I probably wasn’t going to write much about The Shack but I just read Kirsten’s post about using our minds for discernment and it made me think about all that stuff.

For Kirsten, I agree that we should all make up our own minds about what we read.  If we do not make up our own minds, then we become manipulable and “tossed around” by every wave in the sea.

The sad reality is that many people are not very discerning (because of immaturity or by choice).  And those who are discerning should make their findings and stances evident — if the tone and intention is that of love, then the undiscerning and the discerning reader alike will benefit.

This situation reminded me of my drive back from Toronto to Ottawa with Margie, and I told her that I watched the movie Monsters vs. Aliens.  The opinion that I told her was that the movie was alright but it definitely wasn’t a kids’ movie because of the many political, sexual, or sarcastic undertones with much of the humour.  And then Margie remarked that Mark Driscoll had put on his Facebook status telling people that the movie was OK but “don’t bring the kids”.  I would whole-heartedly agree!

From listening to Driscoll at Staff Conference and in a few sermons online, I don’t think he’s against discernment.  But he is very much about being direct!  He doesn’t keep his opinions, persuasions, and convictions hidden; instead he is very obvious and clear about his stance on many things whether doctrinal or cultural.  Our world actually doesn’t have enough leaders like this.

In the end, the discerning ones will listen and make their decision whether to follow his advice.  The undiscerning ones will follow without question.  Seems to me like a shepherd and his sheep.  Which is what a pastor is called to do.

The question and its implicating assumptions is this: is everything actually worth reading?  If someone is discerning, would he ever be qualified enough to a point to give directions?