Driscoll, the Dark Lord of Seattle
Loved by Jeske, Ski, Bishop Katie, and Glende
Pastor Jeske's Blog
6/8/2009 - Cussing
Perhaps you’ve heard of Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill church in Seattle. A prolific author and speaker, he has a considerable national reputation. Some of his detractors, including equally famous Southern California pastor John McArthur, recently ignited some hoo-ha when they criticized his occasionally salty pulpit language as inappropriate “cussing.” McArthur even called for Driscoll to step down as Mars Hill pastor.
Apparently Driscoll has been heard to say “Damn” not in its Biblical sense but in the more common usage merely as an emphasis word. Some of what he is being criticized for is not cursing per se (i.e. calling on God to condemn something to hell) but vulgarity (“hell”, “I’m screwed”, “that sucks”). Even the notoriously hip Pastor Ed Young, Jr., piled on. I can resonate with Driscoll’s dilemma. I have been strongly criticized several times for saying “Dang” in a message.
On the one hand, you have Bible passages like Ephesians 4:29 that urge Christians not to let “any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,” or Ephesians 5:4, “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking.” On the other hand, Driscoll’s defenders point out that he is not actually cursing, but merely using language the way his target audience uses it. The huge growth of Mars Hill is seen as proof that he is connecting with young people in metro Seattle.
Well, what’s a pastor to do? Do you have any advice for me?
As a comment to Jeske's post below:
6/9/2009 - Posted by TF
I think light cussing maybe is alright to use in context to reach younger church goers, but it is a slippery slope. You may offend more than you attract. I am 43, and it would hard for me to hear a pastor cuss. I am from a traditional WELS background. Keep up the goodwork Pastor Mark. I wish I could find someone more like you in a local church.
I think light cussing maybe is alright to use in context to reach younger church goers, but it is a slippery slope. You may offend more than you attract. I am 43, and it would hard for me to hear a pastor cuss. I am from a traditional WELS background. Keep up the goodwork Pastor Mark. I wish I could find someone more like you in a local church.
What would we do without traditional WELSians
Why were Glende, Ski, and Katie in Seattle for seafood?
Driscoll? Did they tell their congregations the truth?
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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Mark and Avoid Jeske Admires Mark and Avoid Drisco...":
WELS/LCMS Pastor Mark Jeske states, "On the one hand, you have Bible passages...On the other hand, ...The huge growth of Mars Hill is seen as proof that he is connecting with young people...Well, what’s a pastor to do? Do you have any advice for me?"
What's wrong with this world that WELS/LCMS Pastors such as Mark Jeske are made to chose between God's Word and huge growth.
WWSD? Yeah, he already did.
Jeske should be taken to the edge of town and pelted with .... Contemporary dog poo. (little nod to DK)
