Three years after a sex scandal involving Billy Graham’s grandson Tullian Tchividjian, Fortress Press is bringing his book Jesus + Nothing = Everything back to print. Slated for publication in fall 2018, the reprinted book will feature a new cover, new endorsements, and an introduction by Tchividjian that addresses the past three years, including “how the message of God’s grace has sustained him,” according to the publisher.
The book, which PW called “a meaty Bible study [combined with] lessons Tchividjian learned about relying totally on God during trying times,” was originally published by Crossway in 2011. It tied for Christianity Today’s Christian living book award in 2012, and according to Fortress, it sold over 80,000 copies. In 2015, however, Crossway reverted the rights to Jesus + Nothing = Everything as well as the rights to Tchividjian's 2010 Surprised by Grace back to the author after he stepped down from his position as senior pastor at Florida mega church Coral Ridge Presbyterian, having admitted to extra-marital affairs with adult members of his congregation.
Following the revelations, the organization GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), which was founded by Tchividjian’s brother Basyle "Boz" Tchividjian, issued a statement about Tullian Tchividjian’s sexual misconduct that addressed victims of “a gross misuse of power.” It also called for reforms to "limit the possibility of continuing transgressions against the vulnerable," including seminary education on appropriate boundaries, rigorous pastor screenings, and more. Boz Tchividjian did not respond to PW's request for a comment on the republication of Jesus + Nothing = Everything.
When asked about reprinting Jesus + Nothing = Everything in the current #metoo and #churchtoo climate, Fortress Press said that the decision came after careful consultation with Tchividjian and those close to him. Also, a belief in second chances aligns with the organization’s mission to "communicate the liberating grace of God," according to Tony Jones, senior acquisitions editor at Fortress.
“We have dealt with all of the substantiated accusations against him,” Jones told PW. “Tullian has admitted his infidelity. He has been in counseling and put himself under the authority of Christian leaders. He is no longer a pastor. And the message of his book is more relevant than ever. In spite of his past, he has a future.”
Tchividjian's other books, published by Christian houses WaterBrook/Multnomah and David C Cook, remain in print, but the author hopes that Jesus + Nothing = Everything reaches readers who like him have "crashed and burned," he told PW.
"When people are living everyday with the consequences of their sin and selfishness, it becomes hard to believe that God still loves them and has not abandoned them in their sin," said Tchividjian. "So I hope that the gospel message in this book will be used to help people like me."
