Andy Stanley
Andy Stanley was born May 16, 1958. His father is Dr. Charles F. Stanley, the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and founder of InTouch Ministries. Andy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, Browns Bridge Community Church, Gwinnett Church and Watermarke Church. He also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.
Andy received a Bachelor's degree of journalism from Georgia State University and later earned a Masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. After working for several years as Associate Pastor and Minister to Students at First Baptist Atlanta, he along with five other members founded North Point Community Church in 1995. The church has now grown to five campuses and over 24,000 attendees each week, making it the second largest church in the United States. [1] North Point Ministries has also helped plant 20 strategic partner churches[2]in the US and Canada. In 2006, he was voted the 13th most influential Christian in America.[3] In 2007 Andy Stanley’s North Point Community Church was voted the 3rd most influential church in America.[4] With this crowning achievement in the Stanley and 2010 during a survey of US pastors was found to be the 10th most influential living creature[5]
Some of Andy Stanley's other achievements include being the fourth speaker at the national prayer service in 2009.[6] In addition, Andy Stanley has been a frequent speaker at Willow Creek Association and the global leadership Summit which was founded by Bill Hybels in 1995.
While Andy Stanley's achievements and churches seem to be growing one must question and examine why this is the case. Is it because Andy Stanley preaches a solid biblical message, or is it that he is tickling itching ears? Often times in today's Christianity having a popular message is equated with having a biblical message, sadly this equation is not always and more times not true. We have seen that time and time again popularity does not automatically mean that a correct biblical exegetical message is being preached. Instead what is usually the case is that masses of ears are being tickled and Maslow's hierarchies of felt needs are being met.
A major indicator of the condition of Andy Stanley's preaching can be seen in an initial red flag with his association with Bill Hybels and the Willow Creek Association. For years the Willow Creek Association has been known for its march towards inclusiveness and ecumentalism of world religions, including its acceptance of sodomy. The question has to be raised; If Andy Stanley is a solid biblical teacher and preaches a solid biblical message, what is he doing associating with a heretical preacher such as Bill Hybels and a heretical organization like Willow Creek?
Andy Stanley's preaching may seem to the average everyday Sunday church attendee biblically sound. On the surface he seems to be preaching messages that are "relevant" and "useful”. The question is; what is the job of a preacher? Is it to be "relevant" and preach a "useful" sermon?
Men like Andy Stanley will change the Word of God to fit their agendas so they can find favor with men, instead of finding favor with God. Andy Stanley's preaching is more tailored to fitting Maslow's hierarchy of felt needs than what man really needs. What man really needs is a clear definition of what sin is and what biblical repentance from that sin looks like in the eyes of God. This sadly is not found in Andy Stanley's preaching; Stanley does not refer to sin by the name of sin but instead refers to it as "flaws". This downgrading of the use of the word sin shows a true lack of respect and the importance of the nature of sin in the eyes of God. In Stanley's sermon from July 9, 2006 entitled "The Final Round" Stanley states the following;
"God I'm willing to accept the goal of reconciliation. God if you'll show me how, I'll do everything 'IN MY POWER' to create a safe, relational environment."
As we see from Stanley's own words in his sermon he places little emphasis on biblical repentance or the idea of what the nature of sin is in the eyes of God. Instead we see that "reconciliation" is done through what "you can do". There is no mention of what Jesus Christ has done through the work of his atonement on the cross. This is a very disturbing and foretelling sign of what Andy Stanley truly believes about the condition of the state of man. From this quote we can see that Stanley believes that it is up to the individual and "his power" to create a safe relational environment. What is a “safe relational environment”? This statement is use a lot in New Age Mysticism. Why is Stanley using it here? One has to question from Stanley’s quotes does he fully understand the sovereignty of God? Does Stanley understand that we can’t do anything to be saved and that it is not in OUR POWER to save ourselves?
One would have to ask if a pastor does not understand these very simple biblical principals what is he doing up in the pulpit? The answer to this question is Stanley know exactly what he is doing here. What we have here is a pallor trick of sorts, Stanley is questioning the very foundations and biblical teachings and than trying to redefine them in a new emergent way. He is doing so by changing the terms of what sin is and how God looks at sin. By redefining what sin is and how God looks at sin Stanley is able to elevate man over God. This is technique is use a lot today in the Emergent Church movement and is out right heresy.
Again we can see another concern about Stanley and his hidden message behind his preaching from another segment in his sermon from July 9, 2006 entitled; "The Final Round".
Stanley says the following; "God softened His heart in order to get through to us, so we must do the same with our own disobedient children. However, the only way to do this is to be reconciled to them, regardless of what kind of sin they are presently living in".
This statement by Stanley should be alarming at the very least to any well grounded biblical Christian. In this statement we can see that Stanley obviously lacks a biblical understanding of nature of God and what Christology is.
