Pastor Mark Driscoll* tweeted this last week:
That he is no fan of bloggers is no secret. He’s been known in the past to be quick to use his sharp wit to lampoon the critical blogger. I realize also that by responding to him I am probably becoming one of those “pontificating” bloggers that he so disdains. Fair enough, but I thought this might serve as a decent opportunity to share the benefit of blogging.
On one hand I totally agree with Pastor Mark. Pontificating about what others are doing while doing nothing yourself can be very annoying. There is no doubt that one of the negative aspects to blogging is that people can waste away their days arguing about semantics more than discussing that which is significant. Blogging certainly has a dark side. Yet, at the same time I find Driscoll’s words very unhelpful (not to mention hypocritical in that he is pontificating about what others—bloggers—are doing).
Mostly Pastor Mark’s tweet is unhelpful because he paints with too broad of a brush (as often happens on Twitter) and is marked by unhelpful assumptions.
Two Assumptions
- Bloggers aren’t doing. The massive assumption in this tweet is that bloggers aren’t doing. I strongly disagree. If I believed that my blog had no kingdom value I would quit this day. But I believe that what I do here at Borrowed Light in some small way displays Jesus Christ as the only boast of this generation. I believe that what I write can be helpful for pastors as they disciple people. I also believe that what I write can be helpful to disciples of Jesus as we attempt to follow Him. Blogging can be doing if it is done well.
- There is no value except for doing. I imagine that there is a story behind this particular tweet from Driscoll. Perhaps he read a harsh critique by a blogger (or maybe even a legit one). Again, I agree that it’s much easier to sit back and be an armchair quarterback than to actually do the work of ministry. But at the same time let’s not assume that there is no value in someone using the Scriptures to assess what we are doing. There is value in receiving criticism—even if it from a pontificating blogger. I doubt Pastor Mark is arguing for a total pragmatism here but it’s hard not to read his tweet that way.
These are two of the assumptions in this tweet. Driscoll has highlighted the dark side of blogging but he paints with such a broad brush that he also belittles and minimizes the work of faithful bloggers. If Driscoll’s tweet applies to you then perhaps you ought to close up shop. But for those that are faithfully presenting Christ through their blogs I say keep it up.
Blogging can be doing if it is done well.
—
*The point of this article is to use the words of Mark Driscoll to not only disagree with his statement but mostly to say that there is a place for faithful blogging in the kingdom.
This is not an invitation to make this a discussion about Mark Driscoll or his ministry, only about what he tweeted on this particular occasion.
Wow. Granted, in the context of his antipathy for bloggers, this might make sense, but the response seems disproportionate to the tweet. Since I don’t follow Marc, maybe I’m just clueless, but I didn’t see the broad brush in the tweet spoken of in the response. The conclusions that Driscoll thinks bloggers aren’t doing and that only doing is worthwhile seem unwarranted from the simple tweet that appears (to me at least, but as I said, I’m probably clueless) to say Jesus got “down and dirty” with ministry rather than just blathering. But I’ve been wrong before, so this won’t… Read more »
Rick,
I completely agree with you. Mike has made many assumptions … including that Driscoll tweet is a response to criticism. Why is that the first and only option … at least the only option that Mike wrote a response to?
And “let’s not assume that there is no value in someone using the Scriptures to assess what we are doing.” Where did Driscoll assume that?
This is a very poor defense of “bloggers” when it’s such a one-sided, assumption filled blog.
Torre, Thanks for the comment. I agree that I made an assumption that Driscoll’s tweet is a response to criticism. Kind of ironic I guess that I make an assumption in a list of assumptions. That is why I said, “I imagine…” I know that it’s quite possible that Driscoll just had a thought and decided to Tweet about bloggers. Even if that’s the case though…I believe my point stands. The way that his tweet is worded makes little sense if he’s not assuming that there is only value in doing. Believe me I don’t want to be one of… Read more »
Rick,
You may very well be correct that I am allowing Driscoll’s other statements on bloggers cause this one to have more heat than it should. But even the statement “down and dirty” with ministry rather than blathering is an assumption that blogging is only blathering and not getting “down and dirty” in ministry.
