Religious Blinders
Mark Driscoll -- the opinionated and seemingly angry pastor of the Mars Hill Church in Seattle -- says that "if you don't know Jesus, you don't know jack about the Bible." In a rant that seems -- in my mind -- to cross the boundaries into religious bigotry and even anti-Judaism -- Driscoll makes it clear that he can learn nothing from Jews about the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. Anyone that would suggest otherwise is deemed heretical -- or at least it seems.
The rant is on Youtube to consider. I find the statements here not just divisive but stereotypical and dangerous. He's got quite a following, but tends to put his foot in his mouth. Yes he says it like he thinks it, but is the anger with which he speaks representative of Jesus? Now, I don't think Jesus was meek and mild, but he was willing to reach across barriers and even learn from others. I'd be interested in your thoughts about this presentation.
Thanks to Mike Leaptrott for the link. You can read more about all of this at Pomomusings -- which is giving a wink to dear old Mark for all his bashing of his Emergent colleagues. I can't wink very well, but if to wink is to say to Mark -- get over it -- then so be it!
The rant is on Youtube to consider. I find the statements here not just divisive but stereotypical and dangerous. He's got quite a following, but tends to put his foot in his mouth. Yes he says it like he thinks it, but is the anger with which he speaks representative of Jesus? Now, I don't think Jesus was meek and mild, but he was willing to reach across barriers and even learn from others. I'd be interested in your thoughts about this presentation.
Thanks to Mike Leaptrott for the link. You can read more about all of this at Pomomusings -- which is giving a wink to dear old Mark for all his bashing of his Emergent colleagues. I can't wink very well, but if to wink is to say to Mark -- get over it -- then so be it!
Comments
But wouldn't the logical outcome to this line of thinking be to ask why there's an Old Testament to begin with? If this is the case, why bother considering the Tanakh Scripture? Why not just pull the "important" parts, such as the Genesis creation, and the verses deemed as Christian prophecies.
It's just interesting that he can dismiss a good 2/3rds of the Bible like that. Especially given how interwoven it is through the New Testament. It sounds like the dreaded "picking and choosing." :)
I think that Driscoll chooses to read the Old Testament as a Christian scripture with no idea that it has a Jewish context. It's interesting that this rant is based in a teaching from Nehemiah and he reads it as if it's written by and to Christians -- Jews aren't even part of his mindset. It is dangerous for society -- could lead to anti-semitism -- and to good biblical interpretation.
This is why I think pastors need theological education!
**I think that Driscoll chooses to read the Old Testament as a Christian scripture with no idea that it has a Jewish context.**
Ah. I misunderstood, then. As you said, he doesn't read it from the Jewish context at all. I would also find that dangerous because then he'll never come close to how Jesus would've understood the context.
Given the complexities of the Bible, I think anyone who takes it seriously needs a theologicaly education. :)
Gandhi had a great quote about how everyone understands the message of Jesus, except Christians. I find it funny that Driscoll would say only Christians understand the bible, when American Christianity in particular has become increasingly pro-rich, pro-power, and pro-war. I wonder if WE really get the Bible and the radical teachings of Christ. Maybe we should remove the log from our own eyes before we start ragging on "outsiders" of the faith.