I have written in the past about the unfortunate saga of Tullian Tchividjian. A more detailed timeline is available in my recent post regarding his alleged remarriage. I have also been asked multiple times why I care so much, which I have also discussed in detail.
Recently, a sermon by Tullian was forwarded to me. He preached on October 30th at Spring Hills Community Church in Santa Rosa California. This not the first time he has spoken there, but to my knowledge, this is the first time he has delivered a sermon from the pulpit on the Lord’s Day.
In the past, I have been critical of Tullian teaching, and the response was that events like Christ Hold Fast, or even his previous engagements at Spring Hills were not teaching in the sense of things restricted to the office of Elder, something we were told unequivocally that he would not be doing.
However, this is drastically different. Tullian is opening and expositing the scriptures, from the pulpit, on the Lord’s Day, during the gathering of the saints. I don’t know what Spring Hills’ practice is regarding the Lord’s Supper, but I have no reason to think that had it been a Sunday in which they normally administer the sacrament, that it would have been business as usual.
Tullian has clearly begun to think of himself as someone who can teach in an Elder capacity. I commented recently that his post on Expastors was likely intended to be a sneak peek of his rumored forthcoming book. Similarly, I would be utterly unsurprised if we saw a formal call to pastoral ministry come from Spring Hills. Furthermore, Tullian’s public person Facebook page has an updated profile picture (probably from his preaching engagement), and the cover image is a quote from his sermon at Spring Hills. It appears that Tullian (or his publicity firm) has begun to rebuild and rebrand him.
The worst part of all, the sermon was fantastic (apart from what I think was just a slip of the tongue when he actually said that God loves us because we are bad). Tullian’s ability to exposit the Scripture or present a compelling message was never in question. What is, is his right to do so in the Lord’s house, and to lead God’s people.
If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. (Titus 1:6-7, ESV)
Tullian is not above reproach, he is living in unrepentant adultery due to his unbiblical divorce and remarriage, and since he has not as of yet submitted himself to membership under a local session of Elders he is guilty of the charge of insubordination.
Tullian, I know you’ve blocked me on twitter, and I can understand why you are angry with me. But I’m begging you brother, you were ready to dialog with me and consider what I had to say once… before you entrench yourself further in sin and set yourself up as an elder at a new church consider what you’re doing. You are subjecting yourself to greater judgment, both by God and by God’s people… and that is the last thing you need.
For a thorough timeline of events regarding Tullian Tchividjian’s history, please see Resource Bibliography on System Issues Related to the Tullian Tchividjian Situation. By linking to this site I am not endorsing the site as a whole, nor testifying to the veracity of the information present. However, the timeline presented does appear to be accurate to the best of my knowledge and research.