Oakland Hijacks the Truth
Chuck Smith’s legacy is taking a big hit…from former friends.
This wouldn’t have bothered me except that it’s being tarnished for the wrong reasons…in truth, factually inaccurate reasons.
From the article “The Hijacking of the Calvary Chapel Movement into the Coming One-World Religion” ;
“Chuck Smith, the founder of the movement, seemed to be biblically sound and determined to serve the Lord throughout his many years of ministry. Toward the end of his ministry, it appears there were strange bedfellows planted around him who in earlier years he would have avoided. So what happened? The purpose of this commentary will be to answer that question.”
If that was the purpose of the screed, Oakland failed miserably.
Let’s walk through this mess…
“Those who were situated near the epicenter of this multimillion-dollar big business definitely knew about some major problems that were quietly concealed. A number have pointed out that the Achilles Heel of the Calvary machine was Chuck Smithâs passion for the Moses Model. Ask anyone who ever bucked the system and dared challenge this style of leadership. The exit plan was the door, and they were given the left hand of fellowship without any alternative.
While the motto around Calvary made the claim that agape love was flowing over, many a disillusioned servant of God was buried in an unmarked grave throughout the network of Calvary Chapels. And what happened at Calvary Costa Mesa did not stay at Calvary Costa Mesa. An enormous machine of abuse was born, and many were maimed throughout the growing movement. Pastors cloned the model, and the spirit of heaviness was exported. Thousands were hurt and then shunned as happens in organizations that use cult-like control tactics.”
That statement is true.
It was true when I started writing about it years ago and people like Oakland called me a liar.
Times have changed…
The question that Oakland implicitly raises is “What were those “major problems that were quietly concealed”?
Oakland doesn’t answer the question directly because he knows what the backlash would be if he did.
However, after presenting a case made from whole, shabby, cloth that there was “apostasy” creeping into the movement, he says this;
“It was at that point that the light went on for me. Chuck Smith, as powerful and influential as he was, was under the rule of others who had become more powerful than he was. Â If there were wolves in the movement, why did he not remove them according to the Moses Model, I wondered. There are legal words to describe more adequately what I am referring to when human beings are manipulated and controlled by others and cannot comment in a public fashion. Why would that be?”
There you have it…the first public claim that Chuck Smith was being blackmailed…of course, without really saying it.
Let me help gain some clarity around this claim.
Chuck Smith was never “under the rule of others”.
That’s almost funny.
The truth, (as Oakland and scores of others have known for decades) is that Smith was covering up an affair from the seventies.
This left him vulnerable to exposure from those who knew…which included the vast majority of the first guard of CC pastors.
Many used that information to their advantage until the day he died.
There have been allegations for years that the people he was most vulnerable to were in his own family…
What Oakland wants you to believe is that one of the ways he was manipulated was in doctrinal matters and forced associations with people that he never would have associated with had not this been the case.
That is completely and utterly false.
Smith’s life long fear of exposure impacted the Calvary Chapel movement in many important ways that I will discuss at length in my book…but this was not one of those ways.
The primary doctrinal distinctives of CC were never in question for any reason.
In my opinion, the study and understanding of this situation is important on many fronts, (both current and historical)  and it is beyond wrong that it is being used to perpetuate a false narrative.
It is too complex a situation for a blog article and too important to ignore, which is why I chose to spend the effort necessary to write a book about it.
What is sub Christian in any case is to hint around at the matter without naming it, and to use it to further a false agenda.
Oakland ends his article with this;
“Finally, as I conclude this commentary, do you not think there is something wrong in the Calvary Chapel movement? What about Brian Brodersen himself? What about Cheryl Brodersen, Brianâs wife and Chuck Smithâs daughter. Do they echo words of warning about the coming onslaught of ecumenism and the march to the Coming One World Religion? Are the cardinals of Calvary Chapel speaking out? “
“Their silence is deafening.”
The only thing louder is the misinformation Oakland is spreading.
I’ll respond to this more in a later article.
Wow you dropped the bomb we knew about but never acknowledged!
I once talked with a girl who got sent to England to make sure she kept quiet about such things.
And then another girl told me about an uncomfortable massage incident.
He was a great man so we must look the other way when it comes to his humanity…right?
( I can hear Al saying…”NOT!”)
The bomb has already been dropped off these pages…I’m tired of ignoring stuff like this to pretend it didn’t happen.
Now Michael had you said that within the Moses Model camp you would have heard, “Michael if you don’t like what we do here and how we do it, perhaps you should leave and start your own church.”
Many a person has heard those very words at Calvary Chapels.
They kept a sanitized camp indeed.
But great journalist, such as your self will not back off from the truth.
What is truth anyway?
Anything that delineates that which is is truth.
Thank God for men willing to speak the truth.
King David was not such a wonderful guy at times.
And how do we know that?
By the truth being told!
