BLENDERBENDER & DARKOGESIS?
Last year Brian Houston preached a sermon at Hillsong Conference 2014 titled ‘No Other Name’. You would think with a sermon title like that, Houston would preach the gospel. However, once again we are being bombarded with Christless sermons that seem to be more focused on preaching anything except the gospel.
The question Hillsong members need to be asked is this: Does Brian Houston even know the gospel?
Recently, Chris Rosebrough reviewed the sermon and leveled a fair accusation against Brian Houston for using the skillful heresy two-step technique to trick people. Rosebrough also highlights some new techniques that Brian Houston employs to trick people. He says they are the,
Blenderbender: a deceptive preaching technique where the teacher blends different words and ideas together to bend the scripture to mean something completely different.
(Brian Houston used this by blending key words (like “big”, “large” and “roomy”) from different scriptures and bending the scriptures to say something completely different.)
And the thesis/antithesis which is also known as the darkothesis or antithesis backflip. Brian Houston used his “opposite world translation” (OWT) on the benediction in Numbers 67. Adds eisegetes the OWT to reinterpret what the benediction actually says. In this case, he used this as a strawman to make ‘bloggers’, online ‘Christians’, look like idiots and evil and to bolster his prosperity gospel heresy.
GOD WANTS TO LEAD YOU DOWN THE WIDE ROAD?
So what did Brian Houston end up teaching?
He ended up peddling ecumenism and encouraging Christians to walk down the wide road and not the narrow road. (See quotes below the radio segment.)
Click Here to Download this episode
Program segments:
• William Tapley’s Prophetic Angle on German Wings Crash
• Sandy Shoeber on Giving God Pleasure
• Larry Huch’s Passover Payday
• Sermon Review: No Other Name by Brian Houston of Hillsong
Source: Chris Rosebrough, Larry Huch’s Passover Payday, Fighting for the Faith, http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/2015/04/larry-huchs-passover-payday.html, Published 02/04/2015. (Accessed 07/04/2015.)
Here are some quotes from the sermon:
“It’s kinda how I see it working with the church [the way Peter “lifted up” the cripple]. We carry his name and we use that name to lift people up toward the promise and the purpose of God.”
“There is no other name! Sounds kind of exclusive? Makes it sound like a very exclusive message. Sounds kinda like a narrow way to get to God if there is only one way.”
“Don’t ever allow religion, people’s poor mentality, legalism, negative defeated Christians have you believe in somehow that you’ve got to live this narrow path. It’s a big life through a narrow gate.”
“narrow is the gate – there is no other name. And difficult is the way which leads to life…. Here’s the sad thing. A lot of people, they don’t just see it as a narrow gate- in other words, there is only one way.”
“Don’t ever think that serving God is a “narrow path”. People make it so narrow! So negative! So legalistic! And they make it into a narrow path! And I think that’s one of the devil’s great strategies. Here at Hillsong church, let’s decide to live a big life!”
“You enlarge the path under me. It’s not the path that’s narrow. I believe God wants to challenge you to have bigger dreams. Have a wider belief. Build a bigger church. Amen! Be a bigger spirited person. Have bigger thinking! Because it’s a big and a wide path.“
Hillsong Church Watch 
+BRIAN HOUSTON+ “Don’t ever think that serving God is a ‘narrow path.’”
Matthew 7:14 more specifically says “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that FIND it.” This verse has NOTHING to do with “serving God” AFTER one becomes saved. It is about BECOMING SAVED. It is saying few BECOME saved. It is not a basis for what he claims builds into his sermon and conclusions.
+BRIAN HOUSTON+ “People make it so narrow! So negative! So legalistic! And they make it into a narrow path! And I think that’s one of the devil’s great strategies.”
“People” don’t make finding the path narrow, nor does the devil strategize it, JESUS SAID it was narrow. Those are JESUS’ own words. The heretical leader of this $55 million movement cannot even read one verse, he should spend $55 on a pair of glasses.
