Well, I don't think there is any excuse for crude and obnoxious behavior from a preacher of the Word of God. You won't find St. Paul giving the excuse that he had to use crude language and behavior to reach people. In fact, you will find Paul saying that we shouldn't behave or speak that way as Christians.
Now I admit, that from the teachings I have seen and heard by Driscoll (which haven't been all that many), he is, for the most part, fundamental and fairly orthodox in his doctrine. A friend invited me to watch a sermon of Driscoll's on Revelation, and I about had a cow when Driscoll said that Jesus had tattoos on his leg. Although Driscoll's overall message was good, his methodology - especially his irreverence - really bugged me.
Well, it seems the Lord must have wanted me to know more about this guy (I've never spent time investigating him) because two days after my friend showed me his video and tried to defend Driscoll's method, I received in my daily e-mail updates from a couple of apologetics ministries some really serious information about Driscoll.
So rather than repeat all the stuff I read, I am going to direct you to two links. After reading this stuff I have decided to steer everyone who asks away from this false teacher.
Here are the links:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/driscoll_michels.pdf
http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/announcement/rise-up-o-men-of-god-your-women-are-fighting-the-battle/
Driscoll should be censured by all true teachers of the Word.
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12 comments:
Glenn,
Thanks for this - I have not yet read the links, but I will right now.
Here's what I've read/observed about Driscoll:
He's spot-on in his theology, although not a total cessationist. I'd let it slide because he makes many good points and I LOVED his "tolerance rant". I was cheering (between laughing hysterically).
They used to call him "Mark the Cussing Pastor", although in none of the many clips I have watched of him have I ever actually heard him use a swear word. HOWEVER, as you pointed out, he does seem to be unnecessarily crude and irreverant just for the shock value. Essentially, his theology is the same as John Piper, but without the dignity. When I listen/watch him, it's more like I'm watching a Christian stand-up comedian than a preacher. I have not read any of his books, but saw an excerpt on a discernment site, where he was quoted as talking about Mary not "knocking boots" in regards to the incarnation. Unnecessarily crude. (I'm curious to know what the Jesus with a tattoo reference was all about).
I stopped listening/watching/thinking he was a cool guy a few months ago, when I saw the excerpt of his sermon series on Song of Songs. He made a sort of joke about the tendency of some churches to take the Bridegroom analogy in SOS too far, and apply it to Christ - it was kind of a disrespectful innuendo and since this is the Lord of the universe we're talking about, it was very uncool. You don't make jokes with Jesus as the punchline, even if your point is well-taken.
I don't much go for the ripped jeans and t-shirt/flannel shirt look, either - fine if you're working on your car, but when you're preaching in God's house? Not a big deal in and of itself, but he does seem to have a real aura of arrogance and disrespect. I don't know if he's a false teacher, but I'm curious to read those links.
Just read the first one (the 11-page memo). Wow. Worse than I thought. That's disgusting.
Well hello again, Marie!
You are correct that Driscoll's basic theology is the same as John Piper's - he's a Calvinist.
I call him a false teacher because he has a false view of God and Christ - no reverence and many places downright blasphemy for humor. I can't accept that in any preacher. And when you look at what he teaches about human sexuality, he's actually a false teacher there also.
I linked to some of the pages cited in that 11-page memo to see exaclty what Driscoll was advocating and I was appalled. I looked over his blog and teaching sites and the more I read the more disgusted I became.
Does he have some good teachings? Yes. Does he bring ill repute upon the name of Christ and the Church? Definitely.
I think the fashion statement he is making is that he is "cool." His demeanor and some of the stuff he says and does also seems to me to reek of arrogance. And of course, the stand-up comedian presentation is unprofessional.
But hey, he has a very large church and "he's reaching people for the Lord." Pragmatism seems to be the rule of the day.
I have come to the conclusion that a good rule of thumb is that if someone has a mega-church it isn't because they are teaching the Gospel as the Scripture dictates; they are either teaching feel-good (Osteen), "sinner sensitive," (Warren and Hybels), or titillation (Driscoll). There may be an exception, but I don't know of one.
Glenn,
Judy jumped right on this story and has linked to Ingrid's post about Driscoll.
I believe that this man should be rebuked by Piper and Lutzer in public just as Paul did to Peter. Maybe Driscoll would repent if they did. Let us pray that it will happen during the Gospel Coalition Conference in April!
It seems that we are seeing more and more evidence of "perilous times" that Paul speaks of in 2 Timothy 3. We are commanded to "turn away" from these ungodly men.
Based on the evidence in the links and this command from Scripture, I have to agree with your decision concerning Mark Driscoll.
Keep contending!
~Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
I took a quick look at Judy's and I like it! The more people getting the word out about Driscoll the better.
I sent an e-mail to him at Mars Hill rebuking him for his language, etc and asking him to cease. I wonder if I'll be acknowledged!
I pray that these leaders, Lutzer and Piper and others, will indeed confront Driscoll, but I have my doubts about it happening. I keep hearing that "at least he's reaching people."
It is sad when someone who is supposed to be a shepherd thinks that this is what he has to do to be accepted.
It's truly disgusting.
I wonder how anyone sitting in that congregation of 6000 can think that this is proper for a pastor?
That is a shame. Like Marie, I was made aware of his good points previously and thought he had good doctrine and a good approach. He seemed to be reaching folks that other churches could not.
But these new revelations are serious. I hope he changes his ways.
Well, it looks like someone with clout has finally spoken out about this behavior. Phil Johnson is to be commended!
http://www.shepherdsfellowship.org/pulpit/Posts.aspx?ID=4074
I have listened to a few of his sermons online and found it quite encouraging. He gets somewhat exited sometimes but thats fine by me. I have not heard anything that would contradict sound biblical doctrine.
Well, if you look at what I wrote and look at the links provided, it isn't his doctrine that's the problem (except for people like me who don't agree with Calvinism), it's his method of delivery and his high-school jock mentality towards sexuality.
Keep going Marky boy!! Keep the offended on their toes!!! I'm loving the Proverbs series....and the Trial series was great too!!! Keep convicting these bitter moaners!!! Love ya Jesus!!!
Anonymous 10/14 is obviously a person of little or no discernment
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