First off, God does not need to "soften his heart in order to get through to us." This statement is borderline blasphemous because it makes God out not to be omniscience but instead turns him into a god that has to learn instead of knowing all. Again Stanley is attempting to redefine the nature of God and who God is.
A second problem with this statement is Stanley's lack of defined of what "reconciling" is, or how it's done. There is no mention of Christ or His atoning work that was done on the Cross. Furthermore there is no mention for the need of the Savior, again we are faced with what "we can do" to please God. The Bible is very clear in Romans 3; 10 – 13 that there is nothing and no one can do anything to seek or please God without Christ. What Stanley has done here is furthermore taken the power away for the need of a savior and instead put the focus on man being able to save himself.
As stated earlier Andy Stanley's preaching while on the surface seems to meet a loose definition of preaching it does not meet a biblical definition of exegetical or salvific preaching. Stanley's preaching seems to be more focused on adhering to the felt and temporal needs of man instead of the eternal needs for salvation. Stanley preaches a very dangerous and deceptive message of man theology with grave eternal consequences. It could be even said that Stanley is preaching a different gospel not the one of the bible but instead the one found in the Emergent Church movement. This gospel saves no one and sends all of it’s followers to hell.
Stanley's preaching is not the only concerning factor within his ministry. Earlier in 2012 Stanley came just short of confirming sodomy as acceptable in his church. Stanley and his church, North Point, became the center of controversy when he allowed two men who were married to their wives and engaged in relationship of sodomy with each other to participate in leadership roles within the church. (Full details about this story can be found on Pirate Christian Radio.) This should be no big surprise considering Stanley's association with Willow Creek and their lax views on sodomy and they're all right push towards the infiltration of sodomy within biblical Christianity. This dangerous slide towards the acceptance of sodomy pushes Andy Stanley near to the category of a heretical false teacher.
While Andy Stanley's messages and churches may meet the needs of itching ears that need to be scratched his messages and theology are far from biblical standards. Stanley may be a very charismatic, energetic and entertaining preacher but sadly he is far from anything of a biblical preacher.
[1] The 2010 Outreach 100 Listings of America's Largest and Fastest-Growing Churches" . Outreach Magazine / LifeWay Research. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
[2] North Point Ministries Strategic Partner Churches
[3] ChurchReport.com's top 50 most influential Christians in America
[4] ChurchReport.com's top 50 most influential churches in America
[5] Hauss, Kimberlee (February 4, 2010). "Graham tops list of most influential preachers" . Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
[6] ^ USA Today Godcasting
Andy received a Bachelor's degree of journalism from Georgia State University and later earned a Masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. After working for several years as Associate Pastor and Minister to Students at First Baptist Atlanta, he along with five other members founded North Point Community Church in 1995. The church has now grown to five campuses and over 24,000 attendees each week, making it the second largest church in the United States. [1] North Point Ministries has also helped plant 20 strategic partner churches[2]in the US and Canada. In 2006, he was voted the 13th most influential Christian in America.[3] In 2007 Andy Stanley’s North Point Community Church was voted the 3rd most influential church in America.[4] With this crowning achievement in the Stanley and 2010 during a survey of US pastors was found to be the 10th most influential living creature[5]
Some of Andy Stanley's other achievements include being the fourth speaker at the national prayer service in 2009.[6] In addition, Andy Stanley has been a frequent speaker at Willow Creek Association and the global leadership Summit which was founded by Bill Hybels in 1995.
While Andy Stanley's achievements and churches seem to be growing one must question and examine why this is the case. Is it because Andy Stanley preaches a solid biblical message, or is it that he is tickling itching ears? Often times in today's Christianity having a popular message is equated with having a biblical message, sadly this equation is not always and more times not true. We have seen that time and time again popularity does not automatically mean that a correct biblical exegetical message is being preached. Instead what is usually the case is that masses of ears are being tickled and Maslow's hierarchies of felt needs are being met.
A major indicator of the condition of Andy Stanley's preaching can be seen in an initial red flag with his association with Bill Hybels and the Willow Creek Association. For years the Willow Creek Association has been known for its march towards inclusiveness and ecumentalism of world religions, including its acceptance of sodomy. The question has to be raised; If Andy Stanley is a solid biblical teacher and preaches a solid biblical message, what is he doing associating with a heretical preacher such as Bill Hybels and a heretical organization like Willow Creek?
Andy Stanley's preaching may seem to the average everyday Sunday church attendee biblically sound. On the surface he seems to be preaching messages that are "relevant" and "useful”. The question is; what is the job of a preacher? Is it to be "relevant" and preach a "useful" sermon?
