Bottom Line, Up Front: Andy Stanley, the face of the Atlanta-area North Point Community Church, continues to reveal his true colors and consistent theological trajectory away from biblical orthodoxy and the Christian worldview.

Remember Paul’s Address to the Ephesian Elders: When I was ordained into Christian ministry, the presiding elder was the professor from my seminary from whom I saw the most consistent biblical walk. And the text he preached from that day was this passage from Acts 20 where Paul warns of false brethren and of how believers need to know up front that the visible church is filled with false converts and false leaders.

Dr. C. taught me a course in spiritual disciplines of the Christian life and another course in Christian marriage. He was a wise man, a humble man, but above all, he was a discerning man. I can still hear his voice in my head, even though he has since gone to be with the Lord. But he used to say, “Jon, I think when we get to heaven, there will be many surprises. I think we will find that many we thought would be there, aren’t. And many we thought would not be there, are. I think there will be many surprises.”

We Were Warned: These are Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders:

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. (Acts 20:28-31 ESV)

Of course there are innumberable other warnings of fierce wolves and false teachers, but this is the passage that Dr. C. preached on. I remember it well. Each time I read the passage I can still hear Dr. C’s voice in my head and feel his hands on my shoulders in the church that day as he and other elders and my loved ones were present. It was sage counsel from a sagacious man and based upon the sagacity of God as reavealed in Acts. Wisdom upon wisdom upon wisdom.

The Question: Why is anyone surprised that Andy Stanley is hosting such a conference? If you are surpised by this, you are likely part of the problem. And what is that problem? Lack of discernment. Spiritual blindness. Obtuseness. Lack of wisdom.

Wolves, Sheep, & the Sheepdogs:

Wolves run in packs; they prey upon the vulnerable, the weak. They devour. They creep in, often on soft paws, but they devour nonetheless. If you’ve ever seen the remains of a wolf attack, it’s bloody, but the wolves eat just fine.

Sheep are not discerning creatures. They need to be shepherded and protected from the wolves. Because sheep desire comfort above courage, and discernment is not a characteristic associated with sheep.

Sheepdogs are the ones who have counted the costs of actually engaging in battle against the wolves for the sake of the true sheep. We have very few sheepdogs today or in any day.

Takeaway: For the discerning, this latest revelation from Andy is about as surprising as the fact that the sun will rise tomorrow. But for the sheep who refuse to see, let us pray that God will send you some sheepdogs who actually are discerning, who actually do care, who actually do act with courage and conviction, and will sacrifice themselves for the sake of the true sheep.

Folks, you will be forced to care. None of us escapes. Theology matters. You can pretend you’re exempt from the lies that your culture is feeding you, but you will be made to care. That is the nature of wolves. They attack. Andy just happens to do it with a soft voice and smooth hands and bromides about a “quieter middle space.”

Wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs. And the discernment seems to be in the first and third groups, by and large, and you are witnessing the results.

Below are linked three articles on this latest evidence of a continued falling away.

1. https://wng.org/opinions/the-train-is-leaving-the-station-1695036498

2.

Openly Gay Leaders to Speak at Unconditional Conference at Andy Stanley’s North Point Church

3. https://wng.org/podcasts/culture-friday-counting-the-cost-of-biblical-ethics-1695333263