Here’s a provocative two-part interview on 100 Huntley Street (Canadian Christian Broadcasting) with a guy named, Drew Marshall. Drew is the the host of the most listened to Christian radio program in Canada. He certainly wound up the hosts. Here’s my wondering: while I find valid his critique of the “Ken and Barbie,” me-first, consumer culture that has overtaken much of western Christianity (especially Christian media), deconstructionists like Drew have become stereotypical themselves: rough look, detached ironic attitude, tearing down but all too often not building up. Perhaps they see themselves as prophets and adopt a prophetic methodology in appearance and language. Ok. Fine. But the biblical prophets always had a purpose behind the culturally arresting presentation – a radical call for the community to return to its God. Now, perhaps Mr. Marshall does suggest a constructive alternative and I’ve simply not tuned in with the frequency needed to discern his proactive suggestions. I just don’t know. I’m happy to grant that he may – I simply found it absent in these clips. So, why did I post these clips? Positively, I appreciated his observations regarding the presentation of the Gospel in the western world. After listening to him I looked up the site for his radio show and I found his guest list fascinating. And, lastly, I loved his statement, “Jesus hasn’t quit on me.” Take a look and see what you think:
Part 1:
Part 2:
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I listened to the second interview…the hosts still seemed like they were in “what do we do with this” territory. Drew had the typical shock-jock radio voice and pace of banter. Like you, I think his mask is built around his ability to deconstruct and provoke, but it feels out of balance to me. I”d like to see him secure enough to build folks up some. Tearing down is the easy part!
What is it with bald guys with goatees. James White, this dude….and yes he reminds me of myself some.
Steve, always say that you have to question where you are with Jesus if you 1) don’t love God and 2) don’t love His people regardless of whether they are ignorant or difficult.
I think he MIGHT struggle with #2.
He certainly doesn’t bring the total package. He may be the Rush Limbaugh of “more cowbell” NA Christianity. Proclaiming, “I AM EQUAL TIME!”
speaking of christian tv…”you’ve got straight guys designing sets….it just doesn’t work”. wow!
I don’t really see a rough shod, shock-jock. I see a nervous man with ADD sitting with people that do strike me as being more fake than real. He was clean shaven (well, I mean he had a real beard and not a bunch of 5 o’clock shadow all over his face that people call a beard) and was going to wear a suit…he was just told not to do so.
He was also very forthcoming about his negativity, and I think he tried to curb that somewhat (controlling speech is really almost impossible for someone with ADD to do while under pressure). And I didn’t think the interview was out of balance. It seems these people have interacted before and they just don’t like each other that much. Big deal. That’s just honesty. I didn’t like the hosts, either.
On the one hand, I like what he said about pretty people and churches. A woman I invited to St. Andrew’s came a few times, but then decided it wasn’t for her because she said all the women looked like they worked at a Clinique counter. She was attractive and well educated but she didn’t care for the uptightness of the women she met. In all honesty, I’d love to do a better job with my own appearance, but actually, I get fed up with the no hair should be out of place attitude that is sometimes pervasive at church.
On the other hand, I think this man is looking too much toward people to make him feel good about Jesus. Bible reading and prayer are essential in maintaining that personal relationship with the Lord, and whether he wants to admit it or not, people just can’t fill in the gaps he feels they should. He’s always going to have a hard time feeling close to Jesus if the spiritual disciplines aren’t there.
Overall I liked the guy and I don’t agree with Danny’s assessment. I didn’t see a mask. I saw honesty but from a more limited perspective than most of us are probably comfortable with. Good video. Thanks for posting it.
Oh and I liked what he said about contact numbers and not getting live people at church on the phone. And fortresses. Why???? do we build buildings that only are filled with people for one half a day on Sundays and make people who are unfamiliar to church-ese come to where we are on our schedule? Talk about a colossal waste of money–to leave huge buildings empty all week, but keep them open for the few souls who actually know it is open. Although I can’t say it is a very welcoming place during the week. And last but not least, let’s make it more confusing to the unsaved by taking the whole summer off. Crises and the building of relationships can wait until the fall.
No wonder the lost stay lost. I agree on that point, and I’m glad he made it.
Jesus called Herod a fox, and the Pharisees white washed tombs, not to mention other names. Paul (I think) called the people leaving others astray dogs. So, this man had a few unpleasant things to say. If it’s true, it’s true. Just use it and grow.
Kelly,
I don’t recall saying he had a “mask”. My biggest point was that he reminded me of myself. Long on judgement and often short on grace.
I have spent long nights thinking about whether I truly “love God’s people”…for some of the same reasons you point out in your comment. I wouldn’t consider myself one of the “pretty people”. However, I don’t use that as an excuse to bail on the church.
“The church is a whore, but she is my mother” -St. Augustine