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Dr. Anthony T. Evans and The Carnal Christian

By: Daniel LaLond Jr. False teaching has always been in the Christian church. In the first century church the doctrine of Jezebel (Rev. 2) crept into the minds of unwary believers. And in contemporary Christian circles spurious doctrine assumes the form of a cadaverous crossbreed dubbed 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:

"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere 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:

- "Simply defined, carnality is a spiritual state in which a born-again Christian knowingly, willingly, intentionally and persistently lives to please and serve self rather than Jesus Christ."

- [The carnal Christian] "is a sick Christian, attempting to keep one foot planted in two mutually-exclusive worlds."

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 shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, 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.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Daniel LaLond Jr. is an author and a minister. His book, The Lying Promise, examines the gospel according to Tony Evans. The Lying Promise also analyzes doctrines like the carnal Christian, eternal security and false grace.

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