I appreciate your perspective.
If Mark was a leader in the Roman Catholic church during the early stages of the reformation, he would have complained about that “blogger” of his day, Martin Luther daring to criticize the church and its unbiblical practices at the time.
Irony is certainly lost on Driscoll when he complains about bloggers but yet one man in history dared not only to pontificate but act and nail his “blog post” to the door thus beginning the reformation.
” He sent His Son to get stuff done!” The stuff the Son did was wonderful! But it most certainly included communicating truth: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” And the Son has sent us: “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” and… “Go therefore and make disciples of all… Read more »
Um, tweeting is blogging. It’s just blogging without substance.
Hear, hear! You nailed it Bill Mac!
The substance in his tweet/blog is “get the spotlight off of me!” with your tweets/blogs.
Agree he is painting with a very broad brush. I can understand the negativity with the “discernment ministry” bloggers who regularly take digs at him and others, but those comprise a very small percentage of Christian bloggers overall.
I find many blogs (such as this one) informative and helpful. Keep up the good work.
may I suggest that outside of the ‘bubble’ of conservative Christian bloggers, Mark, so controversial within the ‘bubble’, is not known to mainline Christian people very well. I daresay most have never heard of him, or know much about conservative evangelical people through their blogs. What mainline Christian people know about conservative Christians is very slanted towards what conservative Christians ‘are against’, and that information has come to them from other forms of media, media which has not always presented them in a fair way. As someone who came to conservative Christian blogs to find out more about a grandmother’s… Read more »
Let’s see: Bible book writers and contemporary pastors produce product that in today’s world has some similarity to blogs. We don’t hear folks going out of their way to fuss about THAT!!
😛
Bill Mac stated my immediate response to Driscoll’s tweet–He’s taking on the blogging critics via a tweet on Twitter? Ironic.
And doesn’t he blog on his church’s website at times? Doesn’t he engage people through the written word? Again, ironic.
Maybe he should get off of Twitter and go do something.
I am amazed that any of you believe you are furthering the gospel with this type of dialogue. Unfortunately, this is how the world sees us.
I doubt very seriously that “the world” cares much about the discussion we’re having here. And why is it that those desiring to make a powerful statement of disagreement and righteous indignation usually default to the “you guys are doing so much damage to the gospel” argument?
You truly believe the world doesn’t care? You don’t think the world watches what we say and do? Absolutely they do! I have a Buddhist friend who openly challenges me with things he reads on Christian blogs. That’s why we are to be a shining light … a city on the hill. In no way do I think Mike set out to be hateful. In fact, upon further reflection, I can see his point of view, even if I disagree with some of his assumptions. And I can see how a thoughtful discussion on this issue can be productive …… Read more »
“Why does the knowledge of …”
Torre, you are the one leveling an accusation here – and a false one at that. 1) The assumption that you and, it seems, Mark Driscoll make is that all blogging is battle blogging, or discernment blogging or whatever. There exists an element of that, but you seem to join Driscoll in condemning all blogging by the extreme. Do people spread gossip and say evil things on the phone? Yes. Do we blame phone calls? No, we blame the people using the phone to do evil. Do people sin on blogs? Of course. But the fault is not blogging or… Read more »
If I have offended, and I appear to have done so, I apologize. My statements had to do with my assumption of petty and “better than thou” attitudes in the comments directed at Driscoll … never at the blogging world in general. I never mentioned “battle blogging”, I never condemned blogging by the extreme or with a “broad brush stroke” and I never discounted theological discussion. Dave Miller has assumed these things of me … now I know how that feels. I am again sorry for making assumptions. I am new to the blogging arena. I have been encouraged and… Read more »
Torre,
I haven’t in the least been offended by your comment. I agree with you about the “petty squabbles over little things” that not only leaves a bad taste in the mouths of unbelievers but more importantly in the mouth of our Lord. (That’s not to sling mud upon any dear brothers or sisters–here but I’m painting with that broad brush I so disapprove of).
