From the Mailbag, As You Expected

I really enjoyed this article. I just had a question nagging me throughout it. What are the ethics of holding a protest when it negatively effects businesses and people not involved in the problem you are protesting? The truckers have certainly cost businesses in Ottawa money and work.

Best wishes,

Adam

The Canadian trucker convoy is a beautiful spectacle to see, and it fills me with tears—tears of blessed joy from one eye as I watch Freedom ringing in Ottawa, and tears of sorrow from the other eye as I behold my own country wringing Freedom’s neck. I pray the American truckers are twice as bold, thrice as many, and four times as effective. But . . . I also have to wonder this: why does goodness and righteousness come from ones such as these and not from our pulpits? Why does Canada have a thousand courageous truckers but only three courageous pastors? Is this a clear case of God causing even the rocks to cry out because we, His people, have been silent for too long? I hope so.

(Since this is not November, I should probably provide an unnecessary clarification.

I am not saying that truckers are not or cannot be God’s people, or that they are somehow the equivalent of rocks.)

Malachi

I am unsure of the time of your writing this post, but Canada is currently arresting the convoy protesters, and as I am sure that you also know, are attempting to confiscate the approximate $9-$10 million thus far donated on the GFM site. I think that the Canadian communists have witnessed the post-event prosecution model that is still in progress with the J-6 participants, and would have no problem modifying that to also include seizure of trucks as asset forfeitures. One might ask “well then who will drive the trucks to deliver food to the elite”. The organized crime cartel that is every communist oriented government never includes suffering on the part of the “elites”. (At least until they experience a Ceaușescu moment.) They will ensure, even if it means nationalizing transport, uninterrupted champagne.

Gray

When reading your latest Monday column, there was a particular paragraph which resonated with me. You wrote: “When I use the word elite here, let us begin with the recognition that there is not very much that is elite about them. But they are clean and bright, and well-to-do, and they graduated from some Ivy League college or other, and early on they were persuaded of the “neutrality of competence” by the whole process of indoctrination that they went though. They have come to believe that what counts is computer modeling, and data supplemented with more data, and managerial expertise, and decisions by the qualified, and centralized control so that enlightened decisions might be made.”

It struck me that there is a parallel between our political elites and our ecclesiastical elites in what you’ve written. Our ecclesiastical elites are also clean and bright (no dirt-under-the-fingernails Christianity here!), well-to-do (affluence is a sign of God’s favor), and graduated from some well-known seminary that people associate with one of those conservative guys with a media presence (but have no knowledge of what is actually being taught at said seminary), and were persuaded of by the whole “neutrality of competence” by the whole philosophy of ministry training that they went through (which taught them that leading a church is more like managing a sales department than shepherding a flock).

I’ve appreciated your willingness to write about the recent events which have eclipsed our world, because most of our pastors and elders have tried to manage the war of the 2020’s like they’ve managed the “peace” of the 2000’s—just keep everyone mostly happy and hope the sermon series gives people enough to think about so they aren’t wondering why the elders never called and checked in on them when they actually had COVID, or asked why they didn’t show up for Sunday School while masks were mandated indoors with no exceptions, or stayed mum on vaccine mandates for their children at the school which is attached to said church because, goodness knows, we don’t want to offend anybody.

What advice would you give elders when they see the faithful of the flock start to push back because of how the leadership been handling COVID? It’s one thing if you have the usual suspects making trouble—it’s what they do, but isn’t it another thing when it’s the solid core that starts to go up in arms in their own Preference Cascade? What advice would you give faithful church members when their elders seem to have abandoned their convictions and refuse to communicate until put in a corner? What needs to happen when people who have been faithful, invested, team players at a church for years start to become vocal, discouraged, and detached? Are they a necessary sacrifice for the new people who have come in during the pandemic, or do the elders have a responsibility to engage and invest? And once the distrust is sown, how does this get navigated? There’s a lot of churches that are going to have to heal the breach from poor COVID shepherding, and—knowing you can’t get specific—I’m wondering what your advice would be to the elders and the members. Thanks!

