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@PastorMark Is What’s Wrong With American Christianity

Thanks to my friend Stuart for posting this earlier.

HomebrewedTheology is no fan of Mark Driscoll‘s overly-masculine, misogynistic, hyper-sexualized version of Christianity.  That much should be plainly obvious.  He’s been taken to task by HT and numerous other bloggers over the past couple years, yet he continues to go out of his way to offend anyone who doesn’t meet his definition of a “manly man”.

In an interview in Christian Today, he’s decided that his brand of Manianity is exactly what the UK needs.

He’s loved and loathed for his tough talk on the church in the 21st century, and this time he’s taking aim at Britain.

The Mars Hill pastor continues on a similar theme in an interview with the latest edition of Christianity Magazine in which he suggests that preachers need to become more like drill sergeants if they are to attract young men to church.

For they will not, he claims, go to church so long as there are “guys in dresses preaching to grandmas”.

“Let’s just say this: right now, name for me the one young, good Bible teacher that is known across Great Britain. You don’t have one – that’s the problem. There are a bunch of cowards who aren’t telling the truth.”

“I think the problem in the church is there has been a one-size-fits-all approach. We speak to nice, godly, growing women in the same way we talk to immature, rebellious, date-raping men.”

“Guys in dresses”?  Seriously?  Nothing like mixing a little homophobia with your uber-masculinity.  Perhaps Western Seminary should ask for his degree back.

Joel put together a good piece on clergy robes and vestments and Jim joins the chorus, too.

Stuart suggested that Driscoll should just “naff off”.

Honestly, that’s too polite a thing to say.

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Updated: January 12, 2012 at 10:11 am
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  • http://peterbowyer.blogspot.com/ peeebeee

    As quite often happens, I find myself partially agreeing with what Driscoll is getting at – although as always happens, disagreeing with the way he goes about it.

    The Anglican church definitely has a man-in-frock-preaching-to-grandmothers problem. It’s not quite so much of a problem in real life as it is perceived to be – but actually, that doesn’t matter. The prospect of being spoken down to from on high by a man in a frock does, genuinely, stop people going in the church doors. It doesn’t mean anything to modern young people; it’s miles away from any frame of reference they’re accustomed to. Those types of Anglican churches still predominate, especially in rural areas of England. Those are the churches that are dying on their feet; losing their congregations to the graveyard and unable to attract younger believers to replace them.

    Having said that, there are parts of the Anglican church which are significantly more progressive. Mostly found in urban areas, churches have re-invented themselves to attract a much younger congregation, whether that’s families or young men as Driscoll is referring to. Arguably the two best-known worship leaders in Britain right now – Tim Hughes and Matt Redman – both of international fame – serve in Anglican churches. Holy Trinity Brompton saw the birth of the Alpha Course – which is attracting new believers the world over. All Souls produced ‘Christianity Today’ which has had similar success. Pete Greig, who formed 24-7Prayer – is an Anglican. He doesn’t wear a frock. All of these churches are growing, planting, thriving.

    Then there’s the blossoming evangelical and charismatic movements – whether independent or aligned with AOG, Vineyard, New Frontiers etc. You won’t find any man in frocks there, and some of these have experienced huge growth and been able to expand and plant.

    I think Driscoll has a point – and I think the Anglican church would, to some extent, agree. But he needs to do some more research before making sweeping statements about Christianity in the UK. Doing his homework was never his strong suit, though….

    • Anonymous

      Peter,

      Thanks for shining some light on this from a UK perspective.

      I agree that Driscoll tends to not ‘do his homework’ and his bombastic style tends to overshadow anything useful he may have to say. His statement about “guys in dresses” is, unfortunately, a byproduct of his hypermasculine view of Christianity. It’s also disrespectful, at best, and ignorant, at worst, of church history and tradition going back centuries. It also may be symptomatic of his rejection of anything Catholic from his upbringing.

      My hope and prayer for him is that he learns a little humility… in speech and action.

      Again, thanks for the info!

      Christian

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Peter. I see your point on the homophobia, I was just going by some of his past statements, particularly about the Catholic church and “effeminate worship leaders”, and the ‘guys in dresses’ statement fits right in with his history.

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