Sean Penn and Yvonne Trimble Show Mark Driscoll How to Act Like a Christian

This post is meant to be read in conjunction with yesterday's post on How Mark Driscoll Shamefully Used  a Female Missionary. Special thanks for go out to one of our readers (trustforhimonly-Faith) who alerted us to this video.

I have corresponded with Yvonne a few times and she never mentioned this video. This speaks to her humility, something that has impressed me each time I interact with her. She has served the nation of Haiti since 1975 and loves the people of Haiti.

Make sure you understand this. A non-Christian actor/activist supported Haiti for Christ while it appears that Christian Driscoll used Haiti for Christ to make his video and dumped them after he got what he needed. Penn understood the incredible role this ministry plays in the life of Haiti. Too bad Driscoll didn't.

Comments

Sean Penn and Yvonne Trimble Show Mark Driscoll How to Act Like a Christian — 61 Comments

  1. First?

    I’ve seen this happen again and again. Some non-Christian behaving more Christ-like than one or more professing Christians. I know the Church this side of heaven is a mixed bag; it’s still sometimes discouraging, though. Anyway, I’m glad for all those in Haiti who are being helped.

  2. Just made my donation to Haiti for Christ. One of the ways I can stand up for real Christianity – as opposed to the phony variety hawked by Driscoll and his ilk – is to donate to those organizations, religious and secular, that represent the types of people these so-called ‘ministers’ would oppress or use for their own selfish and greedy ends.

  3. I read an article (or heard a report on NPR) that Penn – unlike other big names who flew in and then soon back out – was staying in Haiti for months at a time working with people there. He was out in the rain and the sun and whatever the conditions might be, putting in long days, day after day, month after month.

  4. What an awesome story. I am so proud of Joel and Yvonne. Way to represent to the family of God, you guys!

    A great example of witnessing to others through humility and generosity. It’s hard to argue with love in action.

  5. As many of you know, I write a blog. I do not link it here on purpose. One, I want to keep this separate from my blogs aimed at East Texas, and secondly, I get rough, really rough.
    My last couple of blogs have been on the rise of the ” none” in the Christian world.
    Most of the negative emails, comments, I have received are from former students of mine who are now either ministers or on a church staff. Many of the messages are very ugly. So ugly, they could get to you, if you dwelled on the emails…
    Many of these men, and they’re all males, did other things before they became preachers, most, school teachers. They discovered that teaching school is actually hard work and that many churches here pay more than most of the ” Deep East Texas” school districts.
    It is like they enjoy going after their old teacher. It’s like they enjoy as one replied, ” putting me in my place. ” I seriously think their attacks make them feel important…
    The really old thing is, how many of these guys only have a BA/BS in some non-theological area. Communication, political science, P.E……with no plans to attend any form of seminary….

  6. Tim wrote:

    He was out in the rain and the sun and whatever the conditions might be, putting in long days, day after day, month after month.

    Just more ‘filthy rags’ in the Lord’s sight. Unless he is regenerated and perseveres in Sanctification and Holiness he will burn in hell just like Potter.

  7. What an incredible story! This is true Christianity in action. Yvonne and her husband are worthy of our respect, not the fly by night Christians (Driscoll and MacDonald) who turned their visit into a publicity stunt.

  8. Ok, I’m thrilled that Penn is doing good work. Seriously, ya’ll. But he also beat Madonna to a bloody unrecognizable pulp when they were married, so I truly can’t bring myself to say anything positive about the man—unless he’s done some public repenting that i’m unaware of. :(. Sorry, maybe I’m being too hard hearted–but I’ve seen enough scorpions in my time to know that they rarely change their nature…

  9. K.D. wrote:

    As many of you know, I write a blog. I do not link it here on purpose.

    Well, I did not know it. Now it is going to bug me until I can track you down, which apparently may not happen if you are determined not to be found. Rats!

  10. Nancy wrote:

    K.D. wrote:
    As many of you know, I write a blog. I do not link it here on purpose.
    Well, I did not know it. Now it is going to bug me until I can track you down, which apparently may not happen if you are determined not to be found. Rats!

