Letters in Early October

You and Toby got into a bit of a tiff with the Warhorn Media guys last year, which finally settled down when you posted “On Leaving a Church Over Masks.” Unfortunately, your recent post “On Humming “A Mighty Fortress” Through Your Masks” has (possibly unintentionally) reignited the dispute.

In that post you explicitly said that people shouldn’t leave otherwise faithful churches over masks, and should return to reconcile if they had already left. However, your recent post seems to contradict the “On Leaving a church” post, especially this section: “Not only would I rather die, but if I were a member of a church that for some reason required this of me, I would rather be excommunicated than comply with it.” There are other sections, but I think this is the one generating most of the controversy, despite it not being entirely clear what you mean. You say “A church that required this of me,” but you don’t tell us exactly what “this” is. Was there supposed to be another sentence in there?

Given that your post has already generated very strong reactions:

. . . I urge you to be clear on precisely what that sentence was intended to mean. Has your position changed since the “On leaving a church over masks” post? If not, please be clear about that. If so, please try to lay out exactly what you’re setting forth as the principle here.

I write this in the hopes that men I admire and appreciate can work out their differences with a gracious spirit, and avoid what is hopefully unnecessary division.

With sincere affection and great appreciation for your ministry,

Tim

Tabloid Tarantula: Count me among those encompassed by this statement:

“ And so all of a sudden there are many more Christians who are willing to give us a second look, and they are doing so.”

I’ve been a dabbler for years but I’m all in now. Thank you for providing biblical clarity unencumbered by cultural pressure.

Tyler

I do not know much about you or your ministry. I have seen you featured on Apologia, and I always thought you handled yourself well. I also love your vocabulary!

I am thankful to Vice for helping us spread the gospel through your response. It is always good to see God use the evil intentions of the wicked in a way so as to spread His own glory through the proclamation of the gospel. Will also be keeping an eye on your ministry and may look into your books! Would not have done so without Vice’s hit piece article (I did not read it or even know about it, as I don’t like interacting with burning hot garbage—but I saw this response article of yours posted on a Facebook group and decided to give it a read!).

Thanks for all that you do. Keep fighting the good fight.

Zack

Keep on going full speed and full measure, keep it up and don’t slow down, and Godspeed.

In Jesus Christ,

Ben

All I want to say is simply this—thank you my brother.

But I have one question that is gnawing at my soul. I repent and I repent… how do I know my repentance means anything when the same sins seem to trip me up so often? And how is it that even after repenting, I can (in no time flat) long for that same sin? I fear what God must do to wring it out of me. But I pray He does. He has been so merciful to me. How can I not love a God like our God? And yet, if I truly loved Him, I would not need to repent of anything.

Your most recent post was beautiful, magnificent and full of grace. And it cut me to the quick. So the law was there too, accusing me and making me feel like a total loser. Thank you for that part as well. I needed that as much as the other. I wish I lived in Moscow. It seems like Moscow is becoming something of a bullseye for our wayward culture. You must be doing lots of things right to be considered so wrong.

Roger

Your ability to write such a clear rejoinder to the Vice article in light of those who would throw shade is, in my estimation, a clear testimony of the work of Christ in both you, and the ministry they seek to discredit. I doubt you need an “atta boy!” from a random woman in Memphis, TN, but I am sending one just the same.

Cindy

Thank you. This was well written and needed to be said in just this way. I received that article from Vice from someone upset that I have returned to this denomination. I have sent the link for “your response” to them. I am in the middle with lots of those I love against me for returning. Our story is very long and sad. But God!!! He is good and doing His work despite our failings. I “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with Thanksgiving; meanwhile praying for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,..” Colossians 4:2a

Jodi

I thought your response to Vice’s hit piece was well-reasoned, witty, biblical, and fair. I am curious as to whether you think Mike Cosper’s work for Christianity Today on “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” commits some of the same kinds of slander against Mark Driscoll that Ms. Stankorb does against you in her piece.

Thanks,

Keagan

Re: Response to Vice Magazine Article Pastor Wilson, thanks a lot for that article/reading.

I didn’t know anything about any of this stuff, but I saw some accusations in some of your comment threads recently and sadly it put a little wisp of cloud/question in my mind . . . Thanks a lot for your crystal clear, sturdy, intelligent, strong, gracious, fresh-air-common-sense, fresh-air-common-sense-Biblical, powerful, Gospel talk/article addressing all this.

(Out of curiosity I wondered just who exactly are those woke pastors who just lately realized they chose the wrong side . . . but I’m sure I’m better off not knowing if it doesn’t concern me.)

