Tuesday April 14, 2009
The Rape of the Song of Solomon
John MacArthur is beginning what looks to be an interesting series in which he will attempt to refute those teachers and preachers who "employ extremely graphic descriptions of physical intimacy as a way of expounding on the euphemisms in Solomon's poem." Says MacArthur, "In fact, Solomon's love-poem epitomizes the exact opposite approach. It is, of course, a lengthy poem about courtship and marital love. It is filled with euphemisms and word pictures. Its whole point is gently, subtly, and elegantly to express the emotional and physical intimacy of marital love--in language suitable for any audience." Some will regard this as anti-Driscollism; I regard it as a good and necessary discussion and look forward to MacArthur's thoughts on it all.
Confessions of a Real Estate Agent
This article from Salon is an interesting look at the rise and fall of the real estate market. It is told through the eyes of one of the hundreds of thousands of agents who rode it up and back down. "It's a terrible thing to come to terms with, but I am the reason the world is in an economic tailspin. Me, alone. All those foreclosures, short sales, bank failures, job losses, bailouts, plummeting stocks, the ripple effect into Europe, China, even Madoff: all my fault. Moi."
Britain's Worst Hour
This article describes the rapid decline of morals in England. And second and similar article says that Scotland is staring into the abyss of social collapse. It seems that England has need of a new Wilberforce.
New Eric Alexander Website
"Ronald Alexander, son of the Rev. Eric J. Alexander has constructed a website in honor of his father's life and ministry. You will find a biography, sermons he preached at St. George's Tron during his 20 year ministry , and links to other resources."
Deal of the Day: The Complete Works of Beethoven
Had I $49.99 to spend today, I'd spend it on this: the complete works of Beethoven. Today only, 784 works on 87 CDs for $49.99. Though it has no reviews on Amazon, the Bach, Mozart and other collections in the series all have 4.5 or 5 star ratings. It sounds like an amazing deal to me!
John MacArthur is beginning what looks to be an interesting series in which he will attempt to refute those teachers and preachers who "employ extremely graphic descriptions of physical intimacy as a way of expounding on the euphemisms in Solomon's poem." Says MacArthur, "In fact, Solomon's love-poem epitomizes the exact opposite approach. It is, of course, a lengthy poem about courtship and marital love. It is filled with euphemisms and word pictures. Its whole point is gently, subtly, and elegantly to express the emotional and physical intimacy of marital love--in language suitable for any audience." Some will regard this as anti-Driscollism; I regard it as a good and necessary discussion and look forward to MacArthur's thoughts on it all.
Confessions of a Real Estate Agent
This article from Salon is an interesting look at the rise and fall of the real estate market. It is told through the eyes of one of the hundreds of thousands of agents who rode it up and back down. "It's a terrible thing to come to terms with, but I am the reason the world is in an economic tailspin. Me, alone. All those foreclosures, short sales, bank failures, job losses, bailouts, plummeting stocks, the ripple effect into Europe, China, even Madoff: all my fault. Moi."
Britain's Worst Hour
This article describes the rapid decline of morals in England. And second and similar article says that Scotland is staring into the abyss of social collapse. It seems that England has need of a new Wilberforce.
New Eric Alexander Website
"Ronald Alexander, son of the Rev. Eric J. Alexander has constructed a website in honor of his father's life and ministry. You will find a biography, sermons he preached at St. George's Tron during his 20 year ministry , and links to other resources."
Deal of the Day: The Complete Works of Beethoven
Had I $49.99 to spend today, I'd spend it on this: the complete works of Beethoven. Today only, 784 works on 87 CDs for $49.99. Though it has no reviews on Amazon, the Bach, Mozart and other collections in the series all have 4.5 or 5 star ratings. It sounds like an amazing deal to me!
Comments (21) »
1. Jackie
April 14, 2009
9:34 AM
John MacArthur was one of my first teachers. Well, via radio. I was a brand new believer and I received daily teaching from his Grace To You radio broadcasts every evening around 10 p.m. That was in 1981! It is comforting and energizing to be able to find his solid and dynamic teaching still out there for all to benefit from. His is a steady hand at the helm on some stormy seas in Christianity. It has been nearly 30 years since first hearing his teachings and still he is faithful and hasn’t fallen into any fads that have shipwrecked his faith. I love that he is still going strong and can be counted on to be a bulwark in the changing evangelical world.
2. J.P.H.
April 14, 2009
9:51 AM
MacArthur writes:
“But the language Scripture employs when dealing with the physical relationship between husband and wife is always careful—often plain, sometimes poetic, usually delicate, frequently muted by euphemisms, and never fully explicit.”
“But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her.” Gen. 29:23 (ESV)
Seems like a pretty explicit description of intercourse to me. Or how about Onan ejaculating on the ground?
