Influential Pastor Warns of Socialism, Departure from God

[Revmitchell]

America currently stands in a very dangerous position, said renowned pastor and author Dr. Charles Stanley. Today more than ever, the country is turning away from God and moving closer toward socialism, he warned. And the consequences will be grave. "We know the truth, we know the principles of God. In spite of all that, we find ourselves as a nation violating the laws of God, heading in a direction that is going to be disastrous for us, for our children and the generations that are to come unless there is a change," he said.


................That tide began creeping in many years ago, he noted, when the government and the courts began banning prayer at schools and removing references to Jesus, God and the Ten Commandments from the public square, Stanley noted.........

"It is an attempt to destroy the Christian spirit in America," he said.

..........


"Mark this down for socialism because these three groups of people who do not contribute to the state ... are of no value: unborn babies, the elderly and those who are disabled," said the Atlanta pastor.

More Here

 

[billwald]

> the country is turning away from God and moving closer toward socialism, he warned.

Statement may be correct but there is no cause and effect between the two mentioned topics. He would probably get more amens by writing, "moving away from God and toward Japanese cars" and it would make as much sense.

 

[jaigner]

Not sure I would take C.S.'s word for much of anything.

 

[tank1976]

It is about time the pastors started preaching the truth from the pulpits. Much like the Revolution.

Many will disagree, but that is your freedom.....for now.

 

[Robert Snow]

It is about time the pastors started preaching the truth from the pulpits. Much like the Revolution.

Many will disagree, but that is your freedom.....for now.

I don't think the pulpit is the place to preach Revolution. I believe it is still the place to proclaim the Gospel.

 

[Ruiz]

The famous persecuted Pastor of Romania, Josef Tson, has remarked about the turn to socialism/communism as being intrinsically through the lens that is anti-Christian. He believed it was.

My personal opinion, a strong government (likened to socialism and communism) is often used as a replacement of God to unite and give credence to morals and to solve community "ills". Without government in an anti-God society, there would be no rationale for morals of any sort; no rationale for law. Socialism/communism becomes the pseudo-God in order to have unity in a manner that is anti-Christian.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

I don't think the pulpit is the place to preach Revolution. I believe it is still the place to proclaim the Gospel.

Indeed! Yet another preacher getting his political views mixed up with the Gospel. Sad.

 

[FR7 Baptist]

Indeed! Yet another preacher getting his political views mixed up with the Gospel. Sad.

Yep. While Communism is incompatible with Christianity, there are many Christians who are democratic socialists.

 

[Robert Snow]

Yep. While Communism is incompatible with Christianity, there are many Christians who are democratic socialists.

Christianity is not bound regardless of the governmental system. I'm not saying there is as much freedom with all governments, but God is not restricted by any form of government.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

America currently stands in a very dangerous position, said renowned pastor and author Dr. Charles Stanley. Today more than ever, the country is turning away from God and moving closer toward socialism, he warned. And the consequences will be grave. "We know the truth, we know the principles of God. In spite of all that, we find ourselves as a nation violating the laws of God, heading in a direction that is going to be disastrous for us, for our children and the generations that are to come unless there is a change," he said.


................That tide began creeping in many years ago, he noted, when the government and the courts began banning prayer at schools and removing references to Jesus, God and the Ten Commandments from the public square, Stanley noted.........

"It is an attempt to destroy the Christian spirit in America," he said.

..........


"Mark this down for socialism because these three groups of people who do not contribute to the state ... are of no value: unborn babies, the elderly and those who are disabled," said the Atlanta pastor.

More Here

I'm all for Liberty and Capitalism (having an MBA and all) however, isn't Christianity socialistic? Acts 2:44-46

44And all who believed were together and(A) had all things in common. 45And(B) they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day,(C) attending the temple(D) together and(E) breaking bread in their homes, they received their food(F) with glad and generous hearts,

 

[billwald]

>It is about time the pastors started preaching the truth from the pulpits.

Agree! The truth has nothing to do with politics:

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

[sag38]

Yep, it didn't take long for the liberal cons to pipe in their criticism of Dr. Stanley. Of course, we would have expected no less.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Yep, it didn't take long for the liberal cons to pipe in their criticism of Dr. Stanley. Of course, we would have expected no less.

I'm conservative. Just mentioning scripture. I'm not going to reinterpret scripture to make it hold to my political and economic views. Scriptures are beyond that and Acts mention how the early church acted. Which was socialistic.

 

[jaigner]

Yeah, I'm not liberal, I just don't trust the guy.

Nor do I think he's in any way an expert on this issue. Nor do I think politics has a place in the pulpit.

 

[rbell]

I'm all for Liberty and Capitalism (having an MBA and all) however, isn't Christianity socialistic? Acts 2:44-46

Voluntary sharing of possessions and governmental confiscation of the same do not equate with one another.