    Dr Nancy,
    It gets rough….really rough from time to time….I was not “all sugar and spice and everything nice ” in the earlier part of my life and it comes out…..

  11. @ Calvinist Janeway:
    Please don’t get me wrong. I have lots of problems with Sean Penn. What I find interesting in this exchange, however, is that Penn, who is decidedly not Christian (he has made statements) is showing, in this particular instance, better manners than Driscoll.

    As for Driscoll, as far as I know he has not beaten Grace but he has sure beaten her, and many other women, down.

  12. @ K.D.:
    You are always welcome to post a link to your blog and I will post one on our website as well. We want to help all aspiring bloggers!

    In fact, if you would like to talk to us about a blog post, we could post it and then link to your blog. Let us know. This blog is about you all, not us.

  13. dee wrote:

    @ K.D.:
    You are always welcome to post a link to your blog and I will post one on our website as well. We want to help all aspiring bloggers!
    In fact, if you would like to talk to us about a blog post, we could post it and then link to your blog. Let us know. This blog is about you all, not us.

    Ms. Dee,
    Thank you for the offer, however, my blog is aimed at a particular area and many of the blogs would make no sense here….many would, others however….you wouldn’t have a clue what I was discussing…

  14. Well Dee, I should have supplied a link to that video. That would have made it easier- sorry about that.

    Calvinist Janeway- I agree with you about Sean Penns past issues, but he is a non-believer. Not that he should be this way at all, but what this does show is that the Trimbles were showing their witness; Penn saw that and was showing some gratitude instead of hogging the glory to himself. Just this act of the Trimbles might have sparked something in Penn’s heart, whereas, nothing was going on with Driscoll but pure self adulation – and with the “church” as HIS WITNESS (and what a poor one at that).

    Hopefully that spark grows in Penn’s heart and he turns to the one true light Jesus!

  15. One thing- I use to rail on celebrities and their immoralities. Now, I have a softer heart and wish them peace in Christ. Their lives are a mess and sad; they are also people who have no hope, even though they are “rich” and supposedly have everything.
    Penn is trying to do “good works” to fill that void and I do pray He finds the Lord.

  16. Tim wrote:

    I read an article (or heard a report on NPR) that Penn – unlike other big names who flew in and then soon back out – was staying in Haiti for months at a time working with people there. He was out in the rain and the sun and whatever the conditions might be, putting in long days, day after day, month after month.

    God only knows Sean Penn’s heart, but here is a critique of his humanitarian work in Haiti from a different perspective.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ella-turenne/whos-a-hero-haitians-can-_b_925493.html

  17. Hey guys, this is off-topic, but Dee said I could post it here. I’m a member of a Facebook support group, and someone sought me out because I’m a Christian. We’ve developed a facebook-only friendship.

    She’s in FREAKING AUSTRAILIA.

    She was recently diagnosed w/ a brain aneurysm. She posted today among close FB friends only that she has no help from family, and could not pay her rent.

    I have BEEN in situations like this—not an aneurysm, but a high-risk pregnancy with no help. I really, really wanted to help her w/ money or fundraising or awareness or SOMETHING, but she’s in FREAKING AUSTRAILIA, and I have no way to verify if she’s even a real person.

    Is anyone in Sydney that would be willing to help? I’d like to know if she’s real. If she IS, then she needs some support as she goes in for surgery, and our FB support group has a lot of connections.

    I’m sorry to bother you all with this, but I really appreciate your help.

    I trust, but I verify. <3

  18. Muff Potter wrote:

    Just more ‘filthy rags’ in the Lord’s sight. Unless he is regenerated and perseveres in Sanctification and Holiness he will burn in hell just like Potter.

    You’ll find me there with him. I’m dead serious. I’d rather go to hell than be with a bloodthirsty deity and his vengeful followers.

  19. @ K.D.:
    I would have a strong clue. I was born and raised in the area (less than 100 miles from you) and spent many many weekends visiting my family in your neck of the woods. I’m pretty sure we have some people in common as some of my family’s closest friends were teachers/principals in Bridge City and I have family in the Golden Triangle. I may have left the area but the people are still in my daily life. My prayers go out to you. Please do not let these men discourage you.

