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
The longer one remains out of the institutional church system the more can be discovered about the walls known as church and the doctrines of men. Most all of the “church” world also believes that Jesus is God. They believe in the doctrine of the trinity, they also believe that we are all born sinners. Most wrong we find being pointed out is being done from church people that are still following after the doctrines of men. Much like all the Jewish believers were following after the Pharisee’s, today they are still following after men. Hear of Israel there is one God, and He doesn’t make us bad, we chose that direction on our own. The Messiah said nothing that would indorse the hireling system the church has set up and perpetuates with thousands of denominations. Most wrongs we find in our internet travels are cases of the pots calling kettles black. They all have wrongs they want to continue to live in, and this is what God has been calling His people out of forever. Because Messiah has come, doesn’t mean the world want’s to follow him, they would much rather follow their own ways which we know leads to destruction.
The longer one remains out of the institutional church system the more can be discovered about the walls known as church and the doctrines of men doctrines made up by the Roman Cath Church during the DARK AGES Jesus is G-D, Jesus is G-D incarnate, G-D is not one , but three – the Trinity, and that Jesus raised himself from the dead to life, teachings you don’t find in scripture. Most wrong we find being pointed out is being done from church people that are still following after the doctrines of men. I believe in the doctrine that Jesus is the Son of G-D 1 John 5:5 thow that is not a requirement to be saved. John 6:28-29 is the requirement to be saved. It’s so simple! I hope my understanding of what you say is correct. I ONLY use my Bible for study right from the moment G-D opened scripture to me! Lets just say, I could not get enough. I guard what I have and learned from scripture as per Rev 3:11. Together in Christ Jesus our Mashiach, Hugo.
Ps. Forgive me quoting from your writing as it followed exactly in the dilemma I find myself in. I removed myself from my church that did the things that our beloved sister Geri wrote about. . . gold dust and feathers etc . . . .
The only thing I would add is that God truly IS One God, but He is Triune – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the synagogue we sang the Sh’ma: “Shama Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echod.” Here O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One! One day, my fellow Jews will understand the Three persons who make up the Trinity of our ONE GOD! What a blessed day that will be!!
Pouproll
Your understanding of what I said is exactly correct. The reformation did not reform all the man made doctrines out there. Many were dragged into the believers heart where they still remain to this day. You will find nothing in the scriptures that even hint or elude to a trinity or three gods dogma. Presupposition is require to twist scripture to support the trinity. Constantine along with Augustine and his false doctrines, have to this point in time lead many of Gods people to worship other gods. The Christ/Messiah that most worship as God incarnate is not the Christ/Messiah that came into the world to save God’s people from their sins. This explains the prophetic statement that Jesus/Messiah made “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”. It is lawless to worship a trinity when God has told His people to repeat when they rise up and when the lay down that there is one God. Yet despite many finding out the institutional church is wrong, they still want to follow the doctrines of men. The scripture, the Holy Spirit and a heart to serve the One God are actions that result in “well done my good and faithful servant”. (Exactly what God said to the one that is first born from among the dead)
Rich
Rich,
You are wrong. Our God is ONE God with 3 persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person equal to one another. Different roles but part of ONE GOD. The Triune GOD.
Are we not ONE person? But we have a body, soul and spirit. God tells us to pray in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. How could this being any more clear???
In Him,
Geri
Thank you. I though I stand alone in a world so corrupted by lies!! Shalom Maranatha!!
Geri
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLST2Y3MIb4DWVq_0p2P1QGF0WOwsulfK8
Above is a web resource that if listened to at 1.5 times can be gotten through rather quickly.
1Ti 3:16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.
Consider the following above scripture. The mystery of Godliness is that a man born to a women and other men that believe on Him can become godly. God is spirit not flesh so what was revealed in the flesh was the son of God. God does not need to be vindicated in the spirit, but His son was. God has been seen by angels yet not Messiah until his birth. God was already know and believed on by nations. God is already up in glory and didn’t need to be taken up there.
All demons that addressed Messiah called him the son of God not God, I’m sure they know the difference, it is only man’s confusion that keeps us from the truth. The roots which you come from know exactly who God is. He is one God, not three forms. We all have some of Gods attributes but we are not God. My children share some of my beliefs, DNA etc but they are not me, I am their father they can never be me. God is the father of Messiah who is God’s son not God. The Messiah never said He was God. Peter via the Holy Spirit knew Messiah was the son of God, not God. It is the men around the time of Constantine that came up with the mystery that has caused much confusion in those that want to follow in the footsteps of Messiah.
