Mark Driscoll Rant

[Phil D.]

I must say that I'm generally not a huge Driscoll fan, but I did have to agree with the substance of what he has to say here. I even share his exasperation on the issues he talks to, although I could certainly do without the borderline terms that he always seems obliged to sprinkle his speech with (so be warned should you choose to watch).



[video=youtube;s_MLUuNKjZU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_MLUuNKjZU[/video]

 

[SolaScriptura]

I think he's right on. His conclusion is important, too: That what you believe about those things will impact how you live.

Just a question though... what "borderline terms" did he say? Maybe my ears have been cauterized due to my environment, but I didn't hear anything that I'd consider to be "borderline."

 

[Jack K]

Nice rant. I too have encountered Christians who have the notion that if we really want to understand the Old Testament, the best way is to learn from a Jew. Well, technically I guess Jesus is a Jew. But the way to truly understand the Old Testament is to learn it from Jesus and see it in light of Jesus.

 

[MarieP]

I agree, he's spot-on! (and no I didn't hear any borderline terms either...)

 

[TimV]

The borderline stuff is saying Jews aren't God's holy race. 30,000,000 Christian Zionists don't like that. I've been saying the same thing here for years, and I guarantee you millions of "Christians" would think him an anti Semite after hearing that. The guy has backbone, which is refreshing in this wusie world.

 

[Rich Koster]

I like the part about his 7 year old should be running the website. Discernment is a good thing.

 

[AThornquist]

Mark Driscoll? Hahaha.... DRISCOLL? Really? LOL....

 

[MW]

It is a concern that anyone could find this rant profitable. What is said concerning tolerance and indifference is perfectly correct, but it is spoken as if the person is an adolescent addressing adolescents. The fruit of the Spirit is temperance. The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. The rant displays an inability to wait with a mature deliberation upon the outcomes of Providence.

 

[Rich Koster]

It is a concern that anyone could find this rant profitable. What is said concerning tolerance and indifference is perfectly correct, but it is spoken as if the person is an adolescent addressing adolescents. The fruit of the Spirit is temperance. The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. The rant displays an inability to wait with a mature deliberation upon the outcomes of Providence.

This is the problem that a lot of conservative reformed people have with M. Driscoll. They don't like the delivery, but there is usually some good content. Let's pray that he calms down a bit.

 

[SolaScriptura]

This is the problem that a lot of conservative reformed people have with M. Driscoll. They don't like the delivery, but there is usually some good content. Let's pray that he calms down a bit.

I thought it was fine. Showing a bit of restraint - or temperance - is kind of a relative concept, in my opinion. I mean: How much enthusiasm can one have before one is accused of being intemperate? Or how placid does one have to appear to be considered temperate? I don't know. But I do know that I'm convinced that an impassioned delivery is not necessarily indicative of a lack of the fruit of the spirit (though it can be!). Otherwise, Jesus turning over tables and driving people and animals out of the temple with a whip would indicate lawlessness.

As I watched it, he seemed to catch himself and measure his words. He was exercising self-control. (Which is temperance.)

 

[MW]

I mean: How much enthusiasm can one have before one is accused of being intemperate?

Enthusiasm is not the problem; it is commendable when it is expressed with knowledge and discretion. The visible expression of frustration and exasperation, together with the encouragement to do what is contrary to law and morality, is a clear demonstration of intemperance. Calm, caring denunciation of compromise is what is needed, combined with merciful directions how to reform the situation. At a crash site you might find people expressing their emotions in ways that only serve to harm the victim and inflame the situation. The doctor translates his emotion into practical care. A little thought will reveal which one the pastor should be seeking to emulate.

 

[SolaScriptura]

together with the encouragement to do what is contrary to law and morality

You certainly are entitled to your assessment and opinion of him, and I'm not going to question your sensibilities as to legitimacy of visibly expressing anger.

But for my own clarification, no leading, just simple curiosity on my part : Do you believe he was actually encouraging someone to break the law?

 

[MW]

Do you believe he was actually encouraging someone to break the law?

He encouraged people to bring down a website and then said he would justify it in the name of Jesus. He also insinuated that he would do harm to a person who did not love Jesus who came to sit at his thanksgiving table. The fact that these types of things can pass by unnoticed shows how easily evil can be masqueraded by passion.

 

[N. Eshelman]

I just wonder what my congregation would think if I spend 8 minutes of a sermon illustrating a point. That's 1/5 of a sermon to illustrate a point! 1/10 for most American Evangelical sermons!!

 

[Phil D.]

Just a question though... what "borderline terms" did he say?

Well, I guess personally I don't think it is appropriate for a Christian - especially a minister of the Gospel - to refer to someone as a wh--- j--, knowing what it is actually slang for.

 

[JM]

I get it, he was trying to make a joke about his frustration, the context is pretty clear.

 

[DMcFadden]

I just wonder what my congregation would think if I spend 8 minutes of a sermon illustrating a point. That's 1/5 of a sermon to illustrate a point! 1/10 for most American Evangelical sermons!!

Most evangelical sermons are 80 minutes???

 

[AThornquist]

I just wonder what my congregation would think if I spend 8 minutes of a sermon illustrating a point. That's 1/5 of a sermon to illustrate a point! 1/10 for most American Evangelical sermons!!

Most evangelical sermons are 80 minutes???

Didn't you know? There are a lot of funny stories to tell these days.

 

[N. Eshelman]

I just wonder what my congregation would think if I spend 8 minutes of a sermon illustrating a point. That's 1/5 of a sermon to illustrate a point! 1/10 for most American Evangelical sermons!!

Most evangelical sermons are 80 minutes???

Didn't you know? There are a lot of funny stories to tell these days.

