Chris Tomlin Presents Worship Night in America
Popular CCM artist Chris Tomlin orchestrated an ecumenical/dominionist event on October 25, 2016 entitled “Worship Night in America.” The event had been previously recorded at Madison Square Garden and was then edited for theaters and non-theatrical venues. At Chris Tomlin’s website for the event people were encouraged to gather in churches, or rent movie theaters, to join in worship together across the country:
Popular CCM artist Chris Tomlin orchestrated an ecumenical/dominionist event on October 25, 2016 entitled “Worship Night in America.” The event had been previously recorded at Madison Square Garden and was then edited for theaters and non-theatrical venues. At Chris Tomlin’s website for the event people were encouraged to gather in churches, or rent movie theaters, to join in worship together across the country:
The following is a list of headline speakers and worship leaders for the event: Max Lucado, Louie Giglio, Matt Maher, Kim Walker Smith, Tasha Cobbs, and Phil Wickham.
At the following link (http://www.christomlin.com/faq) we see a list of questions and answers concerning this event. The most troublesome one is as follows and gives the reason why we can label this as an ecumenical event: Question: “What is Worship Night In America: An Evening of Unity and Prayer for our Country?” Answer: “Worship Night In America is a one-night event on Tuesday, October 25 that brings together people from all backgrounds and beliefs to unite around a single purpose: to pray for our country.” I would like to be able to give the creators of this website the benefit of the doubt and say the statement “from all backgrounds and BELIEFS to unite around a single purpose” was a typo, but considering that Matt Maher is a Catholic and Kim Walker-Smith is NAR/WOF, I have to believe the statement was intentional. Due to the inclusion of these musical artists, many who have similar beliefs surely attended this event. This is a major concern with any large prayer or worship event. True believers should not be in the audience (even via satellite) with Catholics or dominionists or those of any other faith. Such is a fruitless and idolatrous act. Catholics, and these others, are praying to a god of their own imagination. We know that Catholics pray to Mary and to saints; and in the NAR, while they mention God fairly often, they do so much decreeing and declaring, thinking their words have the power to cause things to happen, that they essentially exalt themselves and minimize God. Any group of people, as these do, who believe Jesus cannot or will not return until the Church has taken dominion by gaining control of the earth's governmental and social institutions doesn’t believe in the Word of God.
At this point someone might say, well how about if a true believer does the praying? You have still joined in an ecumenical event which God will not sanction. Many so-called believers are running fast and furious into a false unity which will lead to the one world religion. A huge problem we have today is that Catholics and others are being labeled as Christians, when they actually follow religions based on the traditions of men. In 1 Kings 18 where we read the story of Elijah and the false prophets of Baal, at which time Elijah calls down fire from heaven, he doesn’t act like they’re all serving the same God. He clearly says in verse 24 of that chapter: “Call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD.” True believers must remember the scriptures on remaining separate (1 Cor. 6:14-17, Rev. 18:4, etc.) even more these days as the enemy is pulling out all the stops to lay the groundwork for the one world religion.
From Chris Tomlin’s facebook post of October 26 at 6:11 pm (https://www.facebook.com/christomlin/videos/10154525629341070/)
we discover that people in over 450 locations participated in the event. “We’re just a couple weeks away from this election. I know a lot of people feel like, “where are we headed?” I just want to remind you the heart of this night and moving forward, our hope and our trust is in a Kingdom that is eternal. We’re praying for this nation saying, Lord, have mercy on us; Lord, heal our land.” In this statement we discover the Dominion Theology aspect. Many patriotic dominionists, in particular, apply 2 Chron. 7:14 to America from which the “heal our land” thought is taken. However, as so well stated in this article (http://www.thepropheticyears.com/wordpress/2-ch-714-if-my-people-read-the-context-there-would-be-less-presumption.html) “using 2 Ch 7:14 as many in America now do, does not even make logical sense. Do Christians have a land that needs to be healed? Last I heard Christians died with Christ and our home is in Heaven. Our land does not need to be healed. It would be more appropriate, but still wrong exegesis for Christians to apply 2 Ch 7:14 to the spiritual healing of the many backsliders in the Church. The problem in true Christianity is not the physical land our bodies occupy, and the problem in America is not the true Christians (My people).
I do not know how many times I have heard this passage used to imply that America was once a Christian nation and if the Church just did what 2 Ch 7:14 said, that God would restore America back to being a Christian nation. I have news. America was never a Christian nation. There were and are Christians in America, but there are no Christian nations on earth. It is also very misguided, if not sinful, to pray that God will heal our land when He is the very one that is cursing it because of the ongoing rebellion against Him. In the judgment of any nation perhaps some will repent and turn toward God. If that is the case with America, we do not want to be praying in opposition to God’s will.”
