Below are four collections of resources:
- Berean Test pages related to evaluating lyrics
- Websites that I frequent to create my Berean Test reviews.
- Websites that do similar work as The Berean Test.
- Other projects that are interesting.
- Websites useful to those interested in learning more about the blessings and potential dangers of artist theology.
Related Berean Test Pages for Evaluation
Evaluation Criteria – Summarizes the four sections in every Berean Test review alongside other considerations.
Process for Evaluating Lyrics – Step-by-step process used for Berean Test reviews.
Websites for Berean Test Reviews
Bible Hub – To compare Bible Verses across various translations, with access to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and Englishman’s Concordance via interlinear examination.
Open Bible – To find Bible Verses associated with a topic and cross-reference them with other Verses. Not all Verses apply to the topic in question, but it gives me more ideas than I had!
Bible Study Tools – Another website that contains ideas for Bible Verses by topic. Again, not everything applies.
Websites that Examine Christian Lyrics
Theology of Music Podcast – Run by former worship pastor Joel Arcieri, this podcast examines the good, and sometimes bad, in Christian music.
More Than a Song Podcast – Michelle Nezat is the sole operator of this inspiring podcast, where she expounds upon portions of song lyrics with Biblical context. Her podcast also includes Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (B.I.T.E.) that help us deep deeper into God’s inspired Word.
The Worship Review – Colin Elliott and Tyler Kniess co-host this podcast. Both are former worship leaders who examine critically, carefully, and (hopefully) charitably the songs we hear in church.
Interesting Projects
The Bible Song – Can you recall the lyrics to your top favorite songs? Of course you can! Created by J. David Newquist, The Bible Song taps into our natural tendency to recall song lyrics by penning Scripture to song. That’s right! Every chapter from Genesis to Revelation in singable format.
Websites to Examine Artist Theology
These articles, videos, and blog posts contain artist beliefs and balanced opinions on artist theology. Though outside the scope of Berean Test reviews, it is important to research potentially dangerous and unbiblical doctrine taught by artists. It is equally important to fact-check articles, videos, and blog posts that criticize artist teachings. This will help you make an informed decision on supporting/not supporting these artists, including song purchases, royalties, donations, and attending their services. I’ll continue to expand this list as time permits.
For those who care about church stances on LGBTQ+ and woman pastors, go to Church Clarity.
Amanda Lindsey Cook (AKA Amanda Falk and Falcon)
See Bethel Music.
Andrea Bocelli
- Q&A – Contains information on some of Bocelli’s beliefs.
Austin Stone Worship
- What We Believe – Contains Austin Stone Worship’s core beliefs.
- Theology of Worship – Austin Stone Worship’s thoughts on what worship is about.
Benjamin William Hastings
See Hillsong.
Bethel Music
- About – Contains Bethel’s core beliefs.
- The Beat – Provides a balanced overview of Hillsong, Elevation Worship, and Bethel Music released by former worship pastor Allen Parr. Allen Parr talks about the blessings and dangers that these artists provide. Keep in mind that not everything he says applies to all three groups.
- Reddit Post – A response to The Gospel Coalition’s hit piece on Bethel theology. I recommend reading both the original Gospel Coalition article and the Reddit post to see strong arguments for and against Bethel’s teaching.
Brandon Lake
See Bethel Music.
Breakthru Worship
- Statement of Faith – Contains Breakthru Life Church’s core beliefs.
- Kingdom Come Conference – Evidence that Breakthru Life Church endorses Bethel Church’s questionable NAR teaching.
- Firestarters Course – Another class offered by Bethel Church that teaches people to prophesy with their imagination using vague phrases and words that could apply to almost anyone (see Bethel’s original class offering).
Brian Johnson
See Bethel Music.
Brooke Ligertwood
See Hillsong.
Canyon Hills Worship
- What We Believe – Contains Canyon Hill Community Church’s core beliefs.
Chris Davenport
See Hillsong.
Church of the City
- Vision and Beliefs – Contains Church of the City’s core beliefs and vision.
Chris Renzema
- Core Beliefs – Contains a link to the beliefs of Ethos Church, where Renzema leads worship.
CityAlight
- What We Believe – Contains CityAlight’s core beliefs.
Community Music
- What We Believe – Contains Community Music’s core beliefs.
Cory Asbury
See Bethel Music.
