Comments on: Tullian keeps digging

By: Karen Seay

Karen Seay — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:47:00 +0000

If we have to “do more and try harder” could someone please tell me how I will know when I’ve “done” enough that God will accept me and keep me out of hell? I know I can never repay God for what He has done for me, but if I have to “do” good works to stay in His good graces, how will I ever know if I’ve arrived by doing enough? Herein is the problem I have with legalism. Yes, I do try to do the things that God approves of, but if I do those things because, “if I don’t I’m going to hell” how will I ever know when I”ve reached that place of salvation? In other words, how can I ever rest in Jesus’ sacrifice if it’s up to me?

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 01:59:00 +0000

Now the lutheran confessions also affirm Luther’s teaching that those that commit grievous sins as David did with Bathsheba, they will lose the holy ghost (the spirit that witnesses with our spirit that we are Sons of God. the spirit that cries abba father) and can fall into final apostacy unless God in his sovereign grace and mercy renews their faith. But God in his sovereign justice can leave them in unbelief as Romans 1 teaches how God gives sinners to the desires of their flesh. So lutheranism has a strong doctrine on the perils for christians that fall into sin.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 01:39:00 +0000

And frankly Tullian doesn’t come close to Luther as far as preaching proper grace. i.e. works don’t matter one iota as far as God’s love for us. Here’s Luther’s 1921 letter to Melanchthon, yes grace is scandalous to the old Adam, and I can see how people couldn’t stand Paul in his time, Luther, and now Tullian. And I am not defending Tullian, I don’t know him well enough, but the criticisms that I hear about Tullian do not seem to be right. Even if Tullian is wrong, the critics ought to affirm the freedom of a christian from all condemnation and the simul justis et peccator doctrine of sanctification (not only in justification). Here is Luther, he surely is much bolder than Tullian Quoted from http://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/Luther-Sin-Boldly.html :

Luther:

13.”If you are a preacher of Grace, then preach a true, not a fictitious grace; if grace is true, you must bear a true and not a fictitious sin. God does not save people who are only fictitious sinners. Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly. For he is victorious over sin, death, and the world. As long as we are here we have to sin. This life in not the dwelling place of righteousness but, as Peter says, we look for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. . . . Pray boldly-you too are a mighty sinner.” (Weimar ed. vol. 2, p. 371; Letters I, “Luther’s Works,” American Ed., Vol 48. p. 281- 282)

13. If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, says Peter (2. Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that through God’s glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner.

On the day of the Feast of St. Peter the Apostle, 1521

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 10:04:00 +0000

And let me add to my post above, this is a classic example of God hates sin but loves the sinner. I stated “no amount of our obedience can please neither can any amount of our disobedience displease him” and then gave David’s example. Now it is clear that God gets angry at sin, so he obviously was very angry at what David did with Bathsheba. But God loved David, he was not displeased with David, his love for David not diminished. Yet, no doubt God hated the sin of David, and out of love for David and hate for David’s sin he disciplined David. I think God loves the sinner and hates the sin is the most appropriate way of putting it.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 09:53:00 +0000

Not sure what Tullian did wrong. His emphasis is that God’s love for me will not change regardless whether I obey him or disobey him. Now this may sound really bizarre to the old Adam, but truly we have no righteousness of our own. God sees us through Christ’s righteousness, and no amount of our obedience can please neither can any amount of our disobedience displease him. God’s love is unconditional. With that said there is no doubt that out of love God disciplines his children, so our disobedience will bring God’s discipline on us, but it will at no point diminish his love for us. Did God love David less because of his sin with Bathsheba ? I don’t think so. Did God discipline David as a result of his sin with Bathsheba ? You better believe it. But this discipline was an expression of God’s love for David as Hebrews speaks when God disciplines his children.

By: Joe Geranio

Joe Geranio — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 21:54:00 +0000

I came out of legalism. It’s funny how people say there saved by Grace. But, they live in overwhelming works. while we were yet sinners Christ loved us, check out Ephesians 1. But sanctification? We have to handle it? If I have anything to do with either I’m lost. Rest in Him

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:42:00 +0000

I’ve heard and read just about everything Tullian has ever said or written and never gotten the impression you claim he is putting out. Worry about the board in your own eye.

By: Walker

Walker — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 21:50:00 +0000

Of course there is a connection. He’s reacting to hearing grace unmixed with command. That’s more than enough reason for joy, excitement, and wanting to share that same great news with as many as possible.

By: Bror Erickson

Bror Erickson — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 18:59:00 +0000

I don’t see how there is of necessity any dichotomy between John 14 and what Tullian is preaching. Good works flow from love to neighbor. I bet if anyone asked Tullian if love for God would result in these good works he’d say yes. On the other hand it is God’s love that makes any and all good works possible. Apart from faith they are all dead, and there are no good works. and there is a very real sense that it is not the new man that wants to establish his relationship with God by his works, but the old Adam, and turning one to his works telling them that they will grow closer to God through them in one way or another is a very dangerous thing, it quickens the Old Adam in us.

By: HeartofLOVE

HeartofLOVE — Fri, 16 May 2014 15:38:00 +0000

A second AMEN!!!!

Please keep your legalism to yourself David. You aren’t doing the world any favors by placing grace in a neat little box.