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Jack Chick's False Gospel
Jack Chick (1924-2016) was an excellent artist. He created comic books, tracts and movies in an effort to win souls to Jesus Christ and promote his beliefs about the bible and Christian living. He’s probably best known for his comic strip gospel tracts by both saved and lost people alike. This article is going to focus on his gospel presentation and highlight the many problems with Chick tracts. I do not doubt that many people were saved as a result of Chick tracts, but once examined it should be clear that they are poor and ungodly tools. Christians should not be using these and many refuse to stop, even when convinced of the damnable heresy within!
It's true that Chick tracts often get read (from my own experience with them), or at the very least get a few pages flipped. Chick had a good sense of humor as well, but some of his simpler cartoon styles have a tendency to make light of the seriousness of the bible.
I used Chick tracts as a witnessing tool many years ago but eventually got convicted about its shaky gospel message. I could not in good conscience continue to use them and had to warn others. While you can personally edit the tracts with a marker or simply cut off the last page, it's not worth the trouble in my opinion. Continue reading and you'll see examples of 'another gospel' (Gal. 1:6-7) being preached. Your money is best spent elsewhere.
On Jack Chick’s website, his statement of faith reads:
"Salvation is the gift of God and includes the forgiveness of sins, the imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the gift of eternal life, and adoption as children of the heavenly Father. Union with the triune God provides all blessings in this life and the life hereafter. The gift of salvation is received by faith alone, apart from all good works and merit."
Chick's statement of faith regarding salvation is good. However his gospel tracts do not reflect this. Chick’s tracts teach that an element of work IS required, and that faith alone is NOT enough to be saved.
The last page of every Chick tract gives specific instructions on how to be saved:
"1. Admit you are a sinner. See Romans 3:10"
Yes, you must admit you’re a sinner. The bible reference 3:10 is also applicable.
"2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent). See Acts 17:30"
And right here, Chick makes it clear that faith alone is not enough to get saved. Acts 17:30 is in reference to Greeks worshiping false gods, which one must reject in coming to Christ. But a general turning from sin is not required. The word repent never means "turn from sins" but rather a "change of mind" in terms of salvation. In addition, you're not commanded to "be willing to repent" you're commanded to "repent", in the very same verse given! "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30) Thus, if repent does mean 'turn from sin' then you must stop sinning in order to be saved, which is impossible!
"3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried and rose from the dead. See Rom. 10:9-10"
This unfortunately doesn’t tell the reader WHY Jesus died. He died for our sins! Neither does Rom. 10:9-10 tell you why Jesus died. This is not a correct presentation of the gospel!
"4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your heart to become your personal Saviour. See Rom. 10:13"
Finally, you’re told to pray in order to receive salvation and 'seal the deal.' In actuality, salvation is received the moment you’ve believed the gospel, trusting in Christ alone as your Saviour (Eph. 1:13). Chick tracts take Romans 10 out of context and make the works of confession and prayer a part of the gospel of grace! He mentions Romans 10 three times during this! Why? Because aside from Acts 2, you can't find anything relating to 'the sinner's prayer' in the new testament. And both Acts 2 and Rom. 10 are referring to Joel 2:32, talking about physical salvation!
Then you’re told “WHAT TO PRAY," as though repeating that prayer would save anyone. It's all nonsense. Who in the book of Acts was instructed to pray to receive forgiveness of sins? Those that were saved in Acts was evident by the narrative telling you that they believed, not by doing any such works. Peter admits his salvation and that of the gentiles was by faith, "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" Acts 11:17
Examples of works added to faith
Is that what the word repent means?
If repent means to turn from sins, what sins is God turning from in the bible?
"And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people." Exo. 32:14
“...and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” Jonah 3:10
Do you see how Jack Chick makes having a certain lifestyle part of salvation? This heresy is known as Lordship Salvation.
Telling someone to 'turn away from your sins' is works! We're not saved by works!
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way..." Jonah 3:10
Another example, note that the verse quoted beneath it contradicts what's being said in the comic. Jesus says 'believe,' this guy says 'repent of your sins and ask.'
More sinner's prayer nonsense. Asking God for something that He's already offering, and indeed commanding you to receive by faith, makes no sense.