I grew up in the Seattle area, and have grown up there I've heard a lot from pastors like Casey Treat, Judah Smith, and Mark Driscoll. The later of these has sparked an interest. Lately, I have been doing a lot of study on Mark Driscoll.
Driscoll will admit to being part of the emerging church movement, actually he embraces it. According to Driscoll there are four "lanes" or "teams" in the emerging church movement. Driscoll says that Mars Hill Church and himself are part of the "Emeriging Reformers" lane.
This view is said by him to be similar to old reformed theology with "minor" exceptions. Exceptions such as worship being "pretty free" and all gifts are viewed as being for today (healing, tongues, etc.). What Mark Driscoll means here is that they believe in the same doctrine as conservative Evangelical Christians except their worship is more liberal (drums, electric guitar, more rock, etc.) and that they believe that all Christians are able to access every spiritual gift mentioned int he New Testament.
So theologically Driscoll would be similar to that of the Baptist denomination. So what's wrong with him? He has some great stuff (especially about the crucifixion of Christ), but he also has some real messed up ideologies. He holds that a Christian should cuss when conversation demands for emphasis.
He also thinks that drinking alcohol is good. He says that it is a sin to abstain from alcohol, and even to drnk light beer. He says, "I personally long to return to the glory days of Christian pubs, where God’s men gather to drink beer and talk theology." While this is not a "critical" issue, it does alarm me to think he is inserting his own opinion so much into the Scriptures.
There are many other minor issues that conservatives have with Mark Driscoll, but let's take a look at some facts. He is a pastor of a CHRIST-CENTERED church the size of 10,000 (a weekend). He preaches with authority, but not the authority of the usual charismatic but with the authority of the Bible. Driscoll says, "The problem with my pastoral job is that I don't really know what I'm doing. So I read every book I can find and cling to the Bible like a kid who can't swim but somehow found a life preserver in the middle of the ocean." He clings to the Gospel.
Although Mark Driscoll and I have some fairly large disagreements, I am proud to call him a brother in Christ. And as for his church, He is preaching the Gospel, others are getting saved, disciples are being grown, and God is being glorified. That's my opinion. Take it or leave it. - Dean
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Driscroll certainly has his flaws, but I think he is doing quite a lot of good. I think the more critical problem with him is not him personally (for who is without flaws, and even some serious flaws are normal in a person) but in followers who would idolize him.
ReplyDeleteI believe he has a very strong ministry, but I get that old danger sense up when I hear of people talking about how wonderful he is. Often they become indignant at any criticism of Driscoll himself, even criticism in good spirit. And eagerly would overlook any problem in light of his congregation size and how he 'connects'.
The Driscroll personality cult is'nt his fault, but it is a big problem.
That's a really strong point Jair. That sadly happens with a lot of Christian leaders today.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to appreciate much of what you said, because you tried to present yourself as gracious. You can agree with Mark on the big issues, even if the small issues trouble you.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with that is that your small issues are actually Gospel issues, and you would do well to learn from Mark. I'm not here to defend Mark overall, although I think he does a great job, and his good friend, Dr. Gerry Breshears is a top-notch Bible/Theology professor. He runs most of what he writes by Breshears.
Mark titles a chapter, "The sin of light beer." It is a tongue-in-cheek expression against a very very wrong sin which claims alcohol is wrong. I grew up in a Baptist church. You know, no drinking, dancing, smoking, or gambling. Then, all of a sudden I see that Jesus not only drank, but he made wine. And please, do not try to make that claim that it was glorified grape juice. WRONG! The point is this - alcohol is okay. That's all Mark said. He did not subscribe to drinking in excess. In fact, he condemned it. He is absolutely, 100% biblical and correct, and your "alarm" is unjustified and invites legalism.
By the way. Jesus yelled at people sometimes. Go through the gospels and check out who he yelled at (besides Peter). Hint: legalists!
Want to know why the prohibition against alcohol is a sin? Because it adds to the Gospel. Read Galatians and see how Paul feels about adding to the Gospel. It says to the Napa Valley vineyard owner, you know, if you want to enter the Kingdom of heaven, well, Jesus is the way, but first, you better sell that winery of yours.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME! The wedding at Cana, the Last Supper, I don't know, need I go on!!!!
So Mark is not inserting his opinion into Scripture. The Baptist Church already did that, and did great damage to the Gospel for years.
Again, I'm glad you overall backed up Driscoll, but in the places where you felt the need to distance yourself from him, well, it would be wise to take a second look. I think you might find that you have, as often as not, distanced yourself from Scripture, as well.
Oh yeah, and you definitely got it wrong on trying to lump him into the emerging church. There is no stronger enemy of the abuses of the mainstream emerging church, and it's crazy theology, than Mark.
Some points to consider:
ReplyDelete1. I agree that Dr. Breshears is a well-studied Biblical theologian and I appreciate his books and resources.
2. Don't be too quick to show the legalism card. I understand your background, and that most likely you grew up with hypocritical legalistic Baptists, but not all Baptists play by the same rules.
3. The Gospel is not to be added to, nor is it to be taken away from. But what is the Gospel and what should be done with it? I would describe it in simplest terms as 1. The world is fallen, and I was dead in sin.2. Christ, God, made atonement for my sin, and saved me; He made me alive, through His Resurrection. 3. I am a brand new man, a whole different creature called to holiness. 4. I want to tell other dead people, that there is one way to live – Jesus. This is Biblical, and think about it, the winery owner might have to sell his whinery. Jesus told the rich young ruler that he needed to sell all his possessions.
4. I believe that it is not wise to partake in alcohol, I know that it is a danger. I would violate my conscience by doing so, "For him that knoweth to do right, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." It would be a sin for me to partake in alcohol.
4. I would like to have you notice who was involved with the emergent church in its beginning, who was one of the leaders who came up with the idea? Good 'ol Driscoll. While he might have parted ways (to an extent) with the Emergent church as of lately. He still tolerates a lack of holiness that is invasive in his congregation(s). Which is weird for a Calvinist, what happened to perseverance of the saints? oh well. God bless -Dean