up in worship, which was already underway. It was the first time I felt the Holy Spirit literally lower my arms, which made me pay closer attention to the lyrics on the screen. The song was called "How He Loves Us" and the lyrics were horrific and heretical. (Whenever Rev. Wade discusses worship this song, written over 20 years ago, is his example. The song was written by John Mark McMillan in the aftermath of his best friend's death.

Maybe Rev. Wade should move on.)

Something about being a tree to God's hurricane, the Lord giving an unforeseen kiss to the world, me being the portion of the Lord, and the general narcissism of telling God how much He loves us. (Actually, the context of the song is that it is directed to the congregation as encouragement.)

This is how much modern worship has devolved due to the various false theologies that these musical outfits emanate from. Most popular worship comes from Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation, which are three of the worst bastions of false teaching on the planet. Is it any wonder they cannot produce theologically sound music? (Undocumented assertions.)

Worship music becomes what we believe because it is repeated ad nauseum during service, what musicians refer to as the "hook." (No, the "hook" is the part of the song that draws in the listener as the signature musical idea. Nearly all music has hooks, from Beethoven's "dit-dit-dit-daaaa" in his 5th symphony to Reggae's ubiquitous backbeat. 

There is no requirement for a hook to be "repeated ad nauseum.")

A simple example is the horrible song, "Friend of God," written by Israel Houghton, who was the worship leader for Joel Osteen at the time. (This song was written in 2005. Again, get over it.)

Oh, and he was also fathering two children out of wedlock at the same time, hardly, friend of God material. The song itself when sung in church is just repeatedly singing to the Lord that I am indeed a friend of God, but the reality is singing that does not actually make you a friend of God - obedience does. Since the onslaught of purpose driven, me centric theology into the apostate church over the past three decades we have gone from How Great Thou Art to How He Loves Me. One song is to and about God and the other is to ourselves and about ourselves. (Is Rev. Wade unacquainted with At The Cross Where I First Saw the Light? How about Great is Thy Faithfulness, which is about God's faithfulness to "me?" Or Amazing Grace, most certainly focused on what God has done for "me?"

Oh, what about the obvious one, Victory in Jesus? Thematically, it's almost identical to Champion, focusing on what Jesus' victory means for the believer. This is not terribly controversial, yet Rev. Wade hyperventilates. 

How many hymns might we cite that are written in this sort of personal context? There are a lot. However, Rev. Wade's attention is elsewhere, focusing on two particular songs which he continually trots out as examples.

Using those examples to muddy the waters, Rev. Wade finally gets to the actual topic.)

If you ever wondered where the arrogance comes from for folks to stand by absurdly false teaching, look no further than false worship they ingest. We might point out the truth, but they have already convinced themselves that they are a friend of God and oh, how He loves them. (Oops, one more parting shot.)

Which brings us to today's offering, Champion by Bethel Music. 

So, buckle up beloved and let's go through this line by line to see why it should never be sung in churches today:

I've tried so hard to see it
Took me so long to believe it
That You'd choose someone like me
To carry Your victory

One of the core teachings of Bethel and the apostate church in general is the sense of specialness. Ironically, Rick Warren starts off the Purpose Driven Life by declaring it is not all about you and then spends the rest of the book teaching that it is all about you. About how God designed you with a special purpose in mind from the foundations of the earth. To move mountains, or possibly serve in the Parking Lot Ministry of your local mega church. The reality is that most Christian lives are probably pretty mundane. The idea is to represent Christ to a dying world, not seek out our own personal greatness. (Sigh. None of this is relevant. And if most Christians live mundane lives [an undocumented claim], then why should they accept this status? Why shouldn't they be active in the Kingdom, serving in the church, helping the less fortunate, and yes, acknowledging that God did indeed save them for a reason?

Rev. Wade could have discussed verses like 

Ep. 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

He could have explained 

1Jn. 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Or even 

Ep. 4:24 ...and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

These are Bible verses, Rev. Wade. 

Further, we are special in the sense that God sent His Son to give His life for us so that we might escape death and live lives that honor Him and give Him pleasure. Acknowledging this is not synonymous with being focused on self.

In actual fact, Rev. Wade believes there is nothing good in us, even after we're saved. Thus there is no nobility for us in our salvation. God held His nose and sent His Son for us, but we are still nothing more than insects in the kingdom, lowly and soiled.

This sort of theology dishonors God's redemption, lowers His Son to simply doing a job, and empties the Cross of its power.)

The reason why it may have taken you so long to believe it is because He did not "choose someone like you." Jesus died so that all might be saved. (A distinction without a difference. "Someone like me" is also someone like everyone else who is saved.)

I am afraid where this is going with the carry Your victory line. Continuing:

Perfection could never earn it
You give what we don't deserve and
You take the broken things
And raise them to glory

Ok, I may think this is clumsy, but it is not overall inaccurate. (Indeed. It also contextualizes the song's previous statements, which therefore counters Rev. Wade's objection to them.)

