The Truth about Brandon Lake & the Glowing Bull

https://youtu.be/pP4zn7ouBnM

Video: The Truth about Brandon Lake and the Glowing Bull

At a recent Brandon Lake worship concert, a massive image of a glowing bull in gold and red was displayed behind the stage twice, during two songs. When I searched for info about this, several articles came up, including one on Yahoo and one on MSN, along with a few Facebook posts. Within two hours, the articles are “no longer available.” The AI summary on Google stopped giving information about the incident after three hours.

Days later, Google has now confirmed that there was a “glowing bull” but still doesn’t have any links to articles or news about it. The only article that remains is a very gentle one, declaring that “millions are waiting for Brandon’s response. I think we have it. Either his ‘media’ people are cleaning the internet of everything they can concerning the bull, or another force is assisting in the cover-up.

Some comments on the only remaining Facebook post claim that Brandon said there would be video effects that were rather rushed, so it is assumed that the glowing bull was an intentional “video effect.” A flashing red X came over the screen after that image, and reportedly, from a couple of online comments, there was a picture of Jesus, yet I have not seen those captured in a video. YouTube videos show the subdued crowd, the loss of worship.

It seems the special effects backfired. Is God saying something to His people?

First, let’s look at the crowd’s reaction to this sight. According to the article “BREAKING NEWS: A Mysterioυs ‘Glowiпg Bυll’ at Braпdoп Lake’s Coпcert Leaves Worship Commυпity iп Shock — Faпs Beg for Aпswers” by an anonymous author, the hands of the many worshippers lowered, and singing ceased. The responses have been like this:

“I love Brandon, but this caught me off guard.”

“It didn’t feel like worship, aпd I just waпt to understaпd the meaпiпg.”

“I’m not judging — I’m genuinely confused.”

It is rather ironic. Brandon was trying to use man-made effects to stir up worship instead of leaning on the Holy Spirit and God. To worship God he was literally displaying an idol, a picture of a golden calf, where people gathered to worship God. Yes, the song is about giving up idols, but our focus should be on God, not on an idol. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to use imagery to worship God. It says this:

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV)

Worshipping God is about acknowledging the truth of who He is as we worship Him.

Brandon’s people were quoted as saying something to the effect of, “He is attempting to bring worship up to normal concert standards.” This is the opposite of what we should be doing. The church is called to be “holy” unto God. That word means to be set apart from the world and its way of doing things.

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (1 Corinthians 1:33 ESV)

The crowd's reaction reveals the dampening of the Holy Spirit as the world was brought into the worship of God. As a minister of God for many years, I know that no one is perfect. Any one of us can “miss” what God is saying and go in our own strength at any time. The definition of “sin” is to “miss the mark,” so technically, when a Christian leader or worship leader misses what God is saying and goes contrary to that, they have “sinned.” What we do when this happens reveals so much about where we are with God.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV)

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5:16 ESV)

When we miss the mark, it is good to confess that openly. There is only one perfect person, and He had to die for our sins because we cannot be perfect. David, the first big worshiper, wrote psalms about his failures and God’s goodness to forgive him. That is the heart of a true worshiper. Here is what Solomon, the wisest man, said about sin:

He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13 ESV)

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 ESV)

The cover-up concerning the glowing bull is the real issue. When we cover up sin we are operating in pride, which is the opposite of being humble. Jesus was humble when He walked on the Earth, and we should strive to be like Him. I sincerely hope that Brandon will release a statement regarding the glowing bull and that he ceases to cover the misstep. Google has finally begun to report that Brandon gave a “mini” sermon in the middle of the concert, but all the links refer to the Halelula Jelli Roll song, a different misunderstanding earlier this year. Two misunderstood efforts in one year… yes… it is time to get back to the heart of worship and the only way to do that is with humble repentance!

This event happened in Boise, Idaho, my hometown. From here, God’s word concerning worship has gone forth since 2022. The Lord brought a prophecy that was fulfilled concerning worship, so I am not surprised by the use of a glowing bull, nor am I surprised that it fell flat. I will leave the link to the prophecy and how it was fulfilled in the description.

One thing is certain: God’s people want His anointing, not special effects. Worshiping God isn’t about being entertained. It’s about expressing our love, adoration, and gratitude to our Father who is in Heaven. Let’s settle for nothing less!

We do need to remove idolatry from worship. To do this, we need to remove worship from the world’s system. I hope you will take a look at that prophecy, the word directly from God to His people, because the way this incident was handled shows a need to have genuine worship and worship leaders who are humble and transparent like David!