If the title of this post strikes an unexpected note, then prepare to be surprised. Mark Driscoll is hitting the headlines for apparently claiming that “Jesus is a pride fighter with a tattoo down His leg, a sword in His hand, and the willingness to make someone bleed.’ He continues, ‘that is a guy I can worship…I cannot worship a guy I can beat up.” According to those who have researched this story, this is a typical expression of an emerging form of neo-Calvinism, which makes you feel wretched and powerless and macho and powerful all at the same time, and in the process somehow changes your life. Maybe it does. But it seems pretty hard to square with some uncompromising Bible teachings in such easy-to-find places as the Ten Commandments, not to mention Matthew 5:21-26, 38-48 or even the crucifixion narratives, which on the face of it seem to offer an entirely different picture of Jesus.
For an interesting reflection on all this, go here.
