I do not endorse or agree with Bethel Church’s theology or teachings. After doing research into their ministry, I want to make it clear I personally don’t agree with some of their beliefs. I felt the need to clarify after recent events. I’ve been praying and debating on what to do with this post. Some feel like I should take it down because of many of Bethel’s questionable teachings. I really had a hard time trying to decide what to do because it’s my most viewed and searched for post. So people are looking for it.
I’ve decided, for the time being, to keep it up because of this- it’s opening a lot of doors for conversations. I’ve had some really good comments on this post that have given me and others things to research and think about. The post allows us as Christians to discuss mainstream mega churches, schools, and bands and their impact on our society. So let’s use this as a way to discuss theology in a respectful way. I’ll be approving all comments (whether I agree with them or not) as long as they are kind, productive, and respectful. It’s okay to disagree but I won’t allow this to be a place full of anger and harsh words.
By far, my most viewed post was a “Top 10” post about my favorite Hillsong worship songs. It is also by far my most searched for post on my blog as well. If you would have asked me when I started this blog what would have been my top post, I would have never thought it would be a simple post about Hillsong. So let’s try this with Bethel Music.
When I was planning my 2018 calendar, I knew I wanted to build off this idea hoping the momentum would carry on to similar posts. While I share many, many songs that I am loving I rarely ever do it by specific bands. I know I would love to see posts geared to one specific band so I could have it all in one central location.
Like Hillsong, Bethel is another well-known church that also is well-known for their worship albums. Some of the Bethel worship leaders are Amanda Cook, Kalley Heiligenthal, Jenn & Brian Johnson, Jeremy Riddle, and many more. Bethel Music has an ability to write songs that are potent, powerful, and meaningful.
Top 10 Bethel Music Songs
1. Ever Be -Kalley Heiligenthal
A song so simple but so potent. A prayer for our lips to always be speaking to glorify His name. That in times of crisis, pain, and joy…our lips would be spreading the name of the One True God. One thing I love about Bethel Music is that they use a lot of symbolism in their songs. “Ever Be” uses the symbol of a solid gold ring to show how devoted and true God’s love is for us. What a great prayer we should be saying daily…let Your name forever be on our lips Lord.
2. No Longer Slaves – Jonathan & Melissa Helser
One of my favorite posts I have ever written was one based on this song called, You Split the Seas. God has continually used this song to teach me things over and over again. The visual that this song paints is just beautiful. We see Moses walking through the Red Sea and knowing that God would do that for us too. Once again Bethel uses a great analogy to symbolize Gods love for us and the lengths He goes to for us. Such a beautiful song that I have been singing for years.
3. You Make Me Brave – Amanda Cook
If ever there was a song written for me, this would be it. Brave is far from what I am. Anxiety, fear, worry…they’re all things that threaten to overtake my life if it weren’t for Jesus. This song came out at a vital time for me, it was a time I really needed to be brave (still do) and this song was such a beautiful reminder that no, I am not brave…but my God sure is. So often everything is about us, and this song just reminds me that it is all because of Him.
4. Spirit Move – Kalley Heiligenthal
The spirit is always moving. Always working. Always ready to comfort and lead us in Gods direction. Many times we take that for granted and we just expect to go into worship and feel changed but we don’t put forth any effort. This song is a simple cry that is inviting the spirit to come into this place and move- change us. The spirit is always moving but we don’t always listen or acknowledge it. My favorite little phrase of this song is exactly my prayer for every time I enter into worship, “Spirit move, we’re ready for you.” a simple phrase but something that is so important for our time of worship. We must come expectant and ready to be changed.
5. Take Courage – Kristene DiMarco
This song has been such a important song for me this year. It’s all about waiting and staying faithful in that waiting. Courage is something we cannot truly have on our own. I love to play this song and just meditate on the Word and let it wash over me. Worship is such a beautiful thing, a breath of fresh air amongst the chaos. I’m so thankful God gave us the ability to sing and write songs to glorify Him.
6. You Know Me – Steffany Gretzinger
Another song that is a great one to play while you’re reading scripture, the loft session of this song is a really beautiful, solemn acoustic version that is a great way to spend some time in prayer and reading. It’s about the fact that God knows everything about us and loves us anyway. There is nothing more precious than that.