Now, to present some information concerning the headline speakers and worship leaders mentioned above:
Matt Maher is a Canadian Contemporary Christian music (CCM) artist, songwriter, and worship leader originally from Newfoundland, Canada, who later relocated to Tempe, Arizona. He is a practicing Catholic. He has written and produced seven solo albums to date. Three of his albums have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums Billboard and four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs chart. Maher was awarded Songwriter of the Year for an artist, at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards. A five-time Grammy nominee, he has garnered multiple radio successes writing and recording songs like “Lord, I Need You,” “Hold Us Together,” “Christ Is Risen,” “All The People Said Amen,” and “Your Grace Is Enough.” Maher has penned songs recorded by Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Third Day, Matt Redman, Hillsong, Passion, and Meredith Andrews, among others. In 2013, Maher performed on stage with Pope Francis in front of 3 million people at the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro:
At the following link (http://www.christomlin.com/faq) we see a list of questions and answers concerning this event. The most troublesome one is as follows and gives the reason why we can label this as an ecumenical event: Question: “What is Worship Night In America: An Evening of Unity and Prayer for our Country?” Answer: “Worship Night In America is a one-night event on Tuesday, October 25 that brings together people from all backgrounds and beliefs to unite around a single purpose: to pray for our country.” I would like to be able to give the creators of this website the benefit of the doubt and say the statement “from all backgrounds and BELIEFS to unite around a single purpose” was a typo, but considering that Matt Maher is a Catholic and Kim Walker-Smith is NAR/WOF, I have to believe the statement was intentional. Due to the inclusion of these musical artists, many who have similar beliefs surely attended this event. This is a major concern with any large prayer or worship event. True believers should not be in the audience (even via satellite) with Catholics or dominionists or those of any other faith. Such is a fruitless and idolatrous act. Catholics, and these others, are praying to a god of their own imagination. We know that Catholics pray to Mary and to saints; and in the NAR, while they mention God fairly often, they do so much decreeing and declaring, thinking their words have the power to cause things to happen, that they essentially exalt themselves and minimize God. Any group of people, as these do, who believe Jesus cannot or will not return until the Church has taken dominion by gaining control of the earth's governmental and social institutions doesn’t believe in the Word of God.
At this point someone might say, well how about if a true believer does the praying? You have still joined in an ecumenical event which God will not sanction. Many so-called believers are running fast and furious into a false unity which will lead to the one world religion. A huge problem we have today is that Catholics and others are being labeled as Christians, when they actually follow religions based on the traditions of men. In 1 Kings 18 where we read the story of Elijah and the false prophets of Baal, at which time Elijah calls down fire from heaven, he doesn’t act like they’re all serving the same God. He clearly says in verse 24 of that chapter: “Call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD.” True believers must remember the scriptures on remaining separate (1 Cor. 6:14-17, Rev. 18:4, etc.) even more these days as the enemy is pulling out all the stops to lay the groundwork for the one world religion.
From Chris Tomlin’s facebook post of October 26 at 6:11 pm (https://www.facebook.com/christomlin/videos/10154525629341070/)
we discover that people in over 450 locations participated in the event. “We’re just a couple weeks away from this election. I know a lot of people feel like, “where are we headed?” I just want to remind you the heart of this night and moving forward, our hope and our trust is in a Kingdom that is eternal. We’re praying for this nation saying, Lord, have mercy on us; Lord, heal our land.” In this statement we discover the Dominion Theology aspect. Many patriotic dominionists, in particular, apply 2 Chron. 7:14 to America from which the “heal our land” thought is taken. However, as so well stated in this article (http://www.thepropheticyears.com/wordpress/2-ch-714-if-my-people-read-the-context-there-would-be-less-presumption.html) “using 2 Ch 7:14 as many in America now do, does not even make logical sense. Do Christians have a land that needs to be healed? Last I heard Christians died with Christ and our home is in Heaven. Our land does not need to be healed. It would be more appropriate, but still wrong exegesis for Christians to apply 2 Ch 7:14 to the spiritual healing of the many backsliders in the Church. The problem in true Christianity is not the physical land our bodies occupy, and the problem in America is not the true Christians (My people).
I do not know how many times I have heard this passage used to imply that America was once a Christian nation and if the Church just did what 2 Ch 7:14 said, that God would restore America back to being a Christian nation. I have news. America was never a Christian nation. There were and are Christians in America, but there are no Christian nations on earth. It is also very misguided, if not sinful, to pray that God will heal our land when He is the very one that is cursing it because of the ongoing rebellion against Him. In the judgment of any nation perhaps some will repent and turn toward God. If that is the case with America, we do not want to be praying in opposition to God’s will.”
