Influential Pastor Warns of Socialism, Departure from God
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....
Mike is right. Socialism/Communism makes a god of the state. The U.S. Constitution is based on the (correct) assumption that God sets the standards and parameters of behavior and law and the government's role is to protect the God-given, inalienable rights of its citizenry. Socialism/Communism comes from a philosophy that sets man as the standard and elevates the state to godhood; therefore whatever man, ideology, etc. is in power, it gives and takes away rights as the state sees fit. Don't believe me, or Mike; read Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Richard Wurmbrand, and countless others. They have actually been through it, and by God's grace, lived to tell about it.
Interesting the way folks like the benefits of living in the usa but only a few seem to take on any responsiblity towards maintaining those benefits as spelled out in the constitution.
from the right wrote: Now I wonder what political philosophy made you shout that stout fellow?
As Stanley did not define his terms clearly I cannot comment on his underlying political philosophy, but the rant was certainly an incoherent fusion of puerile politics and weak theology.
It's a bit like these sermonaudio forums, with rare exceptions.
Randy - Christians should not stay out of political issues, as you put it, but they should studiously avoid becoming myopically identified with any one brand of partisan politics.
Neil, I somewhat agree with you. I will say that we are in the U.S. and so a little comment about our secular holiday isn't bad, and I think the only music we had that referred to America and God -- as a parting song at that.
The sermon at my church was completely of a non-political nature. Christians outside the church can dabble in politics, but the Chruch itself has much more important things to do!
One problem with the view that Christians should stay out of political issues; is that once someone takes an issue that is a concern to everyone, and makes it Political, then misguided christians come along and say that "Christaians should stay out of political issues". Thereby making itimpossible for chistians to speak on any topic.
"That tide began creeping in many years ago [...] 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."
Alas, Stanley is not the only pastor who presents such a shallow, puerile historical analysis.
Speaking of backsliding, this Sunday I had to put up with an idolatrous song service including patriotic music & even the Pledge of Allegiance (the latter composed by a Socialist Baptist). At least the sermon & two hymns were Biblical. Sundays are for the Lord, regardless of public holidays.
Now I wonder what political philosophy made you shout that stout fellow?
Dr. Charles Stanley wrote: Today more than ever, the country is turning away from God and moving closer toward socialism, he warned
Thats what happened in Russia with communism, socialisms alter ego!
We may not agree with Stanley's theology - But he is not the only one which has put these two points together. Viz. "turning away from God" - And Barack introducing socialism by Liberalism. = (Everybody is equal including the sodomite)
But as dear old George revealed to us down on the farm - Some animals are more equal than others.
Jim Lincoln wrote: I use to remember that pastor Stanley usually stuck to the Scriptures and stayed out of commentary on economic systems. Now, I prefer a Capitalistic model myself, but saying that "Greed works" and in a secular society it does, doesn't mean I would want to hear an endorsement of that from the pulpit. It is better to proclaim the Gospel from the pulpit. But he is right about one thing, 2 Timothy 4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.---NASB Proclaim the Word
Jim,
I agree with you. More and more folks are tying Christianity in with economics and/or conservatism. In truth, while it might be argued that Christians live better within capitalism, to say that God is limited by socialism is to say the elephant is limited by the flea on its back.
Jim Lincoln wrote: I use to remember that pastor Stanley usually stuck to the Scriptures and stayed out of commentary on economic systems. Now, I prefer a Capitalistic model myself, but saying that "Greed works" and in a secular society it does, doesn't mean I would want to hear an endorsement of that from the pulpit. It is better to proclaim the Gospel from the pulpit. ---
Moving toward socialism is moving away from God, for it makes the state into a god. Why do you have a problem with a warning against this?
I use to remember that pastor Stanley usually stuck to the Scriptures and stayed out of commentary on economic systems. Now, I prefer a Capitalistic model myself, but saying that "Greed works" and in a secular society it does, doesn't mean I would want to hear an endorsement of that from the pulpit. It is better to proclaim the Gospel from the pulpit.
But he is right about one thing,
2 Timothy 4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.---NASB
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