Men like Andy Stanley will change the Word of God to fit their agendas so they can find favor with men, instead of finding favor with God. Andy Stanley's preaching is more tailored to fitting Maslow's hierarchy of felt needs than what man really needs. What man really needs is a clear definition of what sin is and what biblical repentance from that sin looks like in the eyes of God. This sadly is not found in Andy Stanley's preaching; Stanley does not refer to sin by the name of sin but instead refers to it as "flaws". This downgrading of the use of the word sin shows a true lack of respect and the importance of the nature of sin in the eyes of God. In Stanley's sermon from July 9, 2006 entitled "The Final Round" Stanley states the following;
"God I'm willing to accept the goal of reconciliation. God if you'll show me how, I'll do everything 'IN MY POWER' to create a safe, relational environment."
As we see from Stanley's own words in his sermon he places little emphasis on biblical repentance or the idea of what the nature of sin is in the eyes of God. Instead we see that "reconciliation" is done through what "you can do". There is no mention of what Jesus Christ has done through the work of his atonement on the cross. This is a very disturbing and foretelling sign of what Andy Stanley truly believes about the condition of the state of man. From this quote we can see that Stanley believes that it is up to the individual and "his power" to create a safe relational environment. What is a “safe relational environment”? This statement is use a lot in New Age Mysticism. Why is Stanley using it here? One has to question from Stanley’s quotes does he fully understand the sovereignty of God? Does Stanley understand that we can’t do anything to be saved and that it is not in OUR POWER to save ourselves?
One would have to ask if a pastor does not understand these very simple biblical principals what is he doing up in the pulpit? The answer to this question is Stanley know exactly what he is doing here. What we have here is a pallor trick of sorts, Stanley is questioning the very foundations and biblical teachings and than trying to redefine them in a new emergent way. He is doing so by changing the terms of what sin is and how God looks at sin. By redefining what sin is and how God looks at sin Stanley is able to elevate man over God. This is technique is use a lot today in the Emergent Church movement and is out right heresy.
Again we can see another concern about Stanley and his hidden message behind his preaching from another segment in his sermon from July 9, 2006 entitled; "The Final Round".
Stanley says the following; "God softened His heart in order to get through to us, so we must do the same with our own disobedient children. However, the only way to do this is to be reconciled to them, regardless of what kind of sin they are presently living in".
This statement by Stanley should be alarming at the very least to any well grounded biblical Christian. In this statement we can see that Stanley obviously lacks a biblical understanding of nature of God and what Christology is.
First off, God does not need to "soften his heart in order to get through to us." This statement is borderline blasphemous because it makes God out not to be omniscience but instead turns him into a god that has to learn instead of knowing all. Again Stanley is attempting to redefine the nature of God and who God is.
A second problem with this statement is Stanley's lack of defined of what "reconciling" is, or how it's done. There is no mention of Christ or His atoning work that was done on the Cross. Furthermore there is no mention for the need of the Savior, again we are faced with what "we can do" to please God. The Bible is very clear in Romans 3; 10 – 13 that there is nothing and no one can do anything to seek or please God without Christ. What Stanley has done here is furthermore taken the power away for the need of a savior and instead put the focus on man being able to save himself.
As stated earlier Andy Stanley's preaching while on the surface seems to meet a loose definition of preaching it does not meet a biblical definition of exegetical or salvific preaching. Stanley's preaching seems to be more focused on adhering to the felt and temporal needs of man instead of the eternal needs for salvation. Stanley preaches a very dangerous and deceptive message of man theology with grave eternal consequences. It could be even said that Stanley is preaching a different gospel not the one of the bible but instead the one found in the Emergent Church movement. This gospel saves no one and sends all of it’s followers to hell.
Stanley's preaching is not the only concerning factor within his ministry. Earlier in 2012 Stanley came just short of confirming sodomy as acceptable in his church. Stanley and his church, North Point, became the center of controversy when he allowed two men who were married to their wives and engaged in relationship of sodomy with each other to participate in leadership roles within the church. (Full details about this story can be found on Pirate Christian Radio.) This should be no big surprise considering Stanley's association with Willow Creek and their lax views on sodomy and they're all right push towards the infiltration of sodomy within biblical Christianity. This dangerous slide towards the acceptance of sodomy pushes Andy Stanley near to the category of a heretical false teacher.
While Andy Stanley's messages and churches may meet the needs of itching ears that need to be scratched his messages and theology are far from biblical standards. Stanley may be a very charismatic, energetic and entertaining preacher but sadly he is far from anything of a biblical preacher.
[1] The 2010 Outreach 100 Listings of America's Largest and Fastest-Growing Churches" . Outreach Magazine / LifeWay Research. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
[2] North Point Ministries Strategic Partner Churches
[3] ChurchReport.com's top 50 most influential Christians in America
[4] ChurchReport.com's top 50 most influential churches in America
[5] Hauss, Kimberlee (February 4, 2010). "Graham tops list of most influential preachers" . Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
[6] ^ USA Today Godcasting
