Dr. James A. Scudder

There are more so -called "doctors" on this list than there are in the hospitals of all major North American cities. I fully expect to see some charlatan passing himself off as Dr. Zai Us on this roll call of frauds.

I was one of them that got kicked out, I was have problems in my marriage and he hide my husband and kids from me. when I called him up for help he said '' should of beat you harder . I hate him so much, Scudder your time is coming! Now I hve been remarried for 20 years and have a wonderful grandson and daughter, but because of what happen I don't hear from my son I miss him so much.

Well, all I know is that this man truly loves the Lord. His teaching has instilled in me a heart for the Gospel and for the people who need it.

My review of Scudder and the reviews I have heard: The company I have my car fixed through has always done outstanding work and even has saved me money many times over. However, I went online and saw some horrific reviews that clearly never happened to me or my wife. I still go to this day and even just had my brakes fixed within the past 2 weeks. He told me that I need new calipers but said that he would clean them up and file them so that I can save money as to replace them would be $150.00 each. I realized that reviews can often be misleading. I know that if I were to have read the negative reviews first then I probably would never have gone to that auto place believing they offered lousy service. I clearly would have missed out on a great auto place that would have saved me hundreds of dollars in money. The same is true with Dr James Scudder. I attended his church for a few months and ran for the hills when I read all of the negative reviews against him. I realized tha... Read more

I have the privilege and blessing to be associated with Dr. Scudder for some 29 years. I first met him in 1980 when he spoke at my home church in South Carolina when I was 16 years old. I had placed my faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone the year before through the Youth Ranch ministry of Chris Shepler. Pastor Shepler had in turn been led to Christ by Jim Scudder a handful of years earlier (early 1970s) at a youth work Jim was operating back home in Kentucky between semesters at Florida Bible College. The Bible message of Salvation by Grace Alone through Faith Alone in Christ Alone is what Chris Shepler shared with me as Jim Scudder had shared with him those years beforehand. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians 2:8,9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of work... Read more

You have to realize that there are two Scudders. #1 The TV Scudder who appears sincere, loving, and friendly. #2 The behind closed doors Scudder who is mean, lying, and threatening. And boy does he like to go out to eat almost everyday at expensive restaurants.

I'm right there with Truthnow as far as wishing there was a "no star" choice, but then I noticed when you click on 1 star, it says "Terrible" next to the star box. Perfect! That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? I would love to elaborate on my "terrible" experiences (and, yes, these are my personal experiences, not second-hand information), but I have to get to work. I will continue in comments below.

I cannot believe what I am reading here about Dr. James Scudder !! Dr. Scudder in my opinion is only second to Rev. Billy Graham for the power, intensity, sincerity and intregrity of his solely Bibically based preaching. I have watched his Sunday night sermons here in Chicagoland for about three yrs now, and try never to miss one. I live right here in Lake County, Illinois, where Dr. Scudder's Lake Zurich, IL church is located, though I live about 25 miles away east of Lake Zurich in a shoreline city on Lake Michigan. So it is a drive to attend his church. Nevertheless, I have visited his church in Lake Zurich, IL at least three times and have found him, his congregants and his staff very loving, caring, wonderful Christian people ! I feel it is such an honor to have met him ! His staff have called me in the past when I was going through difficult times and offered to come and visit me and my family, so many miles away ! Dr. Scudder even did himself, all the way to Lake Forest,... Read more

Count me as another who had a bad experience at QR. Sorry, just telling it like it is. More to come.

Please consider and read these books before making a judgement.Churches That Abuse by Ronald M. EnrothRecovering from Churches That Abuse by Ronald M. EnrothToxic Churches: Restoration from Spiritual Abuse by Marc, DupontSubtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, The: Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church by David, Johnson and Jeff, VanVonderenHealing Spiritual Abuse: How to Break Free from Bad Church Experiences by Ken BlueChurch as a Safe Place: Confronting, Resolving and Minimizing Abuse in the Church by Peter R. Holmes and Susan B. Williams

Mr. Scudder would say; "I don't give a rip what you think, you are all stupid, and I don't give a rip about your comments. You are all soooo stuuuuupid!!!"

