Tim,I wasn’t aware of the Piper/Driscoll controversy until you shared this link to Doug Wilson’s Blog.

I had to stop reading the various conversations that were weighing the good versus the bad of sarcasm and course language when presenting the Word of God. My heart just couldn’t take it. I’m no Pastor, and of course “woe” to me, because by God’s standards, I certainly have a very “filthy mouth”. Yet, I’ve never had an acquaintance walk up to me and say: “I really like your salty language! It makes me proud of my use of foul language. I want to behave more like you behave…” Actually, and conversely, I have had the blessed pleasure of a co-worker or friend saying to me: “I noticed that you don’t swear or use course words. Your calm example makes me want to be more like you. What is it that makes you the way you are…” Of course this is an amalgam or paraphrase of the few of these conversations that I’ve had over the years. Occurrences such as these are wonderful opportunities to introduce the seeker to the saving Grace of our Lord. And I’m ashamed to admit, that I’ve not always responded as I should have in these situations. But I digress…

My point is that we must always keep in mind the “mission” part of the “great commission” given to us by Christ. I’m tempted to say that the mission is even more important for Pastors! But this is not really true is it? All believers are to be the disciples of and apostles of Christ are we not? Is the Holy mission really helped by anything course, vulgar, or acerbic? Some use Christ’s rebuke of the Pharisees as an indication that this tactic is proper and can be productive. My heart tells me that our emulation of Christ should always be moderated by the firm knowledge that “we are not God”. That when, for example, our Lord addressed the Pharisees on various occasions, and the moneychangers in the temple, he had the distinct advantage of knowing perfectly the condition of the hearts of His hearers. Perhaps Christ knew that a stinging rebuke might be just what the hard-hearted needed to change their hearts! Or sadly, He knew full well that the hearers hearts were already hardened and of the non-elect. It is not hard to believe that Christ fully knew that the true hearers (beneficiaries) of the exchange were to be some of the bystanders of the day, and of course the future hearers of His Word (us).

I can’t help but feel that a Pastor, who even selectively uses course language to spice up the Word of God for a post-modern audience, is allowing culture to taint that which needs no alteration to be attractive.

I’m reminded of Paul’s message to the Ephesians: “5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for the Lord’s people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

In Christ Jesus,

Dan Hagan