Potatoehead,
I would have preferred to deal with it properly in the book and preferably after his wife passed.
It’s already been reported and it hasn’t exactly been the best kept secret in Christendom anyway…
Hmmm…I’ve gone by Pineapple Head for about 10 years now. Now there’s a Potaoehead in posting!
We’re covering all the food groups… đ
Yum!
Pineapple
I’m only commenting on this thread for the sake of filling in the food groups.
I’ll gladly be the Steakhead!
(….before anyone else beats me to it, please not I did NOT say meathead….;) )
Who is Roger Oakland these days? Or virtually, ever No one knows nor cares what he says. He was marginally accepted when I attended CC Bible College…..in 1995! Lol
Costco,
The margins seem to be growing and gaining some traction among the old guard…
Costco is right. Is Oakland even relevant anymore? I think most of us just remember his as a minor leaguer in the late ’90’s. That doesn’t justify Chuck’s issues with infidelity. All of it is sad. You better get that book done before Calvary becomes completely irrelevant.
covered,
I think the issues I’m addressing (and the way in which I am addressing them) are applicable way beyond Calvary Chapel.
The only segment of evangelicalism that is growing at all is the non denominational section…and I’ve seen the same abuses and issues across the board.
I agree Michael. My comment is specific to CC. I just don’t see CC as having the influence they used to have. I remember thinking just the word, “movement” was cool. Now they seem to be a bunch of old rich guys who can’t seem to get along. Not so convinced that the younger, cool guys can carry the tribe like it was 15-20 years ago.
Calvary is done.
It can’t make it on the past.
Water that has already passed the mill wheel can no longer turn it…
Truth is hard but refreshing.
I wanted to really write something very nasty about CS and folks like Mr. Oakland but once words are put out there they are not taken back and they may hurt others I care about. I totally disagree with CS, I disagreed back in the early 80’s when I first got introduced to the CC movement and Mr. Smith. Many young folks were taken with his style and his books. I never was, it was just something, part of it was his eschatology and definitely his view of origins but that came a bit later. I do believe he cared for his children and I think he did love Jesus and tried to serve Christ. He would not have felt the same about me or afforded me the same view at least according to his sermons and what he has said on the radio.
I am sorry his family and his faith group are going through this another “grace” the franchise never gave to folks like myself.
I am always amazed at the interest that people have in what Oakland writes. Talk about someone who is as relevant as a pimple on an elephant’s ass. Sometimes Michael, I think you are the only one who keeps him in the limelight.
But I was amused by one of your lines – “The margins seem to be growing and gaining some traction among the old guard⊠”
I always like to tease on CC stuff that 99% of the country has no idea of who so and so is (the latest CC bad guy) or the latest event. But with the “old guard – 99% of CC people have no idea who these guys are and fall under zero influence of these “old guards”.
I say let them just be over in their own ‘amen’ corner and shrivel up and die as time goes on. Oakland is probably smiling broadly this morning as he checks the now enormous number of reads he had on his blog. He has been encouraged and energize now to fight on.
Since I’ve been out of California (since 2006), it is a rare person who has any idea who Greg Laurie is. I thought he was more widely known. Just piggy backing MLD’s point that the Calvary world is out of the sight lines of most.
Now that I live in Idaho, I wonder if I should have changed my moniker to potato head. ?????
Roger Oakland is Chuck Smith’s own creation is he not. By imbedding conspiratorial eschatological notions into the fabric of theology Smith created Oakland and all his kin. I think Oakland is the logical outcome of having bogeyman eschatology.
So now the rot in the CC system is unavoidably obvious but rather than calling it old fashion lust for money sex and power we have to stage it as eschatological inevitabilities infringing on the family.
Oakland is the spawn of pretribulationalism run amuck. He is Chuck’s spawn. I could get much worse in my characterization but I shall not. For most of the body of Christ he is a gnat to be swatted or simply blown away in a cool breeze.
I am glad he has no voice in my world.
Michael
I hope that in writing your book it is all put into the broadest possible contest. CCCM did not exist in a vacuum. House of Hossana (Shiloh), Melodyland, even the Crystal Cathedral were all part of the zeitgeist. It is now almost like looking at a 40 year period in the Reformation era and trying to make sense of the personalities, movements, doctrinal debates, etc. Despite it all – and despite the “clay feet” of some leaders – I still believe that God, by the work of the Holy Spirit – did something remarkable…
” Despite it all â and despite the âclay feetâ of some leaders â I still believe that God, by the work of the Holy Spirit â did something remarkable⊔
Yes!
Duane,
It’s very broad.
My concern is how the creation of unbiblical traditions inside a tradition lead to spiritual abuse.
I’m having all sorts of issues with the site here…working on resolutions.
I remember dumping boxes of over two decades of sermon tapes of CSSr’s Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Thursday nights, thinking, “I wonder what it would be like to just read each book without someone telling me what it means?”
