Review of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill - Hard to Listen

Hard to Listen

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“It’s taken me nearly a year to listen to this. It has been painful to chew on. I attended Mars Hill, Ballard on a handful of occasions back between 2005-2008 and even in those times felt it was off even though I couldn’t put my finger on it. But, I heard good things so I’d make the drive a few times a year and I had a crush on a guy who attended there. At the time I was a part of a church in Tacoma, WA that was charismatic but had a narcissism of its own, and I was unofficially excommunicated at the end of 2007 when I finally realized how bad and Biblically off it was. It’s 2023 now and I can fully relate to the interviewees that well over a decade later still struggle with the abuse that took place during there time at MH and my 8 years at the church I was part of. So many parallels and painful times. It nearly shipwrecked my faith and it successfully destroyed the faith of many I dearly love and whom I hurt not realizing until later my good intentions caused them harm. I am now much more reformed, according to how many would define the way I demonstrate my faith, especially my progressive family. Listening to this podcast, it is obvious there is some liberal more progressive perspectives. The actual Gospel is not well defined, nor are the terms grace or mercy. Perhaps the host assumed those who listen would already have a good grasp on that, but defining terms clearly in my healing process was absolutely necessary and I imagine it’s needed for all. While I agree Mark lacked all grace and mercy and was never fit to be a pastor, I would have enjoyed hearing the host explain Biblically as well as all the other ways he was not fit. Scripture, though it was hard to even look at a Bible for years, still is something we should aim to return to if we call ourselves Christians, to make sense of many of the issues that took place. Mark is clearly a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I deconstructed for several years before I finally in reluctance opened my Bible again and the Holy Spirit helped me realize it was never God who was at fault and if I understood His Word, especially, “if you love me you will do what I command,” I would have better seen the dysfunction before I was boiled alive. It was not my fault nor the fault of so many people who were harmed that they are victims, but I wonder if we were more concerned about truly knowing who the true Jesus of the Bible is, if we would have been spared these deceitful “leader’s” tentacles of abuse. But we are human and it’s so easy to be caught up in mesmerizing movements, even with thousands of red flags we don’t realize were there all along. James is so clear that not many should desire to teach for they will be held to a higher standard. Mark as well as my old pastor walked in pride and not humility. That was a red flag I think so many of us miss when we are in a place with Christian language but not Biblical literacy. It took a flat out heresy from my pastor for me to wake up and realize he was not a shepherd. It also took the death of a sibling and the devastation of my entire family to realize I was living in a silly hamster wheel striving to be in an inner circle I was not good enough for and would never achieve. I praise the Lord for all He has done. He has spared me, and has helped me see how prominent this type of behavior exists in so many “churches.” My biggest plea is that people would truly surrender to Jesus as He commands and follow Him through His Word. Study it and know it like the Bereans. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path. He will guard you. Praying for all of your continued healing.”

SavPerr26 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/23/23

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What many of us were waiting for

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“As a former fan and online follower fan of Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church, I believe this is something many people where waiting for. I started listening to Driscoll sermons when I learned that this was Ryan and Don Clark’s church (Invisible Creature & Demon Hunter). I fell in love with...”Read full review »

Thvzla via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/25/21

Great start!

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“This is a great start and I really enjoyed the breadth of the research and reporting. I think the people saying they didn’t like it might be people who are still Driscoll acolytes.”

Lisa Dawn-Marie via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 06/28/21

Very interesting and sad.

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“Very well made podcast. Hope that it proves as a tool to learn from these mistakes and glorify God.”

Hvarganator via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 07/08/21

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