Who Would Jesus Smack Down? - New York Times

Who Would Jesus Smack Down?

The above article talks about Mark Driscoll who is know as the 'cussing pastor' in Seattle. He's cutting edge with sermon titles such as 'Biblical Oral Sex' or 'Pleasuring your Spouse' and he's known as the "coolest style and foulest mouth of any preacher you’ve ever seen." Many people argue that the idea of mega churches and appealing to a young audience goes against the Bible and the original idea of worship.

I grew up in a traditional church, sang hymns, and listened to a sermon that I usually didn't remember ten minutes later. Then I was turned on to GCC which is a mega church. All of the sudden I'm able to bring God into my every day life and actually understand my faith more. So, are mega churches really that bad?

Let's pair this hip church phenomenon with TV. TV used to be very traditional. It consisted of news that was conservative, shows that were clean humor, and racy shows were no where to be seen. Then the era of MTV happened and things got a little racier with music videos and sex being displayed on TV. All of the sudden there are cable shows that push the envelope. I can remember only being allowed to watch The Cosby Show, Star Search, and ABC's Family Disney night because they were clean. As I got older this changed.

Then I'm exposed to the Real World and suddenly sex is everywhere with lots of alcohol. I'm disgusted with this and completely enthralled at the same time. I go to college and I see girls kissing girls to gain the attention of men, men treating women like pure sex toys, and women stripping to gain more attention. I'm exposed to people snorting cocaine, passing out because they did too many drugs in one night, and so many people waking up and now knowing what they did. It was all pretty crazy and quite a battle to stay away from it all.

With all of the sex, drugs, and criminal activity in my face it's no wonder that I found salvation in a church that told me how I can bring God into my every day life. Technology that I use every day was used in the sermons, porn was talked about, keeping your partner physically and emotionally happy was taught, and of course learning to live a life by the Lord's word in a world full of more temptation than we ever imagined is taught. Every week you could see people from all the different walks of life and find solace that everyone wanted to hear the word of God and relate to their every day life.

So while Mark Driscoll might get criticized and he may be too cutting edge I believe it'll work. Everything we see is cutting edge and therefore it doesn't hurt that sermons we see are that way as well. I can't imagine being a teenager in this day and age when oral sex is normal and bullying goes on day in and day out in a school. These are the kids that will understand Mark Driscoll and figure out how to bring God into their life. Every Pastor is teaching love and Faith regardless of how big their congregation is.

Here's my one criticism about Driscoll though, he knocked 'The Shack'. This is by far my favorite book. Who is he to say that a book is completely ridiculous when so many people have found comfort in it. It teaches a different way to connect to God. Some people like the approach and others may not. So I guess Driscoll has the right to knock it and make fun of it. But I will continue to love it and I will read it again.....if I can find my copy.....