In the 1970's a superhero named Stretch Armstrong lined toy store shelves. This toy muscle-man was made of some pliable, rubber-like stuff and was about twelve inches tall. Small as he was Stretch Armstrong could still be stretched far beyond his designed shape.
Stretching and pulling a toy? Fine. Stretching foundational Christian doctrines? Bad idea. Martin Luther called "grace" teaching which goes too far by the name "antinomianism." Antinomianism is the "Stretch Armstrong" of theology. You see, when seriously mistaken, but quite often well meaning pastors and teachers stretch and contort the pure bible doctrines of grace beyond the bounds of scripture the Stretch Armstrong of antinomianism rears its grossly deformed head. In this regard A. W. Tozer wrote:
Advocates of antinomianism...start right, but allow themselves to be carried beyond what is written by a slave-like adherence to undisciplined logic. It is always dangerous to isolate a truth and then push it to its limit without regard to other truths (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:
"I'm a Christian. I've accepted Christ as my Savior and been born again, but I use illegal drugs. I've tried to quit many times, but I always fall back into the habit. I guess I'm just a drug addict." ...this person is identifying himself as a drug addict because he's doing the things addicts do. He has confused his performance with his identity. He has convinced himself, "I do what drug addicts do, so I must be a drug addict." No, he's a Christian with a serious drug problem (Free At Last, p. 28).
The author is writing to Christians. He's also talking about people with hard hearts-the kind of person who, while stealing a car, would kill the woman sitting in it...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).
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!"
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").
Today's evangelical Christian scene is replete with preaches who seem to have a zeal for God, but sadly, their zeal is not according to understanding. They howl, "Carnal? Don't worry your salvation is assured!" "Saved by works," they sneer, if some servant of the Lord insists that in order to be saved all must "pursue holiness because without it no one will see the Lord" (Heb 12:14). This, the lettered elite of modern, evangelical Christianity do to the exposing of their vibrant, antinomian colors. - 15615
Stretching and pulling a toy? Fine. Stretching foundational Christian doctrines? Bad idea. Martin Luther called "grace" teaching which goes too far by the name "antinomianism." Antinomianism is the "Stretch Armstrong" of theology. You see, when seriously mistaken, but quite often well meaning pastors and teachers stretch and contort the pure bible doctrines of grace beyond the bounds of scripture the Stretch Armstrong of antinomianism rears its grossly deformed head. In this regard A. W. Tozer wrote:
Advocates of antinomianism...start right, but allow themselves to be carried beyond what is written by a slave-like adherence to undisciplined logic. It is always dangerous to isolate a truth and then push it to its limit without regard to other truths (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:
"I'm a Christian. I've accepted Christ as my Savior and been born again, but I use illegal drugs. I've tried to quit many times, but I always fall back into the habit. I guess I'm just a drug addict." ...this person is identifying himself as a drug addict because he's doing the things addicts do. He has confused his performance with his identity. He has convinced himself, "I do what drug addicts do, so I must be a drug addict." No, he's a Christian with a serious drug problem (Free At Last, p. 28).
The author is writing to Christians. He's also talking about people with hard hearts-the kind of person who, while stealing a car, would kill the woman sitting in it...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).
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!"
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").
Today's evangelical Christian scene is replete with preaches who seem to have a zeal for God, but sadly, their zeal is not according to understanding. They howl, "Carnal? Don't worry your salvation is assured!" "Saved by works," they sneer, if some servant of the Lord insists that in order to be saved all must "pursue holiness because without it no one will see the Lord" (Heb 12:14). This, the lettered elite of modern, evangelical Christianity do to the exposing of their vibrant, antinomian colors. - 15615
About the Author:
Take a look at LaLond's book, The Lying Promise, for more aboutauthentic gospel grace or Tony Evans. The Lying Promise takes on other tough, contemporaryChristian topics such as eternal security, free grace, repentance and scriptural salvation.
