Epistolary Fun in February

Doug, interesting observation about the Isaac Watts hymn you quoted: ““Yet,” saith the Lord, “should nature change,
And mothers monsters prove,”
In fact, that’s what we’re seeing today. Not in an abstract sense, but in a literal sense. We are seeing mothers proving themselves to in reality be monsters. I believe it’s a manifestation of what the Lord prophesied when He said, “the love of many will grow cold”.
It’s one thing to recognize that as an abstract theological factoid; it’s quite another to actually witness and experience that, in some cases firsthand. I daresay that almost all of what we see happening today has that as a core component.
And it still hurts despite the reality of Watts’ contrast in the second half of that stanza. I believe most of those who are the recipients of this monstrous cooled down anti-“love” are hurt because of their utter helplessness and inability to change it, rectify it, or do anything about it whatsoever.
Anyway, not sure if any of that is either here or there, but that’s what came to my mind out of the Watts hymn you quoted.

grh

Re: The Sinful Mind at Bay. I thought “No Quarter November” posts were limited to November. Perhaps you are preparing to launch “Speak the Truth in Love February?” I’ll buy a flag.

John

Thoughts on bridal showers when the couple is living together? Does your support for celebrating the wedding extend to pre-wedding festivities?

Nora

Should a Christian attend a “bastard” baby shower?

Percy

As I am getting married in a few months, one of the elders at my church offered to meet with me to discuss biblical principles for marriage. I jumped at the opportunity since he is much older and more experienced than I am (I am 23 and he is in his mid 80’s) and I thought I could learn a lot from him. However, when we met, I became concerned about some of the things he told me. Although he identified himself as a complementarian in some sense, he told me that the husband is not supposed to lead, the wife is not supposed to follow, the submission mentioned in Ephesians 5 and elsewhere is only mutual submission, and that the word “obey” should not be included in a wife’s wedding vows because it might offend non-Christian women attending the wedding, among other things. A lot of his arguments were based on semantic distinctions between words in English that do not reflect a major distinction in the Greek. For example, he made a big deal of the difference between the word “submit” and the word “obey.” He claimed that the Bible only says that wives should “submit” to their husbands, not that they should “obey” them, which is completely different. When I brought up 1 Peter 3:5-6, he acknowledged that this text did say “obey,” but he claimed that this text couldn’t possibly apply to us because it also says that a wife should call her husband “lord” and that that was “ridiculous.” When I asked him what he thought this text was teaching in his view, he could not give an alternate interpretation, but just said “well, we can’t decide just based on one verse.” I was alarmed that he was willing to say that what the verse right in front of him says is “ridiculous,” although I’m sure that if I asked him if he believe in biblical inerrancy, he would say yes. I also pointed out that the difference between “submit” and “obey” is just a matter of which translation you use and doesn’t reflect a distinction in the Greek. He dismissed this by saying “well I’ll have to look that up sometime” and held to his point.
How concerned should I be about the things that this elder told me? Our conversation was very respectful, and he did not call me names, demand that I change my views, or anything of that sort. If this was just another person, I would just let it go, but it does concern me a little bit that he is an elder. Although he is an elder, he does not preach, teach Sunday School, lead a small group, or anything of that sort. I do not believe that the elders who do preach and teach Sunday School would agree with him on these points. My church also published a position paper on complementarianism a few years ago (I do not believe he was an elder at the time) that seems to me to contradict what he told me on these issues, although I suspect he might claim that he is not really contradicting it. Should I just let this go or should I be concerned?

Will

Just curious to know if you know the science fiction author Cordwainer Smith, the pseudonym of Dr. Paul Linebarger, who died too young in the mid 1950’s.
Particularly, do you know the short story “The Crime and the Glory of Commander Suzdal”?
I consider it a critique of homosexuality and the pseudo-scientific “transgender” worldview.

Jack

I have a relationship with an atheist friend similar to the one you had with Christopher Hitchens. Our relationship consists mainly of debate and we appreciate each other’s sense of humor and lack of being overly sensitive just because disagreement exists. One minor difference might be that he used to be a believer in my church community and is now openly apostate. He recently moved back into my city and the wife and I were going to have him over for dinner when 2 John 1:10 came to mind. I was wondering if John’s directive to the audience then has any application for my situation? Did you ever have Hitchens into your home for hospitality? Does my situation make any difference with my friend being a former believer in my community who went apostate?

RS

This question is based on your book Get the Man. In the chapter “Lack of Communication is Key,” you discuss the problem with a man falling into the friend zone. Given the issues inherent in being in the friend zone, how would you suggest a young man move a long-standing childhood friendship into a romantic relationship? Have you addressed this in any of your books/blogs/videos? Thank you (and Nancy) for helping me find my way to living biblically (and trying to provide tools for my children) after having been raised in a non-Christian home.

Holly

I have been very interested in what you have to say about all topics for a long time. I first heard you speak at a Desiring God Conference in 2010, I believe. I greatly appreciate your wisdom and have gained insight about post millennialism from your excellent book as well as your messages on YouTube.
You are brilliant! I am not, but I appreciate your discernment into what is happening in today’s culture every time I hear your podcast.
However, sometimes I don’t understand the details as much as I would like to, and as a result, I become frustrated. Every now and then, would you add a sentence or two of explanation for those of us who don’t have an IQ of 150+? I would love to comprehend just a bit better than I do because the better I absorb your message the better I am able to share it with those who will not make the effort to listen to a podcast but just might be moved to take a stand if they heard it from a friend. Just sayin’!
Most gratefully yours in Christ,

Suzanne

There’s a relatively new channel on YouTube called MindShift. He’s an atheist who has a pretty substantial following and he’s pumping out a lot of content that goes over my head and I don’t really have the tools mentally to work through his arguments. Would you or someone around Canon Press be willing to interact with his material and offer a Christian response? Thank you.