7. Closer – Steffany Gretzinger
A simple song but so potent. The words are a beautiful reminder of what our hearts greatest desire should be- to know God more and more everyday. I know many people don’t like repetition in songs but I do, it shows the emphasis. I want this song to be my prayer…Lord take me deeper and deeper.
8. You Don’t Miss a Thing – Amanda Cook
I would, personally, consider this one of the most powerful songs Bethel sings. I immediately think of the miracle of the bleeding woman in the Bible when I listen to this song. There’s one line that is my favorite part, “in a crowd of ten thousand, you don’t miss a thing.” Just like when the bleeding woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, God feels and knows when we call out. When that woman touched Jesus He was crowded by hundreds of people but He knew instantly that she had touched Him. He does the same for us. He doesn’t miss anything we say or do. He is with us all the time, forever. So comforting.
9. The War is Over – Kalley Heiligenthal
This song is a reminder that God has already won the war. He has already fought Satan and won. Jesus won as He shed His blood for us- to save us all. HE has WON. There is nothing more exciting to celebrate than this. I’m so thankful for this song of thanksgiving and praise because God deserves all our thanks because He won the war for each of us.
10. In Over my Head – Jenn Johnson
Another mellow song that I enjoy putting on when I am journaling or reading the Word. Jenn’s voice is soothing and the song is a more laid-back tone that is lovely for background music. I love the phrase, “whether I sink, whether I swim..” because it shows that no matter where we are or what we face, we trust God to keep us afloat and going.
Are you a fan of Bethel Music? If so, let me know what your favorite songs are of theirs! And if you’ve never heard them, I encourage you to listen to some of these songs!
I’m looking for a song by a Kari J?????
Not sure of the title, but some of the words or title are ‘Hold His body down’
Hi! Thank you so much for your comment. I’m not 100 percent sure but I would say to see if it’s the song Forever.
It’s “Ain’t No Grave.”
Julie True is the singer awesome worship…enjoy
This is my problem. I loved some of their songs. BUT, now that I know what is going on there when I hear them I see the people that are being lead away by false prophets. Is it going to change if I refuse to sing the songs? No, but I will feel better knowing I am rebelling against something that I believe is demonic.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I completely understand having that feeling. That’s why I have the disclaimer added. I’m doing some digging and my own research into their beliefs.
I do believe that God has used some of their songs in the past to really lead me and help me. But that’s all God not them. I’ve been praying over what I should do with the content. Because I don’t agree with the church itself mostly.
They are not a Christian Church and 1: If it leads one person to the wrong believe it is their soul that is lost; that is enough to not support the movement.
And 2 When churches play their music they support a false doctrine and if you
down load their music, same for you. 3 People you know may think that it is
a scriptural church and you maybe inadvertently leading people away or in
the wrong way. As Christian’s we are watched, what we do matters! i was so disappointed to here the truth about Bethel and Hillsong; but, I have decided that
Christ is enough and that ‘not following’ him is worth far more than a song that I used to like. They make so much money off their music. The prosperity bible is
so far from God; I hate to see any one person led astray!
thank you for listening.
Bethel is very Christ-honoring, and scripture-adhering. Bill Johnson is a true God-fearing, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving humble believer. Criticisms and accusations are unfounded. All you have to do is listen and read in context. It’s very sad that people are attacking Bethel; when the people there are very dedicated to God, truth, and living in the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I’m hearing a lot of bad news about this bethel music also recently,..I would think these are great worship songs too, but if it’s demonic in background,I’ll RUN,I obviously need to do MORE research..
100%!!! I have loved their music… but it is a foothold for the devil to come in. The church is unbiblical and playing and listening to their songs only supports that! Sadly.
