The Best We Can Do?

Mark spoke. His adversaries reacted. Mark clarified. There are now many on both sides hoping that his recent letter will put an end to it all. Is it time to sweep this whole fiasco under the rug? Many say “yes”, appealing to the idea that Christians should not be fighting among themselves; their concern seems to be with the message we are sending to those outside the Church. The idea that a protest would be launched by fellow believers or that Mark Driscoll would be publicly berated has been deemed unseemly....

The question therefore, is what is the import of this issue. Those who contend that unity should pre-empt theological difference in this arena, should also insist that Mark exercise restraint from here on out. Mark may believe with all his being that the ordination and leadership of women are heretical, but if we agree that this debate is less important than our Christian unity than it must be less important for him as well! That would mean no more derogatory remarks about women or the “effeminate” church....

Is our theology an offense of the gospel or is it an offense to the gospel?

If Mark is wrong on this issue than he is placing an unnecessary hurdle between Jesus and those who might otherwise be drawn to him. That is a very serious matter and it is one reason why it is difficult for Mark’s dissenters to let this one go. If we are aware that this issue may deafen some to the gospel, if we know that it hinders the expression of other’s gifts by telling them God has subjugated and limited them in role, then we damn well better be sure of our theology.

I too long for this controversy to be over. I have no desire to keep throwing darts at Mark, but neither do I wish for Christian women and men to continue to be divided in ways Jesus never intended. Mark needs and deserves our forgiveness, our love and our respect. So do the women in our midst.

If this debate is silenced will they receive it?

[via Blog- People Against Fundamentalism]