Letters Edited on the Road So Make Allowances

Hello Pastor Doug!
Where would you point someone (either to something written by you or a book or two you like) looking for reasons why the American War for Independence was morally justified?
Thanks!

CC

I have been inclined to write you since I embarked on a study of American history as it pertains specifically to the events leading up to the War between the States. Along with much of the contributions that have been made to sites like Abbeville Institute, I often find myself consulting your thoughts on the matter.
It is extraordinary how so many of the dates and names that I’m sure I was given in school have lately become ingrained in my mind, since this newfound reason I’ve had to lay hold of them. Where I may have once been tempted to isolate seemingly-unrelated events in American history, as one would a burglary in Seattle from a baseball game in Atlanta, I’m now pulling a common thread through them and coming to understand how they worked together to bring about the opening actions of 1860/61. On that note, just last night I was ruminating on the Compromise of 1790 and ensuing Whiskey Revolt. The correlation between those opening efforts of the fledgling federal government and the principle that Tolkien illustrates with Sauron’s gifting of the various rings of power, is pretty obvious. But I digress (and should also note that I do not endorse the current Amazon series, ha!)
Back to the task at hand. Consider this letter as a sincere thanks for the reflections you have made on not only the War itself, but perhaps more so the worldviews that encompassed it. My hope is that my accolade will serve to counterbalance some of the derision coming from elsewhere.
While I’m at it, I should mention that had the pleasure of meeting you some 7-8 years ago when visiting Moscow on a NSA campus visit. I can recall doing my darnedest to keep it together during my brief conversation with you. Big fan. Thank you for the many ways in which you have helped in the renewing of my mind in the years since. I am eager to see where God will bring me next
Regards,

Chase

This is no idle warning. I resonate with all of it, and your admonition to attend to the ordering of our loves is exactly right as I see it.
But there is a dissonance for me in your persistent engagement with this term “Christian nationalism.” What confuses me is your choice not to distance yourself more completely from so-called “Christian nationalism” given the historical and cultural propensity for it to move in a blood and soil direction. Why not problematize this term in the same way as you have with other culturally generated terms which are not biblically informed? If the church were robust and healthy, it might be admissible to speak in these terms, but if that were true, the confusions with the term as it is currently being used would be greatly mitigated. When the church is so weak, so disordered, so confused, so beset with its own sins within its own walls, it seems to me unwise to attempt to speak in the public square using such problematic terms, and the way of wisdom might better be to eschew such a conversation until such a time as the church has matured into the likeness of our Savior a little more. That choice would be an enactment of ordering our loves according to our true citizenship in the City of God.

MC

I have found your 2019 article “Dear John and Sally” very helpful, especially explaining the distinction between the sin against a person, and the violation of the office.
You also say that for believers the extension of forgiveness to those who seek it from you is mandatory. May I ask, how does one counsel someone who says they are struggling to forgive; their spouse is unrepentant and they know the marriage is broken until this changes, but they are desperate to not become bitter. Is forgiveness only possible when someone asks for it?
Also, what is the counsel for someone who is an unbeliever who also wants to forgive in this situation? They have been exposed for many years to the gospel and rejected it, but are holding on to Christian values from their past, to make “life work”. Are they to be told on asking that they are unable to forgive until they are right with God and that any attempt to forgive is in fact a pretense?
Would much appreciate your wisdom on this. With thanks.

Eliza

Pastor Wilson, in your recent Blog “Love for Your People, Disordered Affections, and Failing the Stress Test” (which was a total banger, btw), you said,
“No, all the teaching of Scripture must be harmonized, and in order for that to happen, the various passages must be ranked, balanced, set in order, and doing so taking into account history, context, comparisons, and relative importance.”
My question are: Is this your summary of what Paul means when he tells us to “rightly divide the Word of truth”? And likewise, what does the Bible mean when it uses the word “dispensation” and how does that relate to “rightly dividing the word of truth”?
I ask these questions as one that grew up in the Bible-Belt, and can hit a good old fashion Dispensationalist no matter what direction I toss a rock (and while I’m premil myself, I do not consider myself a Dispy). So I’m interested in getting your thoughts from a Presbyterian, covenantal perspective of these ideas that are championed by Dispensationalists. Thank you!

