Saturday, March 28, 2009
Nightline Faceoff
This is a very interesting debate that aired on national TV about the existence of Satan. Panelists included Mark Driscoll and Deepak Chopra. The event was hosted by Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I really think this is must viewing for those interested in engaging the culture for Christ. You can watch the whole debate here. A pastor at Mars Hill also offered these comments. I have a ton of thoughts about the debate and think there is a lot to learn here, but I'll save my comments for now. However, I am most interested in what you all think.
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3 comments:
There is a podcast version of this discussion on the ABC podcast directory under the "Nightline" section.
I did read the comments that Mars Hill offered and I agree and was glad to see that Mark Driscoll made his comments based around and focussed on Christ and not satan. Also i took note in the way Mark Driscoll spoke and acted. He didn't seem at all condescending or self-righteous but instead spoke with love and humility giving credit and focus to Christ. Also when the scripture and the Christian faith was being challenged he remained calm and wasn't shaken by anything that anyone said. he wasn't personally offended by what was said because his meaning and definition of life wasn't depended upon their opinions. thus he was not defensive and drawn to "win" the argument, again showing humility. in fact it wasn't an argument or debate to him at all (in my opinion). i believe that it is these qualities he showed, derived by the influence of Christ, that is attractive to people and makes just as much of a difference as the truth spoken (the truth lived). With Deepak he seemed to be bothered and maybe even angered by some of the things said and almost as if he was there to "win" the debate. that in "contrast" to Mark Driscoll, really showed how much confidence Mark had in the gospel and maybe showing some "insecurity in Deepak in what he himself believes in."----loved it when the audience member asked "you stated earlier that belief is a cover up for insecurity" Deepak, "yes" Audience member, "and do you believe that" Deepak, "yes I do". ---lol! really, you didn't see that coming?!---any way, i also noticed in contrast to the Bishop, that Mark's faith in the gospel and its infallibility showed strength. the Bishop didn't show, to me, any confidence in what he believed. He changed and altered his belief to suit others and himself. He seemed so insecure and unsure of his own beliefs that he could take a definitive stand on really much of anything. But, that doesn't mean that there wasn't truth spoken by either the Bishop or Deepak, that is not what i am getting at. These are just a few thoughts people other than the Bishop and Deepak have and should not be thrown aside and disregarded. there are definite values and beliefs behind their thoughts and beliefs that is important to them. it is important for us to be mindful of this and be respectful, for we are called to be loving and compassionate and not arrogant and self-righteous. to be like our savior Jesus Christ. as was displayed, a very common worldly view is one that doesn't step on any toes and "do what works for you, and i'll do what works for me" and "there is no evil, thus no need for a savior from evil, everything can be fixed by you, by within you". Mark Driscoll i believed displayed himself as someone that knows Christ and who's actions are motivated by Christ enduring love. He spoke truth, without self-righteousness. He was bold, confident, and consistent without being condescending. And finally he was welcoming, loving and selfless, not there to "win" a debate, but there to point the people to Jesus Christ for their glory in him.
Unfortunately the podcast version is much abbreviated. It's about 10 minutes with a rather large portion devoted to introductory stuff. The actual debate is over an hour.
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