Messed Up Church on PirateChristian.com writes,
Cognitive Dissonance and the Silly Putty Jesus
Jesus Christ (the actual God/Man of the Bible) is not a mythical being that we’ve created; He is the second person of the Holy Trinity-the Godhead. However, the Jesus of Pop Evangelicalism is, too often, a cartoon character that adapts and adjusts to us, in order to meet our felt needs.
He’s like Silly Putty. We can bend him into any shape we want-we can even even press him against any image and he’ll take on that image like a cheap copier. He’s very accommodating of our every whim and fantasy, and he’s a very useful tool of the Evangelical Industrial Complex. There’s only one small problem: he isn’t real. At all.
Pop Evangelicalism should be busy eliminating the Silly Putty Jesus; after all, aren’t Evangelicals supposed to be the ones following the Bible very closely? Are Evangelicals examining the evidence to see if something is really Biblical anymore? Does Jesus really exist to “make our dreams come true?” Did Jesus die on the cross to “give us a sense of purpose and community” or to help us promote “leadership principles?” Did the Sovereign Maker of the Universe come and take on flesh and die on the cross so that we could become:
“Empowered Dreamers of Destiny?” or
“Prophets of Global Awakening?” or
“Radical Worshipers of the Heavenly Realm?” or,
(just insert whatever non-Biblical, yet spiritual sounding, phrase pops into your head…)
No, Jesus came to rescue us from sin and death.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.”
— 1 Timothy 1: 15-16
“But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
— 2 Timothy 1: 10
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ”
— 1 John 4: 10
“God has placed a special dream in your heart, so that you can fulfill your great destiny. God is waiting for YOU to go out there and really make a difference!”
— Says NO passage in the Bible
In psychology, the term “cognitive dissonance” describes the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time, or is confronted by new information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values. Dr. Leon Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance (which was developed in the late 1950’s) focuses on how humans strive for internal consistency. When inconsistency (dissonance) is experienced, individuals tend to become psychologically uncomfortable and they are motivated to reduce this dissonance, in any number of ways. It’s painful to hold two opposing beliefs at the same time. One can either change one’s beliefs in order to make them consistent or one can make some other superficial adjustment.
When confronted with the false “Silly Putty Jesus” Evangelical Christians tend to react in two different ways: they either recommit to their false beliefs with increased fervor (often by invalidating the messenger who delivers the uncomfortable truth; i.e. “that blogger is just a mean jerk!”), or they give up on Christianity altogether (which they’ve mistakenly believed was owned and operated by the Silly Putty Jesus, and thus, all their dreams have not come true).
It’s very interesting to note that Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance was formulated during research for the 1956 book “When Prophecy Fails.” Festinger and his collaborators, Henry Riecken and Stanley Schachter, examined conditions under which disconfirmation of beliefs leads toincreased conviction in such beliefs. The group studied a small apocalyptic cult led by Dorothy Martin (under the pseudonym Marion Keech in the book), a suburban housewife. Martin claimed to have received messages from “the Guardians,” a group of superior beings from another planet. The messages purportedly said that a flood would destroy the world on December 21st.
As a side note, Dorothy Martin received her messages by utilizing an “automatic writing” (demonic) technique just like Sarah Young, who wrote the “Jesus Calling” book that Evangelicals have made a runaway best-seller.
Anyway, the three psychologists and several other assistants infiltrated Dorothy Martin’s group incognito, where they observed the group firsthand for months before and after the predicted apocalypse. Many of the group members quit their jobs and sold their possessions in preparation for the predicted “End of the World.” When the prophesied doomsday came and went, Martin claimed that the world was spared because of the “force of good and light” that the group members had spread throughout the world. Rather than abandoning their discredited beliefs, group members adhered to them even more strongly and began proselytizing with increased fervor.
So, these people had experienced tremendous cognitive dissonance when their leader was proven utterly wrong; so they increased activity and fervor in order to compensate for their internal discomfort. Hmmm….
Doesn’t this sound like a lot of church services where the goal is to prop-up shallow beliefs and bad theology with emotionalism and spiritual cheer-leading? And in the charismatic Evangelical church, there have been so many false prophets saying so many false things that it’s impossible to even keep track of it all. How many of the “New Apostles” have said false things that don’t line up with scripture?All of them have. How many of the “New Apostles” have made false prophecies that haven’t come true?All of them have. Yet they keep “preaching” and getting richer, as they ride the conference circuit. Sound Biblical teaching has been replaced with: “Speaking my dream into existence” and “declaring and decreeing my destiny” and “My time of special anointing is about to be birthed…” These ideas came from the world of sorcery and New Thought, but they’ve been accommodated by charismatic churches for decades, and now many “mainline” Evangelical churches have accepted and adopted these charismatic practices and beliefs without pause. Why? Because it’s “what people want” and it “brings in the numbers.”
