Did Jack Hyles advocate any heretical views?

[Logos1560]

Smith, Spencer. Empire of Error: An Analysis of the Teachings and Philosophies of First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana Under the Leadership of Jack Hyles. 2026.

Chapter thirteen in this new book by Spencer Smith is entitled "The Heresies of Hyles." (pp. 158-185).

Spencer Smith listed one of those claimed heresies as being the "eternal humanity of Christ" (p. 172).

Spencer Smith quoted a February 16, 1986, sermon by Jack Hyles where Hyles stated: "There's always been Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the human deity now. He always has been. He always will be. He did not become human when He came to Bethlehem. He became flesh, but not human. He's always been human" (p. 172).

 

[SovereignGrace]

That’s awful doctrine right there.

 

[Ascetic X]

Jack Hyles heresies reportedly include :

Jack Hyles - Part 1: The Manifold Evils and False Teachings of this Cultish Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Ju. 1:4,“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”What should we make of a man who says, “Now you need to close your...

www.2020scripturalvision.com

• Repentance unto salvation is merely repentance from unbelief.
• Submitting to the Lordship of Christ is completely optional.
• Quick Prayerism / Easy Believism
• Promotionalism
• Numbers-ism
• Eternal Humanity of Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ . . . did not become human when He came to Bethlehem. He’s always been human.”
• That there are two gifts of life in salvation, one is eternal life and the other is everlasting life. The distinction being that one in qualitative and the other quantitative. April 28, 1985 sermon: “The Gifts of God Are Everlasting Life & Eternal Life," started by misquoting Rom 6:23 as "the gifts of God" (plural) instead of "the gift of God" (singular).
• Hyles prayed to the dead and for the dead. He claimed to have gone once a week to the mausoleum where his mother's remains were interred and there he prayed to her. Hyles would ask his dead mother to help and intercede on the big days when they would use extra salesmanship to manipulate more people into repeating the “sinner’s prayer.” Before he left town on a speaking engagement, he said he would follow this ritual: he stops before the picture of Rice and Roloff, promising them he will do his best; then he stops before the picture of his mother and asks her to intercede for him to do a good job while he is preaching.
• The teaching that one should store up merits (works) to offset times of demerits (sins). If you have enough in reserve, God will forgive your sin and put you back in business.
• Hyles would say that sin does not need to be repented of, only forgotten, "We don't even have a right to remember our sins." (Heb 10:17 was his proof text).
• Hyles taught a severely heretical doctrine of sanctification. In the sermon, "Don't Cut the Grass," he taught that all of us have "wheat and tares" in us, but we should let both grow side by side and not cut anything, lest we cut out the wheat (good) in us by mistake.
• Hyles taught that “all men are mental homosexuals” in a sermon on the text in 2 Cor 12:13-15, and that the only difference between someone who has committed adultery and one who has not is that in the latter case the sin of adultery is “in remission.” Hyles also says that adultery is not a sin, just a "mistake."
• Hyles taught that fallen man is not human but an animal and does not have a spirit. According to Hyles, God made man body, soul, and spirit, but when man fell, he lost his spirit and became only body and soul — on the same level as an animal. He said that when man falls, he is no longer human, but becomes an animal, arguing, "Man in his unregenerate state is not human." Putting man on the animal level is what evolutionists do, not someone that professes to be a Christian.
• He was grateful for Adam and Eves fall into sin, with the resultant fall of man and billions going to hell since then. On May 26, 1985, Hyles preached on "Thank you, Adam," actually thanking Adam and Eve for disobeying God and bringing sin into the world.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

 

[John of Japan]

Before anyone asks, Hyles took most if not all of these positions after John R. Rice died. I have had several fundamentalist leaders tell me they thought Hyles went off the rails after the death of his mentor in Dec. of 1980. I don't recognize any of those doctrines Ascetic X mentioned as being what my grandfather taught, and I've read all his books and heard him preach hundreds of times. (Some consider me the goto scholar of JRR, being his grandson and having written a comprehensive biography of him. )

