Letters in the Month That Rhymes with Moon

Thank you for taking a stand against neo-nazis. Those of us on the center-left and center-right should not and cannot not let the radical-Left or the radical-Right take over our wonderful country.

Gary

One fundamental question about the Nazis is how to study that history. Like it or not Mein Kampf is a crucial book of the history of 20th Century. How should we address the book?

Jake

The failed Democrat House candidate that taught the poly sci class I was in oh so many years ago treated free market, Constitutional conservatism as if it were just the next stop on the train ride to Nazi Germany fascism. Of course any honest person can tell Hitler had waaaaay more in common with Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao than he did Churchill or Reagan. A couple weeks ago on a blog post you described the political spectrum as a horse shoe. I would subscribe to the political circle theory where centrists/moderates are on the top of the circle, conservatives are on the right side, liberals/progressives on the left side and the radicals of both sides inhabit the bottom. Po-tay-to, po-taw-to, whatever shape you choose it accurately describes the tendencies of both sides as they descend into the abyss of radicalism. Maybe more accurately you could describe it as an ice cream cone where the normal political realm is represented as the round scoop of ice cream at the top with the radicals meeting at the point at the bottom of the cone. I will suggest Orwell leads us to this conclusion at the end of Animal Farm. The Pharisees and Sadducees couldn’t have been farther apart politically but they were inseparable when it came to nailing our Lord to the cross and the kangaroo court they convened to convict him. The Ogden crew appear to be playing with fire and are begging the prophet of the Lord to douse the altar with water (1 Kings 18: 33, 34). What’s next from these guys, a ringing endorsement of Graham, Nazi tattoo, Platner?

Ryan

I’ve bought and read over 10 of your books. Going at the Ogden folks like you do has lost me. I just don’t get it. Why align yourself against them? You don’t like something they do? Fine, take it up with them. But this public posturing feels ugly. You could be so powerful for the side of light. How can you be so far off from what is going on in our world?

Joseph

I’m grateful for this response and disheartened by how these ideas are taking root in the CREC adjacent Reformed world.
What does the CREC do to examine ministerial candidates and ask questions regarding Nazi sympathies, holocaust denial, Jew hatred, “race realism,” and white supremacy? It seems like these issues are hard to pin down as they just couched in “I’m just asking questions,” but need to be addressed at that level and in a straight forward manner.
I had a missionary friend in the Middle East who wrote me a couple months ago regarding how disheartened he was to find out how many people were falling into weird anti-semitic ideas back in his sending church.
New Christendom Press’s disclaimer in their email seems quite telling: “The booth in question distributed a flyer with some businesses we absolutely wouldn’t support, including things like tarot cards, paganism, and a trashy men’s magazine. If you received one of these cards, the best place for it is in the garbage. We don’t think any of you would have been tempted, to be clear, but we want it to be clear where we stand.”
Note how nothing is mentioned regarding the overt “Nazism” in this write-up. They brush it off as not being a stumbling block to any of the men there as if it were equivalent to a woman with a two-inch too short hemline given admission— instead of realizing that they have just invited Tash into their conference and movement: “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).

Joshua

I am checking in to register my disgust along with you at this tire/dumpster fire. I am a Scandinavian teddy bear by nature, but I am sorry, I’ve been poked one too many times on this issue. I am dispensing with Minnesota Nice for 90% of this letter. And it’s not even November.
What is going on in our particular stream of Christendom is so potent and powerful that the devil is ticked, and being the quintessential deceiver, is trying to knock the train off the tracks. We cannot let this happen. I guess I’m grateful that it is now more obvious.
Hopping on my soap box now. Here’s my exhortation for guys who want to “have a conversation” or “make observations” about race or the Jews or whatever.
First of all, OK, Seriously? “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). This is not complicated, people. Quit making it complicated. Are certain races more prone to certain sins than others? Sure, and the whites too. Are certain races more insidious than others? Heck, no. We’re all one level playing field before God. All have sinned and fallen short. In Christ we are all one new race. People of every tribe and tongue and nation will be before God at the last day as it shows in Revelation. So you really want to have a “discussion” or “make observations”?” No, you don’t. You wanna put up barriers that Christ knocked down because you’re “based.” I’m sorry. I don’t go for that!
For Pete’s sake, knock it off! Scriptural basis for that comment: “When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to [PETE] in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? (Galatians 2:14).
But OK, Fine. You wanna have a conversation? Go sit down and have a beer with your dad, or your grandpa, or a dad or grandpa-like figure in your life. The guy who you bring up Nick Fuentes and he says “Who?” That guy. Put it all out there. See what they say. And it’s too bad your dad, or your grandpa, isn’t Jim Wilson.
Defining “based” as “authentic, confident, and unconcerned with the approval of others” it seems like Jim and Doug are based as they come. I wanna be based LIKE THAT.
I salute you, Boomer.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for holding the line for the truth.
Keep it up.
Brian Sauve/Eric Conn: Regarding Antelope, to paraphrase Blazing Saddles slightly, “What the heck is this crap?” Please. You got one foot on a banana peel and one foot on some really scary stuff. And you have people listening to you and you are responsible for their souls. Take heed, this is some serious stuff!
People who like Ogden: Yeah, this is a visceral rant, and if you can’t already tell I don’t like divisions where Christ doesn’t create said divisions. So bring your Bibles and critical thinking skills, take the baby, throw out the bathwater where it belongs. (If you throw said bathwater up into the air on a subzero day where I live, it just might freeze and float away.)