Moving on to a TOTALLY different point . . . I just wanted to get this off my chest, Pastor Wilson if you see any value at all in reading this . . . Sir, you and John Piper are my two *daily* public/online go-to “preacher/pastor” type guys . . . I usually check both your websites every day—DesiringGod.org often before my “quiet time” in the morning . . . and yours some time later in the day . . . and much of the attraction is y’alls knowledge of the Bible and the ability to apply it in a pastoral and wise way to all of life . . . but it is only because of y’alls solid, robust teaching of the Gospel that gives the “gravitas” to the other things you say.

Nobody’s perfect except Jesus and people like me must beware of putting preachers/teachers, etc. on a pedestal . . . so if you are still reading, here are my 2 cent observations….

It seems Pastor John Piper is prone to err sometimes toward a well meaning “empathy/sympathy”(?) that causes some of his teaching (on some “current event” issues . . . e.g. race, social justice, etc.) to be mushy ‘PC’ . . . and so I just have to read a little of it and try to take it with a grain of salt as best I can . . . . and then get it out of my mind . . . but try to challenge myself with the love that motivates him.

Sir, Pastor Wilson, sometimes I think you are like Reepicheep who was so zealous for the truth and Aslan but it somehow tied in with the being zealous the the honor of his tail that at one point Aslan gave a low growl about all his concern about his tail . . . to me, the parallel of Reepicheep’s “tail” is what comes off as pride or haughtiness regarding your posture toward the world as you seek to promote Christ’s kingdom . . . and maybe I’m somewhat unfairly “conflating” you with many (it seems) of your followers (or other “Reconstruction”/Post-Mil type folks) . . . and so I try to take it with a grain of salt . . . but also try to keep something of an “open mind” to see if I’m missing something—AGAIN . . . this has NOTHING to do with your great “response” to the Vice article . . . TOTALLY a different subject I’ve been pondering for a while.

May, by God’s grace I can attain a fraction of the wisdom and maturity and zeal for Jesus Christ that you and John Piper have.

Best wishes in Christ,

Robert

In a recent podcast you opened the door to questions but also pointed to existing responses to controversy. Missing from those responses is a response to one of the claims made in the Vice article: that you foster a culture where members of your community believe that wives can not be raped. Please respond.

Crystal

I’ve been watching a lot of your content on Canon Press and on your YouTube blog channel for a while now. I’ve never reached out to many people regarding my situation and beliefs but this does involve the COVID vaccine. My Korean church . . . will not allow religious exemptions for the vaccine and I don’t know what to do. This is made worse as my college is mandating vaccines by Nov 1st. So now I’m cut out from my own group at church but I may also be forced out of school. Do I just submit and bend over or fight back? My own education is on the line here and I have no idea how to get out of this.

Kyung

Thanks for what you are doing, your insights are very helpful, and my wife and I particularly appreciate the boldness, calling a spade a spade (can you still say that . . .?). Winsomeness has its place, but in our opinion has been WAY overdone in evangelical circles, we are “winsome’d” out. We have been practically very helped by your “less rules in parenting” clip for our 8 and 4 year old.

My questions pertain to masks and church. I understand your vaccine comments and position and respect it, but to put it on the table, my wife and I are vaccinated, so our issue and questions pertain to masks.

Our church where we are members is in a jurisdiction that now requires masks indoors. We have both sent emails, to 2 pastors separately, asking if there is a place to worship without masks indoors, and the answer is “we will comply with the mayor’s current mask order”. On our church’s website, under logistics, that lists things like options for distanced seating, encourages hand washing, as well as parking issues, has one bullet point says the exact same thing, verbatim: “we will comply with the mayor’s current mask order. The current order can be found here (link)”, along with the obligatory cartoon face with a mask. At the bottom of this logistical page it says “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Our option is outside worship under a tent with simulcast. So, ironically, the outside people are at both ends of the spectrum: those so frightened by the virus they refuse to come inside, and those so un-frightened and feel so strongly about the mask issue that they won’t go inside with one on. We do not want to be disruptive or foment disunity. Our church is full of compliant people, and I believe fearful. I think a great many actually believe they are controlling the virus with paper masks (so they walk around with idols on their faces) who are unhappy and fearful with non-compliance because we have heard that sentiment expressed to us in our home when an occasional person or family does not wear masks in church (they were unaware of our view, and I assume they think we would agree). I certainly am open to there being many more members that have our view, and we just don’t know it.