I remember the liberating realization that I no longer had Chuck Smith Sr’s voice commenting in my head as I read my bible silently, on my own.
It takes a conscious effort to think one’s own thoughts, ask questions that you’re not supposed to ask, and embrace the spiritual ambiguity that comes with uncertainty.
God has been, is, and ever shall be bigger than a book people wrote about Him, or the teachers who string together conclusions that unstrung texts could never conclude.
I was told about the affair over a decade ago. I always assumed that things were probably handled in a gracious and biblical manner. Often times when the “stories of grace” are told and retold, a lot of the sins get omitted in order to preserve the image of the individuals. I am glad that God didn’t do this with the scriptures. Though we don’t know the details of every “sharp disagreement” we do know that the heroes of the faith were in fact flawed men, so that grace is magnified and Jesus alone is worshipped. I wish the church modeled repentance better.
Jim has nailed the real issue.
When it’s too dangerous to repent, then grace is nowhere found.
” I wish the church modeled repentance better.” chilling truth and Michael is so correct, “When itâs too dangerous to repent, then grace is nowhere found.”
not only do Scriptures not hide the sins of the players, it gives wonderful examples of what results from how those players dealt with their sins, too … thinking of a man whom God dealt with back there… King Nebuchadnezzar
some good thoughts here this morning – i am blessed to read
The Oakland stuff is laughable and sad and disturbing. I would hope he would stay in the outskirts and would never gain any significant traction within today’s Calvary Chapel, or any other church for that matter.
As for Chuck Smith I will open the can of worms here. Assuming the truthfulness of the affair as I trust Michael’s forthrightness with these things and that he wouldn’t go public with something like this without being certain, and we also have Jim’s testimony here just now of being told about it, it is a shame that so many knew about it and never did anything about it except to allegedly use if for their own gain. It is a shame that not even one confronted Chuck and told him that he needed to step down because he had disqualified himself and then would have gone public before the church if need be if Chuck wouldn’t do the right thing. And maybe some did try to confront him privately, this I would not have any way of knowing. But at the very least, there is seemingly no record of anyone ever putting it before his church or the movement, for that sake.
Now I’m not necessarily suggesting that everyone who had ever been told of the affair should have done something about it. But certainly of those who were closer to Chuck and/or CCCM, something should have been said and done. I know this would have been quite a difficult thing to do. But out of all those other “men of God”, one would have hoped that someone, or some group of them would have stepped up and did the hard but righteous thing.
Kevin,
When you’re told repeatedly to “touch not God’s anointed” this is what you get…
Needless to say, but it’s also why you get taught that over and over…
Michael,
I imagine your statement is right in playing a big part in it. Still a crying shame that nobody could do the right thing.
Surprisingly, I actually don’t hear the “touch not God’s anointed” very often, although I have. Other old guard mantras are repeated much more frequently.
Kevin,
It’s a complex story…in movements like this it can be difficult for people to discern what the right thing is and how to execute actually doing it.
My interest is not in making a blight on Smith’s legacy, but in examining how it affected the doctrine and practice of the group in the middle of the last great revival this country has seen.
That’s what is important here…
Michael,
It most certainly would be complex. I know that. And I know it wouldn’t have been easy to go about figuring out the best way to handle or execute such a confrontation. But still, the bottom line is that nobody took on standing for the biblical requirement that a man who was unfaithful to his wife should not continue on as a pastor, at least not for a significant period of time.
Yes, this is now an old happening and nothing of consequence could or should be done about it. But it is still disheartening to learn of what went on. And it would cause me to lose some respect for those who were integral in the whole thing. At the very least, we can hopefully use this as a learning experience of how to do better going forward in the church.
Kevin,
What’s disheartening is the culture one secret spawned and how it colored everything else that went on.
The interesting thing to me is that ten years ago my email would be full of everything from curses to death threats for writing this…Oakland would be anathema as well.
The only thing I’ve received this morning is a good cat video…few care about such things anymore.
Was the cat claiming any kind of special anointing in the video? You may want to stay clear if so. đ
đ … they all think they’re anointed…
Hi everyone! Hi big brother!
Been missing all of you.
Hi, Dusty…good to see you again!
Hi Dusty! đ
a Dusty sighting here is a good thing
Dusty, so glad to see you here!! đ
I missed that you are writing a book on CC!?
And that Papa Chuck had an affair in the ’70’s.
Wow.
Sister Christian says hi too!
Will try to keep up on posting. This place does me good.
Hi em, ebrother, mld, big brother. It is good to be back.
I’m so glad I escaped from a certain CC several years ago.
I lost a lot of so called friends when we left. It’s hard to be shunned by people who you thought were your friends.
It’s been a real hard transition for my wife.
My son is the one who weathered the storm the best. He’s thriving at our new church.
