A few thoughts about your comments…

First, I agree with you. Especially about the birth control post. I heard it early on too, and was sorely disappointed in the way he handled Mrs. Campbell (who I deeply admire) and his trademark way of slighting something he doesn’t agree with.

In his defense, though, I think he has grown a lot, and I have, in fact, recently heard him say some really positive things about large families and homeschooling. (Even hinting at the “perversion” of trying to divorce sex from procreation.) He has also made several recent “public apologies” admitting his tremendous struggle with pride and humility, and admitting that he doesn’t always handle his words well.

That said, I also don’t mind saying that I do recommend speakers/authors/pastors from time to time that I openly don’t agree with 100%. In fact, there are very few I totally agree with. I think Driscoll is spot on most of the time, theologically speaking, even if he poorly handles a subject from time to time. I think speakers like him who are that solid and willing to speak up are rare.

Randomly, you mentioned his lack of shepherding and preaching via satellite. I don’t know how often or what that looks like all the time, but I do know each Mars Hill church has its own pastors, and I’m not beyond comparing his video feed to Paul’s letters who reached a number of churches. Can’t help but think Paul may have enjoyed a video feed or two himself

I respect your opinion. All in all, I think he addresses some really important things–too much to throw him out for his weaknesses. He is just a man.

http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/religionsaves/birth-control

This was my first introduction to Mark Driscoll and it left a very bad impression. If he had just wanted to state his case that Christian liberty allows for birth control, so be it. I would’ve certainly gained nothing from his interpretation of what the Bible says about having children. But his attack on godly women like Nancy Campbell, Nancy Leigh and others made me feel that he had a personal vendetta against these people. And homeschoolers! He made fun of the very group of people that I am ministered to and whom I seek to minister to. I wrote a post after listening to his message:

http://sevenlittleones.blogspot.com/2010/02/church.html

His disregard of civility and reverence make him not very usable as God’s minister. I certainly wouldn’t recommend someone who John MacArthur believes should be disciplined. Having heard of his treatment of people he disagrees with make me believe that if I did recommend him, I would be doing young mothers who have so much to learn from godly older ladies like Nancy Campbell a great disservice. The people we associate our names with matter. If he had read any of your posts on birth control, your name may have been on his hit list.

The way he preached in the message on birth control gave me the impression of a young, passionate, and arrogant Christian who believes he can say anything he wants to in order to combat what he believes is legalism. He doesn’t understand what legalism is if he attributes legalism with those who are against birth control. (Which he does.)

I am saddened to read your endorsement of him. He is so plainly against what we teach our children in regards to the calling God has for married people and godly and edifying speech.

I hope you would listen to his message and tell me that I read him all wrong. That when he said it’s funny when he mocks homeschoolers, he’s just being facetious. That his take on birth control is perfectly in line with God’s Word. (Well, if you come to that conclusion, I must read YOU wrong.)

If Benny Hinn has some quotes that seem provocative and their shock and awe value make one listen, I still wouldn’t think it honoring to God to give him any kind of attention for fear that his other unbiblical words may detract from God’s glory. I hesitated in linking Mark Driscoll’s birth control message because I didn’t want anyone to listen to him and learn from him. I believe they would be steered in a wrong direction than what would give God glory. But I want you to listen to it because I don’t think you know how damaging his words can be.

In regards to his Song of Solomon interpretation, it would seem that Mark Driscoll is the one who needs to examine legalism in his own heart.

http://merecomments.typepad.com/merecomments/2009/06/the-gospel-of-mark-driscoll-his-critics.html

Finally, I cannot recommend a preacher who is not a faithful pastor. How can someone pastor congregations via video sermons? He cannot. Those watching him are not being shepherded. That is not the biblical New Testament model of a Christian church.

“God loved us before Christ, and THAT is a miracle. He gave us Christ because He loved us.”

The Godhead(Trinity) has always been. There isn’t a “before Christ”. Before Christ became to be Human, yes, but not “before Christ”. The Godhead was operative in the Old Testament.

Genesis 1:26-27, And God said, LET US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God [not angels, the "us" can only refer to God.]

Pastor Mark is very sound, listen to more than a excerpt from a sermon, any sermon can and will sound crazy when cut up and taken out of context just as scripture can.