Jesus Will Never Let You Down

In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness… Titus 2:7

Over and over again we are reminded that people, no matter how good or how sincere, can and do let you down. Even though I have personally witnessed this several times in my own life, I was reminded by that again this week in a more casual way. 

Mark Driscoll was the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church back in 1996, and a leader in the Young, Restless, and Reformed Movement that started in the late 90s.  He was also someone that I looked to as an example early in my Christian walk.  He was bold, aggressive for the Lord, unabashedly Biblical, and gave Reformed Theology a young, cool, hip look.  He was dynamic, irreverent at times, and funny.  As a result, his books sold, his fame grew, as did his congregation which reached over 14,000 and had several satellite campus’.

Sadly, the fame got to him.  Pride got to him.  He came to love himself more, and the Gospel he preached less.  He started speaking out on topics he should not have.  He was accused of plagiarism.  Finally, the leadership of his congregation came out and accused him of being a bully, and of spiritually abusing those that were under his care (please note I am summarizing a lot here).  As a result, he lost his church, was went through a period of reconciliation, rehabilitation, and restoration.  For me this was tough news to take.  I know that all leaders are prone to making mistakes, but some of the things he said and did to those under his care were awful, and the church did what was right.  I was hoping that during his time off, he would realize his ways and truly change and come back stronger than ever.

Well after some time off, Mark did come back.  I haven’t heard much about him lately, until last week.  In an interview last week, Mark stated that he has now learned that the 5 points of Calvinism (something he had advocated for years) are not Biblical, and that they are garbage.  I was stunned.  Not only was I stunned because he is clearly wrong (Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints are absolutely Biblical), but I was stunned thinking about how many thousands of people may have come to the Christ because of Mark Driscoll that are now hearing him say that what he taught for all those years is “garbage” and “not Biblical”.  Its such a letdown.

A great professor of mine during a Pastoral Ministry class taught us two things:

1) Having the title of Pastor is the most wonderful, and the most honorable title anyone can have, and that it comes with immense responsibility.

2) That every single decision we make will have a ripple effect.  There will be people that we have impacted along the way, and that any decision we make will impact each and every single person we have ever touched.

I wonder of Mark Driscoll thought, or cares about those people he touched in his 20+ years in the ministry?  I wonder if he considers that some people that came to faith because of him now hear him calling what he taught unbiblical garbage, and I wonder if he considers how that might impact some of those folks.

It’s sad, it truly is.  But as I said when I started this, people can and will let you down.  Its good to have mentors, its good to have role models, but at the end of the day, Jesus is the only one that will never change and will never let you down.  Let’s keep focused on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3).