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
John Umland posted the definition of gaslighting. This is a psychological abuse tactic abusers use. I was told, “That never happened.” regarding certain events. And you actually start to ask yourself, “Did it?” Yes, it did!
Recently in court he was asked have you ever entered Julie’s home uninvited? He said no. My lawyer asked, "But isn’t it true you turned on the gas fireplace in Ms. McMahon’s home at the insistence if your son? Were you not in her home for approximately 45 minutes complete with asking for tools to use? His reply, and under oath sent me chills because I was amazed at the depth to which this kind of person will go.
“I have never touched her doorknob.”
Gaslighting or gas-lighting1 is a form of mental abuse in which false information is presented with the intent of making victims doubt their own memory, perception, and sanity.2 Instances may range simply from the denial by an abuser that previous abusive incidents ever occurred, up to the staging of bizarre events by the abuser with the intention of disorienting the victim.
This term gaslighting is often used in regards to Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
The term owes its origin to the play Gas Light and its film adaptations, after which it was coined popularly. The term has been used in clinical and research literature.
Rose, I am so glad you stood up and called out the abuse you observed in 2006. It is all coming out now! Keep talking.
Oh my…
I"m a complete outsider in another part of the world who did see glimpses of this very ugly story 4 years ago in some blogposts and comments including Bill Kinnons ’Here’s a thought’ blog. I also did for some reason around that time write a blogpost about marriage in reaction to something T had written, just theoretically because I didn’t know anything about the backstory until I read Bills post and some comment elsewhere on a blog that I can’t remember.
I can remember being shocked, and praying for you, Julie. I’m shocked even more after reading this whole comment thread, and I’ll pray again.
Writing down your story for the Wartburg Watch might be not such a bad idea. Evil must be brought to the light…
I also swear here and now I’ll never use the word ‘emergent’ for myself again in the future. Not that I did use it much, I’m more oldschool-emerging probably and have always liked ‘-ing’ more, but I really am completely done with the ‘emergent’-label now.
Btw, David, you need a like-button for comments here! Very important things are happening here on this comment thread…
Wow, wow, wow. Just read through all the comments. Julie I am so sorry, I know this kind of story firsthand and I am still living it. David, thank you for being an advocate for victims, and for being and advocate for women. I am a female pastor in Seattle that publicly called Mark D out in 2006, met with him then and voiced concerns for the past 8 years. I have been silenced by many because of his platform and influence. I think it is circular, thug-bad theology-thug-bad theology. Bad theology and his charisma gave him the platform to manifest who he is. I am so tired of all the male-centric bullshit that happens in the celebrity churches. Not one mega church pastor in the city of Seattle has commented on MD and the tragedy of Mars HIll Church publicly. Why? Why do we think it’s okay to allow this kind of abuse to continue in any shape or form. God have mercy on us.
I don’t know your particulars but if abuse occurred with gaslighting it can make you doubt yourself. Find a better non church related kick ass therapist to help you listen to your truth. It may start as a still small voice but get stringer as you work on releasing the abuse back onto where it belongs…on the abuser…not on you. Also, I joined the Lasting Supper to get on going support from a supportive listening empathetic community and I suggest that too. You are not alone. Be gentle with yourself as this takes time and you just took a step.
I saw a therapist for awhile. Turned out she was associated with THE church. Yeah, no wonder I didn’t get anywhere. Trust Only One became my motto. But I proved I can’t even trust myself, so who does that leave?