Ben

I have a conundrum that I was hoping to get your advice on. I am a 26-year-old man living out in the Midwest. I have a very stable, incredibly well-paying job, and a house (which I am well on my way to getting paid off). I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I am well-respected in my church and friend community and am well-known for my biblical knowledge and application, as well as my serving heart and funny personality. The problem is that I cannot seem to find a godly woman to marry. I have a couple years ago branched out from my home church since there were not many godly women there and am now involved with a couple singles young adult groups with other churches. Any time I meet a lady who is family minded (which is rather rare and has only happened a few times), I will ask her out for dinner or coffee after a few months of getting to know her and it always goes down a predictable path of being told that I am a great friend and wonderful man of God, but they would never see me as anything more. This strikes me as odd, because I am really one of the only young men in this area that desires the same kind of family life that they do, is mature enough to lead a family, and can monetarily provide for said family. What would your advice be to a man looking to change this pattern? As I get older and there are fewer women around my age, I am worried that I will become the bachelor of the church that always desires a family but is never blessed with one. I thank you for whatever wisdom you can give me.

Stephen

Re: “Do We Deserve This Election” video
Why Christians should vote for Donald Trump!
(Yet putting this letter in the context and shadow of your refreshing, sobering, God-glorifying reality-wake-up-call: your “Do We Deserve This Election” video, and may God help us and give us grace for whatever may come)
Pastor Wilson,
Dittos from the great state of Mississippi.
The Bible says we are to pray for our leaders…
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
“…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
Now generally speaking, to pray without “doing” anything . . . doing all we can do (when possible) . . . makes our praying hollow and insincere, doesn’t it?
Therefore, putting “shoe leather” to our prayers—doesn’t that make it a no-brainer for Christians to vote for Donald Trump?
Why?
Isn’t is plain as the nose on my face that (humanly speaking)—among the only viable candidates—Donald Trump in the White House will create a much quieter and peaceable environment for Christians to live in with all godliness and honesty?
If one talks “character” . . . all the candidates are flawed, right?
And speaking of “character,” if you take a “squeaky clean” “family man” like Obama (with respect to the former president), does his apparent sterling “character” override, neutralize, or preponderate his ungodly and unjust “pen”, legislation, and monstrous influence for evil?! Isn’t Obama (with all respect) the very villain of C.S. Lewis’s famous quote: “The greatest evil . . . is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices.”?
Which of these can we expect (having witnessed with our own eyes) to help create a national/political/legal environment where “. . . we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”?
Answer: Donald Trump . . . by far.
There is only one legitimate exception for a Christian not to vote Trump.
What’s that?
If a Christian man, soberly, in cold blood, with good conscience before the face of God, for the glory of God, is willing to suffer the certain devastation of Kamala Harris because it is the best choice for long-term growth and sanctification of the Church in the U.S. and around the world (echoing your righteous bottom-line in the aforementioned video) . . . And . . . if this Christian man . . . as misery and suffering increases for Christians in the U.S. and around the world because of Kamala Harris in the White House . . . this Christian man who didn’t vote for Trump, is prepared, from the heart, as he is being herded into a cattle car, to turn and face the Believers of the world, look them square in the face and proudly confess “Yes! I did not vote for Trump and this is the very outcome I wanted. Praise the Lord!”
Humanly speaking, any other reason for a Christian not to vote for Trump is naive and/or misguided; unless of course they could not vote for Trump with a good conscience, since that which is not of faith is sin. But in that case, (unless it was a message from the Lord to his spirit/conscience/heart), it seems their consciences had been “warped” by teachers who are misguided or naive; unless these teachers want to purposely bring about total destruction for the long term good for the glory of God . . . but if there is a teacher like that, they should be up front about their intentions.
Therefore (humanly speaking) Donald Trump is the only option for Christians to vote for,
Because Donald Trump is (by far) the only viable candidate in this election who (as far as anyone can know) best answer the prayer of 1 Timothy 2:1-2 . . .“. . . that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
Sir, what do you think of my analysis and arguments, please?
Thank you,

Robert

I’m looking for a good postmil commentary on Isaiah. Any recommendations?

Will

I feel I got an equivalent set of values from participating in our orchestra program at school. I played from 4th grade on, and our Jr high and High School groups consistently won 1st division ratings at the state level. Teamwork, persistence and excellence were all required. I gained the ”manly aggressiveness” later in life just fine.
No parent should feel upset that their child tends more in this direction than sports. One of the most hurtful adults I knew was the 6th grade teacher who slammed me when I was excused from gym class due to a special rehearsal before a concert.

