An evangelical Christian megachurch located in the suburbs of Atlanta is home to the latest Biblical interpretation controversy. The Senior Pastor of North Point Community Church, Andy Stanley finished up a three-part sermon series called “Aftermath” where he concluded that Christians should detach their faith from the Old Testament.
Stanley’s argument was based on Acts 15, the chapter in the Bible that tells of the early churches debate over whether they needed to follow Jewish laws. Stanley notes that some believers today start their faith journey wanting to follow the law, but soon come to find that they can’t and must depend on the grace of God.
“[First century] Church leaders unhitched the church from the worldview, value system, and regulations of the Jewish scriptures,” said Stanley.
The pastors reasoning behind this was that the early church wanted to be more inclusive of gentiles.
“Peter, James, Paul elected to unhitch the Christian faith from their Jewish scriptures, and my friends, we must as well.”
“Jesus’ new covenant, His covenant with the nations, His covenant with you, His covenant with us, can stand on its own two nail-scarred resurrection feet. It does not need propping up by the Jewish scriptures,” Stanley said.
“The Bible did not create Christianity. The resurrection of Jesus created and launched Christianity. Your whole house of Old Testament cards can come tumbling down. The question is did Jesus rise from the dead? And the eyewitnesses said he did.”
Our faith should be solely in Jesus Christ, but there are various places in the New Testament where Jesus himself clearly references scriptures in the Old Testament; therefore we should never discount the value of any of Gods word. Would Stanley have us throw out the ten commandments as well?
Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39 [no second NT ref])
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5, cf. Leviticus 19:18)
Jesus showed us that the Old Testament holds prophecy.
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'” (Matthew 21:42, cf. Mark 12:10, 11, Luke 20:17)
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22, 23)
Jesus expanded already powerful scriptures from the Old Testament.
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13, cf. Matthew 12:7)
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)
Given that Jesus directly quoted Old Testament, it’s hard to see what Stanley means by calling a vital part of the Holy Bible a “house of Old Testament cards” that will come tumbling down.
In Matthew 5:18 Jesus said, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
Works Cited
Andy Stanley. “Aftermath, Part 3: Not Difficult // Andy Stanley.” YouTube. . (2018): . . http://bit.ly/2Ifa7vF
I think the people being so critical of the message need to listen to the whole sermon to understand what was actually said. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Andy is not telling anyone to disregard the Old Testament, that’s totally absurd.
It’s sad we Christians are so eager to criticize each other. I think the fruit of Andys ministry stands as testimony to his faith in our Lord, and the Bible. I like the title, Megachurch Pastor, as if he should be ashamed, it could have just said Pastor Andy.
If your a Christian or a non believer, it’s the same, become successful in what your doing and someone is ready to throw rocks. Everyone needs a savior. Me too.
I personally think, he is talking about the misuse of the Old Testament, rather than learning from it, how to apply God’s truth, all of it, in the light of the New Testament. The “religious” leaders of their day, totally misused the OT, and refused to relinquish their “authority” to the One to Whom it belonged all along; and decided to crucify the Son of God instead!
I’m not sure that I would say it quite that strongly, but little progress has been made, outside of someone being labeled a heretic; i.e. John Wesley, Martin Luther, and the like. Mankind has a universal flaw; the desire for power, and control. What they cannot control, they must, of necessity, discredit at any cost, to maintain their position of “authority”. “Try the Spirits”, clearly shows the main distinction of: whether, or not, someone believes that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, to redeem ALL of us. We demonstrate all too well, that we are divided by petty differences, when Father God desires that we are committed to UNITY, and not the superficial “agreement”, but the “Commitment” to one another’s well being!
So is he eliminating Malachi 3:1? And The book of Revelation? Malachi…No tithes or offerings in his church? I doubt it. Many people think they can pick and choose what they want of the Bible But God says in Revelation And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Revelation 22:19 KJV. Not to mention that God has torn down the wall btween Jew & Gentile making us one new man and graftIng us together. Silly man.
The New Tedtament is the sequel that brings the Old Testsment to life and meshes the TOTALITY of the Word of God!! Is like saying that my birth and childhood has no bearing or importance on my adulthood!! This is another teaching to become SO INCLUSIVE that you actually bring more division!!
Apostle Paul warned about others preaching “another”gospel.
The entire Bible is our legacy for good reason.