More recently, another psychological study found that playing pleasant music (Mozart, in the study) can decrease cognitive dissonance. In other words, if one is holding two or more conflicting beliefs simultaneously, the resulting tension can be decreased by listening to soft, or pleasant music. Of course, the best thing to do would be to eliminate whatever false belief is causing all the trouble! And yet, perhaps, this helps explain why a soft rock “praise band” is a vital part of any Evangelical service nowadays. While the parishioner sits and listens to a sermon that conflicts with Biblical Christianity (usually in a subtle, sneaky way), he is eventually lulled into compliance by an emotional chord progression played repeatedly in the background.
As an accomplished musician I know about this from playing for many years on the worship team. We musicians would often be out in the lobby talking and eating donuts during the sermon, but we had to watch for the pastor’s signal to come up and play while he delivered his emotional ending plea. Charismatic churches compound this charade by calling any emotional response “The Holy Spirit,” or by saying “you could really feel the Holy Spirit fall down during the service this morning!” Do we really believe the Holy Spirit was somewhere (up in the rafters maybe?) and by playing a certain type of music that we can “call Him down” as if we had some kind of mystical God whistle? In truth, emotional music is, well, emotional. That’s why can you feel very similar feelings at any concert when certain similar music is being played. In the modern church, this is plain old emotional manipulation, and it’s been a hallmark of American Evangelicalism ever since the days of Charles Finney.
Here are some thoughts on how to fend off cognitive dissonance for good:
1. Diligently eliminate all false teachings from you life.
This is what God’s Word tells us to do. This will probably take some time and effort-do it anyway. This will also probably make you unpopular with some people-do it anyway. As a start, check out all of thisShocking Stuff You’re Not Supposed to Know! Even though Jesus and the Apostles tell us repeatedly to “watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing” we’ve been told by Evangelical “experts” to do the opposite; we’ve been told to always (and only) be accepting, non-judgmental and positive. As for me, I’ve been more at peace than ever before by ignoring all the “experts.” If Jesus is the head of the church, shouldn’t Jesus be the head of the church? Why are we allowing “vision-casting” pastors to promote the Silly Putty Jesus? Probably because he tells us whatever we want to hear. But it’s all deception, and truefreedom comes from the true Gospel.
2. Question everything.
Seriously. Question your own presumptions before you even start asking questions. For example: instead of saying, “I want to go to a church where the pastor can really keep my attention with exciting and humorous sermons” or “I want to go to a church that I’m comfortable with” or “I want to go to a church that’s relevant to my needs” you should be saying “I want to go to a church that carefully follows God’s Word-no matter what!” The pastor who keeps your attention with his exciting and humorous sermons is quite possibly preventing you from hearing about Christ and Him crucified for your sins. Is hearing a little pep talk about improving your life skills a good enough reason to attend church? Do you really expect so little from the God of the Universe? Question everything, but make the Bible your final authority. Which leads to the last point…
3. Stop following the teachings of men.
Do you want to follow Jesus Christ, the Risen Savior? Great! That means taking up your cross and denying yourself, it doesn’t mean “having your best life now.” Evangelicals believe that the Bible is God’s Word, yet they read it very infrequently, and then they often misunderstand it when they do. It’s not a “manual for life” or a set of instructions for “achieving you dreams.” It is God revealing Himself through the redeeming Savior, Jesus Christ. He came to earth by taking on human flesh through a virgin birth; He lived an amazing life full of astounding miracles; He had authority and wisdom far beyond any human; He died on the cross where He took our sins upon Himself, and then He was raised from the dead. And then He gave us His Word: His unchanging and objective Word. We need not live in doubt anymore.
That’s enough.
Actually, that’s much, much more than enough!
Why would we add anything to this? What pathetic “new” teaching of man could possibly be better than the true Gospel? When we focus on the shocking, stunning and truly wonderful miracle of Christ’s atoning sacrifice for our sins and the complete, final and unconditional forgiveness we’ve been granted, we won’t have any need for the shallow teachings of man to tickle our ears.
Leave the Silly Putty Jesus behind, and find true freedom, forgiveness and hope in the real Jesus!
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Romans 5: 1
Here’s an article about cognitive dissonance that might be of interest:
Creating Straw Men from Cognitive Dissonance
Here’s another article (with links to more articles) that should be useful:
Confirmation Bias: Why You are Protecting Your False Beliefs
Source: Steven Kozar, Cognitive Dissonance and the Silly Putty Jesus, Pirate Christian, http://www.piratechristian.com/messedupchurch/2016/8/cognitive-dissonance-and-the-silly-putty-jesus, Published 28/08/2016. (Accessed 30/08/2016.)
Hillsong Church Watch 
Thanks for the article.
Would you classify preachers who teach tithing as false teachers?
How far should we go to disassociate/avoid false teachers?
Romans 16:17 says we’re to avoid false teachers. I see this as not attending a church which teaches tithing (I no longer do as I can’t sit under teaching of those who want to try to live under the law – of tithing). I have gone back to the Baptist church.