JP

Curious if you will review Webbon’s “Hyphenated Heresy” book. Because there has been so much back and forth, an analysis of the book would really helpful. Especially for those of us not on Twitter.
I have many friends who are on the Ogden/Webbon side of things and I am definitely leery of some things but can’t deny some other things (matters of fact vs. matters of tiktok or instagram reels conspiracies). But all this crazy conflict seems impossible to weed through unless you use Twitter/social media.
I have heard concerning things on all sides but have trusted those with longer ministries and more fruit to show for their labors. Wisdom is justified by her children.

Jude

Re: Land Acknowledgements and the Problem of Israel
“ Those who don’t learn from history are bound to repeat it. And those who do learn from history are bound to watch other people repeat it.”
Swish!< Nothin’ but net!
The fact that God is ultimately in control keeps me from excessive hand wringing. Thanks!

Mr. Bugs

On the topic of a General Strike in the UK as a response to the never-ending diversity we are forced to deal with here in: might you contact your pal, Peter Hitchens, and have him get you on the podcast he does for his newspaper to discuss this and get the idea going? Perhaps he might write about this in one of his columns if you suggested it. I’d never thought of a GS as a response. Yet once heard it seems so obvious. Perhaps Mr Farage might like the idea?
Many thanks

John

I greatly appreciated your words of advice regarding the “Belfast blues,” as it were currently going on in the UK. Mob violence is almost never productive and often leads to further injustices which counteract whatever message they are trying to send; all this is beside the fact that attacking innocent people is just plain sinful, obviously.
However, since your blog post, the Rape Gang Inquiry was published, and revealed the sheer scale of the atrocities that have been taking place in Great Britain for decades. My question is, at what point is a violent revolution (akin to the American War for Independence) justified, and has Great Britain reached that point? If yes, how would a Christian man justly or unjustly participate in said revolution, and if no, what more would need to take place before it would be justified?

JS

One of the distractions is the UK planning on requiring everyone to do facial rec to go online by banning under 16s off the net. Kids are always a safe whipping post. Look how much media attention this is garnering.

Zeph

I’m at a loss in caring for and leading my wife. She’s begun to have angry outbursts at our young sons, sometimes multiple times a week. She frames these outbursts in terms of her being overstimulated or not being able to function or being overwhelmed. She loves the Lord, says she wants to change, but says she doesn’t know how to change. I’m concerned for her, and I’m concerned for my sons, who regularly see their mother shouting and crying in uncontrollable fits.
What do I need to do? How can I help my wife in this?

John

One thing I’ve heard you say when giving advice to men is “don’t lie to your wife,” which on the face of it seems pretty simple and straightforward. Actually, it is simple and straight forward. I’ve really tried to take that advice and live by it. It has been kind of difficult in many ways because I’ve historically struggled with “people pleasing” and “keeping the peace” even if it means lying. I’ve also had a problem with pornography in the past. Not anymore—8 years clean on that. As you might suspect, I’ve wounded my wife in significant ways. One principal way has been in the area of trust and security. I would say that my wife does not feel secure when it comes to her view of me having desire for her over all other women. I say this because she routinely asks me questions that are comparison questions with regard to her looks along side other women. She also asks about my temptations. I hate that she does this because it feels like a trap. If I answer honestly then I’m falling into a comparisons game (I’ve been doing this and since my wife is incredibly beautiful I can tell her that she is prettier and I’m not lying), but long term I think this is problematic. And if I don’t answer then it looks like I’m not answering because that must mean the other woman is prettier or more desirable in some way. What is so maddening in this situation is that I am extremely attracted to my wife, and I really enjoy her company. She really is my best friend and I don’t have any secrets anymore. It feels good to not hide anything from her.
I think some other advice I’ve heard you say to men runs along the lines of “don’t be a blockhead.” I feel like one, and a very slow learner as we’ve been married for over 10 years.
Do you have any practical advice for me on how to navigate a situation like this?

