Charles Stanley and Calvinism

[Martin]

I believe there were a few posters on these boards who were determined in their assertion that Charles Stanley is a Calvinist. Well folks, I now have solid proof that he is not a Calvinist. I knew he was not a Calvinist because of his teachings but now, as if to confirm that he is not a Calvinist, Dr. Stanley has signed up to do a conference at FBC-Jacksonville with Dr. Jerry Vines called "3:16". This conference is described as "a biblical and theological assessment of 5-point Calvinism. It will be helpful for preachers as well as lay people". The speakers include Drs. Stanley, Vines, Patterson, Land, and others. Sort of a "whos who" of general Baptists (ie...not Calvinist). Dr. Stanley will be preaching a sermon titled "John 3:16 to the entire world". I hope this lays to rest the silly assertion that Charles Stanley is a Calvinist. Stanley is a fine man of God and a wonderful preacher. However he is not, I repeat, not a Calvinist.

I guess nobody is perfect :laugh:

LINK

 

[Revmitchell]

I never heard that he was a Calvinist. I have heard that he holds to Millenium Exclusion form three sources. I have not seen anything from him directly. It would be sad if this was true.

 

[StefanM]

He's a semi-Calvinist. He's not a five-pointer, but full Arminians would reject his soteriology.

 

[pinoybaptist]

He's a semi-Calvinist. He's not a five-pointer, but full Arminians would reject his soteriology.

True.
Just as full Arminians (and by that I mean the classic Arminian) will reject most of what passes or is mistaken today as Arminianism.
As for Stanley, he's a good preacher, and although I don't agree with his soteriology, I'd take him anytime over Hagee.

 

[webdog]

I've never heard of him being a calvinist, either. He's a "Free Gracer"...what I once considered myself, but once I truly understood the Millenial Exclusion eschatology/ two salvations soteriological heresy recently prohibited on this board, I cannot consider myself as such anymore.

 

[StefanM]

True.
Just as full Arminians (and by that I mean the classic Arminian) will reject most of what passes or is mistaken today as Arminianism.
As for Stanley, he's a good preacher, and although I don't agree with his soteriology, I'd take him anytime over Hagee.

Here, here on the first part!

Most of what passes as Arminianism is rank Pelagianism.

(Observing as a non-Calvinist, mind you.)

 

[Martin]

I never heard that he was a Calvinist. I have heard that he holds to Millenium Exclusion form three sources. I have not seen anything from him directly. It would be sad if this was true.

We can't discuss that issue on these boards. However I did some research on Stanley's views on that. During the research I contacted In Touch Ministries. After reviewing the writings and sermons of Dr. Stanley on the relevant passages for me, they were still unclear of Dr. Stanley's views since he seems to contradict himself.

 

[Revmitchell]

We can't discuss that issue on these boards. However I did some research on Stanley's views on that. During the research I contacted In Touch Ministries. After reviewing the writings and sermons of Dr. Stanley on the relevant passages for me, they were still unclear of Dr. Stanley's views since he seems to contradict himself.

So you are saying his own ministry says he contradicts himself?

 

[Amy.G]

I've never heard of him being a calvinist, either. He's a "Free Gracer"...what I once considered myself, but once I truly understood the Millenial Exclusion / two salvations soteriological heresy recently prohibited on this board, I cannot consider myself as such anymore.

Hi Web, what's a free gracer? I don't think I've ever heard of that.

 

[webdog]

Hi Web, what's a free gracer? I don't think I've ever heard of that.

www.faithalone.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_grace

I agree with much of the soteriology (by faith...not two salvations), but none of the eschatology.

 

[Amy.G]

www.faithalone.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_grace

I agree with much of the soteriology (by faith...not two salvations), but none of the eschatology.

Thanks. :thumbs:

 

[Martin]

Letter From In Touch

So you are saying his own ministry says he contradicts himself?

Yep.

Here is the text of the letter itself. Please note that I have removed personal information.