Should this avoidance extend to not attending any events or occasional services of tithing-teaching or otherwise false teaching churches?
Should this avoidance also extend to not being involved with a community Christian group who uses that church’s administration rooms as a weekly meeting place? The group wishes to use the premises and be covered by their insurance but wouldn’t be owned or controlled by the church in any other way. Or, would it be ok, as I wouldn’t directly be involved with the false teachers?
Interested in people’s thoughts on all points raised.
If we avoided everyone in the ‘church’ that preached a wrong teaching we would have two jobs to do. One, to reach the world and two, to reach those lost in wrong teaching. based one what I read here, the type of people in this church (the hillsong watch church types or HW’s) would avoid the world, avoid what they say because they think it wrong and criticise the rest along with all those preceding.
Isn’t that what the Bible calls a ‘reviler’ ??? (Look it up).
If you are one of those ‘reveilers’ then, like the uber-critical hillsong watch team, you won’t be going to heaven. Read the passage again. It tells you who won’t. Top of the list are cowards.
Get out there and love the world like Jesus did, heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out the demons. If you’ve not done all three (i personally have, before you ask) then, according to the HW crowd and the way that this person writing comes to his conclusions, you are not a believer. Because it says “and these signs will follow those that believe” so if you have not done any of them then you aren’t recognised as a true believer by God.
Save as many as you can.
And if you can do that on a Sunday, so much the better.
There is not much time left, everyone. Stop bickering and love each other.
“If we avoided everyone in the ‘church’ that preached a wrong teaching we would have two jobs to do. One, to reach the world and two, to reach those lost in wrong teaching.”
You make it sound as though you don’t want to be a follower of Jesus. He told us if we love him we will uphold his word. You can’t claim to love someone if you are allowing people to malign and slander their character, word and action.
“Stop bickering and love each other.”
Start loving each other by taking Jesus’ warnings seriously – or otherwise get out of the faith. Too many Christians love a deity of their own making with the title of ‘Jesus’ stapled to it’s goat horns. By the way you write, you appear to be no different.
Please show any sign you are a disciple of Jesus by demonstrating you love Him and His Word. Is your truth on your lips? Or are you more about beating Christians down to conform to your emotionally-driven idolotrous notions?
Stop the sheep beating. Please.
I bet you will not print my reply below ‘Churchwatcher’ but the message is aimed at you and I think you should be humble and honest and publish it.
Lets see if ti appears here.
Churchwatcher said: Start loving each other by taking Jesus’ warnings seriously – or otherwise get out of the faith.
My response: This is quite a stern rebuke and one said blindly. I do love everyone; like Jesus said I should but more than that. Because I have the heart of Christ. I don’t go up to people in my Church and say “Do this or get out” that is NOT for us to say – see below for the warnings from the Word that tell us NOT to judge others.
Churchwatcher said: Too many Christians love a deity of their own making with the title of ‘Jesus’ stapled to it’s goat horns. By the way you write, you appear to be no different.
My response: You made an assumption: Your quote “by the way you appear, you appear no different” your unquote. Goat horns? Hang on, you added this? it is not for you to say who is a goat and who is a sheep.
Churchwatcher said: Please show any sign you are a disciple of Jesus by demonstrating you love Him and His Word.
My response: I do. I heal the sick, have raised people from the dead (literally) and continue to cast out demons because God’s Spirit is in me through the Name of Jesus. He confirms ‘things’ as the Bible says by the acts he supports that I do in His Name. His truth is not only on my lips, His work is in my hands. My witness, my testimony.
Church watcher said: Or are you more about beating Christians down to conform to your emotionally-driven idolotrous notions?
My response. The above sentence was an assumption, was very nasty and spiteful and accusatory. You behave like the people in the dark ages who burned protestants at the stake.
Unless you turn from your ways then God will cause you to account, this day, for your works.
Here is some guidance for Hillsong Watch and its supporters with the warnings as relevant today as any time.
James 5:9 ESV Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
Matthew 5:22 ESV But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Matthew 7:1-5 ESV “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Proverbs 15:1-2 ESV A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 ESV Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Colossians 3:13 ESV Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Romans 2:1-4 ESV Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself…
Romans 14:4 ESV Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Matthew 7:1-2 ESV “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Isaiah 45:9 ESV “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?
Philippians 2:14 ESV Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
Romans 14:1-23 ESV As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
Selah
>
And why wouldn’t we publish it Ed?
Ed Says – “My response: I do. I heal the sick, have raised people from the dead (literally) and continue to cast out demons because God’s Spirit is in me through the Name of Jesus. He confirms ‘things’ as the Bible says by the acts he supports that I do in His Name. His truth is not only on my lips, His work is in my hands. My witness, my testimony.”
Awesome! All glory to Ed noted.
Cheers, Team ChurchWatch.
“If you are one of those ‘reveilers’ then, like the uber-critical hillsong watch team, you won’t be going to heaven. Read the passage again. It tells you who won’t. Top of the list are cowards.”
