The writer H.L. Mencken coined the term Bible Belt in 1925 during the Scopes trial.* He used it to describe those in the southern part of the nation who believed in the literal accuracy of the Bible. It has perhaps come to mean congregants devoted to a more fundamentalist point of view of Christianity than others with a spiritual inclination who attend church and believe in God.
According to a fairly recent article, Mississippi and Alabama were among the most religious states. 82% in both believed in God with “absolute certainty.” 75% prayed daily in the Magnolia State while the Cotton State was not far behind at 73%. (Andrew Conrad, Church Management, “Church Attendance by State: How Does Your State Stack Up?” May 24, 2017)
As far as church services go, Utah leads the pack for weekly attendance at 53%. The state is about 60% Mormon. (Ibid)
Georgia is tied for tenth on the list. 74% believe in God while 64% pray daily. (Ibid)
Out of perhaps a plethora of pulpits here in the Atlanta area, Andy Stanley’s name flashes like a neon sign on a dark street. Born on May 16, 1958, Stanley holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a master’s from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is the founder and senior pastor of North Point Ministries with these churches: North Point, Buckhead, Browns Bridge, Woodstock and Decatur City, Gwinnett, East Cobb, and Southside in Peachtree City.
Andy Stanley says, “I am a teacher, not a preacher.” He uses modern media to televise his sermon to his satellite campuses from his main one at North Point. As with some in vogue ministers, he has embraced modern music to enhance his services. Andy has been criticized by others in the religious community for saying Christians need “to unhitch the Old Testament from their understanding of their faith.”
The New Testament tells the life of Christ, how to get a spiritual life, and reach heaven. The Old Testament tells one how to live in the secular world. It is also a history of the Jewish people. The New and Old are connected.
Stanley is the author of over 20 books and is broadcast on television. His father is Charles Stanley, the well-known pastor of First Baptist of Atlanta.
Andy Stanley’s natal horoscope shows his Sun in constructive Taurus, a sign that tends to like to build things.** His Moon, denoting his subconscious, is in the executive sign of Capricorn, while Leo, the sign of showmanship, rises.
With Andy’s Sun/ Moon combination, “an ability to gauge the public temperament, and what it will take, is [his] greatest asset toward worldly success.” “Though needful for security, your real yen is for influence.” “You like to control and direct, and feel that you are responsible for the thoughts and actions of your public…” (Grant Lewi, Heaven Knows What, p.49 (1935).
Stanley has 3 planets—Sun, Venus, and Mars in the Tenth House. His career is vitally important to him. These positions also show the influence a parent, probably his famous father, had on him.
Mars is in the communicative sign of Gemini along with Mercury, the planet of the mind. With Mars and Mercury both there, there will be plenty of intellectual energy, and the native will be talkative. Mercury in Gemini gives “an inventive and lively mind.” (Parker, The New Compleat Astrologer, p. 30)
Jupiter, the planet associated with religion, is in the First House of self, providing Andy with a cheerful and broadminded personality. It is in dramatic Leo like the Ascendant.
Saturn is in the Ninth House. That placement makes Stanley “a serious, deep thinker, especially in questions of philosophy or faith.” (Ibid, p. 98)
Neptune, a planet associated with spirituality, is in the 4th House. This suggests “an imaginative parent, the subject will have high ideals in home life, but may be untidy about the house.” (102)
Much has been written about Stanley’s net worth on the internet. Estimates vary widely. They seem to begin at about $3 million and advance to a high of $45.
Some feel accumulating wealth together with preaching the Gospel is hypocritical. Why? Matthew 19:24 in the New Testament says “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Andy Stanley has both Uranus and Pluto in the Second House of money. Uranus indicates “sudden financial breaks, if well aspected these will be positive and lasting.” Pluto gives “business ability and drive.” (Ibid, p. 100, 104)
Dynamic ministers and excellent public speakers with positive, original messages have considerable more earning power.***I attended part of a church service Sunday last—I am visiting many churches—and the minister actually read several pages from the Bible verbatim. When he attempted to personalize the “sermon,” his voice was so low I could not hear him.
I have asked members of a church group to which I belong about wealth, the ministry, and Andy Stanley. One member opined “it depended on what he used the money for.” Another individual thought ministers should not accumulate wealth.
Jesus wanted God to be the most important thing in our lives. Building a financial empire detracts from this. The Bible says “no one can serve two masters.” “You cannot love both God and money.” It is easy to lose sight of the former while in pursuit of the latter. Taken to extremes, religion can become a scheme for a con man to gain money. Such a character was portrayed by Burt Lancaster in the film “Elmer Gantry.”
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*The trial of John Scopes in Dayton, Tennessee pitted Clarence Darrow, a famous lawyer and atheist, against William Jennings Bryan, one of the most eloquent orators in U.S. history. Darrow argued in favor of evolution while Bryan spoke about creation as expostulated in the Bible. Bryan was a devout Christian. Scopes was a high school biology teacher who wanted to present the theory of evolution. He was found guilty of violating a statute and fined $100.
**William Randolph Hearst who built Hearst Castle and filled it with valuables was a Taurus. Another was Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Senior. He is largely responsible for creating much of modern California. His State Water Project created “a vast system of reservoirs, aqueducts, and pipelines powered by pump stations and electrical generating plants to transport water statewide.” This was necessary because “one half of the state’s people lived in a region containing one percent of the state’s natural supply of water.” (Article on Pat Brown taken from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia) He also implemented the California Master Plan for Higher Education which created a system of colleges and universities throughout the state. All in all, he sponsored 40 pieces of major legislation and gained passage of 35. (Ibid)
***There are a number of ministers, these, who are said to be extraordinarily wealthy: Kenneth Copeland, who leads the Believers Voice of Victory TV Show and network, is said to have money and assets valued at $760 million. Pat Robertson is host of The 100 Club. His worth totals $100 million. Benny Hinn, a televangelist born in Israel, has accumulated 42 million. His teachings emphasize faith healing and the prosperity gospel. Best-selling author Joel Osteen is pastor of Lakewood Church, the largest Protestant Church in the U.S. He emphasizes love and a positive attitude. His financial worth is $40 million. Creflo Dollar hits the scales at $27 million. He is the founder and pastor of World Changers Church in College Park, Georgia. The late Billy Graham and Rick Warren are both worth $25 million. Warren founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. He is another best-selling author and has a five point program for world peace. He lives on 10% of his income and devotes the rest to charity. Joyce Meyer has compiled $8 million. She and her husband launched a television ministry, “Enjoying Everyday Life” in 2003. Her assets include a $10 million dollar jet and several $2 million dollars homes. The ministry’s HQ is valued at $20 million and has $5.7 million worth of furniture. This includes a $23,000 commode topped with marble. Criticized for extravagance, Meyer responded by saying she doesn’t have to apologize for being blessed. (Website: wwwbeliefnet.com, Article: “Eight Richest Pastors in America: These pastors inspire millions—and make millions”)
Brian Hill, MAAS Blog Writer
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.