David h
Sounds just like our story….
dusty,
It really hurt to have people essentially abandon me, and my family after being at that church for 14 years. There are a few who we still call friends, but not many.
I was told I was “backslidden,” “apostate,” “I had a demon,” etc. Then came the “You need to pray about it,” “you need to read your Bible more,” “you need to repent,” “you need to go to the midweek ‘Bible studies,'” and on and on. Then one of my former friends had the gall to say, “you’ll come back, and repent. You’ll have to rebuild the trust you’ve lost.” The trust I’d lost? What was he saying? I was the one who lost all trust in the leadership of the church.
I could never get a grip on what was going on. I hadn’t done anything wrong, except to disagree with their brand of leadership. I’ll always remember being told to read that Larry Taylor tripe “Things I Learned From My Pastor” “Never disagree with the pastor, etc.” It was shortly after reading that that I quit teaching a midweek Bible Study. And, then things whirled out of control. I don’t do well when I’m told to blindly follow orders.
Dave h still sounds like us!
I pray for your healing and that of your wife as well. I remember you from years ago and have prayed as i remember …peace to you my friend.
Jim Jacobsen said, “I was told about the affair over a decade ago. I always assumed that things were probably handled in a gracious and biblical manner. Often times when the âstories of graceâ are told and retold, a lot of the sins get omitted in order to preserve the image of the individuals. I am glad that God didnât do this with the scriptures. Though we donât know the details of every âsharp disagreementâ we do know that the heroes of the faith were in fact flawed men, so that grace is magnified and Jesus alone is worshipped. I wish the church modeled repentance better.”
Wow. I owe you an apology. That is very direct and truthful, and publicly stated. Thank you.
Great point that God didn’t hide anything in the bible about the details of sin and leadership/bible figures.
Worth repeating…
“I wish the church modled repentance better.’
Wow. Thought someone would carry the thread about Chuck allegedly being blackmailed, but as to what people allegedly committed the dirty deed, Oakland didn’t come close to pinning the tail on the donkey.
“Oakland didnât come close to pinning the tail on the donkey.”
I did… đ
Michael, lol. đ
I’ve missed this plsce.
Still feels like home
Michael,
You said:
“âOakland didnât come close to pinning the tail on the donkey.â
I did⊠?”
I’m not attacking here. No interest in that. I’m not even disagreeing. You’ve been right in general far far more than you’ve been wrong, and usually when I disagree with you it’s over analysis and not the facts themselves.
But as you’ve spent most of the last decade asking questions to people more well known than yourself, I think it’s fair that some lesser known than you asks you some questions about this.
1. Why bring this up now? I’d assume that you’ve known about this for a while. I heard the rumor myself a few years back. What good does it do to bring this up? That it was published on a far less known, and far less respected blog than yours is hardly cover. That’s how the mega-church guys do it: well, that church did it so it’s just the way it’s done.
2. There have been other rumors out there that have been published on other blogs, but those guys are still alive and still have lawyers… would it be fair to assume that this plays a factor?
3. What’s the point? You brought this up now, and not later, or earlier. Your second blog about Mr. Oakland could have made you point just fine, yet you chose to write the first one. So how does this help? What major changes in CC will this bring about?
“But as youâve spent most of the last decade asking questions to people more well known than yourself”
What difference does that make?
“Why bring this up now?”
Because it’s now a topic that is being brought up elsewhere and I think to fully understand these dynamics it’s time to just get the truth out and quit pretending. Everyone who knows about this has been in bondage to it…I’m tired of pretending and believe it’s time to deal with it properly.
“There have been other rumors out there that have been published on other blogs, but those guys are still alive and still have lawyers⊠would it be fair to assume that this plays a factor?”
I don’t even remotely understand the question.
“Whatâs the point?”
I answered that already. I believed Oakland’s article needed answered…and it had to be done in two parts.
“What major changes in CC will this bring about?”
I’m not interested in making changes to the Titanic as it sinks. I’m very interested in helping people avoid booking trips on the next Titanic.
We’ve barely scratched the surface…
As if Michael has never pulled the covers on folks with living people who have lawyers?!?!? Kestler, Coy, Heitzig right off the top of my head–SMH & LOL!
“what’s the point?….What major changes in CC will this bring about?”
My friend, there were dozens, if not hundreds or more who witnessed the dynamics of CCCM and the decision-making and preferences that took place. While I was privy to much of it, most like me fully sold themselves out to that man and that ministry even though they labored further from the dynamics. Yeah, I know, should have kept the focus on Jesus many would say. Well forgive the shortcomings of a sinner who has walked 30 odd years and has the scars and failings to prove it.