Supporting a “movement” with rampant false theology is dangerous for a Bible-teaching church. This is one way Satan influences solid churches. Bethel is NAR: New Apostolic Reformation and 1 of their 7 Mountains of Influence is through Music. Using their songs, laying for their copyright to have their songs in our church supports their false NewAge gospel. I see it as a very bad direction for any Church to go. https://youtu.be/winCHM9yuY4
I don’t listen to Be them, Hillsong or Jesus Culture songs anymore. They hold many false beliefs and have practices that are unbiblical and heretical in my opinion; truly they are hurting the Church at large. I am not interested in listening to or being spiritually drawn to any music that is in any way affiliated with those that follow such false prophets and heretical teachings. Music is a powerful spiritual force and though I used to really enjoy this music, I believe it encourages others without this insight to be subtly led astray and explore or be involved in Bethel Church’s false teachings(Hillsong, Jesus culture as well)
Now that I am aware of the root of these churches- Hillsong, Bethel….I will not be listening t their songs anymore.
Me either,..I feel like I’ve been lost lead astray..made a fool of,..we ALL definitely need to do research before listening to “ Christian music “ or leaders I see
I really surprised with this post!
How can music that is supposedly false or sung by ‘false prophets’ as this post claims move you to God so!
Personally, I have my spiritual signals for detecting things that are demonic. But when I listen to both Hillsong and bethel, I feel the presence of God and I weep which is one of the ways I have come to feel the intense presence of God. In any case,. I will pray and ask God for clarity and I know He will speak.
Thank you!
Remember brother, as I have also wondered the same and felt the same!! But these are feelings we have and feelings can not be trusted. Trust and hold only to the word of God! May HE bless and keep you!
As long I feel connected to the Holy Spirit through their music i will continue to listen.
Hi Hilary,
Now that you know the truth about the New Apostolic Reformation, you’ve expressed concerns about what to do with your content here in this post. May I humbly suggest in love that you keep the content up and consider re-writing your intro to clearly state that the NAR is a false teaching with very attractive music? And some of that music is doctrinally sound. However, we are to have nothing to do with false teachers except to expose them: Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” 1 Timothy 5:19-20 ” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.” Ephesians 5:11 “Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
FYI: I came here looking for a list of Bethel songs because they have begun to creep into my own church’s worship. That’s NOT a good sign. Roll up your sleeves, Girlfriend. There’s work to be done. <3
We should be careful to keep our hearts humble and rely upon God’s Spirit and Word for guidance not people. There have always been people accusing – even some accused Jesus of being demon possessed. Thanks for your post.
Absolutely! I totally agree with you!
A. W. Tozer once said that the second most important book of theology after the Bible was the hymn book. Where else do so many get their beliefs except through the worship hymns, psalms and spiritual songs? Heresy is easily accepted if we sing it and sinks deeply into our souls with it’s music to strengthen it’s hold on us.
We need to avoid any compromise with erroneous teachings and organizations including churches. Truth is important. Do your own research. False teachers are to be exposed and avoided like the plague. Supporting them by buying or playing their music seems unwise.
Thanks for your contribution to this discussion. May truth prevail.
I totally agree. Thanks for sharing your insight. I actually removed all their music and haven’t purchased any since. I just leave this up for others to see and discuss.
Jules replies:
Some eight years ago I listened to Bethel church sermons, read excerpts of leader’s books and had had reservations, perhaps believing there was something amiss with my understanding. Our church plays many of their music and in the last few months they have troubled me. Primarily because the focus is on us, what the Lord does for us, how He helps our feelings, not on the majesty, the greatness, and the holiness of our God. I have just heard a couple of podcasts explaining detailed information about what their beliefs truely are. It has come as a relief to confirm that what I was seeing and hearing was because something is distorted and deliberately misleading.
That’s so true. Their music is still so popular, I’m honestly shocked. I don’t listen to it anymore. It’s sad that it’s still so popular because you are right…it’s all about us. Not about God. I was pretty surprised when I learned more about their actual teachings as well.
Hello, It’s truely heartbreaking to hear all the negativity about people who are following the Lord where He is leading them. How can any judge another’s servant? God himself is the judge. Why are you looking for and at logs? What percentage of our own profits do we give away, let alone our first fruits. I used to be terrified of “the prosperity gospel” come to find 40 yrs later. I judged thousands of people who say Jesus is Lord by the poor decisions of a few, who will all like you and me stand before the judgement seat of God. His richest blessings on all who read this. Please listen with ears to hear…rediscover Bethel