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Before anyone asks, Hyles took most if not all of these positions after John R. Rice died. I have had several fundamentalist leaders tell me they thought Hyles went off the rails after the death of his mentor in Dec. of 1980. I don't recognize any of those doctrines Ascetic X mentioned as being what my grandfather taught, and I've read all his books and heard him preach hundreds of times. (Some consider me the goto scholar of JRR, being his grandson and having written a comprehensive biography of him. )

So you're the grandson of John R. Rice? That's pretty cool!

I remember about twenty some odd years ago there was a falling out between the Rice family and the SOTL establishment that got pretty ugly. This was shortly after I had abandoned the IFB world that I had been in.

 

[Ascetic X]

Before anyone asks, Hyles took most if not all of these positions after John R. Rice died. I have had several fundamentalist leaders tell me they thought Hyles went off the rails after the death of his mentor in Dec. of 1980. I don't recognize any of those doctrines Ascetic X mentioned as being what my grandfather taught, and I've read all his books and heard him preach hundreds of times. (Some consider me the goto scholar of JRR, being his grandson and having written a comprehensive biography of him. )

If the sexual allegations about Jack Hyles, his son David Hyles, his son in law Jack Schaap, and deacon A.V. Ballenger are true, they left a horrible legacy on First Baptist church of Hammond, Indiana and the IFB, sad to say.

I listened to maybe 50 or more sermons by Jack Hyles before I discovered the bizarre controversies.

I loved his preaching style, even though there wasn’t much Bible in it.

 

[Ascetic X]

When you start feeling a bit too enthusiastic and enamored about a Bible teacher, it pays to Google their name with “controversy” tacked on.

You may be shocked by the allegations or crime convictions that you discover. It can be heartbreaking and uncomfortable, but it needs to be done. Everyone deserves scrutiny, especially those representing the Lord.

Jack Schaap is a case in point. The son in law of Jack Hyles, this man was unfortunately a really bad person, to put it politely.

Let Us Prey: Big Trouble at First Baptist Church

A string of assaults and sexual crimes committed by pastors across the country have one thing in common: The perpetrators have ties to the megachurch in Hammond, Indiana.

www.chicagomag.com

 

[Armchair Apologist]

I loved his preaching style, even though there wasn’t much Bible in it.

Jack Hyles was certainly a friendly, likeable person behind the pulpit when he preached on "Fresh Oil" or whatever. He most certainly had the ability to work a room!

On the night I got to shake hands with him and have him sign my Bible, I realized the man was an arrogant jerk and not really someone who was worth my time or attention.

I know little of all the scandals but what I do know is that he and his cronies did a great deal of damage that we are still trying to undo today!

 

[Ben1445]

If the sexual allegations about Jack Hyles, his son David Hyles, his son in law Jack Schaap, and deacon A.V. Ballenger are true, they left a horrible legacy on First Baptist church of Hammond, Indiana and the IFB, sad to say.

I listened to maybe 50 or more sermons by Jack Hyles before I discovered the bizarre controversies.

I loved his preaching style, even though there wasn’t much Bible in it.

Logic should tell you that there should not be a legacy of IFB.
If churches are Independent of each other, they don’t exactly have a legacy together.
I could maybe give some allowance for that “legacy” where students have graduated from their college, but graduating from there, to my knowledge, doesn’t make you a sinner. It may harm your reputation.
But then all the other Independent churches who happen to be Fundamentalist and Baptist who have taken a stand against their problems shouldn’t be cursed with the legacy of a place independent of them.

 

[Ben1445]

On the night I got to shake hands with him and have him sign my Bible, I realized the man was an arrogant jerk and not really someone who was worth my time or attention.

