Repost: Crowns Lexington Concert; Mark Hall Sends Mixed Messages About Truth
Oct. 23, 2011
Susan and I just returned to our home in Xenia, Ohio from a weekend getaway to attend the Casting Crowns concert in Lexington, Kentucky. We have both attended their concerts on multiple occasions (a total of eight between us). My prior reviews have been 100% positive.
The concert was part of a 40-city tour with three other acts: Sanctus Real, The Afters, and upstart Lindsay McCaul. Among the warm-ups, I enjoyed McCaul most who was indicative of the sincere humbleness that embodies those who can’t believe where God has brought them. Besides that, she is mega-talented—I will definitely buy her CD. Sanctus Real and the Afters employed worldly openers that were a real turn-off; the lead singers opened by mingling among the crowd with a wireless microphone. Gag. It’s kinda like, “Look at me, I’m a big star willing to mingle among the common folks. Or, “I think I will give the peasantry a thrill by actually walking among them.” Could my reaction be biased because this concept was started by God- rejecting rock stars? Probably. Moreover, I think these acts have too much separation in talent; McCaul seemed to be a perfect fit while the other two pale in comparison to the Crowns’ phenomenal song writing ability. However, I get the idea from this concert that Crowns lead singer and song writer Mark Hall would say that Jesus writes all their songs for them. Maybe the other two bands need to start letting Jesus write for them more than they do.
That bit of sarcasm brings me to the theme of this review. Christianity needs to start being honest about the silent debate going on and the importance of truth in general. Is the new birth part of the gospel or not? And if it is—is the new birth a mere display of what Jesus does, or are we working also? And don’t give me that separation of music and preaching load. These concerts impart spiritual ideas through music, and in a very strong way. In our day, how many pastors who are responsible before Christ for the souls of His sheep critique the contemporary music their parishioners listen to? They don’t, probably because of something like Hall proclaimed during the concert: “[paraphrase] the world needs to hear more about how we are just train wrecks receiving mercy than what we are against.” Oh really? First, the apostles did not describe Christians as anything like “train wrecks” and they had plenty to say about what they were against. In fact, of the seven letters Christ wrote to the churches named in Revelation, He was against things going on in six of the seven churches. I also have some news for Hall: Christians couldn’t be that hypercritical if one of the most popular Christian songs of our day is the blasphemous “More Like Falling in Love” by Jason Gray which is nothing more than an antinomian anthem.
Today’s Christianity is saturated with Gospel Contemplationism as a primary means of spiritual growth. Let go, focus on the gospel, and let God. The so-called new birth just refers to the new obedience produced in us by Christ as we contemplate the gospel. We don’t participate and colabor as born again new creatures—we are the prepositions in the gospel narrative, and verbs like “obey” are truly four-letter words because they imply participation on our part. And how do we know if Christ is obeying for us, or if we are trying to obey “in our own efforts and talents”? Well, as Jason Gray says, it will feel like love. Likewise, in a book that is all the rage in Christian circles, Francis Chan tells us that when we are working in our Christian walk, “it feels like work,” but when we are loving, “it feels like love” (Crazy Love p. 110). Do we really want to be teaching Christians that biblical love is validated by good feelings? And is Mark Hall any different? I wonder. In his new song, “The Well” he states: “And now that you’re full of love beyond measure, your joy’s gonna flow like a stream in the desert.” Hall wrote the lyrics with Matthew West who also wrote the song, “Strong Enough” which implies that Christ doesn’t work through us until we give up: “I know I’m not strong enough to be everything that I’m supposed to be, I give up, I’m not strong enough.”
Though Casting Crowns’ lyrics are far more substantive than the vast majority of Christian songs heard today, they seem to be playing both sides of the fence. While “Courageous,” the song they opened with, presents a robust participation by Christians in the sanctification process, other songs by them are indicative of the let go and let Godtheology that saturates contemporary Christianity. Implied in other lyrics by Casting Crowns (and comments by Hall at the concert) is the idea that the only difference between the regenerate and unregenerate is that believers are privy to how helpless we are in being anything, or doing anything for God.
Therefore, if that’s the route they want to take, and in regard to truth in general, let me suggest where their concert planning could use more Jesus in two particular areas. In all three concerts I attended, Hall makes light of the fact that he has (if you believe it’s a valid label) Attention Deficit Disorder. ADD is far from being a laughing matter. Besides the fact many doctors think it’s a fraud, Christian doctor Larraine Day states the following:
“Attention Deficit Disorder and Ritalin have become almost synonymous. Up to 90% of children who are first diagnosed with ADD receive a prescription for Ritalin. At least a dozen other drugs are prescribed for these symptoms as well. There has been a 500% increase in the use of Ritalin alone since 1991.”
