Never a stranger to controversy, Seattle mega-church pastor Mark Driscoll is causing a stir with an upcoming visit to Liberty University.
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The conservative Christian school in Lynchburg, Va., is next up on a tour by the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church promoting his new book, Real Marriage, co-authored with his wife, Grace. Some believe the book's explicit advice on bedroom practices between a husband and wife wouldn't sit well with Liberty's late founder Jerry Falwell or with many of the school's donors and alumni.
Baptist blogger Peter Lumpkins reported April 4 that sources told him Liberty University trustees voted unanimously objecting to Driscoll's invitation to speak in chapel April 20 and lead a seminar on campus April 21. Liberty posted a website message labeling the blog false and defamatory and demanded a retraction. As of April 9 the demand no longer appeared on Liberty's website and Lumpkins added that he spoke to a longtime university trustee who told him nothing in his post was inaccurate.
Meanwhile, an online petition titled "Hey Liberty University, Drop Driscoll" closed in on its goal of 300 signatures to be delivered to Jonathan Falwell, Liberty's vice chancellor for spiritual affairs. Started by a blogger who moderates a forum for former members of Driscoll's church recovering from what many call spiritual abuse, the petition demands that the university cancel the upcoming event, and warns failure to do so "may result in a public protest on the Liberty University campus."
SOURCE: Associated Baptist Press
Bob Allen