3. Tim Challies
April 14, 2009
9:58 AM
JPH - “Went in to her” is far, far less explicit than what we are hearing in many Song of Solomon sermons today…
4. Doug Richards
April 14, 2009
10:36 AM
I think that the Song of Solomon is about true fidelity in a world of temptation. I know that some are embarressed by the Song or find it to be somehow questionable because of its content. However, I think that that says more about the character of one’s own thought processes than it does about the character of the material itself.
5. Scott
April 14, 2009
10:41 AM
I’m glad Dr MacArthur is personally taking this on again. I have found were he takes Pastor Mark to task in Dec. ‘06. Does anybody have a link to any other time Dr. MacArthur took up a subject along these lines and singled out Pastor Mark?
I look forward to the rest of the series by Dr. MacArthur. The timing is excellent since the Gospell Coalition Conference(GCC) is next week. I will be attending and I hope this issue is addressed. I thank God for Dr. MacArthur and I thank God for Pastor Mark and this issue needs to be resolved, especially from the leaders I love and respect in the evagelical community.
This topic has me very confused, sad and unfortunately agitated. I feel this issue has the potential to divide and destroy such a wonderful community and movement that is spreading the Gospel in amazing ways. If the leadership at the GCC does not address this head on and explicitly (a rebuke and repentance exchange, sorry guys I hope that is the correct verbage). Then I will continue to sit under the teaching of Pastor Mark as well as Dr. Mohler, Pastor Piper, Dr Carson, Dr Duncan, Dr. MacArthur etc. If Pastor Mark is such a stumbling block to The Gospel and discipleship then these other great leaders of ours must come together and us know in no uncertain terms.
If anyone can direct me to a link that any other highly respected, nationally visible leader (such as the ones listed above) in the evagelical community has taken Pastor Mark to task personally please let me know. I have read and respect Phil Johnson’s exegesis and thoughts but I’m looking for others.
Grace and peace to you,
Scott
6. Scott
April 14, 2009
10:45 AM
Tim,
Thanks for posting this. I hit preview and it went directly to the comments. I look forward to you thoughts. You will be at the GCC, right? Thanks for all you hard work. I thank God for you.
Grace and peace to you,
Scott
7. J.P.H.
April 14, 2009
11:04 AM
Huh. The only Song of Solomon series I’ve listened to was by a guy named Tommy Nelson, and I think I only listened to part of one of the segments.
W/ regard to the U.K. story:
It always saddens me a little when someone, or the media, bemoans a decline in “morals”. Why? Because the pharisees were incredible moralists and Jesus didn’t really give a hoot. You, or the article, mentions that maybe Britain needs another Wilberforce. The fact that people are complaining about a lack of morals and not the lack of believers suggests that is exactly the case, since one of the things Wilberforce criticized was people’s preference for “moral living” over true belief and practice.
8. Brendt Waters
April 14, 2009
11:25 AM
Even as an admitted Driscoll fan-boy, I would probably consider MacArthur’s series “good and necessary discussion” if the irony alarm hadn’t gone off so loudly. Seems kinda odd to praise gentleness, subtlety, and elegance, and then call the series “The **RAPE** of SoS”. In the past, Dr MacArthur has always been firm and clear, but I’ve never known him to sensationalize or be overly provocative. This is disappointing.
9. Berny
April 14, 2009
11:43 AM
MacArthur’s thinly-veiled offensive against preachers who speak frankly about sexual matters betrays a lack of self-awareness. He waxes indignant over preachers who mention “unmentionable body parts” and nevertheless titles his post “The Rape of Solomon’s Song” — linking their expositions of certain passages with the criminal act of sexual violation and assault against a person’s will. I don’t have a problem with such imagery — the Bible employs figurative language just as graphic. My problem is when Christians masquerade their prudish, Victorian sensibilities as pietistic adherence to the Scriptures.
Sexuality has become pervasively entrenched in every area of our societal landscape. Confusion over sexual matters abounds in our culture. The Puritan approach is no longer appropriate. To be different with regard to this matter no longer means a willingness to leave the discussion over sexual matters as a symbol of the church’s separation from the world, but a willingness to come to the table to address these matters in a frank and biblical way.
10. Michael Duenes
April 14, 2009
11:45 AM
I can say this: My wife and I have listened to the first 2 installments of Driscoll’s S of S series, and I did not find anything lewd or overly explicit about it. What language would MacArthur find that would be relevant for today’s audience, just as relevant as Solomon’s language was for his audience? Does MacArthur know what kind of emotional and sexual reaction Solomon’s words would’ve had in his day? Can he say that Solomon was not explicit? What would have been “explicit” or “lewd” language in the Hebrew of Solomon’s time? I have found in the past that MacArthur sometimes uses a blunt knife in his criticism where a little more care is needed from him.
11. Jon Anderson
April 14, 2009
12:30 PM
As I read through the first part of the post by Dr. MacArthur I thought it was foolishness that anyone would say it was ‘Anti-Driscoll’. Having just finished watching to the whole S.O.S. with my wife (and benefiting from it GREATLY) it was very clear to me that none of Dr. MacArthur’s accusations had anything to do with Driscoll. I was shocked to see him later quoted (without context, grace or understanding) and even named. I would encourage anyone (and have encouraged many) to watch the Driscoll series.