And:
“The adverse reactions (side effects) for Ritalin include nervousness, insomnia, joint pains, fever, anorexia, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, headache, dyskinesia, drowsiness, increased blood pressure and pulse, rapid heart rate, angina, cardiac arrhythmias, abdominal pain, actual psychosis. And there is a major warning in the Physician’s Desk Reference regarding drug dependency.”
And:
“The Physicians’ Desk Reference of Drug Side Effects notes that, regarding the pharmacology of Ritalin: “The mode of action in man is not completely understood.” And this is what you’re giving your child! The pharmaceutical manufacturers admit that they don’t even know how it works. They’re just experimenting — on your child!”
And:
“Does the public school system have the right to force parents to accept the drugging of their child? They do in America. But the drug’s side effects, according to vocal opponents of Ritalin, include: zombie-like behavior, growth suppression, behavior or thought disorders (exactly what it is supposed to treat) seizures; headaches, blurred vision, scalp hair loss, barking like a dog and babbling profanities. It can also result in mood swings, depression, drug dependence and inclination for criminal activity.”
And:
“Ritalin has effects similar to other stimulants including amphetamine, methamphetamine and cocaine. There are 6 million prescriptions for Ritalin filled annually. The U.S. pharmacists distribute five times more Ritalin than the rest of the world combined. No other nation prescribes stimulants for its children in such volume. In fact, the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board has on two recent occasions written to U.S. officials expressing concern about the sixfold increase in Ritalin usage since 1990.”
And:
“The American Psychiatric Association describes a hyperactive child – the target child for this drug–as follows:
‘One who exhibits behavior such as fidgeting, squirming, answering questions before being called on, difficulty playing quietly, engaging in physically dangerous activities such as running into the street without looking, or one who has difficulty following instructions.’ That sounds like a normal kid to me!”
Hall needs to stop giving credibility to ADD because medical doctors disagree on its validity and Hall is not a doctor, and at the very least—he needs to stop making light of it.
Secondly, regarding the practice of having an artist create an image of Christ during a song, what part of Exodus 20:4 does Hall not understand? And exactly how does such an image edify? What is that image intended to invoke in the minds of the audience? What’s the purpose?
I see a progression in the Casting Crowns concerts. More confusion with each concert. Is it let go and let God, or the able and courageous Christians presented in the movie that they wrote the theme song for? Truth is both negative and positive. Both have been stated here as I see it. When Christians go to a concert they should interpret what’s being taken in, and what’s being taken in is either truth or not truth. 2 Corinthians 10:5 will be taken seriously or not taken seriously. Taking every thought and opinion captive and bringing it into submission to Christ does not stop at a concert. With all the talk about Jesus at these events, His wish to have every thought brought into submission to His truth seems to be last on the list.
Frankly, that’s all I care about, and I will not be dissuaded by good music, and Hall does write some great music, but truth is waaaaaay more important.
paul
The James MacDonald White Paper: AUTHORITY, and the New Testament Church Model; Post 5 of 20
“This is a classic case of not having a thorough understanding of what you are following.”
The first clue that there may be authoritarian issues at Harvest Bible Chapel is the logo for James MacDonald’s Vertical Church project and book. It is the military insignia for the rank of Sergeant with a steeple on top. The next level up in authority is First Sergeant and Master Sergeant. I asked a few folks here at the Potter’s House what this logo brings to mind when you first look at it. Without any coaching, and like my first thought, the answer was, “military.”
At some point in James MacDonald’s ministry, he converted to New Calvinism which is a return to authentic Geneva style Calvinism. This is a doctrine that teaches the absolute authority of the elders. Calvin referred to this as the “power of the keys.” Whatever the elders bind on earth, heaven will confirm it. If they “declare” you an unbeliever, you ARE an unbeliever—heaven will honor the judgment of the elders.
This is why this stripe of elder, no pun intended, is expected to be feared in circles like Harvest Bible Chapel—they can literally have you blotted out of the book of life. If you doubt this is the mentality of MacDonald and his core elders, you are naive.
They play by their own rules totally, and they at least function like their authority supersedes a literal interpretation of the Bible. All, let me repeat that, “all” New Calvinists function like that. Examples can be found wherever you point a stick. Just one example is the dissenting elders at Harvest who were disciplined. Whether or not these former elders were still members is beside the point, New Calvinist elders routinely declare people unregenerate who are not even members of their church.
But their process for disciplining these elders, protocol for New Calvinist “redemptive church discipline,” does not follow Scripture. Clearly, the matter is to be brought before the church for consideration, and if the church agrees that there has been an offence, and the offender or offenders will not “hear the church,” only then are they to be “treated like” unbelievers, not declared such. New Calvinist elders believe they have the authority to “declare” people as unbelievers.
