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Dear Mark Driscoll

In LifeFaith on 26 August 2006 with 5 comments

Let me first say that I have great admiration for your courage, and your faith. I appreciate the consideration you put into your teaching, leadership, and theology.

What’s on my mind is your recent blog post regarding the PC USA’s discussion about the gender of the trinity. In it you highlight the fact that “some chicks and some chickified dudes with limp wrists … are not happy because two persons of the Trinity have a dude-ish ring,” the Father, and the Son. Some in the Presbyterian Church are seeking alternate labels, such as “Mother, Child, and Womb.”

First of all, I agree with you. It’s difficult to find a good basis for arguing against Jesus’ manhood. What stands out to me about your comments is this sentence in particular:

“So, in an effort to copy-edit God, some folks at the Presbyterian Church (USA) who have free time because no one is going to their church have decided to consider new names for God.”

I’m not really concerned right now about this issue of renaming God. I’m more interested in your tone. I hesitate to write this, however, because:

  1. Why should you care what I think, anyway?
  2. I will likely become lost amongst your myriad critics.

Beyond what I’ve already noted, I can also respect your use of humor and satire to communicate the truth. But I wonder if the words you use to describe the predicament of our brothers and sisters aren’t more damaging than they are edifying. You don’t have to tell me the Church is in a poor state. In my pride, I am constantly reminded by friends to accept the fact that we are the same Church, and the same family.

Later on, you offer your apology “for all the real Christians stuck in this dysfunctional family because the denomination owns their buildings.” With all the humor and satire I can muster, let me say I am sure they accept your apology after having heard you ridicule their friends and leaders and proclaim their churches empty.

Do you speak in such a way because you feel no one would listen otherwise? I work at a Presbyterian camp. I attend a Presbyterian church. I have many Presbyterian friends. Do not be misled: we are not unaware of what is happening in this denomination. I can relay the frustration of a friend who attended General Assembly.

Perhaps next time you find us in the wrong, maybe you could supply us with, say, encouragement, or heck, even edification! I imagine it might be received with more consideration (if that’s what you’re looking for).

Cory Piña


5 Comments

Cory, I hope this won’t seem like a cheap comment because it’s not directly about this, but I’ve greatly appreciated this string of posts you’ve been on. I really like your thoughts in this one in particular, but the writing in these posts has been so enjoyable.

Posted by James Orr on 26 August 2006 @ 10pm

Cory,

Thanks for those words. It certainly appears that Mark Driscoll has completely written off the mainline churches, not only in his blog but also in other writings. In some ways, I can understand his perspective, especially since some of the most liberal churches of my own denomination (UMC) are located in Seattle and the west coast. Unfortunately, Mark does not seem to realize that there are thousands of faithful evangelical Christians in mainline churches working and praying hard to restore our denominations to faithful apostolic witness. I’m afraid his words do not recognize that reality and imply that our efforts are ultimately in vain. Hopefully, in the future the Spirit will give him words of encouragement for that faithful remnant who remain committed to the historic witness of these church traditions.

Posted by Mike Weaver on 27 August 2006 @ 4am

Thank you, James.
And thank you, Mike, that helps me to clarify for myself what I was thinking.

Posted by Cory on 27 August 2006 @ 8am

Cory and others know the tension it is to work and worship under the banner of a Presbyterian church. It is one thing to stand on the outside and throw rocks at the windows and call it abandoned because the windows are broken, but it is the saints that work on the inside who with prophetic words bring it inline with the heart of the Head (this way it can be a mother or father’s head).

Mark’s words are easy to be thrown when he speaks from such a lofty pulpit as his. He is a brother in Christ but a bit myopic to warrant much care.

Like always, Cory… Well said!

Posted by N Tony on 27 August 2006 @ 9am

Good, Cory.

Posted by DLY on 28 August 2006 @ 11am

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Cory Piña is a Youth Director in Modesto, California. He is the husband of Lyndsay, the father of Naomi, and primary source of food for José and Kitty 3. More...

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