"I frankly wonder how any Christian who takes the Bible at face value could ever think that in order to be 'culturally relevant' Christians should participate in society's growing infatuation with vulgarity."

Kudos go to Dr. MacArthur, who has taken this bull on by the horns and is addressing it head on. It’s about time someone said something publically, and I know - having heard it directly from his mouth - that he’s tried to address the issue with Driscoll privately as in keeping with Scripture.

This is the way separation ought to be done.

In The Standard (A Chicago Baptist newspaper weekly) clear back in 1899, I read a scathing article by a pastor, critiquing pastors in America who were lowering their use of the English language in their sermons to the slang of people.

Vulgar. Vulgar. Vulgar.

It was another fascinating Baptist post.

I’m pretty laid back, I even wear shorts to church on Sunday or Wednesday nights sometimes (Sunday mornings I wear a choir robe, for those keeping score at home). But Driscoll’s casual attitude about pretty much anything to do with church or the ministry bothers me. Especially with his status as pastor. I’d like to see more Christian leaders take the same position Dr. MacArthur has chosen. I’d like to see more Christian leaders in Dr. MacArthur’s mold, period.

I don’t see Driscoll’s language as nearly as big an issue as most people here likely do, and this article is rather old news (it was written in 2006); however, what does surprise me is what little reaction there has been to Driscoll appearing at the Crystal Cathedral at all. Whether he is too culturally immersed or not, doctrine is typically the one area that people admit Driscoll gets right. With that being the case, I’m not sure how somebody who is “together for the gospel” (especially a Reformed take on the gospel) feels it is appropriate to go preach at one of the most liberal feel-good-gospel churches in the nation. T4G and Crystal Cathedral ought to be mutually exclusive platforms.

ScottB,

You may be thinking of some other forum Driscoll has been given. He did not speak at T4G in 2006 or 2008 and is not on the 2010 schedule.

I think several fundamentalists of years gone by would have done what Driscoll did in going to the Crystal Cathedral. They would take the gospel to any venue, as long as they weren’t limited by being able to preach it.

Why do we have an article from 2006 being linked to here? Why not just link to the fact that Driscoll appeared at the Crystal Cathedral?

[Jack] You may be thinking of some other forum Driscoll has been given. He did not speak at T4G in 2006 or 2008 and is not on the 2010 schedule.

Sorry, you’re right. I was thinking of the 2006 and 2008 Desiring God conferences. I doubt MacArthur would be willing to speak at the same conference as Driscoll. (I believe he actually said that, though I may be wrong, as I’m again writing from the top of my head, which is what got me in trouble earlier.)

and really appreciated the approach- Bro.MacArthur didn’t just circle the field, he did a 3-point landing. Nicely done. I saw that there were 3 other messages in this ‘series’, and hope to get to them today. Love havin’ a laptop. :)

[Bob Hayton] I think several fundamentalists of years gone by would have done what Driscoll did in going to the Crystal Cathedral. They would take the gospel to any venue, as long as they weren’t limited by being able to preach it.

Yeah, especially fundamentalists like Billy Graham. ;-)

[ScottB]

[Bob Hayton] I think several fundamentalists of years gone by would have done what Driscoll did in going to the Crystal Cathedral. They would take the gospel to any venue, as long as they weren’t limited by being able to preach it.

Yeah, especially fundamentalists like Billy Graham. ;-)

You read my mind. :)