To avoid side tracking your posting you can e-mail me should you have further questions or statements. richkelleysbg@gmail.com
Rich
Rich followhimsite, I’m watching your video. Though he is talking about Jesus as the first of many brethren he is the only begotten and the brethren are adopted inheritors of eternal life. The problem I have with the “Jesus is God” crusaders is to me the word “God” means God the Father. “Jesus is Lord” could also be compared to Sarah calling Abraham “Lord” or Daniel and others calling kings “Lord”
I don’t like to blur distinctions the Bible makes. To me blurring the distinction taken to its final logical conclusion makes joint heirs whom Jesus prayed would be one with him as he is with the father also God. I don’t agree with it though the Mormons would use it that way in conjunction with the “Does not the scripture call them gods whom the word of God came to” and also it was the pharisees, not Jesus’s apostles who made an issue about Jesus claiming to being equal to God.
Another good point you make is making a separation to an exclusive trinity might be a backhanded denial that Jesus came in the flesh but I’m not so sure that believing in the trinity denies Jesus came in the flesh but it may diminish the importance — haven’t sussed it out yet.
I did once do a word study on all the OT scriptures people tried to use to say Jesus is God and was not so convinced when I saw how many different ways the same words were “translated” /interpreted.
However in part 2 when it talks about badly paraphrased translations to justify the trinity doctrine you used a badly translated paraphrased Deuteronomy 6:4. Your says “Hear of Israel the Lord our God is one Lord”. How do you get that out of Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohaneu Adonai echad? Hear oh Israel, The LORD Your God The Lord in one. Touché!
I have never heard such apostasy in my life! Andy Stanley is working for the Devil himself. Sadly itchy ears love him….
Robert
The sad part is that Mr. Stanley talks for about 38 minutes and the entire 38 minutes is not apostate. I remember a teacher once told me “Rich you have to eat the meat and spit out the bones”, today most everything has becoming very boney. It is easier to just avoid boney teaching because of the number of bones in these hybrid teachings. (a little of his thoughts a little of Gods) When you hear or see a “man of God” preaching you expect a Chicken breast, not the neck.
Rich
I personally find the teaching of Andy Stanley quite arrogant. I’m sorry to say this, but I’m just being honest. When he said that most of the stories of the Bible are just stories, not fact – I felt almost sick. Especially about my people coming out of their affliction in Egypt. We celebrated Passover all these years, and it’s a fable? No, Mr. Stanley – we need MORE of the Bible and less of hirelings like you.
At 75 years of age, after 21 years of ministry, I weep for those being misled by those not satisfied to be in Christ, and have Christ in them, who must “be in charge,” find new ways to “be religious” instead of simply doing what our Lord told us to do. So many who may not understand the good news of a Savior because so many are busy “being” instead of sharing. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:8-9 Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
Amen, brother Ed! AMEN
Reblogged this on Absolute Truth from the Word of God and commented:
Many Christians are following Andy Stanley. Please share this with friends and family who believe the false teachings of this man.
Let me say I hope you had a good Christmas I have listened to Charle Stanley but never Andy Stanley just like I don’t listen to Joel Osteen. Would you agree that I don’t watch or listen to Joel Osteen because God is protecting me from Joel’s false teachings?
Aloha Geri,
I hope you had a Blessed Christmas and Have a JESUS New Year!
That is so hard to imagine- Andy Stanley is Charles Stanley’s son?
That is like a night & day difference in teachings! I have seen Charles Stanley many times, and he is very good and Truthful with his Biblical teachings. To even think his son would be so apostate is very hard to believe, but he sure is WAY out there in the FALSE zone!
I love your blog posts,and your seeking & spreading of the TRUTH of the Bible and All of the Biblical Doctrines! [Acts 17:11]
There is so much false, lying apostate teachings out there, satan uses everything he can to get people to take their eyes off the Real True Jesus Christ!
Even some of your commentators on this post are so very wrong!!!
Please continue to stand fast on our Solid Rock of TRUTH- Jesus Christ and Him Crucified for our sins! He (Jesus] is the ONLY WAY! Acts 4:12, Matthew 7:13-14…
And my favorite verse- Romans 8:18
Praise & Worship Jesus Now and Forever, Sailor Dale!