-By Don Boys, Ph.D.
My friends at Liberty University made a major mistake when they had Mark Driscoll at their school. Mark is a very successful pastor and author, and is known as “the cussing preacher.” Ministers should be known for wisdom, knowledge, godliness, kindness, fairness, generosity not cursing, carnality, and crassness! I hope Liberty officials realize their mistake and will drop Driscoll from their list of speakers.
Driscoll preaches many truths that I hold dear and no doubt he is a very effective communicator; however, to purposefully use profanity to “pump up” his sermons and to appeal to youth is really bizarre as well as sinful. If I had sat on his ordination counsel, I would demand he return his ministerial credentials. He should be selling insurance or used cars not corrupting his immature audience.
Many Southern Baptist Churches (where 30% of pastors do not have a biblical worldview!) have engaged Driscoll to preach for them. At the Axxess Church in Arlington, Texas he was told that swearing might fly in Seattle but not in Texas. Rather than take the suggestion (warning) Driscoll used the F word in his first statement! He later apologized.
To offend and embarrass church leaders who were kind enough to invite him and give him a generous honorarium shows clearly that Driscoll is without character. What caused him to be so offensive? Maybe it was ignorance or maybe arrogance. But then it could have been arrogant ignorance. Then again, it might be ignorant arrogance. Whatever it was, Driscoll is a disgrace to the ministry and I am ashamed that we would be in the same category.
He is like many preachers who think they must always be in the know about everything in the culture and be knowledgeable about all the newest avant-garde foreign movies, sizzling television shows, the most vulgar rap songs, and whatever is driving the culture at the present. Of course, that will change tomorrow.
It is not spiritually or mentally healthy to be constantly exposed to the prevailing, low-life culture. Christians are to help shape the culture not be shaped by it. We are not to walk in step with the world. It seems modern Christian leaders and their followers would rather appear worldly if not wicked than be known as unhip, uncool, naïve, dullards, or sanctimonious. Or even holy rollers. Few such preachers will ever be charged with being called holy rollers, and such a reference would have to be roller skaters or motorcycle riders!
The Apostle Paul spoke to this issue in Colossians 3:8 warning “Put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” Filthy communication means “foul speaking, low and obscene speech.” He continued in 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace.”
Driscoll will probably continue on his path to fame as the “cussing preacher” and end up a wealthy, lonely, dissatisfied, unfulfilled preacher who realizes too late that his flight into profanity was not lasting nor godly, and ending up with his early supporters realizing that he only looked silly, stupid, and sinful.
So, why did Liberty University invite him to speak? Well, contrary to many Internet sources, he really invited himself! As most itinerant speakers do, they contact various colleges, churches, etc., to fill their schedule. He informed Liberty officials that he “would be in the area” and had some time available. My unsupported opinion is that Jerry Falwell, not in his grave but in Heaven, blushed a little at what his son and the Board of Trustees did. It has been charged that the Trustees voted unanimously to not have Driscoll speak; however, my information is that there was only disagreement on the Board. Liberty only admitted that the Trustees did not “unanimously” vote to not have Driscoll speak.
Falwell and I were not bosom buddies for many reasons but we were friendly for over fifty years. This is complete conjecture on my part but he is probably disappointed in everyone responsible for Driscoll being a speaker at Liberty which Jerry almost built with his own hands. My sources at Liberty tell me that Driscoll did not use foul language at the university nor did he get offensive with his treatment of sex. However, the fact that he spoke at Liberty is, in itself, offensive.
My critics will remind me that Jerry had Senator Edward Kennedy at the school, and I would not have done that; however, Kennedy was a public official whose message should be heard and criticized. That is part of a university’s purpose. However, a few months ago Fox News’ Bob Beckel gave his testimony at the school, and now Driscoll. Exposing immature youth to foul-mouthed speakers is not necessary. Nor is it educational. Uncouth, uncivil, uncultured preachers, however famous and entertaining, should never be permitted behind pulpits.
Driscoll speaking at Liberty University was a mistake, a miscalculation, and a miscarriage for which responsible top officials should repent and apologize to the public and their financial supporters. That probably won’t happen since we Baptists don’t do much public repenting.
We do expect others to do that!
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Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, author of 14 books, frequent guest on television and radio talk shows, and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. His most recent book is ISLAM: America’s Trojan Horse! His new eBook, The God Haters is available for $9.99 from www.thegodhaters.com. These columns go to over 11,000 newspapers, television, and radio stations. His other web sites are www.cstnews.com and www.Muslimfact.com. Contact Don for an interview or talk show.