Jul 03 2008
Dr. Anthony T. Evans and The Carnal Christian
Bad doctrine has always crept into the Christian church. Among the believers of Paul’s day men such as Hymenaeus and Philetus postulated ideas that Paul said “will eat as doth a canker” (2 Tim 2:17). In the modern Christian church one prevalent false teaching takes the form of a doctrinal half-breed known as the “carnal Christian.”
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:
“I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” 1 Cor 3:1-3
“It is possible,” insists Tony Evans, “to be on your way to heaven but be of no earthly good because you compromise your faith…notice that Paul calls them brethren.” At the time of this rebuke Paul did include these Corinthians in the family of believers. From this passage, however, Dr. Evans continues his slide down a slippery slope of unsupported claims. Consider Dr. Tony Evans’ carnal Christian:
- “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):
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor 6:9-10
The inspired writers aren’t the only teachers to snub the “carnal Christian.” No trace of this teaching can be found in any writer or historical church creed that I have examined. From the Ante-Nicene believers such as Polycarp, Clement of Rome or Ireneaus to the Westminster Confession no carnal Christian belief can be established. And from James Arminius to John Calvin no carnal Christian affirmation may be seen. And from Jonathan Edwards to John Wesley or from Charles Finney to George Whitefield no carnal Christian doctrine is included. Dr. Anthony T. (Tony) Evans’ carnal Christian is simply false.
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