Remember last year's SBC Annual Meeting in Louisville? There was quite a commotion over Mark Driscoll, whom some fondly call "Big Papa D".
Remember last year's SBC Annual Meeting in Louisville? There was quite a commotion over Mark Driscoll, whom some fondly call "Big Papa D".
I ( Dee) have been surprised by the interest that has been generated by our look at the Puritans. I grew up in Salem, Massachusetts, and thanks to the Puritans, my hometown is known as “The Witch City”. Imagine your high school football team being known as “The Salem High School Witches”… Incredibly, when I was growing up the little black emblem of a witch riding on a broom was ubiquitous from gas stations to fabric stores. This emblem was “tongue in cheek” because if the truth be told, the supposed “witches” of Salem’s history were not purveyors of that black trade — not even close! Grievously, they were, as Curly of the Three Stooges might say, “victims of circumstance (which he pronounced soy kum stance).”
THEY’RE BACK! The 21st Century Puritans are taking over the blogosphere in case you haven’t noticed. Puritanism is the lastest and greatest craze among those who label themselves as New Calvinists. Take a look…
Are Christian conferences just an American phenomenon? Across the pond in jolly old England, Christian leaders can attend a conference that involves “teaching” and “worship”. This annual event held in Brighton is designed primarily for Christian leaders, but welcomes students and twenty-somethings. Incredibly, 5,000 delegates from 50 nations attend this annual conference.
Since Dee and I began our investigation of the “New Calvinists”, we have become increasingly concerned that this hot new theological movement may have a very serious downside, namely, hero worship. We are becoming extremely familiar with the leaders of this movement because their names and faces seem to be everywhere on the internet, among other places. You likely know them, too. Let’s begin with the Fab Four of “Together for the Gospel” aka T4G – Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, Mark Dever, and C.J. Mahaney, not to be confused with those whom we call the Fab Five (the Fort Lauderdale Five of the 1970s Shepherding Movement who were Bob Mumford, Derek Prince, Charles Simpson, Don Basham, and Ern Baxter).
First there was the Rainbow Coalition, founded by Jesse Jackson in 1984. Then we had the Christian Coalition organized in 1991 by Pat Robertson. Now we have the Gospel Coalition established by Don Carson and Tim Keller in 2007. When the average person hears the word “coalition”, this will likely be their thought pattern…
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Recently, I was driving through Atlanta and happened upon a Christian talk show. The host asked people to call in and explain their views on the differences between justification and sanctification. All of the callers did a pretty good job defining their thoughts in their own words. Then, a man called in and began what sounded like a lecture. He went on and on and on. The host finally interrupted him and explained that this was a forum for discussion, not for delivering a sermon. At that point the caller stated that he was reading Calvin's words and if Calvin said it, it was absolutely correct.
The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.The Lord of the Rings Haldir, Chapter 'Lothlórien'.
Yesterday's post was a prelude to the testimony that will be presented today. I apologize in advance for the graphic nature of today's topic; however, I am merely reacting to Mark Driscoll and his highly offensive language.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
(Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Mark Driscoll has been a loose cannon in evangelical circles for quite a few years now, with little contest. Why haven't Christian leaders challenged his "grunge Christianity"? We believe the answer is two-fold. First, there is no question that Pastor Mark is tickling the ears of the "manly men" in Christian leadership. Secondly, Christian women have been silenced and are not "allowed" to speak out against him!