Charles Stanley's Divorce: A Tragedy for the Church
by Hadley Robinson
Rather than carefully stick to Scripture, Dr. Stanley has chosen to teach and now practice what is popular with much of the church culture, including going along with the habit of putting
one's family second to a host of things, including a career. Before filing for divorce, Dr. Stanley's wife, Anna, wrote this note to their church,
Long ago . . . Charles, in effect, abandoned our marriage. He chose his priorities, and I have not been one of them.1
Even though he agreed to step down, he later changed his mind. It would have been the right thing to do for such a prominent Christian and teacher in the Church.
Such an act of contrition as stepping down would have announced to the morally decadent culture in which we live that God hates divorce. It would also have been a witness to the Biblical
teaching that a married man must put his wife first, loving her as Christ loved the Church.
Evangelical Protestants do not encourage men to be single and, therefore, undivided in their interests (1Cor. 7:33). This is to say nothing of the fact that those who call themselves
Christians and who have had contempt for personal holiness, especially of the purity of the marriage bed, have been severely judged by God (Rev. 2-3). Examples of this include the churches
of Constantinople and Alexandria.
Responsible Christian leadership must set the example for the Christian both in speech and in deed. This is the sense of Scripture (Acts 26:20; 1Timothy 3; Titus 1:16). Dr. Stanley is
not a good example. In particular, if a man cannot manage his own family, how can he manage God's Church (1Tim. 3:4-5)? How many countless Christian men are now able to
falsely comfort themselves that
they do not have the primary responsibility for their failed marriages?
Dr. Stanley makes the faulty case that he is now a better counselor for many in the churches who have experienced the pain and devastation of divorce. This manner of thinking does not have precedent in
Scripture, either good or bad. However, it does encourage Christians to sin by suggesting that, by engaging in it, we are somehow better as a result. "I'm going to become a drunk so I can better
counsel drunks...." The Prophets, including the Apostle Paul, did not have to wallow in immorality to better assume their high roles as prophets of God. Who can suggest that King David is a
better role model for husbands after his affair with Bathsheba?
Dr. Stanley did not take the high road for the sake of the Church and the reputation of Christ among the heathen. This is a loss to all of us. He put himself and "his ministry" first, as did
most in his congregation at First Baptist Church, Atlanta. The churches have many men who have put their wives and families second in priority and he has given them an excuse. How many more
marriages will fall apart thanks to the actions of Charles Stanley?
"Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil." - Exodus 23:2
We live among a multitude that is intent on doing evil. Should we follow the multitude? I hope not....