  20. Mandy wrote:

    @ K.D.:
    I would have a strong clue. I was born and raised in the area (less than 100 miles from you) and spent many many weekends visiting my family in your neck of the woods. I’m pretty sure we have some people in common as some of my family’s closest friends were teachers/principals in Bridge City and I have family in the Golden Triangle. I may have left the area but the people are still in my daily life. My prayers go out to you. Please do not let these men discourage you.

    The school I retired from was for many years in the same sports/UIL Academic district as Bridge City….and yes, you know exactly what is going on….

  21. dee wrote:

    @ Calvinist Janeway:
    Please don’t get me wrong. I have lots of problems with Sean Penn. What I find interesting in this exchange, however, is that Penn, who is decidedly not Christian (he has made statements) is showing, in this particular instance, better manners than Driscoll.
    As for Driscoll, as far as I know he has not beaten Grace but he has sure beaten her, and many other women, down.

  22. mirele wrote:

    Muff Potter wrote:

    Just more ‘filthy rags’ in the Lord’s sight. Unless he is regenerated and perseveres in Sanctification and Holiness he will burn in hell just like Potter.

    You’ll find me there with him. I’m dead serious. I’d rather go to hell than be with a bloodthirsty deity and his vengeful followers.

    Mirelle, that sounds like Allah and the followers of Islam.

  23. Tim wrote:

    I read an article (or heard a report on NPR) that Penn – unlike other big names who flew in and then soon back out – was staying in Haiti for months at a time working with people there. He was out in the rain and the sun and whatever the conditions might be, putting in long days, day after day, month after month.

    Thanks, Tim! It is good to hear that Penn was willing to put hands & feet into the work of rebuilding. Too bad more folks didn’t follow his example.

  24. trust4himonly- Faith wrote:

    One thing- I use to rail on celebrities and their immoralities. Now, I have a softer heart and wish them peace in Christ. Their lives are a mess and sad; they are also people who have no hope, even though they are “rich” and supposedly have everything.
    Penn is trying to do “good works” to fill that void and I do pray He finds the Lord.

    Amen.

  25. Muff Potter wrote:

    Tim wrote:

    He was out in the rain and the sun and whatever the conditions might be, putting in long days, day after day, month after month.

    Just more ‘filthy rags’ in the Lord’s sight. Unless he is regenerated and perseveres in Sanctification and Holiness he will burn in hell just like Potter.

    We are told not to judge, Muff. We are told & told again that there is only ONE Judge. We should be praying, not judging.
    Remember Matthew 25.

  26. Calvinist Janeway wrote:

    I trust, but I verify. <3

    Apols, I have just moved interstate but I think Pam and ?Elizabeth are in Sydney. I’m happy to do any checking I can do from a distance if that’s helpful, or suggest websites where you could check phone number and address listings, GP surgeries, etc (btw our socialised medicine is under threat, but it hasn’t been done away with completely yet, just had to stick that bit in there). Rents can be quite horrendous depending where you live in Sydney, and whether you sharehouse or not. Just about all properties can be viewed on google maps now, still not sure if that’s a helpful thing or not. Dee can pass on my email address if you want.

  27. Muff Potter wrote:

    Just more ‘filthy rags’ in the Lord’s sight. Unless he is regenerated and perseveres in Sanctification and Holiness he will burn in hell just like Potter.

    Heh, better start passing around the Long Island Iced Teas for us all…

  28. Maybe we need to rethink “works.” I have heard, from the pulpit, that unless somebody’s attitude is just right then they might as well not be doing this or that because it would be just “hollow works.” Meaning, that the person doing the good thing was not making an impression on God and might just as well not do it in the first place.

    So since when did making an impression on God, or not, become some kind of excuse for leaving good undone? So I give somebody the proverbial food and water while my motives are somehow not “pure,” they still get the food and water. Why should they have to do without until I get to some level of religious right-ness? That makes no sense. Never did, never will.

  29. Eagle wrote:

    @ K.D.:
    K.D. what is your blog? I’d love to read it sometime.