+BRIAN HOUSTON+ “I believe God wants to challenge you to have bigger dreams. Have a wider belief. Build a bigger church. Amen! Be a bigger spirited person. Have bigger thinking! Because it’s a big and a wide path.“
Now THAT there IS the devil speaking, through Brian Houston. Again contradicting Matthew 7:14, to support this movement’s selfish money-making philosophy. Lunacy.
+100.
Very difficult message to listen to, knowing that most people who hear it will not know how much Houston contradicted *Jesus Himself* (and will be led astray as a result).
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Isaiah5:20. Absolutely nails it. Did we really have to wait 2000 years for brian houston to call a clear, unequivocal Bible statement a ‘strategy of the devil’ ?
Does houston believe the Bible has it wrong? Again?
Houston has finally lost the plot with his ‘messiah’ complex and is trying to put his frank houston inherited ‘church’ into a festival/carnival sphere, where brian will re-interpret the Bible for you, according to his own, personal [cough] study.
Remember the ‘allah is the same as the Christian God ‘ debacle?
I’ll stick with the Holy Bible if you don’t mind.
yes the bible makes it so clear, wide is the path that leads to destruction or shall we say self destuction.
these scriptures need to be taken very seriously, because they are telling us who is going to heaven and who is going to hell.
this is so serious thats its both mentioned in matthew and luke. but brian houston talks about prosperity, blesssing ans success.
and turns our eternal state into a worldly one. the devil has entered into the holy place through the greed and gluttony of these money preachers.
matthew 7:13-15
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
luke 13:24-27
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Will AoG / ACC put up with these false teaching from whoever his name is?
If I preach false gospel- please sack me! If it’s Brian or Frank ..ACC will hard about it… Why? The numbers look impressive on that organisation.. As if it is a sign of God’s growth! You are recieved! If you preach the gospel.. Two things happens.. Some will repent and follow Christ, majority will leave and do their own thing…and pretend they love Jesus ( on their terms!)
bring back Phillip Duncan, Greenwood, Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, etc..today we got Piper, Simon Manchester, Peter Hastie, and many other ‘reformed’ and humble Sydney evangelicals…and few Pentecostals like CW Aaron Morgan’s, Phillip Powells, Spencer Gear who saw the light long before I did…
Apologies.. I noticed spelling is incorrectly .. Uding iPhone.. “Recieved” is deceived.. Etc..
In summary.. It’s seriously going down hill for HS.. How can ACC put up with them? Because they bring the numbers? Shame on them. What is important? Correct doctrine or numbers? I’m wasting my time on this.. I will continue pray for some of my brothers in there .. To deliver them from pride of success.. And continue prsy God will give me wisdom and power in the Spirit to proclaim His Gospel in love..
“Don’t ever think that serving God is a ‘narrow path.’”
did BH really say this? i just had to do a doubletake to make sure i was on the correct website. at first it looked more like a quote from some aleister crowley t-shirt.. a new variation on: “do what thou wilt”..
nfg
I have a feeling that this could become yet another addition to the “that’s what i said, but it isn’t what i meant” brian houston excuse manual.
The photograph is apropos. That caption could have read ….
“Live Long and Prosper.” — the teachings of Brian “Enterprise” Houston
“…. have a wider belief”
It sounds to me like an invitation for people to adjust the bible to suit their needs and wants. Your pet hamster died? Of course your Jesus is looking after him until you get there. Did you just give 5 bucks to a homeless guy? Heaven is guaranteed then as a good deed cancels out all those nasty sins! Even better, give the 5 bucks to Hillsong! And make it 500, now you can save five spots in heaven for family and friends, even though they’re not even Christian!
Ahh yes, I can see how numbers are going to grow with that sort of teaching…
Yes indeed, brian could be an old version of captain kirk. “To boldly go where no man has gone before, to explore strange new heresies, to seek out strange ‘new’ teachings, and explain none of them with clarity or a dictionary..the exotic new civilizations of Babylonia call them…the USS Starship Hillsong.
