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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
YOUR lawyer is trying to threaten you, or is it your ex who’s trying to do this and that’s the “he”? By the way, truth is an absolute defense to libel.
I have just been contacted by my lawyer. He has sent a copy of the post to the prosecuting attorney to threaten and intimidate me. Every word I wrote is truth.
@ Jen
The hard part is, someone who’s dealt with a person who legitimately is disturbed, personality-disordered, and perhaps just plain given over to evil, is often losing it themselves. Those people will make you question your own sanity, turn family members against you, push you repeatedly to the edge, turn your head clean round.
When you compare the behavior of an otherwise normal, healthy person who’s under extreme stress from abuse to the cool, seemingly rational demeanor of their narcissistic of sociopathic tormentor, the latter usually appears to be the voice of reason. I can’t help but believe in God, I know He’s real and loves us in spite of what I see happen in His name, and I know He will bring justice one day, but it sure is hard to wait for it sometimes.
“I had no idea the “mentally ill” tactic was so widespread in Christendom…”
___________________
Last time I stood up to an abusive church leader was in an elder’s meeting, the pastor was there. When I presented evidence that pastor was engaged in a pattern of lying and manipulation—and he most definitely was—he looked over at another elder and said “See, I told you he was a DSM IV psychopath.” The time before, at another abusive church, also when I was an elder, when I confronted the two main leaders in the church at a meeting at my house with similar behavior, the pastor said “This is the craziest thing I’ve seen.” and his right hand man said “You’re wacko…you live in Wacko-World.” This was in front of wife, children and my best friend.
They love to slander you by calling you crazy, that way no one will ever listen to you again, it’s really a way of killing the person, making them a nonentity among their family, friends and associates. As stated in previous posts, it’s called gaslighting, and you’re right, it is pure diabolical evil. Of course, the Lord warned us about this, those who present themselves an angels of light.
@Lydia
Luckily up here in Minnesota they call the mentally ill “demon possessed”. Much harder to prove in court. :)
Although I have heard of many accused of mental illness AFTER the breakdown or leaving the abuse and speaking about it. Myself included. :(