Uh oh. Ed, looks like you have some studying to do. Better go back and research the Gospel a bit more, because you don’t have a clue what you’re blabbing about.
“And if you can do that on a Sunday, so much the better.”
Ed, More nonsense. Scripture and verse please. Saved is saved, which day doesn’t matter. You pull things out of the air just like Brian Houston does. You imitate him, not Jesus. Too bad for you.
Also, best for you to go study up on the False Prophet & False Teacher verses, because those are some you never learned in your ‘journey’ following the unbiblical Hillsong ‘Church.’
Examples of why we moderate ZeeBoo, when his/her agenda is to promote conflict and deflect from the topics at hand.
Cheers, Team Team ChurchWatch
“Well said Ed Schirra.”
Tares siding with other tares. That is your comfort zone.
“Enough is enough. Your dishonesty speaks volumes about you and your blog.”
ZeeBoob, your hypocrisy is glaring so brightly people need shades to read your posts.
You mention NOTHING about the dishonesty of Brian Houston, and support him, yet even the neutral 3rd party Royal Commission speaks all about his dishonesty! It is YOU who are the hypocrite, lol!
“Yep go on – ban me now churchwatcher.”
They should, and I wish they would.
Your posts have absolutely NOTHING substantive or otherwise to contribute, ZeeBoo. NOTHING.
All of those don’t judge/ conflict resolution passages are general directions to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you able to find verses of a similar kind, referring specifically to Christians in error / false teachers?
Would you say apostle Paul is a reviler i.e. SINNING (and therefore at risk of Hell) by publically correcting apostle Peter in Galatians 2 – YES or NO.? https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+2&version=KJV ?
Did the apostle Peter think apostle Paul was a reviler or a brother in Christ? https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+peter+3%3A15-16&version=KJV
Can you find a passage where Peter** rebuked Paul for correcting him publically and pulling the “don’t judge EVER” get-out-of-jail-free card against him (like Charismatics like yourself just “lluuuvvvvv” to do)- YES or NO?
—–
**If anyone had the right to do that it was Peter, one of the 12 apostles who walked with Jesus Christ for 3 years and saw Him after He was resurrected from the dead. Don’t kid yourself that your words are ranked higher than Peter’s in God’s (and therefore serious Christians’ eyes
Ed, Demonstration of the supernatural is proof of nothing in the light of matt 7
Mat 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
Mat 7:23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Modern hillsong style money/prosperity organisations with tax exemption are not an authentic representation of the character and nature of Christ.
I’m glad sites like this exist to point out the false doctrine of these apostate end time organisations and their corrupted leadership.
G S Hartman… Excellent points you have made. Hillsong, C3, and their ilk puts all their importance/faith/beliefs on ‘experiences’, similarly to how the n.a.r. puts all their importance/faith/beliefs on ‘encounters’… so much so that it has become all about ‘experiences’ and ‘encounters’ to them and their churchgoers.
The Bible has taken a far-behind 2nd place to ‘experiences’ and ‘encounters.’ In truth to the extent that these people have all collectively together thrown the Bible under the bus.
Why did they do that? Just so they could elevate themselves above the Bible, out of their pride (and whilst raking in tons of cash at the same time).
The prosperity gospelites and the n.a.r. are ALL nothing more than scam artists, who have managed to package themselves up looking/sounding like biblical Christians, when truthfully NONE of them is a biblical Christian. Instead they are all self-indulgent, self-gratifying, boastful scam artists out seeking fame and fortune, whilst trying to appear as biblical Christians. They have found an opportunity among the gullible, and are capitalizing upon it to the hilt.
These books they sell (such as “Live, Live, Lead”) are worthless trashy manuscripts which should be banned from the true Christian community altegether.
They have managed to replace the Bible with their cheapish worthless publications. What an insult to the Bible, and to our Lord. That probably would not have been possible 50 years ago, but today it is commonplace. What a disaster within the Christian community.
The NAR encouraged Christianity to embrace their heavily constructed Charismatic Renewal Movement.
When Christianity embraced this lie about the “gifts” of the Spirit, the NAR rolled out their Apostles and Prophets. From the NAR, the Health and Wealth movement emerged. When that was criticised, it evolved and birthed the Word of Faith movement. The HAW and WOF movements had their Apostles and Prophets. They are just children of their NAR mother.
The NAR Gospel is all about convincing that God is still alive and relevant today through the supernatural. However, the HAW Gospel emphasises this supernatural element through material success and the WOF does this through both spiritual and material wholeness. When these were heavily scrutinised, Warren came on the scene, shaving off the supernatural elements of this gospel but still peddling the idea that God is alive through the NAR teaching of supernatural vision and dreams (in our attempt to find purpose). This gave rise to the Purpose Driven Life (PDL) movement. Oddly enough – the PDL movement was the next snakeskin for C3 and Hillsong to jump on to start convincing people they were not charlatans.