BH: “Mesiti…set me a course for financial security, Warp speed”.
It’s almost funny how switching several phrases in “Star Trekking across the Universe” works.
e.g. On the Hillsong Enterprise….
there’s Pharisees/naysayers on the starboard bow…
you cannot change the laws of scripture….
there’s [spiritual] life but not as WE know it…
http://quantumnow.com/trek/lyrics.html
What is disturbing……is how close brian is to re-enacting king Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel. Boasting of his achievements and ‘souls saved’ ..he is finally humbled by God.
For 7 years Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity. Sound familiar? [Brian’s allah/Christian God comments, and the wide Gate heresies, and so, so many others].The same thing happened with Frank houston.
I have it on good authority that even hillsong people are wondering why he is so inept with the Holy Word.
Brian will never recover until he praises and honours God’s Holy Word..not his own nonsense.
At first this may appear totally unrelated: http://teampyro.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/going-to-take-cake.html
Rhetorical question now: can Hillsong followers (of any rank) take the narrow path of defending the true Christian *biblical* position on homosexuality as demonstrated in the above “dialogue”, while Houston shows over and over and over again he’s determined to make the path to Hillsong’s “God” as w–i–d–e as possible – even contradicting Jesus Himself if he needs to do so?
Maybe Brian Houston was reading this:
” No one should think it is hard to come to this, even though it sounds hard and a great matter. It is true that it is a little difficult in the beginning in becoming detached. But when one has got into it, no life is easier, more delightful or lovelier: and God is at great pains to be always with a man and to lead him inwards, if only he is ready to follow. No man ever wanted anything so much as God wants to bring a man to knowledge of Himself. God is always ready, but we are unready. God is near to us, but we are far from Him. God is in, we are out. God is at home (in us), we are abroad. The prophet says: “God leads the just through narrow paths to the highway, that they may come out into the open”. (19)
May we all follow His lead and let Him bring us to Himself where we shall truly know Him, so help us God. Amen. ”
Meister Eckhart. Homily 69.
http://www.theveil.net/myst/eck/hom_69_1.html
The (19) prophet quote could be based on:
When the righteous fled from his brother’s wrath she guided him in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labours.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:10 (KJV)
Or maybe not.
I know there is only one way. And it is as Jesus said.
I guess there is only one thing left for brian to say. Heaven isn’t just for Christians who Worship a Divine Saviour, it’s for everybody, every lifestyle and everything you can imagine…nobody loses out.
How many people can he deceive? It is so sad, there many innocent Christians who yearn to serve their Saviour with heart and mind at hillsong, but have to listen to “wide road” and “allah is the same as the Christian God” worldly theories/Heresies and houston stumbling blocks.
May the Light of Christ enlighten them to this deception.
1Peter5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Devour also means to entangle in worldly “care” and other snares, so as finally to destroy.
The most “worldly” church in Australia…is houston hillsong inc.
Brian will eventually answer for every soul he leads astray in false, pride-filled, stumbling and erratic teachings. A complete lack of respect for the Body of Christ.
I too notice Brian Houston’s proponents constantly touting how many souls he’s ‘brought to Christ’, yet if that’s so, then why is it that he brings such a bad image on the Church, and so much shame to the real Christians?
He’s obviously nothing but a *WOF businessman, running a *WOF business, which he ridiculously calls a ‘church’…
~Andy
KJV Mat 7:13-14. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Narrow according to Noah Webster’s Dictionary of 1828 reads:http://webstersdictionary1828.com/
1. Of little breadth; not wide or broad; having little distance from side to side; as a narrow board; a narrow street; a narrow sea; a narrow hem or border. It is only or chiefly applied to the surface of flat or level bodies.
2. Of little extent; very limited; as a narrow space or compass.
3. Covetous; not liberal or bountiful; as a narrow heart.
4. Contracted; of confined views or sentiments; very limited.
Strait according to Webster is: 1. Narrow; close; not broad.