Mike is such a nice person compared to me. I did, I admit, take some offense at what you said.
As a blogger, I tend to be a little sensitive when I feel like people take pot shots at what we do. I interpreted your comments as such a pot shot.
I apologize to you, as well, if I misunderstood what you said and overreacted.
I think you will find, at this site and several others, a lot of lively and productive discussion, mixed in with all too much of the other!
Well, my response to Mark was:
Torre, I’d love to stay and visit with you, but I have to go do some ministry by preaching a funeral. The reality of life and death hits home and brings a clear opportunity to share the gospel, so that’s where I’ll be. Your Buddhist friend is the exception, not the rule. When it comes to criticizing Mark Driscoll, there is nothing petty, demeaning, or unloving in anything in Mike’s post. A seminary degree doesn’t have anything to do with it. No one is advocating hatefulness. Mike is pointing out a problem with Driscoll’s assumptions as evidenced in the tweet… Read more »
And I’m headed out to sing hymns at a hospice for a friends dad who has been given a week to live. If you can take the time to read my post, it clearly states that it is the other responses that are hateful and petty. I’ve said a prayer that you may bring comfort and truth to your funeral. May God go with you.
And you as well. There is a reality we all must face, and it is good to bring comfort to people at such times. May that family be encouraged by what you do today. And may Jesus Christ be glorified.
Blogging with you guys is very educational, it’s great to hear what the other half of the world has to say. Of course blogging doesn’t take the place of Bible study or hinder me in any of my duties, I simply enjoy it.
Driscoll just don’t get it, too bad. I have to go out in the cold to feed my sheep and chickens. I have to break ice to water them. I am also building another sheep shed, my fingers almost froze yesterday while I was working on it. (“and I’m pompous”).
Pontificating blogs like this one are the worst too: http://pastormark.tv/popular
😉
Translation: If not for pontificating bloggers I could still be drinking, cussing and spreading error without the hassle of accounting.
Reminds me why I am not a fan.
Christian blogging is like knocking on the walls of the Church to find the weak spots. It can be an annoying practice to different types of people: 1) Those who are trying to get away with nominal faith and still be active in church. 2) The ones who put that particular wall there and don’t want to believe that it wasn’t constructed very well. 3) Those who love the Lord, but don’t think it matters if the proverbial walls are weak or not. 4) Those doing the work of strengthening the Church in other areas who think someone wants them… Read more »
Jim,
This is beautiful and in my opinion worthy of it’s own post. In fact I’d love to post it at my own site.
Thanks, Mike! Feel free to use it. From the things you write, I trust you to use it well. Also feel free to add to the list. I’m sure it’s not comprehensive and the categories even overlap some, so have at it.
Thanks, Jim. I’ll post a link here whenever I get something typed up. And thanks for the compliment and the freedom to do some tweaks.
Jim,
Here is the article that centers around your excellent comment:
http://www.mikeleake.net/2013/01/those-of-whom-blogging-annoys.html
Thanks, again.
1. I stand inclined to disagree with things that originate with Mark Driscoll.
2. Bloggers are much maligned, and unfairly so.
But, all of that having been said, as a blogger (an erstwhile blogger?), I have felt profoundly the tension between blogging and doing.
I still remember that graph you published once.
as per the tension between ‘blogging’ and ‘doing’:
“It is easy to sit up and take notice.
What is difficult is getting up and taking action.”
Honore de Balzac
Another misconception to the one stated here, that ‘blogging isn’t doing’, is that bloggers do nothing elsewhere, at any time, ever. Many bloggers whom I know, myself included, belong to a local church, faithfully attend, serve, and participate. Many bloggers pray, witness at their place of employment, and serve the community as Christians outside the walls of the church as well as inside. Christian blogging is only one (momentary) aspect of a blogger’s day/ministry/life. Bloggers blog. But bloggers most certainly “DO”.