In the case of the Harvest elders, the matter was not taken to the congregation. The congregation was informed of the elder judgment, and instructed not to associate with the former elders of Harvest. Now, many would argue in regard to the feasibility of sharing matters of dispute with a congregation of thousands. Is this to say that Christ didn’tk foresee congregations of thousands? Or is this to say that congregations of thousands are not the New Testament model? And if small groups are so important to mega churches, why not just have the small groups and be done with it? By the way, in geographies that don’t have American-like money, clusters of home fellowships that cooperate with each other are the norm. The institutional church only exists in geographies that thrive monetarily.
Also, in New Testament-like home fellowships (where sharing a matter of dispute with the whole group would be no problem at all), fellowship is the issue, not authority. Overseers lead by example and exhort the people from Scripture, and fellowship is based on likeminded agreement concerning the one mind of Christ. Unity is predicated on the authority of Scripture, not men.
These are thoughts to consider, but yes, aside from foul doctrine, the very way Harvest is organized as an institution will invariably arrive at the current circumstances. It also leads to a blind following unable to see disaster coming. Harvest is presently made up of seven campuses located, for the most part, in upper income areas around Chicago. Again, institutional churches can only operate in that venue. But note, all of the formal preaching is telecasted from one campus to all the other campuses, and is delivered by James MacDonald himself. In other words, this massive ministry is predicated on one man! Who doesn’t see disaster coming in that scenario? This builds a ministry on a personality brand-name resulting in all kinds of politics surrounding efforts to protect the institution. “Hey, are we going to let the whole institution fall just because the guy isn’t perfect?” The answer to that question is most likely, “no.”
But let’s talk about the blindness issue, and unbiblical authority leading to people turning their brains off. Several churches have left Harvest over MacDonald’s association with TD Jakes. One of the major campuses was kicked out of the “denomination” because they dared to question MacDonald on this issue. I have no doubt that MacDonald and his inner core did the math and decided said campus was worth more to them as a manipulative statement than a future partner.
Nevertheless, has it occurred to anybody that MacDonald associates with TD Jakes because their core ideology is the same? The pastor of the church that was “catapulted” out of Harvest said that he was perplexed by the relationship. Why? Does he really think MacDonald got up one morning and decided to invite Benny Hinn to preach at Harvest, but when his line was busy, he called TD instead? Why is this so perplexing? He hangs out with people who share the same fundamentals. Why is this confusing? More on the doctrinal aspect in future posts, but people always do what they do for a reason. This is a classic case of not having a thorough understanding of what you are following.
Furthermore, the confused pastor should also understand that MacDonald, in essence, declared him and his congregation unregenerate. He should contact MacDonald and ask what the perceived ramifications are for his church—he might be in for a big surprise.
All in all, this is a huge opportunity for those leaving Harvest. They have the resources to rethink everything and set an example for many other Christians. These situations are unfortunate, but nonetheless very good teachers if we are listening and thinking.
Things happen for a reason, and people act from their beliefs.
NOTE FILE SHARING WIDGET FOR THIS SERIES ON BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE PANEL
The James MacDonald White Paper: “Why This White Paper?” Post 4 of 20
“The problem is not James MacDonald’s behavior; the problem is what he believes. What he believes has brought Harvest Bible Chapel to this point.”
I was originally motivated to report on the Harvest Bible Chapel controversy for the following reason: my frustration over the constant use of bogus “church discipline” by New Calvinists to silence detractors. The primary blog leading the way in exposing the tyranny of James MacDonald is The Elephants Debt .com. Without a doubt, it is one of the best, if not the best, organized and written blogs on the internet.
So: why this white paper? Because overall, the anti-spiritual tyranny/abuse movement is still characterized by the following key elements:
1. A primary focus on behavior.
2. A void in understanding that ideology drives behavior.
3. A void in understanding how these ideologies lead to theological error.
4. A void in understanding what that theological error is.
5. Hope is placed in the offenders repenting of their behavior apart from repentance of doctrinal error and theological error.
6. Hope is placed in those who share the same ideology, but not the behavior; it is hoped they will influence culprits to repent of mere behavior.
7. Hope is placed in institutions.
8. No prevention mandate to break the cycle of abuse.
9. No alternatives prescribed moving forward other than hope of people repenting of behavior rather than what they believe.
The problem is not James MacDonald’s behavior; the problem is what he believes. What he believes has brought Harvest Bible Chapel to this point. This series will expose his ideology, his theology, and suggest alternatives for prevention and ministry moving forward.
NOTE FILE SHARING WIDGET FOR THIS SERIES ON BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE PANEL
An Example of Why I like Dr. J
Correction: The quotation is from Donn Arms, an associate of Jay Adams at the Institute for Nouthetic Studies (INS).
Folks let’s get this straight. The mind is not a physical organ. It cannot have a disease or illness except in a metaphorical sense as in a sick economy or a sick joke.
Typhoid fever — disease
Spring fever — not a disease
Scarlet fever — disease
Bieber fever — not a disease
`Dr. Jay E. Adams: father of the one and only valid contemporary biblical counseling model; the first one.
3 comments