April Letters Are the Best

Do you think that the Asbury event—from reports, a long-scheduled singalong prayer meeting led at times by “gay” and “queer” students, crowned with a sermon resolutely affirming female pastors—was in any sense a Holy-Spirit-wrought revival?

Dan

Shameless v. Unashamed:

Just a minor correction in your final analogy, since I can’t help myself: It was Laketown, not Dale, which the Dragon attacked in The Hobbit, Dale was the old ruined city off to the side.

Apologies for my pedantic nerdiness!

Anon

Re: The Shameless v. The Unashamed

Mr. Wilson, I was loving this article, it resonated with current ideas I’ve been turning over in my mind. When in the last paragraph(s) you mentioned Dale and Bard, however, I got goosebumps. Thank you for your writings, they are a great source of encouragement and sanity.

LM

Quick note to highly recommend Matthew Roberts’ new book “Pride: Identity and the Worship of Self”. It hits a number of themes dear to your heart and does it with great depth and freshness. If you read it, I suspect it would be a hot candidate for your Book of the Month.

Thanks for all you do!

Peter

I had reached out at Canon Press to see if there was a book or resource that could be recommended for an “unequally yoked” marriage and was directed to contact you directly.

First, I’d like to say that I’m almost done reading “Covenant Household” and it’s been a great eye opener and has made me realize that I must accept responsibility for the things done and most importantly things not done and things I haven’t done (others sin).

To make a long story somewhat short I became a Christian about 3 years ago while I was married, we have since had two children with a third on the way and my family is a great blessing from God. However my wife does not see eye to eye with me with how to raise the children. I want to stand on Scripture and she wants to stand on her own autonomy. I would best describe her as a general believer in a God, but not a believer in the authenticity and infallibility of the Scriptures. She tells me many times that the Bible is “just a book”.

I’m a big reader of Greg Bahnsen and the presuppositional apologetic method. I feel I have cast down arguments that she has brought, but it really hasn’t accomplished anything (as of yet, only God knows) and in fact she has made a comment that I sometimes make her feel stupid, etc. This was quite an eye opener for me and I apologized and asked for forgiveness.

So what I’m asking, is how to be a faithful husband that honors the Covenant that God has placed on marriage while I am married to a woman who views my church activity as a choice between her and the kids. How can I be faithful and honor Christ and love my wife as he loved the church if I’m opposed by my wife? I’ve been told to be patient but not much else.

I know there’s no easy answer but there doesn’t seem to be really any worthwhile books from a covenantal view on this subject; Most books on the Continental marriages that I’ve seen have in mind 2 believers.

Any help would be most appreciated. I pray this did not come off as wife bashing and if it did God forgive me and may I be rebuked.

Blessings,

Jason

This was just released from the Federal Reserve this morning. The implementation of the central digital banking platform is upon us:

Similar things are happening in Canada, where I live.

The reasonable thing to do is to get our money out of the banks, but how do we then invest it? What is your thought on this?

I am not asking this from a dispensational or prepper mindset. I am a postmillennialist (thanks to your book “Heaven Misplaced”) and believe the kingdom will march on, hence why we need to be wise with our finances and avail ourselves of opportunities to make sure they multiply for the work of the kingdom, instead of hording them or else willfully letting them be stolen by the Feds.

You’ve been very prompt in answering me, so thank you! God bless you today.

CR

What should the church’s response be to a married woman, active member, attends regularly who became a surrogate for an unbelieving friend? This seems an immoral thing to do; a twist on 1 For 5. There have been crickets from the leadership.

Jeff

How would you advise someone who may have opportunity to work as a civilian contractor for a branch of the armed forces, or for a govt-funded company developing military technology? I know you’ve advised men seeking to join the military to proceed with caution and be prepared to wreck their career every day—does the same advice apply in this case? I question the morality of taking money from our government in its current state, even for the legitimate cause of national defense.

Douglas

Dear Pastor Wilson: re: Theological Jenga & Full Preterism

When I first heard that you signed the letter to Gary DeMar, I was surprised because it seemed to me that some of the folks who had been asking him similar questions on Facebook has been engaged in some theological “gotcha.” After reading this article, though, I understand where you are coming from and why you have asked him these questions. And agree with your thoughts on full preterism; I too consider myself a partial-preterist. Given this, one comment and three questions.

