Yesterday I started composing a blog post on discerning and criticizing. The culture of criticism in some Christian circles—fed like a fighting dog by the blogosphere—has gotten a bit much for me, and I have a few things to say.
But then a Facebook friend posted this link to an interview with Mark Driscoll. So here I am trying to think carefully through the issue of how and when to voice criticisms of another Christian, and this post screams into my life, gets up in my grill, and begs me to criticize. A delicious irony indeed.
Listen, I’m not the go-to guy if you want a catalog of grievances against Driscoll. I’m not his biggest fan, nor am I a self-appointed Watchdog of Mars Hill. I’ve listened to a fair sample of his preaching (although not much in the last year or so), and I think I have a fair grasp of what he’s about. I’m thankful for the impact that Jesus has had on the church and the world because of and in spite of Mark Driscoll (something I would say about any Christian pastor/teacher, especially myself).
And of course, he drives me nuts. On the one hand, I would never recommend some of his material on sex and marriage. On the other hand, I made my then-future son in law listen to his sermon on 1 Peter 3:7 because Driscoll said exactly what the man who would marry my daughter needed to hear about cherishing and protecting her.
But this time he stomps all over an issue so badly that I really don’t know where to begin. Then again, I don’t feel like I have to pick apart the interview excerpt because it’s just so bad. Here’s the core problem: he totalizes the issue of women in pastoral leadership and makes it the source of everything that’s wrong in the evangelical church. The church denies eternal punishment because there are women in charge? Good grief.
Pastor Mark, I agree with you that women should not be pastors. But your confusion of manhood with machismo is unbiblical and will lead to other errors (notice how you called the guy who disagreed with you “annoying?” Yeah.). If this is the way you fight for complementarianism, I would like to ask that you holster your weapon. It’s backfiring, and now we’ve all got powder burns.
Ha ha! I took a deep breath, counted, and so I really do not feel the need to leave a comment except to say that you and your dear wife share the ability of addressing things in such a gentle humble way – firmly grounded in objectivity. Thanks…..
Good blog Andy. Like you, I am not the biggest fan of Driscol, but do listen to some of his teachings when they seem to hit home and not cause confusion.
Thank you for clearing up what was said. I agree with Holly, you have a great gift of communicating the Gospel with accuracy and allowing objectivity for those who aren’t sure of what His Word says. Thanks man. Be blessed. See you in a couple of hours.
Oh, yeah. Where did you find this picture of my arm? You are exposing me to much. I don’t want other people to know what Noriko has to look forward to when we are together.
Nah Koop, I did find a pic of your arm, but I couldn’t use it because it wouldn’t fit on the screen.
Holly — Thanks for reading and encouraging. Say hi to your hubby for us. We miss you guys.