Craig

How do I subscribe to your content cluster muster for email? Thank you.

Nathan

Your point on households voting where husbands and wives voting for opposing candidates canceling each other out makes sense. As well as voting the same just increasing the number for each side with the same result.
Now that we are in the culture that we are, however, I wonder what your thoughts would be with so many singles and broken households. If we were to go back to the old system, would that skew the outcome since single women tend to vote one way as the head of the household, and married woman (who tend to vote another way) would not provide a second vote for the household to counteract that.
It seems like you could not go back to that system without some healing in our culture first.
Thanks,

Tad

My wife and I are members of a PCA church in Columbia, SC. Our pastor endeavors to preach the Gospel faithfully and care for our congregation. He is a good and trusted shepherd. Recently, however, our church has brought on staff a women’s director. The director is an older woman, never married, no children, who attended seminary. I’m not very comfortable with this move. I don’t believe the position itself that she holds is legitimate. But even if I did, how can an unmarried, childless woman be expected to disciple the younger women in loving their husbands and caring for their households as Scripture commands the older women to do? How should I feel about this? How should I proceed? I doubt my pastor will genuinely take note of my objections, and I feel like it would be a waste of strength and time to push back on these issues when 90+% of our convictions overlap. And I have several questions. What is the extent of her authority? What happens when she teaches my wife something I disagree with, pitting her conscience against my leadership? Is she present at elders meetings? And if so, why? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Mitch

Lord bless you. I would like to know the differences that you would have with those in the CREC who would teach “baptismal efficacy” or maybe more commonly known as baptismal regeneration. I watched this video a while back and it seemed like they were describing something a little different than what I’ve seen you articulate in your talks and books on the subject of baptism.

BS

I have been listening to your YouTube posts, and sermons, for a number of years now (3-4 I figure), and have been reading your books, mostly on the family and marriage, and raising children. I have been married for 14 years and have 4 children ages 10-6. God is good! Firstly, I want to say thank you. The stuff you teach has been missing in my life and walk with the Lord for over 24 years (I am 36). I have been in churches since I was 12 and all I can say is that yourself, Voddie Baucham and Paul Washer among some others have been a tremendous blessing to us. Thank you for being a willing servant of Christ.
The main reason I am writing you, is to get some deeper insights or understanding about your comments made on Michael Heiser’s Unseen Realm and his theology in general. You said that his book was good, except the chapter on Calvinism which was just weird. What do you mean by good? You also said there was some things you did not agree with. I am curious as to what those are. I will admit I have not read his book (or books), but was recently introduced to his documentary, The Unseen Realm, from a friend who attends the same church I do. After watching the documentary twice and listening to some of Heiser’s other talks (in order to get further clarification on some of his claims and positions), I find his theology and Bible interpretation concerning. I also think he is making much out of little, with regards to the “sons of god”; this is where I think his theology becomes concerning, he seems to be using his understanding of “elohim” to form his theology; which I think causes further problems with his explanation/expression of who Christ is and how He relates to/with the Trinity. But maybe I am missing something or not understanding what he is actually saying. So, again, I am interested in a deeper clarification of why you recommend his work?
Brother in Christ,

Jordan

C S Lewis, in talking about what (sinful) pride is not, talked about how it is good for a man to be “proud” of his country or family. Of course, as Lewis said, if someone put on airs because of those things, it would be wrong, but it would be much better than being proud of himself. I have often felt that way about race, as Europeans, and some other races, could be considered families of nations. (mentioned at least twice in the Bible). A racially vainglorious person, as you call them, would be an equivalent of the man who was putting on airs because of his family or country, still not where he should be, but better than an individualist who was proud of himself. I would like to hear your perspective on that.

James

You have a great way of breaking down ideas and thoroughly refuting the bad ones while biblically supporting the truth. Over the past two years I have been battling against some really bad ideas at home and I am finding difficult to overcome/refute them. They are ideas that I believe are very harmful to the Church in general but in particular to my wife who has been captured by them.

Perhaps this is not news to you, but it was surprising for me to learn of a growing number of believers who call themselves “postmillennialists” but subscribe to a version of postmil I had never come across before. They believe in much of what we would say about the Bible pertaining to 70AD and the book of Revelation but . . . well in short they believe that Christ and His millennial kingdom has already happened in the sense that Christ literally returned in 70AD and was already here ruling/reigning with His saints. They often refer to this Millennial Kingdom/reign as “Tataria.” Christ and his saints all left—allegedly to the North Pole (or at least hovering above it)—and those of us left behind after the millennial kingdom (i.e. “After the millennium” ergo “Postmil”) are now living through Satan’s little season.

