Driscoll: Interview was Disrespectful, Adversarial, and Subjective
Posted by Todd Rhoades in Controversy on Jan 16th, 2012 | 13 commentsMark Driscoll is no stranger to controversy. He’s also no stranger to media interviews.
But one he did recently with the UK’s Christianity Magazine is, according to Driscoll, the most “disrespectful, adversarial, and subjective” he’s ever experienced.
Driscoll says that the interview that was supposed to be about his new marriage book released this month… but the interview rarely mentioned the book, but instead the questions centered around “any controversial thing I’ve ever said in the past 15 years with a host of questions that were adversarial and antagonistic.”
The interviewer, Justin Brierley, has released an audio tape of the interview, that he defends. The publisher of Christian Today also is saying that the interview was fair: “Justin’s interview with Mark Driscoll was robust and fair, and I utterly reject the claim that it was adversarial, disrespectful or subjective… We took great care to ensure that his quotes were in context, and gave him the opportunity to talk about his new book, as well as his life and theology.”
So… what’s got everybody, including the normally calm Driscoll up in arms?
Driscoll says his quotes are taken out of context. Here is what the pre-article release quoted Driscoll as saying:
On the state of the church in Britain: “Let’s just say this: right now, name for me the one young, good Bible teacher that is known across Great Britain. You don’t have one – that’s the problem. There are a bunch of cowards who aren’t telling the truth.”
Another quote: You’ll never attract young men to church as long as there are “guys in dresses preaching to grandmas”.
Hear for yourself with the whole interview audio:
You can download the MP3 here or go to the article author’s to listen to this entire interview.
You can read Mark Driscoll’s response to the interview here.
You can read Christianity Magazine’s response here.
HT: Andrew Warnock for the link to the audio…
Take a read and a listen and let me know what you think. Is Driscoll right to scream FOUL?
13 Responses to “ “Driscoll: Interview was Disrespectful, Adversarial, and Subjective”
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If he wants to play with the big boys he is going to have to get used to getting punched in the mouth.
We play a dangerous game of “most quotable” in the American media. And sometimes you get tweeted for all the wrong reasons. Just ask John Piper.
I have frequently listened to Brierley for the last year via his Unbelievable podcast. It wasn’t until his interview with Driscoll that I found out his wife is minister and he holds to the Stott View of Hell. Why? Because Justin does a good job of asking the right question while masking his bias. On the whole, the show is good because he can tackle these tough issues while making the guests feel comfortable. I thought he did a fair job here.
As a fan of Driscoll, I think he was looking for a fight here partially because he is sick of answering the same questions over and over again. I thought Brierly asked a good question about Victorian view of sex and Driscoll got defensive. That’s where the interview changed. If the interview didn’t live up to his expectations, that’s on him for not defining the bounds of the interview better. Also, to attack Brierly’s theology comes off as being defensive about his own position. If it is the truth, stand on that and point to it.
As for Grace, since Mark mentioned he felt his wife was ignored, she talked as much in this interview as the Fox News Live and Dr. Drew interviews. Why doesn’t she talk more? Because Mark is who people want to listen to. Also, his view of marriage dictates that he should be the head, thus mouth piece of the relationship. I really don’t see why he feels the need to bring her to the interviews. If anything, it plays into the stereotype of the preacher’s wife he has railed against in the past. That’s not to slight Grace because she comes off as a smart woman but vastly out-shined by her husband’s huge personality.
I thought Warnock’s words were right on.
I listened to the interview and I think that Brierley came with a predetermined mindset and used Driscoll’s new book as a springboard to the more controversial aspects of Driscoll’s ministry. Driscoll asks some tough questions, and Brierley wilts under them. Brierley really tries to take Driscoll to task, citing his critics (such as MacArthur) for their attacks on his methods, when his mission and his message are theologically right and the results are being achieved, people are coming to Christ! If Brierley disagrees, then own that, but don’t try to take Driscoll down. Let the results stand for themselves. If Driscoll and his ministry are off and sinful, God will take care of it! My thoughts anyways!
I listened to the interview as well. I thought Mark was amazing reserved considering the type of questions he was getting. It seemed like the interviewer was very gentle and kind in his tone- yet his questions were all about Driscoll controversy. I am sure Mark gets tired of answering the same questions over and over. He finally turned the table and started asking questions. The only questions about the book were on the controversial parts not the “how we honor God in our marriage part”. I love Mark’s honest, unveiled answers. He did not get the same to his questions. Mark’s position that he is still growing and is approachable is refreshing. If you want to interview Pastor Mark- wear your Big Boy pants he doesn’t need a job- so he will say what he needs to. I think both guys were fine- no story here.
If you are going to say anal sex is OK, don’t start whining when someone asks you about it. That’s what started it. Mark said the interviewer wasn’t “being fair” by asking that question and that he was being “scandalous.” I don’t need the Bible to tell me that anal sex is wrong, I just need a biology textbook. Paul should have added that to, “doesn’t even nature teach you?” lol
This really has kicked up a fair bit of a storm-in-a-teacup over here in the UK. Well, it has in certain quarters – the quarters who didn’t really like Driscoll or his theology in the 1st place! It’s kind of “handbags at dawn”.
