What About Mark Driscoll?

In 2009, some big conservative names came our swinging at Mark Driscoll – I speak mainly of John MacArthur. For 2009, the controversy has surrounded Mark Driscoll’s handling of the Song of Songs in a sermon he preached in the U.K. in 2007, then a series of sermons he preached through in 2008. MacArthur wrote a series of articles offering a stinging rebuke to Driscoll on his handling of Song of Songs, specifically for his use of explicit descriptions of what is happening in the text. MacArthur’s articles can be found at the following links:

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4

In the second article, MacArthur says that the impetus for these articles was the recording of the 2007 sermon in the U.K. which was sent to him by some offended believers, however, he does go on to make many references to the 2008 sermon series which he preaches to his church in Seattle. After receiving correction over the content of the U.K. sermon from other godly pastors, Driscoll removed the recording of the U.K. sermon from his website (www.theresurgence.com). However, his sermon series (which was refined and reprocessed and more palatable for a broader audience) is still available on Mars Hill’s website. I would encourage you to listen to that sermon series before making any judgments.

The Peasant Princess

Also, I’ve been able to locate a video where Mark Driscoll attempts to address some of the issues which were raised in a letter from Phil Johnson.

Phil Johnson and Mark Driscoll, Part VIII – Exclusive Video: Mark Driscoll Responds to Phil Johnson

And in addition I’ve also located a statement from John Piper concerning the ongoing “discussion” between MacArthur and Driscoll.

John Piper on Mark Driscoll & JohnMacArthur

I’m a late comer to this particular debate. I listened to several of the Peasant Princess sermons earlier this year unaware of the controversy surrounding them. I was not personally offended by his handling of the Scriptures, nor by the humor which was employed, nor by the explicit detail which he used. But to say I wasn’t offended doesn’t mean I think his approach was entirely wise for a mixed audience of married couples, singles, teenagers and young children.

Now having read MacArthur’s articles and some of the responses they received, I must say I do not agree that the sermons were NC-17 material, nor was it soft porn. For sure I would characterize it as PG-13 with a few R moments, but nothing which a mature, discerning audience cannot process. Which brings me to my only criticism of it all. A sermon series of such intimate detail would probably be better taught in a more controlled context like a marriage conference where you are sure that the people you are speaking to are married couples.

So what about Mark Driscoll? Most of Driscoll’s critics come either from the Emergent church who criticize him for being to conservative/fundamentalist or from the conservative evangelical church who criticize him for being to easy on sacntification and holy living. The liberals criticize his theology and the conservatives criticize his methodology.

For me, I don’t agree with everything Mark Driscoll says or does. Admittedly, I believe he’s got a big mouth that gets him in trouble. He publicly admits he struggles with issues of pride. I don’t think he’s always wise in his choice of words from his pulpit. However, his theology is rock solid (if you agree with Reformed theology), his heart is to win people to Jesus, and clearly he’s accomplishing that in Seattle. I’ve read two or three of his books now and I find them to be very solid. I find his methodology to be a breath of fresh air in the church. Overall, he’s alright in my book.

I’d love to get your opinions on this. Just remember to be kind in your words and be careful not to slander anyone I’ve mentioned in this article. You may disagree with Driscoll and with me, or vice versa, however there should be room in our hearts for these types of non-theological differences.

John Piper is BAD

The following video is not John Piper approved, but neither is it John Piper disapproved.

I laughed at it because I recognized all the preachers in this video and realized they are all friends of John Piper.

T4G’08 Day 3

This was the final day for the conference, and it turned out to be no less challenging than the prior two. John Piper and C.J. Mahaney were our final two speakers, and they did not disappoint.

John Piper’s topic was How the Supremacy of Christ Creates Radical Christian Sacrifice. For me, I had to catch myself a few times because slowly I would begin paying more attention to Piper’s particular style of preaching – which I rather enjoy – rather than the content. The question of what creates radical Christian sacrifice is answered very succinctly in selected verses from Hebrews chapters 10 to 13. And that answer is looking to our great reward. I know that some people disagree vehemently with that conclusion, but the Scriptures state it very clearly, with no need for further systematic study. It says what it says.

The part of Piper’s sermon that challenged me the most is from Hebrews 13:13.

Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.

It would be erroneous to say that Jesus is not meeting us in our churches. But it would also be erroneous to say He wants to only meet us in our churches. Every time we gather to worship He meets us and calls us to follow Him outside the camp. The camp is a place of safety. Outside the camp is a place of danger and shame and loneliness. To not follow Him would not only be to disobey Him, but also to miss the sweetest fellowship we can have with Him on this earth. The thing each of us needs to figure out for ourselves is, “Where is outside the camp for me?”