2. Close; intimate; as a strait degree of favor.
3. Strict; rigorous.
Narrow IS the gate and narrow IS the way. Who will be victorious and saved, surely only a single minded person, who is not easily swayed or seduced from their promise of salvation, nor will they easily nor effortlessly obtain it. It comes with a great price, being bought for you with His blood, and yet it may well could cost you all that you have. But in loosing, you shall obtain eternal life.
The Message says Mat 7:13-14. Matthew 7:13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.
At 15:30 Brian says, ” Because it is a big and wide path.” But the bible says it is a narrow gate and a narrow way.
The more I read Churchwatch, the more I see many contributors as unloving, determined to negatively distort and nit pick Hillsong and what their leaders say no matter what. Mainly by taking words out of context, much like false teachers / liars take Bible verses out of context … In this particular sermon, Brian Housten emphasizes that there is only one way / narrow gate (through Jesus sacrifice) to be saved, however once through, Christians purpose / path / road is enlarged… If after searching your hearts and motives (which otherwise only God knows), you continue to believe Hillsong is warped / deluded /decieved / false /greedy, then as Jesus said, after getting the log out of your own eyes, pray for and love all, even your “enemies”. Write your concerns in a letter / email direct, rather than in a destructive public forum. I will pray that we all know God’s deep love, peace, joy and wisdom. Also that we develop an appreciation for (peripheral issue / personal taste) differences, build one another up and aim for constructive love / unity.
“The more I read Churchwatch, the more I see many contributors as unloving, determined to negatively distort and nit pick Hillsong and what their leaders say no matter what.”
Yours is the sort of comment that Brian and his ministerial minions just *love* to read on this web site. You see, every comment of this type serves to confirm that the site is widely read even by hillsong’s most rabid supporters, which keeps Brian acutely aware of the fact that his apostasy is being continually exposed to a large and growing audience.
“Write your concerns in a letter / email direct […]”
Heh, heh. In the past, mega-cult leaders could control their victims by limiting their access to information, with one of the prime tactics being the exclusion from “fellowship” of any dissenters or nay-sayers. Now that technology has given us the capability to establish fora in which we can discuss cult leaders and their so-called “teachings”, these men (I use the term very loosely) find themselves on the pointy end of the accountability equation – and aren’t we all surprised at how just discomfiting they find that to be?
“[…] rather than in a destructive public forum.”
Is it “destructive”? Oh deary me! What to do, what to do?
Well, Brian could just ignore it, and hope that it all just goes away – but I think that we all know that’s not going to happen. Alternatively, Brian could take a leaf out of Phil Pringle’s book, and forbid his followers from reading anything negative on the web. But we all understand that forbidden fruit is sweet, and such an edict actually piques the interest of the punters in the pews, with the result being that they visit such sites as this in *droves* (I don’t know if Phil Pringle has actually figured that out yet; he is, like Brian, not particularly intelligent).
So good on you T&L, you might be a thoroughly deluded faux-Christian air-head whose mind is a confused vortex of false teachings, but your contribution here is absolutely priceless. Keep up the good work!
It’s funny you accuse use of being “determined to negatively distort and nit pick Hillsong and what their leaders say no matter what” while calling yourself “Truth & Love”.
And you think we have the log? Looks as though you trampled the pearls we offer.
“I will pray that we all know God’s deep love, peace, joy and wisdom.”
We know “God’s deep love, peace, joy and wisdom”. It is found in the Jesus of the bible (whom Brian Houston and his leadership malign and hate). Christ is love. And Love hates evil but rejoices in the truth. But Brian Houston and his leadership love evil and hate the truth, running from it and anything that binds them to God and His Word.
Our standard has always been the central gospel message of Christ and his cross.
