Not Knowing Tullian Tchividjian Saved My Life
A reader sent me the latest post by Tullian Tchividjian. Go figure, he wasn’t able to pass on criticizing a concept that involves the possible use of verbs: New Year Resolutions. Susan and I had just finished working on a resolution of our own to begin the new year. We were not excited to partake in the endeavor. We knew it would reveal the necessity to make hard choices together. It was difficult not to focus on that rather than the glory that could be brought to God through the process. Afterward, while somewhat moody about the task, I checked my email, clicked on the link, and read it. So, hide the children.
Tullian Tchividjian is an icon among the Young, Reckless, and Rebellious that are presently tormenting the church. His followers are those who the apostle Paul said would come in the last days with itching ears—wanting to hear that the Christian life is a “mere natural flow.” According to Tchividjian, the acid test for determining if you are preaching the true gospel is to be accused of antinomianism. And while many of this bunch applauded the Queen of Anomia, Elyse Fitzpatrick, for stating that there is no such thing as antinomianism, others like New Calvinist/Super Yuppie Dane Ortlund claim that the apostle Paul was accused of being one; so hence, it is their goal as well. Even more detestable is the way that library theologians like John MacArthur lend credibility to these enemies of righteousness. In his ignorant ramblings about how the Young, Restless, and Reformed need to “grow up and keep reforming,” he is stupidly incredulous that antinomians are acting like antinomians.
And their arrogance is without boundary, having reverence for nothing but their own visions of grandeur. For example: yes, I realize that Dietrich Bonhoeffer had some issues in regard to orthodoxy, but I won’t even go there. Why? Because he left a cushy ministry in the States to take a stand against Nazism in Germany. He observed that like the pastors of this day, they wouldn’t take a stand in Germany, but rather emphasized the positive of what Hitler had to offer. Bonhoeffer was eventually hanged while naked with piano wire. But as ones who talk like those who have taken off their armor before putting it on and standing before the razor thin noose, they constantly rag on him for saying things like, “ One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.” Another example that is almost equally disgusting is the book written by the pretentious and puerile Heath Lambert, passing judgment on the likes of Jay Adams. If the book is ever produced in audio, it would be an excellent complement to ventriloquist David Powlison.
And of course, Tchividjian wasted no time speaking for Susan and me regarding our New Year Resolution for the Lord. His message? Like all things that we try to do for the lord, it will fail. And gee whiz, isn’t it great that our acceptance before the Lord doesn’t depend on our performance?
I have some theological news for this vile antinomian and his fiend friend that sent him the quote that he thought was so special. That would be the friend who delights (like all New Calvinists) in bringing elderly saints up on bogus church discipline (I told you to hide the children. I am fed-up with this bunch and the cowards that cover for them). Here is the news flash: Susan and I don’t claim to be the brightest bulbs in the house, but we know at least this much; we cannot do anything to gain favor with God for purposes of justification. That’s impossible because He chose us to be completely justified before the Earth was created. Therefore, He also chose us, and the guaranteed result is glorification at a time of His choosing and good pleasure. Susan and I believe this with all of our hearts and it is the basis of this belief that gives us assurance of our salvation. But unlike these brute beasts, Susan and I have a King that we want to please for many reasons—reasons that He states, not mere men. We long to stand before Him and hear, “Well done, faithful servant.” And guess what? We actually believe He is talking about what we actually do. Excuuuuuse us for taking that literally and not embracing Tchividjian’s Gnostic-like approach to the Scriptures (also known as Redemptive Historical hermeneutics).
But what really torques me off about these men is their HOPELESS message. When I went to a biblical counselor some twenty-four years ago in the midst of a serious trial, I was a New Calvinist before New Calvinism was cool. I read Scripture and prayed for hours “seeking the Lord’s face.” In 1994, MacArthur explained what that means; in essence he said, “We don’t really mean like, you know, looking for a face in the Scriptures like something mystical. We mean like, you know, looking for Jesus in the Scriptures.” Ya, got it, except for the part about what Jesus SAYS, not what he looks like. MacArthur seems to have bought into the New Calvinist hermeneutic that is primarily concerned with who Jesus is as a “person.” It’s almost as if none of them can wait to meet Jesus face to face so they can ask him what His sign is and His favorite color. “Is fish really your favorite food? Or was it because that was the staple food of the day?” Oh to know who Jesus really is! The perfect complement is Francis Chan’s Jesus is my boyfriend theology. Meanwhile, Steve Camp and others have no clue where all of the Jesus is my boyfriend music comes from that they constantly lament. Antinomians acting like antinomians and those seeking to fall in love with Jesus singing Jesus is my boyfriend music, and no one is apparently able to connect the dots. What in the world is going on?
Thank goodness my counselor wasn’t Tchividjian . And thank goodness my counselor had not yet become the president of an evil empire. He told me that I could actually do something about my problem; specifically, what the Lord instructs. “Oh, you mean nothing’s happening because Jesus also wants me to do things? “ Profound.
This ministry is a witness to how New Calvinists counsel: “We are helpless creatures who have this treasure of Jesus in clay vessels. Embrace the pounding of the trial as it breaks apart these vessels of clay and allows the glory of Jesus to shine out!” Meanwhile, New Calvinists play on the results of an existing epidemic of our day: Christians functioning on biblical generalities and trying to do the right thing the wrong way. THAT IS WHY THEIR CHRISTIAN RESOLUTIONS FAIL, not for lack of a Tchividjian false gospel. Thank goodness I didn’t know him. It would have been one New Calvinist leading another into a ditch.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
I am with you on Bonhoeffer. If I hear one more YRR disrespect him on a blog, I am going to scream. Bonhoeffer LIVED his faith and had more courage in his little finger than any YRR arrogant child/pastor has in his whole body.