I know . . . your first response is probably “what did I just read” . . . the “North pole?” “What?” These folks are, from what I can tell, very sincere in their beliefs and I have no reason to doubt the salvation of the majority of them. The appeal of this flavor of postmil stems from the fact that it combines 1) Biblical truths (again, much of the postmil understanding of Christ’s kingdom during His ministry is the same as ours) 2) attractive conspiracy theories and 3) a strong mistrust in the government. I can get on board with much of what these folks espouse, however, much of it seems very harmful as it focuses so much on “exposing the truth to people” but the “truth” that they focus on is that we are in the “little season” rather than focusing on the truth of the Gospel. Also, almost as a rule, adherents appear to be anti-reformed/anti-Calvinists. Case in point, one of their Admins and Top contributors posted the following on Nov 7, 2022: “Are these reformed churches from the enemy? I think the reformers were. I know most churches are set up by the governments. I like Jeff Durbin but the reformed doctrine he preaches isn’t biblical.” I’ve tried pointing out to my wife that this anti-reformed position should be a red flag for her.

From what I gather, this is the timeline that this group is working with (again, they are 100% sincere in their convictions):
70AD – Jesus came back to set up His Millennial Kingdoms all over the earth.
1070AD – Jesus’s Kingdoms and the saints left to the New Jerusalem (many in the group say this is at or above the North Pole)
1070AD – Satan released, starts efforts to really deceive the world; Satan adds 700 years to the earth’s calendar.
1770AD – Societies fall under the control of the Fallen Ones (this group focuses heavily on 1776 as well as the Statue of Liberty being a monument for Satan)

Again, some of the group’s ideas are agreeable, some neutral, but others are harmful.
AGREEABLE:
– The Apostle John (in Rev) was writing about something that was going to occur in the very near future
-Christ established His kingdom during His earthly ministry
-The world government(s) are actively trying to suppress Biblical truths (i.e. Giants)
-There is a lot of deception in the world today
NEUTRAL (typical conspiracy theories):
-The Earth is flat
-Cosmology is geocentric and not heliocentric
-Early ornate buildings from America’s past were actually found, not built (i.e. Indicating earlier civilizations)
HARMFUL:
-You can’t believe anything nowadays and ALL history (even Church history) must be questioned. For example, if Christ came back and ruled with His saints in 70AD, why was Polycarp martyred? Adherents to these beliefs would claim that Polycarp probably was not martyred and all stories of such martyrdom are part of Satan’s deception. Even things like the writings of David Brainerd can’t be trusted—in the little season of deception, the claim goes, the cabal has re-written literature/biographies/everything and nothing can be trusted as legit history (especially if it contradicts the beliefs established by this position)
-Christ and His saints are ruling/reigning from the North Pole. The northern lights are somehow evidence of this. Some in the group encourage Christians to make their way there. There was even a post within the group of a guy who acquired a boat and he was soliciting for Christians to join him as he attempted to reach the North Pole or die trying.
-Christ’s Millennial kingdom is over. He will come back for a third time with His saints but when He does the governments of the world will try to portray His return as an alien invasion and will try to deceive the world that His return is hostile and will launch an attack against Him.
-“They” control everything. (While I believe that we could legitimately think there is a powerful worldwide cabal, we know from Scripture that God is sovereign and laughs at the nations). I’ve seen firsthand how the beliefs of this movement—especially in this omnipresent cabal — elicit fear, worry, concern and force thoughts of “we need to act” “we need to move” “nowhere is safe”. . .”[they] are killing us though 5g” ”[they] are killing us though chemtrails” ”[they] are killing us though our food” ”[they] are killing us though weather control”.

My attempts to poke holes in these beliefs at home has not been fruitful and difficult questions are dismissed. I’ve asked about where the “fullness of the gentiles” and the “unhardening of Israel” falls within their timeline; I’ve asked how God can be a God that shows steadfast love to a thousand generations if this short season is going to end soon; based on their timeline we are already 200+ years into this little season; if Christ must reign until all enemies are put under His feet (including death) then why did His kingdom leave . . . Satan has apparently not been put under His foot and we still die.

