I just read this blog.
The Pitfall Of Perfectionism – Tullian Tchividjian
This was referenced on Facebookand it totally shocked me.
This is antinomianism at it's best. I understand the pain of not living up to Christ and His expectations. This was meant to comfort people who are struggling. But it isn't biblical in the least.
Let me set the field up and show you the situation.
Someone commits suicide and the author is speculating this person who had a strong testimony for Christ became despondent because they couldn't live the life. This is assumed by the author first off because he doesn't say that that is the reason the girl gave for her suicide. At least the blog doesn't say that is the revealed reason.
The next person wants to leave his wife because he is tired of living up to others expectations. He is tired of living or pursuing holiness in his life.
The third person in the blog referenced is desiring prayer because he feels like God has abandoned him.
After the three situations are placed in front of us the assumption is that Perfectionism is the problem. The blogger states that most Christians would say that they should try harder. Others would try to help them trace their despair back to some unconfessed sin in their lives–drawing a straight line between their spiritual depression and their spiritual failure. And still others would tell them to have faith.
Then the author concludes:
This is some of the worst stuff I have seen on a blog by a supposedly confessional Pastor. I agree perfectionism is bad but I am not free to be a no one. I am called to be something and for a purpose. I am not called to be ordinary but a part of a peculiar people. I am not free to fail. I am called to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Jesus did tell one woman to go and sin no more. Jesus did talk about repentance and living right before God and man. St. Paul said he strove to live with a right conscience before God and man. This bit of advice from this Pastor is shocking to me and sounds more like an antinomian fundamentalist Pastor than a Biblically Solid Pastor of the Word of God.
Please, Please, Please, understand that I am not a perfect person. I struggle with Sin and do not believe anyone can be perfect. But I believe the advice of this Pastor is very dangerous and hurts the Body of Christ. It does not shed light on what Grace is and it does not reveal the will of God and the beauty of it.
I understand the need to combat Perfectionism as did J. C. Ryle and many other good men of God. But this is an over reaction and very unbiblical.
The Pitfall Of Perfectionism – Tullian Tchividjian
This was referenced on Facebookand it totally shocked me.
Christian, please remember that Jesus plus nothing equals everything. That,
Because Jesus was strong for you, you’re free to be weak;
Because Jesus won for you, you’re free to lose;
Because Jesus was Someone, you’re free to be no one;
Because Jesus was extraordinary, you’re free to be ordinary;
Because Jesus succeeded for you, you’re free to fail.
This is antinomianism at it's best. I understand the pain of not living up to Christ and His expectations. This was meant to comfort people who are struggling. But it isn't biblical in the least.
Let me set the field up and show you the situation.
Someone commits suicide and the author is speculating this person who had a strong testimony for Christ became despondent because they couldn't live the life. This is assumed by the author first off because he doesn't say that that is the reason the girl gave for her suicide. At least the blog doesn't say that is the revealed reason.
The next person wants to leave his wife because he is tired of living up to others expectations. He is tired of living or pursuing holiness in his life.
The third person in the blog referenced is desiring prayer because he feels like God has abandoned him.
After the three situations are placed in front of us the assumption is that Perfectionism is the problem. The blogger states that most Christians would say that they should try harder. Others would try to help them trace their despair back to some unconfessed sin in their lives–drawing a straight line between their spiritual depression and their spiritual failure. And still others would tell them to have faith.
Then the author concludes:
But what would Jesus have told them? We don’t have to guess: “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Perfectionism (or performancism) is a horrible disease. It comes from the pit of hell, smelling like rotting flesh. Someone convinced these folks that they were called to measure up to an unattainable standard. They couldn’t do it and each in his or her own way simply quit trying.
Nobody told them that Jesus was perfect for them, and because of that they didn’t have to be perfect for themselves. They didn’t understand that if Jesus makes you free, you will be free indeed.
Christian, please remember that Jesus plus nothing equals everything. That,
Because Jesus was strong for you, you’re free to be weak;
Because Jesus won for you, you’re free to lose;
Because Jesus was Someone, you’re free to be no one;
Because Jesus was extraordinary, you’re free to be ordinary;
Because Jesus succeeded for you, you’re free to fail.
This is some of the worst stuff I have seen on a blog by a supposedly confessional Pastor. I agree perfectionism is bad but I am not free to be a no one. I am called to be something and for a purpose. I am not called to be ordinary but a part of a peculiar people. I am not free to fail. I am called to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Jesus did tell one woman to go and sin no more. Jesus did talk about repentance and living right before God and man. St. Paul said he strove to live with a right conscience before God and man. This bit of advice from this Pastor is shocking to me and sounds more like an antinomian fundamentalist Pastor than a Biblically Solid Pastor of the Word of God.
Please, Please, Please, understand that I am not a perfect person. I struggle with Sin and do not believe anyone can be perfect. But I believe the advice of this Pastor is very dangerous and hurts the Body of Christ. It does not shed light on what Grace is and it does not reveal the will of God and the beauty of it.
I understand the need to combat Perfectionism as did J. C. Ryle and many other good men of God. But this is an over reaction and very unbiblical.