C.J. Mahaney gave the final sermon and it was probably the most encouraging sermon of the whole conference. Which really doesn’t surprise me since C.J. appears to be the person most blessed with encouragement of all the people who spoke. Love, humility and encouragement seem to exude from C.J. It was a blessing to have him numbered among the speakers at this conference. He spoke to us, primarily, about the cultivation of joy. The things that struck me the most were all related to gratefulness toward God. The most pointed statement made concerning gratefulness was that without consistent thankfulness, we will be tempted to complain. The sin of complaining is pervasive and actually contends with God for supremacy. When we complain, we presume to be more wise than God. In ministry, there is always the temptation to complain about this or that. Ministry is never absent of opportunities to murmur and grumble. If we are not thankful, those temptations may have us.

All in all, this conference is probably the single most inspiring conference I have ever attended. Not only was I encouraged, but I was challenged, I was touched, and I am ready. I don’t want to seem to idealistic here. I know that there is a difference in the experience at the conference and the experience of real life. As C.J. put it so well, “Church life is a carousel of victory and defeat.” All I’m saying is that I feel better equipped and prepared to ride the carousel. You can pray for us. Pray for Pastor Sean, Pastor Trevor, and myself as we work out and integrate the things we learned at the conference, first in our personal lives and families, and then in the church; not only for your benefit, but most importantly for the Glory of God in Jesus Christ.

T4G'08 Day 3

This was the final day for the conference, and it turned out to be no less challenging than the prior two. John Piper and C.J. Mahaney were our final two speakers, and they did not disappoint.

John Piper’s topic was How the Supremacy of Christ Creates Radical Christian Sacrifice. For me, I had to catch myself a few times because slowly I would begin paying more attention to Piper’s particular style of preaching – which I rather enjoy – rather than the content. The question of what creates radical Christian sacrifice is answered very succinctly in selected verses from Hebrews chapters 10 to 13. And that answer is looking to our great reward. I know that some people disagree vehemently with that conclusion, but the Scriptures state it very clearly, with no need for further systematic study. It says what it says.

The part of Piper’s sermon that challenged me the most is from Hebrews 13:13.

Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.

It would be erroneous to say that Jesus is not meeting us in our churches. But it would also be erroneous to say He wants to only meet us in our churches. Every time we gather to worship He meets us and calls us to follow Him outside the camp. The camp is a place of safety. Outside the camp is a place of danger and shame and loneliness. To not follow Him would not only be to disobey Him, but also to miss the sweetest fellowship we can have with Him on this earth. The thing each of us needs to figure out for ourselves is, “Where is outside the camp for me?”

C.J. Mahaney gave the final sermon and it was probably the most encouraging sermon of the whole conference. Which really doesn’t surprise me since C.J. appears to be the person most blessed with encouragement of all the people who spoke. Love, humility and encouragement seem to exude from C.J. It was a blessing to have him numbered among the speakers at this conference. He spoke to us, primarily, about the cultivation of joy. The things that struck me the most were all related to gratefulness toward God. The most pointed statement made concerning gratefulness was that without consistent thankfulness, we will be tempted to complain. The sin of complaining is pervasive and actually contends with God for supremacy. When we complain, we presume to be more wise than God. In ministry, there is always the temptation to complain about this or that. Ministry is never absent of opportunities to murmur and grumble. If we are not thankful, those temptations may have us.

All in all, this conference is probably the single most inspiring conference I have ever attended. Not only was I encouraged, but I was challenged, I was touched, and I am ready. I don’t want to seem to idealistic here. I know that there is a difference in the experience at the conference and the experience of real life. As C.J. put it so well, “Church life is a carousel of victory and defeat.” All I’m saying is that I feel better equipped and prepared to ride the carousel. You can pray for us. Pray for Pastor Sean, Pastor Trevor, and myself as we work out and integrate the things we learned at the conference, first in our personal lives and families, and then in the church; not only for your benefit, but most importantly for the Glory of God in Jesus Christ.

Together For the Gospel Eve

It’s the night before the conference, and we made it safely to Louisville, KY. I’m looking forward to hearing John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, and Al Mohler speak, among others. I’m looking forward to the worship as well, being led by Bob Kauflin. If you want to know more about the conference, go to the website.

What I’m hoping to gain from this is simply new insight and deeper understanding of the power of the Gospel. I’ve been looking forward to this conference because it’s an inter-denominational effort, not just Southern Baptists, but also, Sovereign Grace churches, conservative Presbyterians, and other evangelical denominations. The diversity in the crowd will make the event unique. I will keep you posted as the week goes on. Pray for us (myself, Pastor Sean, and Pastor Trevor) as we attend that God would inspire us and do something cool in our hearts.