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“What’s Timmy Thinking” (Ask Anything)

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Written By Tim Brister

Tim has a missionary heart for his hometown to love those close to him yet far from God. He is husband to Dusti and father to Nolan, Aiden, and Adelyn - fellow pilgrims to our celestial city.

Well, the “Ask Anything” project is almost at the close of Round 1 for voting on the questions. Over 775 questions have been asked with over 70,000 votes tallied at this point. Many of you have been kind to vote for my question, which has continued to stay at the #1 spot for the past two weeks. During this time, I have listened to what others are saying, read the comments, and trying to chime in where I found it helpful. So with the “What’s Mark Thinking” blog in mind, I thought I’d a moment to write a little about “What’s Timmy Thinking” for fun, especially since I am now officially at my momma’s house blogging in my pajama pants. 🙂

1. I like Driscoll. I have gone to bat for him on more than one occasion, and love his passion for church planting and reaching the lost. I do, however, have limited knowledge of Driscoll (not read all his books, listened to many sermons, etc.).

2. I have come to realize that many people have never heard of the Regulative Principle, and the fact that my question being at the top of the list, at least will do a little to serve as in impetus to get more people thinking about what it means for our generation.

3. While there have been some who think that my question is ridiculous, heady, impractical, illegitimate, etc., the fact that is has remained number #1 with a spread of over 1,000 votes from #2 reveals that is has more traction with my generation than “hard core Calvinists” and a “bloggers fan base” as Driscoll claims. Indeed, in spite of Driscoll’s pejorative attempts to discourage people voting on it, the question of the Regulative Principle appears to have more resilience than even the attempts to manipulate the system.

4. I must say, though, I do find it a peculiar thing that when the rules have been made and a level playing field has been set, that Driscoll has single-handedly been trying to influence the outcome of the top questions by telling folks which questions he likes and dislikes. Such tactics makes one wonder if he doesn’t like the outcome of the game and therefore wants to change the rules midstream. I guess the RP was not one of those pre-approved questions.

5. As a result, I was tempted to request that my question be removed as I didn’t want Driscoll or anyone else to think this question is being propped up by ballot-stuffing or any other form of manipulating the voting process. However, as I thought about it, the question has more potential of doing good, and others have chimed in with some really encouraging comments.

6. The questions Driscoll are hoping to make a run to the top–differences in various religions, what happens when babies die, sexual questions, dating, and the Bible with its transmission, translations, and canon–can and have been answered by many already. While it would be nice if Driscoll answered these questions, his responses would be merely complimentary to the growing corpus of literature already on the respective subjects.

7. The question I posed is addressed in particular to Driscoll because he has been providentially placed within two camps: the missional and the Reformed. Within these two camps there is a tension that is historical and ecclesiological, and it is within these two camps where Driscoll has been raised to a place of prominence and leadership. How the Scripture regulates or governs our methodology as a missional church in the Reformed tradition has not been addressed to date, and wrestling with the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in our methods and practices is one will be good for a man who watches Ultimate Fighting Championships. A future generation of missional church planters in a day where the gap between the culture and church is growing larger by the day will be wrestling with the placement of Scripture, culture, tradition, etc. for a long time to come. It would be great to see Driscoll get in the ring.

8. Speaking of getting in the ring, I have been talking about this with some folks who know much more about the rich heritage of the Regulative Principle than me, and a few have agreed to write about it. So, Lord willing, between now and the close of the voting, one could expect to see some guest articles here on P&P.

9. Now that Round 1 is coming to a close, Round 2 will continue with the top 50 questions. During the month of November (and part of December), each day you will have the opportunity to vote ten times or whatever questions you consider most important. If you believe the Regulative Principle is of such importance, then please consider voting for it. The bottom line is not a vote for the RP but a reaffirmation that what we do as the church and how we do it.

10. For previous posts, go here and here (and also check out the meta on my question).

So, now that I have told you what I am thinking, what are you thinking?

14 thoughts on ““What’s Timmy Thinking” (Ask Anything)”

  1. Dear Timmy,

    This year has been unseasonably warm in the South. Clearly this is due to global warming. The government has also shortened the months for DST. So, do you think, in view of these facts, that we should

    a. Continue wearing white after Labor Day?
    b. Move the date for wearing white publicly from Easter to an aarlier date?

