Grace Under Fire: The Tony Evans Story
The popular mega-church pastor, Tony Evans, stepped down this week after 47 years of service. While the trend of leaders resigning is not shocking anymore, I found the reasons behind his departure and the reactions to it disheartening.
To be clear, Evans stated he didn’t do anything “illegal.” However, he stepped down due to a “sin” he committed “years ago.” He emphasized, “The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God.”
It’s a belief that was applauded by many Christians. Ironically, it’s also a belief held by the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.
Contrary to their understanding of the Scriptures, the “Word of God” was standing in front of them in the person of Jesus. He shines a “light” as One who lives in the deepest part of our shame, not on the sidelines of our imagined successes (John 1:1-4). Thus, he is not the “supreme standard of truth” to follow, but Someone we live in because we can’t, we don’t, and we won’t (Col 3).
For this reason, we don’t find Jesus calling us to “conform our lives” to a set of ethics, but instead calling us to “repent” of the delusion that God is waiting on us to “restore our relationship with” Him.
From what I see in the comments section, statements like these will get you in hot water. But why?
What part of “there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” do we not get? (Rom 8:1)
What part of “circumcision,” as in our religious efforts, “counts for nothing” do we not understand? (Rom 5:6)
According to Paul, God is “not counting people’s sins against them” because the only thing that “counts” is the “new creation” we are in Jesus (Gal 6:15; 2 Cor 5:18). The application of this text? “From now on, regard no one according to the flesh” (2 Cor 5:16).
Talk about something that would change the world as we know it.
Sure, realities like these make it hard for those who are seeking systems to “maintain the integrity of the church” (Evans). But the discomfort is needed if we want to stop undermining the integrity of the Church, which lies in its message of forgiveness to all—not in the formation of members.
Don’t mishear me. I’m not saying sin doesn’t matter, or that we should give a pass to what leaders like Mark Driscoll have done. I’m all for people turning a deaf ear to those who repeatedly dismantle others' humanity.
But the idea that a leader must be someone who doesn’t or hasn’t sinned, and therefore can’t teach about the God who already “took away the sins of the world,” is contrary to the “finished” work of Jesus (John 1:29; 19). Especially since leaders are just flawed humans who said, “I’ll go first.”
It’s safe to say we desperately need an imagination for the God who already united himself to all of creation through his Son (Col 1:15-20). And an imagination for the Church as a global movement of unbranded friendships—where this news is free to spread through unconditional belonging and unhurried faith.
To that end, Lark exists.
Lord helps us.