Here is an interesting article by MacArthur on "Grunge Christianity." If you are wondering what MacArthur thinks about Driscoll, you will want to read this. MacArthur also makes some interesting comments on how we should and should not engage our culture. I was disappointed in the article overall. Your thoughts???
15 comments:
I too was disappointed.
MacArthur says, "They don’t really care if they are worldly. They just don’t want to be thought uncool."
I think that is a massive misrepresenation and/or misunderstanding of what guys like Driscoll are trying to do.
Thanks for pointing this out.
I concur. MacArthur completely misrepresents Driscoll when he states, "Whenever Jesus spoke of believers’ being in the world, He stated that if we are faithful, the world will be a place of hostility and persecution, not a zone of comfort. He also invariably followed that theme with a plea for our sanctification (cf. John 17:17-19).
The problem with the “grunge” approach to religion is that it works against the sanctifying process. In fact, in one of the messages I listened to, Driscoll actually boasted that his sanctification goes no higher than his shoulders. His defense of substitutionary atonement might help his disciples gain a good grasp of the doctrine of justification by faith; but the lifestyle he models—especially his easygoing familiarity with all this world’s filthy fads—practically guarantees that they will make little progress toward authentic sanctification."
Driscoll finds little comfort in and from the world. Actually, if Mac had done his research, he would have known the onslaught of the world against Driscoll's ministry.
What further disappoints me seems to be an epidemic in the "polemic" circles. Instead of approaching Driscoll's modus operandi with a mindset to sharpen one's own, Mac settles into a sniper's nest and attempts to pick off the vague straw-men that he has fabricated. I would have loved to see this article be a starting point for dialogue between these two men of God, but alas the Christian "dialogue" in our modern culture has been infiltrated by the rhetoric of the day, that of cold, distant, vague, and argumentative in lieu loving, concerning, specific, and edifying.
Now, that's what I call, "Ironic."
If you think what Johnny Mac wrote was bad, scroll about halfway through the comments until you get the the one by Mike Harding. No joke, he calls out MacArthur for being a hypocrite b/c 1) he uses CCM (clearly profane) and 2) He invited Piper to speak at his church. And of course Piper invited Driscoll to speak at HIS church. So, Mac should have separated from Piper for not separating from Driscoll. Wooooow. Pardon me while I go vomit.
Timely observation, Nate. Not only this, but a lot of what was posted should probably have met the same fate as Harding's post: virtually no one bothered interacting with it...
I am definitely disappointed at MacArthur's assessment. I think he certainly misrepresents the whole "Driscoll Camp." Furthermore, I think his arguments are lacking exegetical integrity as he uses a lot of opinion and little text.
He says, "I don’t think anyone can survive full immersion in today’s entertainments and remain spiritually healthy." Well, he is making a fundamentally (pun intended) flawed argument because there is a different between "engaging culture" (which is what this article was supposed to be about) and being "entertained by culture."
Furthermore, he uses James 4:4 to talk about friendship with the world. However, I think he is confusing nonsinful elements of "grunge" culture with the sinful practices of the world. Sure, Mark may celebrate that he looks like people around him rather than wearing a suit and tie to church, but he certainly does not look like the sinful world around him as evidenced by his secular critics.
Russell, good point about Mac's building up of straw men to shoot down. He mentioned a lot of vague things with no background and support for the sole purpose of tearing down.
I am disappointed in MacArthur, but I am not surprised.
i'm with you guys.
i didn't make it to harding's comment the first time, nate.
it was hardly worth the 2nd trip.
my comment to him is "awaiting moderation."
All I can say is that reading the comments reminded me of looking at a Sharper Iron post. It was sad to see the backbiting and bitter words between those who claim Christ.
macarthur loves his Bible, but he doesn't love people.
He is a dumbass.
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