My initial draft of this post was about the famous preacher/pastor/author who set the world of twitter alight [again] last night and caused “Christians” to shamefully go after him like a pack of dogs chasing a bag of bones……..such irony in all of that……..
“Jesus’ witnesses are called to a holy and courageous boldness, a firm fidelity to the Gospel that is willing to endure ostracism and even persecution. But we are not to display the kind of “strength” that is hard and harsh, the kind of uprightness that is angry and condescending, the kind of courage that is merely ruthless, the kind of witness that rants and manipulates.”
The quote is from “For the Love of God Vol 1″ by D.A. Carson {my Jan 12th reading – inspired by Matthew 11}
‘Jesus’ witnesses’ includes you and me………..not just the famous pastor…………..
I wish some of us would realise this and keep quiet! I’m going to try……
After all the uproar yesterday evening I was thinking about Hebrews 12:2, how we should fix our eyes on Jesus…
There’s is nothing the devil loves more that a spat between believers that causes division and dis-unity…
I really think that quote above is great, especially the second half…
Really challenged me…….
I always know the right thing to say – straight after I’ve jumped both feet into the wrong thing!
“If you can’t display the character of Christ, you have no right to speak of the truth of Christ.”
Francis Schaeffer.
Jonny, i like that quote……
I have been hard, harsh, angry, condescending and ruthless at times both publically and privately, and very often in my own head (which is never excusable)! This post has given me ‘food for thought’…
Regardless of all my opinions (and the opinions of the world) I cannot help but grow in love for Mark Driscoll as a brother and gospel-partner when he concludes his recent post with:
“The best thing is to not waste time blogging, twittering, and talking about me. I was not born of a virgin, have not lived without sin, and am not going to judge the living and the dead. Jesus is all that matters.”
agree Richard, you have been hard, harsh,……………(kidding)
agree on that last point
I’ve been eating haggis in Crieff all week and have missed the debacle. Glad I haven’t a clue!
‘praying for your staff’ whilst eating haggis I presume…..
As I’ve said before… I don’t know much about Mark Driscoll. What little I’ve seen/heard of him leaves me confused as to if I actually agree with/like/learn (from) him. I know that there are things that he says that are difficult to get to grips with or even agree with, but sometimes I do just agree… Even I don’t agree with HOW it was said…
In this situation, I’ll be honest. I don’t care!
I don’t care if he has had a go… Maybe he’s right! Maybe he isn’t. Either way, no one has the right to attack, decry or objurgate anyone for expressing an opinion, or giving guidance (unless it’s “go jump off a cliff” to a suicidal person, maybe we should have a word then!)
I’ve always said that it’s a “Christian thing” to attack rather than question and understand. Doing the latter doesn’t mean you’ve caved or agreed.
Or maybe I’m wrong… Maybe this is Driscoll’s ‘Rob Bell’ moment, but personally, I didn’t think he deserved the excoriation either.
That should say ‘Even if I don’t agree with HOW it was said…’