Mark Driscoll Apologizes
Remember the spat between Mark Driscoll and Brian McLaren? Mark has posted an apology for the tone and character of his comments. I think his concerns were accurate; I agree that his vim and vigor were a bit over the top. So I appreciate his willingness to confess and repent publically over this type of thing. We could use more examples like this in the Christian community...
posted by Pilgrim in Progress @ 9:29 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I don't know either of these persons (only in writing) but do hope that this posted apology was not the first act of reconciliation. While I do not doubt that Mark was genuine, he offended one person primarily and I hope that the apology came one on one (in person or on the phone) before this post. I recognize that he cannot personally apologize to everyone he may have offended, but Brian needed a personal apology.
This is one of those areas of Christian spirituality where our digital world and reliance on the computer does a severe injustice to God's desire for reconciliation and forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness on a blog post (or even on an email) cheapens forgiveness in my own opinion- it makes it a spectacle rather than a relational connection between two people seeking reconciliation with one another. I have no problem with the blog, and in fact I think it is appropriate for everyone who has listened in on this conversation to hear the apology- but the post should come after the fact.
"Matt. 5:23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
Matt. 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. "
It seems to me that this is an exchange between two people with God as the only audience.
My two cents. Danny
Hi Danny, sorry to be so slow in responding to this. I definitely agree with you - a personal offense needs to be accompanied by personal repentance (and I am assuming that happened here, but none of us knows that one way or the other - if it didn't it should have).
The issue I was focusing on was the fact that a public apology was also in order, because it happened in a public forum. So McLaren wasn't the only person involved here - everyone who read it was. And in that case, public repentance is also both appropriate and necessary. And I think Mark did a good job of that (and this is something many of us do poorly at).
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