Anon

My husband and I are between churches, and don’t currently have a pastor to talk to. So here I am.
I struggle to summarize my situation, but here’s my best effort: My husband is an entrepreneur. We’ve been in business for just over 10 years now, married for just over 11. As a whole, he is a man of God and person of integrity. He has been an intentional father and a loving husband.
Yet, over the past year and a half, my husband made a series of financial decisions for our business that have now become fully realized.
We find ourselves owing over 300,000 for vendors, taxes, the bank, and credit cards. There are also 4 loans for equipment not included in that total.
Just 8 months ago, we had all the credit paid off, 80k saved for our first home, and 20k for an emergency fund. He has spent all our cash for our future home and we just started having to live off our emergency fund.
I was aware of decisions he was making in general, but I did not know the specific dollar amounts until about 6 weeks ago. The hardest part was that I advised against and gave cautions about many of the decisions he was making last year, but he did not give much weight to my words. He was optimistic about the opportunities he had in front of him. And now, here we are.
I’m completely devastated, and, so is he. He has asked for forgiveness and I believe that the Lord is going to use this to help him change his ways, finally.
In spite of that, I am still going through stages of grief, and I’m terrified. We have an enormous amount of things to try to sell, sub-leases to secure, to get out of this mess. I feel betrayed, and still in shock from the complete change in position only 8 months ago.
My husband has spoken with 2 of his older, good Christian (successful) entrepreneurial friends for advice. I have not said a word to any of my friends because I do not want to dishonor my husband.
I forgive him, and then a week later while trying to cut the household costs that I can, I am overcome with deep anger and sorrow all over again. I read the Scriptures that remind me to trust in the Lord, and not the flesh of men. (Jer. 17) To forgive as my Lord has forgiven me, and not to worry (Matt. 6)… but then the cycle continues.
I am trying to speak Scripture out loud to myself, instead of just wallowing in my despair . . . But still, I can hardly sleep; it takes all my effort to get out of bed, put food on the table, keep the clothes washed. I am home with our 6 children full time. I am trying to shield them from the effects this is having on us, but I still randomly burst into tears. The wind is gone from my sails, a cloud of despair hangs over me. I don’t feel I have the capacity to love and disciple my children the way I should.
How do we faithfully walk through these next painful months? Is there a resource you could point us to?
Gratefully,

RR

Over some time, I’ve picked up some pieces of your biography and I’ve been interested in the development of your convictions and positions. By that I mean the big moves of turning post-mil, Calvinist, presbyterian; I think I’m right to say you became these things as you were already pastoring. Are there some guidelines you might put forth a pastor who is early on in a sort of development like that?
I’ve been in the evangelical church—not so much like BigEva, but just evangelical, baptistic, smaller, Bible believing churches—for almost my whole life. I am a pastor of one and it is with a people that I love. They love the Word. But, I find that my convictions are being shaped by some traditions and content that are different (and in my opinion: better and necessary) from my current non-denominational tradition. It’s not about personalities or current issues, but more about things like taking on a more sacramental view of baptism and Lord’s Supper, the formatting of the worship service to be covenant renewal, and adding creeds and confessions to our church’s life.
I feel like I’m getting somewhere, but I don’t want my people to feel like they’re getting thrown around through my development. Any pointers?
Peace,

Charles

First, thanks are in order for your ministry and faithfulness. Your teachings have been an abundant blessing to my family.
I’m writing today in regards to the recent “Ask Doug” episode on tattoos. Let’s say someone got tattoos as a teenager and now, after some years of growth in Christ and in frontal lobe, is looking at covering the tattoos with (you guessed it) more tattoos that they would find less embarrassing and so forth. How would you advise?
Thank you again,

BG

Hello there from Northern California
Christians and nicotine pouches? I’ve noticed two of my dear brothers in Christ use nicotine pouches regularly. How should Christians react to our brothers and sisters using nicotine this way?