Okay- I am no math whiz. It made sense to me when I wrote it:

My sermons 40 minutes. Evangelical Sermons 20 minutes.

Oh well.

---------- Post added at 01:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 AM ----------

I just wonder what my congregation would think if I spend 8 minutes of a sermon illustrating a point. That's 1/5 of a sermon to illustrate a point! 1/10 for most American Evangelical sermons!!

Most evangelical sermons are 80 minutes???

Didn't you know? There are a lot of funny stories to tell these days.

Okay- I am no math whiz. It made sense to me when I wrote it:

My sermons 40 minutes. Evangelical Sermons 20 minutes.

Oh well.

1/5 and 1/3 (Dat right?)

 

[Andres]

Just a question though... what "borderline terms" did he say?

Well, I guess personally I don't think it is appropriate for a Christian - especially a minister of the Gospel - to refer to someone as a wh--- j--, knowing what it is actually slang for.

it's slang for a crazy person...not sure what you're thinking of here...

 

[Rich Koster]

Do you believe he was actually encouraging someone to break the law?

He encouraged people to bring down a website and then said he would justify it in the name of Jesus. He also insinuated that he would do harm to a person who did not love Jesus who came to sit at his thanksgiving table. The fact that these types of things can pass by unnoticed shows how easily evil can be masqueraded by passion.

I don't believe the man would attack a dining guest with knife and fork. I believe he was overdramatizing the point that his daughter is not to marry a non-Christian. The website comment should have been corrected with a "please don't do this, I'd just like to see this site go away" comment. I can see how a young zealot with little knowledge of the scriptures, who is tech savvy, may actually hack their site and think he/she is doing the Lord a service.

 

[Philip]

He encouraged people to bring down a website and then said he would justify it in the name of Jesus. He also insinuated that he would do harm to a person who did not love Jesus who came to sit at his thanksgiving table. The fact that these types of things can pass by unnoticed shows how easily evil can be masqueraded by passion.

I think he was being sarcastic there. Driscoll loves to overstate the case for effect. You might note the laughter after both of these statements.

 

[Pergamum]

I hate sarcasm; especially among preachers.

His hand movements sometimes resemble that of a pro wrestler. I can imagine him saying, "Snap into a Slim Jim!!!!"


I do like enthusiasm, however. I liked his basic points.

 

[he beholds]

Just a question though... what "borderline terms" did he say?

Well, I guess personally I don't think it is appropriate for a Christian - especially a minister of the Gospel - to refer to someone as a wh--- j--, knowing what it is actually slang for.

it's slang for a crazy person...not sure what you're thinking of here...

I haven't watched the video, but I am so very curious what the phrase is he used! I don't know of a common phrase at all that's "wh--- j--" so I'm having trouble filling in the blanks. My only guess was a jewish prostitute. But that is A) not a known phrase in any circles B)incredibly wrong and C)not slang for crazy person...so can someone PM me what the words were, if they are too inappropriate to write here? I mean, it can't be my guess, because of Andrew's slang definition.

 

[JM]

I hate sarcasm; especially among preachers.

His hand movements sometimes resemble that of a pro wrestler. I can imagine him saying, "Snap into a Slim Jim!!!!"


I do like enthusiasm, however. I liked his basic points.

 

[Phil D.]

it's slang for a crazy person...not sure what you're thinking of here...

Yes, that is what it has ultimately come to mean in some circles. Many assume it is simply a variation of being mentally "wacky." However, look it up in an urban slang dictionary and you'll find that the origins of the specific phrase in question are actually crassly sexual in nature. Given the range of how the phrase is used and perceived is why I would deem it inappropriate, or as I originally said, at least borderline. In any case, I fail to see how it is wholesome speech becoming of a minister. Folks may of course disagree with me on this.

 

[earl40]

He encouraged people to bring down a website and then said he would justify it in the name of Jesus. He also insinuated that he would do harm to a person who did not love Jesus who came to sit at his thanksgiving table. The fact that these types of things can pass by unnoticed shows how easily evil can be masqueraded by passion.

I think he was being sarcastic there. Driscoll loves to overstate the case for effect. You might note the laughter after both of these statements.

That is how I saw it also.

 

[Rich Koster]

I was raised in NYC. When I hear the term w(h)ack, I picture a few guys in pin striped suits carrying violin cases. Yeah, I know

 

[Quatchu]

With Driscoll i find that i always agree with his messages at the core and that he often speaks truth, but some of his stuff just is littered with Driscoll's personal opinions and mannerism that its like taking the pure gospel and presenting it on a old trash can lid.

For example I agree with Biblical manhood, however I often get a bit irked when i hear Driscoll talk about it because I feel that to him real Biblical manhood and the Societies idea of what a real man is are the same thing, and if your not beer chugger, watching football or some sport every weekend that your not a real man and living unbiblically. For people like me who don't care the least bit about sports and by worldly standards would be classified as a geeks, Driscoll has made Biblical manhood about what one likes to do in there spare time and physical looks then about a Biblical point of manhood that affects how we live.

 

[Andres]

it's slang for a crazy person...not sure what you're thinking of here...

Yes, that is what it has ultimately come to mean in some circles. Many assume it is simply a variation of being mentally "wacky." However, look it up in an urban slang dictionary and you'll find that the origins of the specific phrase in question are actually crassly sexual in nature. Given the range of how the phrase is used and perceived is why I would deem it inappropriate, or as I originally said, at least borderline. In any case, I fail to see how it is wholesome speech becoming of a minister. Folks may of course disagree with me on this.

Interesting... well I've only heard it to mean crazy person, but I'll take your word for it. I don't want to look it up if it's that crass. I agree his preaching is too informal for my liking. And I agree with Pergy about the flailing of the hands, etc. It was extremely distracting to watch him move about and to hear him talk through his teeth.