Brothers,

At the 2008 Desiring God Conference, Mark Driscoll, a pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington, preached a message entitled “How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words” in which he defends from Scripture the use of strong and sometimes course language in the pulpit though he admits that he’s personally sometimes crossed the line. Driscoll’s message, however, has not satisfied most of his strongest critics. One of those critics is Phil Johnson who blogs for Pyromaniacs and who’s also an editorial assistant to John MacArthur. At the recent Shepherd’s Conference, Phil preached a provocative sermon entitled, “The Pornification of the Pulpit.” Although Phil’s sermon is not exclusively aimed at Mark Driscoll, he doesn’t deny that Driscoll is a primary target and mentions Driscoll by name.

Jonathan Christman, who’s a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently a pastoral assistant at Heritage Baptist Church, is attempting to offer an even-handed and charitable assessment of the controversy on this weblog “The India I Know.” He’s posted the first of what looks to be a series of posts, which is entitled, “Phil Johnson vs. Mark Driscoll - A Brief History.” I’ve provided the links to the sermons of Driscoll and Johnson as well as to Jonathan Christman’s review on RBS Tabletalk:

Phil Johnson vs. Mark Driscoll: A Review by Jonathan Christman

Your servant,

__________________
Bob Gonzales Jr., Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary
Easley, South Carolina

"Persons need not and ought not to set any bounds to their spiritual and gracious appetites." Jonathan Edwards

I propose a cage match.

__________________
Andrew DeShazo
Husband of Kathryn
Father of Phillip-Giles B. DeShazo
Deacon
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN
"From out of the depth of unbroken Infinfity arose the Question, "Who am I?" And to that Question there is the answer, "I am God!" -Meher Baba, died 1969.

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Christ, died 33 AD, ressurected three days later.

Uh..Driscoll likes the UFC and cage stuff I think. Phil probably wouldn't stand a chance.

__________________
Zack Flummerfelt
Evangel Presbyterian (PCA), layman
Wichita, KS


As of September 12, 2009 I am married to dear Jlynn!!

Yeah but Phil runs a blog called Pyromaniacs. All the UFC training or watching in the world won't help when you've been set on fire with a can of spray paint and a lighter.

__________________
Benjamin P. Glaser, M. Div, Licentiate, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Member Fairmount ARP Church
Pittsburgh, PA

Deo Vindice

It was interesting to read the full story from Phil's vantage point. I agree with him 100%. Even if others are trying to bring Driscoll down for one reason or another, Phil isn't. In fact, he has used a very strong biblical argument in order to correct Driscoll and build him up. He has done so in a very tactful way.

__________________
Andrew Thornquist My Photo Album
Calvinistic Baptist
Ukiah, California
To follow Christ was the best decision God made for me!

Johnson gave two related talks at the 2009 SC. It seemed one was better than the other. I'll see if I can be more detailed soon.