Hillsong's False Gospel

"Hillsong is lying to this generation, offering no repentance “cheap grace” which is no grace at all."

Hillsong is one of the most influential names in contemporary Christian music. Hillsong began in a mega-church in Sydney, Australia, with music produced under the direction of worship leader Darlene Zschech. It has since multiplied into a group of churches in 21 countries. Hillsong is Pentecostal (the original Hillsong was an Assemblies of God church) and radically ecumenical, with close ties to the Roman Catholic Church. It preaches the Word-Faith heresy and a no-repentance, “you don’t have to change anything” false gospel. Joel Houston, Hillsong United worship leader who is currently on tour in the United States, says, “God loves you more than you could ever imagine just the way you are, you don’t have to change anything, just you, He knows you” (“Hillsong’s Joel Houston declares God is doing something new in America,” Christian Post, May 10, 2019). God does love sinners, and He does love them as they are, in their sins, which is why Christ shed His blood in the sinner’s behalf; but the “you don’t have to change anything” is a damnable lie. Consider the clear Word of God: “Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). “O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:19-20). Salvation is God’s free gift without works, but it is received by repentance and faith and always produces a dramatic change of lifestyle. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). Hillsong is lying to this generation, offering no-repentance “cheap grace” which is no grace at all. It wasn’t that long ago that Hillsong was too charismatic, too radical, too hard rocking to be heard in an Independent Baptist church, but that has changed. “Toned down” editions of Hillsong’s music are heard in many Independent Baptist churches and schools today. We suggest that if a church is going to use CCM, it should use it properly, which requires full-blown rock & roll that captures the people’s very souls and sweeps them into fleshly, charismatic mysticism. It requires giving oneself over 100% to the power of the music. That’s what CCM is all about and that’s where it always leads. So if you intend to go in that direction, then go for it full bore and skip the ridiculous “adaptation” middle ground. If you love CCM, stop pretending that you don’t!

​(Friday Church News Notes, May 17, 2019, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)

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