Mars Hill

In Athens, Greece, there is a place called Mars Hill. It is where, ostensible, Paul the Apostle spoke with the citizens of the city of Athens and declared to them that He knew the God whom they honored as the “unknown” god. I have been there twice, and there is a commanding view of the surrounding city and the Acropolis with the Parthenon and other notable buildings. Some of the citizens who heard Paul that day believed that of which he spoke, but others, perhaps most, did not. It is undoubtedly a tragedy that so many missed an opportunity to discover life in Christ.

There is another Mars Hill, a Church in Seattle, WA. The Church, pastored by Mark Driscoll has undoubtedly drawn many people to the message of the Gospel, but the Enemy will use anyone and anything available to him to damage and destroy.

Mark Driscoll has long been an evangelical bad boy, a gifted orator and charismatic leader who built one of the nation’s most influential megachurches despite, or perhaps fueled by, a foul mouth, a sharp temper and frank talk about sex. (New York Times)

There are a lot of complaints, and some may be legitimate. I don’t know. I heard him ask the Church for a leave of absence, and it was obvious he is hurting over the issues. Praying for him would be a good thing.

What is important is that many will be hurt by the controversy. Some will never come to know the grace of God because of this kind of scandal. A portion of the Truth has been defiled (by his actions and/or that of his detractors) and that hurts all Believers. But, he is a fellow Believer in Christ and a brother. We owe him our llove and prayerful support as the issues are resolved. (See Galatians 6:1)