Chemical Erik September 6th, 2007

I've listen to several of Mark's sermons. It's much more interesting and worthwhile than you'd expect from an hour or longer sermon. If you're not getting spiritually fed at your local church, I recommend checking out Mark.

Christov September 6th, 2007

Isn't this an old interview? I kind of remember the guy's "drunk uncle" remark about that McLaren guy from one of last week's podcasts. That's why this got posted again, to provide journalistic balance, yeah?

Erik September 7th, 2007

Yo Christov,

This is the first time that this interview has appeared on The B.S. and SteveBrownEtc.com. It was originally recorded for a broadcast back in 2006 and that show was posted on the old site. But this is the first time it's been posted in this format.

Anyway, in answer to your other question, yes I posted this the week after the Brian McLaren interview so that both sides of their online tiff would be represented back-to-back.

Erik September 7th, 2007

Chemical,

I'd be interested in your CliffsNotes on M.D. (Ha! Same initials as Mad Dog). Other than his in your face approach, what's uniquely different/spiritually sustaining?

Erik September 7th, 2007

And please don't read my questions or comments as critical. I'm really interested, and found Driscoll refreshing. I like his no B.S. approach.

But there is a difference in my mind between "edgy" and being on edge. You know what I mean? Seriously…I'm not a very stable person emotionally…and I can see myself in M.D. Not that I'm a good speaker/leader or anything. I can just see that same buzzing craziness that makes one say stupid things because they're either too honest or too unstable to know better.

Rambling,

e.

Chemical Erik September 7th, 2007

Mark does three things in EVERY sermon that I don't get at my current church.
1) He reminds me of something I've screwed up. Then tells me how he's screwed up the same thing.
2) He tells me Jesus forgives me, typicall several times using both his own words and scripture.
3) He is very honest. Nothing is sugar-coated or watered down.

On top of that, his style allows me to take in the typical 60-90 minutes of preaching without loosing my attention. He's not the only person who can keep my attention, but he keeps my attention while actually teaching me something.

I will add that Mark does make some errors in his relations with his critics, to which he readily admits. He also has a fairly shady past. He is CLEARLY not a perfect person. It gives me the feeling he's "sinned big enough and live long enough to have an opinion on that".

Christov September 7th, 2007

Hey Eric,

I must've heard the interview at the old site. Hard to forget something funny like the drunk uncle comment. I've listened to some of Driscoll's stuff, and found him pretty authoritarian – a quality for which I've got a pretty low tolerance. Did you listen to the interview the guys at http://www.whitehorseinn.com did with him? Dude, they fully groveled before Driscoll because they were so thrilled to find a mega-church founded on Reform theology. Sickening. Blech. (the groveling, not the theology)

Anyway man, I'm getting as negative as Driscoll is authoritarian. I've gotta watch that.

Pax,

C.

Christov September 7th, 2007

Duh'urrrr…, make that http://www.whitehorseinn.org – their 11 March 2007 show. C.

Chemical Erik September 8th, 2007

Christov – I must disagree with Driscoll being authoritarian. At least in terms of him lording authority. He definately respects the authority of GOD and teaches others that it is good to have the same respect. But, this is different from those pastors who think that simply because they are a pastor that everyone should bow to their opinions and interpurtations without question.

Christov September 8th, 2007

To be fair, in regard to the authoritarian thing, if I weren't a Christian, there is little doubt – I'd be an Anarchist propagandizing with word and deed. I get what you're saying about "lording authority," on the other hand I think the guy's got a basic underlying authoritarian attitude. I think the same sorts of people who enjoyed playing and continue to enjoy spectating team sports respond to that.

I've got some time today (because I decided to sleep in – skip kayaking, and do some yardwork and stuff) so will listen to a random Driscoll sermon or two. One of the things I found that irked was that Driscoll and Co., seem intent on developing their own hierarchy of church leadership as their Seattle-based organization moves into the self-perpetuating institution phase of development.

Christov September 8th, 2007

I listened to some of Driscoll's stuff at the Resurgence site. Seems to have a very high view of clergy or "leadership" and a correspondingly low view of laity. He seems to think church attenders are subject to his or another leader's authority, states his annoyance with the fact that current societal norms reject claims of authority made from office or pulpit. Personally, I have no respect for authority, although I've met a number of people in positions of authority for whom I have respect. On the other hand, much of what Driscoll said makes sense, and he's got the sense to repeatedly ask whether he's making sense. I was interested to note that he's afraid of bloggers as critics and denigrates them. He was able to suggest in one audio file that it's wise to listen to critics because their misguided, wrong-headed, or malicious (my descriptors – just helping the guy clarify) statements may contain a "grain of truth." Still, it's laudable he's willing to look for it.

The two things I really liked about Driscoll are that he tends to dislike effeminate men in ministry, and he seems to be honest about the stupid mistakes he's made during his career.

My remark in the previous comment about hierarchy refers also to the group's Acts29 Network. A lot of "read our books" stuff.

I think God's doing a lot that's underground (metaphorically, you know, not hellishly) and is only noted by institutional church wonks as "a lot of turnover." It's that whole observation by Jesus that the Spirit is like the wind (the way I've phrased it sounds like a bad samurai movie) the action of which one observes, but which is, itself, never seen.

Chemical Erik September 8th, 2007

Christov – Given your point of view, as stated, I think you have a good understanding of Driscoll. The things that bother you about M.D. tend to bother me less than they bother you. The things that you like about M.D., I tend to like more. He's not perfect, but I believe he's genuine and being led by Jesus.

Thomas Otiz March 8th, 2008

He's becoming a bit of a control freak. Recently he's been quoted as saying that people need to stop questioning authority and submit. You can check out for yourself on youtube all of the details. I'm surprised that Steve Brown hasn't highlighted any of these recent problems on his talk show. It would probably help getting Driscoll get in line.

T. Sales March 28th, 2009

"Recently he's been quoted as saying that people need to stop questioning authority and submit. You can check out for yourself on youtube all of the details."

Yes.
Here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ReallySad1

WordVixen February 3rd, 2012

Just for the record for any folks just discovering this interview and the ensuing comments- Driscoll's authoritarianism has continued to swell (nearly 5 years later). This article isn't the best explanation on its own, but it does touch on many points, and includes a link to Mars Hill Church's disciplinary letters: http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/church-or-cult/Content?oid=12172001 Don't get me wrong- Driscoll is interesting to listen to and it's nice to get a different perspective from time to time. But many of the practices of that church are completely unbiblical, though touted as being completely biblical.

In other words- feel free to listen, but it's dangerous to take him too seriously.