Now, to present some information concerning the headline speakers and worship leaders mentioned above:
Matt Maher is a Canadian Contemporary Christian music (CCM) artist, songwriter, and worship leader originally from Newfoundland, Canada, who later relocated to Tempe, Arizona. He is a practicing Catholic. He has written and produced seven solo albums to date. Three of his albums have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums Billboard and four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs chart. Maher was awarded Songwriter of the Year for an artist, at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards. A five-time Grammy nominee, he has garnered multiple radio successes writing and recording songs like “Lord, I Need You,” “Hold Us Together,” “Christ Is Risen,” “All The People Said Amen,” and “Your Grace Is Enough.” Maher has penned songs recorded by Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Third Day, Matt Redman, Hillsong, Passion, and Meredith Andrews, among others. In 2013, Maher performed on stage with Pope Francis in front of 3 million people at the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro:
Maher continues to perform and speak as a part of global high-profile events, including the World Meeting of Families in 2015, which marked Pope Francis’ first visit to the US. In December of 2015, he spoke and led worship at Mike Bickle’s IHOP OneThing event:
Additionally, he has recently been on tour with Casting Crowns and he performed at the ecumenical “Together 2016” event in July.
Kim Walker-Smith has quickly become one of the strongest voices in worship music. Walker-Smith is a passionate worship leader with an anointing to bring an entire generation into an encounter with God. Walker-Smith is one of the worship leaders for the Jesus Culture band and serves on the Jesus Culture Senior Leadership Team. She’s been with Jesus Culture since the beginning of the ministry.
These statements are part of a bio of Smith at one of Bethel Church’s websites: http://www.bethel.tv/speakers/show/12/kim-walker-smith
Walker-Smith completed the two-year program at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry and very likely due to the influence of the false teachings there concerning “trips” to heaven (http://bssm.net/academic-life/curriculum, see second year classes, inner development, encounters) she gave the following testimony regarding an “encounter” with Jesus:
Kim Walker-Smith has quickly become one of the strongest voices in worship music. Walker-Smith is a passionate worship leader with an anointing to bring an entire generation into an encounter with God. Walker-Smith is one of the worship leaders for the Jesus Culture band and serves on the Jesus Culture Senior Leadership Team. She’s been with Jesus Culture since the beginning of the ministry.
These statements are part of a bio of Smith at one of Bethel Church’s websites: http://www.bethel.tv/speakers/show/12/kim-walker-smith
Walker-Smith completed the two-year program at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry and very likely due to the influence of the false teachings there concerning “trips” to heaven (http://bssm.net/academic-life/curriculum, see second year classes, inner development, encounters) she gave the following testimony regarding an “encounter” with Jesus:
Beginning at the 27:24 mark, one will hear the following just for starters: “And all of the sudden—and let me just remind you again, okay? This is not a normal thing for me to just have these encounters, but I have one and I just live off of that until the next one (laughs). So, I had this encounter, all the sudden I see Jesus standing in front of me and He’s reaching for me like this (gestures)—like He wants me to come to Him. And, I was terrified. I—I felt like I couldn’t go to where He was. I felt—I felt ashamed, I felt scared, I felt like I didn’t deserve to be close to Him. I couldn’t even look Him in the face. And Jesus (laughs) is completely irresistible. I always say there are three things that are completely irresistible to me. One is, of course, Jesus. Number two is my husband. And number three is chocolate (laughs, audience laughs). Completely irresistible.
Anyways, (pause) so, irresistible, I go to Jesus, I fall in His arms. And as I’m laying in His arms, I’m still feeling kind of afraid to really even look at Him. All the sudden this thought comes into my mind, and I know this is not my thought. I would never, ever, ever in a million, trillion years think this; and I think, “I need to ask Him two questions.” I need to ask Him, “How much do You love me; and what were You thinking when You created me?” And as this thought comes into my mind, I’m thinking, “No way! I am not asking those questions.” As is overly obvious, this description of an “encounter” with Jesus has absolutely no Biblical precedent.
Phil Wickham is a CCM vocalist/songwriter and guitarist from California. Wickham has released six albums. He is the son of well-known worship leader John Wickham. From this website (http://transparentproductions.com/events/the-journey) we learn that Phil Wickham participated in an event known as “The Journey” on Sept. 18, 2016 along with Matt Maher. This event was held in the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California, formerly owned by Robert Schuller ministries. This property was purchased in 2012 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in Orange County, California, to be used as the diocese's new cathedral.