Covenant Church
- Statement of Faith – Contains Covenant Church’s core beliefs.
Darlene Zschech
See Hillsong.
Darrell Evans
Currently serves as worship pastor of Open Bible Fellowship Church. See Open Bible Fellowship Church’s beliefs.
Elevation Worship
- Statement of Faith – Contains Elevation Worship’s core beliefs.
- The Beat – Provides a balanced overview of Hillsong, Elevation Worship, and Bethel Music released by former worship pastor Allen Parr. Allen Parr talks about the blessings and dangers that these artists provide. Keep in mind that not everything he says applies to all three groups.
- Got Questions – A balanced overview of Elevation Worship’s theology through the eyes of Steven Furtick, the founder of Elevation Worship.
Every Nation
- Statement of Faith – Contains Every Nation’s core beliefs. They adhere to the World Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith.
Fellowship Creative
- Statement of Faith – Contains Fellowship Creative’s core beliefs and defining values.
Futures Church
- Statement of Faith – Contains Futures Church’s core beliefs.
Geoff Bullock
See Hillsong.
Hillsong
- Statement of Faith – Contains Hillsong’s core beliefs.
- Hillsong’s vision statement – Provides information on the type of church Hillsong envisions.
- The Beat – Provides a balanced overview of Hillsong, Elevation Worship, and Bethel Music released by former worship pastor Allen Parr. Allen Parr talks about the blessings and dangers that these artists provide. Keep in mind that not everything he says applies to all three groups.
- Got Questions – A balanced overview of Hillsong’s theology with points not mentioned in Allen Parr’s video.
Israel & New Breed
See Lakewood Church.
Israel Houghton
See Lakewood Church.
Jesus Culture
- Statement of Faith – Contains Jesus Culture’s core beliefs.
- Got Questions – A balanced overview of Jesus Culture’s theology.
NOTE: Jesus Culture was originally a youth group part of Bethel Music, but broke off to become its own entity.
Jesus Image Church
- Statement of Faith – Contains Jesus Image Church’s core beliefs.
JPCC Worship
- Statement of Faith – Contains JPCC Worship’s core beliefs. Scroll down a bit to find it.
- Hillsong Family – JPCC Worship is a member of the Hillsong family. Keep in mind that just because JPCC Worship is associated with Hillsong does not mean they believe the same (see association fallacy).
Lakewood Church
- Statement of Faith – Contains Lakewood Church’s core beliefs.
- Got Questions – A balanced overview of Lakewood Church’s theology through the eyes of Joel Olsteen, the head pastor of Lakewood Church.
McKenna Hixson
- 13 Articles of Faith – Contains the core doctines of Mormonism.
- Got Questions Critique of Mormonsim – Self-explanatory.
- Mormon Beliefs About God – A Protestant perspective on Mormon doctrine.
North Point InsideOut
- Statement of Faith – Contains North Point Community Church’s core beliefs.
- Gospel Coalition Article – Critically examines some of the statements made by North Point’s senior pastor Andy Stanley.
- Answers in Genesis Article – Critically examines Andy Stanley’s sermon, stating that we must “unhitch” the Old Testament from our faith. It’s also worth checking out Andy Stanley’s reply to this controversial statement, which starts around the 8-minute mark.
Planetboom
See Planetshakers.
Planetshakers
- Statement of Faith – Contains Planetshakers Church’s core beliefs.
- Got Questions – A balanced overview of theology taught by the Planetshakers Movement.
- Sound In Worship – Another take on Planetshakers theology.
Red Rocks Worship
- Statement of Faith – Contains Red Rocks Church’s core beliefs.
River Valley Worship
- Mission, Values, and Beliefs – Contains River Valley Worship’s mission, values, and beliefs.
Stefan Green
See Hillsong.
Tauren Wells
See Lakewood Church.
The Belonging Co.
- Statement of Faith – Contains The Belonging Co’s core beliefs.
Vineyard Music
- Statement of Faith – Contains core beliefs of Vineyard Churches.
- Got Questions – An article that examines the Vineyard Movement.
- Chris Simmons article – A senior pastor of Brighton Vineyard offers a fair assessment of the Vineyard Movement.
Updates:
10/06/2023 – Added a new category for “Interesting Projects” and added The Bible Song as an entry.
01/21/2022 – Added link and description to Church Clarity website.