David

The following excerpt by Erik Erickson was posted by Justin Taylor:

“Y’all, this may come as a shock to each of you, but Russell Moore, Rick Warren, David French, Tim Keller, John MacArthur, Douglas Wilson, Owen Strachan, and Voddie Baucham are all going to be in the House of the Lord one day and if you don’t think so, maybe you need to search your heart and see what’s wrong.”

This portion got me thinking. Erik seems absolutely confident that all these men’s names are written in the book of life. No question that any of these men could be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Is this kind of certainty language correct? How should we talk about Christian’s we have serious disagreements with? Take it away from Erik’s list and instead insert someone blatantly disobeying the commandments of God. Is it permissible for me to question the salvation of Nadia Boltz-Weber? Where do you draw the line between identifying a child of God that is straying vs a wolf in God’s church? And is it right to state with such certainty the salvation of any individual? I don’t want to be saying at people’s funerals, “Well it sure seemed like this was a regenerate person, but I guess who knows.” I also don’t want to act in the place of God, who is the final Judge. What think ye?

Roger

Thank you for writing the “Democracy Comes on Eighteen Wheels” post. As a Canadian not living on Parliament Hill I resonated with what you wrote here:

“… they have no idea what the world outside is actually like. They run their computer models, they formulate their big ideas, they scratch their fellow Yale classmates between the shoulder blades, they receive the same in turn, and they have their food and other necessities trucked in.”

The city I live in has been experiencing grocery store supply chain shortages for a few months now due to highway floods and road closures. We can still get the basics and are in no way starving, but I have been trying to buy canola oil for weeks and my husband just found some yesterday (hurrah!). In January the unemployment rate here went up another percentage point, and every third storefront I drive by is begging people to come work for them. Those that want to can easily make enough money to pay for four years of college tuition in one year.

Truck drivers are part of the group who make it possible for everyone who wants to stay home to stay home and have everything delivered to their doorstep. Guess what? No drivers, no trucks moving. If we won’t let those who want to go outside and work work, we will soon have to go outside ourselves, and the amount of “Help Wanted” signs in my city clearly shows we are not willing to do that just yet…at least, not at a rate that will cover all the empty job spots that currently exist and those empty spots to come in the future.

I don’t need to imagine how truck deliveries or lack thereof can impact daily life. I’ve seen the effects of slowed-down deliveries since November, and how impossible it is to convince people to do their duties after two years of scaring them out of doing their duties. Maybe we need to rethink how this has been handled and try something else. Something sensible would be nice. Whatever differences in opinion there may be, if those drivers lose their jobs, we will all notice, and I doubt we will like it.

Laura

I’m enjoying “Gashmu Saith It.” Near the end of chapter 3 (p. 33) you state: “But if any Christian leader, anywhere, anytime, teaches that obedience and maintaining a teachable spirit are virtues to be cultivated by church members, then that guy is now a hazard with blinking lights all over him. He is clearly power tripping.” Sorry but I don’t get it. I thought that was exactly what you are advocating. Plus I’m also flummoxed with Diotrephes. I thought Diotrephes’ behavior had been disruptive and broken the cooperation and love that should be normal among Christians ans. In addition Diotrephes abused his position of leadership in the congregation by attacking other Christian workers.

Please clarify for me please.

Jerry

I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on this article, especially the portion on the Puritans. In my view, the author touches on some interesting points, but he doesn’t mention what I would think is the key starting point for an analysis of the topic: Ephesians 5:22-33.

Thank you,

Kevin

In the Scriptures it says that the effectual prayers of a righteous man availeth much and in spite of all my seeking I have failed over and over again. I had a stroke and since then I have received so much understanding from the word of our Lord, but I fail to apply it to my own life and I can’t discern why that is if you have any guidance I would greatly appreciate it. God bless and keep you always.

