Brief Answer

Steven Furtick is the founder and lead pastor of Elevation Church, a megachurch based in Charlotte, North Carolina, known for its energetic worship and modern preaching style. While Furtick has a significant following, his teachings have been the subject of theological debate, with some praising his passion for reaching the unchurched and others raising concerns about his interpretation of Scripture and emphasis on self-empowerment.

Understanding Steven Furtick’s Teachings from a Biblical Perspective

Steven Furtick’s preaching often emphasizes God’s love, empowerment, and the believer’s potential to overcome challenges through faith.

• Focus on God’s Promises: Furtick frequently teaches about stepping into God’s promises and trusting in His faithfulness.
• Self-Empowerment: His messages often center around overcoming self-doubt and living boldly.
• Scriptural Motivation: Furtick frequently uses biblical stories to encourage listeners to embrace God’s plans for their lives.

Biblical Concerns:

• Interpretation of Scripture: Critics argue that some of Furtick’s teachings emphasize personal success and empowerment over the biblical call to humility, repentance, and surrender.
• Self-Focus vs. Christ-Focus: There is concern that certain sermons may shift the focus from God’s glory to individual achievement, rather than emphasizing our dependence on Christ (John 15:5).
• Prosperity Leanings: Some have noted that elements of Furtick’s teachings resemble prosperity gospel principles, which emphasize material blessing and victory without fully addressing the biblical teachings on suffering and sacrifice.

Historical Context

Steven Furtick founded Elevation Church in 2006 with a vision to reach those who were disconnected from church life. The church quickly grew and became known for its:

• Contemporary Worship: Elevation Worship, the church’s music ministry, has released popular worship songs such as “O Come to the Altar.”
• Dynamic Preaching: Furtick’s passionate preaching style appeals to a wide audience, particularly younger generations.
• Cultural Relevance: Elevation Church’s services and messages are designed to be highly accessible to people unfamiliar with traditional church settings.

Practical Implications of His Teachings

Furtick’s emphasis on trusting God and stepping out in faith can inspire believers to:

• Grow in Confidence: Many have found hope and encouragement through his sermons to trust that God can use them despite their weaknesses (Philippians 1:6).
• Pursue Personal Growth: His messages often remind listeners that transformation is part of the Christian life (2 Corinthians 5:17).

However, caution is needed to:

• Avoid Self-Centered Faith: A healthy faith journey keeps Christ, not self-achievement, at the center (Galatians 2:20).
• Balance Encouragement with Accountability: Biblical faith involves embracing both God’s promises and His call to obedience and repentance (James 1:22).

Theological Depth and Insight

Evaluating Steven Furtick’s teachings requires examining key theological principles:

• God’s Sovereignty: Biblical teaching emphasizes that God’s plans are ultimately about His glory, not human ambition (Isaiah 42:8).
• Human Weakness and God’s Strength: The apostle Paul teaches that God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). This contrasts with any messaging that suggests believers achieve spiritual success through self-effort.
• The Cross and Self-Denial: Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross daily (Luke 9:23). True empowerment comes from surrendering to Christ, not self-promotion.

Broader Biblical Themes

The concerns raised about some aspects of Furtick’s teachings relate to broader biblical themes:

• Sanctification: True spiritual growth involves both encouragement and the refining process of holiness (Hebrews 12:10-11).
• Prosperity vs. Perseverance: While God blesses His children, Scripture also teaches that trials develop perseverance and character (James 1:2-4).
• God’s Glory Above All: Biblical heroes like Joseph, Esther, and Paul lived for God’s glory, not personal fame (Genesis 50:20, Esther 4:14, Philippians 3:8).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in discerning sound teaching and guiding believers:

• Discernment: The Spirit helps believers test teachings against the truth of Scripture (1 John 4:1).
• Conviction and Growth: The Spirit convicts of sin, leading believers to repentance and deeper faith.
• Empowerment: True spiritual power comes from the Holy Spirit, who strengthens believers to live according to God’s will (Acts 1:8).

Relevance for Today’s Christian

For modern Christians navigating various teachings and trends, discernment is vital:

• Testing Teachings: Christians are called to test all teachings against the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• Balance of Grace and Truth: Encouraging messages should not compromise the call to repentance and surrender.
• Focus on Christ: A Christ-centered faith emphasizes humility, obedience, and the power of the gospel over self-promotion.

Connection to Jesus Christ and God’s Love

The foundation of any biblical teaching must be the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ’s death and resurrection remind us that true empowerment comes through grace, not self-effort. Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28—“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”—is a reminder that our strength comes from Him alone.

Bible Characters Relevant to the Discussion

• Moses: Moses initially felt unqualified, but God’s power was displayed through his obedience and humility (Exodus 3:11-12).
• Paul: Paul warned against boasting in anything other than Christ and emphasized God’s strength in his own weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• The Rich Young Ruler: Jesus challenged this man’s self-reliance, calling him to surrender everything and follow Him (Mark 10:21).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How do you discern whether a teaching aligns with the gospel of Christ?
2. Are there areas where you have relied more on self-empowerment than God’s grace?
3. How can you remain encouraged while also embracing the call to obedience and humility?
4. How does the Holy Spirit guide you in applying God’s truth to your life?
5. How can you encourage others to stay grounded in Scripture while navigating popular teachings?

While Steven Furtick’s teachings inspire many believers to live boldly for God, it is important to approach all teachings with discernment. Grounding our faith in Scripture and the work of Jesus Christ helps us remain centered on God’s truth, living humbly and boldly for His glory.