 

[Ruiz]

I'm all for Liberty and Capitalism (having an MBA and all) however, isn't Christianity socialistic? Acts 2:44-46

No, because the system in Acts 2 was voluntary and was not an economic system but a system to help meet the needs of the members. You could have been excommunicated from the system and not required.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Voluntary sharing of possessions and governmental confiscation of the same do not equate with one another.

I think the Idea with Socialism is that its a democratically elected government thereby the sharing of wealth is known and thus voluntary. The only difference is instead of Church leaders distributing the wealth the elected government does that.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

No, because the system in Acts 2 was voluntary and was not an economic system but a system to help meet the needs of the members. You could have been excommunicated from the system and not required.

If not sharing gets you excommunicated then (scriptures don't say that in fact it argues against that with Anninias and Saphira) its not voluntary.

 

[windcatcher]

If not sharing gets you excommunicated then (scriptures don't say that in fact it argues against that with Anninias and Saphira) its not voluntary.

They died because they lied. In essence.... they answered to Peter with the power of an oath answering to God (because God revealed the lie to Peter) therefore they met the judgement of God. When you go before a court in our land and you affirm or swear.... God takes your word as seriously as that of Anninias and Saphira.... and it is under such trembling and conscience which every believer gives testimony, lest God judges his heart and smites him.

Anninias and Saphira could have kept back a little or all they wanted... but they presented the 'gift' as though it was 'all' that they had while secretly collaborating together to hoard something for themselves. It was not because they kept a portion of their posessions... but that they mis represented their gift and also their position of poverty and interdependence (due to their 'generous' gift) before the body of believers to which they were a part. Their alignment with the deceiver put them at enmity with God and subject to God's judgement, which they did not know or respect.... or else they would not have lied.

 

[windcatcher]

America currently stands in a very dangerous position, said renowned pastor and author Dr. Charles Stanley. Today more than ever, the country is turning away from God and moving closer toward socialism, he warned. And the consequences will be grave. "We know the truth, we know the principles of God. In spite of all that, we find ourselves as a nation violating the laws of God, heading in a direction that is going to be disastrous for us, for our children and the generations that are to come unless there is a change," he said.


................That tide began creeping in many years ago, he noted, when the government and the courts began banning prayer at schools and removing references to Jesus, God and the Ten Commandments from the public square, Stanley noted.........

"It is an attempt to destroy the Christian spirit in America," he said.

..........


"Mark this down for socialism because these three groups of people who do not contribute to the state ... are of no value: unborn babies, the elderly and those who are disabled," said the Atlanta pastor.

More Here

It's been a while since I could listen to Charles Stanley but I regard him with esteem as a preacher of the gospel. From what I do remember, he regularly presents a gospel message so I do not consider as justified the accusation of too much politics by those on this thread.

The fact is evident to me, if not to all BB members, that God blessed the birth of our nation and our form of government. He gave the victory to all the people.... not just the Christian community..... but He has prospered the nation because of committed Christians with a faith active both for the gospel and in the nation as good citizens. We have lost our vision of God's authority in our world and exercising our faith in practical usefulness to the community of believers and nonbelievers in which we live. We have pulled into our shells like a defensive turtle protective of a trivial threat or shadow when there is nothing to fear... til the forces surround us and grow strong so the threat is real.
There is no threat to communism or socialism like faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians. Communism and socialism depend on man's dependencies on government and man... and man's unquestioning loyalties and obediance to the rulership of man (which is as clean or as corrupt as their ruler's hearts and the spiritual powers behind their rule). Persecution of Christians is increasing across the globe.... in Russia, in China, in India, in Africa, etc. The prince of the air and the occultic powers within many in high places will not be satisfied until they stamp out those who will not do their evil will against others..... against others and the law of God when they command. Dr. Stanley is right. The church needs to open its ears and hear these messages for our times..... unless the church no longer exists.... The tares and weeds are in our midst.... and they are blind and unknowing..... God gave us signs for a season for a purpose that those with ears might hear and those with eyes might see.... but like the 'church crowd' in Jesus day.... few searched after God for themselves.... but trusted the bottle feedings they received from others... many of whom also lacked the spirit. They remained ignorant, calling themselves 'children of Abraham' much as most people now call themselves 'Christian' but had no spiritual root in themselves..... and by their own disobediance and intent on pleasing themselves or comforting themselves in their own 'righteousness' they failed to see beyond to the righteousness and holiness of God.... were blinded and deaf and dumb.... and held eternally responsible .....for they said 'we see' when they did not and said 'we hear' when they refused instruction. The Holy One walked and taught in their midst... yet they did not turn.... but stood firm in their unbelief while claiming otherwise.... and accusing Jesus and those who follow as blasphemers. Oh how similar history repeats itself.... and we will not let God show us the wickedness hiding deep within our own heart that he might repair and heal and save!