I digress, these CCCM employees and attendees all share this in common however…why were certain decisions made in that church and by Chuck corporately in CC at large? Why did it seem that certain people and events had outsized influence over Chuck which seemingly influenced his decisions? Personally I gave up eleven of my best years to serve there. While I can finally say that I have put the pieces together to enable me to move on, I suppose, pastor, there are quite a few that have not or are on the path to doing so. These “matters” will enlighten and give answers to those who still raise these questions in their minds in order to gain closure and also move on. Please spare me the trite CC admonition to forgive, forget, move on.”
Michael as the high minded thinker that he is has a greater purpose as he just stated. “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it” he might say. Me, as a small minded man, has his memories and questions (some expressed above) and I am certain there are loyal servants who serve or served at CCCM that deserve the facts to connect the dots to assist them in moving on.
That young man is “the point” to me.
Hello & hugs to dusty!
Jeff,
Thank you.
I spent hours last night communicating with folks who finally did connect the dots…way past my bedtime.
The other thing that I will show is that this incident colored the entire culture of CC then and still influences it now.
That’s what is important to me…because those same dynamics are repeated in many places today for similar reasons.
If I can teach people to recognize them, I’ve fulfilled my calling.
Anne,
Thank you for helping me understand that question.
If that is truly what he was asking, I have no way to answer him without profanity.
Ok, haven’t read the whole thread, but this popped into my mind as I read Michael’s article.
I really resonate with ( |o )====::: @24: “It takes a conscious effort to think oneâs own thoughts, ask questions that youâre not supposed to ask, and embrace the spiritual ambiguity that comes with uncertainty.
God has been, is, and ever shall be bigger than a book people wrote about Him, or the teachers who string together conclusions that unstrung texts could never conclude.”
So, Oakland has the same facts as many other critics of the Calvary Chapel “loose association”, but he interprets them differently, based on what he believes to be true.
I have seen this time and again with scientists, who confronted with the same data, interpret it differently according to the system by which they were trained. Others, whose worldview trumps the scientific method, interpret the same data differently. Within Christianity, we do not accept a uniform worldview, unless we espouse the creeds, or unless we find others who share our same interpretation.
This is how the apparent truth is interpreted by the eye of the beholder–we interpret information based on our values, our beliefs, our environment, our experiences, and how we’ve been treated by others in the past.
It’s how God’s word, through a good sermon, speaks differently to everyone who hears. It’s also how we get wildly different interpretations of the same information.
Hi Anne ((((((hugs)))))
So, so happy to see Dusty here again. Hugs!!
Hi dusty and Nonnie!
Hi Lennea and Nonnie…so good to see you both ((((hugs))))
Now that I’m awake and fully medicated…
“That Guy Over There” has once again provided us with a text book case of the typical passive aggressive attack/not an attack that was so common here for years.
It’s cowardice at it’s worse.
“I’m not attacking here”…then proceeding to do just that while hoping no one notices.
When answered he disappears…hoping to get the “attaboys” of his peers.
He goes after me…but doesn’t utter one word about the subjects of this article.
It’s almost like 2006…
Yes, I let the cat out of the bag.
The bag was pretty badly ripped already and lot of people could already see the cat.
I did so without a big headline,without sensationalism, and without rancor.
I believe I did it as right as it could be done.
My name, as always, is on what I wrote…just like it’s been when I wrote about living people with lawyers…
Michael, I think you picked exactly the right time to say what you said, and I like the way you said it.
Anybody who wants to second guess Michael should bear in mind that he has spent a decade and a half writing about these things, dialoging with people on this blog, and talking to folks in an investigative capacity. So maybe we want to respect his timing.
The issue that comes to my mind in this is, what was the church board’s role in this story? Chuck S always had an issue with boards and their authority. According to him, it has always been the Holy Spirit vs the boards.
When he was a young man, he put chairs in a circle, the board told him not to do it again. This started so much bitterness on his part that he was still telling his version of the story fifty years later, about how church boards get in the way of the Holy Spirit doing what he wants to do.
Years later, when another big name pastor is fired by his board for adultery, Chuck immediately hires him himself, proclaiming how ‘anointed’ and ‘gifted’ the man is and how short sighted his board was for disciplining him. Then, his proteges start the practice of placing their buddies from other churches on their boards, instead of people who are actually part of the congregation.
So the intriguing question for me is, is anything known about the church board’s part in the story?
JS,
We’re talking about a forty year old story, so even getting consistent details on the incident are difficult.
Memories fade…
I don’t have anything about the board on that time that I could report with confidence.
I want to reiterate…the issue today doesn’t concern the sin, it concerns the fact that the sin defined a big part of the culture that is still in play today.
That culture showed itself in TGOT’s post…where the “no talk” rule and “kill the messenger” both reared their heads as they have for years when dealing with issues in CC.
John, I appreciate the kind words.
Going back to the Chuck Smith had an affair story, help me as I think I missed a step here. Has anyone ever come out and say “Chuck Smith had an affair. I saw it, he told me, the woman showed me pictures – anything like that.”
