First he makes front page news on the New York Times. Now Nightline runs a special on him. Seems like Driscoll is everywhere these days!
Edit note 30/1/09 – Just found out that the Youtube user mentioned below, “iamannointed” is a fake atheist fraud. Makes him even more sick then Pat Condell. Here’s one to due diligence for next time…
I recently posted a provocative and completely sarcastic video on my YouTube channel called “Boycott Israel.” It’s a tongue in cheek video showcasing just how brilliant Jewish people are when it comes to inventions and business. Suffice to say, I had that many people making comments thinking I was anti-Jewish, that I deleted all comments and disabled this feature.
So now I’m copping personal messages and friend request from all sorts of people. One was from Pat Condell – an atheist who takes it upon himself to slander all religions – and Christianity seems to take the brunt of his verbal diarrhea.
In his “try hard, look at me, I’m trying to be funny at the expense of religion” Video Blog, he focuses on the stereotypical mindsets people have towards religion and tears them down one by one. Of course, what this results in is death threats from Muslims (makes for vulgar reading so be warned) and mass evangelism efforts from Christians. And of course Condell plays on this and posts more and more video’s to ridicule both tribes.
So what we have here is an articulate man voicing his opinion on religion, and echoing what many stay silent about – especially when political correctness demands us to shut up. A lot of what he bags Christianity for, I actually agree with – a lot of what Christianity is “known for” as opposed to “truly practiced,” is truly stupid and simply religiously bizarre. But his witty comments and body language give him away as a man who truly hates my King and for this I simply cannot stand the man. Sorry Jesus.
Here is an example of what I’m talking about…
In the other corner are many well meaning Christians who probably pray for Condell”s darkened soul – which is a beautiful thing – especially when compared to what the Muslims would want to do to him. But this is what gets me. Enter the weirdo Christian – the likes of which help set the mindset that Condell bags and dissects.
One such character is YouTube user “iamannointed” – check out his cliched and, what seemingly looks like drunk response to what Randell said above.
I’m sure Condell said the “sinners prayer” after watching that response. And just in case he didn’t, iamannointed follows up with a song he personally wrote, and infused with “the gift of tongues” between versus and at the end of the song as he stairs down the camera for effect the TBN would be proud of…
And finally in case his song was a flop on Condell’s iPod, iamannointed “prays” for him “in the spirit”…
OK, if you’re not a christian and have watched all this, take a chill pill and realise that not all of us are like this. In fact many Christians would see this as totally bizarre. To my Pentecostal and Charismatic friends reading this, I am not a cessationalist either – I do believe in the gifts of the Spirit – but I also believe they are to be exercised in the right way. So what’s my take on this? My response could probably best be summarised by the following Proverb:
“O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.” Proverbs 8:5
Let’s start with the fool – sorry Condell but the Scriptures you bag actually label you as a fool. (Ps14:1 et al) Hey, you have your beliefs which apparently make me out to be an ignorant idiot but my beliefs label you as a fool – but enough of the name calling already. To people such as Condell, scriptures paint as having no sense, wise in their own ways, puffed up, arrogant. Sure, we should pray for such people but also remember the words of our King when He spoke about them – you know the pearls to swine, walking all over you and attack you bit? See Mat 7:6 if you don’t know what I mean. And Condell does just this.
Mat 10:14 even suggests to walk away from people not wanting to listen to what we have to say about them. By all means, engage. But if rejected and ridiculed, walk away – there may be others our King wants us to engage. If God wants Condell saved, He will accomplish it with His Spirit – and not by our antics.
To the simple one - iamannointed, I’m afraid I’m talking about you (in case you asked, “who’s that?”), Scripture suggests learning prudence which is defined as:
“The exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters.”
I appreciate your concern over Condell’s situation, but you seriously lack good judgement or common sense in your dealing with him and, in doing so, make the rest of us look pretty silly. In addition, you’ve probably just supplied the material for Condell’s next video message bagging those who love Jesus.
When you speak in tongues, the following Scriptures offer great advice.
“Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?” 1 Cor 14:6
“So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.” 1 Cor 14:9
“If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?” 1 Cor 14:23
None of the above was shown in your video’s and this is my point. Christians are seen as strange by an unbelieving world. But we bring this down on ourselves and we amplify this when we do “religion” and pursue this with a selfish and egotistical “look at me” motive.
This world hates us for what we stand for – and it will find any reason to ridicule. But let’s stand for what we believe in with our heads held high knowing that we are observing Scripture and seeking God’s glory – seriously – it’s all about His glory and should have nothing to do with us. That way, the likes of Condell can ridicule all they want – what a waste of a life.
So I see Israel copping flack from the world’s media for recently bombing a UN protected scool in Gaza. To the uninformed, this may seem inhumane. The world’s media goes nuts on such stories as it helps sells newspapers and promotes networks above their rivals and tried hard journalists battle for the “better story of the day.”
But I urge you to push aside what you see on TV and get to know the real battle.
Fact: Hamas are cowards and they hide behind women and children and deliberately position themselves in areas populated by the innocent in order to orchestrate their terror.