Looking specifically at this ” spiritually tantamount to an act of rape” I think its an audacious and misplaced claim. If you watch the whole series, or even that whole session, its clear that Solomon is talking about his wife doing some provocative dancing for her husband, and Driscoll’s comment of “Ladies, let me assure you of this: if you think you’re being dirty, he’s pretty happy” is not to command women to do things that they consciences don’t allow, but rather to take something that the world has marred and muddied and uglified and bring it back to its rightful place and celebrate the beauty of it in the right context.
I love Dr. MacArthur’s teaching and I respect him deeply. I am glad to see him take up this topic, but I think to do it from a stance of attack and rebuttal against another pastor, and to be willing to have his name degraded for the sake of a new series is unfortunate, dangerous and wrong.
Graceandpeace,
Jon
12. Reg Schofield
April 14, 2009
12:33 PM
While I truly appreciate Mark Driscoll’s boldness in many matters , there is a fine line between preaching with clarity and for shock value. I understand that where Mark is preaching the people he addresses are pagan to the core as he has said. I realize as well that we live in a sex obsessed culture so much of what has been said would not be shocking but the question is it edifying. I have always rejected the over spiritual take on the Song of Solomon so I give Mark full credit for bringing back down to earth. I will listen Mac and see his take but hope he will show some charity to a fellow brother in Christ.
13. Reg Schofield
April 14, 2009
12:38 PM
While I truly appreciate Mark Driscoll’s boldness in many matters , there is a fine line between preaching with clarity and for shock value. I understand that where Mark is preaching the people he addresses are pagan to the core as he has said. I realize as well that we live in a sex obsessed culture so much of what has been said would not be shocking but the question is it edifying. I have always rejected the over spiritual take on the Song of Solomon so I give Mark full credit for bringing the book back down to earth. I will listen Mac and see what his take is but hope he will show some charity to a fellow brother in Christ. I love them both and have been blessed by their ministries and books.
14. MarieP
April 14, 2009
12:51 PM
We read through the NT in AM worship and the OT during the PM worship. When we get to Song of Solomon, it will be skipped because (at least the majority) of my elders don’t think it is appropriate for public reading. One of my elders used it as the jumping off point for a sermon on communion with Christ awhile back, and he cites it on rare occasion, but it isn’t referenced that much.
15. MarieP
April 14, 2009
12:59 PM
I should add that SoS is not the only part of Scripture that is skipped in the public reading. We skipped a number of chapters in Joshua, for instance, because of the repetition…after the reading particularly from the OT, there is a brief explanation and application to us as the New Covenant people of God.
16. Dan Odom
April 14, 2009
6:53 PM
Tim, thanks as always for providing helpful and informative links. I am looking very forward to hearing MacArthur’s take on this. I have to believe that down deep, everyone knows being that explicit in the pulpit just isn’t appropriate for God’s children. Thank the Lord for the gift of intimacy but may we learn to convey it with grace and not like the world.
17. Eloquorius
April 15, 2009
12:17 AM
RE: MacArthur… So MacArthur, a bold Bible expositor who get deeply into the textual and cultural meanings of the Scriptures is going to come out against preachers who like wise boldly get deeply into the textual and cultural meanings of a particular book. I loathe to see Mac become an arrogant caricature of himself. Funny thing is, Driscoll has spoken highly of MacArthur by name and (to my knowledge) has never said anything against him.
The MacArthur/Johnson standard of judging sermon content seems to be: Boldly graphic that explains the text for what is says is just not OK, uh, except when it’s done by approved anti-relevance superstars.
18. Eloquorius
April 15, 2009
12:18 AM
RE: MacArthur… So MacArthur, a bold Bible expositor who get deeply into the textual and cultural meanings of the Scriptures is going to come out against preachers who like wise boldly get deeply into the textual and cultural meanings of a particular book. I loathe to see Mac become an arrogant caricature of himself. Funny thing is, Driscoll has spoken highly of MacArthur by name and (to my knowledge) has never said anything against him.
The MacArthur/Johnson standard of judging sermon content seems to be: Boldly graphic that explains the text for what is says is just not OK, uh, except when it’s done by approved anti-relevance superstars.
19. Eloquorius
April 15, 2009
12:20 AM
BTW, Tim, when I hit preview is seems to have actually submitted the comment, hence the double post.
20. beatrice81
April 15, 2009
12:42 AM
If MacArthur is claiming that the couple in Song of Solomon are married, can he tell us on what scriptural evidence he entertains this belief?
21. Mike
April 15, 2009
9:01 AM
I don’t agree with Macarthur on everything but I have ALWAYS respected his willingness to challenge anyone who he feels is perverting scripture no matter who it is or how popular, whether Billy Graham, Driscoll whether in the church or in the media I am always fascinated by his arguments whether I agree or not.
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