To my LDS readers, the SI administration just posted my book review of Lauren Sandler’s new book, Righteous on SharperIron. Lauren wrote a whole chapter about Mark Driscoll’s church in Seattle. In fact, chapter 2, of her book became very controversial among bloggers. Therefore I believe, Lauren allowed the entirety of chapter 2 to be accessed on Salon, where she is an editor.
But this is what I find interesting. Weeks ago, an LDS blogger named Dave, who has been very courteous to me, wrote a short article about the evangelical cult of personality. In the thread, LDS blogger Naiah Earhart responded at the very close of her post (#23), “These people are being fed Kool-Aid.”
Guess where Naiah is living? Seattle. I wonder if she has been influenced by Lauren Sandler who uses those very words, “Kool-Aid” in chapter 2.
Dave has since closed his article for comment. I don’t blame him. But the topic is a worthy one to discuss. In fact, I told Dave in the thread of his article, I would consider typing out a few thoughts that address the focus of both LDS and evangelicals. It is in the works. Nothing big. But just a few thoughts for consideration.
Jesus in Idaho Falls 
Thanks for the link, Todd. I was having a little fun with that particular post — I don’t really think most megachurches are cults of personality, but the post mirrors the way some Evangelicals take equally silly notions written about the LDS Church at face value. FYI, I close comments on all my posts after about ten days as an anti-spamming measure.
There is a more serious questions of how megachurches, with weak or nonexistent ties to national denominations, maintain disciplinary and oversight procedures in relation to their clergy or ministers. Once upon a time losing a denominational license to preach was a significant threat to a minister that overstepped recognized clerical bounds of good behavior, but I’m not sure that institutional check is in place any longer for most megachurch entities. I look forward to your upcoming post.
Unfortunately, Dave, there are some Christian independents acting as renegade islands out there on the American landscape. It is not good.
My upcoming post will explore how serious we are to being accountable in singular focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ, a little different twist than denominational license.
My own ordination to ministry was quite an extensive process.
I think the ‘Kool-aid’ thing is a reference to the Jim Jones debacle (‘Kool-aid’, poison, mass suicide) in Guyana in November 1978. By their fruits shall ye know them, right?