Hebrews addresses the fact of many “ensamples” given to us from the old testament to encourage and edify believers.
We must read and mediate upon the entirety of God’s Word.
Prayer is essential as well and doing our best to live holy lives.
Only the Holy Spirit can empower us to live the Christian life; discern what is godly vs ungodly.
I feel sorry for all those people listening to that garbage he’s going to be so sorry. HELL awaits for this kind of preching.
Misguided! Old Testament and new are interwoven. To understand the new need to understand the old. Because, folks, ITS RELATED. And God wanted it this way for a reason!
The 2nd Testament makes no sense without the 1st Testament
As I read the comments on this page, it’s apparent Christians have much larger problems than this guy. So let’s use just a little common sense to identify some of these problems.
1. Nothing Christianity does can be found in the word of our Father. Pagan holidays created to replace the commanded feasts and festivals of our Father. A false Sabbath on a pagan calendar created by a pagan Roman emperor. The Sunday Sabbath of Christianity is an edict from the emperor Constantine. The Roman calendar day of Saturn Sabbath of Judaism is no different, as the calendar of Rome didn’t exist before the year 46 BC.
As Exodus 31:13 commands us to guard the Sabbath above all, and that the Sabbath of our Father is a sign between him and us. Satan too has his sign or mark, Daniel 2 list the beast powers in the order of their appearances to come down through the ages. The old Roman and Roman empire to come are the last two beast powers. Therefore, any Sabbath calculated by the calendar of Roman is the mark of the beast. These false Sabbaths break the 4th commandment.
2. Who is Jesus? The letter J has never existed in the Hebrew language. In fact, the letter J didn’t exist in any language until the latter part of the 16th century. Just in time to deceive the masses with a false name for the Messiah and savior of the world. This breaks the 1st and 3rd commandments that concern the name of our Father and any false gods. By the way, the name of our Father is NOT god.
3. The Catholic church removed it due their excessive idol worship, but like it or not, it still stands. Christians and their religions. all identify themselves and their property with the graven image of the cross of tammuz, the king and god of Babylon. They have even added to this sin with a new graven image of the fish god, dagon. These actions are clearly in defiance of the 2nd commandment.
Keep in mind that it is man and his religions who decided what would and would not be accepted into the current bible. There exist two other books that the religions of man have banned, that would prove the religions of man to be deceivers who have intentionally caused it’s believers to break the first five commandments. Wake up folks, you have accepted the lies of past fathers and their religions. James 3 issues a warning, that those who teach will be held to a higher judgment. Meaning they will be held responsible for the souls they corrupt.
Excepting the last paragraph (not sure what books you are referencing) I couldn’t agree more! Mainstream Christianity has followed the dictates of Rome in all but salvation by faith through the grace of our Father YAHWEH.
The books I refer to are the book of Enoch and the book of Jubilees. Chapters 72-82 of the book of Enoch are the only scriptural instructions to formulate a calendar system. It is only by this means of marking time that the true Sabbath of our Father can be identified.
The book of Jubilees confirms the calendar and Enoch as the man given the wisdom and authority to reveal the calendar of our Father. The book of Jubilees was included in the 1611 KJV, but was removed in the mid 1800’s after an English Bible Society group petitioned to have it removed.
I have a Facebook group to teach and discuss the calendar of Enoch if you are interested.
So what are these 2 books that were banned & are you telling me that Jesus didn’t die on a cross? We are worshipping some other god if we wear a cross? The fish symbol was I thought to represent “Jesus saying we are fishers of men” & was used to tell another Christian when hiding from Romans that they were a believer. Now you say we are worshipping a fish god. Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday. He is Lord of the Sabbath. I wear a cross representing Jesus’s love for me on the cross. I go to church on Sunday to worship Jesus. But everyday is fine
The religions of man have banned the books of Enoch and Jubilees. I explained why the name jesus is false in my comments of #2. I didn’t say anything about worshiping another god. My comments are about breaking the commandments of the forbidden graven image. By the way, the Messiah wasn’t crucified on a cross. The Romans crucified enemies of the state on the cross of tammuz as a sacrifice to their god, tammuz. When Pilate found no fault in the Messiah, he would not be crucified on the cross of tammuz, but a stauros. A stauros is the Greek term for beam or upright pole. Your sunday Sabbath is an edict of the pagan Roman emperor Constantine.
