"Stop being a theological nitpicker." "What do you have against Elyse Fitzpatrick?" "You MacArthur people are all truth and no grace." "Don't you know doctrine needlessly divides. Love conquers all (contra Ephesians 4:11f)."
As many of you know I have taken some heat from friends for critical comments that I have made concerning Elyse Fitzpatrick and Pastor Tullian Tchividjian. I am not alone here. My specific concerns have been echoed by many pastors who are much better scholars than I am (please check out my recommended resources below). If you are new to this important discussion, the following article by Richard Phillips is a good place to start; Where the Sanctification Controversy Lies.
Having said that, I think it would be profitable if I clarified my theological position with an article rather than simply post lengthy comments on Facebook. My passing reference to Elyse Fitzpatrick today has to do with the ongoing controversy surrounding Fitzpatrick's "hyper grace" sanctification paradigm (imperatives vs. indicatives; God's love of benevolence v. his love of complacency, law & gospel; faith & obedience, Jesus + Nothing equals everything, etc).
Elyse's ministry partner and close friend Tullian Tchividijian was removed from the Gospel Coalition (his ministry blog was removed anyways) for issues related to sanctification, grace, and the obedience of faith. On this point Phillips adds, "This is not a small number of angry men who are 'attacking' Tullian. Rather, a large body of Reformed scholars and leaders, including The Gospel Coalition but extending far beyond it, are gravely concerned that Christians are being told that they cannot pursue holiness and that their pastors should not tell them to do so."
Pastor Rick Phillips believes that "the heart of the controversy lies in these matters: 1) Is it possible, even expected, for Christians to lead increasingly holy lives by the power of God's grace in Christ received through faith? 2) Does the Bible, and thus should we, issue commands to obedience and personal godliness that are intended for the believer himself or herself to do, in the power of grace through faith in Christ?"
Since Mrs. Fitzpatrick has posted many PUBLIC comments, is a popular conference speaker, and has written many books it is certainly appropriate for a Christian brother/pastor to offer up a PUBLIC critique.
In the words of C.H. Spurgeon, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right."
On Twitter Elyse has been tweeting 'controversial' comments such as: "When Satan, that pile of sh**, tempts you to sin and then accuses you before your Father. Remember, there is NOW no condemnation! Run to Him!" EF Twitter post from 2/25/15
Or this, "Dear sisters: Are you longing to see a naked man who will sacrifice everything to make you his own? Look at the cross."
OR, "If you're talking about Satan, use any word you like. There are no words too vile (for him)."
OR "Isn't it just like the vile one to entice us to desire a fake lover and then afterwards tell us that our true lover hates us. The bastard."
OR, "I'm sure neither Paul nor Luther would've been welcome in polite society. They didn't care about niceness. They were focused on the truth."
OR, "Rules for the rowdy won't make folks holy. Rather than doubling down on law, set them free with the good news that Jesus loves the rowdy."
One of the arguments Elyse might use in defense of these comments is to point to the quotable Luther. May I remind you friends that the sanctifying benefits of studying church history is to help us learn from the past that we might avoid making some of the same mistakes ourselves (1 Cor. 10), and that by God's grace, we might imitate the godly examples of those who have gone before us (Hebrews 13:7). Trying to mimic Luther's (sometimes) "crass pen" is not a wise/helpful take away from Reformational studies (sorry Mark Driscoll). More on Martin Luther another time.
In my wife and I's judgment, Mrs. Fitzpatrick use to be one of the most helpful Christian authors and biblical counselors we knew. Andrea was a guest speaker at a few ladies conferences where Elyse was one of the keynote speakers. My wife read all of Elyse's older works and has benefited greatly from them. This new hyper (cheap) grace trajectory took us by surprise and has frankly really saddened us (and many others).
God's people must never use "grace" as a license for sin/unrighteousness (per Romans 6-7; Jude 3-4). We must never excuse passive behavior under the banner of the "doctrines of grace" (that is a form of Hyper-Calvinism or a form of Antinomianism). Elyse is right to point out that external obedience without faith is sin. We must also remind people however that in Jesus' "great commission" our Lord tells his disciples to teach (believing disciples) to OBEY (observe) all that I have COMMANDED you. This certainly does not make Messiah Jesus a "Legalistic Pharisee" (perish the thought)!!!
We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, unto good works (Eph. 2:8-10; James 2). Or to quote Luther, "We are saved by faith alone but the faith that saves is never alone." Faith is the root, the obedience of faith is the fruit. Those who truly love Jesus will strive to obey His commandments (John 14:15).
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12-13).
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14b)
The doctrine of progressive sanctification and the Christian's ongoing pursuit of godliness (1 Peter 1:15-16) is no insignificant doctrine/issue. Here is how the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors defines this truth. "Progressive Sanctification is that gracious work of God in a believer whereby He enables him to replace works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, thereby causing him to become more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ.
This process of spiritual growth continues over the course of a Christian's lifetime and is, therefore, neither instantaneous nor complete, but gradually occurs as he appropriates God's sanctifying truth which is found solely in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments."
Like most biblical doctrines what you believe about sanctification will impact/influence your understanding of many other interrelated truths (such as "Lordship salvation;" how to mortify the flesh, the relationship of saving faith and sanctifying words, the ins and outs of Christian parenting, etc). This is one of the main reasons why I bring these matters to your attention beloved.
I realize that regularly advocating sound doctrine is not popular today. I am just striving to be biblical because I believe that is what Jesus wants, both for me and His holy bride, the church (which is the pillar and buttress of the truth; note 1 Tim. 3:15; 4:16; 2 Cor. 10:4-5, Jude 3). Church leaders are commanded to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it (Titus 1:9). If you disagree with my conclusions please "give me grace."
After you search the Scriptures to see if these things be so I would encourage you to consider the following supplemental resources: J.C. Ryle's classic, "Holiness." Thomas Watson's, "Heaven Taken By Storm. Showing the Holy Violence A Christian is to Put Forth in Pursuit After Glory." Mark Jones' "Antinomianism: Reformed Theology's Unwelcome Guest?" Kevin DeYoung's, The Hole in Our Holiness. Pastor Jerry Wragg's many lectures and sermons on sanctification and the new Antinomianism. The Master's Seminary 2010 Journal on Sanctification.
For the record, I have never said that Elyse Fitzpatrick is a "false teacher." I am saying, that in good conscience, I could no longer invite sister Elyse to speak at our church (and that grieves me very much).
I have been told by close ministry friends/mentors that different people have talked privately with Elyse about these concerns and that she is convinced that this trajectory and new ministry emphasis is sound. Those who agree with Elyse and Tullian will continue to use and promote her material. Those who agree with Jerry Wragg and Richard Phillips will likely no longer use or promote her material. Look to Holy Scripture and talk about these issues with your pastor. May Jesus Christ be honored in word, thought, and deed.
Titus 2:11-13, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.
