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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.
1079 comments
More upcoming academic involvements in 2015…
http://www.fuller.edu/Academics/School-of-Theology/DMin/Incarnational-Spirituality-and-Theology-Cohort/?terms=tony%20jones
This news might help shed some light on why author/speaker types might not want to rock the boat. Bad for usness to diss the dude hired to acquire books for Augsburg Fortress http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/religion/article/64296-surprising-range-religion-publishing-in-minnesota.html
who also hs a gig as a theology professor
http://www.unitedseminary.edu/faculty/tony-jones/
Thanks so much Lydia.
“You may or may not know how deeply cathartic and healing this has been. I wish this for anyone who has ever suffered similarly. I hope that they feel heard here too.”
I most certainly know. I cannot tell you how much. When you add the “spiritual” layer to abuse through the silencing and censoring done by others -who are supposed to be your Christian brothers and sisters- it is overwhelmingly detrimental to any healing. One is better off walking away from all of it but it can take years to figure that out.
I am not sure there is anything worse than deception done in the Name of Jesus Christ. As if He thinks it is a good thing and supports it. Truth, transparancy and openness is the only way to go. The problem is the victims/survivors fare the worst in that scenerio and take the brunt because the rally cry is “prove it” and so much of this is impossible to prove in ways for people to believe it. That is why I am impressed you have a diagnosis. I just cannot understand why that is not enough proof for some.
I cannot thank David enough for allowing this thread. It is so unusual to have the courage to allow it.
And I have no doubt your ex will try to make you pay big time for this thread. It sounds so cliche but I am praying for you to have wisdom and courage. And I am praying for your children. This is not close to being over for them.
Andrew, Not Surprised, Lydia, Patrice, and PP and everyone else that has shown me love and support now and over the past few years, thank you! I am overwhelmed. You may or may not know how deeply cathartic and healing this has been. I wish this for anyone who has ever suffered similarly. I hope that they feel heard here too.
To be heard. To be validated. To be told I believe you, and I am sorry that happened to you. That’s all I think any of us want.
Now, onto implementing a zero tolerance and a boycott to participating wherever these types rear their ugly, arrogant, misogynistic heads. Even when cleverly concealed with charisma and craftily shrouded in uber feminism.
I was emailed this morning by a female theologian with a PhD, who had a run-in recently with the aforementioned thug brothers. She had the audacity to point out where they were dead wrong. She was private messaged and efforts were made to silence and shame her into compliance. NOT OKAY! Not today, and not ever. When you look the other way and refuse to stand up and call this shit out (it IS shit), then you are perpetuating all that is toxic and dysfunctional. No more.