    Eagle,
    It is not what you think it is…..today’s topic covers the proposed start date on the bond passed for the new high school in the area I write for…..BTW- I get big numbers when I write on the local school district….or the Southern Baptists.

  30. Nancy wrote:

    Maybe we need to rethink “works.” I have heard, from the pulpit, that unless somebody’s attitude is just right then they might as well not be doing this or that because it would be just “hollow works.” Meaning, that the person doing the good thing was not making an impression on God and might just as well not do it in the first place.
    So since when did making an impression on God, or not, become some kind of excuse for leaving good undone? So I give somebody the proverbial food and water while my motives are somehow not “pure,” they still get the food and water. Why should they have to do without until I get to some level of religious right-ness? That makes no sense. Never did, never will.

    Here, here Nancy! I agree with you. How do we know if our motives are pure? Oh, I know, let’s “examine our hearts” to make sure there isn’t any pride or arrogance involved, and then we should confess our sin to our care group leaders, and then memorize several verses about pride, while also re-reading CJ’s book on “Humility.” THEN, we *might* be humble enough to do a pure, good work. But don’t tell anyone what you did, or else, you need to start all over again!!!!

  31. “On the issue of context, it is impossible to escape the history of colonialism. That era is thankfully over, but its consequences continue to echo through ongoing inequalities that determine who gets to be the savior and who has to be saved. Recognizing this could help aid organizations construct programs that take into account these power imbalances, but in general, that is not happening. Instead, postcolonial dynamics go largely ignored, while the white savior complex adds a new layer to these global imbalances.”

    http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/07/22/why-wont-white-savior-complex-go-away

    Last year I spoke out about Bob Kauflin and his trip to the Phillipines where he conducted a “WorshipGod” conference, supposedly motivated by a love to “share the Gospel.” The trip was sponsored by SGM, who The Bobster is employed by, and he took along with him SBTS’s worship band Norton Hall (who just had an album drop, and who may have envisioned using their trip to the Phillipines to promote their music). One thing is for certain, more than being in the Philippines to “share the Gospel” according to his stated motivation, Bob Kauflin was there on SGM business – to make money and strengthen plans for future SGM churches as well as the establishment of a SGM Pastor’s College (gag, like that’s going to help anyone).

    Yet, a funny thing happened while Big Bob and his Bible Band were over there. Right under his feet a HUGE earthquake struck. And what did the gospel love brimming over within Bob’s heart compel him to do? Did it move him immediately to service? Did he demonstrate through his faith in action that he truly cared about people and desired to alleviate suffering, as Jesus would have done? (Faith was the theme of his conference.) What did Bob do to demonstrate he was a bonafide minister of the gospel, ready to give his life as a ransom? And how did SGM spring into action, working to aid and support their team that was right there, at the epicenter, boots on the ground??

    Well, folks, it seemed Bob’s SGM gospel compelled him to flee Bohol and catch the first available flight out of Cebu back home, where everyone welcomed him with thanks and praise to God for their safe return.

    And soon after, Bob delivered the cash he had collected from the poor Filipinos into the SGM coffers, and not a penny from the “Mission Fund” that was supposed collected to aid afflicted peoples in foreign lands, was used to help their “good friends” back where they had just witnessed, first hand, total devastation (because the $$$ collected from unsuspecting SGM members after the Haiti earthquake fora “Mission Fund” no longer existed – or was turned into “The Attorney Fund.”

    But, everyone means well, right?

  32. Btw, the above quote and the article I linked address the topic, and the involvement of people and celebrities in aid work in other countries. What Bob Kaufman did during his “mission trip” to the Philippines, to me, stands out as an example of how true motivations end up being exposed. As the article pointed out, these people are often “not driven by a compulsion to effect change, per se, but primarily by a desire to feel good about themselves.”

  33. This is totally off topic but I just saw a guy who was wearing “Not Of This World”-branded glasses frames. The slogan was branded on thw earpieces. (Not Of This World is a popular “Christian” sloganeering brand I see frequently-daily-here in the Southwest.)

    “Not of this world” but happy to make money off it.

