Wow- the Author of The Shack tells Driscoll to "Man up!"

Mark Driscoll's YouTube video of the message in which he took The Shack to task was

1. highly watched

2. slightly overblown 

There are some things to be careful of in the Shack, no doubt (my review is here), but my guess is Mark's apoplexy was probably based more on an intern-produced bullet-point summary than a careful reading of the book. 

Now, Paul Young, one of the most irenic men I've ever had the privilege to meet is speaking Mark's language in an effort to get Mark to sit down and talk about public charges of heresy that he's made. While I think the chances of that happening are about the same as Mark reading Psalm 11:5 and being convicted to give up watching Ultimate Fighting, I think the effort is interesting nonetheless. 

Here's what Paul Young says:

“Mark Driscoll has leveled some serious charges against my writing and by extension against me. He has publicly called me a heretic. I’ve decided to ask him to meet me in Seattle on Sept 10th, from 1-3 PM, and have an open discussion in front of a public audience about the different ways he and I view scripture.

I have asked my good friend Jim Henderson to host this conversation. It will not be a debate but a discussion about our differences and because we are both Christians about the places we are in agreement. The audience will be able to ask questions of both of us.

Mark seems quite fond of telling his congregants to “man up” and I guess I am really asking him to do the same. I would like him to say to my face what he has spread around the world via Youtube, and you can be sure I’ll have a few questions for him as well.

I’m sure many ‘non-Christians’ wonder why someone like Mark can say things like this with impunity. When someone is able to garner 350K views on Youtube, or for that matter has sold almost 20 Million copies of a book, I believe the conversations have become public property.”

 

So what do you think? Is this a publicity grab on the part of Jim Henderson? Or Paul Young (though with a book that's sold as many copies as the Shack, probably not)? A real attempt to mend fences? Or just to make a point?

Should Mark talk to Paul? Is Paul a heretic? Should we care about either?

Comments

[Oliver Harrison]

Driscoll *sigh*
Well, God loves him.

[sonja]

It's not particularly in Paul's character to grandstand for ulterior motives. At least not from what I've seen. He seems to say what he means and means what he says. So I think he can be taken at face value on this.

It would be amazing if MD did show up. I don't anticipate that he will. Bullies are not known for making themselves available to this kind of peaceful confrontation.

[Erik]

There is a long discussion that needs to occur with Driscoll about throwing around the indictment of heresy. Good for Paul. Someone needs to take Driscoll to task for his acute diarrhea of the mouth.

[Mark]

I have no idea what Young's motives are in this. However, I do wonder why he would not challenge someone like Al Mohler who also called out heresy in The Shack. He could have been a guest on Mohler's radio show.

Some who believe Young is selling heretical doctrines might wonder how he is able to do so without much impunity.

[Elheffejones]

I'm not sure about the politics of the situation, but I am a fan of open and honest dialog. If they meet, it is televised, and they just sit and bash each other, then it does nothing. However, if they are able to use it as an opportunity to show that through theological differences they can share the common ground of Jesus Christ and the differences actually serve as a point of spiritual growth, then I would say it would be very beneficial.

[Linda]

It could be an interesting and helpful discussion. If it is an attempt to mend fences, then I would assume that Paul and Jim have been in contact with Mark in order to schedule this event. I hope there was more to the "invitation" than this public challenge.

[bobhyatt]

Me too.

[Peter]

I think Paul has every right to call out Mark. Good for him. However, calling on Jim to moderate this is a bit like having Rush Limbaugh moderate a debate between a Republican and Democrat. It's just a hunch, but I think Jim is more team Paul than he is team Mark. Nevertheless, I would be interested in watching a discussion between Mark and Paul. Perhaps the best format would simply to set a video camera in the room and let the two discuss and then post it to youtube? I think a public debate would only invite cheering and oooh and awwing and I'm not really sure that really accomplishes much.

[Jason Sheffield]

Did this ever happen?

[bobhyatt]

The Paul, Jim thing did- Mark was  (as expected) a no-show... But then, not sure I would have shown up this either! :)