You obviously spent a lot of time and effort explaining your position on this. In addition, you relied to some extent on non-Biblical sources, e.g., Jewish tradition and 2 Maccabees. Given this, it seems to me that this issue is not quite as black and white as some of DeMar’s critics (not you) make it seem.

My first question: do you consider it heretical not to affirm or to deny the three questions that have been asked of DeMar? Does denying, say, an end to history or the bodily return of Christ rise to the level of heresy?

A second question: which do you see as being a worse error, being mistaken about the beginning of history or the end? For example, which is worse: the claim that there is no general resurrection of the dead or denying that the world was created in six 24-hour days? I believe much damage has been done to the church by those who deny six 24-hour days.

A third question: Which is worse, Dispensationalism or the denial of bodily return of Christ? Again, I believe much damage has been done to the church by Dispensationalist and even some reformed premillennialists.

I ask these questions because I am trying to gain some context of the serious of this issue. Context is often hard to discern when people are yelling (again, not you).

Sincerely,

Bill

Hiya brother Doug—just two quick things: 1) Seriously not trying to steal anyone’s thunder but just in case the WSC tunes in the collection created by one of your church members are a bit too heavy for some folks’ taste, I had actually created a (perhaps more kid-friendly?) Singing Catechism back in 2010 to help the children in our church memorize the Shorter Catechism. It’s totally free of charge—I mean I won’t get angry if you toss me a buck or two if you’re so inclined (see description for PayPal address), but otherwise she’s free as a bird. Interested parties may listen to them online or download them for free on SoundCloud. Just understand that I’m not an actual musician and created all of the tunes (four of which are borrowed from Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart) using music annotation software that I learned while I used. Anyway, here’s the address:

https://soundcloud.com/shawn-hare/albums

2) I noticed at the top right of the email version of the end-of-the-week Blog and Mablog, just under your line drawing bust image, what appears to be an app with a bit DW on it. I clicked on it, but I got a message saying that it isn’t available in my country. I know Rhode Island is a funny little state but I didn’t realize that it counted as another country. Or maybe Apple is blocking it(?).

The Lord bless and keep you :)

Shawn

I am grateful for the gigantic head the Lord has given you . . . and for your willingness to make use of said head.

I am almost 30 and hoping to move into the pastoral ministry at some point. I love sharpening my knowledge of God and His Word and have gained much from your works. At the moment, going to school for any sort of Bible education is not really on the table as my wife and I are currently trying to get through her student debt from the last few years. I find your story most encouraging as you yourself didn’t attend any formal schooling.

Currently, I am trying your “apostolic study Bible” approach where I link all of the OT quotes that are used in the NT but I’m wondering if you have any sort of guidance for a trajectory of self study. Should I be reading systematic theologies? Biographies? Are there any doctrines you wish you could have clarified much sooner in your discipleship journey? There is so much to read and the sea of options overwhelms me.

Thanks a ton,

C

Greetings Doug! Just wanted to tell you about a project that might pique your interest. With the help of some stalwart compatriots, we are publishing a facsimile edition of William Tyndale’s 1534 New Testament. It was his final New Testament before his martyrdom in 1536. For many centuries the world has not seen this book as it originally appeared. We have one of the only known copies left. You can learn more about it here.

As you know, this New Testament was the basis of over 90% of the King James translation, and had a massive impact on the English language as a whole. It’s a monumentally historical work, and we’re grateful and excited to be printing it for the plow boy once more. Feel free to pass along if you think this is something that other Christians might enjoy hearing about. If Canon Press is interested in carrying this at some point as well, we can talk.

Blessings,

Martyn

So I have this gut feeling that a more “high church” view of the word and sacrament is the correct view. By “high church” I mean that ordained men should be the primary people to baptize, serve the Lord’s supper and lead the service during the Sunday gathering. But I couldn’t argue it from Scripture. I know this is generally the Reformers’ and Puritans’ views. I simply don’t know why it was their view.

I attend a fairly normal Southern Baptist church where this is not the case, anyone can serve the Lord’s Supper, most of the men (lay members) take turns leading the call to worship and corporate prayer time. Generally people in my church and myself would defend this with the priesthood of all believers in 1st Peter.

I know you can’t make a large defense here, but could you recommend some resources on a “high church” view argued from the Scriptures? It would be greatly appreciated.