    I want to know so I can dress properly for church.

    Signed,

    Yours Truly

  2. To be honest, my first thought was that your question (without knowing who asked it) was interesting, but not really very useful for a sermon series. But then I read your reasoning and changed my mind. The fact is that it has probably got broader appeal than what Mark Driscoll finds the most difficult thing to accept in Christianity. So I voted for question. It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out.

  3. Thanks Ali. I appreciate you considering the question worth voting for. For some time I have been wrestling with this issue, and my appeal for this question to be considered is precisely because I think this is a conversation worth having. I am still working through the ins and outs of how to be what Driscoll calls biblically faithful and culturally fruitful, and the Regulative Principle I think speaks to that. I have much to learn, and I look forward to hearing from the arguments (should they come) both for and against it.

  4. Timmy: I absolutely LOVE your question. As I’ve mentioned before, I have left the SBC and am currently serving as a pastor in a church that is part of ARBCA. We hold to the 1689 LBC which is heavy on the regulative principle — this is important to us. Where I struggle is very much along the lines of what you have stated. As I work with my brother pastors to assume a missional posture (which I think is biblical), I think there will always be a struggle between what is and what is not considered “regulative.” I think the RP is necessary, so as one who has benefited from what Driscoll has preached and written in the past, I’m very interested in knowing 1. If he sees the necessity behind the RP and 2. If he thinks it should or should not be followed in addressing a post-modern culture through missional posturing. I will continue to vote for the question through round 2 — not because I’m a “hard-core Calvinist” or in your fan base, but because I am deeply concerned about everything that God desires from His people, Including how we worship him. I’ve seen too many abominations that people have called worship to not be concerned about it.

    And — just for clarification — he made mention in one of his statements about those who follow the RP only singing Psalms. That’s an unfair characterization because it is simply untrue. We sing a great mix of songs from the Psalms, hymn book, contemporary praise songs and choruses, etc. We use a guitar, drums, piano, worship team, and various other instruments from time to time. But we must question certain other things: Are skits permissible in worship? I don’t believe so. Should we sing happy birthday in the middle of the service to everyone celebrating that week? Absolutely not! Should we sing secular music to boost our appeal to the non-believers in our pews? No! BUT, even so there is a great deal of freedom within the RP, so to limit it to the Psalms is unfair — he knows better.

  5. There is quite a bit I admire about Mark Driscoll, and I think this is a great idea. But if he really just wanted to handpick the questions, he could ahve set up the sermon series to reflect that. It seems a little childish to whine about what questions are at the top. Especially to mock the questions as being too critical…of course he overlooked the irony of him being critical about the question topics being stupid.

    I wish he would honestly engage this issue…the fact that he thinks it is only about “singing psalms” shows that it is important that he tackle this question. I hope he doesn’t dodge it.

    Nick’s last paragraph shows that even if this were limited to music in worship (which it is not), it is not as easily dismissed as “psalms only”. This is a great question…and evidently many people agree.

  6. Timmy,

    I think it’s a great question and that’s coming from someone who is in the process of planting an Acts 29 Church. Personally, I can’t wait for Driscoll’s sermon on the RP. Thanks for asking the question!

  7. Timmy:
    A late but warm Blessed Reformation Day to you brother!

    I also like your question very much and should be interesting to see how Driscoll responds. I visited MarsHill about a month ago… Interesting.

    On this ask-Mark-anything don’t take it to seriously – he’s not. It is a promotional tool to further promote him and he is laughing at you brother. Just listen to his sermon from last Sunday. He mentions the theme of your question and one other in a very demeaning, sarcastic way calling you “the insane lunatics running the asylum who must live deep in the woods.”

    Mind you, he’s saying this while wearing a Jesus Master P DJ cartoon t-shirt trying to preach on “humility” and the incarnation of Jesus in Phil. 2:1-11.

    What’s wrong with this picture?

    Here is what he thinks of the questions you and others are posing for him to answer: “Pastor Mark wants to know what is on your mind. He is not afraid of you. He is not afraid of your questions – stupid, pointless, angry, or incendiary as they may be.”

