The Former Megachurch Pastor Now Addicted to Grace: Tullian Tchividjian on Scandal, Repentance, and Recovery (Episode 16)

“There are really only two kinds of people in this world—people in recovery who know they are, and people in recovery who think they're not.”

Tullian Tchividjian was on top of the Christian world. A bestselling author, megachurch pastor, sought-after speaker—and yes, the grandson of Billy Graham. Then everything imploded. 

After a very public affair and ministry collapse, Tullian disappeared from the spotlight. But it was in that wilderness season that he encountered something deeper than the shame that threatened to kill him and the people that tried to bury him: the radical, scandalous grace of God.

In this vulnerable, raw, and hope-filled episode, Tullian talks about what it’s like to fall hard and yet be caught by Jesus. He opens up about his story, shame, addiction, recovery (even for those not struggling with substances), the church's response to sanctification, and what happens when you build your life on performance. This is an episode about honesty, identity, and why real Christianity might look more like a 12-step meeting than a church service.

If you've ever wrestled with shame, questioned your standing with God, or wondered if there's grace for "someone like you," this episode is for you.

We explore:

—How Tullian went from prodigal to pastor to pariah
—Why the church often runs from grace instead of toward it
—The difference between guilt and shame—and why identity matters
—Why grace isn't soft on sin but the only real power to change
—What radical vulnerability looks like in practice
—Why churches should look more like recovery meetings
—The lifelong nature of recovery, even without substance addiction
—How grace makes us honest, and law keeps us hiding
—Why sanctification isn’t about climbing higher but falling deeper into grace
—The gift of being "uncancellable" through confession and grace

Book: Carnage and Grace

Website: tullian.net

Instagram: @tulliantch

Church: The Sanctuary

Follow Jon: @jonseidl

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