Dated: Nov. 16, 2007

Although some time has passed since you e-mailed, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for the confidence you expressed by sharing your question with us here at In Touch. Please forgive us for not responding as quickly and personally as we would prefer. This does not represent a lack of concern for you on our part; we have received a tremendous amount of correspondence, and it is only now that we are able to reply. We trust you will understand our limitations, and hopefully, our delay in responding has not hindered your spirit in any way.

With regard to your question, we have reviewed Dr. Stanley's definition of "outer darkness " in Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure? which reads: "To be in the 'outer darkness' is to be in the kingdom of God but outside the circle of men and women whose faithfulness on the earth earned them a special rank of position of authority. "
This seemed to be different than what he has said in the past, so we conducted a search and reviewed every sermon -where Dr. Stanley talked about "eternal security " and everywhere he uses the term "outer darkness. " We found that in every instance he always refers to "outer darkness " as a description of eternal separation from God as he does in his study guidebook Understanding Eternal Security, and not as in Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure?.

We can only say that we honestly do not know why or how this contradiction occurred in this one instance. It may have been in the editing process or some other process of the book's publisher, Thomas Nelson. We are looking into other possibilities.

Thank you for allowing us this word of clarification and we pray this "mistake" has not hindered your spirit. It is our prayer that we will continue to serve you as a source of spiritual growth and encouragement.

 

[Martin]

Of course this has not affected my attitude towards Dr. Stanley. I have learned much from his various ministries. I also understand the problems that can occur when a person has such a large audio and written ministry. In my mind, I think Dr. Stanley's view of outer darkness is that it is hell. In writing his book Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure, Dr. Stanley was too depedent upon Zane Hodges (never a good thing). I think that is why there is a problem at this point. I think another problem is that a life-principles preacher tried to write a theology book.

 

[Revmitchell]

Yep.

Here is the text of the letter itself. Please note that I have removed personal information.

Dated: Nov. 16, 2007

What was your original question to them.

 

[EdSutton]

Hi Web, what's a free gracer? I don't think I've ever heard of that.

Meet EdSutton - Exhibit "A". :thumbs:

Ed

 

[EdSutton]

I've never heard of him being a calvinist, either. He's a "Free Gracer"...what I once considered myself, but once I truly understood the Millenial Exclusion eschatology/ two salvations soteriological heresy recently prohibited on this board, I cannot consider myself as such anymore.

webdog, let me offer that "Millenial Exclusion" eschatology, just as the so-called "crossless gospel" teaching are not held or taught by all believers in "free grace", and I, for one, reject both of these as abberations of the Scriptural teachings of "free grace".

And the truth of the teaching, is being polluted, by the false teachings that are being associated with, leading many to reject the idea.

Unfortunately, this is just one more case where too many want to "throw out the bably with the bathwater".

(I'll also toss in for free, here, that one who does not see that the teaching known as "Lordship salvation" does not attempt to 'backload" works into grace via the 'back door' approach, is also highly unlikely to ever really understand "free grace", IMO. A recent thread titled 100% Grace plus 10% works touched on this in the OP. Unfortunately, it did not get that deep into it, and got sidetracked along the way.)

Ed

 

[Amy.G]

Meet EdSutton - Exhibit "A". :thumbs:

Ed

How would you describe your theology (?) of free grace?

 

[webdog]

webdog, let me offer that "Millenial Exclusion" eschatology, just as the so-called "crossless gospel' teachings are not held or taught by all believers in "free grace", and I, for one, reject both of these as abberations of the Scriptural teachings of "free grace".

Unfortunately, this is just one more case where too many want to "throw out the bably with the bathwater".

Ed

What's a bably?

I have come to the conclusion I don't like any moniker attached to my name except "Child of God" (and "non cal" ). I agree with much of FG's soteriology, btw. I believe, like calvinism, if it's not taken as a whole...one cannot be called one.

 

[Martin]

What was your original question to them.

I don't recall and I can't find the email. The question was in reference to Dr. Stanley's statement in Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure which is quoted in the letter.

 

[J.D.]

Pentecostals, CoC, and other hyper-arminians call all OSAS people "calvinists", but other than that I don't see how anyone could mistake Stanly for a real Calvinist.