Yesterday John Piper publicly disagreed (via a blog post) with something that Mark Driscoll said (via Twitter).
Although the disagreement is somewhat minor (actually, no big deal at all. Seriously.) it’s interesting to me to see confrontations between brothers collide via public mediums.
How comfortable would you be (or have you been in the past) with “calling out” others via your blog or twitter?
jstainer says
I read this as well and it just seemed so minor that it wasn't too big of a deal. Both of these guys have shown that they are very comfortable in the "nakedness" of being engaged online and I think it shows in these sorts of comments. At least they are consistent because Piper and Driscoll would have no hesitations saying something like this from up front at a church either.
human3rror says
that is true. they are consistent.
Gabe says
yeah, that's just in good fun and consistent with their style of speaking, but for actual calling people out publicly, wouldn't you hope that christian leaders would follow the example set forth in the Gospel, about contacting them in private first, then if that doesn't resolve, the elders or their leadership, and only then publicly, if you are talking about actual meaningful disagreement. and I know that's about confronting people with sin, and not so much strong differences in opinion, but I mean even news people do this much, in terms of trying to get a statement first. just reacting never goes anywhere good, and all this digital stuff totally lends itself to miscommunication once you start using it for disagreeing with people.
Scott V says
When ever you post a blog, comment or tweet you are engaging in public debate. There is absolutely nothing wrong in calling someone on something especially in the area of theological discussion. Often debate makes us dig deeper into the word and understand the true meaning that the bible teaches us.
chrishill says
Sounds less like a "calling out" and more like great free marketing for Sailhamer and Kostenberger.
human3rror says
doubles as… yes.
Phillip Gibb says
I love the fact how this interaction shows the down to earth nature of such high profile people.
It would be great to see interaction like this involve the community on topics that regular people can engage with.
Kinda like what happens here – where much of content is relevant to all whether Christian or not – in that way draw in those that need to be close enough to hear the word of God by their constant interaction.
My wife tells me that my sentences can get too long.
perhaps I should have stayed with: Cool
lylespain says
@johnpiper is my hero. lol. i personally dont have any issues with a public disagreement. but others in my ministry do. they'd rather have a "closed door session" over the teeny tiniest things. being from hawaii and now living outside of DC (talk about culture shock). ive learned east coasters want to appear "perfect". it cracks me up. thanks John! much love and Aloha
human3rror says
๐
Jay says
Piper and Driscoll are very good friends, so this is just some good natured ribbing I'm sure.
If somebody crosses the line with something, then perhaps you should get called out. I told you about my experience with that. If it's done in loving manner meant to draw attention to what somebody has written and not just to embarrass the other person, then I've got no problem with it.
Kyle Reed says
These last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of people calling each other out over the blogosphere.
What is funny is that MPT did that to piper (a little different obviously) and got blasted for it.
It seems like a very touchy thing to do. Depending on the way it is handled it can really be very divisive and often leads to bad results. I often find when I start to call someone out there are several things that others could call me out on as well.
It just seems that it is often done to get attention and not very productive.
Now if it is something like Piper did (kind of in a fun way but still wanting to call attention to) then I really do not have a problem with it. It was not that he was question drischolls character he was simple saying he was wrong in and of the fact of his statement.
I tend to be very pretty harsh sometimes with statements and so I try and stay away from criticizing. But the beauty of the blog world is it allows people to say what they think. I just hate it when they make it anonymous and hide behind their computer.
Colt Carter says
Yeah, this certainly wasn't a "calling out"…might want to find a better example next time. Of course we know you only posted this just to draw some attention to your blog. ๐
human3rror says
well, he did call out mark on something. thankfully it was a benign example, right? could have been worse.
stephen says
I like the exposed nature of confrontation between leaders online. I think it shows authenticity of social media and of those leaders to be bold enough to say their opinions. I'll shy way from saying that I don't like _____ store because of fear that I may one day want them to let me take photos for them and it'll bite me in the butt… but, to be truly authentic and say what you feel is your right as a leader, person, believer, etc and I assume they'd both say this to their face, so it's not really that different in social media (other than it's a couple thousand people seeing it)…
and BTW – it really really really isn't a big deal what they're disagreeing about. It's personal opinion vs. having an argument on something fundamental to their faith.
John Saddington says
you should get an gravatar bro. get a gravatar. now.
Tyler_Braun says
I've done it before (without using the actual names of the people I called out)…..
all I would say is that you can expect to have the supporters of that person to come out in droves and to be large and in charge about it.
LayGuy says
Piper & Driscoll are above this so called "Twitter-Blog Fight" – you shouldn't have to sensationalise this beyond what it is. Except if you like to draw visitors to your blog! ๐
human3rror says
my point is more about my curiousity than anything else.
Nathan Creitz says
I called someone out for what I saw to be a misguided use of emotion during a large Christian conference. It was interesting how many people then called me out after barely reading my post or any of the comments (much less anything about me to understand why I was blogging about it in the first place). I wanted to post for edification but ended up just riling people up. It's important to think carefully about not just what you are saying, but also about how what you say will be perceived. I only call someone out on my blog publicly when they do something in a public setting. I've called out Wiley Drake for praying for Obama's death. I've called out Joel Osteen for not preaching the gospel. I've called out a lot of people but my blog is much less public than the public arena in which some people disgrace Christianity. I think even though some people will disagree with me, it's important to share with my readers and with unbelievers that what some people do in the name of Christianity is not what all of us do. On the other hand, I don't usually get into theological debates.
Brandon says
I would comment on this but I cannot…I would feel like I was publicly confronting John Piper which is not biblical. If I have a problem with what he did I would have to go to my brother and talk to him…not publicly shame him. Then if he did not listen I might bring all you with me to confront…Matthew 18.
human3rror says
thanks for your thoughts here. interesting perspective.
MRWBBIII says
JOHN PIPER ON MARK DRISCOLL SERMON JAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJmkk1XjrGw
MRWBBIII says
JOHN PIPER ON MARK DRISCOLL SERMON JAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJmkk1XjrGw&feature=channel