Impotent: Steven L Anderson
Case #1: Steven L Anderson,
pastor of Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona
I won’t personally attack this terribly wrong man. I’ll simply say 5 things:
- The King James is not the only “inspired” Word of God – far from it.
- My pastor, Pete Briscoe, preaches from the NIV every week. You seem to take issue with the liberal NIV.
- God does use churches like NewSpring and because of their efforts, God is blessing them and people are coming to Christ.
- Use the pulpit to preach the Gospel, not to call out Perry Noble.
- Legalism sucks. I named my first born Grace because I so hate legalism and so embrace God’s grace.
*Here is his YouTube channel if you’d like to see more from him. He apparently loves to set up a camera and post videos. I’m sure he won’t mind you watching him.
NOTE: I have emailed Steven and asked to meet with him when I speak in Phoenix this month. My hope is to discuss his teaching and strong views with him. We definitely don’t see eye to eye.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I still can't get my head around what was going through his mind. We need revival, not condemnation of others. I still wonder if there is any fruit that can come out of a message calling other people out. This is why I love the Jesus Creed so much. Plain, simple, straight to the point.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Yeah – I think legalism chokes fruit. It's not God's way/plan and so why would He bless them with fruit?
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
fruit will come out because it gives clear example to us of how not to be.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:30 pm
sad. but greg, you are to be commended for reaching out to see if you can sit down face to face.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Thanks. I'm trying my best to speak the truth in love. I really want to meet him and talk with him eye to eye.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Its funny how I never hear people like Perry calling guys like this out.
"Tearing down" is never a good way to build the Kingdom.
There is a war going on and some of us rather shoot our teammates rather than attacking the enemy.
Maybe its too easy to criticize someone with "8,000" members.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Some churches get it in their mind that 'their gospel' (being that of traditional fundamentalism) is the only true gospel. It's sickening that pastors out there exist for the soul purpose to tear others down because they're not 'conservative' and they use innovative means to reach people. I am pretty certain it pains Christ every time something like this happens. The early church was not an organization that we see today. It was a loose structure of community groups filled with people less qualified than I am to preach the gospel with an incomplete Bible. So to sit back and say "we've got the only way church should be done" is idiocy. (albeit there are some churches who take things to far in the other direction as well)
Christ was innovative in the way he talked to people. He used stories, he used examples that were on the most basic of level so that everyone could understand, and most importantly he used tactics that were RELEVANT. When Christ ascended he told the disciples you are going to do greater things than I have done. I don't think that meant, hey you guys stick to what you were doing with me and don't go any further, don't branch out, don't try anything new. To do greater things you've got to get out there, get your hands dirty, try new things and use culture to reach people.
Thank you for taking the time Greg, to sit down and talk with this guy. I don't know how much good it will do but I pray you have wisdom and patience to deal with him.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Thanks and Denny and David. I appreciate you sharing and I appreciate your prayers.
February 5th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Greg, it is amazing how he never shows the congregation! Wonder if there is more than five there. We have a pastor in our city who has links from his site to this guy and has spoken against our church from his pulpit…..not by name, but by all we do or our ads in the paper. But then again we have a guy who has what we would all consider a good bible church, with a good following, who speaks against our annual Harvest Festival from the pulpit, since any connection to Halloween of any kind is SATANIC. By the way, we had over 2,500 people attend our Harvest Festival and not one song was to Satan, we did have live Bluegrass. The issue is the heart of the person, Baptist, Legalistic, Foursquare, Assembly, Calvary Chapel, wherever a heart of jealousy or envy reside or a heart for legalism – my way is the best way and always right lives, you will have this stuff. Speaking with him would be great – ask him if he ever reads the bible about grace, judging others, caring for all.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I think he and Matthew Fox were separated at birth: http://bit.ly/27VWDX
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Well done. You need to work for Conan or Leno. You've got skills!
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
TY.
Hmmm. Let's see. How did Jesus deal with the Pharisees again? How different is Anderson from one of those "religious leaders"? Last time I checked, Jesus didn't mince words.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Good thoughts. No Jesus "didn't mince words". I'm just trying to walk a fine line and not be mean or judgmental. I want to speak the truth in love. I'll let Jesus bring the harshness.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Greg, I agree that this man is incredibly mis-guided in how he approaches things. It's sad to see anyone use the pulpit to condemn those who are legitimately trying to reach the lost with the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ. I do have a few comments, however.