Hillsong and C3 are NAR – and have never denied their foundational roots to the NAR. In fact, Brian Houston considers himself an Apostles as does Phil Pringle.
1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40
Team ChurchWatch
Thanks a lot for a great article, it cleared out a lot of thoughts going on in my head the last years!
God Bless you!
Yes, yes, yes and yes! Or if you’re in a charismatic church “preach it bro”. Couldn’t agree more with what’s written, thanks guys.
Ironic but you’re doing exactly what you criticise churches are guilty of making Jesus like silly putty. You say ‘cognitive dissonance’ is (your quote) “the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time” – Isn;t that what you are doing? Holding one believe of a church you consider to be the one, right church (never have we seen you explain that) and yet your reporting one thing and then adding your own, created distortion or (in this case) a totally new, disassociated physical item, you are effectively providing a perfect example of your own state of cognitive dissonance.
Maybe you need to stop criticising a Church that is taking people out of their worldly insecurities and darkness and giving them THE REAL God to believe in, a life to live for and, in accordance with God’s own Word, an eternal promise, instead of leaving them to the drug-infested, egotistical, arrogance and dangerous work they came out of. I know I would rather my children went to church than went to a drug infested, sin bin of any description that does not know God.
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
The above scripture is a pretty simple requirement for eternal salvation. We are not saved by works but by faith in The Son and by God’s Grace and Mercy. Nothing else is required for those that believe.
Yet among millions going to these ‘churches’ you pull down, millions have been saved.
Or would you like to tell them they are not saved?
Not one Church has ever gotten it right, except for 1 of the 7, according to Revelation. Are you saying you are a member of that Church. Perhaps you would like to write, blog, preach or make as statement on exactly WHAT is to you, the perfect Church.
God Bless.
A church creating false converts who have a greater amount of faith in Hillsong’s lyrics than the bible IN CONTEXT is a church convincing blind people they can see God if they feel enough strong emotions via musical experiences.
Muslims, Roman Catholics, Hindus and many other religions have higher amounts of converts PLUS often higher outwardly moral standards than Hillsong. Does that mean followers of other faiths are real Christians because they are statistically more successful and follow more religious commandments than tithe/ donate, buy our products and tell online bible-believing Christians to “don’t judge EVER” *translation* stop exposing Hillsong/ Hillsong’s allies?
Therefore Hillsongees are not saved if they believe in the Laodecian, Seeker-Sensitive, Emergent, Musical Youth pastor AND “Mark Driscoll “Jesus and NOT the Jesus of the BIBLE. https://defendingcontending.com/2010/03/14/which-jesus-do-you-worship/
For those wanting to be even more informed on the modern day downgrade, visit:
https://churchwatchcentral.com/
Cheers, Team ChurchWatch.
ZeeBoo says “So is what you saying churchwatcher that satan doesnt exist?”
That question makes as much sense as “blue sleeps faster than Tuesday”. The troll identified as one who just wants attention. #donotfeedthetroll
Team Churchwatch
You don’t need our opinion. You need the Word of God, which you are flat out rejecting.
Sorry ZeeBoo, we were off celebrating the Lord’s day singing His praises, sharing communion and hearing His word rightly divided. Sounds like we were ‘fighting’ the wicked one.
Team Churchwatch.
ZeeBoo – some homework for you.
http://www.piratechristian.com/messedupchurch/2016/1/defusing-demonic-dirty-bombs
Team Churchwatch
Zeeboo, surely you already know that if a Christian believes the bible then they believe Satan exists because Jesus says so!
You left out more than half of verse 44.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a LIAR and the father of it.
Who has repeatedly been proven to be a liar (usally via Lies of Omission) – Churchwatcher or Brian Houston?
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Lying_by_omission
Hi Zeeboo
Please read 2 Corinthians 11:1-15. That should clarify our position on who is against Christianity.
More mental exercise for you Zeeboo to help you identify servants of Satan (see Genesis chapter 3) and not the Saviour Jesus Christ:
21st century blog. No other Gospel: Satan’s Deception through false teachers
http://pulpitandpen.org/2015/05/21/no-other-gospel/
Similar content to 17th century puritan Thomas Brooks’ book “The precious remedies
against Satan’s devices”. https://archive.org/stream/preciousremedies00broo#page/232/mode/2up
Characteristics of false teachers (p. 232 – 238)
1. hide their dangerous principles by fair speeches and plausible pretences
2. preach to please the ear, not to profit and edify the soul
3. pass over the law and Gospel to dwell on less important matters
4. strive to win people to their own opinions, not to Christ
5. are given up by God to follow their own evil ways
6. Like Satan, only way to defeat them is by spiritual weapons
Those magnifiable 6 pages* shouldn’t take you very long. The whole book is worth the effort if you’re willing to mentally work through the fancy language. The metaphors are especially good (something Twitter length entries can never deliver)!
