To Offend or Not To Offend

(make sure you read the post below)

Finally I found a topic worthy of an initial post to this blog. I was listening to a Mark Driscoll talk that he gave at the last Desiring God Conference. In it, Driscoll had some, go figure, critical things to say about modern evangelicalism. This particular talk was named, "How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words". Mark is a man i respect greatly, and yet i have always been a bit leery of his choice of words especially when it comes to criticisms and seemingly derogatory statements toward non-Christians or even the harsh way that he chooses to talk to professing Christians living in sin. You can listen to the talk here http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByConference/41/


A conversation came up today among some of my friends where we were trying to determine when it is acceptable to use language that is, by and large, offensive to the hearer. In a culture where we're all but required to be tolerant and politically correct, when is it OK to be offensive?

I'll stop there. It's a simple question, but one that should provoke a lot of conversation. Here it is again:

When is it OK to be offensive to the world around us?

Remember, you must use scripture credibly in your answer.

-Pat

The Main Idea

This blog is finally off the ground. The goal is simple: mass discipleship - helping people to better follow Jesus. The title, "More Than Different" is a bit of an explanation of the Christian Life. The emphasis should be placed on the "more". 1 Peter 3:15 has Peter exhorting Christians to have a "reason for the hope that they have". The truth is, Christians are not just different people, we're more than different because behind our actions, at least the actions of those who walk in light with Jesus, is a rock solid foundation of truth found in Jesus Christ, the One True God of the Universe. There is MORE than just different views and a different way of life; there is Jesus.

So, I'm going to start posting some questions for us to think about. As you respond, there is only one ground rule:

Never post an answer that you do not defend with scripture. In other words, if you post something that does not reference the Word of God in a credible way, I will delete it.

I'm not expecting world class exegetes here, but i am expecting reasonable thinking people who at least attempt to handle the Word of God correctly. This should stretch us to know what we believe and why we believe it.

Let the conversation begin (conversation...that's a big emergent word these days...I'll have a question on that at some point)

-Pat