You have to understand something. Not every word in a false worship song is wrong just like a false teacher often says absolutely correct things. I am reminded of the popular Hillsong record, "What a Beautiful Name." Overall, the song is nice until you get to that one part about God not wanting heaven without us so Jesus brought heaven down. If your faith includes the belief that the creator of the universe just couldn't bear the thought of being with you, then it Is not God you are worshipping. (Rev. Wade is prone to these kinds of characterizations, usually exaggerated and hyperbolic. 

There is nothing controversial in the idea that Jesus wanted us in heaven, and there is nothing controversial about Him bringing the Kingdom of heaven to earth.)

The bringing heaven down is straight up false signs and lying wonders theology, (Undocumented claim.)

such as we see in Bethel and Hillsong.

You are my champion
Giants fall when You stand
Undefeated
Every battle You've won

I am who You say I am
You crown me with confidence
I am seated
In the Heavenly place
Undefeated
With the One who has conquered it all

Now it starts to go really downhill. I am who You say I am? First of all, (There will be no "second of all.")

I find it unseemly to refer to ourselves with the term "I am" but some might think that is hairsplitting. (We agree, Rev. Wade is hairsplitting. A completely true statement that we are what God says we are, which of course means we are not what God says we are not. The obvious point of this statement is that we need to agree with God about what God says about us.

Further, Paul uses the phrase "I am" repeatedly, including 

1Co. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am...

Maybe we should hair-split regarding Paul using language similar to how God first described himself [Ex. 3:14]. 

But we won't.)

Moving past that, I am wretched. I am a sinner. My heart is the most wickedly deceitful thing ever created. (Then Rev. Wade has a big problem, because he isn't saved based on this description. For if he's saved he's a new creation, he's now a son, and he has a heart of flesh rather than a heart of stone.

Here's what we were talking about above. Rev. Wade has an unstated doctrinal view called "worm theology," which nothing more than handwringing about how bad we are and continue to be. 

This means that Jesus' death was not enough. We need to keep on beating ourselves for our unrighteousness. We are so dirty, so sinful, so beneath contempt that Jesus barely was able to save us. No matter what the Bible says about being favored, a holy nation, a blessed people, people like Rev. Wade are never able to get past their sin and guilt, forever self-flagellating.)

Thank God for the grace and mercy I have received for I deserve none of it! (So Rev. Wade finds himself in agreement with the songwriter, who wrote: You give what we don't deserve. 

Rev. Wade has just ceded his entire argument.)

That is who "I am." (Having blasted the songwriter for using the phrase "I am," Rev. Wade ironically appropriates it for his own use.)

God does not crown us with confidence, and there is no bible verse that says that. (Rev. Wade takes issue with a small bit of artistic license. 

But how about 

Ep. 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ph. 1:6 ..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

He. 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

1Jn. 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Each of these verses is worth discussing in the context of Rev. Wade's undocumented assertion. But to do so is fruitless, given Rev. Wade's propensity to assert things about an unquoted Bible.)

What about being crowned with humility? What about being crowned with obedience? What about being crowned with forgiveness? (Now Rev. Wade wants the songwriter to write a different song and sing about other things.)

Never lose sight that this is designed as a worship song to sing to God! Look at me God! I am seated in heavenly places! (No, it is actually "look at God, He seated me in heavenly places.")

The way the lyric reads, I am now the undefeated one, with the One who has conquered it all. Yes, He has conquered it all but I have not won anything! (1Co. 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.)

Nor can I win anything! Undefeated? (1Jn. 5:4-5 ...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.)

Our whole lives was one long defeat after another until the grace and mercy of Christ found us. (Once again Rev. Wade agrees with the songwriter.)

Imagine singing to the creator of the entire universe about your own confidence, that you are so special as to sit in heavenly places, and that we are undefeated. (Rev. Wade truly doesn't understand the nature of testifying to what God has done for us.)

That is breathtakingly arrogant. Is it scriptural to say we are seated in heavenly places? Sure, as it pertains to eternal life however, not this one. (Undocumented assertion.)

More importantly how is worshipping God to remind Him of that? It is not. (It is very nearly astonishing that Rev. Wade makes these unbiblical statements with such insistence. Has he never read of Moses reminding God of His promises? 

Ex. 32:13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: "I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance for ever."

Or when the Psalmist reminded God of what He said: 

Ps. 119:49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.

Jeremiah reminded God of His covenant: 

Je. 14:21 For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.

This is a perfect example of why we write these critiques.)

This song is worshipping ourselves, and it gets worse.

Now I can finally see it
You're teaching me how to receive it
So let all the striving cease, oh
This is my victory

Whose victory? MY victory. (Rev. Wade truly doesn't understand the nature of testifying to what God has done for us.