* lower right corner, + symbol
Church watcher
this is a must see
How Hillsong and Brian Houston are Destroying Christianity
Posted on July 5, 2016 by Jeff Maples
houston
The professing church is filled with charlatans. Men and women who care about fame, fortune, and popularity. This pervasive evil has crept its way into even the most solid of churches, leading people astray, into the darkness of a counterfeit Christianity–one that has a form of godliness, but denies its power. If you want to see true Christianity destroyed, reject Christ’s warnings against fraudulent, lawless men. One such degenerate man is co-founder and CEO of Hillsong Church, Brian Houston.
Houston has single-handedly destroyed Christianity in Australia. He has been relentlessly pushing the idea through his new TBN sponsored television network, The Hillsong Channel, as well as through his books, that he is an extraordinary, God-ordained, faith-filled leader. He really wants you to believe this. So much so, that he’s willing to go to any extreme to silence and destroy anyone who disagrees with him. This is evidenced in how he has handled the investigation by the Royal Commission into his father’s crimes. He has repeatedly lied to them, and they have rejected his testimony. He lied to the media, sidelined his father’s victims and support persons, and maligned the media and critics to stop monitoring him, while he promoted his father as a righteous man in his book. He will publicly lie and twist the truth to deny any accusation made against his self-contained multi-billion dollar religion-industrial complex.
He publicly lied about knowing that two homosexual members of his church, one of which was leading a choir, had plans to get married. He lied about knowing that his wife and his associate pastors planned on having a nearly naked man dance and perform on stage in front of thousands of women at a women’s conference. And he twists and distorts the truth to defend an indefensible, sleazy rendition of a classic Christian song, in order to save face for his company.
But his lies and cover-ups are simply a symptomatic response to the darkness of this rat pack. Perhaps the most dubious of sins perpetrated by Hillsong are its hostile takeovers of smaller, biblical churches in Australia, and around the world. Churches are left with a dilemma: to either conform to Hillsong’s model or Hillsong will plant a church in your area, and take away your members. This is the official objective of Hillsong, as stated in their “vision statement,” and this is exactly what has happened in Australia. As one church member in Australia said, “almost every small town has a seeker friendly church that shuts the other biblical churches down purely because the parents want better facilities and the youth cannot handle a full sermon on doctrine.”
And this is absolutely the truth. Youth today have been conditioned to “experience” church, rather than accept the biblical model of church, which is, primarily, to equip the saints to make disciples. While biblically-modeled worship is and should be an integral part of a church service, Hillsong has transformed the traditional worship service into a mind-numbing session of entertainment that contains little, if any, expository preaching, Gospel proclamation, or biblical truth. As the English evangelist, Leonard Ravenhill once said, “Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy. The more joy you have in the Lord the less entertainment you need.” Hillsong and churches that follow their model have become breeding grounds for false converts, and make their congregations completely dependent on the “high” they get through the experiential worship services, while departing from the truth.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. – 2 Tim 4:3-4
Over the last several decades, this pulpit criminal has demanded churches and the secular world regard him as a legitimate Christian minister and his movement as a valid “Christian” movement. Take a look at this video to see him talking himself up as one of God’s greatest church-builders, all while raping the Word of God and teaching Word of Faith heresy.
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Yet, again, this worm has been anything but faith-filled, courageous or law-abiding. Sadly, many Christians do not realise how worm-like and cowardly Brian Houston actually is. He makes a game of blocking and ignoring people who genuinely care about contending for the true faith, and standing for doctrinal truth. If you question him, he bullies you (especially if you are female). Here, you can listen to a “sermon” of him essentially teaching his congregation that they must “die to their opinions,” and submit themselves to the authority of their church leaders.
However, when important Christian issues are presented to him, he has no answer, so he just lies, contorts, or changes the subject. He literally stands for nothing except his own image. He has no faith and he has no guts. To back up this strong claim, I’d like to point you to this interview with Hope 103.2 radio. In this interview, Clare Chate acknowledges to Brian Houston that he is “aiming to lead a church that influences the culture but is also culturally relevant and sensitive.”
He confirms this. She continues,
And in Australia, we are now dealing with the issue of same-sex marriage, which is looking like it might be inevitable. How do you address issues like that as a leader in a church? And how should Christians deal with that?
So what did Brian Houston say? Did he say the church will stand for the truth? Did he say that he is working with ministers to make the Christian voice heard and why these issues are not good for the church and the rest of society? No, his response was,
Well I think it’s very vexing and very challenging. The moment you get asked the question on ah- secular media in particular- ah- “What do you think about homosexuality?” or “What do you think about gay marriage?,” you’re going to lose people. You’re either going to lose people on the one side or you are going to lose your constituency on the other side. And if you say nothing, you lose everybody. And so it’s one of those questions where there’s no great answer…”
Brian showed no concern for the Christian faith or biblical truth. Mr. Houston did not even bother to bring up the Scriptures to equip leaders or Christians to combat the invasion of the secular agenda in the Church. Essentially, he said we will lose the popularity contest (because all Brian cares about is remaining popular) and “there’s no great answer,” on the issue of homosexuality. How’s that for a faith-filled, courageous leader?