We can also see that Wickham performed at a Joyce Meyer conference on August 26, 2016 by viewing this link (http://www.eventsinusa.net/event-phil-wickham-joyce-meyer-conference-giant-center-in-hershey-pa-hershey-4790171).
Joyce Meyer preaches the heretical Word of Faith theology.
Matt Redman is a British CCM worship leader, singer, songwriter and author now based in Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom. He co-wrote the 2005 Dove Award-winning "Blessed Be Your Name" (Worship Song of the Year) and the Grammy Award nominated "Our God". The single of "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)", co-written with Jonas Myrin, reached #1 on the US Billboard Christian Songs chart. Matt Redman and LZ7, a Manchester-based Christian rap and dance group, released "Twenty Seven Million" on February 27, 2012, to raise awareness for the anti-human trafficking movement and in support of the A21 Campaign, founded by Christine Caine.
This video shows Matt Redman performing at a Hillsong Conference in 2014.
Anyways, (pause) so, irresistible, I go to Jesus, I fall in His arms. And as I’m laying in His arms, I’m still feeling kind of afraid to really even look at Him. All the sudden this thought comes into my mind, and I know this is not my thought. I would never, ever, ever in a million, trillion years think this; and I think, “I need to ask Him two questions.” I need to ask Him, “How much do You love me; and what were You thinking when You created me?” And as this thought comes into my mind, I’m thinking, “No way! I am not asking those questions.” As is overly obvious, this description of an “encounter” with Jesus has absolutely no Biblical precedent.
Phil Wickham is a CCM vocalist/songwriter and guitarist from California. Wickham has released six albums. He is the son of well-known worship leader John Wickham. From this website (http://transparentproductions.com/events/the-journey) we learn that Phil Wickham participated in an event known as “The Journey” on Sept. 18, 2016 along with Matt Maher. This event was held in the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California, formerly owned by Robert Schuller ministries. This property was purchased in 2012 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in Orange County, California, to be used as the diocese's new cathedral.
We can also see that Wickham performed at a Joyce Meyer conference on August 26, 2016 by viewing this link (http://www.eventsinusa.net/event-phil-wickham-joyce-meyer-conference-giant-center-in-hershey-pa-hershey-4790171).
Joyce Meyer preaches the heretical Word of Faith theology.
Matt Redman is a British CCM worship leader, singer, songwriter and author now based in Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom. He co-wrote the 2005 Dove Award-winning "Blessed Be Your Name" (Worship Song of the Year) and the Grammy Award nominated "Our God". The single of "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)", co-written with Jonas Myrin, reached #1 on the US Billboard Christian Songs chart. Matt Redman and LZ7, a Manchester-based Christian rap and dance group, released "Twenty Seven Million" on February 27, 2012, to raise awareness for the anti-human trafficking movement and in support of the A21 Campaign, founded by Christine Caine.
This video shows Matt Redman performing at a Hillsong Conference in 2014.
(http://268generation.com/passion2017/) we learn he will appear at Louie Giglio’s Passion Conference 2017 with Chris Tomlin, Christine Caine, John Piper, Hillsong United, Levi Lusko, Francis Chan, and Beth Moore.
And, below we see a clip of him performing for Joyce Meyer’s Conference Tour in 2012. Before he begins singing he says, “Breathe in the Father’s perfect love for you.”
And, below we see a clip of him performing for Joyce Meyer’s Conference Tour in 2012. Before he begins singing he says, “Breathe in the Father’s perfect love for you.”
Tasha Cobbs serves as one of the team pastors at dReam Center church in Atlanta according to her website (http://tashacobbs.org/about/). Most of her tenure at dReam Center has entailed leading worship weekly and managing the various entities of the Worship & Arts Department. She has received a Grammy Award, 3 Stellar Awards, and 3 Dove Awards. Cobbs continues to brand herself as a multifaceted game-changer as she blazes her own trail with her music career and ministry efforts. Of particular interest is the fact that in 2012 Cobb recorded the song, “Break Every Chain,” which landed as Billboard’s #1 song for a total of 12 weeks. This video shows her singing this song at TD Jakes’ “Woman Thou Art Loosed” event held in Atlanta, Georgia in 2012, which also featured Paula White:
Tasha Cobbs serves as one of the team pastors at dReam Center church in Atlanta according to her website (http://tashacobbs.org/about/). Most of her tenure at dReam Center has entailed leading worship weekly and managing the various entities of the Worship & Arts Department. She has received a Grammy Award, 3 Stellar Awards, and 3 Dove Awards. Cobbs continues to brand herself as a multifaceted game-changer as she blazes her own trail with her music career and ministry efforts. Of particular interest is the fact that in 2012 Cobb recorded the song, “Break Every Chain,” which landed as Billboard’s #1 song for a total of 12 weeks. This video shows her singing this song at TD Jakes’ “Woman Thou Art Loosed” event held in Atlanta, Georgia in 2012, which also featured Paula White:
One of the main lines in the song is, “There’s an army rising up…and this is what we came to do…break every chain.” The original lyrics do not include the phrase “and this is what we came to do”, but this is implied even so. Many may not realize it, but this is Dominion Theology phraseology.
