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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.
1080 comments
Brad,
Very rarely is there verifiable evidence and/or witnesses to spiritual abuse. Most of the charlatans are too clever to put anything in writing or to speak publicly in any way that is not vague with plausible deniability. (This situation is different because of domestic violence, custody, etc)
Therefore, I encourage people to “tell their story” from “their perspective” sticking with events. Very few people who have been spiritually abused are “documenting” anything while going through it. Sadly.
The irony is once they tell their stories from their perspective, often there are others who have experienced similar in the same venue. That is how the SGM stuff started. And they found that by following the “rules” of SGM teaching that speaking any negative was sin, SGM was able to keep it all under wraps for many years.
Narcissists and even sociopaths are rarely diagnosed. Therefore, it is accepted to say that someone is exhibiting what looks to be narcissistic patterns of behavior.
But one thing I am emphatic about is encouraging people to deal with the “mental illness” or “emotionally unstable” charge from the charlatans or their sycophants. That can become very serious down the road when it affects things like custody, careers, etc. You don’t leave that one hanging.
Nakedpastor and Julie:
Bravo for your transparency and courage! That which has been hidden is being exposed! I am so touched by what you are doing for people…and the healing that’s being generated through all of this. You’ve renewed the wind in my sails. Thank you!
Julie – I admire your courage in dealing with all this. I’m happy that you have found a safe church to offer you love and support. I pray that your letter will in fact result in the apologies you request. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Every story a victim of abuse shares gives courage to other victims to speak. Grace and peace to you!
I emailed this letter to the 6 Emergent leaders who gathered in Dallas, Texas and “discerned” me without me present. I am praying for goodness while expecting crickets. Danielle Shroyer, Doug Pagitt, Brad Cecil, Mike King, Brian McLaren and Mark Scandrette.
Hello Discernment Team,
I am asking for a public apology for the spiritual abuse you inflicted on me. You can make your public apology here.
https://nakedpastor.ehermitsinc.com/2014/09/tony-jones-on-mark-driscoll-what-came-first-the-thug-or-the-theology/
As Pastors, you abused your power and it was wrong. I am offering you an opportunity to right that wrong.
Sincerely,
Julie McMahon
With ya Mark. I was a believer for 30 years… Hell Fire and Brimestone, then a church planting evangelical, then a liberal Universalist…. peace came when I let it all go. I wish everyone could read this thread.
Thanks NP, you provide a good forum for people to be empowered… the fact that a few of the would be leaders ran themselves off, nursing their egos, was a bonus.
Oh, some of the concern trolling in here was priceless… and really needs to exist as a linked footnote to any dictionaries that give the definition of concern trolling. :)