John Stott on Hyper-grace Sanctification and Legalism

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For some time evangelical church leaders have expressed various biblical concerns with the theological trajectory of the free-grace/ hyper-grace sanctification movement.  In recent years certain Christian authors and preachers have attempted to outdo one another in effort to be even more "gospel-centered" and "grace-orientated" than the next guy (or gal).  As such, a large number of books have been published on gospel-centered preaching, gospel-centered parenting, gospel-centered counseling, gospel-centered athletics, gospel-centered dog rearing, etc.  No Christian is against genuine, grace-driven ministry and gospel-centered living.  But just like the super market, not every product that claims to be "organic" is truly pesticide free.  Such is the case with some gospel-centered literature.  Upon careful consideration some gospel-centered material is actually off-centered.  

Biblical discernment is essential.  We must be aware of the true so we can beware of the counterfeit.  We must ask God to help us discern the very subtle differences between right and almost right.  Christians must know their Bibles, love theology, and be actively part of a Word-saturated local church led by qualified shepherd-leaders.  

In the judgment of this Christian blogger, Bryan Chappell (slightly) over-corrected his theology many years ago in effort to avoid the potential ruts of "legalism."  Elyse Fitzpatrick and Tullian Tchividjian went much further and as a result have gotten themselves into trouble (see sanctification, grace, and the obedience of faith;  The continued folly of hyper-grace sanctification).  Tullian was removed from the Gospel Coalition and Elyse was uninvited to the annual Woman Discipling Woman conference.  

Tullian, a leader of the hyper-grace movement, was later found to have been living a double life of gross sexual sin/adultery, etc and was removed from pastoral ministry.  In hindsight, it appears Tullian passionately promoted a hyper-grace sanctification paradigm to appease his guilty conscience.  From Tullian's point of view, how can I uphold what the Scriptures teach concerning progressive sanctification and personal holiness if I am secretly sleeping with congregants?  Sometimes people change their theology in order to accommodate their own beliefs and private practices. Hence passages like 1 Timothy 4:16, Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

How New Covenant Believers Relate To Old Testament Law?

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Perhaps more than any other genre in Scripture the place of the “Law” in New Covenant preaching is the most challenging, demanding, and controversial.  Many different solutions have been proposed with various degrees of overlap between the major camps.  Certain Reformed Baptist preachers following the pattern of the Westminster Confession of Faith divide the Mosaic Law into three categories: moral, civil, and ceremonial. Many in this camp argue that the civil and ceremonial laws were fulfilled in Christ but that the moral aspect of the Mosaic Law is still binding.[1]   New Covenant theologians and Progressive Dispensationalists often teach that the entire Mosaic Law under the Old Covenant was fulfilled in life, death, and resurrection of Messiah Jesus. New Covenant believers are now under the “Law of Christ.”[2]  Some in the Classic Dispensationalist camp teach that the “law of God” and the “law of Moses” are one and the same and that no distinction between them is justifiable.[3]  A few Classic Dispensationalist also believe that New Covenant believers are now under grace (without law).  Such statements, without appropriate qualifications, have been rightly labeled “Antinomian.”[4]  Finally, the Theonomist camp rejects the traditional Reformed belief that the civil laws of Moses have been abrogated.  As such Theonomists believe that the moral and civil law codes of Moses remain in effect today.  Suffice it to say, before “preaching Law” the student of Scripture needs to have some understanding of the proper relationship between the Old and New Covenants.[5]  Without a larger understanding of biblical and systematic theology a preacher may teach a variation of "Theonomy" or "Antinomianism" and not even know it.