Bolz Isn’t Enough: The Deeper Rot Inside the Charismatic Movement - by David Morrill

Excerpted from here. Our comments in bold.

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Piggy-backing off of our recent post where Don Pirozok writes about corruption in the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation), we shall revisit the topic today with an excerpt from David Morrill's article on the same topic. 

We have examined Mr. Morrill's writing several times in our blog, mostly having to do with his "critiques" of worship songs. Invariably his writing is governed by undocumented statements, lack of biblical references, and guilt by association.

If the reader contrasts the tone and documentation between the two articles he will notice a profound and stark difference. Mr. Pirozok's article dispassionately explained the Bible and listed Bible references, while Mr. Morrill's article blasts away but contains no Bible explanation and no Bible references at all.  

Mr. Pirozok's article identifies specific issues and addresses them directly. Mr. Morrill's article is a generalized scorched earth indictment of an entire group of Christians, as if 65 million Pentecostal and charismatic Christians in the US (23% of protestant churches are charismatic) are all NAR-linked apostates. 

Mr. Morrill will continually conflate charismatics with NAR. We suspect this is purposeful.

Because Mr. Morrill's article makes no mention of the Bible, we must consider this to be bad Bible teaching. 

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Theological Song Review: Firm Foundation by The Belonging Co. Ft. Cody Carnes – 35/100 - by David Morrill

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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We've commented on some other articles written by Mr. Morrill. We've found that he seems to have an ax to grind, which colors his writing in a substantial way. He is simply looking for trouble in the "NAR" songs he reviews, and rigs his rating system to ensure they receive bad recommendations.

We recognize that everyone has their own tastes in worship music and in the way worship is conducted when the saints gather, so we have no quibble with Mr. Morrill's tastes. It's only when he attacks and impugns based on some imagined infractions that we draw the line.

Since Mr. Morrill cannot do us the courtesy of supplying the actual lyrics in question, we shall do so ourselves:

Christ is my firm foundation, The Rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken, I've never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus, 'Cause He's never let me down
He's faithful through generations, So why would He fail now?

He won't

I've still got joy in chaos, I've got peace that makes no sense
So I won't be going under, I'm not held by my own strength
'Cause I've built my life on Jesus, He's never let me down
He's faithful in every season, So why would He fail now?

He won't

He won't fail

He won't

Rain came and wind blew, But my house was built on You
I'm safe with You, I'm gonna make it through

Audio link.

In actual fact, these are pretty innocuous lyrics, which is probably why Mr. Morrill did not quote them. Not terribly profound, but not heretical or misleading in any way. And they have the virtue of being based on Scripture. 

We decided to examine a hymn that is based on the same theme, On Christ the Solid Rock, using the author's criteria. That is found at the end of our post below.

We should note that we are not here to defend the song, the songwriter, or any organization. We intend to evaluate Mr. Morrill's presentation.

Also, we examined another critique of this song here.

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Bad Stuff to Good Stuff: Theological Song Review of Graves Into Gardens - David Morrill

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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We have reviewed Mr. Morrill's writings several times, and sadly, we have found his presentations wanting. Today's song review is no exception.

Since he cannot do the courtesy of actually quoting the song lyrics, we shall do so:

1) I searched the world, But it couldn't fill me
Man's empty praise And treasures that fade
Are never enough

Then You came along And put me back together
And every desire Is now satisfied
Here in Your love 

Chorus 

Oh, there's nothing better than You
There's nothing better than You
Lord, there's nothing
Nothing is better than You

2) I'm not afraid To show You my weakness
My failures and flaws Lord, You've seen 'em all
And You still call me friend

'Cause the God of the mountain Is the God of the valley
There's not a place Your mercy and grace
Won't find me again

Bridge

You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You're the only one who can

You turn graves into garden
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You're the only one who can
You're the only one who can

Contrast the way Mr. Morrill will characterize the lyrics with the lyrics themselves. The lyrics are not heretical, controversial, or offensive, yet Mr. Morrill blasts away at them.