What I have read is several people saying “well I have heard the rumors” and some saying “I heard the rumors going back to 1977” or some variation of that. Is hearing rumors any form of evidence? Heck, I have heard the rumors right herer – and I could say “yes, I have heard the rumors”, but I know absolutely nothing.
I would hope that there was some substance behind the rumors – after all, one more person saying they heard a rumor means nothing.
Evidently, you missed his attorney for over a decade confirming the report farther up the thread…
Surely ,you also know by now that I wouldn’t say such a thing unless I was completely confident it was true.
Michael,
“I digress, these CCCM employees and attendees all share this in common howeverâŠwhy were certain decisions made in that church and by Chuck corporately in CC at large? Why did it seem that certain people and events had outsized influence over Chuck which seemingly influenced his decisions? ”
Am I reading the wrong post? Is this what you consider the smoking gun?
Look, personally I don’t care if he spent 40 yrs spreading his seed over the Hawaiian Island and that people were blackmailing him. If he is guilty, he is guilty – but someone should come out and clearly say – “Chuck had an affair and I know.” – Jeff Sheckstein seems to be saying that the staff etc was speculating why some seemed to have this influence over Chuck Smith.
Perhaps Jeff will come back and just state clearly what he knows (or at least clear enough for a simpleton such as myself.
btw – I am not challenging what you have written – just that “I have heard the rumors” does not satisfy me – and I am probably a lone voice on this side of the issue.
MLD,
I have no problem with your questions.
I’ve probably interviewed at least three dozen people since 2004 who told the same story consistently.
No one will dare go on the record…but no one is going to challenge me either.
But are they confirming that they ‘know’ or are they confirming they have heard the rumors?
As I said, I have heard the rumors and know absolutely nothing.
Trust me, the people I have spoken with know.
Even if you don’t trust me, they know.
I didn’t say I didn’t trust you – I have just not heard in these reports here that anyone has come out and said “I personally know this happened” as I said, almost all of the reports are people recollecting when they heard the rumor. I have not heard you say so — until your #78 above.
MLD,
I have to be very careful…whenever I post a story like this a witch hunt usually ensues.
They would have to burn a lot of witches with this one…worst kept secret in Christendom.
MLD sounds like an Atheist, “Where’s your proof! I want video of Jesus resurrecting from the dead! No video or it didn’t happen!”
….ya, but you have a ton of witnesses saying they saw him, even extant writings from two non-bible historians who document a “Cristus” and “Cretos” aka Jesus Christ.
“Doesn’t matter! I want VIDEO EVIDENCE! …or it didn’t happen!”
It happened, way too many sources and people on the deep inside. No, they cannot provide video.
Nope – I just asked for someone to say the knew objectively and not just “I heard the rumor.”
I said earlier if he is guilty, he is guilty and I don’t care one way or another.
Michael,
you quoted me: “That culture showed itself in TGOTâs postâŠwhere the âno talkâ rule and âkill the messengerâ both reared their heads as they have for years when dealing with issues in CC.”
where am i killing the messenger? I’m not fighting your assertion. Like i said earlier, I’ve learned that you are usually right on the facts in substance. But does that mean you’re above questioning? who watches the watchers? Questions don’t kill the messenger.
My questions are this:
1. Why are you using the blog posts of others as a pretext to post your own? That’s what the celebrity mega-church guys you’ve railed against do. Pastor X makes this much and so should I. Big church X is doing this and so should we. Blogger X posted un-corroborated claims so I”m ok to as well. Another big name CC pastor was listed in that post as having sinned previously… yet you’re silent about him.
2. What are you hoping to get? I’m willing to be more than patient and charitable. If you have a series of posts coming that show how this one horrible event shaped the CC movement then I’ll wait and see what you put forth. But Oakland’s rantings were just an excuse to post about Chuck. Perhaps I wouldn’t have cringed as much if you’d said “here’s the truth-Chuck Smith disqualified himself in the 70’s and it was covered up…. in the coming weeks I’m going to post about how that directly shaped the CC movement.” Instead, you posted the ramblings of a bitter fear monger and used them as a pretext to expose a sin from 40 years ago. That’s my beef.
I’m not saying that no one should talk. I’m glad people have talked about men like Coy and Kestler, KP and Heitzig. I’m not interested in killing the messenger. But I’ll question the messenger lest he become what he stands against.
TGOT,
As you are someone who in the past has only shown the courage to try to expose a nine year old, I have little respect for you or your questions.
I am happy to report that the young man is almost big enough to exact his own justice for that act of bravery.
As usual with people of your ilk, you are obfuscating that matter.
You have decided that Oakland’s screed was a ‘pretext” to do what I really wanted to do.
You have no proof of this but you will try to repeat the assertion until some folks think it’s true.
If I wanted to use this fact to accomplish whatever it is that you think I gain by it’s publication, I could have done so any time within the last 14 years.
