Mark Driscoll’s Potty Mouth
Mark Driscoll has been one of those pastor/theologians over the years that I have never really been sure about. It’s as though he has two mouths. At one moment what seems to come out is pure doctrine and Christ-exalting exegesis of Scripture and then in the same breath what comes out is like vinegar and gall with use of filth words that are simply not appropriate for the pulpit. Honestly I have not spent a lot of time reading Mark’s books or listening to his sermons. I’m more of a Paul Washer kinda guy – give me the passion of Driscoll without the filthy mouth.
For one brother in Christ the line has been drawn with Driscoll. Apparently his wife and children were listening to Pilgrim Radio recently and Driscoll was preaching on the air when expletives and words not appropriate for little ears much less the pulpit were being pumped over the airwaves. This man is furious that his wife and children heard this on a Christian radio station. After reading his article I see more of why many people, even in the reformed circles, are having more and more of a hard time putting up with Mark Driscoll. Don’t get me wrong. I believe that Mark is a sincere, Christ-loving follower of Christ who is trying too hard to be relevant. (Oh what a dangerous word.)
Here is the article of the gentleman who is fed up with Driscoll’s potty mouth. He has excellent points that we should all ponder when it comes to the state of the pulpit – especially in American Christianity.
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I agree with your evaluation of Mark Driscoll. I first discovered Driscoll before he begun to use crude language. I enjoyed his style and passion when proclaiming the word of God. Fast forward to today and I find his language offensive, it brings shame to his testimony and serves as a stumbling block for younger brothers in Christ. James phrases this rather eloquently when in chapter 3 verse 11 he write “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?”
There is much more that is unsavory about Mark Driscoll and MHC besides a few choice words and poorly chosen T-shirts. There are many, many people who are suffering from what I can only consider to be spiritual and psychological abuse. There is another side to Mars Hill.
As a mental health counselor and a survivor of spiritual abuse, I perceive many signs of cult like control and spiritual abuse at MHC:
.Controlling Pastor with “Yes Men” Elders;
.No Talk Rule;
.No Dissent;
.Emphasis on Submission and Obedience;
.Shunning of “Unrepentant” Former Members;
.Dis-fellowshipping “Questioners” and Critical Thinkers;
.By-Laws Removing Accountability of Pastor/Elders;
.Mind and Thought Control;
.Membership Covenant and Financial Giving Pledge Required;
.“Biblical” Counseling Only, if Referred Out, Must Sign Release Form (no confidentiality allowed);
.Kangaroo Court Firing of Two Elders Who Dared to Question;
.Extreme Gender Role Enforcement;
.Members Must Attend Accountability/”Community” Groups
See:
http://freedom4captives.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/34-is-driscoll-verbally-and-emotionally-abusive/
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I don’t know much about how MHC’s government or what their membership covenants look like. I have heard Marc Driscoll over the internet numerous times and heard much of what has been alluded to as “potty mouth”. I do think his methodology runs over the edge in some instances because it seems his motivation has a “shock jock” attitude to it.
On the other hand, I have lived on the west coast and know full well that it is NOT the Bible belt. Sin is open and extreme, and reminds me of many passages in the Bible that use very strong language to address people who were living in similar circumstances. Don’t take my word for it, go to bible.logos.com and search for the word whore, harlot, or prostitute. If you want to hear words much worse than that, just take a walk down the halls of a public school. In a way, I appreciate Driscoll bringing notice to sin and sinners. If we don’t know we are sinners there is nothing to be saved from. We live in a “feel good” age where people preach that everyone is OK and your way of “finding god” is fine for you and mine is fine for me. Wrong. Salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus is the only way to life. The alternative to that is an all too real hell that real people go to in very large numbers. Wide is the gate that leads to destruction but narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life, and FEW will find it.
Hi Brent,
During the time of the apostles who preached God’s word there was paganism and sexual immorality that would be nothing more or less that we we see today – in some views the sexual immorality and sin of Roman paganism would make some of the immorality today look like nothing. As God’s Word says, “there is nothing new under the sun.” The apostles did not lower themselves to the standards of sin and “culture” by using foul language – they simply adorned the doctrine of God and proclaimed the gospel of Christ without waivering.
I agree with you that Driscoll’s theology is spot on. This is what makes him such an enigma. But let us be reminded that what the book of Jude focuses on in describing false teachers is their fruit and life – not their doctrine. I am in no way saying that Driscoll is a false teacher but my point is to draw the focus that the fruit of the person is what we look at – and that can primarily be what comes out of the mouth – for out of the mouth comes that which is in the heart.
I just pray that Driscoll will keep his evangelistic fervor and his obvious love for the Savior while repenting of the use of language that has absolutely no place in the Christian life – especially the life of a Christian leader. His handling of the concerns by the body of Christ (including his good friend John Piper) will reveal a lot about Pastor Driscoll.
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog! I appreciate the time you took to post!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Your are right, and I really didn’t want to come across as if I were condoning foul language to correct anyone, Christian or not. You are also right about the apostles are a great example of how to handle correction. For instance 1 Corinthians 5 tells us that there were horrible things going on within their church. Paul demonstrates that you don’t have to “talk like them” in order to get your point across.
I do like the fact that Driscoll is addressing issues because too many churches don’t address anything. But I don’t like how he addresses things. I also think that he he appears to be himself infatuated in some way with sex topics. My wife and I are studying to be nouthetic counselors so I do understand that immorality is a big topic, but there are plenty of sin issues to go around. Sin issues that set their hooks in and drag people to hell just as easily has immorality.
I like you, have been perplexed at Driscoll. One would think that someone sound theologically as he seems to be, their methodology would match. I think I will continue to keep him at arms reach and be very careful about who I recommend listen to his sermons and pray that he comes to a new understanding and a new level of maturity.
I’m glad I found your blog. It’s nice to have a discussion without flame wars.
Brent @Jay Wingard
Brent – so glad to hear you are pursuing nouthetic counseling. We need more Biblical counselors who rely solely on the Word of God. My pastor is a nouthetic counselor as well and is a member of NANC. It’s amazing to see how many people rely on modern psychology and “psycho-pop” within the church when the very Word of God is all that we need and all that we have. I also enjoyed browsing your blog and of course your reformed stance! :-)
Soli Deo Gloria!
Brother, have you discovered the ministry of Al Martin? He would supplement your Washer diet well!
http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/almartin
http://www.sg-audiotreasures.org/am_series.htm
Thanks David,
I will give it a listen! I appreciate your visiting the site!
Soli Deo Gloria!
I was pleasantly surprised by your site, Jay :) I’m following you now on Google Reader.
A few recommendations are his Justification, Adoption, Here We Stand and Manifesto series (linked below respectively). He is solidly Calvinistic and Reformed.
http://bit.ly/1kfylv
http://bit.ly/sk0nU
http://www.sg-audiotreasures.org/am_hws.htm
http://www.sg-audiotreasures.org/am_manifesto.htm
With every good wish in Jesus Christ :)
David
I just “stumbled” upon your page and read through the comments concerning “Mark Driscoll’s Potty Mouth.”
I couldn’t help notice the comment from Brother David, “…Have you discovered the ministry of Al Martin?…”
May I respond in saying, Yes, I for one have discovered the ministry of Al Martin. It can be summed up very forthrightly at:
http://www.wickedshepherds.com/awordtothewives.html
Brandon
I believe Ephesians makes it clear that there is to be no ‘coarse talk among us’.
Couldn’t agree with you more! It’s why we need to return to good Bible teaching and exposition in the church for the edification of both the leaders and the laity.