But what do you expect from a church that is not centered around Jesus Christ or his Word, but around the “vision of the senior pastor?” Their model is a church that’s so big, that the senior pastor is protected from any criticism. He can surround himself with only those who affirm him, while shielding himself from any who question him. There is no accountability. The desire is a top-down structure that makes all under the senior pastor subservient to the “vision.”
So much for Brian Houston and Hillsong “influencing” society with the truth of God’s word, yet they are influencing churches, ruthlessly taking them over and converting Christians to their ungodly model under their religious regime.
If Christians in and around the world actually cares about truth, it’s time to expel the lawless and wicked Brian Houston from Christianity and demand that Hillsong shut down its onslaught against biblical Christianity.
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[Contributed by Jeff Maples]
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“He has made his position clear on this matter.”
We agree, Brian Houston and Bobbie Houston have clearly demonstrated in thought, word and deed that they for same-sex marriage. And if you have a problem with them holding such anti-Christian views, you’re just someone who holds to “traditional Christian” values and are dumb enough to believe God’s Word is clear on this matter.
You’re probably assuming how we came to this conclusion ZeeBoo.
It’s called research.
When you start to research Brian Houston’s theology and behaviour on such important issues, you start recognizing the behaviour and tactics of compulsive liars such as Brian Houston. It is amazing to see people like you defend such frauds when all you need to do is open up your bible and start discerning how quick Houston is prepared to lie to millions of people about God.
* If you’re not sure where to start with the flip-flop flapping Houston’s position on same sex marriage, start with this quote from Bobbie Houston:
“[Homosexuality] is a dilemma because the Bible’s quite clear about some of the parameters that belong to those in leadership. And we’re still figuring it out… We want to bridge all the divides in society and I think that’s one of the final divides.”
Source: Bobbie Houston, Australian Women’s Weekly, We’re Not A Cult, March Issue, 2016.
ZeeBoo – Brian is a 100% liar. And we’ve proven that clearly. Even the Australian media and the Royal Commission have exposed him as a compulsive liar.
And you want us to take you seriously? Who are you kidding? If the Holy Spirit is truly in you, why are you so driven to believe such a fraud at the expense of Jesus, whom you claim to love?
You are suppressing the in unrighteousness like the pagans and you need to repent of your sins. God is not to be mocked.
It is clear from the way that CHURCHWATCHER speaks to you, Zeeboo, that he is acting like an old-style, insensitive, catholic witch hunter.
‘Take you seriously?’ ‘Who are you kidding?’ ‘Repent of your sins’ ? This is not only rude and aggressive, reviling and senseless, it is cheapening the Cross. We all die daily. No one is perfect. Jesus died for all sin, yesterday, today and tomorrow. We don’t have to all go to some booth and speak to a man to do that.
CHURCHWATCHER challenged your belief ? How dare someone say ‘IF the Holy Spirit is in you …’ and that you are driven. Like many people here, we are commanded, to love him, forgive him and want to see the people saved.
CHURCHWATCHER, I will ask you yet again, what is your denomination. What is your church and what is your belief?
“I will ask you yet again, what is your denomination.”
ChurchWatcher is a shared name for a group of people that write for this site. We come from a variety of denominations.
Everyone: I doubt if CHURCHWATCHER will publish this but … for those who need to know, the above article was posted (as marked above the header) by PirateChristian.com.
It is time for me to make more of a Pauline response. Paul was often quite acerbic in his response to those who needed correction or advice. However, I am doing this with a heart of love. In humility.
CHURCHWATCHER has, at many times, criticised (reviled) the ‘ask for money’ movements in church. I’m not going to go into all his posts. I have them on system as I build his profile. However, we all know that he has often pulled down those making money out of Christians or asking for money and .
Well what a surprise. If you go to the Pirate Christian site they say this (and I quote but go and see yourself).
If you don’t already support us, we welcome you to “join our crew” by selecting your Pirate Crew Membership Rank below. Every new Crew Member will receive our PirateChristian.com Bumper Sticker and our Chi-Rho Pirate Flag Sticker. When you select any rank above “Powder Monkey” we will also send you a complimentary bottle of our Pirate Christian Four Blood Moons Fiery Shemita Sauce.
Powder Monkey – $9.95 monthly
Gunner’s Mate – $24.95 monthly
Master Gunner – $49.95 monthly
Quartermaster – $99.95 monthly
I think this says everything about the poster of the above article.
Its all about the money. Sauce? This is worse than any article on making money from the word. You join with others at no cost to share the good news. Not so you can get a bumper sticker and promote the cause for money (along with a bottle of sauce)? How preposterous.
And Churchwatcher – his site is probably exactly the same. When he gets enough supporters, watch out for his book, his film, his bumper stickers and who knows? Sauces and T Shirts.
So come on Churchwatcher, who are you, what is your denomination and which church do you go to?
