John Stott on Hyper-grace Sanctification and Legalism

Photo Credit: http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/

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.

Pleasing God through Progressive Sanctification

When there are just two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self, choose wisely!  

True believers "make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or absent from it" (2 Cor. 5:9).  Pleasing Christ and glorifying God (1 Cor. 10:31) is one of the major themes emphasized in the biblical counseling movement and rightly so!  It's also the central theme in Dr. R.C. Sproul's book on sanctification, "Pleasing God: Discovering the Meaning and Importance of Sanctification."  

The only perfect Man who has ever been provides a perfect life example of this life and death commitment.  Jesus Christ, God's "beloved Son" always pleased the Father (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; John 12:28).  On three occasions God spoke audibly from heaven and declared that He was well pleased with His Holy, Holy, Holy Son.  

When considering the perfect obedience of Christ the hymn writer rightly declares, "Oh to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer; Gladly I'll forfeit all of life's treasurers, Jesus Thy perfect likeness to wear."  As those justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone long to obey God and please Christ "in all respects' (Col. 1:10).  Unfortunately, the spirit is willing but the flesh is oh so weak (Matt. 26:41).  We need the Helper's help more than we often realize (John 14-16). When Christians fail to "walk in the Spirit" we need the LORD's tender mercies and forgiveness (1 Jn 1:7-9; Psalm 32).  Thankfully, we worship, love, and serve "the God of of all grace and second chances."

But back to our blessed Lord and Savior.  The Lord Jesus made it clear, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work" (John 4:34).  As the long-awaited Messiah (John 20:31), the incarnate Word of God (John 1:1-14), always yielded His human will to the Father's perfect plan (Luke 22:42).  Unlike us, the Son of God is intrinsically righteous, and unlike us, He always trusted and obeyed!

In the aforementioned book, Dr. Sproul writes, "In the Christian life, there is an upward call.  One does not move upward in a circle.  We are on a line going somewhere.  It is moving forward.  In a word, there is progress in the Christian life." It's not an easy road or a straight line to glory mind you.  It's often, two steps forward, one back.  One step forward, one back.  Three forward, two back.   In John Bunyan's classic, "The Pilgrims Progress" Bunyan understand the many dangers, toils, and snares that stand in the path of every Christian, not to mention, the sin "which so easily entangles us" (Heb. 12:1-3).  "But Mr. Bunyan also understood two vitally important truths about the Christian life:  we are pilgrims, and we make progress."  In the words of Ephesians 2:10, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Commenting on Ephesians 2:10, Sproul adds, "Jesus does not fashion His art on an assembly line.  His work of molding and shaping is done with infinite care and patience.  We have seen the bumper sticker, 'Be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet.'  There is truth in that statement."

Progressive sanctification is a process.  It is a gradual process.  Run from those who promote unbiblical paradigms of sanctification.  Be it from the hyper-grace movement or from those who promise a "second work of grace" followed by sinless perfection/instant sanctification.  On this point, Sproul notes, "Rebirth/regeneration is instantaneous.  Justification is instantaneous.  But sanctification is a lifelong process.  It involves a diligent struggle against a multitude of obstacles...It is a journey that takes us through the dark night of the soul, through the valley of the shadow of death, and through the wilderness of temptation."  The Puritans really understood this life-long struggle and holy war.  Hence, books like John Owen's, "The Mortification of Sin" and Thomas Watson's "the Doctrine of Repentance" and "Heaven Taken by Storm: Showing Forth the Holy Violence a Christian is to Put Forth in the Pursuit of Glory."

Sanctified sweat is to be expected.  Along the way we will sometimes succumb to the flesh, the world, and the Tempter's tailor made temptations.  The journey and final victory however are certain!  "Christ promises to go with us and to bring us out the other side.  Our Lord finishes what He starts... The Lord is intensely interested in our welfare and our maturing (Hebrews 12:5-10).  He wants us to learn more and more about God and how to please Him.  He wants us to find joy in pleasing Him (1 John 5:3; Psalm 119:97; Psalm 19:11)...He wants us to change.  He helps us to change.  This growth in pleasing God is called sanctification."

Evangelicalism Gone Wild: The Continued Folly of Hyper-Grace Sanctification.

Photo Credit: modernmarburg.wordpress.com

We interrupt our current blog series to bring you an updated press release concerning Tullian Tchividjian and to sadly recount the continued decline of American Evangelicalism...

Last week (celebrity editor) Phil Johnson criticized (celebrity counselor) Paul Tripp over a public article wherein Tripp basically stated that Pastor Tullian Tchividjian's divorce is necessary because his marriage is 'irreparably broken.'  As most of you know Tullian Tchividjian's ministry credentials were deposed by a south Florida Presbytery recently following his extramarital affair. (Paul Jones of Reformation 21 also weighed in on Paul Tripp's public comments.)

As this tragedy unfolded publicly Phil Johnson added some very helpful commentary along the way. Here are some Pastor Johnson quotes that I found to be quite discerning. "I can't imagine any circumstances under which it would be appropriate to counsel a man who is admittedly guilty of adultery that it's OK to file for divorce after a six-month attempt at reconciliation. Plus, this particular man was a pastor whose whole message was supposedly about the power of the gospel and grace and forgiveness. Tullian himself has been practically demanding grace and forgiveness since the day after his sin was exposed. Furthermore, he seemed to throw his wife under the bus even in his original "confession." From the public perspective, it seems clear that he has sinned against his wife; he is not merely an innocent victim of her sin, whatever that may be. All of those things raise questions in my mind, but the biggest question is, Why is Paul Tripp so willing to be complicit in this whole mess?"

Another Celebrity Pastor Disqualifies Himself. How, Why, and Now What?

Picture from

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/billy.grahams.grandson.tullian.tchividjian.resigns.as.pastor.after.admitting.affair/56838.htm

This past week Tullian Tchividjian stepped down from his Florida megachurch after admitting he had an extramarital affair and that he had therefore disqualified himself from pastoral ministry.  As with Mark Driscoll it was another sad day for the evangelical church in America. 

In light of a few public statements I have spent time this week praying for Coral Ridge Church as well as asking God to mend the Tchividjian's broken marriage.  I have also spent some time meditating on the sober warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12, Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  "But for the grace of God there go I."

As most of you know I have posted a few articles highlighting the theological trajectory of Pastor Tullian and Elyse Fitzpatrick; (If you need a quick recap on the issues surrounding the sanctification/hyper-grace controversy you can click here and here).  Some people have suggested that Tullian's "Antinomian tendencies" had absolutely nothing to do with this recent adultery/affair announcement.  I have responded by saying none of us know for certain how much or how little Tullian's hyper-grace sanctification paradigm impacted his recent behavior and sinful choices.

The Scriptures do teach us however that what someone believes (or does not believe) should and often does impact our everyday living. Biblical examples of this thinking/behavior connection include Platonic Dualism, Gnosticism, the hyper-realized eschatology problem in Thessalonica, and of course, heretical Libertine theology (as described in 2 Peter/Jude).  Orthodoxy and orthopraxy are inseparably connected!  Or you might say that unbiblical theology and sin are often partners in crime. 

At the 2015 Shepherd's Conference Dr. Ligon Duncan also reminded a room full of pastors that immoral living often leads to bad theology.  In other words, bad theology is often created in order to justify sinful behavior (note for example the open and affirming church movement in America).  Before you write me off I would encourage you to spend some time thinking about the implications of these observations.  I believe Lig Duncan made this insightful statement about 'sin and erroneous theology' during this exposition of 2 Timothy 4.