Article Advise

submitted: Jun 24th 2008 | by: DanielLaLondJr. | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 512 | |

Counterfeit, errant dogmas always creep around the Christian church. In fact, Revelation chapter two records a warning from Jesus against dangerous doctrines that led His people astray. In the contemporary church the "carnal Christian," a sin-friendly doctrinal hybrid, is worming its way into Christian orthodoxy.

Trumpeting this "carnal Christian" theme around the globe is Dr. Tony Evans. All of the quotations from Dr. Evans' contained in this article are excerpted from his pamphlet The Carnal Christian. In opposition to historic Christianity Dr. Evans gathers his carnal Christian theory from three solitary verses in first Corinthians chapter three:

"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" 1 Cor 3:1-3

Dr. Evans writes, "Notice that Paul calls them brethren, which means that he believed they were a part of the family of God...it is possible to be on your way to heaven but be of no earthly good because you compromise your faith." Indeed, Paul did call the Corinthians "brethren" and this does mean "that he believed they were a part of the family of God." From this isolated text, however, Dr. Anthony T. (Tony) Evans jumps head first into a bubbling vat of biblically baseless claims. Dr. Evans describes the characteristics of this unbeliever masterfully cloaked in "carnal Christian" attire:

- "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."

- "Committed Christians may fall into sin, but a carnal Christian bathes in it. He has the mindset, motivation and methodology of sin."

Because Paul used the term "brothers" and "carnal" (or worldly) to refer to the Corinthians is it necessary to postulate that they could remain as much and still be saved as Tony Evans maintains? Not if the scriptures are our rule. If the Corinthians remained in a "carnal" or "worldly" state they would be in serious trouble. Consider Paul's admonishment to these "brothers" later in 1 Corinthians (Dr. Evans overlooks this passage though it clearly bears on the subject):

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor 6:9-10

The "carnal Christian" isn't taught in the bible and not even a hint of this doctrine may be seen in any confession or teacher that I have studied. It's not found in the Ante-Nicene writings, the Westminster Confession or the Baptist Confession of 1689. Neither is it found in the works of Luther, Arminius, Calvin, Edwards, Whitefield, Wesley or Finney. Dr. Anthony T. Evans' "carnal Christian" is fantasy not theology.

About the Author

Daniel LaLond Jr. is an author and a minister. His book, The Lying Promise, examines the gospel teaching of Tony Evans. The Lying Promise also debunks doctrines like the carnal Christian, eternal security and free grace.

Comments

No comments posted.

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.