Is Everyone A Calvinist?

So last night at the porch, I dropped a bomb in the form of a name...Mark Driscoll.  All of the porch folks know of him.  The opinion varies based on what we have read in the news or seen on television. 

I (Brad) have followed Driscoll since 2003 when I accidentally came across his church website.  For the most part I like the guy.  I love his heart for biblical doctrine (theology), church structure (ecclesiology) and cultural engagement with the gospel (missional).  He has proved that his style of seeker-insensitivity is as popular as ever while boasting one of the fastest growing churches in America...in Seattle no less.

The areas  in which Driscoll takes hits are both theological and cultural with   calvinism, views on alcohol and complementarianism (gender roles) within the home and church being the top three (in what I have seen).

The place where Driscoll has received some founded criticism was when he would say or do something with an aggressive (even defiant) attitude.  Several times, his mentors, such as John Piper and C.J. Mahaney, would call for repentance and humility.  It was good to see him repent of a sinful approach even if his position on issues were consistent.

I am interested in your opinion.  If you share, please give some reasoning and be thoughtful. 

posted by: Brad

Comments

[anonymous]

It is proven through itunes podcast that Driscoll is gaining continual popularity among the church. having more hits and downloads than even his friend and mentor John Piper. The way he preaches usually feels like a parent punishing his child for his disobedience. I personally hate listening to him, but i do because God has obviously given him biblical knowledge and even in his yelling i know i can gain something from it. Now from a listeners perspective even though john piper might not be as entertaining as driscoll i hear humility and love in john pipers voice, on the other hand when i hear Driscoll preach it is almost as if he thinks hes better than you and is preaching on his "high horse" Even when he apologizes or admits to sin he does it in a way that seems as if he is better than you.

"ie" i remember listening to a serious from Driscoll on "being a man" or "a mans responsibility" something like that. anyway in one of the messages i remember him literally yelling at the men of the congregation. and told the women of the church that if a man has ever yelled at you, said something mean to you than to RUN. Dont get me wrong i am 100% against any violent actions toward women. but lets be real every man in the world has signs of violents. I have a friend who has thrown a phone in anger or punched a hole in his wall, he has nevery once touched his girlfriends or his wife. Now according to driscoll his woman should be running from him.

I totally think he was out of line in that situation and would like to see him yell at me face to face instead of doing it on his pulpit. females are made to think in an emotional way, the way driscoll preached that sermon he has girlfriends and wives questioning there relationship even today because they cant get what he said out of there head. now i understand physical abuse would be a different circumstance because you need to make sure yourself and your children are safe but he needed to be more clear in saying that and not have every women in the congregation and listening through her ipod questioning whether or not her man is dangerous.

Driscoll preach in love, dont let the fact that you are on itunes top 10 downloads get to your head. Preach as though you are no better than me and you look at me no differently because of the continual sin that i fall into.

(Brad please respond, i would like to see what you think)

[Brad]

I know that it was a long time ago (I see July 19th, so this means that I was preparing for my son to get here. It is now December and I am looking at the blog again. I would actually like to know who was anonymous that left the last comment.

[Benson]

I just was pointed to this blog from a friend, great stuff. I agree that Driscoll is having an effect on our culture, I'm just not certain about the means with which it is being presented. I have followed him off and on for several years now, and I have frequently listened to his "mentor" John Piper. It is interesting to me how much the two men’s means seem to vary. I am concerned that the message of the cross is frequently lost in a Driscoll Frenzy that seems to seek out controversy and attempts to insight fear into his followers. When I listen to him personally I frequently get swept into the "cause" against something, which is alright, but then I lose the point. It's not supposed to be about the letter of the law; it's the heart of the law, to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. It's not supposed to be about the controversy, but that perfect love that casts out fear. I love the life of Jesus, and I pray that my life is that of a disciple. I don't see the master getting angry (righteously overturning the tables) frequently. I hear calm in his voice, subtly in his stories. If I was like that to my children all the time it would be terrible on that relationship. Few arguments are not perpetuated by angry words.

Anyways... In the long run, getting all worked up the way he does cannot be good for his blood pressure, and the message is important...

Ultimately, it's probably best for me to say, that with regards to Driscoll, he's just not my style.

Benson