“I will pray that…..we develop an appreciation for (peripheral issue / personal taste) differences”
Good, you do that. Such as an appreciation for Brian Houston’s ‘insignificant’ spreading of Word of Faith teachings, AND spreading PHONY words from God. You’ll have to pray real hard for us to grow to love those. I know these are just a ‘peripheral issue / personal taste’, and surely all minor details, but Paul takes this slightly different stance here in Galatians 1:8….. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”
“Also that we…..build one another up and aim for constructive love / unity.”
Well said, Mr New Ager. What is “unity?” You mean like Brian Houston continuously joining the Body of Christ at the hip with all his false teacher friends on stage every year at Hillsong Conference?
T&L, have a great time when you show up alongside Brian Houston and all his other apostate friends (and of course their big brother the Pope) when everybody joins hands and sings “Kumbaya” at the One World Church. Though I would bet you won’t find any of us joining you…..
The only way Brian Houston will ever stop putting out these blunders, is if he hires one of his ‘critics’ (such as a Chris Rosebrough-type) to full-time monitor his every so-called ‘sermon’, and while using a 5-minute delay. This message he’s preaching is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, even from a *WOF perspective…
And the conviction he uses while speaking it, adds to his own nonsense… Another depraved *WOF mind, preaching yet another depraved *WOF ‘sermon.’
PS: Will someone PLEASE inform Brian Houston to preach messages FROM the Bible, instead of reading messages INTO it…
~Andy
“I’ve learned that it’s not always easy to find your way, but Jesus gave us good directions: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13–14). This verse has been my road map for most of my life, and I pray that within these pages you will find gathered wisdom and encouragement, often acquired through trial and error, to inspire you along your own path of life and leadership.
…
Sometimes our feet may fail as we try to walk through the narrow gate. Especially if we make the passage harder than it needs to be, tighter and more confining. When we allow our fears and insecurities to blind us momentarily, we’re often tempted to make the gate narrower than God does. But don’t be disheartened. God will always lift us up and sustain us if we’re willing. He’s promised never to leave us or abandon us on our journey—he’s with us for the long haul. As followers of Christ, we are called to follow in his footsteps, living a big life along a difficult path, journeying through the narrow gate toward a glorious future. God redeems us as his Spirit transforms us, making us more like Jesus each day. While rarely easy or predictable, this process brings more fulfillment to our lives than anything on earth.”
Brian Houston
http://liveloveleadbook.com
Tell us Newtaste, does Brian Houston still endorse T.D.Jakes? http://davidould.net/?p=6779
Does Brian still promote the teachings of Robert Morris? https://www.facebook.com/HillsongCity/posts/549652395079762
Will Brian continue to share the stage with Joel Osteen? http://www.christianpost.com/news/joel-osteen-at-hillsong-conference-god-used-dead-lazarus-why-cant-he-use-you-99356/
So much heresy, so little time..
“As followers of Christ, we are called to follow in his footsteps, living a big life along a difficult path, journeying through the narrow gate toward a glorious future.”
Will that be on the back of a Harley-Davidson motor bike, Newtaste? Or in an orange suit awaiting execution on a sandy beach somewhere in the Middle East?
newtaste, Even Mormons quote the Bible. I would be surprised if there was even a *single* Pseudo-Christian cult leader who does *not* regularly quote verses from the Bible.
Merely quoting the Bible does not make a teaching biblical. It is often what they add to it that is their true focus, and has nothing whatsoever to do with the original verse.
“journeying through the narrow gate toward a glorious future.”
First comes the Scripture, second comes the added Prosperity talk. The above is Prosperity talk.
When you cut to the chase, this Prosperity talk is an insult to every Christian who has suffered and who is suffering for the faith. Tell them about their “glorious future.”
Houston — “This book is a declaration to your future, a reminder that belief, passion and calling can give way to a full and abundant life,”
Houston — ““When it comes to life with Jesus, there is no doubt – your best is yet to come!”
JOHN 21:18 Jesus to Peter: Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.
ACTS 21:11 Agabus to Paul: Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’
Peter was crucified upside-down, Paul suffered more than we’ll ever understand. They would throw this book in the trash.