1. While I understand where your heart is in this matter, and you have clearly stated that you are not trying to attack the man, this post does come across as slightly retaliatory. I'm sure that I am just mis-reading your spirit in this, but even the title of the post comes across as a little attacking.
2. I am by no means a "fundy." In fact, I am a worship pastor for a progressive church plant, and we want to use whatever means necessary to reach people for Christ. I am a former NewSpring attender, and have all the love and respect for NS in the world. Perry, Lee and the rest of the leadership really do have a heart for the people of Anderson. But some of what Mr. Anderson says I have to agree with. I feel that some of our more "progressive" churches out there, in an effort to engage culture, have begun to MIRROR culture instead of IMPACTING culture. Worship is a sacred time…and I feel that God deserves much more than we give Him. Sadly, worship has become more about the "relevant experience" of the people than bringing honor and glory to the Creator. It's not about legalism (for me anyway), it's about honoring God in everything we do in worship. And frankly, there are many things we do in our worship times that do everything BUT honor God.
Thanks for sharing this and sparking this discussion. This is something that I think Pastors and Worship Leaders are going to have to tackle, and dialogue is the first step.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Phil, thanks for sharing. That's what this is for – discussion and getting things out in to the open. At my church, we probably wouldn't play GuitarHero on the screens during worship, but we also wouldn't call someone out who did from the pulpit.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
You may not bash this guy Greg but I will. This guy is a Self-Righteous Religious IDIOT. I am so saddened that perspectives still exist like this in America.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
P.S. You are pro Greg. Pro.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Greg, I have seen some of Anderson's preaching on video before. What absolutely amazes me is that he uses the pulpit to spend 45 minutes on a Sunday to discuss how other pastors and churches are unbiblical, yet I have never seen a video of Anderson preaching to his church about anything beneficial to their lives.
I can't believe people would regularly gather to hear such negative speech about other brothers in Christ.
As with everything, somehow, someway God will use Pastor Anderson to bring glory to himself.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I agree. I think God is using this right now to show that the Gospel is potent, powerful and life-changing and anything else (like what he's preaching) is weak.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I would really like to ask this guy a few questions and see what he says. How many people has your church baptized in the last 2 years? How many marriages have been restored as a direct result of ministry at your church? I could go on but you get the idea. Impacting people lives, turning them toward Jesus is what we are about. It actually can be measured as a way of checking yourself. Numbers are not the end all but at least an indication of how you are doing.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Yep, I have a long list of questions I hope to ask him later this month.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
We need to stone those heathens at NewSpring. Seriously. They don't call Perry "pastor?" How unbiblical. And "Crank It Up" as a theme? Clearly evil.
And that backdrop from the enemy? People pointing to the sky? Flames? Clearly hellfire. Not the holy spirit… hell.
Don't they know, out there in South Carolina, that Guitar Hero was made by the enemy and his minions?
One word. Wow.
I am gonna make me a video too.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Ha. Yeah – if you watch it closely, he actually makes fun of people from South Carolina (where I was born and raised – not too far from NewSpring). He also at the end kind of backslaps anyone not 6ft tall. I wonder what the men 5'11" and shorter there thought hearing that.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Greg, where are you actually from? Gaffney, here. Don't hold that against me.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Greer.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
You actually ain't that far… Charlotte NC here.
February 11th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
And you do pronounce it correctly right? Grrrrr (no vowel sounds). Of course, I can't poke too much fun, I'm from Greenwood.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I guess I'll need to repent on Sunday. We have a "rock band" each week, I read the ESV, our pastor goes by his last name and nothing else, I listen to music other than traditional hymns AND I believe it's more important to reach others for Christ than to try and build myself up by tearing others down.
Man…serious work to do before Sunday.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Hah! Now that was a great comment. Well said. Thanks for sharing, Greg.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Honestly, looking at his other videos, I think his intentions are clear.
I find it hard to believe that he actually believes in any of the stuff he says. If he saw me crack out my Blackberry to read scriptures, he's probably get a bullwhip.
I just had to tweet this post. As my 5-yr old says: O-mazing!