I could have done it on a Monday with a big banner headline and used social media to promote the point.
I could have done that and been perfectly justified in doing so.
I have been commenting on Oaklands posts consistently because he is speaking for a group of CC pastors and he accurately represents everything I loathe about the way that prophecy wonks operate.
He is raising questions that are confusing and upsetting people…I answered them correctly ,not covered with the mire of conspiracy theory.
Oakland alluded to the incident and I decided it was time to get the whole thing out in the open.
Some people would consider this foolish as it may diminish the impact of the complete book I’m writing about how this sin colors the culture of a movement for half a century.
I could care less if you choose to patient or charitable.
If you would like to be other than either, I’m more than willing to engage in whatever level of vitriol you choose to engage in…you are utterly irrelevant to my life and calling.
I missed where Oakland accused someone else…perhaps someone can point that out to me.
I do note you have avoided answering the questions that were posed to you…
You also need not worry about me becoming what I stand against…unlike those in your movement, I have real people I’m accountable to for everything I do.
a view from the sidelines on this subject….
the point of exposing hypocrisy (serious) in our church’s leaderships is not to embarrass the perp…
AND it is not to embarrass his family (they must, by their role in the person’s life, share in the esteem or the condemnation)…
RATHER the exposure and the discussion is to embarrass the rest of us who may be supporting a personality at the expense of our duty to reverence and fear God… it is the rest of us who are obligated to be discerning in who we follow, who we give credibility to – God has no celebrities, but Jesus Christ… it is our feet being held to the fire…
and it is a work that has to be done – long overdue … thank God for the Michael’s among us
further,
if one is called to leadership, it is not that they are BETTER than the rest of us (they might be… or not) – nor does it mean that that they are great Believers, they just may be the best that God has to work with … pray for them and for discernment
….. IMHO, of course đ
Em…you nailed it! Thanks for your comment. And that, I believe, is what Michael has expressed is his purpose– to expose charlatanism so that others won’t succumb to it.
I debated whether to comment again.
If I didn’t then I feed into the idea that says “oh there’s just another CC pastor who takes a pot shot and then disappears.”
But if I do respond… do I really want the heartburn? I’ve been called a vitriolic coward in the above comments after all đ
I wanted to address a few things:
You said i wasn’t responding to questions. I apologize about this. I missed them, and I scanned the comments but I didn’t see any that needed answering, although I’m totally willing to engage.
You referenced an unfortunate comment I made 6 years ago. I apologized to you directly and almost immediately. You said we were good. I still have the email. I thought that was the case, and its sad that it appears not to be. I also remember why I made the comment and the story had published that was factually incorrect. The guy who you wrote an article about (that might be described as slander) forgave you and moved I.. I had hoped we had both done the same đ
Regarding my assertions that you used Oakland’s rantings as a pretext, my first post asked the question, because it felt that way. My second post made the assertions because of your comment in response to someone else: “He didn’t pin the tail on the donkey… I did đ “. Meaning that the average person wouldn’t have known or had any idea what Roger was talking about (assuming that was it) but you decided that we all should know.
I’m not bothered that someone says Pastor Chuck sinned. I am bothered if there was a cover up (and there probably was). I’m bothered because i genuinely don’t see the reason for running this now. I could see the reason for running the story 5 years ago: Pastor Chuck should’ve stepped down in 1977 and he should more than step down in 2011, etc. That’s why I questioned you… and honestly, your response feels (not saying it is, just saying it feels) like the response many have reported when dealing with worst of what CC has to offer.
TGOT,
You are a disingenuous ass.
You don’t want to engage anything…you want to continue repeating the same things I’ve already answered.
My best guess is that you are doing so in order to curry some favor with anyone who might be willing to help you in your (so far) failed attempts to fill a pulpit.
“Look at this! I took on the Phoenix Preacher!’
Slow clap from the critics section…
I frankly don’t care what you think of my response or my articles…I do care that you continue to want to plow the same ground over and over gain in hopes that your seeds of of doubt about my character and intentions will take hold.
No, I have not moved on from your attack on a child,despite my best efforts to do so.
The very fact that it would enter someones heart to do such a thing is more reprehensible than I can cope with.
I will freely own that sin.
My suggestion to you is that you move on…I’m starting to get angry now.
Michael,
I’m going to move on and I promise not to comment again at your request because this is your blog. Don’t leave angry just leave right? đ
But i want to make a few things clear to those watching in the peanut gallery.
-I never attacked your son. Never… I did attack you 6 years ago after you took a swing at my friend. I was wrong.
-I apologized and you said you forgave. I still have that email.
-I wasn’t the passive/aggressive CC guy. I was willing to engage and when i did i was shown the door.
