Jack Chick's False Gospel
Jack Chick's False Gospel
Chick Tracts are Dangerous!
By David J. Stewart
Jack Chick plainly teaches in every Chick Track that faith in Jesus Christ is insufficient to save unless you arewilling to cease from your sins. That is works salvation!!! Mr. Chick puts the cart before the horse, demanding a willingness to change as a qualifying prerequisite to faith in Christ. That is a back door approach to Lordship Salvation. I am not loyal to men, but to the Word of God. Anyone who messes with the gospel needs to be exposed.
Jack Chick is hindering sinners from coming to Christ!
Jack Chick does not believe that faith in Christ is enough to be saved; he also teaches that a sinner MUST have intentions to reform to be saved. That is a very false gospel,
ANOTHER GOSPEL. Mr. Chick can try to hide behind his statement of faith, which is vague; but his tracts, every one of them, teach the
Lordship Salvation heresy!!!
A man told me that he wouldn't get saved for a long time, because Jack Chick's
Chick Tracts had taught him that God wouldn't save him unless he was willing to stop shacking up with his girlfriend in fornication. Since the man wasn't willing to turn from some of the sins in his life, he thought he couldn't be saved. I think that's a big issue and Jack Chick is corrupting the gospel, adding a step that God never added to be saved. We are the SINNERS and Jesus is the SAVIOR... it's that simple! A person is saved if they acknowledge their guilt of sin before God (Romans 3:19) and trust upon Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31)!!!
I am sick and tired of Christian leaders being loyal to each other instead of the Bible. Anything can be justified. It is apostasy! I see pastors of large churches blindly supporting other pastors who deny the inspiration of the King James Bible. They're a disgrace to the ministry!!! Get right with God you Bible-inspiration-denying imposter!
And then I see influential Christian authors and leaders supporting men like Jack Chick who teach millions of people that they cannot be saved unless they surrender to Christ and are willing to stop sinning. In step one Jack Chick says to
admit you are a sinner, and then in step two he requires people to
be willing to turn from sin (repent). Biblical repentance only requires step one; not step two. Since this is a separate step from admitting you're a sinner, clearly Jack Chick expects people to reform to be saved. This is a false gospel and I'm going to contend for the Christian faith against anyone who hinders sinners from coming to Christ for salvation.
Jack Chick is hindering sinners from coming to Christ!
I am not being unkind, but it's time for Christians to stop getting their theology from Hollywood movie stars like Kirk Cameron, high-level Freemasons like Pat Robertson (who was ordained into the ministry at the
Freemason Street Baptist Church),
Council On Foreign Relations [CFR] members like Rick Warren, and cartoon artists like Jack Chick. WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE?
All of these men teach that faith in Christ is not sufficient for salvation unless a person is willing to surrender their life to Christ and be willing to stop sinning. This is salvation by WORKS (which is not salvation at all, Romans 11:6). The Bible speaks plainly in
Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”That's what saith the Scripture! How much clearer could the Word of God be... but to him that WORKETH NOT... HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!!!
Jack Chick and others like him need to get out of the driver's seat and stop trying to do the Holy Spirit's job of convicting sinners concerning their sins and the changes that need to be made in one's life.
That's God's department.
Mr. Chick's artwork is captivating and unsurpassed in quality. It is certainly true that
Chick Tracts get read.
Unfortunately, Jack Chick is doctrinally flawed (as are many religious leaders, authors, and influential people in churches today).
Chick Tracts are recognized worldwide. Mr. Chick's ministry has received
tens-of-millions of dollars in revenues from the sale of his religious cartoon tracts. The ministry boasts of having sold over 500,000,000 copies worldwide!
Tragically, many people are being deceived by Mr. Chick's false gospel. Truly the love of money is the root of all evil (1st Timothy 6:10).
The following page appears on the back of all
Chick Tracts...
In step #2 on how to go to Heaven, Jack Chick teaches damnable heresy... “Be willing to turn from sin (repent).” This is unbiblical. To require sinners to “be willing to turn from sin” to be saved is an act of self-righteousness.
Carefully notice that this is not acknowledging one's sinnership, for that is requirement #1 in Chick Tracts. Jack Chick adds an entirely new requirement to be saved; not only admitting one's guilt of being a sinner, but also being willing to cease from those sins. In effect, Jack Chick is trying to do the Holy Spirit's job. Instead of allowing God to change a person who has come to Christ to be saved; Jack Chick requires sinners to change themselves as a prerequisite to placing their faith in Christ. This is a false gospel of qualification by works. 2nd Corinthians 11:3-4 warns us about
“another gospel.”