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Wow. How did you find this guy? Does he really have a church or is he filming this in his den? You cannot tell from the camera angle.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:51 am
Unfortunately, he really has a church. Watch it again and listen to the people comment and laugh.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:01 am
Got it. Guess I did not have the volume up enough.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:58 am
How funny that someone as holy as the Reverend Anderson (since we should always use titles in front of names) would know the lyrics to Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer, the "satanic" hand symbol used at cultish concerts, and knows what a pervert looks like! His message is wrong on so many levels…he comes across as being jealous because his own church is not as innovative or cutting edge.
Furthermore, to emphasize the fact that any translation other than the KJV is not as powerful or effective in preaching the gospel is outrageous! King James, who authorized and provided funding for the translation of the Bible, from Hebrew and Greek to English, was a homosexual man who had one of his own relatives beheaded! In my opinion, to use the KJV in today's culture would be like trying to preach from a Chinese Bible in an English-speaking culture…
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I find it astounding based upon the comments from this site how little people know about the scriptures. For all the accusatory nature against Pastor Anderson of being self righteous I find the same exact tone coming from most others who've posted on this site. I guess 2Tim 4:3-4 is indeed correct…
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I'm not sure I understand your use of 2Tim 4:3-4 to this situation. Care to explain?
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Caveat first off…I'm in disagreement and part company with Pastor Anderson concerning a number of biblical doctrinal teachings…
I'm essentially referring to that most of the comments in general I've found on this site do not reflect a simple basic correct exegesis of the scripture. In essence what I predominately find on this site are private interpretation(s) of the scriptures. Paul essentially taught people (Israel, modern day church) will get tired of hearing correct biblical doctrinal teaching and like the nation of Israel embrace pastors who prophesy such that the people love to have it so.
Essentially the modern day church of the "progressive variety" (aka Rick Warrens of the world) for most part denounce for example the Billy Sundays of the world specifically the doctrinal teachings of said person yet think they have a new and better way to reach people. What I find interesting is that the "new and better way to reach people" hasnt produced what I would consider to be many true conversions to Christianity and certainly has not impacted our nation as Billy Sunday did. Oh you probably would say membership is up but I would submit to you that if a person who gets saved doesnt have a 2 Corintians 5:17 experience then said person is still lost. When Billy Sunday went into a town, to preach, 100's of thousands got saved, police had to be laid off, bars shut down, prostitution houses went out of business. Can the modern day progressive church claim such a claim? I would say no…furthermore I would say that the modern day progressive church is in love with the world and its culture which BTW the scripture denounces. When the world looks at the modern day progressive church it basically finds a church where human emotion and experience play a predominant role vs church having the power and presence of God. Subsequently the world for all intent tells itself I dont need what they are selling at the church house (wordliness) because I already have it!
February 4th, 2009 at 12:58 am
…cont.
The church and the Jesus that Rev. Anderson is preaching, is the very reason why the unchurched want nothing to do with this thing called "Christianity." Who would want to be a part of the self-righteous, judgmental, non-inclusive religious organization portrayed in this clip? Thank God for churches like NewSpring and others whom God is using to break that (the one portrayed in the Rev. Anderson clip) mold of Christianity.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:52 am
I agree Rae. Thanks for sharing.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Yo, brings back memories of all of us together, in little room–wait that was just last week. Unfortunately, this guys are out-sad thing is they call themselves Christian.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:49 am
Can i come and bring my Flip Mino HD???
February 4th, 2009 at 2:35 am
I especially love the way he references both old and new testaments in his condemnation. It's not preaching in so much a gathering malcontents for a gripe session.
Being the video director of a "mega church" in NORTH Carolina maybe I am a little bias. I mean sure there is a line and sometimes I think we ride closer to it then I like but I have yet go to a church that has crossed it, and even with this I don't think NewSpring has. I suspect once they (or us or anyone else) did God's involvement (or lack there of) would be obvious and noticeable.
I think what bothered me most are
1) We did a series last year (and will repeat it this year) Rock solid living, we did one ROCK song a week after the praise and worship and then the teaching pastor explained how the lyrics could be applied to living a rock solid biblical life i.e. we did "carry on my wayward son" for the sermon on the prodigal son. So seriously take out NewSpring and insert church name here____ and we are just a guilty. That said we experienced the most growth last year during this series.