Not him, but the first time I had this experience was the last time I had someone sign my Bible. I was not out of Junior High School at the time if memory serves me correctly.
If you want to sign my Bible, you will have to do it with one that you have given to me at the end of your personal note. I don’t see any other purpose. The blank pages are better used for taking notes than being an autograph book.

 

[John of Japan]

So you're the grandson of John R. Rice? That's pretty cool!

I remember about twenty some odd years ago there was a falling out between the Rice family and the SOTL establishment that got pretty ugly. This was shortly after I had abandoned the IFB world that I had been in.

The Rice sisters (Mom was the 2nd sister) didn't appreciate the direction the SOTL leadership was taking the ministry, that being pretty radical KJVO and separationism. The sisters ended up more right wing evangelical. Two are still alive, up in their 90s. Wonderful aunts. Saw them last summer.

I was in Japan and stayed out of that fray, though later on was involved in the "`100% Hyles" controversy. FBC Hammond supported us, and Jack told me I had to toe the line or they would drop our support. Funny thing, I took a stand at that time, but they kept sending support for years after that.

 

[John of Japan]

If the sexual allegations about Jack Hyles, his son David Hyles, his son in law Jack Schaap, and deacon A.V. Ballenger are true, they left a horrible legacy on First Baptist church of Hammond, Indiana and the IFB, sad to say.

"I knew Jack Hyles and you're no Jack Hyles." Thank goodness.

I listened to maybe 50 or more sermons by Jack Hyles before I discovered the bizarre controversies.

I obsessed over the controversies. They hit close to home. Have a ton of documents and books on it.

I loved his preaching style, even though there wasn’t much Bible in it.

He could forevermore shuck the corn, but as you say, without the Scripture mostly, or just taking a verse and going from there.

 

[Jerome]

Jack Hyles & Bob Gray (also notoriously disgraced) in a low budget movie from the 1970s.

Dr. R. G. Lee at 2m20s
Dr. Jack Hyles at 20m55s, Dr. Bob Gray at 46m45s
Miss Viola Walden demonstrates personal work at 22m50s!

 

[Armchair Apologist]

The Rice sisters (Mom was the 2nd sister) didn't appreciate the direction the SOTL leadership was taking the ministry, that being pretty radical KJVO and separationism. The sisters ended up more right wing evangelical. Two are still alive, up in their 90s. Wonderful aunts. Saw them last summer.

I was in Japan and stayed out of that fray, though later on was involved in the "`100% Hyles" controversy. FBC Hammond supported us, and Jack told me I had to toe the line or they would drop our support. Funny thing, I took a stand at that time, but they kept sending support for years after that.

I remembered all of that "100% for Hyles" nonsense and was actually at a Pastor's Conference in Santa Clara around 1989 right after all of the Sumner Articles came out. Crazy night and they were passing out "100% for Hyles" buttons and "God help you" if you expressed anything less than unwavering support! This was probably the beginning of the end for me in that "world."

Shelton Smith pretty much represented everything I wanted to get away from pertaining to the IFB world at that time. I gained a great deal of respect for the Rice family and made me realize that there were still some good people in the IFB world even though I couldn't seem to find them. The Rice Sisters seem like wonderful ladies and I'm sorry I never got to know them! Condolences about your mom!

 

[Ascetic X]

Jack Hyles & Bob Gray (also notoriously disgraced) in a low budget movie from the 1970s.

Dr. R. G. Lee at 2m20s
Dr. Jack Hyles at 20m55s, Dr. Bob Gray at 46m45s
Miss Viola Walden demonstrates personal work at 22m50s!

A horror film about hell? Thanks for sharing this bizarre item.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Jack Hyles & Bob Gray (also notoriously disgraced) in a low budget movie from the 1970s.

Dr. R. G. Lee at 2m20s
Dr. Jack Hyles at 20m55s, Dr. Bob Gray at 46m45s
Miss Viola Walden demonstrates personal work at 22m50s!

I remember passing out gospel tracts with this picture on the front of it. Didn't see the movie until much later on. Likely on YouTube if I recall correctly.