Wayne…are you a Jehovah’s Witness or just a pagan of the black arts?
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I have never associated myself with any of man’s religions. Since my teens, I knew Christianity was a lie and nothing Christianity does can be found in the word of our Father. I tried Judaism for a few decades, but knew the lunar calendar was false and not scriptural. Using common sense anyone can prove the Sabbaths of the Roman calendar to be false and as pagan as the calendars of man’s religions. The Jehovah’s witnesses used to come by house, but now they avoid me like the plague. This is typical of the religious, who will always deny the truth in favor of maintaining their status with their religion. How about you, what paganism do you follow?
Thank you for your testimony for Jesus Christ! The Living Son of God; Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer!
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Jesus quoted the OT many times. That’s far more important than what Andy Stanley has to say about it. I think he’s wrong. Even though the NT relieved us of many of the commandments in the OT, many are still good practice. The NT still takes precedence.
“To move off the pages of Scripture is to enter into the wastelands of our own subjectivity.” — Clark Pinnock
Revelation 22.18-19 NASB
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
Interesting to note that the NT writers quoted extensively from the OT. Jesus also repeatedly quoted the OT upholding it’s teaching on creation, marriage, judgement and historicity.
The NT churches looked for confirmation of the gospel in the OT… actually the NT church had the OT as its Bible. Jesus shared with the disciples on the road to Emmaus how the OT spoke about him.
To detach our faith from the OT is like rejecting Jesus. He is the OT Word that became flesh.
May Andy come to his senses and repent of this heresy! He will have to give account of his teachings (every carelessly spoken word) before God’s throne…
Old Testament prophets were the forebearers concerning the coming Messiah. You do not just do away with Gods handpicked
messengers to mankind. God had a plan for us from the beginning of time, as we know it.
Every component of the Old and New Testament speaks to our directives for life. We put it all together by faith and our love for God.
Jesus ushered in a New Covenant that was preceded by the old, each producing a vital plan, destiny and abundant fruit. Whether by blessing or suffering, each book of the Bible has its validity.
Rubbish the man is in error. Does he not know the New Testament? Is He go(?
Jesus has a giant milestone waiting for him…
He serves the American Jesus-come one come all! No standards. No rules. Do as you please when you please. These ” ministers” are ready to make love to satan himself.
In order to buy what he is selling you have to throw all the gospels out the window and most of the church epistles as well. Who’s he reading Marcion? This is not new news, just recycled crap.
The new testament will not be able to stand on its own. The old testament complements the new and the new compliments the old. ONE BIBLE, ONE WORD OF GOD. End.
Is Andy Stanley the son of Charles Stanley ? If so , WOW !
Think about this. To what Scriptures would Paul be referring to if not the Scriptures of their fathers, i.e., the Old Testament? After all, Paul’s letters were not ‘New Testament’ yet! Paul’s statements about the law were part of a very specific and important discussion as to whether or not Gentile believers must be circumcised before being accepted into the Messianic Community. Paul argued that circumcision was not necessary for God’s acceptance. He said that only the heart needed to be circumcised. Mr Stanley has taken Scripture out of contex, a very serious mistake. Let’s pray he sees the light and soon.
More deceit from the religions of man. Soon they will find themselves with Paul, standing on the shore of the lake of fire. False Sabbaths on pagan calendars and their god Paul, the false emissary of Revelation 2.
Stanley is preaching a foolish and narcisstic approach to the whole Bible. Mega-church structure follow men, and men are fallible and self-serving. I’ve spoken with many pastors and fervent Bible teacher’s the past few days and we’re all very confused as to what he’s saying. Maybe, just maybe, he should rethink his words and try again
The Bible clearly states in Hebrews:” ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” that applies both to the old and new testament!
2 Tim. 3:16
If Charles Stanley were in the grave I think he would rollover, but since he is still alive I would how he feels?
What is the new covenant according to scriptures?
So let’s just let these wolves in sheep’s clothing continue to take the word of God from us and insert their own interpretation of faith. Jesus ( not his name) did not make Christianity that is a man-made religion. People will follow anything that makes them feel warm and fuzzy and it is never the truth.
