Concerning Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll is making the news again. This time he is being featured as a replacement from Voddie Baucham for an upcoming conference and is now being platformed by Turning Point USA Faith. Mark Driscoll is no stranger to controversy which the effects of his ministry are still felt to this day. I know I have benefitted from some of his teaching and have even review a couple of his books.

Why did Driscoll leave a church that he founded, Mars Hill Church, and what are the concerns regarding him? These two videos, I hope will shed some light into the controversy surrounding Driscoll. The first is from Gabrelle Hughes as he shows us why Driscoll resigned from Mars Hill in Mark's own words. The second video is from Justin Peters who shows us why Driscoll must be marked and avoided.

 

More on the Driscoll Incident

Just when you thought you heard it all about the incident with Mark Driscoll and the Stronger Men's Conference but wait there is more. 

In this first video, Justin Peters interviews Phil Johnson regarding his insight into what had happened with Driscoll, which also includes an update on recent health issues Phil has been experiencing. Peters then goes on to show an announcement from John Lindell, the pastor of James River Church, the church that hosted the event:

This next video is from the YouTube channel, Long for Truth, which shows us there is a much deeper issue:

The Mark Driscoll Incident

I am sure by now you have heard about Mark Driscoll, former pastor of Mars Hill Church, being kicked off the stage at a men's conference for calling out the "Jezabel" spirit that was in the midst of the men attending. The conference began with the male stripper performing a pole dance.

Mark came out at the time he spoke and was about to rebuke the leaders of the conference for what had happen but then the pastor of James River Church, which has ties to the Bethel Church, kicked him off the stage.

When I first saw video clips and pics regarding what had happened, I was in utter amazement that Driscoll did that. Then more evidence came to light that things may not have turned out as they should. 

In this video from the Smart Christians Channel, you will see that Driscoll backtracks his rebuke:

In this next video, Justin Peters interview Gabriel Hughes regarding what had happened in this conference followed by a discussion with Travis Allen that will give into insight that Driscoll is an unrepentant liar that goes back to the Strange Fire conference in 2013:

.

Around The Web-January 24, 2014

We Don't Have to Read the Book or See the Movie to Know Heaven Is Real by Nancy Guthrie

For those who are single, you should read this: Where is the Ling in Dating? by Mark Driscoll

Three Tips for Better Bible Reading by Andy Naselli

7 signs you’re reading a book by a prosperity preacher by Aaron Armstrong

Those in ministry know all to well that there are times we get discouraged. How to do handle those times when it happens? Voddie Baucham, Paul Tripp, and Darrin Patrick talk about that in this video.




Harvey Turner, one of the pastors of Living Stones Church, teaches the sovereignty of God in one minute.

Around The Web-October 25, 2013

Mark Driscoll writes an open letter to John MacArthur inviting him to Seattle

Reformation Creeds & Catechisms Now Available on ESVBible.org

Josh Blount reviews Love Into Light: The Gospel, The Homosexual, and the Church

Stuff Christians Should Stop Doing by Jarrid Wilson

Desiring God gives us 15 quotes from Jefferson Bethke's book, Jesus > Religion

Where Did All These Calvinists Come From? by Matt Smethrust

Were The Days of Creation A Literal Six Days?

The six of creation in Genesis 1 have always the issue of debate. The issue is were these days a literal six days or not. The word day in Hebrew could mean more than a 24 hour period. Some scholars take the verse "one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8), indicating that each day of creation took 1,000 years to complete.

Mark Driscoll writes two reasons why the six days of creation are a literal 24 hour period:

First, each day is numbered so that there is a succession of days. Further, each day is described as having a morning and evening, which is the common vernacular for a day. These details in Genesis 1 clearly indicate that the days are literal.

Second, in Exodus 20:8-11, God says:

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

God says that he made creation in six days and on the seventh day he rested. Additionally, his work and rest are to be the precedent for us; his example explains why God's people in the Old Testament had a seven-day week with a Sabbath day.

Source: Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe

Around The Web-October 11, 2013

John Calvin on the Holiness of Life by Jerry Bridges

20 Tips for Personal Devotions in the Digital Age by David Murray

Does Grace Make You Lazy? by Tullian Tchividjian

Has God Hardwire Us For A 7 Day Week? by Mark Driscoll

What if you do not like the church you are attending? Seth McBee answers that question.