Robert

I don’t know the hour, day, or year of my born again moment. I only remember moments or experiences at times of my journey to God. Am I not truly regenerate? God bless.

Samuel

Thanks for your faithful ministry over the years. Our family has been blessed by it in countless ways.

In your post, “The Authority of True Revival,” you write: “After the horror of guilt had struck us down, with its realization that America really does deserve to be obliterated by the hand of God, the gospel of grace would lift us up.” This got me thinking about the nature of individual guilt and corporate, or covenantal, judgement.

I’m curious about your thoughts on how a classical Reformed understanding of the covenant might help us with confronting the challenges of “Wokeness” (to use Owen Strachan’s term). It seems like many of the responses to the Woke movement come from brothers who are Baptistic in their theology (see Strachan, Christianity and Wokeness, p. 37, for example). Thus, an individualistic view of salvation and repentance might enable people to dismiss claims of corporate responsibility for racial sins a bit too easily.

How do we make sense of America’s racist past, and the Christian church’s “complicity” in racism (although I’m aware that is a loaded term!) within the context of covenantal theology? For instance, you have stated that the War Between the States was a “judgement on our entire nation, both North and South” (“Slave Narratives,” in Omnibus III, p. 203). I’m sure many faithful Christians at the time, on both sides, would have claimed they were not guilty of any sort of racism, yet they were caught up in a corporate judgment of God on a sinful system.

It seems that sins of racism (past or present) might be similar to the others sins of America, or the American church, such as “complicity” in abortion, homosexuality, etc. How do we sort through our covenantal, or corporate, involvement, or responsibility, to all these sins?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this!

Gregory

You said in a plodcast that the book of Hebrews seems to fit 2 Peter 3:15 best. What would be your argumentation to prove it as being the letter Peter is referring to instead of the known epistles of Paul?

Jonty

Thank you for your ministry and works of wisdom, they are encouraging and inspiring to those of us who are faithfully pursuing Christian life, marriage and parenting! Especially those of us who did not have a Christian family background.

I have a note to add about your excellent article, “Lack of Communication is Key” and a couple questions for single women. My wonderful husband and I have a few single friends we have been walking alongside as they pursue godly relationships, and we have a good number of children we’d like to guide faithfully in the near future.

To your article, I’d like to add that this era of easy texting communication amplifies the ease of emotional intimacy between singles! It is just so much easier to type things you’d never say to someone’s face! I think many single men lack courage and I would admonish them to only text a woman that they already know well or are in a committed relationship with. Is this too bold?

For my questions, I’d be curious if you have any advice for single women on how they can appropriately encourage men to communicate effectively, with proper levels of intimacy. Many Christian men we know have not been fathered well and just don’t know most of what you wrote in your article. For example, I have advised a single friend of mine to not accept text messages from a man who is probably interested in her, but to reply something like “I’d love to discuss that, but not over text. I’m available for a phone call later if you’d like to talk.” Or what about the woman who has gone on a good number of dates with a man but it doesn’t seem to be leading to any sort of commitment. Is it ok for her to say something like “I have enjoyed our time together, Dawson, but I’m not comfortable meeting further unless you are able to tell me your future intentions for this relationship.”

How should a woman on a date respond if a man starts to overshare? “Goodness! Let’s talk about that once we’re going steady?” Basically, are there ways that a godly single woman can put up barriers to men’s lack of courage, over-sharing and other issues without shaming the man or acting unwomanly?

Long time reader, first time writer,

Mrs. D

I want to thank you for your recent “Lack of Communication is Key” post. It’s a message that I desperately needed to hear as a young man who has been guilty of being an emotional needy bucket. I’m reminded of Proverbs 13:14: “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

I’ve been caught squarely in this particular snare of death during my time in University. Your instruction has been a great relief and a cause of hope for me. Thank you.

