I was born again in 1983. After a tragedy in my family, a Christian couple led me to Jesus. I believed – truly believed what they told me about Him. I had been searching for the truth about Jesus for so many years. I repented of my sins (agreed with God that I was a sinner) and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sins. I was saved!
The Christian couple were part of a charismatic church and I began going to church with them. My family soon moved to another town and I wanted to find a church in our area. I had come right out of Judaism into Christianity and knew virtually nothing about denominations and different types of churches. But since I was saved in the charismatic church – that was the kind I looked for again.
I was reading my Bible every chance I got. I began to feel that perhaps the visions and words of knowledge and tongues every Sunday wasn’t really matching up with what I was reading in the Word. The worship was beautiful, but I kept getting the feeling that the church ran on high emotions. I mean, of course we get emotional about our love for Jesus, and that’s a good thing. But this was different. It was like everything was an emotional high – from the music and worship to the preaching and especially to the extra Biblical prophecies, visions, etc etc. I didn’t hear much of anything about sin.
Charles Stanley
I was flipping through stations on the TV one day, and I saw this man preaching. He preached right from the Word of God. He had such a calming effect on me, and I learned a lot in those early years from Charles Stanley. Looking back now, I believe that the Lord wanted me to watch Dr. Stanley. I began taking notes in my Bible. I began to grow in my walk with the Lord.
Andy Stanley
I remember seeing Andy preach his first sermon in his dad’s church. I could tell how proud Charles Stanley was of his son. But many things transpired as years went by – the divorce of Dr. Stanley and his wife…..friction between Charles and Andy.
Then I heard that Andy Stanley had his own church – North Point Church. A friend of mine asked me if I had watched Andy. I had not and for some reason, I didn’t have a desire to watch him. As time went on, I began to read some troubling things that were said about Andy Stanley and North Point Church.
I had always believed that the church should be a place where gays were welcomed into the service. I did not believe (and still feel this way) that we were not to make these people feel ‘comfortable’ in their lifestyle. Real love tells the truth. The truth is found in the Word of God, and it says in the Word that homosexuality is an abomination to God.
I read that Andy Stanley felt that gays could serve in various ways in his church. I disagreed with this, and I was disappointed that Andy had made this decision. I remember thinking that he would soon be on that slippery slope on which many preachers have found themselves. All it takes is to replace God’s Word with an opinion. That opinion might seem very loving and caring, but God’s Word tells us:
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 13:12).
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
What does Andy Stanley believe and teach?
Andy Stanley does NOT believe that all Scripture is inerrant and to be believed by all followers of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Instead, Stanley believes that it is time to get “away” from Scripture and only focus on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He does not believe in the story of Adam and Eve, or Noah and the Ark – or even that there was an Exodus of the Jews out of Egypt!! He laughs at those of us who believe in the young earth (Biblical). He says that the earth is millions of years old because Science has proved that!
He also blames teaching the Bible stories to our children as the reason that so many have fallen away from the faith after going to college!
“Do you find some of the Bible’s stories about God unsettling? Do you ever wonder how you can trust Jesus if it requires you to believe everything in the Bible is true? Does Christianity seem like a fragile house of cards that may tumble down in the face of scientific or archeological discovery?” (This was posted under the video)
“Andy Stanley has demonstrated the inevitable confusion that results from pragmatic compromise. In his efforts to please even the critics, he has undermined his own argument and his own professed faith. Andy Stanley does not believe that Adam and Eve were historical because the Bible says they were, but because Jesus, as recorded in the Bible, says they were historical figures. This does not make sense. Either the Bible is reliable as a source of trustworthy information or it is not. Yes, Jesus affirmed the historicity of Adam and Eve, but how does one know that He did? By reading it in the Bible.
The only true and authoritative record of the teachings of Jesus Christ, and of His life, death and resurrection, exists within the pages of Scripture. The only way to convey these truths, then, is to do so under the power and authority of the Word of God. One cannot toss aside Scriptural infallibility and authority, but then argue that something is true because Jesus said it is true, for it would not be known that Jesus said a thing at all if it was not recorded in Scripture.” -source
John Haller’s Prophecy Update speaks on Andy Stanley:
Apostasy Abounds
Brethren, the apostasy in the church is alarming and so sad. God gave us His Holy Word to keep us from straying from the truth. HE is the Truth! He never changes and His Word never changes. We must cling to Him and His Word!
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Oh Lord Jesus, we look for You to take us from this place. We want to be with You!
MARANATHA