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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
@Brambonius … I appreciate your bringing in a larger perspective. I was part of the early days of the GenX-postmodern-emerging ministry movement mid-1990s to early 2000s. It’s always difficult to discern how things could sift out and where they could end up while you’re right in the middle of such radical cultural change. So, as different affinity groups within “emerging” sorted themselves out, I never really felt any connection with the paradigm or people in the group that turned into Emergent Village. It seemed all about theology and deconstruction and still get-your-theory-perfect-and-then-apply. Still abstract, sort of theoretical and for postmodern philosophy.
I ended up with the missional crowd: turning the missionary principle inside out — instead of going elsewhere and finding people of peace to connect with and disciple, you stay where the Spirit leads you locally and become a person of peace who welcomes and serves those in your neighborhood. More concrete, more action-oriented for postmodern culture. I’m a culturologist, not a philosophist. So that’s how it sorted out for me.
I learned things from friends in other streams that were hidden in the cauldron of “emerging.” But now, here we are 15 years on, and in more of a position for seeing what happened with all the follow-through fruit of each of those various “emerging” groups that split into their own paths: New Calvinism. Emergent/Emergent Village. Progressives. Post-evangelicals. Missionals. etc.
brambonius at 3:23 a.m Sept 25—off-topic or not, thank you so much for your second full paragraph on the “worldwider” reality check. You’re dead-on accurate. Also even in the Twin Cities, the emergent scene is not really that present in terms of its influence. Obviously it was different in the past, but it’s a lot of tilting at windmills.
Some jurisdictions are considering legislation to make a medical doctor’s apology inadmissible in malpractice trials. The reason for this is the codification what the verifiable evidence already suggests, viz. that people who receive an apology at the time are far less likely to sue later on. Generally speaking, people just want acknowledgement, admission, a little explanation, and an expression of remorse, i.e., an apology. If they don’t get it, a large number turn to the only means available to them in order to try and secure it, and it’s a very costly alternative for everyone.
Just sayin’.
Kimberly- I have tried to respond to you since yesterday. Nothing comes out right. So, I will stick with this simple, but powerful thing….thank you.
Julie-
I have wanted an apology from those that bullied me and labeled me things that should NEVER be used as a “black spot.” Mental illness is not someone’s character. I have watched brave people fight that son of a bitch and they are brave. I started embracing the label. If I was bipolar then it meant my abusers saw me as brave and it threatened them.
I have come to realize I will never have the apology I feel I deserve from the leaders who trashed my personhood. That was hard to come to terms with. These people are public figures and speak into people’s lives. However some where I found that peace. It is why I have stopped calling on one. The hardest part of all this was forgiving myself. Allowing these people to make me stop seeing my beauty. Stop seeing my worthiness.
The people who SHOULD apologize for what they have done should. I wish they would. However, knowing their link to those who abused me, I do not foresee it. Which is more than sad. I am sorry for that. It burdens my heart because on some level I get it and on another I do not. I wish I could hug you and cry, scream with you. Then do a dance of freedom after that. If the apologies never come you are worthy and have the right to stand in your truth. Know you have a sisterhood here, with me and others.
Peace and blessings!!!!
http://bramboniusinenglish.wordpress.com/ This is from his blog and I think it is perfect.
“And things need to be set right. Sin is a very destructive power that needs to be dealt with… But all judgement is rooted in love.”
Love is patient,
love is kind,
it is not envious.
Love does not brag,
it is not puffed up.
It is not rude,
it is not self-serving,
it is not easily angered
or resentful.
It is not glad about injustice,
but rejoices in the truth.
It bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
All I have asked for here is an authentic apology. You can’t even do THAT?! Nothing more. The people involved directly and on the periphery know exactly who they are. Do they have the integrity to come forward or not? That is the question. Doug Pagitt, your behavior bordered on sadistic in your mishandling of the situation. As my Pastor at the time…spiritual abuse by your hand, and an clear abuse of power, absolutely! You are clearly incapable of any shred of humility or remorse and that is your downfall. We all know the truth don’t we? Brian McLaren, Brad Cecil, Danielle Shroyer, Doug Pagitt, Mike King, Mark Scandrette and that one to ill to ever face reality. The behavior here and now and inability of those involved to come clean speaks volumes of their true character….or lack there of!!