A Dearth Of Discernment - The Mark Driscoll Controversy

Once again, Mark Driscoll in a new controversy. As a leader of one of the largest ministries, should he be bringing awareness to the lost, in pointing them to the foot of the Cross at Calvary or to himself? When is the Mark Driscoll controversy going to stop laying its ugly head, at the church's doorstep? In the light of Titus 2:7,8, we ask ourselves, when will it ever end? Or are we in the wrong in exposing men like Mark Driscoll?





..."in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you." Titus 2:7,8

Mark Driscoll, the controversial Pastor of Mars Hill Church, Seattle, spoke at the London Men’s Convention at the Royal Albert Hall on May 7th 2011. He was invited to the Men’s Convention by a group of evangelical ministers and leaders, made up of Richard Coekin (Chair) of Dundonald Church Wimbledon; Trevor Archer of Chessington Evangelical Church; Tim Thornborough of The Good Book Company; Wes McNab of Slade Evangelical Church; Richard Perkins of Christ Church Balham and Wanyeki Mahiaini of All Souls, Langham Place.

The purpose of this website is to highlight areas of Driscoll’s ministry which should cause grave concern to true, discerning Christian believers. It is the contention of the authors of this website that the levels to which Driscoll has publicly stooped in his approach to a variety of issues are unacceptable when it comes to Christian ministry and ultimately make a mockery of the Christian faith. We are disturbed that Driscoll uses the pulpit to mock Noah, and to call Gideon a coward. We believe that the picture Driscoll describes of Vintage Jesus is blasphemous. We are concerned that Driscoll’s flippant and irreverent conduct makes him unfit for the pulpit. We are concerned that Driscoll encourages the use of what he calls new ‘convenant tattoos’ and that Mars Hill Church declares that Jesus loves tattoos. We believe that the assertion that God loves punk rock music demeans the holiness of God. In view of this evidence, and in the light of Scripture, the discerning believe needs to face up to this question: Is Mark Driscoll a false teacher?

It is essential that concern is raised in regard to the enthusiastic welcome which has been extended to Driscoll from across evangelical circles, and the support that has been publicly voiced.

The intention of this website is not to provide a platform for discussion on the ministry of Mark Driscoll but rather to provide primary source evidence from Driscoll’s own mouth and written works, as an opportunity for discerning believers to weigh what has been publicly stated with the Word of God.

A helpful introduction to the subject can be found contained in Cathy Mickel’s Memo to Church Leaders regarding Driscoll’s suitablility for ministry. Other articles and examples of questionable teaching can be found throughout this website.

Witness at London Men’s Convention

On Saturday, 7 May, the London Men’s Convention took place at the Royal Albert Hall. As there was an extensive report in the 22 / 29 April English Churchman about the LMC and the controversy regarding one of the main speakers we will not repeat the same material but refer readers to that particular issue.

A small witness to protest took place in the vicinity of the Royal Albert Hall. Three men arrived early in the morning and they set up large posters with relevant Bible verses in full view of those queuing to go into the building. The posters displayed the following: Jude 1:4 turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness; Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ; Ezekiel 22:26 they have put no difference between the holy and profane;1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. One large poster displayed the article which appeared in the EC. There were tourists who took photos of the posters.

Many leaflets were given out warning people of the dangers of Mark Driscoll’s teachings. There was widespread ignorance regarding Driscoll. There were many conversations with people. Some were friendly and some were hostile.

Two of the protestors left after the people entered the building for the 10.00 a.m. start of the conference. One stayed to continue witnessing till people came out at lunch time and at the close of the conference in the late afternoon. He was joined by another friend who supported the witness.

The organisers of the convention and people who attended were alerted to the dangers. As predicted, Driscoll was well behaved during the conference and it was reported he spoke well and was careful with his language.

As the new contraversy starts to unfold, Mark Driscoll's "so called apology" has a lot to say, but surely lacking what a humble man of God would had said and done, under an all consuming God.Mark Driscoll Responds; "I then put a flippant comment on Facebook, and a raging debate on gender and related issues ensued. As a man under authority, my executive elders sat me down and said I need to do better by hitting real issues with real content in a real context. And, they’re right. Praise God I have elders who keep me accountable and that I am under authority"

I for one believe that this so called "apology", was nothing of the source. He was taken to the woodshed "supposedly" by the elders, because the "effeminate" issue was a "hot potatoe." They didn't want people like G.L.A.D.D. and others to run with this NEW controversy from Driscoll. If they have, as we yet to see, it would be the last of Mark Driscoll behind a pulpit. This has been a political hypocrisy in part by Mars Hill, the elders and Driscoll himself. Where is the heart felt apology to Christ, the body and the misrepresentation of The God of the Bible? It has always been about Driscoll and his so called cavalier way of preaching Christ and Him crucified. I for one moment do not think that we will hear the end of Driscoll's controversies as he prepares himself to be under the spotlight once again, in the Mark Driscoll Show.

Is this the last of Mark Driscoll's controversies? Will he ever stop, bringing these controversies to the church's doorstep? is the question that we need to ask ourselves. When will it ever end? To be continued...