Jack Chick has perverted the Gospel. The word “repent” in the Bible simply means “a change of mind”; not a change of behavior. Jack Chick cites Acts 17:30 as evidence of his perversion of the Gospel... “
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Although it is certainly true that repentance is necessary for salvation, the Bible does not teach that a sinner must “be willing to turn from sin” in order to be saved. Jack Chick wrongly assumes that repentance means from sin; thus, he has fabricated his own false gospel of works salvation. This is a very serious issue, because if one's wrong on salvation—they're wrong on everything.
Please read
REPENT! REPENT! REPENT! to learn the Biblical meaning of repentance.
Also, I just want to point out that California appears to be a hot-bed of heresy, considering that John MacArthur, Jack Chick, Ray Comfort, and Kirk Cameron are all based in the state of California.
Jack Chick's teaching on repentance is that you cannot come to Christ for salvation unless you first intend not to walk in sin after you receive Him. This is “qualification by works” as a prerequisite for receiving Christ as Savior.
Also, notice the prayer that Jack Chick leads sinners to pray in order to be saved. He includes the phrase... “I am willing to turn from sin.” This is of the Devil. Salvation is a free gift, NOT conditioned upon our willingness to turn from sin. You can't show me one Scripture where the Word of God
requires someone to be willing to forsake their sins to be saved. Again, it is “qualification by works” as a prerequisite for receiving Christ as Savior. Please notice that the words “believe” and “believeth” are found 85-times in the Gospel of John; but the word “repent” is NOT mentioned even once. Clearly, the man who believes on Christ has repented. That is what Biblical repentance is...turning to God by faith in Jesus' name to be forgiven of one's sins.
Romans 4:5 plainly states...
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is COUNTED for righteousness.” Did you read that? ... a man's faith is COUNTED for righteousness!!! This means that a person can be saved and continue living in sin. Before you get upset, you'd better stop and realize that the Bible is filled with believers who lived in horrible sin. Noah was a drunkard. Samson was a whoremonger. David was an adulterer and murderer. Rahab was a prostitute. Isaiah had a dirty mouth. Jonah ran from God. Peter denied and cursed the name of Jesus. Ananias and Sapphira stole from the church. The church at Corinth had a serious problem with church members committing fornication, fighting against each other, suing one another, and even showing up drunk at the Lord's Supper.
Jack Chick's Own Words Condemn Him
Jack Chick cites Acts 17:30 in support of his heresy. Carefully notice in Acts 17:30 that God
COMMANDS all sinners to “repent” in order to be saved. Repentance is NOT optional. So “being willing” to repent is not enough! God orders us to REPENT!!! If repentance is merely being "willing" to turn from sin, as Jack Chick defines it, then salvation cannot occur. The Word of God plainly states that there can be no salvation without repentance. Yet, Jack Chick defines repentance as merely being "willing" to turn from sin (not actually doing anything about one's sins). Clearly, Jack Chick's definition of repentance is impossible, because how can you only be "willing" to do something that God absolutely requires you to do to be saved? Obviously Jack Chick is wrong on the Biblically meaning of repentance.
BEWARE: Another Gospel
Thank God—a believer's salvation is rooted in Jesus' righteousness, and not our own—because we have no righteousness of our own to offer God. 2nd Corinthians 5:21 states, "
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Our only hope is in the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The following page is from the Chick Tract,
This Was Your Life...
Chick Tracts seem to have a different answer than the Bible to the question, "What must I do to be saved?"
Surrender your life to Christ? That's
Lordship Salvation!
On their website's statement of faith, they state concerning salvation:
"Salvation is the gift of God and includes the forgiveness of sins, the imputation of the Righteousness of Jesus Christ, and the gift of eternal life. Union with the triune God provides all blessings in this life and the life hereafter. Salvation is received by faith alone, apart from all good works and merit."
Yet, Mr. Chick horribly contradicts himself in every tract he writes when he REQUIRES lost sinners to "Be willing to turn from sin" to be saved. No Sir! Why doesn't he state that in his statement of faith? This is deception! Jesus plainly said in Revelation 21:6... "
I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life FREELY." Jesus said in John 7:28, "He that
believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
It is false doctrine to
require lost sinners to "be willing to turn from sin" as part of saving grace. Jesus shed His precious blood to pay for our sins, because our own self-righteousness could NOT save us. Isaiah 64:6 declares our own self-righteousness as "filthy rags" in the sight of God Almighty. Matthew 6:33 commands... "
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you." To go to Heaven my friend, you need HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., Jesus' righteousness. We read in Romans 10:3,4... "
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Jack Chick asks sinners to establish their own righteousness when he tells them they MUST "be willing to turn from sin" in order to have God's free gift of eternal life.