Eric

hope you’re doing well. My husband and I have recently come to agree with your conclusions regarding baptism after reading “To a Thousand Generations.” We are very grateful for that book, and we thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
In college, I studied East European and Slavic history. Naturally, I have been very interested in the Ukraine-Russia issue, especially the famous, or infamous, interview between Tucker Carlson and Vladimir Putin. In response to the circulating interview , as well as our reformed views on baptism, I have a question regarding the 988 “baptism of Russia.”
There are many stories and accounts written to explain why Prince Vladimir turned to Christianity. Regardless, Kievan Rus’ still became christianized as of that year. Knowing what we know now about baptism as an entrance into a covenant community, I was wondering what your thoughts were about that? Does being in the Orthodox Church preclude one from being received into the covenantal community of Christ? Also, what does the national baptism of Kievan Rus’ mean in terms of either Christian nationalism or national covenanting?
Thank you very much,

Olivia

I thought I would share with you a small bit of the fruit of the work God has called you to on the internet. In part because of your faithfulness and insisting upon the authority of God’s word instead of going after all the “scientific” objections to the Biblical account of creation, I was—a bit over a year ago—convicted of my unbelief regarding Genesis 1-11 and brought to repentance. While I expect that, had you not been around (however meaningful a statement that is in light of God’s sovereignty), God would have used other means (and there were other means at play). Nevertheless, He did use your ministry to hammer the point home.
If you have the time and interest to go beyond this precis, I would invite you to read the testimony I gave to our Monday Night Evangelism team.
Yours in Christ, North of the 49th Parallel,

Calvin

I’m in the OPC and desire to transfer my membership to the CREC. Lord willing this will happen. However, my pastor does not think the CREC is a true church. Would you know of any OPC ministers that would believe the CREC to be a true church?
Your brother in Christ,

Brandon

Our church recently came into a large sum of money (large for our small congregation, at least) for which we have no immediate need. I have suggested that a goodly portion of that money be set aside to aid congregants in the Christian education of their kids, whether that be in Christian school, classical Christian school, or homeschooling. The elders are amenable to this idea, but unsure of where to even begin. They have asked me to come in and speak with them about it (I teach in a Christian and classical school). Could you direct me to any resources about how to set up such a fund, how to vet applicants, and so on? Thank you for your time.

JDH

I give 10 percent to a church ministry, and I keep 10 percent for general giving. This month my parents asked for some financial help (about 20% of my earning), but it also just happens that this month I have a medical bill upcoming that requires me to keep all my savings as standby. In other words, I can’t dip into my savings or living expenses.
So, for this month, can I give my parents the 20% and not give the church ministry the 10% that I usually give?
Thanks,

P

t seems the writing started with the magazine Credenda. Is there a book that has the articles, like an anthology?

Brent

Heard you on Klavan. Bless the man, he has a very Christ centric but loose theology. I’m curious what position your stance comes from as you threw out words like eschatology and reformed. Thanks.

Frank

When I read about this on Twitter, I commented that this was mountains and molehills. I knew nothing of the debate or “controversy.” I just knew I trust Doug Wilson, which would be you! Since I embraced, shockingly, postmillennialism in Aug. 22, I’ve listened and read and learned a very lot from you. I also have a young friend, early 30s, who came to Christ in Moscow and loves everything about the environment. Plus I know of your children and some of their work, and you pass the Paul-Timothy test of a well-managed family.
Jesus said you will know the tree by its fruit, and I see nothing but good fruit from the Doug Wilson tree. Thanks for all you do. It’s insane how much that is, and it is an inspiration to all of us who have been influenced by it.

Mike

Re: Alistar Beggs Kerfuffle
What came to my mind immediately, I have not seen mentioned in the many written lines ( might have missed it), but it is simply this;
A song learned as a child . . . ”Be careful little eyes what you see . . . Be careful little eyes what you hear . . .” based on Proverbs 4: 23-27.
Does Grammy want to witness the physical intimacy between the grandson and the other person? That kiss, hug and handholding? Does she want to hear words of commitment to sin? All very hard to unsee and unhear. Would this cause her spiritual distress?
“ponder the path of thy feet . . .”

Nancy

AI writes a CCM song. Might make an interesting Doug reacts video?

Steve

A post-mill commentary? I humbly suggest my commentary… Revelation: Kick at the Darkness Till it Bleeds Daylight. Self published & available on Amazon or for free at iamnarrative.com
Perhaps Canon would like to publish?

RC

In a recent plodcast on Machen, Doug mentioned that he didn’t think Owen Strachan’s recent book on wokeness hit the center of the issue. He then concluded that segment with the ominous line that “we are in more danger than that” or something similar. And then he just ends. I would love for Doug in either a blog post or another plodcast episode to expand on that final thought: say more about the nature and extent of the danger he to which he refers.
Thanks!

Jeff