The lyrics refer to an "it" several times, which the songwriter comes to understand and applies throughout the song. By the time he writes this verse he's ready wrap up the story. He says "this" is his victory. So what is "it?"

From the fist verse: 

That You'd choose someone like me

To carry Your victory

The songwriter is learning is to understand the magnitude of Jesus has done for him and how Jesus elevated him though he didn't deserve it. The songwriter ultimately recognizes that Jesus' victory is also his because he is seated with Christ in heavenly places.

This is exactly why Rev. Wade is so incensed about these lyrics. Because he believes that saved people are still filthy and sinful worms, any talk at all about being elevated or victorious or even having God's favor grates at him. He has completely believed a lie, and he'd rather continue to believe it instead of acknowledging clear Scriptural statements that we have put off the old man and put on Christ, a fact which changes everything.)

This is becoming as petulant as the Blessing of Abraham, (This is an old worship song, by the way.)

where we shout to God to give us our inheritance! This is HIS victory beloved. We had NOTHING to do with it. (Nowhere does the song claim that we were the ones who achieved the victory.)

I hate to break it to you, but it is not God teaching you how to receive this horrible theology, it is Bethel. Let all the striving cease? No! (Ph. 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.)

Do the work of a Berean! (The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily. But Rev. Wade's Bible remains closed on his desk.)

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling! We should be striving to become more Christlike (Undocumented claim.)

until the day He calls us home and when He does - that is not us being victorious. (Re. 12:11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...

Here's another unspoken part of Rev. Wade's theology, that the Church will dwindle away to a remnant. This end times theology is pessimistic at its base, built upon the false idea that the world will become darker and darker and the Church will be beat back into corners and back rooms rather than experience revival.)

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

No, you don't. This is more of the false authority paradigm that Bethel loves to teach as well as their acceptance of word faith heresy. The lifting your voice and shouting for walls to come down is a reference to Jericho and I hate to break it to you - you were not there. You are not the hero of Jericho. You are not David staring down your giants. (Rev. Wade takes issue with the spiritual analogies as if the songwriters were referring to actual physical activities..)

You are more like the frightened Israelites cowering fear until the true Champion, God, showed up. So, when we open our mouths, miracles start breaking out? Really? Then go down to the Emergency Room and start saving some lives. (This has happened.)

The truth is you do not see faith healers in the Emergency Room for the same reason you don't see prophets or psychics wining the lottery. Miracles belong to God, not us. Yes, there is the gift of miracles, but it is God that does the work. (Where do the songwriters contradict this?)

Again, keep in mind that we are supposed to be singing this song to God as some form of worship. How is it worship to tell God that we have the authority to tear walls down with a shout and perform mighty miracles? It reminds me of the hell bound folks in Matthew 7 declaring Lord Lord who are dumbfounded and say did we not perform mighty works in Your name! That's just mighty works but according to Bethel music, miracles of God can be directly attributable to us merely by opening our mouths and singing this to God is somehow, "worship." Once again, this song is not worshipping God. It is worshipping ourselves. I lift My voice and shout. I have the authority. When I open MY mouth. So bad and so arrogant.

I am who You say I am
You crown me with confidence
I am seated
In the Heavenly place
Undefeated
By the power of Your name

I am seated in the Heavenly place
Undefeated
With the One who has conquered it all
I know who I am, because I know whose I am, Hallelujah

While the bulk of these are repeating earlier stanzas, the final line has been changed in both. There is power in the name of Jesus but not to boast about ourselves. The problem is Bethel's theology turns Jesus into a partner. Or a co-pilot. Or a wing man (which was an actual sermon once). If Jesus is not your Lord and Savior, then it is not Jesus you are in "relationship" with. This humanizing of Christ is a Bethel specialty of their teaching, so it is no wonder it spilled over into their music. If Jesus is your copilot, then you are sitting in the wrong seat. The other change is cute but if you have believed in a false christ, then that is "whose you are." (A series of undocumented assertions.)

Mercifully, this narcissistic smorgasbord ends:

There's nothing left to prove
There's nothing left to prove
He freely gave it to us

He freely gave us salvation. He freely gave us mercy. He freely gave us grace. For those things, He is greatly to be praised. He did not however give us authority to shout the walls of Jericho down or speak miracles into existence. Those are powers HE alone has. (A series of undocumented assertions.)

We should not be found usurping the power or glory of God. We certainly should not be found bragging about doing so directly to God and daring to call it worship. As usual when speaking about worship the key verses is Jesus' teaching about true worship being in spirit and truth. (Finally, Rev. Wade mentions the sole lonely Scripture he quoted.)

The truth means the word of God and the spirit means by the indwelt Holy Spirit. It is the spirit that leads us into all truth. That means what we say to God in worship better be reflective of His truth and bear witness to His spirit. Like most modern worship, Champion pays lip service to God but only to exalt ourselves. Reading these lyrics, one must conclude that we are the champion, not God. There is a technical word for that, blasphemy.