Why is it that John Piper doesn't know the appropriateness of language and seeks to find wisdom from an unqualified man like Mark Driscoll?
I saw his video defense of Driscoll's upcoming speaking engagement at Piper's conference on "words". I've been contemplating why it is that a presumably mature pastor doesn't see Scripture clearly on course talk, when Scripture itself is clear?
Why is it that so many professing Christians find virtue in not knowing things decisively? Why is ignorance, or not knowing something, seen as "teachable" and "biblical"?
Why does an elderly man go to a young man who shows little respect for Christ and His pristine Word, for "wisdom"?
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Col 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Pro 14:6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
For those who think Driscoll or other Emergents/POMO/Relevant teachers are clever in their use of gutteral verbage, as well as other worldly means, consider Scripture:
2Co 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
1Ti 6:3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 1Ti 6:4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 1Ti 6:5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Regarding an overseer:
Tit 1:9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
3 comments:
I'm with you on this! There is no excuse for Driscoll's gutter talk. Does he really think people are so depraved they cannot recognize the truth when they hear it?
The biggest problem I see here, concerning Piper, is an overemphasis on theology rather than practise. I fear Piper, among others, has made Reformed theology an idol.
Prodigal knot,
Thank you. It truly grieves me to see this stuff go on.
I find this TULIP factor a growing litmus test. Now, while I DO hold to the TULIP, it seems that its the magic code to get a free pass for anything, even crude language and unbiblical doctrine and practice.
I won't even let my daughters speak that way...how can pastors think its ok? How does that honor Christ? How does that demonstrate that we are not OF this world, but rather called out of it, new creations, salt and light?
Many love to volley doctrine around as if its a game, pitting one theologian against another, taking sides for their man, etc. and looking at Scripture as if its merely a textbook (as my friend rightly has observed).
If doctrine is not practicle, then we either do not believe it, or its not biblical.
I just went over to Ephesians...the context is spot-on on this whole issue:
Eph 4:17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
Eph 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.
Eph 4:19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
Eph 4:20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!--
Eph 4:21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
Eph 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
May I just say this? I don't agree with much of TULIP, primarily because of it's author, John Calvin. Anyone who has read up on Calvin, Zwingli, Bera, and Melancthon and their attitude towards the ana-Baptists of the time cannot help but observe that these men were intolerant sacralists. Calvin had impressive credentials and a very scholarly approach to the Bible. His "Institutes" is a masterpiece. Unfortunately he was dead wrong about the Old Testament's place in the New Testament age as well as being a persecutor (to the death) of any who challenged the secular union he propagated through the "church". That is not indicative of the "spirit of Christ" at all!
Enough on TULIP, I guess.
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