06.19.06 Review: Mark Driscoll’s Confessions

I stopped reading Mark Driscoll’s Confessions of a Reformission Rev today.  I didn’t finish it.  I just stopped reading it.  (And I’ll start reading David Augsburger’s Dissident Discipleship tomorrow.)

The reason?  While Mark is a pastor I listen to a lot and am entertained and challenged by always, his writing comes across as just, well, mean.  Way mean.  The book version of Mark would probably mock me for even saying that right now, accuse me of being an effeminate loofa user (a charge made against Emergent Church leaders in the first chapter).

I still suggest listening to Mark’s great teaching and hanging with him if you get the chance.  But some personalities just don’t work on paper and his is one of them...for me.  (This book was a needed warning to me to be sure my humor isn’t misinterpreted in print as mean.)

The ideas we speak and write are not all there is to our message.  The method is also part of that message.  And for me, at a time when I’m realizing my own tendencies to divide instead of unite the Church, Mark’s writing was a repellent two-faced message.  The ideas presented say, “Love God.  Love people.  Build a church that does the same.” But the method, the words and tone, say instead, “I love God and if you don’t agree with me then you don’t.  I’m a better person than you and if you don’t think so then, well, my church kicks your church’s ass.  So there.”

I highly recommend the teaching and ideas of Mark’s.  Just not this book of them.  I was sent Mark’s book to review on this blog.  One day I’ll pick it up again and give a more thorough review after finishing the last couple chapters.  But right now I’d give it 5 stars for lessons worth learning and 1 star for writing style and unnecessary low blows.  Here’s what other folks are saying about it:

Jeff at healing malchus writes…

“...the book hits its lows when Driscoll starts swinging prescriptive ethics like a club, demeaning people caught in a cycle of sin or theological confusion. He thinks his banter is humorous; it is actually base and cruel. Ironically in the last few pages he feels compelled to put forward all his own struggles asking for sympathy. It seems to be the mark of a particular sort of bad man who fragrantly insults those wrapped in moral failure, then turns and asks for pity for their own sin. I hope I miss read him on this front.  Thankfully, most of the readers of this book will be mature believers, primarily pastors who will easily slide over Driscoll’s over-exaggerations, self absorption, and straight out mean-spiritedness. If you buy it, cherish the good when you find it cause there is much to be discarded.”

BUT worship.com says…

“This book is highly recommended and should be read by every pastor, elder, and worship leader. Those who have a desire to reach an increasingly post-modern culture without compromising doctrine will be encouraged to know they are not alone in either their struggles or their passion to reach the world for Jesus.”

Have you read Mark’s book?  What do you think?  Not about him but about his book.