-I am about to be unemployed, that’s true, and it’s true that I have yet to find my next spot. All true. But remember this: any CC Pastor who might like that I was “taking you on”, wouldn’t like me because I’m exactly the CC guy you’ve said you want. Willing to engage with bloggers. I’ve publicly put my name out there in criticism of GFA and David Barton. In a lot of ways I’m exactly the guy that Oakland and Bryson and the “old guard” are terrified will take over CC. I don’t hate Calvinists or the Pope, I’m ecumenical and open to ideas from different tribes, etc.
I’m comforted that in heaven you and I will experience the true brotherhood we’ve seemed unable to find here on Earth. You know how to get a hold of me offline… I’ll take your call or email any time.
Blessings,
-Adam Dolhanyk (TGOT)
“I never attacked your son. Never⊠I did attack you 6 years ago after you took a swing at my friend. I was wrong.”
That is a lie. Except for you being wrong.
You never engaged with any of my answers, just kept asking the same questions.
When we asked what on earth this meant… “There have been other rumors out there that have been published on other blogs, but those guys are still alive and still have lawyers⊠would it be fair to assume that this plays a factor?”… silence.
When I asked what other person Oakland accused that you implicitly accused me of ducking…silence.
Both were believed to be further allegations against my character,without the guts to actually spell it out.
You’re free to stay Adam…but you better bring your lunch because this ain’t going to be short or pretty…
TGOT
You got it entirely wrong. Do yourself a favor and go back and read my first comment, slowly, which spurred Michael’s response re: pinning the tail on the donkey. The context and summary surround who the party(s) or classes of people were that allegedly could/would use the affair info/allegations as leverage against Chuck. Oakland missed it completely by inferring others used it to change Chuck’s theology and positions re: CC, etc. Michael hit it on the head…go back and read his opener.
What I find interesting, even compelling about you, Pastor, is that you did not respond to or even acknowledge my reply to you. No where, seemingly, in your heart or mind, is a concern for the people subjected to these issues and the decisions made by Chuck that in many regards were unfair and stumbled those in his employ. While I recognize that situation didn’t affect you personally, as I pointed out, it affected many, likely including your former employer. Your utter lack or empathy and understanding of this collateral damage speaks volumes. Instead you focus solely on whether Oakland got it right.
Jeffery,
I tried to find your contact info so I could reach out to you outside of this blog. I didn’t want to post here again but I’d love to respond to you.
Please reach out. My contact info is linked on my comments.
-adam
Let me get this right.
When you challenge me, you want to be here.
When you are challenged, you want to answer offline.
Right…
Still the sexual sin of the newer pastors continues. Just to be covered up â donât touch the Lords anointedâ. Makes me sick. The latest: Ben Ortize Sandpoint Idaho
We rescued his wife once and have plenty of emails to prove it all
Chris,
Was Ben Ortize an appointee (or sent out by Caldwell of Boise)? Was he ever a staff member of Boise CC?
I just now read through this thread for the first time and came upon the accusations regarding Chuck Smith. I have to agree with Martin Luther’s Disciple in this matter…
“Going back to the Chuck Smith had an affair story, help me as I think I missed a step here. Has anyone ever come out and say âChuck Smith had an affair. I saw it, he told me, the woman showed me pictures â anything like that.â
What I have read is several people saying âwell I have heard the rumorsâ and some saying âI heard the rumors going back to 1977â or some variation of that. Is hearing rumors any form of evidence? Heck, I have heard the rumors right here â and I could say âyes, I have heard the rumorsâ, but I know absolutely nothing.
I would hope that there was some substance behind the rumors â after all, one more person saying they heard a rumor means nothing.”
I don’t believe his question was properly answered. All I heard was essentially “Trust me, I know” I have scoured the internet high and low and you would think in the years since this thread began, someone, somewhere would corroborate this charge. I have not found it legitimized, anytime, anywhere. Again, I agree with MLD, the accusation may be true; but with a charge this damaging if someone is going to make it, you need to have the biblical integrity to back it up… otherwise all it amounts to is tawdry gossip. What is the biblical standard for such a charge?
“1 Timothy 5:19 instructs, âDo not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.â This also is a fairly straightforward application of Deut 19:15 into a church context.”
If you or your sources are unwilling or unable to do that, then you (and they) need to recant your accusations, remove them from your site, and apologize to everyone on this site for “sowing discord among the brethren…”
kegardner,
Virtually every major CC player from the 60’s and 70’s, along with Smith’s family knows the truth.
It’s not problem that they refuse to go on the record, nor is it my place to name them without their consent.
Believe me, they would have sued me into oblivion if it was a false accusation.
Thank you for the reply. I will take you at your word.
Does the work on your book continue Michael? You have gone through so much that it seems impossible.
Alan,
All my plans have gone away in the wake of my health problems and moms dementia…which I have no help with.
The current issue has left me barely functional.
Yes Michael,
I am sorry and the urgent matters are first. Grace to you as you navigate all of this.