In April of this year, Andy Stanley taught a three-part message entitled, Aftermath in which he makes the case that given the accessibility of the internet as well as the growing antagonism toward religion; the church should do what the early church did – base our faith on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and not the entirety of the Bible given that some parts of the Bible are “indefensible.” While there were many helpful things taught in the series, there were a number of startling statements as well as a general posturing of what the early church believed that were simply not factually accurate.
To be sure, many people questioned some key points of Andy’s teaching and he responded via the May 15 issue of Relevant magazine:
“None of the academic types who have criticized my preaching have ever reached out to me before posting their critiques. When John Piper was concerned about something I said a year ago or so, he reached out to me and let me read his critique before he published it. It was fair, and I told him so. I insisted he let his readers know he reached out to me ahead of time and I linked folks to his article. So I’m not opposed to healthy dialogue around ideas.”
In the July 5 issue of Relevant Andy said:
All that to say, there are some folks who did not understand the point I was making. And for those who follow me on Twitter and who asked for clarification, I gave it. Over and over. Which I actually enjoy. I tell leaders all the time: Be a student, not a critic. Be curious.
Andy went on to say:
We have far more in common than not. Help me. Email me your concerns. Call me. Follow me on Twitter and direct message me. I certainly don’t want to mislead anyone. My ministry mission is to do exactly what James declared in Acts 15 when he said, “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”
“To my critics I would say, let’s come together so we can do more. The faith of the next generation depends upon it. We are stewards of the Church for our generation. Let’s get it right. And let’s honor Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and get it right, together.”
In response to Andy’s request to contact him with concerns, I reached out to him on June 7 via the Northpoint website. After a series of emails with a communications assistant and then Andy’s personal assistant, I was asked to submit my questions. I did. However, I did not receive a response to my questions. I was eventually told (July 17th) that I would need to wait for Andy’s reply via the release of his upcoming book: Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World.
Given that my attempts to get clarification from Andy have been exhausted and I continue to receive questions from members in our church as well as their friends who attend Northpoint Church, I am posting this open letter. I am hoping that this letter will both clarify the issues involved for those who heard this teaching series as well as foster healthy dialogue among people in the church so that we might all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Hi Dan,
We are not members of your church, but we attend another local church right now. However, I noticed your letter to Andy and agree with your questions. My husband and I have had similar concerns. My question is how do we handle this, our concerns, differences (that might be too light of a word concerning the impact of the subject matter on Christianity and the church at large) with friends who attend, even pastor one of the satellite churches? We are very concerned, to say the least, but how do we handle it? I love these people. We’ve have a friendship for decades. But, they agree with Andy. We have concerns. I was a part of a church growing up where if someone didn’t agree with how you thought or believed, you ex-communicated them. Yes, very bad. It was actually quite awful as a child to not be able to speak to your friends anymore because they disagreed with your father, the Pastor. I would so appreciate your insight into this. How do you navigate friendships when you disagree on some seriously fundamental truths? How do we handle it in light of the Gospel and Jesus? Thank you for your time.
Kris, thanks for the great question. I think the best way to handle these types of issues is to seek a dialogue. If we are all seeking to know and live the truth of God’s Word, then we should all be interested in sharpening one another regardless of our role in a church. The reason I chose to approach Andy was not because his teaching was different, but because some of his core concepts were simply wrong, demonstrably wrong. Facts are like gravity, if you disregard it someone gets hurt. Therefore, lovingly engage and ask questions and seek to derive your answers from the Word so as to develop a healthy outlook for living a Godward life. I hope that helps. BTW. If a pastor refuses to engage and demands you believe everything he believes regardless of what the Bible communicates, leave that church. Only unhealthy pastors refuse to engage on issues. In short, a pastor will pastor his people.
To be more clear regarding how to address your friends… send them this open letter in order to consider the factual nature of the issues I raise. Again, I did not pose questions that are fundamentally related to a point of view but a particular fact pattern. For example, the idea that the Old Testament doesn’t tell the story of Jesus is refuted by Jesus Himself. This is not about what I think vs. what Andy thinks, this is a right v. wrong issue given what Jesus stated clearly in the Bible.
Dan, I thank the Lord for you and our other pastors, For your commitment to God’s truth and to the calling for which our Great God has called you.
BTW. Andy’s assistant sent me a kind note and a copy of the Andy’s new book, Irresistible, to understand Andy’s point of view. I intend to read it this week and if anyone would like to discuss further over a cup of coffee, just let me know.
count me in
I wish I knew what the concerns that you have raised are about. I am new to this forum & website and I’m not sure how to get to the portion Where this discussion began. However, regardless of the issue, I know & agree that every issue be held up to the light of scripture and not to any man’s idea of what something means, No matter how lofty his qualifications & reputation may be. I have a great love and respect for any man who truly and honestly devotes his life to the teaching and discipling of brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. But with that calling comes the greatest responsibility that there is. No man should presume that his interpretation is greater than God‘s word on any given subject. That is only arrogance for which there are many strict warnings; 1 Samuel 2:3, Proverbs 8:13, Isaiah 13:11 & James 4:16. In spite of Plain Biblical warnings, There is a trend ( for quite some time now) in many Christian circles where there is an abundance of man made application with a great lack of proper doctrine that is based rightly on Gods word. Unfortunately that man made, man taught application is judgment on a congregation that only wants to have their ears tickled. Believe it or not scripture warned us of that very thing that men will turn from the truth and only want to have their ears tickled, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”2 Timothy 4:3-4. Paul taught us to “rightly divide the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15 from the Greek word “orthotomeo” Which literally means “to cut it straight” “To teach the truth directly and correctly”. There is no room for error, in fact this terminology comes from Paul’s work as a tent maker & the fact that every cut had to be precise so that the finished product, which would have been made from several different animal skins cut by perhaps many different hands, would fit Together precisely and without flaw lest the final product be worthless! All the labor would be in vain if the plan was not followed precisely! The fact of the matter is that a correct interpretation of God‘s word far outweighs any of man’s views or ideas or any application thereof. In fact proper teaching of Gods word allows the Holy Spirit to do His work of teaching the believers after they have listened and believed, by faith, God’s perfect truth which in fact holds more enlightenment than any clever, man designed application might attempt to produce. It is sad but very true that there are those who call them selves teachers and preachers but whether by ignorance or downright hatred of God‘s word mislead the flock and in doing so lead those would be believers in the broad road to destruction. It is Heartbreaking but it is happening in churches all around the world.
Mr.Miller, I would love to hear your feedback on Andy’s new book. Will you be publishing your thoughts via news letters as these or?
Thanks,
Tiffani King
Tiffani, yes, my intention is to post a brief review within the next couple of weeks.
Is there a link to your review anywhere?
Jason, unfortunately, I was not able to complete a formal book review. However, I was able to do a “content” review of the series that formed the basis of the book and addresses the most salient parts of Andy’s thesis. The content review is: https://forgodsfame.org/2018/12/07/whats-resistible-about-andy-stanleys-message/
Dan,
You did a good job on this post. You quoted Andy and let his words speak for themselves. I also appreciated your attitude. It was professional and mature.
Judging by the number of comments on your review of his book, it is clear that your communication resonated with many.
When he downplayed the Old Testament it was another step in a journey that began as soon as the Bible was no longer authoritative enough for him.
When I was reading your post it occurred to me that I had actually written a critique of one of Andy’s books when I was in seminary. It was for a class on preaching and Andy’s book criticized going verse by verse through books.
In Christ,
Scott