Around The Web-September 27, 2013

Oprah: Rob Bell 'Opened My Heart and My Mind.'

Anonymous Youth Pastor’s Letter to a Parent by Trevin Wax

John MacArthur and Strange Fire by Tim Challies

Welcome to the United States of Seattle by Mark Driscoll

Jesus Is Not Your Sin Manager by Owen Strachen

This latest video from Jefferson Bethke is based on his upcoming book, Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough.



Albert Mohler's advice to students: Theology and life are inseparable.




Crossway took to the streets of Chicago to promote Kevin DeYoung's new book, Crazy Busy.

Crazy Busy in Chicago from Crossway on Vimeo.

Around The Web-September 13, 2013

School Tells Child She Can’t Write About God

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to Coptic Christians: Convert to Islam, or pay ‘jizya’ tax

Federal Court Keeps "In God We Trust"

Mark Driscoll shares what Bible tools and resources are available for anyone to use

The Village Church's latest worship album, Beneath The Canopy, is available on iTunes

Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, that he is present where two or three are gathered. Many people are said to refer that Jesus is present with them in the worship service. Is that what Jesus is truly saying or is it something else? Jefferson Bethke explains in this video what Matthew 18:20 is truly about.

Around The Web-August 23, 2013

Aaron Hernandez, former New England Patriot, has been indicted for murder

Contraceptive Mandate Gets Personal for Missouri Couple

Mark Driscoll shares why Mars Hill Church uses the ESV

Will You Be A Believer Tomorrow Morning? by John Piper

If you attend a Christian college or someone who does, please read Matthew Lee Anderson's 5 Ways To Cultivate Your Faith In A Christian College

As most of you know, I am a supporter of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. I affirm their mission and how they seek to plant gospel-centered churches all over the world. Matt Chandler, president of Acts 29 and lead pastor of The Village Church, explains what Acts 29 is all about.

Around The Web-July 5, 2013

Beasts, yet Cowards by Joe Thorn

Aaron Armstrong reviews Eric Mason's book, Manhood Restored

10 Things Every Christians Should Know About Islam by Zane Pratt

Broad Coalition Says Contraception Mandate a Religious Liberty Threat

A couple of years ago, Matt Chandler was preaching at one of the Acts 29 Bootcamps talking about fulfilling your ministry when he does an impersonation of Mark Driscoll.

Around The Web-June 28, 2013

3 Kinds of Cities by Mark Driscoll

8 Ways To Grow in Personal Prayer by Winfield Bevins

Man Invents Real Star Trek Tricorder

'Duck Dynasty' Adds a Cast Member — and He's Beardless!

Question of the day: Would you attend this guy's church?

Around The Web-April 19, 2013

5 Ways Pastors Spiritually Benefit From Preaching Expository Sermons by Eric McKiddle

Mark Driscoll reflects on 7 things he learned from John Piper

Heaven Won't Be Boring by Randy Alcorn

Christopher Ash offers his thoughts on he is against "screen preaching"

Jared C Wilson also follows up with his own thoughts on video preaching

R.C. Sproul, Jr talks about the Biblical Foundation of Marriage.

Don't Follow Your Heart

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23)

Book Review: Who Do You Think You Are? by Mark Driscoll

When it comes to the question of identity, we always have some basic questions. Who am I? What kind of person? Why am I short? Why am I an account? When it comes to our identity in Christ, many Christians have no clue. Christians forget that their identity in Christ is found in the Bible.

In Mark Driscoll's latest book, Who Do You Think You Are?, the question of identity is mentioned throughout the entire book. Usually Driscoll writes theology books that are so user friendly that many of the leity in the church can understand. This book is more practical and for everyone.

Driscoll preaches through this book as if he was preaching at Mars Hill Church, which he is starting a series of messages based on this book this Sunday. In the book, Driscoll goes through the book of Ephesians, which deals with the issue of identity. One thing Driscoll makes clear is this is not a commentary on the book of Ephesians, even though he does make references to commentaries on Ephesians.

