Join our Newsletter
If you like The NakedJournal, you'll enjoy my weekly newsletter about deconstruction, freedom, and life in general.
Tony Jones on Mark Driscoll: What came first, the thug or the theology?
This drawing is inspired by the Ouroboros Snake... of the snake eating its own tail.
What came first? The chicken or the egg? What came first? The thug or the theology? I read Tony Jones' thoughts on Mark Driscoll.
Jones has always admired Driscoll, maybe envies him a little, wants the best for him, believes he can be redeemed, and suggests that things can be restored.
What I found most interesting though is that Jones believes the problem with Driscoll is theological.
- He titles his post is "Thoughts about Mark Driscoll"
- He talks about the "heady" days of publishing and speaking.
- He dismisses his disturbing personality traits by his use of the word "sure".
- He says it isn't a moral issue (evil) but that he is passionate.
- He says more than once that Driscoll is "extremely smart" or "brilliant".
- He suggests that he will "see" (as in "think"?) his way out of this.
- He writes that Driscoll has just embraced a toxic version of theology.
- He hopes that Driscoll will turn away from this toxic theology.
- He concludes therefore that Driscoll is not the problem, but his theology.
But my question is‚ What came first? The thug or the theology?
That is, did Driscoll become the focus of concern because of his theology? Or was it because of his behavior?
I'm concerned that Jones' post reflects the refusal of the church to understand spiritual abuse. It neglects the pathology of its abusive leaders. I don't think this is being fair to the victims or the perpetrators of spiritual abuse. People are victims of not just a bad theology, but a pathological cruelty.
I don't think Driscoll's theology made this happen. Driscoll "embraced" his toxic version of theology because it aligned with his moral compass. It fit his personality. It worked for him to achieve his goals. Then it manifested the worst in him. Then he continued to develop his toxic theology in order to make more room for his pathological behavior. Mars Hill Church too.
Jones' sentence, "It could have happened to any of us." is true, because I believe we all participate in this dynamic. Theology is our creation. It is a reflection of our drives and desires.
Then, not satisfied to only be the product of our drives and desires, it also becomes the producer of them. Theology is a vicious cycle of our desperate need to understand and control our universe.
Step into this cycle at any point and you can see that we are both the root and fruit of our theology and pathology.
And yes, it spins out of control by manifesting itself in toxic, controlling, and abusive behavior. Nothing can be done about bad theology because of free thought and speech.
But we can do something when this manifests itself in bad behavior. Cruel theology is a nuisance. Cruel behavior is unacceptable.
When Driscoll thinks bully to his people, we can say please stop. But when he actually bullies people, we can step in and say you will stop now!
I don't think this is a theological issue. I think it is a pathological one. Not just for Driscoll and Jones, but for the entire church.
If we would be healed, our theology would take care of itself.
1079 comments
Phyllis,
It has been brought t my attention in a forwarded emailed penned by you that you told people to “stear clear” of me and I called you a few times. Once is not as few and to proliferate Tony’s propaganda about my mental health which was proven through an exhaustive $4000 court ordered psychological evaluation that the person you were protecting from emotional, physical and mental abuse was the one with a very serious personality disorder.
I would like a public apology here.
https://nakedpastor.ehermitsinc.com/2014/09/tony-jones-on-mark-driscoll-what-came-first-the-thug-or-the-theology/
That was hurtful, irresponsible and unkind.
You abused your position of power and that IS spiritual abuse. Even defending it as it must be gospel because Danielle Shroyer whom I met ONCE said so.
Sincerely,
Julie McMahon
I sent to to Phyllis Tickle a few years ago to which she emailed “the group” to “stear clear” of me. This was just confirmed in an email she sent to another influential person when this issues were raised to silence me, Christlike? I think not. I called upon her for help. We were not getting any support and as a stay at home mom for 12 years, it was frightening.
Phyllis,
I am struggling as to why no one in his sphere of influence has not challenged him on his adulterous affair with Courtney Perry and his refusal to pay court ordered child support.
I am dumbfounded as to why the Christian community in which he moves would let this go unchecked?
Now owes $17,000 in unpaid child support payments and yet apparently wines and dines with you and the woman who broke up our home. Tanner (10), Lily (9), and Aidan(6) bear the sin of their father heavy on their hearts.
No one has challenged this…no one.
Julie McMahon
Update: by the grace of God and what can only be the work of the Holy Spirit using David Hayward’s space…Brian McLaren reached out to me tonight. No, they (Brad Cecil, Danielle Shroyer, Mike King, Brian McLaren) did not know the whole story but only through the self interested lens of Doug Pagitt and the diagnosed narcissist. I have been asked to wait until Wednesday for a public and maybe a group apology here. I hope that will come. Steve Knight that’s you too. As professing Christians aren’t we able to apologize to one another, make peace and move forward? I hope so. Thank you, Brian for responding to my email. I really appreciate it. Mars Hill leaders…take note.
I so appreciate the apologies and attempts at making things right. When we prioritize the person over the program, good things happen. I must say I’m happy to see this happening here.
Syl, I agree! Buddhism is what I am now gravitating most towards in my post evangelical christian cult trauma. I have a hybrid belief now. Be nice and loving to everyone, and do no harm. God? Yes, I think so! The rest? I don’t really know anymore. Holy Spirit? Yes, I believe.
The most real, spirit-filled, loving and authentic people I know have nothing to do with organized religion or church. The Minneapolis yoga community is filled with the most genuine people striving to be good, decent and peaceful on this earth. It’s hard to be a power grubbing narcissist and have peaceful yoga flow.