We have began visiting other churches in the adjoining jurisdiction where we live, only a few miles, where no indoor mask order is in effect, and have told one of our pastors this in an email, that we were taking a hiatus from our church due to the mask order. I had a meeting with the pastor of the church we are visiting, and asked him what the church would do if the governor issued an indoor mask order, and he said they would comply. I followed that up with a hypothetical order to verify vaccine status of those entering, and he said they would not comply with that, and I asked him why one and not the other, which led to a long and good conversation. I believe I would get the same answer visiting other churches given where we live. I could spend months doing this.

Q: Shall we worship outside at our church? Shall I send an email to prospective churches to weed out this question early? (Lots of churches around here)

I have not yet met face to face with anyone in our senior leadership to fully flesh out the view I have come to, although have made my view briefly known on a few occasions.

We believe following the mask order for indoor worship is Satanic, basically.

Q2: Thought experiment: posit that there was strong, irrefutable evidence that mask wearing in indoor venues actually did significantly reduce morbidity and mortality, or there was a radical new mask technology that really worked, easy enough to worn by all. In this thought experiment it is given that the results are actually true, done without bias. Does that change the view of masks you have put forth? In other words, does your view (and mine) on mask wearing depend on community mask wearing not working? Thanks,

Preston

I hope you are well. I’ve seen several of your YouTube videos and thought maybe you could give some biblical guidance on an issue gnawing at me. Should I give up my job, give up my health insurance, or take the vaccine? Starting 1/2022 my company will apply a $50 per paycheck health insurance surcharge for unvaccinated employees. I am not against vaccines, but don’t like to be coerced by government mandates. However, this is not an unfair way to handle the issue, especially when compared to government mandates. If I get Covid and am hospitalized, the health insurance company can expect to pay claims, and vaccination status seems to be a valid underwriting concern. I’ve seen several videos where you touch on this, and would like your opinion from a biblical perspective.

Thank you,

Joshua

Thank you for your insights. They are awesome. I am an Air Force service member and there is now a mandate for the COVID vaccine. I am hesitant and skeptical about submitting to that and I would like your insight on formulating a religious exemption argument for it. I think it may be difficult to base the argument on that vaccine alone because at boot camp we are injected with a myriad of other vaccines and I would not be surprised if they brought that up as a rebuttal. My aim is more focused on the hypocrisy of those mandating it and just overall the fierce oppression of freedoms. I feel like requesting this waiver is connected to my spiritual walk with the Lord in that not speaking up against oppression is not in accordance with James 4:6 “if we know the right thing to do and not do it then it is sin” and also Proverbs 31:8-9. Is there anything else that you think may help make a compelling argument? Am I missing something? Thank you!

Damian

I can’t thank you enough for the voice of reason you’ve been over the past 2 years. I’ve been taking a break from news and social media for a month or so, so I’ve been a little out of touch with your blog, so I may have missed a previous answer to this question.

I’m in the process of crafting a religious exemption request to my employer (gigantic federal contractor), objecting on the grounds that my religion prohibits me from obeying tyrants who issue tyrannical edicts. I’m not expecting it to be approved, I just want a chance to say my piece. But I’d like to give it a chance of approval, which might be helped by some concise Scriptural references. It seems to me that Daniel and his friends are good examples, and of course there are many other examples. But it seems like it comes down to Jesus’ teaching, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” I believe that a vaccine certainly falls in the latter category, but to my shame, I’m not sure how I show that from Scripture. Do you have any resources or advice, or any other general thoughts on submitting a request on this basis?

This seems like one of the few pebbles I have to sling at the giant. I’ve considered using the standard “aborted fetal cells” objection, but I’m not sure that’s a true conviction of mine (maybe it should be). I think that would have a better chance of approval, but I’d rather state what the real issue is. The issue is not the vaccine, it’s that Joe Biden thinks he’s joined the Pantheon. I’m also considering filing a medical objection on the grounds that I have natural immunity due to prior infection.

I also have a sneaking suspicion that all of these giant corporations, federal contractors, and the federal government are bluffing. Biden’s just trying to scare people enough to goose the vaccination numbers a few percentage points. My company has repeatedly and (I think) tellingly refused to outright say that they will fire an employee for non-compliance. They say “employment status may be impacted” and other corporate nonsense of that nature. I’m not convinced they can or will force compliance, when it comes to it. I’d love to just straight up call their bluff, but as a young man with a young family . . . that’s high-stakes poker. Perhaps these threats are like the lions Christian faces outside the Palace Beautiful. No way to tell until you walk through them though.