PS: Your son and NSA were appreciated by the guys at NotTheBee (BabylonBee) the other day

Shea

I’ve read your post in regards to the Pledge of Allegiance and I have a few questions. What are your thoughts on a Christian homeschool group meeting weekly and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the pledge to the Bible? Lastly, do the students at Logos recite the pledge?

Tristan

What are your thoughts on video games for young boys? Is it better not to expose them or to carefully curate and to help guide them in moderate use? Thank you!

Caleb

Do you have any partnership going on with any Church in Europe?

If not, do happen to know any presbyterian one over here? thank you for your work

AC

My name is William Stanton, I am 26 years old, a husband to a wonderful wife and a father to two children. Over the past year and a half my wife and I have come to a reformed understanding of the Scriptures. During the beginning process of our journey towards reformed theology (much of which was influenced by cannon press) we were leaning towards presbyterian thoughts. While talking through these thoughts with our elders, who are Reformed Baptist, we best understood their view of credo baptism.

Within the past month, however, through numerous unsought circumstances my wife and I both started researching what the scriptures had to say concerning covenant theology, paedo baptism, and paedo communion. After much prayer and consideration, we brought this to our elders. They informed us that if we do continue in this belief, it would mean a termination of membership until we are able to find another church.

They asked us to complete a list of questions concerning our presbyterian way of thinking. While there has been much conflict, I desire to continue respecting those whom God has placed in authority over me and to move forward with answering their questions and following their procedure of the church membership.

With all this said, their questionnaire is why I am reaching out to you. While I have gone through a number of presbyterian books, sermons, and debates, I am still in the beginning process of understanding this new theology. Many of the questions I feel equipped to answer, but there are some I would appreciate some advice on. If you are able or have the time, I would greatly appreciate it! If not, I understand and appreciate you reading through this letter.

Grace and Peace,

William

I’ve been thinking a lot about the nature of the New Covenant recently as I’ve thought through several connected issues (baptism chiefly).

I’m a Reformed Baptist and I really like a lot of what you have to say about the objectivity of the New Covenant. I’m uneasy with a hard and fast distinction between the visible church and the “true church” like many like to make.

So, my question is, how much Federal Vision-like theology is consistent with a Baptistic understanding of Covenant theology?

Chaz

Curious on your thoughts on Sunday school. Does Christ Church have Sunday school prior to the service? If so, what sorts of stuff would be taught there that wouldn’t be in the sermon?

Thanks

Tim

Thanks for responding to my questions.

I grew up in a household that assumed a rather inarticulate version of semi-pelagian dispensationalism. I’m currently 48 years old. From my mid 20’s to the present I’ve steadily moved to a Calvinist/covenantal/post-mill persuasion. My views about “The Jews” and Zionism have changed a lot. Much, (if not most), of dispensationslism is characterized by a veneration of “The Jews” that can lead to some pretty weird places, (including but not limited to things such as the Hebrew roots movement).

Sometimes it seems that a residue of dispensational sentiment carries over into various versions of covenantalism. This is fine of course if the text demands it. Because you are a cultural/theological/philosophical “mover and shaker” I enjoy and have been somewhat influenced by your works. My eldest daughter moved out to Moscow to be immersed in the church culture and is hoping to attend NSA. I was and continue to be supportive of her move. I offer these things to at least suggest a good faith effort on my part as I interact with your published views or perhaps my misperceptions of them. That being said, it seems to me that you accuse Christians of being jealous of the Jews but at the same time want them to be jealous of the Jews. In my previous letter I asked a question…something like, “Where are you finding reformed gentile christians who are jealous of unbelieving Jews?” I wasn’t asking about pagans, kinists, dispensationalists, Baptists, etc.

I perhaps should’ve additionally asked, “Is there a way in which you wish reformed gentile Christians were jealous of the Jews?”. As a gentile reformed Christian it’s a struggle to find a uniquely Jewish virtue that we should be preoccupied with coveting.

Do you have a kinist faction in your church that is particularly unsavory? Do you have parishioners who have a jealousy towards the Jews rooted in materialism? What is begetting the jealousy that you speak of? My line of reasoning is that my reformed theology is not offering me suggestions of how I ought to be jealous of the Jews. Should it? What type of theology is begetting this particular covetousness?

Sincerely

Dale