Hillsong seems to cop criticism from all directions. Most of the time I think it is unfair and uncalled for. Some don’t like Hillsong because of their inclination to preach “prosperity gospel” or it’s because they are big and successful. Others simply don’t like the mere existence of Hillsong.
Most recently they have been in the news because of a program they run in some government schools. It is called ‘Shine’ and is aimed at building the self-esteem and self-image of young girls.
Doesn’t sound that bad. With all the distorted views we have of what is perfect they could surely appreciate some encouragement and a boost in self-image.
So is the program off the mark or are people’s anti Christian or anti Hillsong prejudices showing?
Most recently they have been in the news because of a program they run in some government schools. It is called ‘Shine’ and is aimed at building the self-esteem and self-image of young girls.
Doesn’t sound that bad. With all the distorted views we have of what is perfect they could surely appreciate some encouragement and a boost in self-image.
So is the program off the mark or are people’s anti Christian or anti Hillsong prejudices showing?
Posts
1 comment:
The trouble with Hillsong is its lack of biblical depth. There is little bible understanding at that church, and as a result, some very disturbing spirits are able to pervade the assembly without being spotted. Preaching is shallow, and there is strong encouragement to be spiritually attentive. The inevitable result of this combination is that people pay attention to spirits but have no ability to discern whether those spirits are of God or of Satan.
The public resistance to 'Shine', however, will be less to do with disapproval of Hillsong theology and more to do with an objection to the church-in-general interfering with society and forcing itself upon it. This is due to the mistaken belief to which you refer elsewhere that the church is all about obeying a set of rules. People do not want to be brought into such confinement. The church reminds people that they are ignoring God. This feels bad, and people are taught that things that feel bad are bad.
Nevertheless, I fear that 'Shine' will lead to its own problems. Being a programme borne out of faulty doctrine (due to aforementioned lack of bible understanding), it is unlikely to offer a sound foundation upon which to build self-esteem. It will probably be a framework within which people can grow in self worth by understanding God as someone who is cool with whatever they choose to be, and is for whatever decisions they choose to make. This is a lie, and therefore fundamentally destructive to any person at a deep level.
Teaching people that they are basically good works against the gospel. In order for people to inherit eternal life, they must acknowledge the exact opposite. In order to have true faith in Jesus one must realise that without him, God is against them. Jesus doesn't save us from evil or from Satan or from pain, Jesus saves us from God. But what wonderful salvation! Through Jesus, God's wrath is turned away from us and we have eternal life and the eternal joy of the loving presence of God.
LB
Post a Comment