Within the last couple weeks, we’ve talked about what it means for a book to be labeled a New York Times bestseller and how marketing services can game the system to buy that status for your book. Now, Pastor Mark Driscoll admits “manipulating a book sales reporting system,” which he did for his book Real Marriage, is “wrong.” More than this, he says:
In the last year or two, I have been deeply convicted by God that my angry-young-prophet days are over, to be replaced by a helpful, Bible-teaching spiritual father. Those closest to me have said they recognize a deep change, which has been encouraging because I hope to continually be sanctified by God’s grace.
Update: Kevin DeYoung gives us “9 Thoughts on Celebrity Pastors, Controversy, the New Calvinism, Etc.“
Translation: “I’m sorry I got caught, and I’m spinning this as fast as I can. If I can get you idiots to believe me, I’ll still be able to become a millionaire!”
Why this man is not out of a job is beyond me.
Well, that seems overly harsh. I don’t think of him that way.
It might be a bit harsh. That doesn’t change the seriousness of his actions, however. He’s plagiarized from, what? 7 authors? He’s plagiarized sermons. All the while condemning plagiarism! And I’m not even getting to the testimony now coming out from the men who worked with him for years…
A minister’s conduct should be above reproach. So when will we start taking the Bible seriously and demand better from our leadership? Does letting corruption go on somehow honor God? Is it healthy for the Church to let men like this continue on, without a word of condemnation for their actions?
In my opinion, it’s long past time to get serious about the behavior of the men we hold up as spiritual leaders. Yes, there needs to be real repentance from him. But even if his repentance is sincere, he still needs to resign, permanently. If he’s a true Christian, he will willingly accept discipline, and be happy to serve in a diminished capacity. Trampling on people, plagiarizing the ideas of others, and gaming the system to “get to the top” is a pretty good indication he needs to work on some issues away from a leadership position, not while in one. 🙁
I sympathize with your statements generally, but I don’t know enough about this situation to feel at all comfortable calling for this at such a distance. I fully support holding leaders accountable when they are my leaders or the situation appears clear enough to call for it. If his congregation is calling for it, then I wouldn’t criticize them at first, but I don’t see this as abuse calling for resignation yet.
President Obama, on the other hand…
Phil,
Here’s a good place to find out more. I urge you to read it, as well as the comments.
http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/03/17/mark-driscoll-gives-it-all-to-the-church-it-depends-on-what-his-definition-of-all-is/
Stacey, I’m having a hard time with the vitriol in the comments on that article. I’ll try to give the annuity explanation my full consideration, but when people start knocking Tim Challies, I can’t get reading. I can’t tell that any of them are telling the truth.