Evan

I was listening to “Boast Not Against the Branches” on Canon Plus and was struck by a statement made in the last chapter, the contracted commentary on Romans 11 (borrowing heavily from your larger commentary on Romans). That statement, if I remember correctly, claimed that, at that point when the Jews at large are grafted back in to the olive tree of God’s covenant, then will the dividing wall of hostility be brought down. You then moved on to the next statement and did not give any further explanation for what that statement yet, again, as my memory serves me.
Ephesians 2:14, however, says that Christ in His flesh has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. It is a past event. It means that the Jew and the Greek already both have equal access to the mercy of God through Christ. Likewise, as Paul said in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek . . . for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” So what do you mean to say that this wall has yet to be broken down? Why use the language of Ephesians, referring to a past event which was accomplished by Jesus on the cross, to refer to a yet unfulfilled event?
I anticipate your response.
Thank you,

Chris

Regarding this:
I have to say, algebra is probably the only higher math skill that I *have* used in my adult life. Can’t say that I’ve ever calculated an integral, but many is the time I’ve solved for X. :)

Greg

Writing on a whim. Just writing to say, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit has used you to light a fire in my soul. So much to say, so all I’ll write is that I cannot wait to meet you (and the rest of the crew) in eternity! “We’re playing the long game.” Thank you!

John

How to start a school? We are in Sydney Australia and seeking to start a little school based on a classical education. I am so burdened with this and don’t know where and how to start? do I start with young ones only?
I am a primary school teacher and am sick of these secular schools. I can’t send my son there. Home-schooling (at home with mum) and co-ops are still not the ideal. Please help! I am married to my Pastor and a few are keen to start and help but I don’t know what to do. Do you have any practical tips or helps?
PLEASE GUIDE US SOMEHOW.

Natalie

I saw Vern Poythress on Remnant Radio recently talking about his “analogous gifts” view and I was curious what you thought about it. He says that he is a cessationist and believes that the canon is closed but seems to have a category for gifts like prophecy and tongues that blurs the lines a little bit. My understanding is that an analogous gift would be something like modern day “prophecy” being how a preacher can preach the Word of God (or get an impression) but he is fallible, whereas the apostles would have been infallible. Can you help me out in understanding how you two differ? I’ve heard you give the example of once the the foundation of a house is laid then you don’t lay it again. Is the analogous gift view kind of like saying, “just like the foundational floor at the bottom is where we place certain pieces of furniture, so too the 2nd and 3rd stories also have floors where you place the furniture.” Obviously the upper story floors aren’t the foundation to the building but they look or seem similar in some respects while being distinct. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks,

JC

The letter from DE discussed the challenge to YEC of photons arriving that show events far more than ~6k years ago. Your counter that perhaps it is our understanding of time and the speed of light that are to be suspected is not, i humbly suggest, very strong. A great deal of that understanding has been well verified. You are right that there is a workable angle there; God certainly may have a “deeper magic” that was always there and would not undermine our trust in our senses (which He affirms biblically often). However, I’d like to suggest what I think is a stronger take:
Perhaps we are quite correct about the speed of light and its relationship to the flow of time, and it is quite simply that when God created all things, He did not create them entirely past-less and young. Like an author writing backstory, who are we to say the Author of all present and future since He said “let there be light” did not in that moment, create billions of years of backstory for the stars, as much as He called for aged, mature trees (with rings that tell their own backstory) to fill the earth. Perhaps the problem with OEC and YEC have always been that Genesis tells us when all was made (very recently) but doesn’t tell us how aged the universe was at the moment of creation. Perhaps we are just struggling to shake rather materialist and time-bound notions of what it really means to really CREATE all time and space from utter void.
Oh yes, I hear the skepticism . . . “what? you’re saying there is history, real history, before creation??” But wasn’t there? After all, “before” the foundations of the world, we were elected. Why accept a logical “before” and balk at a historical “before”? We must take care not to confuse those, but i daresay the biblical truth of the former helps me to be comfortable with the latter.
So, i think this (and here i boldly proffer a name) “Recent Earth Creationism” works rather well, being along the same lines as Augustine’s discussions of time in his Confessions and further shoring up a robust Calvinist view of time. We need not posit unsteady laws of physics, but simply double down on the God who exists in permanent unchangeable, eternal “present,” creating all of time exactly when and how He said He did, no matter how aged it reveals itself to be to our senses. In this way, no physics proof can ever stand in threat, nor need drive us to speculate of deeper sciences.
And then we marvel all the more that such a God would further enter into that time in the incarnation, joining to us mere, time-bound creations.

NB