We suspect that Mr. Morrill cannot get past his bias, a bias common to those we've deemed the Doctrinal Police. That bias is, there must be complete and total doctrinal conformity. Therefore, a group, church, or person cannot produce anything of virtue or spiritual value if their doctrine doesn't perfectly line up. It isn't possible for them to teach, preach, or write a worship song that honors God. They're likely heretics and probably not saved. 

This is cultic thinking.

Theological Song Review: More Like Jesus - by David Morrill

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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We've commented on some other articles written by Mr. Morrill. We've found that he seems to have an ax to grind, which colors his writing in a substantial way. He is simply looking for trouble in the "NAR" songs he reviews, and rigs his rating system to ensure they receive bad recommendations.

We recognize that everyone has their own tastes in worship music and in the way worship is conducted when the saints gather, so we have no quibble with Mr. Morrill's tastes. It's only when he attacks and impugns based on some imagined infractions that we draw the line.

Since Mr. Morrill cannot do us the courtesy of supplying the actual lyrics in question, we shall do so ourselves:

You came to the world You created
Trading Your crown for a cross
You willingly died
Your innocent life paid the cost

Counting Your status as nothing
The King of all kings came to serve
Washing my feet
Covering me with Your love

If more of You means less of me, Take ev'rything
Yes, all of You is all I need, Take ev'rything

You are my life and my treasure
The One that I can't live without
Here at Your feet
My desires and dreams I lay down
Here at Your feet
My desires and dreams I lay down

Oh Lord, change me like only You can
Here with my heart in Your hands
Father I pray make me more like Jesus
This world is dying to know who You are
You've shown us the way to Your heart
So Father I pray make me more like Jesus

And sadly, the author cannot be bothered to quote Scripture. He's sprinkled in a few links to Scripture, but if one is going to do a "theological song review," we would think that explaining from Scripture would be a key component.

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Theological Song Review: Rejoice by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Rend Collective - by David Morrill

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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Having previously examined a couple of Mr. Morrill's writings, we now understand the perspective from which he comes. He's against charismatics and the NAR, so his song analyses are biased in favor of conservative, reformist, cessationist music. As a result, he has an evaluative process where just one of the steps ("Association") can disqualify a song simply because of some connection with a charismatic church or a previous history with a NAR group. This of course a handy tool for someone like the author.

Today he examines a song that he approves of. This will be the first time for this, so we were curious as to how his approval would be determined. 

We happen to like the song, so our main intent is not to critique it, it is to critique the author.

In addition, we should note that the author quotes no Scripture, and references only a couple.

Let's quote the lyrics first, because his analysis will make little sense otherwise:

Theological Song Review: What a Beautiful Name - by David Morrill

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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We were introduced to this writer only a few days ago, and commented on his criteria for evaluating worship songs here. We decided there that his criteria, while useful, is largely subjective. 

That post also contained our evaluation of his first critique of a worship song, "Forever and Amen."

Below is his second song evaluation. We note as an aside that the author's title is "Theological Song Review." not "Biblical Song Review." The author makes a correct choice, since he will only manage to quote Scripture a single time. 

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An Open Letter to Fellow Believers Who Have Concerns About Online Polemics/Discernment Ministry - by David Morrill

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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"Discernment" ministries are nothing if not sensitive. They're in the business of criticizing pastors and churches, but they don't like being on the receiving end of criticism. 

And Protestia is no exception.

The thing about it is, "discernment" ministries are sometimes worthy of criticism. They are too often over-the-top, insulting, and, yes, down right wrong. In keeping with their hyperbolic tendencies, their response to criticism is also hyperbolic.

Here's a "discernment" ministry that claims that its brand of discernment is definitionally loving.

This is a "discernment" minister who was respectfully asked a question about the status of her heart when she writes about false teachers, and her response is truly astounding.

This same person does concede that some criticism is deserved, but spends the greater part of her article complaining about how difficult it is to be a "discernment" minister.

