Chuck Smith (pastor)
Chuck Smith | |
---|---|
Calvary Chapel | |
Notable work | Love, The More Excellent Way |
Television | A Venture In Faith (Documentary) What God Hath Wrought (Documentary) |
Spouse |
Kay Johnson (m. 1947) |
Children | 4 |
Charles Ward "Chuck" Smith (June 25, 1927 – October 3, 2013) was an American
Early life and career
Charles Ward Smith was born on June 25, 1927, in Ventura, California, to Charles and Maude Smith.[3] He was the second of four children.
After graduating from
Calvary Chapel
In March 1968, Smith brought into his home the then-18-year-old
The Costa Mesa church, led by Smith, grew and as of 2006, was attended by 35,000 people and had spawned over 1,000 churches that have branched out as part of the
A self-made documentary, What God Hath Wrought, produced by Screen Savers Entertainment in collaboration with Smith, tells the story of Smith's life, the Calvary Chapel movement and its influence on modern-day Christianity.[14] In the film A Conversation with Chuck Smith (2013) Chuck Smith talks about his battle with lung cancer and other personal topics.
Chuck Smith is the author and co-author of several books; titles of his books include Answers for Today; Calvary Chapel Distinctives; Calvinism, Arminianism & The Word of God; Charisma vs. Charismania; Comfort for Those Who Mourn; Effective Prayer Life; Harvest; Living Water; The Claims of Christ; The Gospel According to Grace; The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel; Why Grace Changes Everything; Love: The More Excellent Way; The Final Act; and others.[15]
Controversy
In his 1978 book End Times, Smith incorrectly predicted the generation of 1948 would be the last generation, and that the world would end by 1981 at the latest.[16] Smith supported his convictions again in his 1980 manuscript "Future Survival", postulating that from his "understanding of biblical prophecies… [I am] convinced that the Lord [will come] for His Church before the end of 1981." He identified that he "could be wrong" but continued in the same sentence that "it's a deep conviction in my heart, and all my plans are predicated upon that belief."[17] Calvary Chapel held a New Year's Eve service in 1981 for their followers to wait for the end to occur in accordance with Smith's prediction. When the world failed to end, many disillusioned followers left the Calvary Chapel movement.[18][19][20][21][22] Years later, Smith issued what journalist Gustavo Arellano described as a "wimpy non-apology" for the prediction, saying that setting dates for the end of the world was wrong and he "came close" to doing that.[18]
Smith attracted criticism for drawing connections between disasters such as the September 11 attacks and divine wrath against homosexuality and abortion.[22][23]
Smith has also been criticized publicly with allegations that he has tolerated financial[24] and sexual[25] improprieties within the Calvary Chapel movement.
In 2006, Smith was instrumental in removing his son, Chuck Smith Jr., from ministry in the Calvary Chapel movement. The Los Angeles Times reported that Smith Jr. was dismissed when he raised questions about his father's theological beliefs and philosophy of ministry.[22]
Honors
In April 2012, Smith received the Men of Character Award from the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.[citation needed]
Personal life
On June 19, 1947, Smith married Kay Johnson. She served as director of the women's ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for many years. They had four children together.[1]
On December 27, 2009, Smith suffered a minor stroke in his home and was immediately hospitalized.[9][26][27] He recovered and returned to the ministry.[28]
Smith announced during the New Years Day 2012 service that he had lung cancer.[8] In June 2013, Smith's doctors found that his lung cancer had advanced from stage three to stage four.[29]
Death
Smith died from lung cancer on October 3, 2013, at his home in Newport Beach, California, at the age of 86.[30][31] He was interred at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California. After he was buried, his funeral was held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, where more than 200 churches worldwide planned to show his tribute, live via webcast.[32]
References
- ^ a b Vitello, Paul (October 13, 2013). "Chuck Smith, Minister Who Preached to Flower Children, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ^ a b Goffard, Christopher (October 3, 2013). "Pastor Chuck Smith dies at 86; founder of Calvary Chapel movement". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Goffard, Christopher (October 3, 2013). "Obituary: Pastor Chuck Smith, founder of Calvary Chapel movement, dies at 86". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
- ^ Goldberg, Joshua A. (December 28, 2009). "Pastor Chuck Smith Hospitalized After 'Mini Stroke'". The Christian Post. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ "Paul Cain on Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ Newton, Gwen (Spring 1998). "Religious Movements Homepage: Calvary Chapel". University of Virginia New Religious Movements Archive. University of Virginia. Archived from the original on August 28, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ISBN 978-0978543310.
- ^ Orange County Register. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
- ^ a b "Famed Pastor Chuck Smith recovering". Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ Chuck Smith and Tal Brooke (1987), Harvest, The Word for Today Publishers.
- ^ Los Angeles, Times. "Jesus, drugs and rock 'n' roll: How an O.C. hippie church birthed contemporary Christian music". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ KSGR, Radio. "Pastor Chuck Smith". ksgr.org. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ "The New Rebel Cry: Jesus Is Coming!". Time. June 21, 1971. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
- ^ "IMDB Movie Reference". IMDb. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ^ "Books by Chuck Smith". Store.calvarychapel.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-89337011-4.
- ^ Future Survival, Chuck Smith, 1978
- ^ a b Arellano, Gustavo (May 7, 2011). "Remembering When Chuck Smith Predicted the End Times—And They Didn't Happen". OC Weekly. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
- ISBN 978-0195152050.
- ISBN 978-1-56858-104-0.
- ^ DiSabatino, David. The Jesus People Movement: An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource. Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies. p. 68
- ^ a b c Goffard, Christopher (September 2, 2006). "Father, Son and Holy Rift". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Lobdell, William (September 22, 2001). "In Aftermath of Attacks, Talk of 'End Days' Soars". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
- ^ Moll, Rob (May 8, 2006). "Unaccountable at Calvary Chapel". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Moll, Rob (February 16, 2007). "Day of Reckoning". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ "Pastor Chuck Smith Hospitalized After 'Mini Stroke'". December 28, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "After suffering a couple of 'minor strokes' Chuck Smith is recovering". Archived from the original on December 25, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ "Feel The Love: Pastor Chuck Smith and Love Song on Tour". September 16, 2010. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Alex Murashko (June 24, 2013). "Pastor Chuck Smith Suffers Setback in Battle With Lung Cancer". The Christian Post. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
- ^ "Charles Ward Smith". Pastorchucksmith.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ "Chuck Smith, 86, Dies After Cancer Battle". Christianitytoday.com. October 3, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ "Honoring Pastor Chuck Smith" Archived March 30, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Calvary Training, October 19, 2013