Southern Baptist Pastor and ‘In Touch Ministries’ Founder Dr. Charles Stanley Is Dead at 90

I grew up among a hodge-podge of denominations and religious movements, from Catholicism, to Church of God in Christ, to Southern Baptist. Along with the extremes from confessional to charismania, much of the preaching I heard ranged from works and acts of service to hellfire and brimstone. Three guesses on who trafficked the most in the “turn or burn” language. While fear of eternal damnation is a powerful motivator, it’s not a permanent basis to build a relationship with God. Southern Baptist pastor, teacher, and radio broadcaster Dr. Charles Stanley seemed to have understood this. His theological training and denomination were Southern Baptist, but his teaching was rooted in scripture, and his delivery was that of a passionate instructor who wanted to ensure you understood the depth and importance of his message, more than a gleeful deliverer of fear, loathing, and divine retribution.Read More