Paul clearly stated insqueaky Galatians that he had forsaken his past life in Judaism. The question is, what is the relevance of the Old Testament to those who have become partakers of the new nature through dependence on the Savior. It seems to me that many are taking what brother Stanley is saying out of context, and, as is so often the case, demonizing a man of God under false pretenses. Paul was persecuted because of His stand against the false gospel that sought to add human effort to the finished work of Christ as a condition for salvation. Who among any who are familiar with the New Covenant qould presume to put the law on the same level as grace. It’s grace that teaches us to renounce and avoid sin, according to Titus 2:11-12. The vain glory of mankind will always cause them to persecute and disavow the message of the gospel of Grace.
Agreed. I believe he’s being demonized as well. Until.i bear him say the OT isn’t important as a whole, just the ,NT, then I’ll begin to see a slip.
Seems like there is a new reaurgance of obeying the “law” rather than the grace of Christ. I think Andy is fighting this issue. So since I didn’t see the show I can’t really judge this comment.
Mega churches are becoming apostate at an ever increasing speed, just as scripture says will happen in the last of the last days
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
And יהושע answering, said to them, “You go astray, not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of Elohim. Matthew 22:29
The more I read about the “teachings” of Andy Stanley, the happier I am I left his megachirch in 2010?
I feel he is so wrong you have to rightly read and divide both new and old testaments God is still on the throne and Jesus on his right hand and I believe before very long he will be judging those of us who try and change his words like the Pope who wants to change the Lords prayer .The devil is raging and getting so many souls please pray for everyone to seek GOD’S guidance and seek him while you may
“Rightly dividing the Word of Truth”, is pertaining to the division of “Book of the Covenant” BoC, and “Book of the Law” BoL….Book of the Covenant is everything from Beresheit/Gen 1:1 – Shemot/Ex 24:11….this consisted of all Patriarchs who walked in obedience with Yahuah our Elohim, Avraham’s descendants/seed to the Twelve Tribes of Yisra’el/Israel before their captivity in Mitzrayim/Egypt for 430 years, then their deliverance from Pharaoh Shemot/Ex 12 and the subsequent giving of the Royal Covenant Torah Shemot/Ex 19 – 24:11.
But then not even forty 40 days later while Mosheh/Moses was on the Mountain receiving the Covenant, Yisra’el whored, committed spiritual adultery with the golden calf Shemot/Ex 32. It was at this time when Yahuah was going to wipe out all of Yisra’el until Mosheh intervened and Yahuah relented from wiping them out, instead, He imposed the Book of the Law, the tutor…GalutYah/Gal 3:21-29
21 Is the Torah then against the promises of Elohim? Let it not be! For if a law had been given that was able to make alive, truly righteousness would have been by Torah. 22 But the Scripture has shut up all mankind under sin, that the promise by belief in יהושע Messiah might be given to those who believe. 23 But before belief came, we were being guarded under Torah, having been shut up for the belief being about to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Torah became our trainer unto Messiah, in order to be declared right by belief. 25 And after belief has come, we are no longer under a trainer. 26 For you are all sons of Elohim through belief in Messiah יהושע. 27 For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah. 28 There is not Yehuḏite nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Messiah יהושע. 29 And if you are of Messiah, then you are seed of Aḇraham, and heirs according to promise.
The “trainer” (BoL) was until Messiah Yahusha, thus the animals sacrifices for sin covering (the holding back of the death penalty position) was taken out of the way, Messiah being our propitiation and our covering, but still adhering to Royal Torah and all the Feasts, Festivals and Sabbaths (Yahuah’s Sabbaths, not man’s). Now, we’re under grace yes, but grace that empowers us and enables us to be able to walk in His Covenant, not walk according to our own desires and pagan demonic rituals, which are all man made…Messiah called these, “the traditions of men”.
Messiah walked, talked, taught and followed all of Yahuah’s ways…see Matt 5:17-20, then look at Luqas/Luke 6:46-49…
I will also contend, that the Scriptures are all about Yahuah’s people Yisra’el/Isreal, which is the apple of His eye…..anyone and everyone who has aligned themselves with Messiah, is indeed grafted into Yisra’el and are made heirs to the promises made to Avraham. (Gal 3:26-29, Heb 6:13-20) But those in “christendom” are absolutely and completely unaware of this fact, because they are not being taught the truth, people have no idea of their true identity.
