Ok, the headline is a little sensationalistic, but there was some heat being thrown from the pulpit at GCC’s Shepherd’s Conference 2009 this morning. Were I one of those in the pornification arena, I would have felt red in the face.
Phil Johnson, of Pyromaniacs and the Spurgeon Archive, showed how Titus 2:7-8 thoroughly denounces the type of contextualization infiltrating modern evangelicalism, and compared such disregard for the authority, holiness, and effectuality of God’s Inspired Word to one of the worst punishible offenses of the Bible. I’d sure never want to expose our youth to that.
Give it a listen. (Posted here because one of Phil’s cohorts at pyro asked for it, and my bandwidth here is unlimited)
I listened to this one at work. Phil knocked it out of the park!!
There are a number of women in Washington who have been praying, fasting, writing, interceding with tears and supplication and sometimes begging some brave, Godly pastor to come forward and say what Phil said. Our prayers are answered. I’m thankful beyond words.
Boldness like a sledgehammer through large glass window! Just what needs to be said as some Churches/Pulpits/Pastors drift in to the blackened postmodern sea. May those pastors at the Shepherd’s Conf. return to their churches inspired and refreshed.
Thank you Phil!
While I completely agree with what Phil Johnson is saying, Mark Driscoll should not be included in this category of the Pornification of the the church, and if Phil thinks he should, then clearly he hasn’t done his research. Mark clearly and consistently sounds the trumpet of sexual purity and faithfulness in a city that has a Porn parade! He constantly challenges culture and holds it up to the standards of the bible. He is not looking to become comfortable in culture but rather to confront culture where it is with the truth of scripture, however provocative scripture may be (Song of Songs). Sometimes Mark does say something that he probably shouldn’t, as he will be the first to tell you…but he is quick to admit to and repent of crossing any lines.
Phil presented his case with accuracy, honesty, and clarity. He was bang on — using the world’s “packaging” (ie. the sensual/pornified vernacular) to contextualize the truth, while attempting to make it more attractive/palatable/acceptable/popular is offensive and unbiblical.
Now lets be equally consistent in applying the same principles to contextualizing our worship by “packaging” God’s truth in the sensual/pornified/rebellious musical styles (vernacular) of the world.
@Nick:
You’ll probably receive a more satisfying discussion if you bring your comment up with Phil directly. However, I might first suggest you maybe reread Titus 2:7-8 some more until the point sinks in.
Thanks for posting this.
Nick said,
“Sometimes Mark does say something that he probably shouldn’t, as he will be the first to tell you…but he is quick to admit to and repent of crossing any lines.”
If he has repented why does he keep doing it?
Is that John Macarthur introducing Phil?
Great sermon!
Just run all the gangs out of America, use force, guns, tanks. We dont need these bastards! Bankrupted hospitals with illegals, they have who know how many gangs that rob, rape and murder, enough is enough. Time to use our military domestically. Shoot them ALL out.