Chuck Swindoll |
Feb 1, 2023: RiddleBlog: The OC -- A New Burned Over District? The Bible Teachers
The Chuck Swindoll of the late 1970's was one of the best expository preachers I have ever heard. When I first became aware of the buzz, and then finally settled the question as to whether or not I was going to be a Christian, the time came to find a church and join. There was little question that my choice was going to be EV Free. The preaching and teaching at Calvary Chapel was repetitive and weak, and places like Melodyland (and later the Vineyard) were just too wild to suit my tastes. My family had attended the Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton off and on back in the days when Wes Gustafson was still pastor, and when the church was still located on Woods Ave. This was well before Chuck Swindoll arrived in the OC in 1971 from Irving, TX. Jan 3, 2006: Houston Chronicle: The boy in the boat
During his time as pastor, he's had some wonderful people serve under him. Chuck Swindoll, world famous preacher, author and former chancellor of Dallas Baptist Theological Seminary, was the song leader at Second Baptist Church in Channelview for two years. "I performed the wedding ceremony for Chuck and Cynthia Swindoll at the First Baptist Church of Galena Park." Cynthia Parker Swindoll's parents used to own the cleaner's in Galena Park. "Cynthia played the piano for our church and my daughter Nancy Carol used to climb up in her lap during the sermons," he said. |
October 18, 1934: Charles Rozell Swindoll is born in El Campo in Wharton County, Texas.
While on the island of Okinawa during his tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps, Chuck recognized that the Lord was calling him to devote his life to the gospel ministry. With Cynthia, his partner in life for more than fifty-one years, Chuck has devoted himself to the challenge of communicating practical, biblical truth and its application in the context of God’s grace. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Chuck enrolled in Dallas Theological Seminary.
June 18, 1955: Swindoll married Cynthia Ann Parker, who used to be the pianist at a Baptist Church in Galena Park, Texas.
Riddle Blog: Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton grew so fast, the congregation was forced to move from their medium size-church facility in Fullerton (which, interestingly enough, is now a Korean CRC) to its current expansive location in the next-door city of Brea. Throughout this time, Swindoll produced a number of best-selling books (we sold cases of them in our bookstore), and his sermons were soon being broadcast on radio (1977). Swindoll's radio ministry quickly generated so much buzz (along with growing notoriety), this led to the inevitable creation of Insight for Living--the radio "ministry" of Chuck Swindoll--several years later (1979). As I look back at things, it was the success of Insight which eventually diminished Swindoll's more expositional and doctrinal style of preaching which had characterized his ministry before he became a radio preacher. Like many of those who achieve success in Christian media, Swindoll took on a celebrity persona. I have no doubt that Swindoll never sought the buzz which grew up around him, but over time such a persona came to characterize him. I'll never forget the roll-out of one of Swindoll's new books at the annual Christian Bookseller's Convention. Prominently featured at the Word Publishing mega-booth ("Word Inc." was the giant amongst a host of "mom and pop" Christian businesses) was a full size cut-out figure of Swindoll in black leather, with dark shades, seated on a Harley, identified in bold letters as the "Sermonator" (a playful attempt to ape Arnold's "Terminator"). Although the "Sermonator" image was supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, it really wasn't. Swindoll was no longer seen as a pastor, he was now a Christian celebrity, better known for his books and radio program than for his role as a shepherd to his congregation. Others at EV Free were now taking care of the sheep. |
July 1994: Swindoll became the president of Dallas Theological Seminary.
2007: Swindoll was honorary chairman for the National Day of Prayer

October 17, 2017: Tyndale House Publishers release the Swindoll Study Bible. Winner of the 2018 Christian Book Award for Bible of the Year.
The Swindoll Study Bible offers the best of Chuck Swindoll's wit, charm, pastoral insight, and wise biblical study directly to you as you study God's Word. Chuck's warm, personal style comes across on every page, and his informed, practical insights from him get straight to the heart of the Bible's message for the world today. Reading each part of this NLT study Bible is like hearing Chuck speak God's Word directly to your heart. It will both encourage readers' faith and draw them deeper into the study of God's Word.
In Chuck's own words: “This study Bible was designed with you in mind. As you read the Scriptures, imagine me sitting next to you and sharing personal stories, important insights, and hard-earned lessons that will encourage you to walk more closely with Jesus Christ. You'll discover the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the Bible: Who wrote it and when? What does it mean, and where did its events occur? Why should I trust it? And most importantly, how can I apply it today?
“It's that last question more than any other that has fed my passion to publish this Bible. My primary focus in ministry has been teaching biblical insight for living. . . for genuine life change. After all, that's why God has communicated His Word to us―so that we may become like His Son de él, Jesus Christ, the central figure of this Book.”
The Swindoll Study Bible offers the best of Chuck Swindoll's wit, charm, pastoral insight, and wise biblical study directly to you as you study God's Word. Chuck's warm, personal style comes across on every page, and his informed, practical insights from him get straight to the heart of the Bible's message for the world today. Reading each part of this NLT study Bible is like hearing Chuck speak God's Word directly to your heart. It will both encourage readers' faith and draw them deeper into the study of God's Word.
In Chuck's own words: “This study Bible was designed with you in mind. As you read the Scriptures, imagine me sitting next to you and sharing personal stories, important insights, and hard-earned lessons that will encourage you to walk more closely with Jesus Christ. You'll discover the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the Bible: Who wrote it and when? What does it mean, and where did its events occur? Why should I trust it? And most importantly, how can I apply it today?
“It's that last question more than any other that has fed my passion to publish this Bible. My primary focus in ministry has been teaching biblical insight for living. . . for genuine life change. After all, that's why God has communicated His Word to us―so that we may become like His Son de él, Jesus Christ, the central figure of this Book.”
Apr 22, 2022:
Dr. Chuck Swindoll serves as the Chancellor Emeritus of Dallas Theological Seminary. He shares a message about the characteristics of leaders intending to make a lasting difference from 2 Timothy 3:10-14.
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January 25, 2023
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