This time, I think I’ve finally found something you will never publish on this site.
And this time, I’ll be WATCHING YOU.
Ed
There you go Ed. And some homework from a #powdermonkey. Have you ever checked out the $500 Splat Pen (Phil Pringle)? Or the $60 million jet (Creflo Dollar)? Or the $24000 French commode/sideboard (Joyce Meyer)?
By the way, do you receive a wage, child or government benefits or a pension? Let’s add this as well, not much support comes in the summer months.
http://www.piratechristian.com/bakesale/ (The Xmas decorations and earrings are made by family members to help the ministry)
And don’t forget the rest of the team
http://www.piratechristian.com/contributors#podcasters
Cheers, Team ChurchWatch.
Churchwatcher, your affiliations are showing your real side. But here you go again, falling into a world of lies and saying things as if I said words I never did and said I supported anyone that I never have. (Goodness, that sounds so much like the very things you accuse Brian Houston of doing).
I never mentioned Creflo Dollar, or Joyce Meyer or Phil Pringle.
But I love them.
Because I am commanded to do so. If they earn huge amounts of money from what they write or do then that is between them and The Lord Jesus.
But again, you went off topic. You still don’t get the point, do you?
I keep saying it but it seems to be passing you by.
One more time.
We are commanded to love Brian Houston. No matter what he does. Love him. Forgive him. Reach out and help him (if that is ever required). Not criticise him or judge him. That is for God to do. I thought I made that so clear you could have looked through it and saw Jesus saying it on the other side (or is the parable about the log and the splinter not an area of the Bible you frequent enough)?
Love. Forgive. Help. WWJD.
As for piratechristian.com and you supporting them by using their blog about ‘Cognitive Dissonance and the Silly Putty Jesus’ as if it were your own revolution to wage on the high seas, because weren’t pirates those who stole from other ships? In modern parlance, they are those who (quote) reproduce illegally, infringe the copyright of, copy illegally, plagiarize, poach, steal, appropriate, bootleg; informal crib, lift, rip off; Brit. informal nick, pinch? In one foul sweep, your illuminated keys tore down the work of people like Brian Houston, and then you’re off to another ocean, boarding the ship of Cap’n Creflo Dollar and swashbuckling his ventures for owning a private jet and Cap’n Joyce Meyer for owning an expensive sideboard. Then, in the next sweep of a ctrl paste key while up on your poop deck, you slam into another person for doing this and another person for doing that.
When did God ask you to do this? What vision or Word did you receive to write this site? When did He appear to you and ask you to head up this venture?
He never did, did He?
Just love people. Stop reviling them.
Because God will be the Judge of men before the Great White Throne.
And your time will come as sure as the Word of God promises it will.
Aaaw snap! You’ve caught us out being Berean.
Thanks for helping us be reassured we’re on the right course, as we continue to fight the good fight.
Acts 24:16 “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”
Titus 1: 10-16 “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”
Cheers, Team Churchwatch.
Can you also find on Rosebrough’s website where he promises that God will give you increased blessings because you proved your faith via donations to his radio programme?
I.e. similar to point 2. http://philpringle.com/blog-/take-off-part-one#.V9HTv-iubxA
Or uses Malachi bible verse out of context (Old Testament, to Jews). http://hillsong.com/uk/giving/
And we are wondering if those who critique Rosebrough’s fundraising methods, are aware that Phil Pringle floats around the Mediterranean on a yacht for 3 weeks every year. Or that the Houstons, en famille, spend their downtime on a beach in Greece etc. Not a bad gig, being a prosperity preacher, is it? While their congregations struggle to pay their mortgages because they’re convinced their own finances are cursed if they don’t pay 10% off the gross.
Cheers, Team ChurchWatch.
ZeeBoo says “Ed has some very good points don’t you think?”
No.
Cheers, Team ChurchWatch
Zeeboo, please give actual quote and link on Fighting for the Faith website where Rosebrough promises blessings from God (like Phil Pringle does in above link) in exchange for donations.
Thanks in advance.
And there you go, do the math, folks. Yes ZeeBoo, a weak argument that won’t stick in God’s economy if He does the math too, and He will.
Sauce ($8.95) or floating around the Mediterranean on a yacht 3 weeks every year (approx $6-7000 per week)
Cheers, Team ChurchWatch.
“And there you go, do the math, folks. Yes ZeeBoo, a weak argument”
zeeboo is another one who has no arguments but still is here just to argue. pitiful.
“So not really an argument that sticks eh? Very weak one in fact.”
and u zeeboo are deaf, dumb and blind.
2 Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is HYMENAEUS and PHILETUS;18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
2 Timothy 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 For DEMAS hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Ed, in your opinion:
Was the apostle Paul incorrect/ unloving to name the above individuals in the wrong – YES or NO?
2 Tim 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works
3Jn 1:9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
and my favourite
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
How can you MARK some one without NAMING them? Otherwise how will people know who you are on about?