While what I know of you says that (a) you asked the question honestly and (b) you didn’t ballot-stuff nor did you call for others to do so, I don’t think it takes a lot of insight to realize that your question (and maybe a few others) was a “victim” of ballot-stuffing.

When I first heard about “Ask Anything”, before I even went to the site, I immediately thought of Mark 12:13: Then they sent to [Jesus] some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.

While I’m not equating Jesus and Driscoll, I knew that this idea would be (ab)used by Driscoll’s critics — especially those who are too busy attacking him for something they heard about and were offended by 6 months ago to hear anything he actually said today — to “ask” questions that they think they already know the answer to.

There is certainly validity to your question, but of all the ones I saw on that site, it is the one that can most easily be (wrongly) assumed to be rhetorical. Sadly, there are many people out there that view everything as black-and-white, and would assume — nay, state with all certainty — that someone seeking to be missional like Driscoll could not possibly adhere to the RP.

Seeing as how (unlike others) I can’t read the state of Driscoll’s heart, this is only a guess. But I would imagine that it was people like that about whom Driscoll was thinking when he made his remarks.

Since I wrote that four days ago, Driscoll has offered some encouraging words about the issue of the RP, and I am glad that others (including you) have picked up the issue. As far as I’m concerned, I do not want to be in the middle of this whole deal. I will continue to think through and write about matters of church and culture, but I feel like others would be better suited to carry the conversation than me.

I very much disagree. Driscoll is still a very influential person and having him address the issue of how Scripture impacts our worship is worthwhile. He can mischaracterize the question and the questioners all he wants, but he should still be held to the issue itself.

Thank you for your encouraging words. I am grateful for those who have thought that my question has merit. I am all the more grateful for those who have contributed with helpful comments and constructive thoughts (including those who have disagreed with its premise). Whatever the outcome, I have learned a lot from this experience, most importantly, the sin in my own heart and life. It is my desire that the generation to which I belong would be passionate about cultivating healthy, biblical churches, whatever role we play.

Stetzer has mentioned that the two leading issues before this generation will be ecclesiology and missiology. While we hear much about being missional, I fear that we have not paid sufficient attention to being ecclesial.

Again, thank you for the comment and encouragement brother. It is my hope and prayer that my Lord is not grieved by my attitude and actions in this matter.

You are a great blessing to the body of Christ through this blog. I so enjoy reading your articles and insights from the Word of God expressed in them.

Your question on Mark’s blog is tremendous and has great merit. Despite his flippant mention of it this past Sunday, it has received a very healthy response leading the pack almost from day one. I hope it remains in the top nine questions and that Mark will soberly and reverently addresses its content.

I am honored that one of the bloggers from our theological camp asked such a great set of questions and that many others from around the country also have embraced its rich inquiry.

Keep on my brother… I, along with many others, are greatly thanking the Lord for you today.

In His grace,
Steve
Col. 1:9-14

I was notified this morning about Driscoll’s sermon this past Sunday, and I watched the first five minutes of it where he makes his joke about the question. I don’t know what to say, honestly. This whole deal has been really disappointing for me, and I regret that I ever chose to be a part of it. For the sake of Driscoll’s success and my sanctification, I do hope the question falls off the top 9. I am tired of dealing with it–tired especially after my wife read the comments from my question for the first time yesterday and was hurt by them.

As you well know, I have been more than fair with Driscoll and those who have criticized him (often without warrant). I do have to wonder what Keller, Piper, Carson, Ware, etc. know that we do know that causes them to back Driscoll. Given that they are committed to the project, perhaps Crossway should reconsider the potential outcome of this concoction.

In any case, I am moving on as I do not see anything redeemable in the situation. I hope we are both wrong and that this project could really serve the church at large.

I also like your question very much and should be interesting to see how Driscoll responds. I visited MarsHill about a month ago… Interesting.

On this ask-Mark-anything don’t take it to seriously – he’s not. It is a promotional tool to further promote him and he is laughing at you brother. Just listen to his sermon from last Sunday. He mentions the theme of your question and one other in a very demeaning, sarcastic way calling you “the insane lunatics running the asylum who must live deep in the woods.”

Mind you, he’s saying this while wearing a Jesus Master P DJ cartoon t-shirt trying to preach on “humility” and the incarnation of Jesus in Phil. 2:1-11.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Here is what he thinks of the questions you and others are posing for him to answer: “Pastor Mark wants to know what is on your mind. He is not afraid of you. He is not afraid of your questions – stupid, pointless, angry, or incendiary as they may be.”

Your question is a very good one; he doesn’t think so. Write an article for your blog and it will be a great blessing to many. Mark’sHill is not worth your effort at this point.

Just my opinion; I could be wrong.
Campi

I think it’s a great question and that’s coming from someone who is in the process of planting an Acts 29 Church. Personally, I can’t wait for Driscoll’s sermon on the RP. Thanks for asking the question!

I wish he would honestly engage this issue…the fact that he thinks it is only about “singing psalms” shows that it is important that he tackle this question. I hope he doesn’t dodge it.

Nick’s last paragraph shows that even if this were limited to music in worship (which it is not), it is not as easily dismissed as “psalms only”. This is a great question…and evidently many people agree.