A week ago I wrote about people contacting me out of frustration and disillusionment with the Evangelical Church. (Here is a link to that blog.) A couple days after that blog, someone sent me a letter they wanted to me to read. The letter was addressed to Dr. Charles Stanley. The author of the letter attended Dr. Stanley’s church, up until the time he/she moved out of state. The letter was hand delivered to Dr. Stanley. With the writer’s permission, I have included the letter below.
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Dear Dr. Stanley,
You have always been my favorite Preacher of all time and I attended First Baptist for a couple of years about 35 years ago. I also catch you on ”In Touch” every now and then. I have never seen a church before where everyone sits on the edge of their seat, notebooks and bible open, and taking notes for 50 minutes and ready for more, although it’s time for you to quit. The reason is because you preach the Word.
I have been in Texas for 5 years now and get back to Georgia several times a year. I must write you today because I have a serious concern about the church and I want to know your views on this matter. As a child of God, I am part of a community of brothers and sisters who are the body of Christ. I am having a hard time reconciling the fact that 81% of Evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump- the same Donald Trump that Neo-Nazis, the KKK, and White Nationalists adore.
I was so unhappy about Trump becoming President that I wrote 7 letters to the Editor and sent them all over Texas. My letters were targeted to Christians. Dr. Stanley, Trump lost me immediately when I watched him in an interview say that he never had to repent because he does not sin. Furthermore, Russell Moore, head of Ethics for the Southern Baptist Convention stated right up front and all during the campaign that “Trump was the antithesis of everything Christians believe.” He was right on the money.
We knew Trump was a pathological liar, an abuser of women, full of PRIDE with his “brilliant mind”, and very greedy, and one who had taken advantage of people for his own personal gain for years. In spite of this, and even with warning from Dr. Moore, 81% of Evangelicals voted for him. How can this possibly be?
I distinctly remember 35 years ago sitting in the sanctuary on Peachtree listening to you preach and you stated something like this: “If Christians ever stopped doing what they were suppose to be doing, that the United States as a nation could come under the wrath of God.” I am very troubled and believe that we are at that point. CHRISTIANS PUT TRUMP IN OFFICE. We have lost our influence or our ability to be salt and light. These are my opinions and I value what you think. Maybe I am not looking at this correctly.
But God hates liars. Trump has already been caught in over 1,057 lies or misleading statements since becoming President. The Father of lies is Satan. I have always viewed Trump as a type of antichrist. It was so easy to see. So how can it possibly be that virtually the entire Christian community voted for him? What do you think a Holy and Righteous God views that?
I believe the only hope we have as a Nation, is for the church to experience a spiritual revival. But how can that happen, if 81% of the church does not believe they did anything wrong? How can repentance take place if there is no recognition of sin?
John 8:31-32 is relevant here. “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.” It seems to me it is obvious that the church has not held to the teaching of Jesus or it would have been impossible to sell its soul to Donald Trump under any circumstances, even for a Supreme Court Justice.
Dr. Stanley, I believe that the body of Christ has drifted away. We are warned in Hebrews of the results of drifting. We need to be re-connected to the source. We need to find out what God’s agenda is. The only way for that to happen is for the body of Christ to be Anchored in the Word. To be Anchored in the Word is to Read, Meditate, Believe, Apply, and Obey DAILY.
I learned that very late in my life unfortunately. I learned it at my daughter’s house about 8 years ago while watching “In Touch”. I have been Anchored in the Word ever since that day. The only way to be Sanctified and become more and more like Christ, is to be Anchored in the Word.
I am extremely concerned about what has happened and is happening in the church. We need a small nucleus of Pastors and committed lay people who love the Lord and Know HIM who will FOLLOW AND HOLD TO HIS TEACHING and therefore, truly be his disciples. We need a Jeremiah today in the worst sort of way. I believe there are sufficient numbers of willing laborers who would do whatever is necessary. But we need Leadership and a Jeremiah who can preach Sin and Repentance. And get socially involved.
I believe we have the perfect Jeremiah. His name is Charles Stanley. I am going to pray that God will give us a chance. I know he will from what he says in 2nd Chronicles: “If my people, who are called my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Dr. Stanley, will you be our Jeremiah? Use “In Touch” to preach mightily on this very subject. Show us our sin and pray for our conviction by the Holy Spirt and for us to have the humility to repent and pray and Seek the Lord’s face so he can forgive us of our sin and heal our land. I believe we need a plan and strategy and put people to work to reach pastors all over the land in addition to the masses hearing you preach on TV.
Please pray about this. According to the Word, Eph 5: 15-17, says “Be very careful, then how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. “
Thank you for taking the time to hear my thoughts.
Floods of Justice 