Whether you like it or not, Mark Driscoll is a key figure that is shaping American Christianity. Below is an interview he recently did with Nightline.
7 Comments Already
January 29th, 2009 @4:06 pm
Dang Blake Ge'ez 
…it was a 'Dateline' interview…
January 29th, 2009 @4:11 pm
LOVED the interview – Driscoll is the man! LOL just kidding guys. I do think they spent too much time on sex… it's like Nightline went back to the ol' addage "sex sells"… and that's sad – thought the interview could've been much better – but that's coming from someone who knows part of the back story. I don't know if they would've spent more time on the other items you mentioned Blake, that it would have appealed to the "masses". And by masses I mean – people who've never heard of him.
January 29th, 2009 @5:59 pm
i agree with you Scott that the things that i mentioned would not have appealed in and of themselves. in the 50's theologians and pastors were featured on the cover of TIME magazine. that doesnt appeal to the masses anymore. what i do think would appeal is the controversy and firestorms that arise over said issues because of Driscoll. I think controversy sales, and always will. Then again, its probably for the best that Nightline didnt do that because they wouldnt have been able to handle those issues properly and it would have come across to the masses as more proof that christians cant get along, are narrow minded, and wont listen while there are larger global issues to be dealt with. It would take someone with a thorough understanding of the changes that are taking place in the church to address the "controversies around Driscoll" without beating up the church at large.
i would however love to see someone do a segment of churches that are transforming communities by doing good works without using "bait and switch" methods. i think that would appeal to the masses and intrigue them to see a church that is serving. i.e. the simple way, mars hill michigan, austin stone to name a few. i am sure that mars hill seattle is doing work to help restore communities in Seattle but i think that Driscoll and his comments, sadly, over shadow those deeds.
another issue that i believe will be covered by the next election cycle much more thoroughly is the shift in the christian community that you dont have to vote republican in order to be a christian. i think the public at large has no idea that this shift is taking place. many parents of friends i have, however, were deeply concerned that their child was voting for a democrat in this election. the parent's belief in their child's faith was actually shaken, sadly.
January 29th, 2009 @9:33 pm
Ya, that is lame-media, such a lack of legit content. I do think that is what MD brings to the table, he is so different then most pastors.
January 29th, 2009 @9:37 pm
I cringed when MD discussed predestination. I'm sure he was more robust, but i was wondering how a person outside the church must feel to hear a preacher say some are called and some damned and we have no options.. *sigh*
January 30th, 2009 @10:07 pm
Hey Chris.
Just to be clear, Driscoll didn't actually say that. he said "I believe God saves people, I believe that Jesus is God, that the BIble is true, I believe people are really going to hell" in response to the reporter's question about people being ordained for heaven or hell from birth.
Driscoll isn't even a full fledged five pointer (he believes in his own thing called unlimited limited atonement), much less a seven pointer believing in double predestination like Piper does.
I like the way he took a negative question and immediately turned it positive, but I then I like Driscoll in general.
Anyway, I thought this spot and the recent New York Times Magazine article on him were as good and fair as anything could be to him in this media environment and culture.
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of course im going to comment chris.
overall i thought it was a pretty weak segment. the interviewer clearly was not well read on Driscoll, his affiliations, his impact across this country, or what really causes people to have issue with Driscoll (even those that pastor churches within Acts29 as I have been told) The segment spent a large portion talking about sex as if that alone is what draws people to Driscoll. I think Driscoll has dealt with much more controversial topics headlong without sensor and that is why he draws fire.
there was 15 seconds on his Calvinist view and how that affects what and how he preaches without even trying to go deeper into theological issues that take shape in practical preaching and pastoral care. that is not Driscolls fault. the interviewer was clearly over his head on this topic which is sad because if anything Driscoll will shoot straight and the guy could have had a great story had he the knowledge to take a better approach to the story than: Driscoll-Pastor-Sex-Cool-Dude-Indie Rock-coffee and wifi!!- Sex with wife-megachurch-family man-dude-jesus-sex- coming to a town near you.
i think it was a poor job by nightline and they could have gotten what every newsmagazine loves to get- SOUND BITES!!! mostly i think the responses would range from "yo dude, pastor mark was on nightline last night and it was so indie" to "turn the channel, this segment sucks" to "who is this guy? a pastor. what's on sportscenter" to "person A: christians have sex? person B: i guess. didnt you read about that fellowship church in texas on cnn. 7 straight days. husband/wife agreement. person A: "how do i become a christian?"
this interview should pass with little backlash from the blogosphere for which i am grateful. anyone who LOVED it needs to get off Driscoll's jock and anyone who HATED needs to get off Driscolls back, and anyone who doesn't know who still doesn't fully know who Driscoll is count yourself lucky.(im kidding. to get an idea google "Driscoll calls Rob Bell a Heretic and read the comment section. if you have a blog and want traffic just make that your headline and then post some meaningless gibberish. trust me, through the roof.)
was that fair and balanced?
and by fair and balanced im not referring to the fox news definition.