William

This is a question from Chapter 3 of Reforming Marriage: Gospel Living for Couples. Page 47. “Another duty involves the ongoing responsibility that a husband has to review and approve commitments made by his wife.” What were “binding oaths to afflict her soul” to the original writers, and what might it be now, as 21st century Christ-followers? Does this mean . . . that I should, her husband, by overseeing her calendar? Her social appointments? The promises she makes at work? Commitments to ministry obligations? What sort of commitments and how can I exercise oversight over them, through what mechanisms? My wife and I were confused. I have no good answer so I am coming to you, so I can continue to teach my wife.

Thank you,

Ajie

I’ve heard what you have to say about vaccine ID’s and I really appreciate it. I was hoping you could expand on the topic of Christians and Righteous Deception and Anonymity.

What would it look like for a Christian to evangelize and do missions in a place like Russia and avoid the Yarovaya Law which prohibits evangelism? Or to gain entrance into otherwise “restricted” places under the pretext of teaching or business.

I’m fascinated by how Christians can fly under the radar and do Kingdom work under the noses of those who count themselves as our enemies. And so I was wondering if you could please give any advice how to do so.

It seems to be a more pressing issue in our day in the West, where the anti-Christ authority more and more resembles what Solzhenitsyn referred to as crushing and suppressing spiritual fervor, rather than suffocating it.

In summation: Can you please teach us how to righteously deceive for the glory of God and the love of neighbor?

Thank you kindly,

J

Here’s my problem this time: college ministry; specifically our chapter of an organization here that I will not name directly but was founded by a guy not really too “Bright” at all, begins with a C and ends with U. Having served on the student team tied to the group for the last three years, I believe there have been trends in the negative direction. I will have to admit my theological bias and personal convictions have been severely influenced by works like Ride Sally, Ride and Evangellyfish; but this alleged fragrant offering is beginning to reek with the aroma of the world, more so than Christ, and I find myself to be in a pickle. Bottom line up front? When is it appropriate to abandon participation in a ministry and how should I go about doing so? I would love to give you the laundry list of details regarding the subtle or blatant disobediences to Christ , but for now here’s the wave tops: no accountability for students leading—sex, drinking, other activities without any administrative action against them, no true teaching of sin during weekly meetings, no posture for change (we’ll come back to in a second), and a dangerous carelessness for the mission. 1) though students have tried to hold other students accountable, some continue in unrepentance and are allowed to still lead Bible studies, worship meetings, etc. The civilian admin has offered nothing but pats on the back and belly rubs 2) Even when requested to give messages that focus on the truth of the gospel before anything else—and by anything else I mean frequent messages of the moral therapeutic variety—leadership continues to merely describe ours sins as “something Jesus covered; you know, our imperfections like everyone else.” 3 & 4) my fiancée and I, as well as other members of the student leadership team have been fighting for change over the last year; yielding no good fruit. As in, no true discipleship; no movement from the Holy Spirit; etc. Other fruit was yielded today—when I emailed the team with a meme poking fun at the military chaplains here who refuse to pray in Jesus name. I was scolded severely on the basis of James 3; after all, I was cursing my fellow brethren in a way that insulted their likeness in the image of the Father. In other words, bad fruit. Such a response rendered one of my colleagues to confess to me that I was demolished in comparison to his last month’s confession to the staff member who scolded me; said friend was honest about his alcoholism and the minister offered no rebuke.

I’ve already squawked for too long in this message, but I hope I have conveyed my concern. The tricky thing is; the Lord has severely blessed me with this ministry. The Lord saved me while in it; He provided me my fiancée; He taught me beyond anything I would have imagined and has equipped me to able to minister while serving in the Navy the next several years. By His grace, He will lead me to more ministry post-military- and that was inspired in my time here as well. Would I be forsaking these blessings if I left? Do I leave and how? After all, there are only a couple months left before graduation BUT “disobedience now, is conducive to disobedience later.”

CG

A Manifesto? | To Mablog Reader Mitch, Doug’s book “Rules for Reformers” is also a great manifesto-esque book. I highly recommend it!

Trey

Have you seen this opinion piece on how the Federal government engaged evangelicals on Covid? Too many of our leaders got duped.

