I have always loved Charles Stanley.
I have written in other articles how Dr. Stanley provided spiritual nourishment to me as a young Christian. I was not being fed at churches I was attending in those early years. Watching Dr. Stanley’s sermons on TV provided me with sound teaching from the Word.
Andy Stanley
Dr. Stanley has gone through very difficult years since his wife divorced him. For a while there was much tension between Charles and his son Andy. At times, the tension would be better described as heated anger and even rage.
When Dr. Stanley’s wife, Anna, proceeded with the divorce, Andy told his father to send in a letter of resignation and then to leave it to the congregation as to whether they wanted him to remain. Charles would not do it.
There were years of anger and frustration between Dr. Stanley and his son Andy. Eventually, the two reconciled their relationship, but by this time Andy was head pastor of Northpoint Community Church – a Mega Church.
Funny thing about “Mega churches” – most of them have watered down the Word of God and some begin preaching outright heresy. These churches make their congregations “comfortable.” Think Rick Warren, Joel Osteen and the late Robert Schuller.
The Errant teachings of Andy Stanley
Born again believers with spiritual discernment cannot miss the errant and sometimes shocking teachings of Andy Stanley. I’ve written two articles about him:
The Apostate Teachings of Andy Stanley
Andy Stanley: “The Virgin Birth is of No Importance”
I wrote to Dr. Stanley
One day, a couple of weeks ago, I felt I needed to write an email to Dr. Stanley’s ministry. I actually asked if it would be possible to speak with Charles Stanley. I did not delude myself with high hopes of speaking voice to voice with him.
I first received a generic type response, saying that Dr. Stanley’s schedule would not allow him the time to speak with people on the phone.
I responded to that email by asking if Dr. Stanley speaks with his son Andy about some of his errant teachings. I included my articles about Northpoint Community church and Andy Stanley.
I want to share their response to me here:
“Dear Geri,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and questions with us. It is a privilege to correspond with you.
Please understand Dr. Stanley does not critique other pastors, churches, or ministries; this includes his own son, Reverend Andy Stanley, pastor of Northpoint Community Church. You asked if Dr. Stanley has disallowed his son from preaching at First Baptist Atlanta. We are not aware of any such ban, as Reverend Andy Stanley does occasionally join Dr. Stanley in taping special birthday or holiday messages. (Emphasis added)
We hope this answer, though brief, has been helpful. Thank you again for contacting us. May the very best of God’s blessings be yours.”
The Words of Jesus about families:
“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law” (Luke 12:51-53).
Now granted, this passage of Scripture is mostly speaking about believers and unbelievers in a household being against one another. I am NOT judging Andy Stanley’s salvation. God knows his heart. But more importantly, I want the reader to see what the Word says about false teachers:
“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:28-30).
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18).
We are to avoid those teaching false doctrine
And here is the very reason for which I write this piece. I fully understand the love that Dr. Stanley has for his son, Andy. But when the love we have for our family blinds us to the truth of God’s Word – that is a big problem.
Watchmen on the Wall
Andy Stanley is teaching such things as:
- The Old Testament is irrelevant
- The Virgin Birth is of no importance
- We must stop teaching the “fables” of the OT to our children
- Not all of Scripture is infallible
The slippery slope syndrome is in full swing at Northpoint Community church. What heresy will Andy Stanley come up with next? I cringe when I read about this man, wondering if one day he will say that all roads lead to God. Isn’t Charles Stanley called to be a Watchman on the wall?
As I said in the beginning of this article, I love Dr. Charles Stanley. I know that most Christians with whom I speak feel the same.
We much PRAY for both Charles and his Son Andy. And I mean REALLY pray – daily. Pray that God would open the eyes of Andy Stanley to the truth of the ENTIRE Word of God.
PRAY for Charles Stanley to put aside his emotional attachment for Andy and to love him enough to tell him TRUTH.
I know about losing family members. As a Jewish believer in Christ, I have lost so many.
Shalom b’Yeshua
MARANATHA