Finally, as an FYI to you and your readers, I just discovered the Pacific Justice Institute today, pji.org. They have a Q&A document that I thought distilled some of the facts in a really helpful way. Here’s the link:

I sincerely appreciate your time. God bless you

RK

Re: Humming “A Might Fortress” Through Your Masks. You mentioned in your blog that there are those in your congregation who have taken the vaccine and there are those who have declined it. How has Christ Church reconciled the two viewpoints? Was the matter of fetal cell lines mentioned from the pulpit or in any other context? How is allowance made for vaccination in light of this moral dilemma? Did the Session observe any disunity in the body? If not, how was it prevented? If so, how was it addressed?

Jeff

I enjoy listening to your sermons and videos and especially your blog presentations. I am a Christian and a reformed Christian at that. One area of interest that I would appreciate your comments on is our global response to the Covid-19 pandemic and, particularly where Christians should be united. I am a public health professional and have been for 46 years. I won’t get into the details of my background but only to say that a lot of my time is devoted towards supporting our efforts to limit the spread and dread of the pandemic. To no surprise, I’m a very strong advocate for the preventative measures that have been introduced, imposed or, if you like, forced upon our populace to stem this pandemic. None of us ‘like’ these restrictive measures but I deal with case counts, the reality of outcomes and various individual case characteristics such as transmission maps and immunization status. From my perspective, the epidemiology speaks for itself. Now I gather, and with respect, that you’re likely on the polar opposite end of my position. So, my question or point of discussion, is how do we reconcile these differences between faithful brothers ad sisters in Christ? It seems that the whole issue of support or non-support, ie. pro-vax, anti-vax, mask – no mask, is such a divisive issue and it concerns me that this is regrettably becoming a defining issue and point of contention between professing Christians. I wonder if the church is missing a golden opportunity during these very trying times to demonstrate resiliency and unity within the body of Christ. Thank you for your time and bless you for the work you do . . .

Kevin

I’m hoping this might spur a lengthier post in reply. I work at a nominally Christian college that is well into the process of capitulation. There’s a sizable number of committed, conservative, orthodox Christians who work as best we can to slow the rout, but we’ve still got, as just one example, a weekly queer Bible study hosted by a college-funded LGBTQIA+ student organization. On the worst days, it looks like we’ve been ineffectively participating in a decades-long drubbing. I’ve praised the Moscow model to my co-conspirators here and often receive the bristly (but not entirely incorrect) reply that your model is excellent for starting new institutions, but is perhaps less helpful for reforming an existing institution. I still believe that this place is too valuable to simply turn it over without a fight, and that the fight may be winnable if the horizon is long enough—but what might an effective strategy for revival, reformation, and reclamation look like? Can you outline some general principles of war (e.g., espionage, sabotage, strategic retreat, etc.) for those of us who are playing the long game in these sorts of institutions? Many thanks, and may God continue to bless you and your work.

Josh

Good day To God be the glory for your work that benefits many believers around the world.

I would like to know if you could point me to an article/book which gives the biblical foundation and arguments for the inalienable rights (i.e. free speech, freedom of movement etc.)?

Much appreciated

Joseph

I recently entered seminary coming out of a summer landscaping-maintenance job. Hard and satisfying work was my day. Having now come to academic work, I am having trouble seeing it as real work. I watched an old Ask Pastor Doug episode addressing this, but I still find myself somewhat unconvinced. I recently got out of Bible College as well, and while it wasn’t exactly a breeze, the thought still lingers in the back of my head, that it’s certainly not digging out a tree stump. A misunderstanding on my end during the seminary application process, as it relates to financial aid, meant that I did not apply for on-campus work or elsewhere. The admissions representative, as it seemed to me, suggested that the financial aid committee may have seen me as a slouch in this regard.

I am having a hard time not being resentful at that man, who has otherwise been helpful and kind to me, for that remark. Perhaps I am overcompensating in my own mind. But I find myself slacking off and feeling rather unconvinced that what I am and am supposed to be doing, and what the faculty and staff are doing, is real work. I feel a nearly overwhelming urge to prove myself.

One professor did encourage me, saying that it does not matter what any professor thinks of me, and he urged me to press on to become a prepared and competent minister. And I have found a lot of strength in those words. But I am still holding on to those words before. I do not want to be seen as a slouch, but I wonder if I maybe don’t want that perception attached to me more than I want actually to be diligent.

I feel deflated and bored, if I may use such terms, like I’m not doing real work being at seminary or like I am not welcome. The landscaping work itself was on the seminary’s grounds and I often feel very frustrated at the thought that I may have put in a summer of sweat and sunburn to turn around and be called a slouch.