Ted

I have seen you give this instruction a few times in your letters and articles. The instruction is to do a “spiritual deep dive” or “spiritual inventory”. You seem to give it in the context of either checking one’s motives or to ensure one is confessing the “right” sins. Like if ones zeal for justice may be a cover for bitterness, for instance.

What do you have in mind in particular when you give this instruction?

Take the confessing of “right” sins. If the person knows the sins but are not confessing them, then what you mean is, “confess what you know you ought”, and the advice to deep dive seems counter intuitive.

If the person does not know the sins they “ought” to be confessing, then to some extent it is hidden to them. The instruction seems to be, “rerun the same diagnostics that got you here.”

But if there is a particular action(s) you would deem appropriate to do a more thorough internal search a) what are they? and b) what guards would be appropriate to prevent naval gazing?

Anonymous

“You should not pursue a woman if you know that the combustible materials are not there.” Two scenarios come to mind of which I have questions:

Suppose a young man is dating a young woman, and he realizes that “the combustible materials are not there.” How do you tell the young woman that while still maintaining a desire to treat her honorably and with gentleness and dignity, even supposing she still feels those combustibles for the young man?

Second scenario: an older couple whose flames of passion have grown cold. How do you handle a situation in which the combustible materials used to be there, but through time and age, aren’t any longer?

RS

I’m a member of a reformed church in the Atlanta Metro area in GA, and recently watched a Canon Press video (about 10 years old now) where you talked about street preaching, saying, “Street preaching is very hard; very challenging. It’s rarely done well. It’s rarely done right, and it’s a good crucible for leaning in.”

I heartily agree and have recently begun street preaching with another man from my church (under the commission and authority of our church elders) every Saturday.

Could you please expound a couple of your statements?

What does it look like to “not preach well” or “not preach right”?

I want to guard myself from developing bad habits that arise from inexperience and would sincerely appreciate your counsel here.

Thank you,

Tim

I have enjoyed learning a presuppositional apologetic from you.

I was wondering how you would argue from a presuppositional position against another religion. For instance: I witness to Mormon missionaries on a regular basis. And I feel this is an area of weakness for the presuppositional argument. But I may be missing something.

How would you approach another religion from a presuppositional apologetic? Would you switch to more classical arguments or am I missing something?

Thank you!

RJ

I know you are very busy and I understand if you do not have the time for this. I am writing to you to seek your counsel on a very particular, unusual problem.

I have been married about a year and a half now. I married someone who is not the easiest to get along with but we get by. However, he does not pay income taxes. He is a believer.

Based on what he has said, I am sure he is right that the IRS takes more than legally allowed and have deceived almost the whole US. I agree that if that’s what they are doing, then it is wrong. However, I also know that not paying income taxes makes you susceptible to having your bank accounts frozen, never being able to own property together, not being able to be involved in financial aid for future children, etc. I was not told of this prior to marriage and now, all of the things I had expected to peacefully do (own a home, start a family, be able to fully rely on the other person, etc.) seem like things I will never get. My husband told me that he “would rather be single and continue not paying income taxes then be married and pay them.”

I am at a loss for how I should respond. He refuses to go to marital counseling (for this and other big issues) unless it’s through his parents, refuses to really change at all. If I can’t deal with it, he says I must be the one to leave. I never have advocated for divorce unless 100% necessary and I certainly don’t want one now, but I have no idea on what to do. I feel very alone and just want a better marriage and one day some kids, without having an issue like this weigh on me to basically provide for the family since he cannot. Any advice you have, any at all, is appreciated.

G

Commenting on your series of Letters to Dawson series, and also on your courtship sermon series, which I ordered last year but am now listening to a second time all the way through. I have only listened to volume 1, and maybe the answer is in volume 2. Forgive me and direct me as needed.