 

[Ascetic X]

"I knew Jack Hyles and you're no Jack Hyles." Thank goodness.

I obsessed over the controversies. They hit close to home. Have a ton of documents and books on it.

He could forevermore shuck the corn, but as you say, without the Scripture mostly, or just taking a verse and going from there.

Do you think Jack Hyles was a genuine Christian pastor who just went rogue due to pride and lust?

Or was he a wolf in sheep’s clothing from the beginning?

Perhaps only God can judge.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Do you think Jack Hyles was a genuine Christian pastor who just went rogue due to pride and lust?

Or was he a wolf in sheep’s clothing from the beginning?

Perhaps only God can judge.

The Jack Hyles I knew of was from the mid-80s on. I was saved in 1981 and therefore know little of Jack Hyles or of the IFB world prior to this. It seems to me that he really went off the rails (or perhaps this was when the dirt started coming out?) in the late 1980s with the controversies fueled by the "Sumner Articles" and this crowd really started "circling the wagons" castigating anyone who expressed any criticism towards Hyles or their particular brand of "Fundamentalism."

Seemed to me that at one time, he preached and proclaimed the gospel and that many attest their salvation to his ministry. Hykes-Anderson College has trained many pastors and missionaries and many of them are faithfully serving in the ministry and some are doing so perhaps in spite of the sub-standard training and education they have received? Among these are some I have known and served with personally.

According to my understanding, Jack Hyles was far more moderate and his stand on the King James was similar to that of John R. Rice. Seems that John of Japan would be able to speak more intelligently of this than I could but John R. Rice reflected the more moderate and sensible wing of the Independent Baptist "Movement" as opposed to his buddy J. Frank Norris but this something of which I would leave you to do your own research - it would make for another interesting topic.

Much of what you have noted in post #3 of this thread very much reflects his later ministry and is therefore quite problematic! He was the master of the "1-2-3, Repeat After Me" soulwinning mentality and as this was how I was initially trained, I probably "led" hundreds (no "evangelistic exaggerations" here) to the Lord using this methodology and most of them, I would never see again afterwards! This alone is a big problem!

Whether he did more harm than good, I will let you be the judge. As for me, my position these days is far closer to those that Jack Hyles previously maligned - most notably, John MacArthur.

 

[Logos1560]

Jack Hyles declared: “I must find this perfect Bible that is without error with every word of God preserved” (Need for an Every-word Bible, p. 21). After quoting Matthew 4:4, Jack Hyles claimed: “You cannot live if you don’t have ‘every word’ (p. 17). Jack Hyles asserted: “We must have every word, so there has to be a perfect English Bible or we cannot live” (p. 45). Jack Hyles declared: “I must have every word to live. I must have every word to get my prayers answered. I must have every word to receive Christ” (p. 152).

In 1993, Jack Hyles wrote: "Then, if corruptible seed is used, one cannot be born again. I have a conviction as deep as my soul that every English-speaking person who has ever been born again was born of incorruptible seed; that is, the King James Bible" (Enemies of Soul Winning, p. 47). Jack Hyles also claimed: "This means that the New King James Bible is not precious seed because it is not incorruptible" (Ibid., p. 46). Jack Hyles noted: "If all a person has ever read is the Revised Standard Version, he cannot be born again, because corruptible seed is used" (Ibid., p. 47). Jack Hyles asserted: “The precious seed is the King James Bible, preserved for us word-for-word” (p. 136).

In a recorded sermon, Jack Hyles stated: "The King James Bible is necessary for anybody to be saved in the English language."

Spencer Smith listed "KJV only salvation" as one of the heresies taught by Jack Hyles (Empire of Error, pp. 166-168). Concerning the statement of Jack Hyles concerning the Revised Standard Version, Spencer Smith wrote: "This makes the English translation itself part of the mechanics of regeneration, placing salvation under a translation test that the Bible never gives" (p. 167).