Driscoll
Does Satan Exist? Why Mars Hill-Nightline Debate Will Be a Flop
Maybe it’s the curmudgeon in me…but I see nothing of value coming out of the Mars Hill-Nightline Satan debate.
Here’s why.
On the side defending Satan’s existence, you have have Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill and Annie Lobert, founder of Hookers for Jesus.
ABC says both will argue that the devil made a personal impact on their lives. [Translate: They'll dish out anecdotes.]
On the other side, you have Deepak Chopra and Carlton Pearson.
Chopra claims to be a philosopher while Bishop Carlton Pearson, author of The Gospel of Inclusion, converted to his unorthodox beliefs through a personal conversation with God.
Neither, I suspect have the chops of a scholar. I could be wrong.
But I’d also throw Annie into this camp. And some might argue you should throw Driscoll in, too.
So what we’re left with is a potential debate dominated by stories and educated opinions. Throw in the fact that they’ll be discussing a subject nearly half of Americans don’t believe in–Satan…a subject matter full of caricature like tail, horns and pitchforck…and I think we have a carnival on our hands.
[Latest poll data I could find on American's belief in the devil com from late 2007. Know of anything more recent?]
Maybe Driscoll and Loubert’s plans are simply to get the Gospel out in front of a national audience.
I hope so. Cause I’ll go down on record here and now saying this debate has nothing academic or serious going for it. It’ll be a circus.
What Do You Think?
Do you agree with me or not? Could this be a productive debate? I’m curious to know what you think.
Also, is Chopra a Christian? Is Pearson? Some might loosely define them as so. Driscoll falls squarely into the orthodox camp. What about Lobert? Then, is this a debate among Christians? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Lewd and Low-Brow: Phil Johnson Scolds Mark Driscoll
This intrigues me to know end.
On Tuesday Phil Johnson articulated his answer to objections and questions he received in regards to a latenly Mark Driscoll addressed lecture he gave at the Shepherd’s Conference.
What fascinates me about it? Good question.
This Was News to Me
Well, to begin with, not sure whether I’ve been living under under rock or not…
But I wasn’t even aware Johnson and MacArthur took issue with Driscoll’s lewd and low-brow language. Or that there was a camp of pastors who did.
By reading Johnson’s post and the comments, concerns about Driscoll’s CNN appearance and Song of Solomon sermon series seems to top the list.
Hear me out, though: I haven’t read Johnson’s sermon transcript from the Shepherd’s conference, so I can’t judge his response or views…and whether the critique on Driscoll is warranted.
I do respect MacArthur mightly. And if Johnson and he are in league, there’s probally meat to his arguement.
But I’m not there yet. Cause I have something to confess first.
My Dirty Little Secret
I’m intrigued by Driscoll’s handling of MacArthur and Johnson’s critiques. To use Johnson’s words, “He doesn’t take his critics seriously.”
How did Driscoll respond? In a nutshell, Driscoll blew off both Johnson and MacArthur for months before replying. And when he did reply, he chose to send a video to Johnson and an email through HIS secratary to MacArthur’s secratary. Neither of which addressed their concerns.
So, couple things I have to confess.
First, I put Driscoll on a pedastal a long time ago. But it wasn’t until I read Johnson’s blog post and saw Driscoll so poorly handle the situation that I recognized how I nursed this amateur idolization.
Whether Driscoll did wrong or right…the fact still remains: I didn’t think he was flawed.
Second, I thoroughly enjoyed Driscoll’s Song of Solomon sermon series. But I did walk away from it wondering if I just heard a preacher preach Christian sex or a sex therapist quote the Bible.
Which I think brings me to the heart of the matter: If Driscoll isn’t in the pulpit to preach Christ crucified…then he’s overstepping the position of the preacher.
Tim Keller and Michael Horton would agree with me that the pulpit is the catapult from which you launch the Gospel week in and week out. Do you agree?
Let me know what your thinking. Brutal thoughts and all.
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