Does Scripture allow for a space of time for men between the moment they “leave father and mother” and the moment they “hold fast to their wives and become one flesh with them”? I say this as a single man who has moved out of my home, desiring to be married but working on holiness and making myself worthy for my future wife. At what point do I become federal head of my household? Do I remain under my father’s covenant headship until I get married? Or can I rightly say that I have “left” and have thus made myself covenant head of my own household, no longer under my father’s administration, even though I am not yet married? Or do I still have to submit to my father, as I yet need to submit to my magistrates and my bishops? I hope my question makes sense.

I understand that, ideally, there would be no time at all, that a man would go out at a young age, 17 or 18, seek a woman quickly, ask the father for her hand in marriage, and establish his household with a helper right at the beginning. Sadly there is sin in the world, and I grew up in a nominal and liberal environment, and by God’s grace I am learning these things now. Oh that Christ would cleanse me of my yet indwelling sin!

Thank you,

Chris

If a believer claims that their job is a ministry yet never shares the gospel or talks about Christ and the Bible at work, would you consider this job to be a ministry? Also, if a believer is coerced (against their conscience) into getting the “CV jab” in order to keep their job, would you consider this to be suffering for Christ?

Regards,

TJ

A reader named Jeff wrote on Feb 1 asking about classical schools in Jacksonville, FL. I would direct his attention to Providence Extension Program, a rigorous university-model option that legally constitutes homeschooling, but that is taught by exceptional tutors. Several of my children have graduated from PEP, and three more are currently enrolled. We believe in it so much that I helped start a new campus where I live, at which my wife now teaches. Jeff is welcome to contact me for more information.

Here is their website:

Grace and peace,

Bruce

I really want to just say what a blessing you have been! Thank you for your ministry and your family’s. I didn’t even realize how much of your people’s content I had purchased over the years until I started to really pay attention. My house is unintentionally filled with Wilson/Logos/Canon books!

I’m reaching out because, although my family all serve diligently at our own church, we are in the deep South culture of “#Blessed” Christians. Which is to say, grace abounds, “repentance” and “sin” are words you don’t hear in sermons, and whiff of Calvinism has the power to split a church.

It’s a lonely place sometimes, but I am greatly encouraged by Canon’s ministry. This might not be anything, but for what it’s worth, I have been inspired to start sharing my own writings and because Canon’s ministry both sparked and fuels my desire to write, I thought I would share.

I hope you’ll check it out!

Thank you for all you do!

Sarah

Thank you for taking the time to engage with us! Do you have any recommendations for gracious and truly helpful responses (other than, “oh my!” Or just smiling and nodding) when strangers or acquaintances complain about their children? When asked about mine, I try to use the opportunity to share how they are a blessing and joy, but do you have any good ideas for how to respond to the casual conversation with the stranger at the doctor’s office unloading about her angry bipolar teenager, or the lady at the grocery store who says, “they are so cute when they’re little, but just wait until they’re teenagers!” I realize I can say nothing, but I do find myself in this conversation often and am wondering if I can do better at making the most of this opportunity?

Blessings on you and your family!

Mallory

I can’t find the exact quotation—but you’ve said multiple times in several different ways that “if a man rises from the dead, he rules the world.” I absolutely agree that Christ’s Resurrection uniquely confirms his Kingship over the universe and demonstrates his power over all thrones, dominions, and principalities.

But I’m wondering how you see the Resurrection in light of the other ‘mini’-resurrections that precede and succeed His? Elijah and Elisha are connected with a trio of resurrections: the widow of Zarephath’s son (1 Kings 17:17–24), the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:18–37), the man in Elisha’s grave (2 Kings 13:20–21). Christ, of course, raises the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11–17), Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:40–56), and Lazarus (John 11). Peter resurrects Tabitha (Acts 9:36–43); Paul resurrects Eutychus (Acts 20:7–12). And, of course, there’s the en masse resurrection in Jerusalem following the Lord’s (Matthew 27:50–53).

In short: how do you view the uniqueness of Christ’s Resurrection as compared with the relatively numerous resurrections throughout Scripture?

Logan