[genuine meeting]
A couple weeks ago I posted about the now critically acclaimed blog post by Mark Driscoll. Shortly after I posted my response several friends and I were discussing Mark Driscoll's post and particularly my response to it. Both friends pointed out to me that my tone was significantly more harsh then it usually is. They were kind enough to offer me a glimpse of my own face. Of course, I didn't just accept their words, but felt justified because I wasn't nearly as harsh as others in the blogosphere regarding the controversy of Mark's language. But I couldn't shake the reality of my gut telling me that they were indeed right.
One of my primary criticisms toward Mark Driscoll has been his unwillingness to enter conversation with those who have been hurt by his language. I was struck by a beautifully gracious invitation to conversation that was extended to Mark by a pastor named Rose a couple weeks back. My confession...I wrote Mark off. I thought what a shame that such an amazing invitation has been extended, but that it is a pearl cast before a swine. I thought that surely there would be no way that Mark would be willing to have such a conversation, especially not with a woman pastor. I was wrong. The conversation did take place and it seems that there was a spirit of authenticity and movement towards reconciliation. The beauty of this is that repentance seems to be contagious. The following is my response to Rose's most recent blog post:
Rose,
thank you for your willingness to turn towards the other and for creating an environment where authentic dialogue could take place. i read your initial invitation to mark a couple of weeks ago and have been waiting to see whether or not a conversation would take place. the fact that it has and that it has gone as you've described (and mark has described on his blog) has been very encouraging and hopeful. it has been humbling for me in that one of my primary criticisms of mark has been his seemingly unwillingness to hear the voices of those who are affected by his words. all of that to say that repentance is contagious. rose, we don't know one another, but your courage and kindness has helped me see the log in my own eye a little more clearly. thank you again.
bryan nixon
5 comments:
Bryan,
Thank you for your most generous comments.
Peace to you,
Rose
I Smell a Double-Standard
The organization behind the protest, "People Against Fundamentalism" (PAF), according to the Seattle Times article, consists of six "Christians," one of them named Paul Chapman, the husband of a woman "pastor." Thanks to the internet, that little circle had a huge audience by way of the blogosphere and managed to impugn the integrity of an honest, plain-speaking preacher who has somehow managed to pastor a growing church of 5,000 people in "the least-churched city in America." Rather than honorably resolve their doctrinal differences with him in a loving Christian manner, as prescribed in Matthew 18, they chose to drag their Christian brother before the court of public opinion first.
What did the "People Against Fundamentalism" accomplish? They managed to have Pastor Driscoll censored from his position as a Faith & Values columnist at The Seattle Times - which means that a consistent voice for the gospel of Jesus Christ at that newspaper is now silenced.
And why? Because they accused him of being a "mysoginist." Hypocrites. They said nothing about the Muslim "Faith & Values" columnist at the Times. Perhaps the People Against Fundamentalism believe that Islam has a higher view of women than traditional Christianity? Or, were they were just afraid that unlike Driscoll, the Islamists might not turn the other cheek?
anonymous,
in your frustration you seem to have forgotten to sign your name.
and i wonder if driscoll himself has interpreted this situation the same way that you have? he and the rest of the group who met seem to have had a significantly redeeming experience. read his words here
and another account of one who was present at the meeting here (toward reconciliation 2.0)
Politically Correct Censorship?
Here is a link to the KIRO News interview of the instigator of the protest against Pastor Driscoll. Judge for yourself:
http://kiro.radiotown.com/audio/dorihour1.mp3
radioguy,
i think you may have posted the wrong link.
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