Chuck Swindoll and Jack Hyles

I disagree with some of the theology of both men, but appreciated the spirit and teaching of Swindoll.

When a younger, legalistic, number-hungry pastor, I was enamored with Hyles. Went to his Pastor's School and thought many of his ideas were great. I grew in the Lord and in Grace and realized everything about him and his ministry was about "Jack" not Jesus. Sad.

As a middle-aged pastor, I was enamored by the easy, persuasive speaking-to-felt-needs of Swindoll. His book "Grace Awakening" reflected my theology (to a point). Doctrinally, his E-Free beliefs were nearly the same as mine and I have recently worked as a missionary with a local Free church.

Now I am older and 20/20 hindsight shows that both have weaknesses. So have learned to "eat the chicken and spit out the bones". But warn against the massive errors of Hyles and lesser errors of Swindoll.

And try to keep my own errors hidden. I'm still a recovering Pharisee, remember.

 

Hi Andy - I was raised very legalistically (if you DO "xyz" according to what is taught or said, then you are a good Christian). I didn't dance or go to movies or chew tobacco and kept all the man-made rules of the 50's and 60's.

Compared to most other christians, I felt I was better and more spiritual, etc. I deserved to be a christian; they didn't!

Now I see I was learning to be a Pharisee and rejoice in MY self-righteousness. I am never going to get over that; I am always in "recovery"!

I was there at the start of Maranatha and count Dr. Cedarholm as a dear friend and one I shall look up when I get to heaven. A school must have rules to keep it organized; they went a little overboard! Not as bad at BJU or Pensacola!

And Swindoll? He is not a Baptist so I have some fussing there. He is "inclusive" in the area of separation while I am "exclusive" (reason I can HELP a Free church temporarily but not pastor one).

 

I am an avid listener (and reader) of Chuck Swindoll. He is a gifted speaker and communicator.

We would differ on some areas of church polity (how to run a church), separation issues (holiness as well as ecclesiastical - church - separation), and importance of doctrine (local church, baptism, etc). But hey, I'm a BAPTIST and he ISN'T!!

These are MINOR differences where I think he errs but overall I commend him and am thrilled to find folks reading his works and growing in grace.

 

Good questions, Andy.

Maranatha existed prior to Hyles. It was never KJVO like HAC became. It was never "easy believism" with the emphasis on numbers that HAC still is.

It would be akin to BJU academically only Baptist. It would be MORE separatist that BJU since men like Paisley are common at BJU and not in a Baptist school.

It is "historic independent baptist fundamentalism" and NOT new evangelical in any area. But not legalistic to the point (like BJU or HAC) where the Amish might not qualify to enter!

They would not consider Swindoll as a speaker; they probably will never have ME again, since I work with Free, CMA, Reformed as well as Baptist.

Acadmically akin to Cedarville (only MAranatha is a Bible college, with every student required a Bible core of 32+ credits). C'ville would be more open in music, dress, conduct and cooperation (they are SBC approved now) than MAranatha.

So, this is why I opted for Maranatha over a number of good schools and still recommend it today.