“Activating” the kids at Bethel Redding

If there was any ever doubt about how satan grabs your kids early, this should erase it. Satan is a relentless enemy, unswerving in his plot to usurp Jesus from His throne, and unstinting on the number of low and dirty tricks he uses to thwart the Gospel at any age and every age. But we read God's Word "so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs." (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Here is a good essay written by a friend, at My Word Like Fire. It shows in devastating manner the ease with which satan goes after the children. We know that Jesus is a victorious King, and that no plan or scheme of satan will ultimately prosper against those who love Jesus...but it's still difficult to see the kids being chewed up like prey by a bloody and evil enemy.

My question is, to what lengths do you go to protect your children from the schemes of satan? Are you diligent in doing devotionals with them? Reading the Bible to them, and with them? Sacrificially making sure they attend a good Bible-based church for Sunday School or Wednesday night lessons? Do they see your marriage as a metaphor for the sacrifice of Jesus for His bride and submission to Him?

Here is the essay “Activating” the kids at Bethel Redding. Please read.
Bethel Redding leaders continue to present an unbalanced and unhealthy preoccupation with signs and wonders–or, as I have come to call it, a bells-and-whistles theology. It should be no surprise that this is also present in Bethel Redding’s children’s ministry.

Here is just one more example of the blasphemy coming out of Bethel Redding as exposed from My Word Like
Fire-

Bethel Redding Children's Pastor says Jesus asked him for forgiveness



He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. (Luke 17:1-2)

And in case you are thinking that Bethel Redding is just a faraway church on the other side of the country (or world) in California having nothing to do with you, Bethel Redding with pastor Bill Johnson has spawned both the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry where you, too, can learn to be a prophet; and Bethel Redding Music, which is exported all over the world. You might know Bethel Redding's song One Thing Remains, for example. "Your love never fails, never gives up, it never runs out on me"... among hundreds of other songs infiltrating all churches everywhere. It is written and sung by the group Jesus Culture, formed at Bethel Redding.

See? Satan never gives up, never runs out on you...

Comments

  1. A few years ago I was part of team for a women's retreat. The leader chose "One Thing Remains" as the theme song. I did not like the song from the first time I heard it. First of all, it's too repetitive with a boring tune. Second, it's very shallow with no reverence for God. I mean, it's good to focus on and be grateful for God's eternal, everlasting love, but the song focuses on "me, my, and I." God's name is not mentioned; the 'you' in the song could be a parent or a friend. I did not know where this song came from, but it's not surprising. By the way, our leader gave each member of her team a CD with that song on it; I threw mine away.

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  2. The lyrics by themselves in that song are not out-and-out heretical, just very short on doctrine. I suppose it's sad to have to point out that the line "my debt is paid" makes it more of a Gospel song than most of what's on CCM stations in my area. So in terms of lyrical content, it's not enough to want to remove, but when made aware of the source, I'm considering reconsidering...

    1 Cor 10
    23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

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    1. I agree that this particular, one song doesn't have distressing lyrics. However no false teacher or group is always false every time. That is satan's genius. Any person who likes the song may buy the CD and no doubt there is satan's entree into one's mind. I have researched the group and the combination of their doctrine, their origins and the fact they receive direct revelation of visions and purport to have been in the presence of Jesus is enough to say, this is not a matter of Christian liberty but a warning to avoid them totally at all costs.

      "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
      Gen 4:7

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    2. "Any person who likes the song may buy the CD"

      I guess I'm truly a child of the new millennium :D That thought doesn't occur to me. I have bought one CD in all my memory, and that was Owl City's Ocean Eyes, which was a definite act of intentional support. I couldn't bring myself to pay for a CD without having heard all the songs on it, first, if I don't know the artist xD

      I emphatically agree with your characterization of Bethel Redding. I was *not* posting the passage to be defensive, but rather actually to make an argument for cutting out stuff, like music, that one might not previously have had a problem with.

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  3. At the risk of sounding very nitpicky, while the song does say 'my debt is paid' it doesn't really honor the one who paid that debt. And I will admit, there are many other 'praise and worship' songs that would be considered less theologically sound--I just didn't like the song at all from the first time I heard it.

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    1. Don't worry, you're not nitpicky; I wasn't being defensive, just showing my train of thought.

      I have grown tired of quite a few ccm songs over time. I can't stand David Crowder's "How He Loves," and the Newsboys' "God's Not Dead," if I'm not mistaken is a cover of Crowder, which would explain the terrible lyrics. Only Satan is described as a *roaring* lion in the Bible, to my knowledge, which makes the attribution to God rather misfortunately ironic and very cringeworthy.

      And there are others I need to get around to. I've nevertheless found a treasure trove of songs with good theology. "Whatever is praiseworthy and excellent, meditate on these things." I can tell you that I've hardly ever listened to 'one thing remains' and have come to enjoy enthusiastically sung hymns more and more. Key word enthusiasm. There s NO NEED for them to be sung as if we're bored!

      Here's an example and I'll leave you in peace :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itUNSwS4q9E

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