Book Review: Confessions of a Reformission Rev.

A few days ago I met with a friend, Sam Desocio and he kindly lent me Confessions of a Reformission Rev. by Mark Driscoll. Well, I read it, in the space of 3 days. Which was slightly impressive considering I went home and church, visited Jen, and did some other things as well. Though I have a book that I still need to finish reading after not touching it for 4 weeks. (sad)

The Overview:

This book is part autobiography of Driscoll's first 10 years of church planting, and part biography of the life of Mars Hill. Confessions is meant to school people and to assist in training men to be church planters.. Driscoll ultimately says, "learn from my failures." Which he shows himself as he is, a sinner through the lense of Scripture.

The Bad News:

Like Tony Campolo, Mark needs to watch his mouth. Driscoll points out that he is known as the cussing pastor and his book reflects his personality using words that could be considered as crude. Also Driscoll sees the constant need to reorganize Mars Hill... I don't necessarily see that paradigm in Scripture. (Though the apostles changed the way ministry was done with the concept of elders and deacons - it is something that merits further study.)

The good news:

I like Driscoll, despite the crude language. I trust the readers of the book are male adults (primarily). For those outside that category I would say he uses crude language. (At times John Piper does that). But I like Mark because he raises good questions and points out several flaws within evangelicalism. His preface contains 10 questions that pastors and church leaders should consider for the ministry Christ has given them.

more good news:

1.) Driscoll is a theological calvinist, he loves and preaches election and sovereign grace. Which is fantastic!!

2.) He says that he sees more biblical evidence for unicorn led churches instead of congregationally led churches (decent understanding of church officers)

3.) Holds a very robust and solid Christology (in a day and age where Christ is seen as a hippie, this is sorely needed. Remember I do work in a homeless mission, so I am told that I am to leave my Christology at the door. I like seeing Acts 3,4 boldness.)

4.) Christocentric preaching - he sees himself as a missiologist and an evangelist.

5.) big on training church planters

6.) gaining greater acceptance from the reformed community (Keller, Piper, Harris)

In Short -- Good Book, Good Questions, and while I may disagree with those conclusions, Driscoll's focus is seeing people come to know Christ. Which is done in a way that glorifies Christ and sees Him in a beautiful and precious way... which is to be applauded.