There seems to be a smell coming from this coalition and it is emanating from the area of Mark Driscoll. I know that there are many who support Mark and his filthiness, and that is O.K., that is their prerogative, but it is also the prerogative of others to warn the “unsuspecting” away from the filth. It also says much about those who associate with the man. What does the purity and cleanliness of the Gospel have to do with filth, can both filth and living water come from the same well or Gospel Coalition? The Gospel has been wrapped in many different outfits in the past by those who would try and make it into something other than what it is. Is this really that hard for people to see? This is the obvious stuff. There is no deception here, this is blatant rebellion, and accepted by the others attending this “coalition.” I find it hard to believe that these other “preachers” are not picking up the smell. This truly is the end times.
The definition of coalition:
- An organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty.
- The state of being combined into one body.
- The union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts.
Maybe we need to look closer at the definition to try and get an understanding of what is going on in the minds of those involved. Could it be that it really is the “union of diverse things.” So much is being said about unity these day; look at those giving the invocation at the inauguration of Obama. The whole pot is getting stirred up together, why, no one will be able to tell the difference, and really I am beginning to think that no one really even cares. Yet, all these preachers will come away preaching the Gospel, and maybe shaking their foot because of something they stepped in. Seriously, I think you have to be spiritually numb not to pick up on this one. Are we suppose to take them serious?
Let the Mark Driscoll supporters come, and I know they will, just don’t step on the carpet.
I also find it amusing that Mark is the only one in the line-up that is not smiling, could this be a “tell?”
Steve Blackwell
2 replies on “The Gospel Coalition???”
I like that: “just don’t step on the carpet”!
I am completely with you on this. I was just reading an article on Reformation21.org where there was an article recommending Driscoll’s bookset, “On God…” I can’t get past this man’s apparent leaning towards all things crude and in the “street” vernacular. Do these evangelicals, especially Carson and Piper, not see that this is completely unecessary? God’s Word is Holy and so is the Gospel. It is not to be mixed up or blended because it is unique to God and it is not of the world…at all!
At the same time, the feature article “Why Are There Never Enough Parking Spaces at the Prostate Clinic?” by Carl Trueman laments this very thing! Maybe he should rethink his associations?
Driscoll, and men like him, are the ones helping convince Christians that, as long as they keep their eyes open and go into things keeping their biblical perspective, they will be alright. “Just eat the good, and spit out the bones” is a popular idiom that is used in excusing watching violent, curse filled and blatantly sexual, R-rated movies and many PG-13 movies that would have shocked our grandparents. I recently read a review where a “Christian” author and editor acclaimed the “Christian” author of a new book for being bold enough to use laguage like the F-bomb and cursing.
Why? He says, “It gives me the courage to set aside my attempts at plasticine piety and just be the flawed person that I really am”
and quotes Frederick Buechner’s self-analysis of being “part Christian, part pig.”
Too many believers today want to have their faith and also a comfortable relationship with the world forgetting the scripture “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 ESV)
Prodigal,
The lack of revulsion is so pathetic! Where is the conscience of Christians these days? If Piper and the others are supposed to be the high water mark and role models for their followers we are in deep trouble. I am not surprised any more to hear of some news of “said leaders” being discovered or uncovered. Driscoll is at least out in the open, but is that something we should applause? God help us, what will we learn next?
You said:
Thank you for saying that. Where do we find men who preach a message that is the result of a life lived? Preachers, today, are gifted speakers and writers, not holy saints! How can Piper get in his pulpit and teach on purity and separation, and keeping oneself from the world? Can he be taken seriously about the things he writes in his books? Is this just another way to promote his self and make more money? Is it all about popularity? These questions become real issues when we see the company he keeps. Is his hands clean in all of this? I’m beginning to think they are not clean, and I choose to obey God and put his books on the shelf, with those others, who are not true to their teaching, or to God. Schmoozing is such an important part of the marketing process. I could never sell a book, even if I could write good, for several reasons: 1. It is against the revealed will of God; what you have freely received, freely give; 2. Marketing is not faith; if God wants my writings to get into the hands of a group of people He will have to do it; and 3. Fame and fortune blind our minds and hearts, and I am not above falling, so I must make no provision for that to happen. These are simple Biblical principals, all ignored, and all justified when success shows up on the door step. These men have dirtied themselves, some in more ways than one, but all by their association with Mark Driscoll.
The carnal “Christian” author you quoted below, as saying:
This should disturb every Christian. Is this not telling weak Christians just what they want to hear? Does Scripture have no meaning at all to these people. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:6) What does this mean to that man, nothing? And, it means nothing in the true spiritual sense to Mark Driscoll, he is in the dark here.
These men have their “faith” as a doctrine, and there is a thriving market for that kind of faith today.
Is not the doctrine of Driscoll any different than the doctrine of Balaam, who cause the people of God to stumble?
“And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;” (2 Peter 2:13-15).