I am a former member of a church in Minnesota that is considered Scudder's "Sister church". I agree fully that the true Gospel of Grace is prominantly preached in every aspect at QR, and that is wonderful. However, it is possible to be sharing the truth and doing good, but at the same time running a corrupted church from within. And that is the sad part of the story of Dr. Scudder and his sister church in MN. Our Pastor here in MN was in no way a controlling dictator years ago, but as his relationship with Scudder and Quentin Road evolves, he becomes more and more controlling. Recently over half the church in MN has left due to many different reasons but all going back to the severe authority abuse going on. The Pastor tells people who to talk to, who not to talk to, encourages the dividing of families if any family member questions anything, tells people where they can and cant work...even asking one young woman to leave her job at a Christian Radio station or leave the church because... Read more

I have attended QR for the past many years, and I have never been told that I must put my children in the daycare, neither have I been told that I must work in the ministry.  I totally understood the clear message of the gospel of grace one year before attending QR, but I never understood how to live my life by that same saving grace until I attended there.  The pastor here accepts people as they are and has personally helped many people in the church who are in need.  Of course, as with any church, there are always some who get there feelings hurt and leave.  This is unfortunate, but there is no church where all of us will agree with everything.  The ministry at QR is all about getting out the gospel to the world.  Yes, there are many members who work there, but I am not aware of any that are being forced to.  It is, after all a free country, and the people that I know that work there are there to serve the Lord so the gospel of grace may be heard.  You see, if not for the many worker... Read more

I am the sister that chexmix mentioned. I feel terrible for the hurt and pain that I caused my family when they left and I decided to stay. If you have any doubt about the fact that James Scudder is a fraud here is a little story. I was about 15 years old and in the high school at QR and my parents had left. After an argument with my parents on how "unholy" they were, I went to church where I was taken to Scudder's office. I was told by him that my parents had the devil in them and that we had to do whatever we could to get me out of there. I was told that a woman in the church was to be the one to watch over me and my spirituality (not my own parents) and that she would receive advice from him and she would tell me what to do. They were going to speak with a lawyer to see if there was a way to take quardianship away from my parents. I was told to sit in my room and read the Bible at all times when I was at home and not to speak to my parents about anything that was going on in the chu... Read more

I would actually like to thank "Dr" Scudder for opening my eyes to Atheism. He helped me to realize that religion is a fear tactic used to control people. I've come to see,unfortunately, far more bad come from religion in general(and YES, Christianity IS a religion too -look up the definition in Wikipedia) than good: division, wars, genocide, the crusaids, witch hunts, child molestation, suicide bombers, hatred of gays, unfair treatment of women......the list continues. People don't realize how powerful a language religion holds to justify ANY ideology, whether it be of peace and tolerance or of division and fanaticism. I don't have a problem with people believing in Whatever they want to believe in, as long as it is not harmful to, or imposing on others. So thanks, Doc, for opening my eyes to atheism, or as I like to call it, rationalism. To all those that still attend this man's church- I have one piece of advice to you ~ ASK QUESTIONS- lots and lots of questions and see the reaction... Read more

I live in the Chicagoland area and I have watched some messages on Victory in Grace and have read your messages.  I am well into a Doctorate program and I mean a genuine one that has taken me years and grueling research and has an emphasis in counseling.  There should be a huge red flag for anyone when a person of faith knowingly affixes a “Dr.” to his name without obtaining a degree not acquired by scholarship (which means undergraduate theology degree, Masters in Theology or the like and beyond to the doctoral level). Credentials without education can only be for men to look at.  Likewise, it is unethical for a pastor who receives an honorary doctorate, such as a doctor of divinity degree, to affix "Dr." to his name. This churches inward focus to the pastor is very evident.  Quentin Road has not cornered the market on the gospel message.  For someone to say we (outside the church) need suggestions for alternatives is absurd.  I am a sister in Christ and have no ulterior motive other ... Read more

The positive QR experience according to CauseofChrist: "I attended Quentin Road for over 8 years. In that time, I was married and started a family. At no time did Dr. Scudder or anyone else try to exercise control over my wife or children!...My family and I no longer attend Quentin Road, but we have many close friends (including Dr. Scudder) that we stay in regular contact with.  We have not been shunned, no one has condemned us, and no one has tried to split up our family...I would encourage anyone to attend the church and find out for yourself what it's like. My family and I have been extremely blessed in our time under the teaching of Dr. Scudder. Listen to his sermons. He goes on record every week, and he signs his name to what he says!"  If CauseofChrist shared only that then I doubt there would have been a single comment but he felt the need to attack others right off the bat.  I have to agree with Kind2Hope who being a former member said to CauseofChrist, "you should go bac... Read more

Cause - you should go back to QR.  You fit in perfectly with the superiority, self-righteous attitude.   One question: "Do you care about the pain these people are sharing?"  (maybe 2 questions)  "Is it even remotely possible that what they are saying is true?"  (okay 3 questions)  "Why would they share these questions for no reason?"