Am I being arrogant and wrongly self-defensive? Do I need to get over it, or is there something else you would urge me to do? Perhaps these are not even the right questions, but in that regard also I am unaware.

Thank you very much,

Jake

What is “the division of soul and spirit” described in Hebrews 4:12? Essentially the question is what is the soul and what is the spirit? Obviously they are closely related if it requires the piercing quality of the Word of God to divide them.

Eric

In your Man Rampant episode with George Gilder, Sexual Suicide, you talk about the effects of pornography on young men, mentioning its corrosive and demoralizing side effects, as well as its leading to performance anxiety.

I fear that I have fallen prey to this. I am routinely intimated by the prospect of getting down to my seminary studies, or pursuing a relationship with a woman, or finding a job on the side.

If it is an appropriate question in this regard: How can I recover the natural, masculine hardness that it is good for a man to have?

Thank you kindly,

Jake

I’m trying to be the federal head of my house and have a question about baptism. My church subscribes to the Baptist confession of faith of 1689 and chapter 28 defines baptism as an ordinance only to be administered by the “qualified” and “called.” They hold this to mean the elders. As federal head I believe I’m in this position. I also don’t see a clear biblical definition on this matter. Your input would be helpful.

Thank you and all of my brothers and sisters up there for your unwavering stance on biblical issues in this foolish world we live in.

Jacob

On Accenting the Intelligent:

Pastor Wilson, I laughed so hard this morning. I was catching up on your blog entries when I read the erratum in “Don’t Meander” from “The Joy of Preaching.”

“Hmm…” I thought.

Then I moved up to the next one, and for a moment did not connect the two. Quickly, however, I caught on—more coffee coming soon—and just had myself a good belly laugh. God is wonderful, and so on Monday He had you trip on the word “intelligent,” and with your faithful sense of humor, you hung a lampshade on it in the most delightful way. Thank you for that.

Malachi

Re: “Don’t Take The Bait” Let’s say “we” follow your advice and don’t “take the bait”. Uhm . . . given the rumors surrounding January 6th, I’m inclined to think someone else, maybe not even on “our” side, is going to “take the bait.” In other words, I’m concerned that the bait will be taken one way or the other. Once the bait is taken (not by me!), what do we do _then_?”

E

I know many in evangelical and even reformed circles (assuming one is not a presuppositionalist) hold William Lane Craig to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Christian apologists of our time. He, no doubt, has the acumen and the credentials for such a title, but I know some of his theological positions are heterodox. His most recent book, “In Search of the Historical Adam” literally has a caveman on the cover and the blurb tells us WLC’s conclusion: “…ultimately determining that Adam lived between 750,000 and 1,000,000 years ago as a member of the archaic human species Homo heidelbergensis.” What do you make of this book? Should this be the doctrinal “straw” that breaks the camel’s back with Craig, or are you already past that point? How should Christians handle/interact with Craig’s work in light of this?

FA

In August 2021 book of the month (Nephilim) I am reading through it—thanks for the endorsement, it is a very good read—the author points to Noah, and family, as untainted by the Nephilim’s DNA, so that the human race, after the flood, would be somewhat reset. But then the author says that Goliath was a result of the Nephilim DNA. Not sure how he arrives at that conclusion if the flood was God’s way to cleanse the human DNA of Neplilim DNA.

Whenever I come across what I see as an inconsistency, it makes me squirm at bit. I find that squirming in my seat has become routine over the past 18 months—and you have been great in pointing out the why.

All the Best,

Blair

My name is Cole and I am a senior at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. A few brothers referred me to your content about a month ago and it has become a constant in my spiritual and intellectual diet throughout the week; for that I am very grateful. I wanted to thank you, as I am sure thousands have, but I also have a request. I am engaged to another midshipmen—who loves Ms. Nancy’s podcast by the way—and we both have ambitions for serving the Lord full time after our military obligations. I’d like to hear more of your story, how did you make the transition? I cannot imagine how busy you are, you have more ministries to keep busy in than I could ever imagine, but if you find the time I would love to hear from you. Maybe even a podcast episode on your testimony. Thank you for wisdom and love for the Kingdom, may he continue to bless you in your endeavors. I have family in Coeur D’Alene so I hope to visit Christ Church sometime!

Cole

Over 100 House Republicans voted this week to add draft registration for women to a must-pass Defense funding bill. It doesn’t look good in the Senate either. Should this be enacted, how should Christians respond? After seeing how church leadership did in the COVID unpleasantness, this seems a much bigger, and clearer-cut issue for them. Sadly, I fear their track record will have left them unprepared for leading on this issue.

Mitch