I don't think cursing is in the bible. But it's whatever, not like anyone actually follows its word anyway.

@Lordv16@xanga - There is actually a good deal of offensive language used in the Bible, both Old and New Testament.  It is used because it is offensive.  Sometimes offense is what is called for.

I definitely had a blog of mine published here on Revelife a while back that asked the exact same question, and in fact, also refered to Pastor Mark.
Being a member of Mars Hill Church, my opinion on the matter is that 1) Mark's language has toned down a LOT. and 2) in the cases that you mentioned, the Marriage and Men sermon specifically, the tone was right, and absolutely necessary for the topic at hand.
In fact, I know someone personally who is married now BECAUSE of the Marriage and Men sermon, and its harshness.

@TheGreatBout@xanga - I do agree with the last part of what you said-- I have bigger beef with Driscoll than the language he uses.

However, as relevant to the post: I am of the persuasion that the instruction given to Christians to "be above reproach" (Phil 2:15) is of the kind that would discourage a Christian from swearing-- regardless of whether or not the Christian is a Pastor or not. 

I have a very different take on a very common (and applicable) scripture in James 1:26 which does state that "If anyone thinks himself to be religious" (a term used in the manor we would use the label "Christian") "and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless."

I take this in a way that not only speaks about cussing, but about all speech in general.  Our words may be many or eloquent, but if not bridled by truth, humility and purity, then they are a defilement.

So, I suppose the short answer is that it doesn't matter if he's a pastor or not; if he's a Christian, he should bridle his words with holiness and all the attributes of God taught to him by the Holy Spirit.

If you consider the nature of an expletive, you will find that it presents extremes. By using it, a person can convey the most effective and powerful form of communication that their language allows. If a Christian claims that God is the most powerful "being," than shouldn't they use the most powerful and extreme language when referring to God?

@leadworshipper82 - I believe there is a significant difference between painting sin as sin... even with color... and using profanity to illustrate sin.

I've seen a great deal of wisdom in the writings of James and I've seen the effectiveness of that wisdom when put into practice manifest itself in ministry.  I still remain unconvinced that James would be so bold in telling his readers to bridle their tongues (especially in the context in which he says it) if it were not true.  I am only convinced of one thing which is that if the Holy Spirit worked as you suggest, perhaps James would not have given a command that would hinder the Spirit so much.  His command would have followed along a different line. 

@SirNickDon@xanga - That's definitely on the beef list. It's right up there with being John Piper's fanboy.

It is proper to use profane language when describing profane things.   As I've said before..."We're okay if a couple of teenagers are "doing it", but when they start "fucking" all hell breaks loose."  

@TheGreatBout@xanga - Some would argue being John Piper's fan boy is better than being Greg Boyd's.  I'm not a fan of either, but if I had to pick, Piper would win hands down.   I Like Boyd's stance on America not being a Christian nation, but can't think of any other reason to like what the guy says.   Let's not forget, "one man's treasure is another man's trash," and vice versa.     

In my opinion this guy is no Christian and if I was sitting in his church my reaction would be to get up and beat his head into a pulpit. The Tony Sopranos of the world have anger management problems because of the way they were raised too. There were real mafia people in the area I grew up. It was "accepted" behavior because they went to mass, or at least their wives and kids did every Sunday but to me even as a preteen I had enough sense to know there was something wrong when kids got expensive birthday gifts that "fell off a truck". As for cussing sermons? People who cuss are usually trying to intimidate others in the only way they know how. I guess when we see Christians being urged by ministers to bring their guns to church cussing is relatively mild. Then again, listening to this stupid piece of shit cock sucker cussing at women and children....I'd still kick his fucking head in.

I've been to more Masses with more different priests then I can count.  Not a one ever yelled or used profane language.  This contrasts greatly from the brotherly conduct of priests at the dinner table where lively discussion might even include salty language.

The priest stands in for Christ at Mass which is a rememberance of the Last Supper. As a result the proceedings are done with the maximum reverence.  All priestly language and demeanor glorify God through the ceremony of the Mass.

The Protestant Sunday go-to-meetin' is entirely different, however, and isn't bound by the formality of religious ceremony. Since the success of the Sunday go-to-meetin' is preacher-centered and music-centered and not Christ-centered its success depends on the charisma and stage craft of the performers.

when someone cusses around me, i think that one of three things is true:

1) they don't find the words offensive, and don't really care if others do (making them insensitive)

2) they're trying to get attention (making them annoying)

3) they can't come up with a better and more acceptable word to use (making them dense)

if the Son of God he believes in so deeply didn't cuss when he preached, i don't see how it's intelligent of him to do so... there are better ways to get someone's attention. 

Of course it's generally not okay for a pastor to cuss. However, christian's loss credibility when they fail to realize exceptions. The words he used towards men who beat their wives are far too kind.