Mark Driscoll’s Apology

Recently Mark Driscoll said,

“I know who made the environment and he’s coming back and going to burn it all up. So yes, I drive an SUV.”

He apparently received so much backlash from it that he decided to issue an apology. But it’s not an apology. It’s an explanation.

Here’s a short lesson in apologies.

A good apology is when:

1. you apologize for something you said or did
2. you take responsibility for your words or actions
3. you promise to change

A bad apology is when:

1. you apologize for how your words or actions were received
2. you blame them for being hurt by your words or actions
3. you tell them they need to change so they won’t be hurt in the future

Like the cartoon says, Mark Driscoll used this as just another opportunity to rebuke and ridicule.

Oh… and when you instruct me on how or when I am supposed to laugh, you’ve already lost. I don’t care how long or biblical your instruction is.

(If you like, you can read Hemant Mehta’s critique of his apology.)