Click here for an article about Mark Driscoll in the New York Times Magazine ("Who Would Jesus Smack Down?", Jan. 6, 2009), written by an acquaintence of mine of whom I have a high professional opinion.
In my limited experience with Mark Driscoll, I find him a paradox, indeed. I am both impressed and frightened by him (though mostly impressed), and I think Molly Worthen did a good job of presenting facts, while not seeming to slant the piece in favor or against him.
As it happens, Driscoll doesn't need journalists to pit people against him; his own mouth does a good job of making him objectionable. In fact, it is apparent that one of his goals in his speaking is to offend and shock people (which is often precisely why he is effective). While I respect him and have recommended his book (Vintage Jesus) and teachings to several people, I have no doubt that he is thrives on making people wince, sometimes effectively, sometimes, it seems, to get his kicks. (To see what I mean, check out the panel discussion at last year's Desiring God National Conference and Driscolls' talk at that conference. I was there, and compared to some of his other talks, this one is pretty tame!)
The article paints Driscoll as a hypermasculine, hard-nosed leader who cuts loose anyone who stands in his way, which is all substantiated by his own quotes. It also highlights the rise of New Calvinism among Christians in America, and comes down hard on the Joel Osteen camp (which I, for one, appreciate - I think the bad theology Joel Osteen and others like him preach is one of the most damnable issues in the church today).
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