Anyway, my hope is that you would look into this and do a video or even series addressing and refuting some of these ideas. For a better understanding of what these folks believe, you should join the Facebook group that seems to be the epicenter for these beliefs: Tartaria the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ. It’s a private group with over 16k members. As long as you answer the questions, they’ll likely let you in. I joined in order to see where exactly my wife was getting some of her ideas. You will have to peruse the site in order to appreciate the vastness and depth of what these folks are proclaiming. It boils down to a giant and harmful “What if . . .”: “What if mostly all of history we have been told is actually a complete lie to cover the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ—The Millennial Kingdom. Everything was rewritten and made up to cover this time period.”

I think a well-presented video refutation of this movement will help folks like my wife who respects the teachings of other reformed folks like you . . . When I discuss this with my wife and state that “[Enter pastor’s name] believes/claims [something that does not comport with this movement]”, she responds that it is because you or the others are not aware of these ideas and if you were, you would also subscribe to these beliefs.

If you are able to spend some time looking into the above-mentioned group and its beliefs, I would be very grateful.
In Him,

Jeffrey

I find your case for the Pauline authorship compelling.I am reading through a new (to me) copy of KJV for the To The Word read through and saw this at the end of Hebrews. Ever come across something like this or know of its origin? “Written to the Hebrews from Italy by Timothy”

Todd

I appreciated your review of ‘The Abusive Wife’ on the Plodcast. Would you have any thoughts for husbands on “how to bring everything to a head”?
Asking for a friend.

B

My family and I have listened to these Here We Stand devotionals from Desiring God since they were first published back in 2017 for the 500 year anniversary and the Reformation.
This year as we looked ahead, we noticed something unusual. My daughter asked when we’d be reading about Johannes Oecolampadius. We looked ahead, but couldn’t see him. And then we noticed a name we didn’t recognize from our previous journeys. Then we noticed another new entry we didn’t recognize. Then we realized these new names were both in place of your two contributions. We were very disappointed for many reasons: we love your Oecolampadius entry and we’re disappointed that Desiring God has unpersoned your entries.
If you recall, I actually wrote you about having your Moscow crew create a similar styled 31-day heroes of the Reformation devotional. I had previously mentioned it because we’ve moved from a 1689 Reformed Baptist conviction to a Presbyterian (Paedo-postmill) and moved our family to join a CREC church in Leavenworth, KS.
The need seems even more pressing now in light of them nixing your entries. So much for celebrating reformers, right?
Thank you for all that you do.

Todd

The My Father’s World curriculum combines Charlotte Mason methodology with a chronological approach to History that integrates Bible and can be taught to multiple ages at the same time. I used it with my children through about middle school, and it seemed to prepare them OK.

Jennifer

Hello!
I was wondering what your definition of Salvation is?
and how is a person saved?
Thank you!

Eve

In the latest letters you answered a question about working in defense industry being “prepared to ruin your career”? I haven’t seen this concept he was referring to—can you link to what you’ve said before or restate it? I work in the defense industry

Cole

Regarding the English translation of the Lord’s Prayer, do you use debts or trespasses?
If you have written about the justification for which translation you use in your liturgy, I would love to read it.

BJ

Just wanted to make you aware of something that I’m putting together in Canada in case the good folks in Moscow would like to join us:
Your brother in Christ,
Shawn

Shawn, thank you.

Samo Burja wrote a book-length essay/article, “Great Founder Theory” which, if you are not familiar with it, I believe you will find deeply interesting. His central thesis is “a small number of functional institutions founded by exceptional individuals form the core of society.” And I suspect a clear reflection on your own accomplishments of that sort would suggest some conclusions. One of the things you have mentioned giving thought to is the problem of succession. He treats that topic in particular in this manuscript, but also in talks he has given, etc.

I would commend it to you:

E

From a Roger Olson blog post about Christian Nationalism . . .

“The documentary was clearly made to alarm viewers as to the pernicious motives and influences of white American Christian Nationalism. I do think it would have improved the documentary had it included at least one sane advocate of Christian Nationalism. IMHO it didn’t do that. You might ask who I mean. Well, perhaps Doug Wilson?”

An anabaptist just called you a “sane advocate of CN” emphasis on the sane . . .
who woulda thunk

Jimmy

Hey sorry I’m late to the party here, I searched and didn’t find this question so a second apology if I’m repeating one. Can you give a concrete example of when I should literally flip someone/thing off? Or is this all a proverbial thing?

Tyler