I attended Quentin Road for over 8 years.  In that time, I was married and started a family.  At no time did Dr. Scudder or anyone else try to exercise control over my wife or children!  Even if all of the wild accusations against Dr. Scudder were true (as someone who attended there for almost a decade, I can tell you that they are not), It shocks me that these "Christians" believe that their obviously self-centered attacks against this man could help the cause of Christ!  Many of you even acknowledge in your reviews that he gives and stands for the clear gospel, yet you can't wait to tear him down in a public forum to further your egotistical, self-centered agendas.  Who's side are you on?!?!?!  You don't even offer any alternative for people to try to hear about the saving grace of Christ!  It's obvious that you are so caught up in your selfish, arrogance that you don't even care about the eternal destination of countless souls!  My family and I no longer attend Quentin Road, but we ... Read more

I had been associated with this church for years.  First off, regarding your praises to James Scudder and his India works; let’s remember how he got started there.  He made up a story that he was the great nephew of Dr. Ida Scudder, the famous missionary.  He promoted that and prospered from the story greatly.  When an ousted church member traced his family tree and found there was no relation, the former member contacted the Ida Scudder foundation and Scudder had to pull it off the website.  James Scudder does not mention his great Aunt any longer.    This church will not draw you into a true relationship with Christ.  For the comments aforementioned regarding “giving a clear gospel”, this does not dismiss or excuse the abuses simply because some good may be found.    Fortunately we left as a family unit; many do not.  There were a high percentage of divorces because many husbands do not conform to the manipulation and extreme authority which causes marital friction.  Healthy churches... Read more

I attended James Scudders church at a young age and did not have an ability to fully comprehend everything that happened. I can tell you what I do remember: my sister was not allowed to go to a secular college (the University of Illinois) to become a teacher, I was not allowed to go to a movie theater, I had to go to church three times a week no matter what or would be questioned where I was, I could not celebrate Halloween, I couldnt talk to my friends who had left the church, when my parents and I left the church the friends I had made and my sister couldnt talk to me, and when I left the school and attended another one, I was well behind in schoolwork. Those were the things that stood out to me as a 5th grader. I have now, at a later age, been able to come to the conclusion that there are great control issues and set rules for members set by Scudder that go far beyond the scope of what a church should control. You can make your own conclusion.

I attended Quentin for about a year. I have to be honest that I have not observed some of the complaints here, but I did keep to myself as I do not care for the fundamentalist attitude. I can only share the little as to what I have experienced. I do have to admit that I found an arrogant attitude with Scudder and he really comes across as a man that you do not want to mess with. His head sure turns beat red when he is mad and with his diabetes and obesity problem that cannot be good. I did find that you will get the silent treatment if any of your beliefs contradict theirs and I am not talking about major doctrinal differences either but with their rules mostly. I had a member that refused to talk to me and give me an answer as to what I did wrong to deserve this silent treatment. I have found some on the pastoral staff to act the same way. There is definitely something very odd about Scudder, but he would be too proud to admit it anyways. The following information is all from se... Read more

I bet Scudder got up one Wednesday evening and told all his people not to go to "rateitall". He has scaired people from talking, but I think the cats out of the bag. He needs to repent and apolgize to alot of people. But then again he doesn't have any feelings toward the pain he imputes on these people with his mental anguish. The poor people that are still in there and they keep telling theirselves that Scudder is good, when in reality they know they are trapped.

Is there a no star rating? He does not get any from me. Thank the good Lord that people are starting to speak up. Took several years to understand how to have a true relationship with the Lord after being manipulated and spiritually abused by this church - in my opinion - yes, cult like tendencies, salvation by faith but after that - watch out! (Satan loves to put in a little truth in the mix) - my opinion - it is a man that is so guilty of innurement - peddling gospel for private gain for him and his family. Many families have been disrupted and relationships destroyed - you follow their legalism or else (but very subtle, they have a great outward appearance). Glad thatwe can express our opinions on this public forum. Bottom line - there are several healthy churches in the surrounding area - avoid this one at all costs. Pray for the people in there. Forget the school and look up critiques for School of Tomorrow progam which they use (absolutely NO critical thinking in this program - y... Read more

