Recently I read the blog post of a very prominent pastor in the Southeast and was appalled by some language used in his writing. I hope that the had some elders or other friends in Christ who loved him and the Word of God enough to speak into his life about that post and rebuke his choice of words.

The issue of bad language in the pulpit (or behind the podium, or sitting on the stool with bottled water and your Kindle) seems to come up regularly for me in conversation and on the blogs I read. Yesterday I ran across this video by Ed Young Jr. on the SBC Voices website and think it is worthwhile for preachers and those who hear preaching. I am grateful for men like Ed Young who are willing to speak with wisdom on this subject, and for the “cool preacher” crowd, no one is more cutting edge than Ed Young, so he has earned the right to speak on this issue.

I picked this up from Joe Thorn, and I think it is worth your time as a preacher to hear what Mark Driscoll has to say on this sticky subject.  Driscoll has come under alot of scrutiny because of his offensive and crude language at times–especially in his early years of ministry–but he is not alone.  Even John Piper, the reknowned pastor of Bethelehem Baptist Church recently apologized for his choice to use offensive language at a college conference (see his apology here and Wayne Grudem’s response here and Tim Challies’ comments on both here).  Pastors and preachers, the necessity always exists for us to speak the word of God contextually and powerfully, but let us examine our motives closely if we choose to use strong languge as God’s mouthpiece.  Are you saying something that you truly believe would have come from the mouth of the Christ?