Home / Not Too Verbose / John MacArthur Comes Out Swinging on Mark Driscoll… From the Top Rope!
It is not a closed secret that John MacArthur has had questions about certain aspects of the ministry of the mouth at Mars Hill, Mark “UFC” Driscoll.
Readers of the king [little "k"] will know that I have been blessed by both individuals, which has been expressed on these fair [reading] shores here and here.
Disagreements are a part of the ministry [Paul and Barnabas over John Mark in Acts 15:36-41], and where there is need for challenge or rebuke… so be it [Galatians 2:11-14]!
The question in this situation is this, is such an occasion worthy of such a rebuke?
Before you pick your side based on perceptions of who you like more, spend a little less time on I am Jonny King and do some study as I have not even downloaded where the problem resides!
A good introduction and pastoral perspective can be found here by a young-ish Church planter who is dealing with the possible practical ramifications on this issue here
You can also find the links to the offending piece by Driscoll, while he was in Scotland [trying to be brave], MacArthur’s four-part response, and a retort from one Tim Challies, all linked from the Irish Calvinist’s site, but if you are refusing to get down and get diligent, here they are for you… sluggard!
Sex: A Study of the Good Bits from Song of Solomon by Mark Driscoll
The transcript with free highlights or low-lights if you will be so inclined!
The Rape of Solomon’s Song by John MacArthur
Missing the Forest for All the Trees by Tim Challies
In one of the comments section on a blog, I was alerted to a post on the Resurgence site by Mark Driscoll where he, in a gracious manner, speaks on the issue here.
Whatever your historic opinion of Mark Driscoll has been, I believe it is becoming clearer that God’s grace is working deeper within his redeemed being, which, I believe the following comments from this post underscore
Allegedly, some of my critics were concerned by the older content, and I think there is wisdom in some of their concerns. So we have pulled that content.
I believe my memory is serving correctly when I recount that Driscoll has made comments that the battle of Pride vs Humility is a serious area of warfare for the man… with such a response, both recognising what others are saying and accepting criticism where it may be due, is both a sign that God’s grace is superior and God’s glory is pre-eminent!
I am thankful for the ministry of Mark Driscoll. I was particularly impacted by his series on Proverbs, and I am thankful for the words that finished his post…
In closing, I want to say three things.
One, I am not mentioning my critics, my friend who brought this to my attention, or the content for gospel reasons. I don’t want to speak ill of my critics, I don’t want to drag my friend into something that does not directly involve him, and I don’t want to draw attention to the content because it will only cause those who have not listened to it to flock to it.
Two, I want to thank my critics for teaching me that I have multiple audiences and that in addition to the room I speak to I am often also speaking to the world and need to keep repenting, learning, and growing in this skill for the sake of the gospel. In that way, my critics are helpful, and for them I am grateful.
Third, this blog is not edited so please forgive any obvious errors. I have a great copyeditor, but she’s a mom at home asleep with her family and I did not want to trouble her this late as it’s 10:32pm.
For Jesus’ Fame,
Pastor Mark Driscoll
If you are a legitimate train-spotter, Driscoll provides a link to the more recent series on the same issue in Song of Solomon, titled, The Peasant Princess, preached at Mars Hill… Seattle, which he commends, which may also indicate a greater awareness of some of the possible issues that were spoken about… which you can find here.
If you want to catch some of the other discussion and debate on this issue, check out the following blog, and note the other subsequent posts as well… you can find all this from here.
Now that I have encouraged you, I must do my bit and fit this reading in with my studies… Go Forth!
Until Next Time
I am Jonny King
Postscript: A Southern Baptist Pastor is also not a fan of Mark Driscoll, trying to get his books banned from sale at Lifeway Christian Bookstores affirmed here, which also refers to the Song of Solomon issue!
Post-Postscript: An initial reflection by I am Jonny King on MacArthur vs. Driscoll that is the subsequent post on this issue, can be found here.
August 9th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
[...] have yet to read the incriminating evidence that has been posted on the previous thread here, pertaining to certain statements of the ’said’ character, Mark Driscoll, who is the [...]