Robert Schuller and the Movement that Rebranded Church: A Deep Dive

Even if you've never heard of him, Robert H Schuller’s influence has a long shadow that reaches into some of the most influential and popular pulpits today. Schuller’s theology blended biblical language with self-help psychology and New Thought metaphysics, all while being a part of the RCA (The Reformed Church in America.) Not many Christians know that he was also basically the Godfather of the Seeker Sensitive movement. In this deep dive, I’m unpacking who he was, what he taught, and why it matters. I will also be giving an analysis of the seeker-sensitive movement.

I sat on the research for this video for a while. This is the longest deep dive I've done so far, and some might find it controversial. A lot of work goes into these deep dives, and I enjoy the research. But I always want to make sure that I am doing my best to give the information with fairness and integrity, but also with boldness and firmness. I believe I've done that.

Timestamps:

05:23- Part 1: Who is Robert Schuller? This will be a short biography and introduction about who Robert Schuller even is, what his accomplishments were, and what he taught.
23:19- Part 2: Schuller’s “Secret” Theology of Possibility Thinking and his Self-Esteem Gospel, laying the foundation for his motives in church growth.
1:51:36- Part 3: The Seeker Sensitive Movement. I will go over the brief history of the secret, sensitive movement, the major players in it, the influence that Schuller had, and how we see this manifested today.
02:17:32- Part 4: The Influence. An overlook of the prominent pastors and leaders who Schuller has directly mentored and influenced, and why this is problematic. But also why it’s sort of not.
02:51:34- Part 5: The Pros and Cons of the Seeker Movement. Here I'm going give what I would consider to be firm but fair insights on the Seeker Sensitive movement and the purpose of the Church.
03:27:34: My Conclusion and final analysis.

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References:

Albert Mohler article:
https://albertmohler.com/2008/10/28/s...

Biography: https://horatioalger.org/members/deta...

Wayback machine Bio: https://web.archive.org/web/201504101...

Tim Challes article on Norman Vincent Peale: https://www.challies.com/false-teache....

More about Schuller’s theology: https://www.equip.org/articles/a-new-...

Pros and Cons of the Seeker Sensitive Movement: https://www.equip.org/articles/pro-an...

White Horse Inn interview with Michael Horton:
https://whitehorseinn.org/resource-li...

Transcript of the conversation: https://www.monergism.com/discussion-...

Links to John C Maxwell quotes:
https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/mark...
 https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/poss...  https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/mark...
He quotes Emmet Fox numerous times:
https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/how-...
https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/on-t...
sometimes-you/

Napoleon Hill Quotes:

https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/mark...
https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/mark...
"Think and Grow Rich" as a model for this mindset:
https://johnmaxwellteam.com/mastermin...
Also here: https://www.outofthisworldleadership....
https://building-wealth-together.teac...
"15 Laws of Growth for Church Boom."(Only $200!) https://www.johnmaxwellacademy.com/ch...