Fact: Hamas headquarters are located under the largest hospital in Gaza
Fact: Hamas are losers.
Fact: The media has helped fuel an anti Israel hate message to the world as Israel only seeks to defend its citizens.
Don’t believe me? Well check out the following video from the IDF and proof that Hamas use places where innocent children play and learn to launch their terror.
As a parent, I am sickened by the way Hamas exploit children. Don’t get me wrong, I hate seeing innocent children suffer and die. But the Palestinian children have become “throw away items” in the depravity of the Hamas and this sickens me.
And in case you don’t believe me when I talk about the “throw away” mentality many Palestinians have towards their kids, check out the following video:
The Middle East will see no peace until the Prince of Peace returns. I’ve discussed this before. No US or EU envoy will ever achieve peace. So it’s best that they just pack up and go home. Jesus needs to return and until He does, this kind of crap will reign supreme.
So Bush is on the way out and Obama is about to begin leading the free world. Like him or lump him, Bush has sure been a character to watch over these last 8 years. Personally, I can’t stand him. Not because I’m a Democrat supporter but mostly because I believe he, and elements of his administration, totally orchastrated 911. Search this blog to find out more on my thoughts about this.
I know the above comment will place me on one of those “conspiracy theory whacko lists” but I don’t care. The fact that Bush mentioned that there have been no terrorist attacks for 7 years is almost laughable seeing as he allowed 911 to happen and his neocon friends have prospered through subsequent actions.
So goodbye Bush. Nice to see the end of you – although you did provide us with some awesome laughs. Good on you for tricking the “Religious Right” into thinking that you actually give a toss about God – you did a swell job.
But in you honour, I will post your farewell speech as, although I don’t like you, I do kind of have a soft spot for you.
That just sounded so gay. So here is Bush’s farewell speech…. bye bye Bush.
Earlier this week, I read the New York Times front page article on my favourite Pastor, Mark Driscoll. I love this guys preaching and the impact his ministry has for many people. I even got the chance to meet him when he visited Australia last year.
But the one area I still struggle with is Calvinism – Driscoll’s belief system. So much of me gets it and believes in the teaching of Calvinism, but the opposite belief of Arminianism also resonates with me in a huge way. In a very basic nutshell to those of you who don’t understand the difference:
So the fight is about “who chooses who?” There are a tonne of scriptures to back both views and this topic is HOTLY debated amongst the best and brightest Christian leaders and teachers – both past and present. Me? I’m kind of stuck in the middle – slightly leaning to the Calvinist side. But Driscoll is a full on Calvinist.
And in the New York Post article, amongst other things, the topic of Calvinism was discussed at length – especially in contrast to the “seeker sensitive” movement and the pathetic “bling” gospel of the biggest loser, Joel Osteen.
But it was interesting to see how the article focused on Calvinism and below are a couple of quotes:
“God has predestined every human being’s actions, yet we are still to blame for our sins; we are totally depraved, yet held to the impossible standard of divine law.” authors take on Calvinism.
Elsewhere the author writes…
“(Calvinistic theology)… strike[s] many modern evangelicals as nonsensical and even un-Christian. …and some babies who die in infancy — if God placed them among the reprobate — go straight to hell with the rest of the damned, to “glorify his name by their own destruction,” as Calvin wrote.
Although I lean towards Calvinism, this line of thinking makes Calvinism look very harsh indeed. However I feel it’s a bit unfair only to focus on this aspect of Calvinism and not on the grace shown to mankind also.
In regards to Arminianism, again I think the author got it completely wrong. The article says:
“Since the early 19th century, most evangelicals have preferred a theology that stresses the believer’s free decision to accept God’s grace. To be born again is a choice God wants you to make; if you so choose, Jesus will be your personal friend.”
Makes it sound so pussy and week!
But at the end of the day, like I said, the battle is about “who chooses who?”
Enter the atheists. In the climate described above and the misuse of faith (aka religion) and all the stupid things done in God’s Name like wars and causes, the atheists are fighting back – and they’re doing it in a mass market kind of way. Have a look at the following clip to see what I mean:
This is happening in many countries and in an increasing trend. But good ‘ol Australia bucks against the trend – for how long is any one’s guess. Sure flies in the face of Christianity doesn’t it? Especially against Calvinists.
So it got me wondering. With the growing popularity of Calvinistic theology amongst many churches, is this atheistic activity only the beginning of a new power struggle? Is there a spiritual battle brewing as the mindset of man is once again being influenced by two opposite extremes?
I know which side I’m taking but I’m sure there are many people out there about to be duped “Da Vinci Code” style with this new advertising trend. What they are doing is great advertising – only for a stupid cause. Maybe we should copy their idea and adapt to a Calvinistic worldview and have massive billboards saying:
“God chose you to be saved. Now live it out!”
Or – a more tongue in cheek slogan for our atheist friends could read:
“April Fools Day – International Day of the Atheist”
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” Ps 53:1
Yeah I know that last one has been done to death – doesn’t mean it’s not true though!
Final words, click here for a detailed article regarding Calvinist V Arminian debate and click here for Driscoll on GodTube – another error from the author of the article as it stated Driscoll is to rough for GodTube.