In effect, NC is making sure that Christians never “ACT” like Christians.
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“Child-pastors.” That’s going on the word list.
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Paul,
I would take nothing away from Bonhoeffer in regard to his courageous stand against the Nazism. We certainly need men of courage. What concerns me is that you seem to deem theological accuracy to be less important than courage. What difference does if make if we are courageous if we don’t understand God’s truth? Oscar Schindler was a bright and courageous man, but I don’t know that we will see him in heaven.
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Randy,
And this is precisely why NC dog them: for fear that it will set an example for all of the cowardly pastors who will not stand up to them. NC disdain courage.
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I guess God has His attack dogs, and you are doing an outstanding job. I know you will earn a “Well done!” for the energy and effort you invest in serving the Lord in this loving and vital work.
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who is Randy?
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Charlotte,
A pain in the #%&
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“Randy” might be Paul’s alter ego?
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“What concerns me is that you seem to deem theological accuracy to be less important than courage. What difference does if make if we are courageous if we don’t understand God’s truth”
I know I am going to regret this because I have been down the Bonehoeffer road with many NC’ers. But I would like to know what basic foundational truth as in primary understanding of salvation and sanctification did Bonehoeffer get so wrong as to alledge he was not theologically accurate or did not understand God’s truth? Did he deny the cross? Virgin birth? Resurrection? Believe and repent?
I am not addressing non salvic issues here. There are several non salvic issues I disagree with Bonehoeffer on. So what? And I certainly do not equate the kind of courage Bonhoeffer had with the “courage of being theologically accurate” so one can argue on blogs~! Sheesh!
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Lydia,
I guess I could gain some respect for NCs if they showed some courage like DB that went beyond pushing around old people and bringing people up on bogus church discipline.
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Hey Randy, Apollos was a very courageous man who stood for the Lord and loved the Lord although he was teaching not-quite-accurate theology. Acts 18 clearly characterizes him as bold and courageous although somewhat off on his understanding of truth. Despite that, nobody in the New Testament church threw him overboard. Nobody trashed him. On the contrary, others steered him into a course correction and God blessed him and his ministry. I fear you would have blessed him out.
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Apollos’ theology was not altogether accurate because he did not yet understand New Covenant Theology. There is a vast difference between that deficiency and Neo-Orthodox theology.
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I am altogether in favor of courage. I believe we need courageous pastors and teachers who will contend for the truth of New Covenant Theology and the doctrines of God’s sovereign grace. As I stated, “I would take nothing away from Bonhoeffer in regard to his courageous stand against the Nazism. We certainly need men of courage.” It is just that Paul seemed to dismiss Bonhoeffer’s failure in the area of orthodoxy in favor of courage. In fact, I admire Bonhoeffer’s courage and the stand he took.
Frankly, I don’t care whether NC are cowardly or not. What we need are men who understand truth and aren’t afraid to challenge people who think they are a pain in the ear, or toe, or some other three letter word that signifies a body part.
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Randy,
I concur. Like the Nazis, New Calvinists disdain those who disagree with them and are particularly bent on pushing around old people. Old saints annoy them because they have trouble wrapping their minds around Christian mysticism dressed in orthodox garb.
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Randy,
LOL! This is why I can’t live with you or without you: “Apollos’ theology was not altogether accurate because he did not yet understand New Covenant Theology.” This harkens back to Chad Bresson’s message at the 2011 Paul Bunyan Conference where he claimed that Stephen’s message/sermon that got him stoned to death was a New Covenant Theology message. LOL! Unbelievable. Bresson thinks he is one of the forefathers of rediscovering NCT and trust me, his arrogance following is on full display. BTW, does that vile false teacher/cult leader know that he is mentioned in the book more than once? I checked yesterday, I have withheld 24 of your comments, but jewels like this one (NCT being a first century apostolic theology) is just too rich.
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Paul,
I made the point just because I knew you would appreciate it so much. It is always nice to brighten your day.
There is no question that first century apostolic theology was New Covenant Theology. The apostle Paul made a huge point of saying in 2 Cor. three that he was not a minister of the covenant that brought death, written and engraven in stones, but of the New Covenant that brings life. I would not be excessive to assert that a primary emphasis of the New Testament Scriptures is the superiority of the New Covenant to the Old. This is especially clear in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Luke tells us very clearly in the text of Acts 18 that Apollos’ deficiency was that he had only heard of John’s baptism, a rite that belonged to the Old Covenant period. Thus, it is clear he did not yet understand NCT. Facts are what they are.
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“It is just that Paul seemed to dismiss Bonhoeffer’s failure in the area of orthodoxy in favor of courage. ”
Randy, I specifically asked how Bonhoeffer was not “orthodox” in your view. What did he believe or not believe that was so bad that these child pastors who think they understand truth are what we need, instead.
I think you owe it here to say what Bonhoeffer believed that was not “orthodox” in your view.
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Yes, I would like to hear on that one myself.
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Lydia,
So you don’t think a failure to understand Christian baptism and its significance has any relationship to New Covenant truth? Perhaps you could explain to me what you think NTC teaches.
Re: Bonhoeffer “orthodoxy,” If is my understanding that he at least leaned toward neo-orthodoxy. That would be a fairly significant problem.
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I am cracking up that Apollos did not understand “NCT” yet. Yep, the Greek-non Jew, new believer was stuck in the Old Covenant. That is pretty funny, Randy.
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