    Your question is a very good one; he doesn’t think so. Write an article for your blog and it will be a great blessing to many. Mark’sHill is not worth your effort at this point.

    Just my opinion; I could be wrong.
    Campi

  8. Steve,

    I was notified this morning about Driscoll’s sermon this past Sunday, and I watched the first five minutes of it where he makes his joke about the question. I don’t know what to say, honestly. This whole deal has been really disappointing for me, and I regret that I ever chose to be a part of it. For the sake of Driscoll’s success and my sanctification, I do hope the question falls off the top 9. I am tired of dealing with it–tired especially after my wife read the comments from my question for the first time yesterday and was hurt by them.

    As you well know, I have been more than fair with Driscoll and those who have criticized him (often without warrant). I do have to wonder what Keller, Piper, Carson, Ware, etc. know that we do know that causes them to back Driscoll. Given that they are committed to the project, perhaps Crossway should reconsider the potential outcome of this concoction.

    In any case, I am moving on as I do not see anything redeemable in the situation. I hope we are both wrong and that this project could really serve the church at large.

  9. Timmy
    Just a quick note to encourage you brother.

    You are a great blessing to the body of Christ through this blog. I so enjoy reading your articles and insights from the Word of God expressed in them.

    Your question on Mark’s blog is tremendous and has great merit. Despite his flippant mention of it this past Sunday, it has received a very healthy response leading the pack almost from day one. I hope it remains in the top nine questions and that Mark will soberly and reverently addresses its content.

    I am honored that one of the bloggers from our theological camp asked such a great set of questions and that many others from around the country also have embraced its rich inquiry.

    Keep on my brother… I, along with many others, are greatly thanking the Lord for you today.

    In His grace,
    Steve
    Col. 1:9-14

  10. Steve,

    Thank you for your encouraging words. I am grateful for those who have thought that my question has merit. I am all the more grateful for those who have contributed with helpful comments and constructive thoughts (including those who have disagreed with its premise). Whatever the outcome, I have learned a lot from this experience, most importantly, the sin in my own heart and life. It is my desire that the generation to which I belong would be passionate about cultivating healthy, biblical churches, whatever role we play.

    Stetzer has mentioned that the two leading issues before this generation will be ecclesiology and missiology. While we hear much about being missional, I fear that we have not paid sufficient attention to being ecclesial.

    Again, thank you for the comment and encouragement brother. It is my hope and prayer that my Lord is not grieved by my attitude and actions in this matter.

  11. Re: “I do not see anything redeemable in the situation”

    I very much disagree. Driscoll is still a very influential person and having him address the issue of how Scripture impacts our worship is worthwhile. He can mischaracterize the question and the questioners all he wants, but he should still be held to the issue itself.

  12. Andrew,

    Since I wrote that four days ago, Driscoll has offered some encouraging words about the issue of the RP, and I am glad that others (including you) have picked up the issue. As far as I’m concerned, I do not want to be in the middle of this whole deal. I will continue to think through and write about matters of church and culture, but I feel like others would be better suited to carry the conversation than me.

  13. Timmy,

    While what I know of you says that (a) you asked the question honestly and (b) you didn’t ballot-stuff nor did you call for others to do so, I don’t think it takes a lot of insight to realize that your question (and maybe a few others) was a “victim” of ballot-stuffing.

    When I first heard about “Ask Anything”, before I even went to the site, I immediately thought of Mark 12:13: Then they sent to [Jesus] some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.

    While I’m not equating Jesus and Driscoll, I knew that this idea would be (ab)used by Driscoll’s critics — especially those who are too busy attacking him for something they heard about and were offended by 6 months ago to hear anything he actually said today — to “ask” questions that they think they already know the answer to.

    There is certainly validity to your question, but of all the ones I saw on that site, it is the one that can most easily be (wrongly) assumed to be rhetorical. Sadly, there are many people out there that view everything as black-and-white, and would assume — nay, state with all certainty — that someone seeking to be missional like Driscoll could not possibly adhere to the RP.

    Seeing as how (unlike others) I can’t read the state of Driscoll’s heart, this is only a guess. But I would imagine that it was people like that about whom Driscoll was thinking when he made his remarks.

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