| Tony Evans' Evang-elastic Grace |
| Written by Daniel LaLond Jr. | |
| Friday, 14 November 2008 | |
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In the 1970's a superhero named Stretch Armstrong lined toy store shelves. This toy muscle-man was made of some pliable, rubber-like stuff and was about twelve inches tall. Small as he was Stretch Armstrong could still be stretched far beyond his designed shape.
In the 1970's a superhero named Stretch Armstrong lined toy store shelves. This toy muscle-man was made of some pliable, rubber-like stuff and was about twelve inches tall. Small as he was Stretch Armstrong could still be stretched far beyond his designed shape. Twisting and wrenching a toy into deformity is one thing, but stretching essential Christian doctrines is no game. You see, when Christian leaders mistakenly push the bedrock doctrine of grace past biblical bounds the Stretch Armstrong of antinomianism lifts its malformed head. The term "antinomianism" originated with Martin Luther and was used to describe the heretical, grace-stretching views of a former student. Addressing this distortion in the modern world Dr. A. W. Tozer wrote: Advocates of antinomianism...start right, but allow themselves to be carried beyond what is written by a slave-like adherence to undisciplined logic. It is always dangerous to isolate a truth and then push it to its limit without regard to other truths (Paths To Power). Antinomian teachers today grab the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith and yank its unassuming appendages in every direction. They pull, twist and stretch until saved by grace means that obedience and holiness are an optional to final salvation. Its a good idea to obey according to the antinomian apologist, but obedience to Christ is not imperative for the sake of final salvation. Consider the popular Tony Evans on the topic: "I'm a Christian. I've accepted Christ as my Savior and been born again, but I use illegal drugs. I've tried to quit many times, but I always fall back into the habit. I guess I'm just a drug addict." ...this person is identifying himself as a drug addict because he's doing the things addicts do. He has confused his performance with his identity. He has convinced himself, "I do what drug addicts do, so I must be a drug addict." No, he's a Christian with a serious drug problem (Free At Last, p. 28). The author is writing to Christians. He's also talking about people with hard hearts-the kind of person who, while stealing a car, would kill the woman sitting in it...First of all, the carnal Christian is a genuine Christian. He has received Christ as Savior, but refuses to submit to Him and serve Him as Lord. Christ is not allowed to occupy the throne of a carnal life. It is possible to be on your way to heaven but be of no earthly good because you compromise your faith (Booklet: The Carnal Christian). Antinomian teachers use scriptural jargon, but they stretch the scriptures beyond their intended meaning. "Once saved, always saved," they promise. Fleshly? Immoral? "Don't worry," they insist, "your salvation is never at stake." The popular fancy that believers are accepted by Christ because of grace while being disobedient to Christ irrespective of grace shouts, "Antinomianism!" In this way antinomian theologians distort the scriptures and the gospel to fit their stretchy systems. "Once saved, always saved," they promise. "Carnal, sexually immoral...don't worry," they quip, "eternal salvation is not at stake." The popular notion that Christians are accepted in Christ by grace while engaging in disobedience to Christ in spite of grace screams, "Antinomianism !" By faith we are saved from sin, and made holy. The imagination, that faith supersedes [removes the need for] holiness, is the marrow of Antinomianism. (Wesley Sermon: On The Wedding Garment). In our day many evangelical teachers a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Evangelical leaders cry, "Legalism!" at the first teacher that dares agree with the Apostle John by insisting, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar" (1 John 2:4). "Works salvation," they say, whenever some lowly servant of God believes that all men must pursue "holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb 12:14). This, the doctors of the modern church do to the exposing of their antinomian colors. The Article Author: Take a look at LaLond's book, The Lying Promise, for more on authentic gospel grace or Tony Evans. The Lying Promise takes on other popular, evangelical Christian subjects likeeternal security, counterfeit grace, repentance and scriptural salvation. |
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