The interview wasn’t really that tough in all honesty … certainly not as tough as the Rob Bell with Martin Bashir one. But Driscoll’s frustration at being asked the same old loaded questions was palpable. I certainly think his accusations of disrespect are a bit OTT though.
The established church here in the UK is on it’s knees … and not in a prayerful way! Didn’t someone once say, “It’s not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick”. Well, Discoll may just be the Dr. And just because the doctor’s loud & brash doesn’t mean we should refuse the medicine or go into denial.
Now move along everybody … nothing to see here.
Here’s my prediction based on past history… after staunchly refusing to admit that he said or did anything wrong, Mark’s Elder’s will once again have a little conversation with him. He’ll then come out and admit that maybe, perhaps, he just might have gone to far. Then after his half-hearted apology he’ll deflect and boost about his humility and the fact that he’s “under the authority of His Elders.”
I listened to the whole interview with the prelude. The whole time I’m thinking whose side am I going to take? Historically I’ve been one of Mark Driscoll’s most frequent online cheerleaders, to the point where many assume I’m Reformed in theology. I’ve listened to all of Mark’s online sermons, I’m one of those nuts who went searching for the early Driscoll bootlegs and b-sides-his import stuff only available on vinyl. I’ve listened to Justin Brierley maybe three or four times. It’s a no brainer, right? Mark’s my man in the fight. What abysmal initial thinking on my part.
Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and His Glory should always be my primary concern. I don’t choose sides because God doesn’t choose sides. God doesn’t love his reformed kids more than his liberal kids, his American kids more than his Brit kids. God’s grace to us is not based on worthiness, doctrinal soundness, theological views, or what our individual character is-God extends grace because He is a loving gracious God. His love draws us into orbit around Him, and as we spend time caught in His magnificent and glorious embrace we are refined.
So as I listen to that interview I hear two brothers in Christ, both in God’s embrace but also unique individuals. God’s plan is not to turn Brierley into a Driscoll clone or make Mark to sound like Justin.
Mark is pastor with a pretty specific field of cultural specialization; that is what God called him to and is using him successfully in. I think Mark will grow in influence and become better at general areas of ministry, but man, I would hate to have anything less than a two fisted blue collar brawler leading the charge for restoring masculinity. When it comes to ministry I resonate strongly with Mark. But as a man, I ain’t like Mark in personality; I have some uber-geeky tendencies and interests which would probably raise some eyebrows around Mars Hill. For Instance I’m a freelance toy designer, last night my wife and I sewed doll clothes while I researched buying habits of 10-14 year old girls and looked at color swatches. Not the most masculine pursuit.
Justin is not a pastor; his job is not to be out front preaching sound doctrine to the flock. Part of Justin’s job is to be unflappable, at the same time he must be probing and walk the line between zealous interviewing and antagonistic interrogating. He is a radio interviewer, a media professional, and a magazine article writer. Occupationally I can side with Justin a bit more. I tend to get paid more often for my creative work, my articles, my books, etc.
So who is right and who is wrong? I don’t want to add to the squabble. As I was mulling it over I had a picture of Jesus leading a cattle drive, he is the head cattle wrangler up front, but he does have other hands riding the trail with him whose job is to not only keep the cattle moving forward but also police the perimeters, they make sure cattle don’t stray too far to the left or the right. The trail hands not only police the cattle but they are also heading in the right direction, any steer who wants to see what it looks like to follow Jesus can look to either side and see examples of men on different sides still moving steadily forward. The church body (the cattle drive-I know not too flattering) is always following Jesus and also being guided by leader’s voices which individually are usually more polarizing but when viewed as a whole work toward a unified goal.
Hi Todd.
The link to Driscoll’s response isn’t working for me.
Thanks.
I have a rule — to avoid this happening to me — I don’t give interviews.
Of course, in full disclosure, no one has ever wanted one…. nor ever will.
(((( laughing ))))
Oh the joys of obscurity….
I can’t believe Mark Driscoll is complaining about this. I listened to the entire interview and If Mark is the man’s man that he portrays himself to be, what in this interview upset him? I thought it to be rather tame myself. If anything, Mark gets rather aggressive and rude at the end. If you court controversy, which I think Mark does, then you can’t complain when controversy arises, although I can’t see anything controversial in what he is asked.
You know that prayer Jesus prayed for His disciples? The prayer bout being one as the Father and Jesus are one?
We really work hard at NOT having that prayer answered.
It will have to be a conscientious effort on our part, not God speaking the word or performing a miracle to do FOR us. He has given us everything we need to serve Him and have a relationship with Him. Alas, humility is lacking and the world look on and instead of saying, “See how they love one-another”, they speak their disdain and say, “Look, I told you it’s a farce”. We were commissioned to make disciples, not critics. Paul said :”Follow me, as I follow Christ”. What does your life look like? Can the world follow you to get to Jesus? Just thought I’d ask
Too late, that prayer was already answered! When we receive Jesus we are one with him! Stop trying so hard to be one, just listen to and be lead and taught by the Holy Spirit inside of you, then we won’t have to argue like these guys because of weak traditional theologies and doctrines of devils!
Bless you!