Scudder? Docters degree from India? Cost $$$

The depravity of this man is hard to comprehend.  He is without a doubt the meanest Pastor in the Chicago area.  Scudder operates as a Cult leader and uses great degrees of pressure against his members to get them to conform or to control them. He turns on long time loyal staff members and they tend to disappear with out much explanation. He has strict standards against drinking alcohol except he was all for Congressman Phil Crane who was a heavy drinking alcoholic while he attended Scudder's Church.  He uses intimidation and claims to have friends in the FBI who spy for him.His own son left for a time but was lured back into the church.  Scudder beleives that if he had not gone into the minisrty he would have gone into politics and would have set his sights on the U.S. Presidency.  What an ego.  Ego is his main driving force.  He loves to go to India or such places and play the big hero.  He travels to Israel as a big shot promoting tours and is paid for that.  When the rich car dealo... Read more

I went to this church for about 6 years and came to the realization that the doctor is a self-centered, arrogant, mean person. He exploitd people to further his ministry. I talked to a Christian psychologist that said he has emotional issues.

I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANY "PSYCOLOGICAL BABBLE" FROM DR. SCUDDER. BUT WHAT I HAVE HEARD IS VERSE BY VERSE TEACHING OF THE BIBLE AND THE CLEAR UNADULTERATED GOSPEL. FUNNY HOW THE TWO COULD GET MIXED UP. HATRED IN YOUR HEART WILL DO THAT.

Saying "sour grapes" is another way to stick your head in the sand and deny looking for the truth. You believe Scudder, because he told you to believe him. He will intimidate and manipulate you with psychological babble. Please wake up.

HE GIVES THE CLEAR GOSPEL AND THATS ALL I NEED TO KNOW. ALL THE REST SOUNDS LIKE SOUR GRAPES TO ME.

This man is a true phoney,his doctorate was bought in India for a small price, and he has built his empire on the backs of many who thought that they were serving the LORD. Only later to find out how mean and crude he speaks of them behind their backs. There is one judge who he can not run from, and that is our LORD. For years he paid most of them $5o a week for a 40 hour week, and then had nerve to ask the working mothers there to pay to have their own children in his preschool where most of them worked. He is one person our government ought to investigate. If they ever do they had better pull his passport, as he probably has money stashed in numerous countries as he runs all over the world. The people of his church fear him, oh they say they love him and how great he is, but if you get out of line you will find yourself shunned of all your church friends, and James Allen Scudder has bragged for years how he could take a child/children from the parents if the parents wanted to qui... Read more

Why does this man use the title "Doctor" when the degree was diven to him by the unaccredited Bible "College" meeting in the basement of his church? The little "college" does not really offer a Doctorate. If this man is a memner of IFCA INternational why does he often make critical comments about John McArthur, who is also in IFCA International. What kind of fellowship is that? He sounds like a mean brow beater to me. I know that he runs his Quentin Road Church like a cult. This guy is a big DUD. His TV show is only on the air becasue his church has income from a huge daycare center. The TV show is a big ego trip for Big Jim.

Not, I repeat not sexy!

Preaches the true gospel of grace.

Always gives the clear message of salvation by grace at the end of each message.

He gives a clear gospel message.

I looked up his bio, went to his site and a dozen search engines and can not find a Doctorant. You don't thank maybe he made up one or bought one or maybe found one some where ??? It seems about 2001 or so his books started having the title DR in it. hmmmm

Great grace teacher. I have just started watching him and he explains salvation in a very clear way and teaches the bible verse by verse.

this man is a phoney,he is a CULT leader,he has a private jet,several homes etc. He works his people for next to nothing to supply his lifestyle with the money he uses.

I don't know all that James Scudder is doing in his ministry, but I do know that he is standing for salvation by grace ALONE through faith ALONE. And Scudder is taking a bold stand against a dangerous and subtle threat to the gospel that Satan has cleverly snuck into today's churches and TV ministries to confuse people as to how people become saved: 1) Schudder has boldly stood against this man-conceived, Lordship Salvation that is chiefly promoted by John MacArthur. The Bible says that we are saved simply accepting by faith that the Lord Jesus Christ has saved us. Yet, the Lordship Salvationists insist that you must ALSO make Christ Lord of your life. Making Christ Lord of your life should be the goal of every believer as a person grows in the Lord, but it is NOT a condition for salvation because this is adding you own works, efforts, and good intentions to what Christ has fully accomplished at Calvary FOR you. You cannot add anything of yourself in order to be saved; all you can... Read more