Guest Pastor Kicked Off Stage at Christian Conference for Calling Transgenders Demons

[useapen]

A recent Christian conference in Springfield, Missouri, took a different
turn when guest pastor Mark Driscoll spoke his opinions that led to him
being kicked off from the stage. Let’s delve into what happened and why
the reactions are the way they are.

The conference, known as the Stronger Men’s Conference, “exists to inspire
and equip men to live out God’s vision for manhood to be the husbands,
fathers, and leaders God has called them to be.”

This year, the conference was held at the Great Southern Bank Arena, it
featured various speakers and performances, including a sword-swallowing
act by Alex Magala.

Driscoll is already known for his outspoken nature and in this case, he
didn’t hold back in his opinions of Magala’s performance. He said it was
like something seen in a strip club, and he described it as the “Jezebel
spirit.” This term, often used by christians, is used to describe
seduction and Immorality.

“Before the word of God was opened, there was a platform, it was a high
place,” said Driscoll, according to videos posted online. “On it was a
pole … the same thing that’s used in a strip club for women who have the
jezebel spirit to seduce men,” he said.

His comments didn’t stop there. Driscoll also made controversial remarks
about transgender individuals, referring to them as “demons.” The audience
immediately reacted, with some cheering and others expressing disapproval.

John Lindell, the lead pastor of James River Church who hosted the
conference, asked Driscoll to step down from the stage while he was still
speaking.

The arena erupted into applause and boos, and some members of the audience
could be heard chanting: “Bring him back.” He cited a biblical verse from
Matthew 18, stating the importance of sharing his discomfort privately
with him first before airing them publicly.

“He’s out of line,” Lindell told the audience as Driscoll left the stage.
After this incident, Driscoll went on his social media and said he was
going to discuss what he called the “Ahab, Jezebel, and Elijah spirit.”

A former pastor and founder of the Seattle Mars Hill Church, Mark
Driscoll, in 2014, was investigated by his church leaders after he was
accused of bullying members, threatening opponents and overseeing the
mismanagement of church funds, reports the news outlet.

The pastor, who founded the church in 1996, was later ousted from the
church. His departure was brought on by a 2013 radio interview during
which he was accused of plagiarizing another pastor’s work.

The term “Jezebel,” used by Driscoll in his critique, carries weight
beyond its biblical origins. It’s a word that is used to describe an
impudent or morally unrestrained woman, it has been weaponized in ways
that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and even racism.

https://gistfest.com/guest-pastor-kicked-off-stage-at-christian-
conference-for-calling-transgenders-demons/

[Steve Hayes]

On Sun, 28 Apr 2024 08:12:11 -0000 (UTC), useapen

The term ?ezebel,?used by Driscoll in his critique, carries weight
beyond its biblical origins. It? a word that is used to describe an
impudent or morally unrestrained woman, it has been weaponized in ways
that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and even racism.
https://gistfest.com/guest-pastor-kicked-off-stage-at-christian-
conference-for-calling-transgenders-demons/

All the sermons I've ever heard referring to Ahab and Jezebel have had
to do with Jezebel urging Ahab to misuse state power for personal
gain, as in the case of Naboth's vineyard, and such sermosn have
usually denounced practices like ethnic cleansing.

A current example is what the Israeli government is doing in Palestine
-- driving people from their homes and land, as Jezebel urged Ahab to
do to Naboth.