Real Marriage – Mark & Grace Driscoll

©2012 Thomas Nelson, Nashville 

In a society that is filled with preachers who are trying to re-invent church in order to appeal to a new generation, Mark Driscoll seems to have found a voice—at least in his home of Seattle where he leads one of the faster growing churches in one of the most un-churched areas of our country. The popular trend today is for some of these pastors to publish books based on their teaching concerning sex and marriage. So Mark and his wife Grace have teamed up to present their take on answering some of the formerly unaskable questions.

Quite frankly, the book does a good job of sticking with Scriptural basis for finding the answers to these questions. But also quite frankly, the authors sometimes deal a little more frankly than polite society would like for this topic to be dealt with. I think that there is an audience for this book, although it may not be the audience that the authors and the publisher thought of when producing and marketing this book.

It is not for the general public at large. I know that this is the way that it has been approached, but I believe that this book, along with others like it, will serve best as reference books in the hands of ministry leaders, Christian counselors and the like.

Even having said this, the advice they give concerning coming to grips with one’s physical past is sound, though sometimes over-generalized. At times the authors assume that every person inside and outside the church has some deep dark hidden sexual secret that must be exposed. The method of exposure advised is a “rip the bandaid off” approach that can lead to more scars than healing. Does such hidden past need to be brought out into the open? In most cases, yes. But this should be done with great care so as not to destroy the relationship that you are trying to heal.

Would I recommend this book? Cautiously. Do I think it could be helpful in certain situations? Probably. Do we need to use a “group study guide” to include this in our on-going church curriculum? I would advise against it. Therefore, I give this book 3.5 reading glasses out of five.

—Benjamin Potter, July 12, 2012

Vintage Church – Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears

©2008 Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL

Mark Driscoll, founding pastor/teaching elder of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA, and Gerry Breshears, theology professor and division chair for the school of biblical and theological studies at Western University, follow-up their book Vintage Jesus, with a book that discusses what church is.

As in the previous work, chapters deal with issues directly affecting church as we know it and are followed with FAQ sections in reference to the previous chapter’s topic. The design and flow of the book are pretty good. As usual, Driscoll relies well on his skill as a communicator to present his views. In the book you’ll find a well-developed definition of what church is, a discussion of church history, and a philosophy on where church is going. Topics addressed include church leadership, worship, and discipline among others.

While the authors are quick to point out that local expressions of the church can be healthy regardless of size, the focus of the “where the church is headed” sections of the book tend to be an apologetic for the multi-site, video-enhanced, mega church pattern. One would not find fault in this seeing as how that is the pattern which is practiced at Mars Hill.

Distracting from the authors’ intent are the chapters entitled “How Is Love Expressed in a Church?” (which is cumbersome and off-topic), and “What is a Multi-Campus Church?” and “How Can a Church Utilize Technology?” (both of which take on a tone that seems to border on justification rather than teaching). On the other hand, the chapters entitled “What Is Church Discipline?” and “What Is a Missional Church?” are particularly helpful and insightful.

The plethora of biblical references (mostly footnoted to avoid distraction) have a tendency to be distracting to the reader, and border on proof-texting in the attempt to show biblical foundation for the ideas presented. Otherwise the scholarly work in preparing the text is evident.

The pertinent questions: Who is this book’s audience? The design is for preachers and church leaders, and most likely not the laity—although there are parts that would be helpful to church members who want to educate themselves. Should you read this book? Not if you are a died-in-the-wool traditionalist who sees all change and innovation as Satanic (you’ll just get mad). But if you are looking for ways to make your church more effective in her neck of the woods, you might just be inspired by this book. I found much to think about. That’s why I’m awarding it four out of five reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, October 21, 2010

Vintage Jesus – Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears

© 2008 Crossway, Wheaton, IL

I had been fascinated by this title ever since I came across it last fall. To be truthful, I really wanted to figure out how to get an ARC so I wouldn’t have to wait until publication to read it. Then, when it came in I had a pile three deep to get through before I could open it. (Enough of my pity party, and on to the review.) At any rate, I found that I was also fascinated as I read the book.

Driscoll, the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, jumps right in to answer twelve heavy questions that commonly surface about the person and work of Jesus Christ. This volume is promised to be the first in a series bearing the name Vintage Jesus, and offers a Christology that speaks to the newer generations. Driscoll takes the old questions about Jesus, and answers them with the time-honored answers (based on biblical foundations) wrapped in contemporary language and highlighted with up-to-date illustrations.

Driscoll uncompromisingly approaches each question with strong, sound theology without backing down in the way many today would when pressed for an answer. There is no nonsense in the voice of this book, and there is no double talk either. It is refreshing to encounter a preacher whose heart is to reach the modern generation without compromising the gospel in the process.

Taking illustrations from the Bible, from history, and from the ever-looming pop culture in which we live, Driscoll leaves no doubt as to the nature and identity of Christ and what He has done, and will do, in the world. Tagging each chapter with a Q & A session with professor Gerry Breshears helps provide a little depth to the answers in the main part of each chapter. Breshears gives answers to FAQs related to each of the chapters’ main headings.

It is my opinion that the book would hold its own without the chapterly appearance of Dr. Breshears, but having the recurring approval of a respected mentor makes any author feel good. And the FAQ sections only serve to support the answers given by Driscoll.

The book is well-written and engaging, as well as including an extensive note section providing sources for the eggheads among us who want to know where he “got that.” This is an excellent resource in addressing the questions that people have been asking for hundreds of years. When using the book as a resource readers will find the indices of subjects and scripture references handily located in the back. Pastors and theologians will want to add this short book to their libraries and reference it often. Thanks, Mark, for saying what we all want to say, and saying it better than we could, so that we can answer this generation with thoughtful responses.

For those who need to know, here are the chapter titles:

1. Is Jesus the Only God?


2. How Human Was Jesus?


3. How Did People Know Jesus Was Coming?


4. Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?


5. Why Did Jesus’ Mom Need to Be a Virgin?


6. What Did Jesus Accomplish on the Cross?


7. Did Jesus Rise from Death?


8. Where Is Jesus Today?


9. Why Should We Worship Jesus?


10. What Makes Jesus Superior to Other Saviors?


11. What Difference Has Jesus Made in History?


12. What Will Jesus Do upon His Return?

Vintage Jesus is worth your time. It gets four and three-quarters reading glasses from me. (And the cool cover gets 5.)

—Benjamin Potter, March 24, 2008