Christ and Cutting Language

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to go to the Desiring God National Conference. I had enough airline miles, a good friend to share a hotel room with, and approval from both the Budget Review Committee and the Executive Scheduling Committee to go. That was the first time I had the opportunity to hear Mark Driscoll teach. I had heard of Driscoll before, but had not heard him in person.

I don't think all the talk ended up on the conference audio, but there was some hoopla after Driscoll that Piper might not have appreciated all the strong (no swearing, but certainly colorful) language that Driscoll uses.

I've always had the following as my litmus test for people who use that type of language in the church:

• Does the message exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?
• Is the message biblically true (see the first point)?
• Is the use of such devices effective for the target audience?

In Driscoll's case, the answer is almost always "absolutely yes!"

In Sunday school, we're studying the Book of Acts right now. Just before moving to Charlotte, Mrs. at Home and I had spent what seemed to be about 2 years in the Book of Acts, but every time you read something over again in the Bible, you learn something brand new. This time around, I've been almost shocked by Peter's sermon at Pentecost, Peter's sermon at Solomon's Portico and Stephen's sermon before the Council. To quote our teacher, these messages don't seem very seeker sensitive, do they? But these strong words result in the glory of Christ and the salvation of people!

Certainly this year's conference will also have talk about when it's appropriate to use tender language or sensitive language or more inviting language or less biting language. But if all these types of language pass the litmus tests above, they're all loving language. You're parents sometimes use firm language in order to correct you, and they correct you out of love. Yes, phrases like "whom you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men" are strong, but they're spoken out of love for people and jealousy for the name of Jesus Christ to be glorified.