  34. mirele wrote:

    You’ll find me there with him. I’m dead serious. I’d rather go to hell than be with a bloodthirsty deity and his vengeful followers.

    Look at the bright side. At least we’ll be in good company:

    Marcus Aurelius, Hypatia of Alexandria, Nachmanides, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Elie Wiesel…
    The list goes on.

  35. Here’s what it comes down to:

    IN HAITI, SEAN PENN DID THE RIGHT THING AND MARK DRISCOLL DIDN’T.

  36. Paula Rice wrote:

    it is impossible to escape the history of colonialism. That era is thankfully over,

    It was interesting to read your comment, and the article from the link that Joe2 supplied (I’m about to read your link which the italicised comment derives from). Initial thought: neo-colonialism is alive and well. It never went away. It just cloaks itself differently. Just one example of many – the large number of farmer suicides in India is testament to this.

  37. So here is a concern of mine…not really related to post, but reminded me…my church was part of Acts 29, no longer but they’re definitely YRR, self described.
    They do subscribe to a complementarian view, but its not really forced on anyone. I mean, no women preach but can be deacons,whatever.
    Our pastors really, though, are great, I love the messages, which I can always learn from or am convicted from, the worship points to Jesus and not how we feel…it’s the best place I’ve ever been.
    But the gender role ideas do chafe me, but there is room for discussion here so that’s good.
    Well, we had a small group “season” where we went through Grudem’s book Christian Beliefs.. Knowing what I now know about Grudem, I just….ugh, is all I can say.
    But I love theological study and would like and alternative to these guys. I know a woman wrote a systematic theology book but can’t remember her name. Can anyone point me in a good direction?

  38. Also I’m a different Mandy than the one who posted earlier ill now be Mandie for easier differentiation

  39. One comment not approved.vPlease do not recopy the entirety of another person’s long comment. It is fine to quote a small amount.

  40. Mandy wrote:

    Well, we had a small group “season” where we went through Grudem’s book Christian Beliefs

    Which, as you learned, is just a rehash of the same old same old. You could start discussions simply asking to be shown from the text where male authority over females is prescribed. You will get a lot of speculation, but you can press for proof and logic from the text. It is not there. You’ve probably also been told the “headship” fantasy version.

    I’m not a big fan of systematics because it seems that the texts are made to fit the schema that the author prefers. In the reformed world, you’ll get Berkhof, Grudem, and maybe Horton. You could try Erickson who is very much opposed to the Eternal Subordination of the Son. He is Baptist, so not reformed per se.

  41. @ K.D.:
    Ah. Then you know what a big deal it was when BC built and opened the new intermediate school. Our family friend was the first principal of that school and he still has nightmares.

  42. Jenster wrote:

    Here, here Nancy! I agree with you. How do we know if our motives are pure? Oh, I know, let’s “examine our hearts” to make sure there isn’t any pride or arrogance involved, and then we should confess our sin to our care group leaders, and then memorize several verses about pride, while also re-reading CJ’s book on “Humility”…

    And then while you’re navel-gazing and sniffing your own sin like a Massachusetts Bay Puritan, you will find you have no time or energy for everything else.

  43. @ Nancy:

    Preach it sister! And yeah it does need to be rethought because if ‘good’ can only be good if it’s sanctioned by a particular theology, its meaning becomes as malleable as the theology itself, and doing what I would want done to myself takes a backseat. Think about it.

  44. Muff Potter wrote:

    its meaning becomes as malleable as the theology itself

    Yes it does. I had not thought of it that way but that is absolutely correct.

  45. Nancy wrote:

    Yes it does. I had not thought of it that way but that is absolutely correct.

    Voltaire had this to say and it’s also a good corollary:

    “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.”

  46. @ Headless Unicorn Guy:

    The problem is if we examine our hearts, we are examining our sinful hearts with sinful hearts, rinse and repeat ad infinitum. There is no way to escape this vicious cycle except to accept that we have sinful hearts but that believers have been redeemed and have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. That won’t sell conference tickets or books, but the other way is madness and endless.