In the Book/Scroll of Gilyahna/Rev, the “New Yerushalayim/Jerusalem” with Only 12 twelve gates, notice that there is NO “christian” gate, just one for every Tribe of Yisra’el Gilyahna/Rev 21:10-14
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the set-apart Yerushalayim, descending out of the heaven from Elohim, 11 having the esteem of Elohim, and her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal, 12 and having a great and high wall, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve messengers, and names written on them, which are those of the twelve tribes of the children of Yisra’ĕl:*n1 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve emissaries of the Lamb.
If we do not read our scriptures, then how are we to know, truly know, any truth at all, and if we can’t believe what is written, then we are calling Yahuah and His Messiah, Yahusha, a liar and the truth is Not in you.
What everyone forgets, and is obviously oblivious to, is the fact that what was being presented in the “New Covenant” was, in fact, the re-iteration of the first Covenant, what everyone considers “The Old Testament”, there is nothing old about it, it still has application today. It is by Yahuah’s Grace that everyone is able to walk in and do the commands, Feasts, Festivals and Sabbaths of Yahuah, His mo’edim, His dietary requirements, His standards for pure and Holy living, also known as “Right Living and Right Ruling”.
Why else (and this is the part that everyone conveniently overlooks) did Messiah say in Matt 5:17-20
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets.*n5 I did not come to destroy but to complete. 18 “For truly, I say to you, till the heaven and the earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done.*n6 19 “Whoever, then, breaks one of the least of these commands, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the reign of the heavens; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens. 20 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,*n7 you shall by no means enter into the reign of the heavens.
Luke 6:46-49
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Master, Master,’ and do not do what I say?*n4 47 “Everyone who is coming to Me, and is hearing My words and is doing them, I shall show you whom he is like: 48 “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock. And when a flood came, the stream burst against that house, but was unable to shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 “But the one hearing and not doing, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream burst, and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
This wolf in sheeps clothing is unable to rightly divide the Word. Torah (the Old Testament’) points to salvation in and through Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus Christ) – he alone has fulfilled all the requirements for salvation, but he did not abolish his word. One may choose to observe the cultural law of the Old Testament but such will never save – only Jesus saves. Thus, placing one’s faith in Yeshua achieves living by and fulfilling ‘the Law’ of the Old Testament. Example: as a Gentile I may not be circumcised in the flesh, but in Christ my heart is circumcised this spiritually fulfilling the OT ‘law’ requiring circumcision.
Someone needs the inform the errant pastor that this is not spiritual rocket science.
Would someone please explain to Andy Stanley that the law is just a portion of the Old Testament? We learn vast amounts about God’s character. There is also a wealth of history, prophecy, allegory, and wisdom for us there.
I only have to read just the psalms, that is enough to tell
Me the Old Testament is still relevant.
What about The Whole Counsel of God??? hoo-boy, off the rails doesn’t begin to describe this train wreck
False teaching. There is a reason why the Old Testament and the New Testament are together in the Bible. It is symbolic of how the Church of the New Testament was grafted into the branch of God’s chosen people; the nation Israel.
All of the curses and blessings that we read about in the Old Testament directed towards the nation Israel also apply to the Church of the New Testament. To totally disregard this notion is an invitation to impending disaster and Judgment.
Simply put, folks, read your Bibles, and you will see through these lies and deceptions that abound today. Be on your guard, and do not let anyone deceive you. If anything arises that does not stand parallel with Scripture, cast it away from you and don’t look back.
God Bless.
Yahweh bless you Brother for this truth you have shared.
Although i agree much of the Old Testament is irrelevant since Jesus Christ provided us with a path for salvation, the Ten Commandments still apply. Jewish law and practices do not apply to Christians.
Jesus said: “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me”. Luke 24:44
NO, This man totally has butchered acts 15. These Apostles were Jewish as The Messiah was and is and will always be.What did Jesus(Yeshua) say to te woman at the well? Salvation comes from the Jews. Hellow, What about Romans 11. Who is grafted into who? This pastor is antisemitic and a hireling.
Augustine said: “The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed,
the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.” That’s good enough for me.
nailed it
How can a pastor, a “follower”of Christ be so unsure of Gods Word ??? Its like he consistently hedges his bets….just in case.
Jesus said in the volume of the book speaketh of Him and if you cannot see Jesus Christ in the Old Testament wow unto you ,from Genesis to Revelation Christ is there He is the word and we are justified by faith and the same faith Abraham had
I don’t think he should tell his followers not to look at Old Testament
The whole bible is for learning and prophetic info about book of Revelations.