Each chapter of the book begins with the words "I am." Not to be making think that we are doing what Jesus said when He called Himself "I am" (John 8:58). These chapters refer to our identity that is found in Christ which is a theme and key phrase throughout the book of Ephesians. "I am in Christ," "I am a Saint," "I am Heard," and "I am Adopted" are just a few example of the titles of the chapters in the book. One thing that is a plus in the book is at the beginning of each chapter, Driscoll puts down the Scripture that he was going over. In the beginning of the book, Driscoll encourages his readers to read through the book of Ephesians as one goes through his book. Another plus in the book is Driscoll tells a story from his church that has based their identity on what they have done or who they have become as it relates to the chapter the story it is in.

This is Driscoll's most practical book to date, not to mention his best. I loved reading this book. This is a book that even those who are not familiar with Driscoll's teaching will be introduced very well into his theology.

Thanks Booksneeze for letting me review this book.

Around the Web-November 16, 2012

Mark Driscoll talks about his fright for Twilight

Want to join a reading group? Bliss Spillar is inviting anyone who wants to read Calvin's Institutes in 2013

Hostess, the makers of the popular snack, Twinkies is is going out of business

Why Your Church Matters by Ray Ortlund

Jesus' Cross is Love

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers (1 John 3:16)

Around the Web-June 8, 2012

Actress Amanda Bynes, who was arrested for D.U.I., asks President Obama for a favor

5 signs you are spiritually dead by Mark Driscoll

Desiring God summarizes 2 Corinthians in 42 tweets

Survey says that 1 in 3 users of Facebook are getting bored with it

Here a list of the top 25 brainest cities in America. I believe I saw only one Texas city

Around The Web-March 30, 2012

Mark Driscoll steps down from The Gospel Coalition's Council

Matt Chandler becomes president of Acts 29

Why Sojourn Community Church is no longer part of Acts 29

Aaron Armstrong shares 3 reason he is hopeful about the Acts 29 leadership change

Jason Meyer to be John Piper's successor

Mississippi Is Most Religious U.S. State

How many times can one guy say the word, or a form of the word, "excited?" Apparently, Tim Tebow holds that honor.

Book Review: Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll

Real Marriage by Mark & Grace Driscoll has been receiving a lot attention. It has raised the red flag on controversy among some Evangelicals because some think the Driscolls have lowered the standard of marriage. Yes, this book talks about sex, but it is not just about sex. There have been a lot of great reviews on this book so I am going to do my best to give you my thoughts on the book.

This book begins with the Driscolls sharing their own story of their marriage as well as the struggles they have had during their marriage. They opened all the skeletons in their closest which leaves room for them to be criticized and embraced at the same time.

They even talk about marriage being more than just a sexual relationship, but a building a friendship with your spouse. There was even one chapter devoted to men in regards to marriage written by Mark and one on women written by Grace. Both were appropriate chapters for each gender. One of my favorite chapters was one taking out the trash which regards to our sin. In marriage you have two sinners saved by grace with their own faults and struggles, so there will be conflict, which I can relate.

The first five chapters are devoted to marriage while the next five are devoted to sex, which a lot of pastors can be uncomfortable to talk about. Sometime pastors will use the word intimacy instead of sex regarding sexual activity between a married man and married woman. For some people, these chapters can be uncomfortable and one reaching for cold water.

This leads me to the controversial chapter 10 of the book called, "Can We______?" Mark & Grace get a lot of questions from married couples on what sexual activities can they perform, which is a legitimate question because many Christian couples probably have no clue to answer for themselves because either they are afraid or uncomfortable to think about.

They talk about oral sex, anal sex, cybersex, and more. For each activity they talk about they answer three questions: Is it lawful?, Is it helpful?, Is it enslaving? These questions are based on 1 Corinthians 6:12, which says, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Now to the big question: Is this book for everyone? I do not think this is for teens. I think this book is for those who are either single or have not been married for a long time. Should a pastor recommend this book for pre-martial counseling? That depends on the pastor. I know many would say no, but other would say yes. I think if chapter 10 was not in the book, it would have not have gotten the attention it has been getting.

For those who said this was a sex book, I did not get that from reading this book, but I will say it does get a little rough.

Thanks Booksneeze for letting me review this book.