Here we have a person who believe that only false teachers are divisive, which apparently justifies any and all bad behavior of "discernment" ministers.

"Discernment" ministers can get really nasty. Here's some examples:

• Karen Swallow, an admittedly questionable Christian, was "discerned" (by Protestia!) as follows:

hideously ugly

post-menopausal woman 

bizarre wardrobe choices

a penchant for cackling

no personal charisma

a face that scares children

a voice that sounds like nails down a chalkboard

pugnacious

unladylike

uglier on the inside than she is on the outside

the personality of a Roomba 

 the personal charisma of fetid corpse

unpleasant and evil woman

• Here's a "discernment minister" (also from Protestia) who thinks it's appropriate to rank the worst Christian of the year.

• Here's one who accuses a person of committing the unforgiveable sin.

• T.D. Jakes might have some problems, but here's what a "discernment" minister wrote about him: TD Jakes deserves no honor among bible teaching, God-fearing men. Like you, he deserves nothing but our contempt and the working end of the shepherd's rod.

• Here's a fellow who seriously wants all charismatics to die of COVID (from Protestia's predecessor "Pulpit and Pen").

• This man says we don't have to pray for people who are false teachers.

• This man feels it's within the bounds of proper discourse to call someone an imbecile (also from Protestia's predecessor "Pulpit and Pen").

Also, the author seems to think that because Jesus was violent once and Paul was insulting once that it gives him carte blanche permission to do the same. This of course is ridiculous. Description is not prescription.

We don't want to suggest the above examples are typical, but they happen frequently enough that they're not aberrations. And thankfully, there are sane voices who carry a message of caution that is valuable for all of us.

As a final note, this long defense of the author's "ministry" doesn't contain a single quote from the Bible. There are many Bible references, but no verses. It's continually dismaying to us how these people think they can teach the Bible without quoting it.

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Discerning Praise and Worship – A Primer - by David Morrill

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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We are happy to find a somewhat thoughtful commentator on a subject dear to us: Worship and praise. We say "somewhat" because the author on one hand provides a generally useful, though subjective framework for evaluating worship songs, but on the other hand clearly has an ax to grind.

A "primer" is a basic course of instruction, particularly for young children learning to read. As such, we would expect the author of today's article to restrict himself to elementary concepts and simple terminology, so as to give the reader a bare foundation of understanding.

After we consider his primer, we will comment on his evaluation of a song called "Forever and Amen," by Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe. Here we will see the typical nitpicking and quibbling that often characterizes the "Doctrinal Police."

In addition, the author will write 1350 words discussing various aspects of worship music, and another 600 evaluating "Forever and Amen." However, he will only manage to quote a snippet of two Scriptures and reference one other. Unfortunately, this also is typical of the "Doctrinal Police."

We believe that current trends in worship music, though faulty at times, are valuable and timely. Many quality worship songs are being written, and this is a good thing. The rising eminence of musical worship in the Church is a signal of the revitalization of Christians and churches. We think the Church needs a fire placed in it. It is too comfortable and too locked into routine and tradition.

An important remedy in our view is revitalized worship.

Jesus spoke to a Samaritan women at the well, and told her about worship:

Jn. 4:22-24 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.

We can't help but notice what Jesus said the Father is seeking: True worshipers. If an evolving contemporary Christian worship music scene, including the recording of church bands and locally produced music, will contribute to the people of God becoming true worshipers, we're all for it.

Our criteria for a good worship song includes:

• A direct expression of adoration (God, you are...)
• A progression of ideas that culminates in a coherent story
• A focus on God, not us
• A certain amount of profundity
• A singable, interesting melody
• Scripture quotes or coherent allusions to Scripture
• Doctrinal soundness

Further, a worship song should not:

• contain lyrics that create uncertainty or cause confusion
• be excessively metaphorical
• be excessively repetitive
• imply that Jesus is your boyfriend

We should note that our intent is not to defend any particular person or church mentioned by the author, neither shall we defend the song Forever & Amen or its writers, but rather we shall examine the presentation of the author.

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