My wife and I recently watched ‘Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed’. Sad, is the best I have to describe it. It’s a four-part docuseries on how Hillsong Church rose to power. Add to this their tragic unraveling. Everything in between. Having some experience amongst larger ministries, I find myself relating to various degrees of crimes committed. It’s a hard one to watch. But for the priceless lessons available our learning, I believe it to be well worth the view.
Scattered through the episodes is speculation as to the “why” behind what Hillsong was doing. Namely, their aim to fill the globe with Hillsong churches, using a savvy business-type model per their execution. An answer ascribed is how ‘Kingdom Now’ cultures have a tendency toward global theocracy - thenceforth dominating the 7 mountains of influence: Family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government.
On the surface, it may seem as though the Church ought to be the now and rightful heirs of here said themes. The trouble, it seems, exists within the approach. Jesus calls us to be a light, a guide to the world. Instead, we’ve often acted as crooked cops, dictators if you will, policing people to do things our way - a means to maintain our level of status quo. My hand, I’ll admit, has been equally red.
I’ve witnessed a fair share of such activity in my 23 years of following Jesus. Fortunately for me, there have been a few voices who have aided in illuminating my thinking. “Jesus came to serve, not dominate”, stated one. “God instructed Adam to have dominion over plants and animals, not people” pled another.
A popular mantra amongst those Kingdom Now is a rallying cry for real on-fire believers to “take the Kingdom by force”. This of course comes from the passage in Matthew 11. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[d] and the violent take it by force. -ESV
Pausing for a moment. Were you to overhear me telling another, “I have to suffer (insert your name) coming over to my house tonight”, would you conclude I was happy about you? Much the opposite, am I right? What may we say then? Here is the approach I am proposing:
The Kingdom suffering violence = a negative experience for the Kingdom.
Q: Who is performing this violence?
A: The violent are.
Q: Very well. What are they doing that’s violent?
A: They are aiming to take the Kingdom by force. And because of this, the Kingdom suffers (not good).
Despite what we’ve been urged to believe, taking the Kingdom by force strikes the exact opposite of what Jesus is prescribing. His cry is for us to be as John the Baptist.
7…What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man[b] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?[c] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. -ESV
Paul, in his epistles, continually cautions the Churches against certain, flashy individuals who seek to win them over with style and charisma rather than a Christ-crucified persona. Jesus receives the keys of the Kingdom via laying His life down, not with world dominaton. It is violence which is done TO Him, not BY Him. “I die every day!” Paul inserts, long after his Master’s resurrection.
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. -ESV
What are we going out to see? Big-name celebrities? Have you noticed the number of those exposed in recent years/months? God grants this offer: Am I an accomplice to the violence, believing I’m doing something amazing, or aiming to go lower, becoming even greater than John? I for one have much work to do. How about you?
Good stuff!!!
I’ll be sharing it. Thanks Ken! Very worthwhile and I appreciate your effort to make this available. Blessings!