I’ve written a number of articles on Bethel Church and its various associated artists under the Bethel Collective umbrella. Bethel Church in Redding, California, is pastored and co-pastored by Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton, respectively, who believe themselves to be prophets and Apostles of God. Bethel is well-known for its debunked “manifestations” of the Holy Spirit, including its infamous spectacle known as “glory clouds.” The “glory cloud” spectacle has been thoroughly debunked and its various other acts of blasphemy, like grave sucking, have been shown to be contra-biblical and heterodox.

As we’ve explained before, Bethel Redding is essentially a cult that revolves around the visions of its two main “Apostles” while minimizing the truth of Scripture. Its livelihood depends on the fantastic tales relayed by its pastors as “revelations” from God coupled with the “experience” of worship through its deep emotionally-stimulating music.

But it isn’t just their music and their doctrine that demonstrates that these circus clowns should be avoided like the plague, these people exist for the sole purpose of glorifying their movement and drawing attention to themselves—to make a statement, not to worship and glorify God. These people worship themselves and the world around them.

What purpose would a Christian have in falling for the world? The Scriptures tell us exactly why. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” When professing Christians place their own standing before the world above God’s glory, idolatry ensues.

That’s exactly what Cory Asbury, a popular member of the Bethel Collective does. He exists not to point people to Christ, but to pretend his movement is Christian only to draw the attention of Christians to whatever statement he is making at the time. And this time, it’s painting his fingernails girly colors and showing them off.

In a recent post on Instagram, Asbury explained, “I have three daughters. It’s one of their favorite things to do, paint daddy’s nails. They love it. They think it’s amazing. They think it’s incredible. And you know, the funny thing is, is a segue into number two, they have never once thought to themselves, it’s weird that daddy paints his nails.”

As a man with three daughters myself, I certainly understand the temptation to appease them at times. But one thing my daughters understand is that their father is a man, and men don’t wear dresses, carry purses, or paint their fingernails, especially pink and blue, because men are men.

But he explains further, “Because that is a societal construct. That is a social norm that we have accepted that men don’t paint their nails. That is cultural. It has zero to do with the Bible, Jesus, Christianity, moral code, at all it just in general.”

“Jesus could care less what color your frickin’ nails are,” Asbury continued. “Because the truth is, as he says, about King David in the Old Testament, I’m not concerned with the outward appearance. Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. And my heart’s definitely painted.”

The outward appearance is in reference to nobility, wealth, and stature—not circus clowns pretending to be Christians while tearing down societal and cultural norms. Love how he twists Scripture though, goes right along with most of his music. The fact is, he just looks like a clown and his music is blasphemous and Christians need to avoid him, his entire movement at Bethel, and his terrible theology at all costs.