For years, I ignorantly supported Jack Chick's ministry, not realizing that he was teaching the
Lordship Salvation heresy. After several months of conviction by the Holy Spirit, I decided I needed to do the right thing and stop distributing
Chick Tracts. I speak the truth without apology. Say what you will about how much
Chick Tracts get read... it makes them all that much more dangerous, especially to children. Jack Chick is wrong on salvation! As with Ray Comfort, John MacArthur and other Lordship Salvationists, Jack Chick speaks double-talk, i.e., he says one thing in his official doctrinal statement, and something completely different in his
Chick Tracts. The doctrinal content in
Chick Tracts is 100% contradictory to Mr. Chick's official doctrinal statement.
Most of the false prophets teaching the heresy of
Lordship Salvation are from California (John Mac Arthur, Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, Jack Chick, et cetera). California is a hotbed of false prophets!
Lordship Salvation is the teaching that a person must stop living in sin to be saved. In Jack Chick's case, he's a bit more subtle, teaching that it's not enough to admit one's sinnership to be saved; but a person must also be willing to stop living in sin to be saved. These are all damnable heresies that destroy the gift of God. You don't give up anything to be saved; Jesus gave up everything to pay for our sins. Jesus came into the world to
SAVE SINNERS! If you want to be saved, then repent toward God by placing your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to forgive your sins. It's that simple. God will take care of the rest from there.
Conclusion
Jack Chick is a false prophet! Stop trying to force people to live right by corrupting the simple plan of salvation! I realize that Mr. Chick has done MUCH to promote other ministries and Christian authors who are diligently fighting against the evils of Catholicism, Wicca, et cetera (and I can appreciate that); BUT, I cannot sit back as a God-fearing believer and remain silent while Jack Chick is telling millions of people that they MUST "be willing to turn from sin" to be saved. Mr. Chick fails to explain what he means in his tracts by the phrase, "be willing to turn from sin." The only reasonable conclusion that a person can assume is that they cannot be saved unless they are willing to cease from their sinful living (which is untrue!).
I recently received a letter from a gentleman, who told me that for many years he was reluctant to get saved, because he had read a
Chick Tract and genuinely thought God wouldn't save him unless he was willing to stop living in sin. The man expressed his frustration that he would have died and went straight to Hell because of Jack T. Chick, if it weren't for a dear saint of God, who explained to him from the Bible that eternal life is a free gift of God which is NOT conditioned upon a lifestyle change or willingness to clean up one's life. Jack Chick is teaching heresy and should be avoided by all soulwinning ministries. My recommendation is to write and draw your own Gospel tracts. People will look at your pictures just as eagerly as they will Mr. Chick's.
I am not happy to expose Jack Chick as a false prophet. In fact, it pains me. I realize most professed "Christians" today are phonies. Certainly, genuine repentance should result in a drastic change within the soul of the believer (2nd Corinthians 5:17). However, the change comes as a RESULT of genuine repentance; and NOT as a prerequisite to salvation itself. Jack Chick requires a willingness to change (i.e., turn from sin) as a requirement to be saved. This is damnable heresy and a road to Hell, because it is self-righteousness! Hebrews 12:8 tells us that God will chastise His children if they live in sin. Although no believer can live in sin without Holy Spirit conviction, many believers do live horribly sinful lives (as evidenced by king Solomon in the Bible).
To be saved, a person must become GUILTY before God (Romans 3:19), realizing one's condemnation under God's Holy Law, and justly deserved penalty in Hellfire—turning by faith to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. The precious blood of Jesus Christ is what washes our sins away forever... "
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1st Peter 1:18,19). Jesus paid a debt He did not owe; because we owed a debt we could not pay. Oh how foolish it is for anyone to require lost sinners to be willing to depart from their sins to be saved.
According to Chick Tracts, it's
not enough to admit you're a sinner to be saved, you must also be willing to turn from those sins. Jack Chick needs to either change his tracts to accurately reflect his website's statement of faith; or else rewrite his statement of faith to backup the
Lordship Salvation he's teaching in his tracts. To continue to teach both is contradictory, confusing, and deceitful. Don't you tell me that you believe salvation is the free gift of God, and then contradict yourself by saying that sinners must be willing to turn from their sins to be saved. No Sir! You are 100% wrong. What a Gospel Tract should tell people who want to be saved is:
1. Admit you are a GUILTY sinner, under the condemnation of God's Law, deserving of Hellfire (Romans 3:19,23; 6:23).
2. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose redeeming blood will wash away your sins (Acts 16:31; 1st Peter 1:18,19).
The change (i.e., the FRUIT of a believer's faith) that genuine repentance brings is
not a requirement to be saved. It is a separate issue. We must not confuse the ROOT of a believer's faith with the FRUIT of a believer's faith (See:
Are We Justified by Faith and Works?).
