THE NEW HILLSONG EPICENTER
NBRS Architecture states that,
“The Hillsong Epicentre is the second stage of a two stage project. Stage one included the 300 seat Hillsong Chapel and carpark, which were completed in 2006. Stage two incorporates a 500 seat auditorium with foyer and back of house facilities including: a green room, guest room, storage, a loading bay, a professional TV studio & TV control room, 3 TV edit suites, a smaller college training TV studio, a professional sound studio with 8 professional sound edit suites, a smaller college training sound studio with 4 edit suites, 3 band rehearsal rooms, 9 music practice rooms, 20 classrooms, 2 large seminar / meeting rooms that will be used by the college during the week and children’s ministries on Sundays, a specialised preschool children’s playroom, a large youth area, carpark area providing spaces for 300 cars. The Hillsong Epicentre is currently under construction and is due to be completed in January 2017.” [Source]
It appears that Laura Toggs (Laura Houston) has already decided what she wanted for the “large youth area.” It appears she wanted a massive mural for the youth. So what kind of mural did she allow to go inside?
HILLSONG EPICENTER YOUTH MURAL
Christianity is full of language and symbology that depicts good and evil. For instance, a sheep represents the Christian. A dragon/serpent represents Satan. A wolf represents a predator in the bible that is out to destroy God’s sheep.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits […] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15,20 (Emphasis added.)
Judas is a character who represents an agent of the devil, a betrayer of all things godly. When the word ‘den’ is used, people may think of Daniel in the lions den, den of thieves or a den of wolves. It’s not a good place to be.
“He [Jesus] said to them, ‘It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of thieves.'” Matthew 21:13 (Emphasis added.)
Throughout Christian history – images and icons have been impressed on the minds of millions. Some images are good, some not so good. For instance, a famous iconic image from the Sistine Chapel is the hand of God touching Adam’s hand. It is recording a biblical account of the creation of man.
One that is not so good is the ‘sacred-heart’ Jesus. A pagan representation of Jesus which encourages mysticism and supernatural encounters in the Roman Catholic cult. Also, in both the Christian world and pop culture, religious icons turned upside down are associated with Freemasonry, Illumaniti, Occultism and Satanism (upside down crosses, stars, doves, etc).
We all know that the youth of today are impressionable, so what is Hillsong trying to communicate to their youth, the body of Christ and the world by putting pagan images of the ‘sacred-heart’ Jesus surrounded by wolves in their new youth centre?
And why are the Houstons calling this large youth area the “Den”?
We compiled an image from several pictures of the artwork of Hillsong’s Den from Instagram photos posted by Laura Toggs (Laura Houston) and Dodgepangburn (Hillsong artist). Click the image to enlarge:
The Jesus used, the symbols around Jesus, the upside down Jesus with wolf ears and the word ‘Judas’ above his head (and a wolf blowing fire on him) , the Jesus with the words ‘Wolf Man Wolf Man’ and a wolf eating at his heart, the hand of man touching a hand of death… Why is Hillsong promoting such degrading imagery of Jesus in their youth den? …
HILLSONG EPICENTER YOUTH MURAL
Below are images and comments from Instagram about the mural from Laura Toggs (Laura Houston) and Dodgepangburn (Hillsong artist). Laura Toggs (Laura Houston) writes on Instagram,
“HOME and straight to epicentre fit outs for youth this Friday !! X”
Source: Laura Toggs, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/p/BQjnKsogUsg/, Published 16/02/2017. (Accessed 06/03/2018.)
“Young & Free : The Den . Almost ready .”
Source: Laura Toggs, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/p/BRRpWNgh2qC/, Published 05/02/2017. (Accessed 06/03/2018.)
Notice the wolf breathing fire on an upside down Jesus with demon horns and “Judas” written beneath? It’s bad enough that the demonic is associated with upside down crucifixes, but for a ‘Christian’ church to purposefully depict Jesus in this way, and in a DEN WITH WOLVES no less, is incredibly telling. Hillsong doesn’t worship the same Jesus we find in the Bible. If they did, they would NEVER depict Jesus in this way.
“Progress on the Porsche painting.”
Source: dodgepangburn, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/p/BE0ze1BqSoz/?hl, Published 23/05/2016. (Accessed 06/03/2017)
“I AM setting the frequency of the revolution. I forgave Judas.✨🌈🔥 © 2017
Source: dodgepangburn, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/p/BRCtJOHFL6M/, Published 01/03/2017. (Accessed 06/03/2017.)
NOTE: Jesus Himself said of Judas,
“The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Matthew 26:24
SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?
There is no doubt that this style of art displays artistic talent and energy. However, the images and subjects used could be considered a stumbling block to many Christian families. What it does demonstrate is that Hillsong doesn’t seem to care about God’s divine holiness. To many non-Christians, seeing the “Mr Sparkle” performance, crazy “Monkey Dance”, the “Magdalena” or Hillsong’s sordid “Silent Night” have only made them mock Christianity all the more. At least the world has the decency to show some respect for spiritual songs and places. Not Hillsong apparently.
It’s not unusual to see an artwork like this outside of a church – because an individual might be expressing their views or pain about God, Jesus, the church, etc. But when you have Hillsong’s “Mama” Bobbie Houston, endorse such disturbing imagery in their new epicenter for the youth den, this should be sending alarm bells to Christians worldwide.
Where’s the love, respect and integrity for the ‘weaker brother’ in Hillsong? What happened to not causing a Christian brother to stumble?
Bobbie Houston writes:
“So good”.
Source: dodgepangburn, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/p/BRJ-xl0lc5r/, Published 03/03/2017. (Accessed 06/03/2017.)
Email all comments and questions to c3churchwatch@hotmail.com.
Categories: Hillsong, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)