Mark Driscoll & the Baptists

“Theologically conservative and culturally liberal,”  words that pastor and author Mark Driscoll have used to describe himself.  These days he is stirring up a lot of controversy in and out of evangelical circles both for being too conservative and too liberal.  Most either love him or hate him, few fall in between.  Personally, I respect him as a man who stands by what he believes and isn’t afraid to say that he is wrong.  What typically causes angst among those familiar with him is that he also isn’t afraid to say… well… anything.  Tongue, tone, and topics have typically caused him great trouble.  Unfortunately, most who loathe him have little context for who he really is, what he really believes, or how he really feels on an issue.  As is typical in evangelical circles, destroying an imagined ‘straw man’ is much more enticing than getting to know the real man… and then destroying him.

Enter the Southern Baptists…

In June they held their annual convention in Louisville, Kentucky.  Interestingly, Mark Driscoll was the topic of many motions, resolutions, and discussion.  Five motions directly or indirectly related to the controversial Driscoll who, in their words, is known for vulgar speech and questionable biblical interpretations.

The first resolution stated that “all SBC entities should monitor” funds spent in “activities related to or cooperative efforts with Mark Driscoll and/or the Acts 29 organization” and that SBC entities should be made to report their expenditures to ensure that was the case.

The second resolution stated that SBC entities should avoid “inviting event speakers” who “are known for publicly exhibiting unregenerate behavior … such as cursing and sexual vulgarity, immorality, or who publicly state their support for the consumption or production of alcohol,” which was submitted by a pastor from Mississippi.

Both of these resolutions were referred to all SBC entities for further review and comment.

One resolution was considered so harsh that the chairman of the Committee on Order of Business, Ken Render, ruled it not in order and summarily dismissed it.  What was the resolution?  That author Mark Driscoll’s books be removed from LifeWay Christian Bookstores (an arm of the SBC) because of his “reputation for abusive and ungodly language and … promotions of sex toys on his church web site.”  The resolution’s author Jim Wilson continued, “We need to live holy lives and bringing this man to our college campuses and promoting his books in the bookstore … I believe is a violation of Scripture.”

Another item concerning Driscoll, a motion seeking that messengers encourage all SBC entities “to refrain from inviting event speakers” who engage in “cursing and sexual vulgarity, or who publicly state their support for the consumption or production of alcohol,” was ruled not in order because of a technicality, it was presented as a motion rather than a resolution.

Being as forward as possible, a final failed motion presented by Brian LeStourgeon, pastor of an Arizona church, sought to have Mark Driscoll “address the concerns of his accusers” at the next convention in 2010.  Render said the committee declined LeStourgeon’s motion since it could have put the Convention in the role of exercising church discipline.

Though the 2009 Convention discussed many other topics and avenues for ministry, Mark Driscoll seemed to be the item that drew the most breath and ink.

In all fairness it is worth noting that there were others who were more interested in opening lines of communication than closing them.  Greg Taylor, lead pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mt. Eden, Kentucky, made a motion that all Southern Baptist “institutions, agencies and churches” be willing to “support and partner with other Christian agencies and individuals … for the sake of the Great Commission.”

… it was ruled out of order because it “resembled a resolution.”

source: Baptist Press