MISUSING SCRIPTURE TO PUSH CENSORSHIP.
Are some Christians engaging in cult-like behaviour when misusing the words of Jesus on the topic of judgment? Consider the scripture often misused:
”Judge not lest ye be judged…” Matthew 7:1
This is a form of censorship. And it’s a common expression heard in many cults to silence their critics. When they twist Jesus’ words to silence other believers, the work of the devil flourishes within their communities. Is this why Hillsong members feel they have no right to judge Brian Houston and senior Hillsong elders over how they covered up pedophile Frank Houston’s crimes? Are they are afraid to judge ‘lest they be judged’?
If the Holy Spirit is in those that attend Hillsong, they would operate with ‘discernment’ (an ability that is a characteristic of the Holy Spirit in a believer (1Cor 2:14, 1Cor 12:10)), not operate with cognitive dissonance with verses like this:
”Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24
So what is Jesus talking about when he says “judge not lest ye be judged”? The answer is very simple: he was talking about hypocrisy.
“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.” Matthew 7:1-5
This is why spiritually mature Christian leaders (and mainstream media) publicly condemn Hillsong regarding its leadership covering up the crimes of their founder Frank Houston, a serial paedophile. Hillsong was always quick to judge the Roman Catholic Church for the issues of sexual abuse but to this day, fail to acknowledge their own hand in covering up the crimes of its founder of Hillsong/CLC. Is the judgment they have pronounced on others now the same measure pronounced on them?
THE SPECK AND PLANK.
In a veryrecent scenario, Brian Houston came out ‘swinging’ on social media with a plank in his eye, condemning the speck in the eye of Novak Djokovic:
He should never have been allowed in the country. Hopefully Australia will learn from it and toughen up the rules. #proudlyvaccinated
— Brian Houston (@BrianCHouston) January 10, 2022
TOUGHEN UP THE RULES?
Mainstream media went on to quickly expose Hillsong’s own hypocrisy concerning ‘tough rules’.
This from the Daily Mail:
“Hillsong co-founder Brian Houston lashed out a decision to let Novak Djokovic stay in Australia and urged the government to toughen up the rules – just three days before a wild party at his church’s youth camp sparked outrage.
The mega church came under fire after footage went viral of young revellers singing and dancing at the Hillsong Wildlife Summercamp held north of Sydney, despite a despite a statewide ban on those activities in nightclubs, pubs and outdoor events.”
Source: Kylie Stevens, How multi-millionaire Hillsong boss Brian Houston SLAMMED Novak Djokovic and demanded Australia ‘toughen up rules’ in blistering attack just days before his own church was caught blatantly flouting Covid-19 orders, Daily Mail, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10400393/Hillsongs-Brian-Houston-slammed-Novak-Djokovic-days-church-breached-Covid-19-rules.html, Published January 14, 2022. (Accessed January 14, 2022.)
This from 9 News:
‘Double standard’: Hillsong youth camp in Newcastle likened to a music festival while venues face strict rules.
A youth camp hosted by Hillsong on the NSW Mid North Coast has been likened to a music festival and is now being called out as a “double standard” amid strict Omicron rules for hospitality venues. A Hillsong spokesperson confirmed an “annual high school aged youth camp” is underway at Glenrock State Conservation Park in Newcastle. Witnesses said the church’s camp resembles a music festival, with tents set up with live music and DJs playing along with “a lot of people”. On Thursday night, NSW Health said it had “requested Hillsong immediately stop singing and dancing at an event being held in the Newcastle area”, saying it was a breach of the Public Health Order.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the Hillsong event was “clearly in breach of both the spirit and intent of the Order, which is in place to help keep the community safe”. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said singing and dancing at large events posed a high risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Danyon Clinton, a resident of the area, claimed to have seen a large number of people under a tent, saying it looked like a music festival.
“It looks like any sort of event you’d have in a public place or a music festival sort of thing,” he said. Hillsong has denied any claims that the camp was a music festival.
“These events are our annual high school aged youth camps, and are not similar to a music festival in any way,” a Hillsong spokesperson said in a statement.
“Our camps involve primarily outdoor recreational activities including sports and games.”We follow strict COVID procedures and adhere to government guidelines. Outdoor Christian services are held during the camp but these are only a small part of the program, and any singing is only a small part of each service.”
A Hillsong youth camp on the NSW Mid North Coast is now being called out as a “double standard” amid strict Omicron rules for hospitality venues. (9News)
Source: Savannah Meacham, Associate Producer, https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-nsw-update-hillsong-church-holds-youth-camp-described-as-a-music-festival-in-newcastle-called-out-as-double-standard/e9adbfb2-298a-4706-b876-3ba3850d1c70 (Accessed January 14, 2022.)
This from ABC Newcastle:
NSW Premier ‘completely shocked’, backs calls for Hillsong Church to be fined over youth camp ‘festival’
Hillsong Church has issued an apology after allowing hundreds of people to sing and dance at a youth camp, after NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was “completely shocked” by video from the event.
Key points:
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- Authorities are weighing up whether to fine Hillsong Church for breaching COVID-19 rules
- Footage shows singing and dancing at a youth camp
- Health authorities deemed the event in breach of COVID-19 rules
The video showed hundreds of participants maskless, singing and dancing inside a large tent with performers on stage.
“We regret giving any perception that we were not playing our part to keep NSW safe and we sincerely apologise to the community at large,” Hillsong said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
But it maintained the youth camp was not a music festival.
“These are high school-aged events that include sporting activities and games,” the statement said.
“They are alcohol-free events, held outdoors, and the number of students attending each camp is just over 200.”
Earlier, Mr Perrottet said he understood the “anger that people right across the state have felt”.
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“Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Galatians 4:16
Categories: Hillsong