Max Lucado participated in “The Gathering” (please scroll down to the blog dated 9-21) event.
Louie Giglio is the founder of Passion City Church in Atlanta and the Passion Conference. Giglio is a supporter of Jesus Culture, Beth Moore, Christine Caine, Carl Lentz, John Piper and Hillsong Church, among others. As reported in this article (http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/evangelizing-evangelicals-why-pope-francis-loves-to-meet-with-charismatic-movements-66914/) Giglio met with Pope Francis in July of 2015 at the Vatican. He also spoke at the ecumenical “Together 2016” held in July in Washington D.C. The following was Giglio’s statement on the promotional video for Worship Night in America, but the video has since been taken down from Chris Tomlin’s site since the event has passed: “We are standing even in this night on the Rock of Ages. If my people will humble themselves and pray (2 Chron. 7:14), that’s gonna trigger the avalanche of forgiveness and healing for the nation.”
Again, concerning the specific belief that 2 Chron. 7:14 may be applied to Christians living in America today we must realize and admit that the promise of this verse is based on the covenant between God and Israel; it is not based on God and any other nation or people. While the United States has definitely had a Christian influence, only the nation of Israel can be designated as God’s people. Christians are indeed God’s people, but not as a nation.
Additionally, these words were spoken to Solomon, the king of Israel, and God promised Solomon that when the land suffered from drought or pestilence, that if the people would humble themselves and pray, then God would hear those prayers and heal their land. The Lord specifically said that His eyes and ears would be attentive to the “prayer that is made in this place” (vs. 15), a reference to the temple in Jerusalem.
Also, verses 19 and 20 say this: “But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.” I believe if we’re going to apply verse 14 to America we would have to claim this part of the passage, too. And if we do claim this for ourselves, are we to believe that God is warning us that we could be uprooted from America and taken to a foreign land? It is interesting that no one warns us of this possibility. If a preacher wants to claim the beneficial part of praying and repenting, he should make the promise apply across the board, both positively and negatively.
According to 2 Tim. 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” So, we know we should read and study the Old Testament. However, not every promise in it applies to Christians today; many applied only to specific to individuals and incidents. We see this is true concerning 2 Chron. 7:14 when we study the verse in context. This was written for the Israelites in Solomon’s time who were under a different covenant than Christians are today. Christians cannot claim any part of this promise.
I think it is important to discuss Chris Tomlin and a couple of his songs and associations before concluding this blog. He has produced ten albums including fifteen No. 1 radio singles, netting a GRAMMY® Award and eight additional nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a platinum and four gold albums.
http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=3564
This video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-WOneEXr00) features Chris Tomlin at Louie Giglio’s Passion 2013 conference with featured speakers Beth Moore and Francis Chan. Musical artists included Matt Redman, Lecrae and Jesus Culture. Chan, Lecrae, and Jesus Culture all appeared at the ecumenical “Together 2016” event. Tomlin is performing his song, “God's Great Dance Floor.” This song does not mention Jesus, and only mentions God in the following line which is repeated several times: “I feel alive, I come alive, I am alive on God's great dance floor.”
Chris Tomlin’s song “Good, Good Father” won GMA Song of the Year and he performed it at the “Worship Night in America” event. Here is one stanza:
Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you’re pleased
And that I’m never alone
This terminology should be considered quite inappropriate. We are not to listen for “tender whispers of love in the dead of night” from God.
While I have no doubt that Chris Tomlin is sincere in his hope of encouraging Christians to pray and worship God, he is presenting a false teaching that encourages people to do so in hopes He will heal our land.
To re-emphasize, Christians are not to join with unbelievers in any spiritual enterprise–especially worship. We need to recognize the signs of the times and understand there is no promise of a revival in the last days, but rather a worsening of evil. But, this is necessary before the Lord returns. We can read, for example, about the condition of the world at the time of Noah and Lot and how this applies to the last days as well (Luke 17:26-30).