Do you remember the 70's toy superhero Stretch Armstrong? This toy muscle man was made of rubber and measured in at only about a foot tall. Even so Stretch Armstrong could be stretched and pulled far beyond his intended 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:
Antinomianism is the doctrine of grace carried by uncorrected logic to the point of absurdity. It takes the teaching of justification by faith and twists it into deformity (Paths To Power).
Antinomian preachers are everywhere...in Christian bookstores, on Christian radio and fill pulpits in every town. As in Luther's day they continue to push the biblical doctrines of grace so far that obedience to Christ becomes a mere suggestion. Even practicing "Christian" adulterers and thieves will be welcomed into paradise. It is a good idea to obey says the antinomian, but it's not necessary in order to enter the eternal kingdom of God. Consider the acclaimed Dr. Tony Evans' antinomian assumptions:
The early church also contained examples of spiritual failure. The incestuous man in Corinth fell into a deep moral failure (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-5), but as we noted in a previous chapter, even in this case the man's eternal salvation was not at stake (Totally Saved, p. 217).
Committed Christians may fall into sin, but a carnal Christian bathes in it. He has the mindset, motivation and methodology of sin...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 preachers use scriptural language, but they push the scriptures past their purposed meaning. Worldly Immoral? "Don't fret," they promise, "your salvation is never at risk." The popular belief that insists that Christians are accepted by grace while being disobedient in spite of grace screams, "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 !"
Forms and fair shows of godliness deceive us: many, whom our Lord might well compare to 'whited sepulchres,' look like angels of light when they are abroad, and prove tormenting fiends at home. I repeat it once more, warp not to Antinomianism, and in order to this, take heed, O! take heed to your doctrine! (Wesley quoted from John Fletcher's "Checks to Antinomianism").
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. - 15784
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:
Antinomianism is the doctrine of grace carried by uncorrected logic to the point of absurdity. It takes the teaching of justification by faith and twists it into deformity (Paths To Power).
Antinomian preachers are everywhere...in Christian bookstores, on Christian radio and fill pulpits in every town. As in Luther's day they continue to push the biblical doctrines of grace so far that obedience to Christ becomes a mere suggestion. Even practicing "Christian" adulterers and thieves will be welcomed into paradise. It is a good idea to obey says the antinomian, but it's not necessary in order to enter the eternal kingdom of God. Consider the acclaimed Dr. Tony Evans' antinomian assumptions:
The early church also contained examples of spiritual failure. The incestuous man in Corinth fell into a deep moral failure (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-5), but as we noted in a previous chapter, even in this case the man's eternal salvation was not at stake (Totally Saved, p. 217).
Committed Christians may fall into sin, but a carnal Christian bathes in it. He has the mindset, motivation and methodology of sin...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 preachers use scriptural language, but they push the scriptures past their purposed meaning. Worldly Immoral? "Don't fret," they promise, "your salvation is never at risk." The popular belief that insists that Christians are accepted by grace while being disobedient in spite of grace screams, "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 !"
Forms and fair shows of godliness deceive us: many, whom our Lord might well compare to 'whited sepulchres,' look like angels of light when they are abroad, and prove tormenting fiends at home. I repeat it once more, warp not to Antinomianism, and in order to this, take heed, O! take heed to your doctrine! (Wesley quoted from John Fletcher's "Checks to Antinomianism").
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. - 15784
About the Author:
Check out LaLond's book, The Lying Promise, for more aboutauthentic gospel grace or Tony Evans. The Lying Promise takes on other popular, evangelical Christian subjects such as once saved always saved, free grace, repentance and scriptural salvation.