2) While I found his diatribe nothing short of offensive what got me most (again bias since I am a video guy) is that camera angle alone was almost enough to make me stop watching… not to mention I am a little surprised such a "traditional church" would have electricity much less a camera.
ok I feel better, I'm done
February 4th, 2009 at 2:45 am
Thanks for sharing, Mark. I don't get the camera angle either. Wait 'til you see tomorrow's camera angle. I know he loves the controversy and uploading videos to his YouTube page.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:38 am
The times I've listened to Perry I haven't heard him call Christ by the JC or JDog slogans. I could be wrong, or is this man a liar and painting a picture of Perry without accurate facts? Sound like slams against anyone that doesn't go to his church to me I guess.
February 4th, 2009 at 5:19 am
The hardest part of this whole thing is the fact that people aren't being led to Christ. It's times like these, that when we get caught up in an issue or a personal vendetta, that the whole reason we have a church that we pastor is lost. Just plain sad!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
So when was this guy going to actually open his own bible and use scripture to preach jesus rather than attacking perry? Pot meet kettle?
February 4th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I watched this video last week and it has irritated me since. I agree with all other comments especially the ones about the camera angle. It does appear that he just might be in his living room and there's maybe 8 people over. Ha!
But all I could think about as he went on his rampage was "wow, it's pretty easy to throw rocks from the side of the road at the tractor-trailers as they go whizzing by with their cargo". Because that's what it felt like. An angry little kid throwing rocks at trucks as they went by without him! Cause I'm pretty sure no matter how big his "living room" was, there weren't 8000 people there, NewSpring's number of followers he loved to amaze at. But just like the big truck, you can't let a few rocks keep you from your mission. And that's getting the Word out, something Perry's very good at.
I appreciate your attempt to reach the "angry little boy" because obviously, he is upset by something and it's probably not what he's yelling about, I'll wager. He's probably still ticked off that one of his people actually went to NewSpring!!
February 5th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Preachers are nuts, Christians are crazy, followers of Jesus who love him and want to teach others about him, sign me up for that. I am NOBLE but no relation
February 21st, 2009 at 4:31 am
It's hard to believe that what I just saw is real. Can I be blunt? This guy is an idiot. And that's being pretty loving about it. So, I went to his church website. It says that he has no college degree, but has over 100 chapters of the bible memorized, including over half of the New Testament. That's his credentials for being a pastor.
now that's funny.
October 16th, 2009 at 4:57 am
a formal education does not a servant of god make ,but by the same token a lack of formal education does not eliminate one from the service of the lord …some of the most annointed men of god that ever lived ,lacked formal education. ill not list them here ,however i do agree that mr. anderson would not be on that list….he is a hateful bitter little man…..
March 18th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I spent some time on his church's website. I don't agree with a lot of what he has to say, and some of it it is pretty laughable (condemning The Brady Bunch and The Andy Griffith Show, for example). But before we throw our shoulders out patting ourselves on the back for having a "correct" understanding of the grace/holiness dichotomy, I would point out that Pastor Anderson and his church apparently spends lots of time sharing the gospel door to door. I think his criticism of NS and Perry Noble stems from a good deal of ignorance, but I do admire his passion for the lost, a passion that lots of modern churches really don't have.
April 19th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Sorry … but everything Steven Anderson says is Biblical. Unfortunately, he is right about the church he speaks of, and there is nothing wrong with calling out wolves in sheeps' clothing. They are obviously trying to conform to the ways of the world to be accepted. A big no-no …
Another interesting comment was about Steven's lack of a college degree. Are you kidding me? How many preachers from Biblical times had a college degree? Are you saying you cannot be led by the Spirit without a college degree? Another big misconception of modern times …
May 9th, 2009 at 4:08 am
I like Steven Anderson's preaching. I think I might fly out to Phoenix just to visit their church. I don't know anything about New Spring so I can't comment on it, but there are a lot of mega churches as well as small churches that just tickle ears. There are a lot of "christians" who are light on their feet. I think we need more "men" and less panty waisted boys, and more ladies instead of women.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I have listened to a lot of Perry Noble's sermons, and I too have NEVER heard him call Jesus "JC". I have heard him say that at the Judgment seat that he'd be the one over on his face in front of the Son of God…..that doesn't sound like what pastor Anderson was talking about.
Steve Anderson is just a clone of Jack Hyles, and his bunch. Legalistic, and rigid, with no grace or love.