  47. Hey guys, thanks so much—a friend on Twitter was able to connect w/ her, and she’s getting the help she needs. THANK YOU so much for reaching out, and thank you Deebs for allowing me to post it here. <3 Gosh, i was so scared for her. My FB group leader, however, questioned me pretty directly on WHY I got so involved, when I'm on the other side of the world. It's reasonable to ask—but if I don't see anyone helping someone, I feel almost compelled to do it. I don't know if this is right or not. It certainly can be all-consuming. Anyway, thanks a lot. <3

  48. Calvinist Janeway wrote:

    My FB group leader, however, questioned me pretty directly on WHY I got so involved, when I’m on the other side of the world.

    What is an FB group leader and what authority, if any, does that person have over you? Some of you all are talking about experiences, apparently church related experiences, which are foreign to me and I cannot figure out what is going on.

  49. @ Nancy:
    @ Calvinist Janeway:
    Hey, I had some guy who told me that I needed to submit the blog for him to approve since I was obviously causing disunity with our discussions here. He wasn’t even a member of my church. Needless to say, his offer was declined.

  50. @ dee:
    Oh yeah, and he had a little sidekick who reported to him my awful, terrible, no good tweets that obviously were wrong (he doesn’t both to check links) and disunifying. I thought when people hit their 30s, they grew up and didn’t need to run to the teacher like they did in 3rd grade. I think some churches attract wusses and control jobs.

  51. You know from day one as a Christian I was involved in ministry, I would work volunteer and basically give, sometimes upwards of 40% of my earnings. I did not earn much which in and of itself is a vile God hating sin but that is a different post (I am being sarcastic). I cant state manythings totally honestly but this I can, never, not once did I do a kind act thinking it would buy me favor with God. I always assumed, deep down, that God hated my guts and I was a false convert and in the end God would send me to hell to torture me forever and I had it coming. I did not have this thinking the first few years of being a Christian, I was in rapture at the love of God and His forgiveness, but I got that figuratively beaten out of me, where some in the faith had it literally beaten out of them. Sort of the point of this blog.

    I dont hate God per some Romans 1 rhetoric, that is a cop out and well nevermind. I dont suppress the truth of God in unrighteousness, If God is God how can me a mere mortal do that. I do question the ideas and even more the actions of some of the higher ups in the industry with their hiding of child abuse, exorbitant salaries and treatment of staff and parishioners.

    I like what Mr. Penn did and how he expressed himself, if he was involved in violence to a significant other than I rebuke that and the authorities should be involved. I am sorry I dont know the full aspect of this issue.

    You know I have seen violence in the home on several occasions. This may not be violence but I was in a home as a kid when one of my childhood friends killed himself, he died right there. I could do nothing and all my imaginary beliefs in super powers as kids tend to do did not bring him back and it ripped his family to shreds. I lost a brother in somewhat similar circumstances but our rolling was accidental death. I was near when he died to. I have lost maybe 20 friends to suicide, maybe more that is just the deaths ruled suicide. This defined me as a kid, it should not have but it did.

    It gave me a hope to stop the slaughter and to celebrate life, even a hard life, but the evangelical faith does not have that capacity though it does show such testimonials. The older faith traditions do have such a vehicle for this, one reason I secretly go to mass or services at anglican or EO faiths. Their residence on the here and now and the Divine at the same time, such as the connect of the consecration of the host in a catholic or EO faith community. Heaven reaches down and enters history on a regular basis. I dont buy into any of this due to my cynical self and the inbred Idea that if I even walk into a Catholic Church God will kill me on the spot. He has not, even when I have prayed He would just to know He is there. That is pretentious and childish. It is an emotional rhetorical gotcha moment.

    I am sorry for that God, please forgive me and I mean that. God is bigger than my petty rhetoric yet God meets me at my petty Rhetoric and lifts me above it. That is my Christianity, a God that heals, restores and gives hope. God will always do right. Always. Thanks Dee for this forum it has truly been healing to me, I am grateful for you, Spiritual sounding board and Phoenix preacher preacher for letting me vent. Above all, I love Jesus Christ and will never leave Him, no I would leave Him in a minute, He will never leave me. Thanks again.