Letters That Are Going to Be Answered

I write this in good faith seeking knowledge after recently coming across a sermon by Pastor Brooks of Pilgrim Hill. I decided to listen to it while working one day and was surprised at how much it resonated with me. Before that, all I had heard about the CREC was about controversies and in relation to extreme versions of Christian nationalism. I’ve enjoyed watching live streamed services, but there are no CREC churches near me where I could sit down and talk to somebody about these issues. I have tried researching it myself, and it has been hard to parse what is speculation/ people conflating CREC with other groups, and what the church actually believes.
I am aware you wrote a book about this, but a lot has changed in the past year, so I feel led to ask you directly:
What would CREC’s vision for a Christian America look like on a practical level? Not in a perfect world, but within the legal framework we are living with in 2026. What would a Christian America look like?
What would change for families? How would they be supported?
How would education and the media be transformed?
What would a just, moral public order actually look like? How would that administration handle issues such as the Epstein files?
I am tired of hearing it would be like the Handmaid’s Tale and other hyperbolic allusions. I want the truth about your federal vision for American society direct from the source, not interpreted by any third party.
Thank you in advance for reading my inquiry and considering it. I appreciate any additional resources you wish to direct me to.
PS- Pete Hegseth deserves way more credit than what he gets

A Curious Methodist

I hope you’re doing well. We here in Idaho just heard that Mark Fitzpatrick, of Old State Saloon in Eagle, ID, is running for state governor! We go to the saloon often enough, and I was wondering what are your thoughts?

ON

I have a brother who is either at the beginning of his life in Christ, or has fallen and is just now turning back to Christ. He is kind and humble man but he got himself entangled in a porn addiction. On top of this he has always struggled with anxiety; to the point where he has lived with my parents for years and only does landscaping jobs in the neighborhood. He has repented and confessed of this porn use to me, but now he is at the point where he feels so guilty and condemned that he sits in a chair and shakes for most of the day. He says over and over that he believes he’s going to hell. I’ve explained the righteousness of Christ, the great exchange, and the gospel to him, but still he sits in terror. I would be very grateful for any insight, Doug. Thank you!

BR

I am writing to ask you about your thoughts on this tweet by John Piper endorsing and seemingly attempting to rehabilitate Russell Moore:
Usually, he uses his account to tweet a couple of Bible verses a day, but it was bizarre that he suddenly chose this hoax tweet by Moore as the subject of a political tweet in a sharp break from his usual routine. He didn’t even mention the invasion of one of his family churches by leftist protesters yet, but he jumped to endorse this post by Moore slandering Trump right after it was made. It indicates at best that Piper is terribly naive on the cultural issues of the day, not even to speak of Moore’s issues, and at worse that he is on the left.
From the previous election cycles, it was clear that Piper had a deep dislike of Trump, but it was just shocking to me how someone who I believe is so biblically grounded and Bible-saturated, and who has formed his entire worldview around the Bible, can be so deceived to the point of supporting Moore’s hoax which was already proven to be a mistake by Trump’s team.
I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this.

Philbert

I’ve read, enjoyed, and shared your book Reforming Marriage many times. It has been of immense help in understanding my role as husband and father. Recently while reading Ernest Gann’s classic book Fate Is The Hunter (memoir of his time as a pilot from the early 30’s to the 50’s) there was a section on the role of the Captain that struck a familiar chord that I hope you will appreciate the connection to the role of husband and father that you describe. Enjoy:
“To suggest, even by inference, that captains should be given sole credit for moving a multi-engined airplane from one place to another would be the ultimate in strutting dishonesty. Each man in the crew has his manifold duties, and unless he performs them well, the captain is sorely tried.
A captain of any aircraft was, and is, exactly what the ancient and honorable term has always defined. Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of whatever human temptations may invite this man to shift or even share blame and responsibility, he must refuse them. Otherwise he is a man moving in hypocrisy, thieving the respect with which he so freely adorns himself and betraying the very basis of the faith which is always offered to him.
It is a rare captain who is not heavily conscious of his duty; even the most lighthearted recognize that theirs is a special appointment and jealously guard the tradition that whatever misfortune occurs on any flight is fundamentally their fault.”
Respectfully,

Allen

Cat mislabels illegal aliens who have committed no further criminal actions in the United States beyond entry or reentry as having only “civil immigration charges”. While the charges for entry are not felonies, but misdemeanors, they are still criminal in nature under 1911.8 U.S.C. § 1325. However, reentry actually IS a felony under the same code. I hope that clears things up.

David

I would love to hear your thoughts about Trump’s recent prayer breakfast speech. Does it compromise Christian leaders to applaud and encourage him in this context? Do you have any concern that Trump’s flavor of pseudo Christianity will have a negative impact on the Church?
Maybe you have already addressed this concern and I’ve missed it, but given the evangelical consternation all over social media right now, it might be helpful to revisit the topic.
Thanks,

Katey

Re: My Musical Career
Which AI are you using for your demo songs? And how does prompting it work— with a recording or notation or…?

Kyriosity

Whoa whoa whoa! What about Fade to Black by Cade Foehner ft. YOU?? (Insert Joe Biden “C’mon man” meme here!) The “No, I’m not going to calm down. The way out is glorious!”, part gets the people going!

Jimmy

Looking to intercede for the heathens undermining new Christendom in Maine. I’d love to hear your perspective, thank you.

Rob

Exciting news for your DC plant! I appreciate your consideration for Pilgrim Hill as they will be losing their lead pastor. My church is in the final stages of getting a new pastor and have been considering the ideal for pastoral transitions. Our last lead pastor left to a leadership position in a Christian organization. We did not have an adequate pastor in-house so we have been searching for about a year now. Our current best candidate will be leaving a church that he is lead pastor of for our church that is significantly larger. I am inclined to believe that this is not ideal unless he believes he is leaving behind a well-equipped associate pastor that he believes would be able to lead that church well. I don’t like the idea of just handing our problem to another church or the idea that a shepherd would forsake the flock God gave him charge of for another.
Do you think there is a requirement for a pastor to have a candidate in mind as his replacement to be called to leave his flock for another?
PS – I really enjoyed listening to your various musical ventures!

Stephen

I am listening to the Plodcast, episode 413, “AI Gone Wild.”
You mentioned that those abusing the federal system in Minnesota (and likely California, New York, and probably every state near the coastlines) should be penalized, but that jail is not your recommended option (though it is the one we use now).
Can you elaborate on that subject, or point me to your past writings on it? What would be the more proper system?

Jaryd

I have a question relating to one of your books. A few years ago, I read your book The Case for Classical Christian Education before our kids started at an ACCS school (before that we had homeschooled). Something that stuck out to me was when you said (something along the lines of) if you were taking over a school the first thing you would do is raise tuition.
I am wondering what your thoughts are regarding educational expenses? The thought of our tuition going up makes my skin crawl as it is already one of the most expensive private schools in our area (and, of course, one of the only ones that doesn’t take vouchers). Though there are a number of solid families at the school, because of the cost and great academics, the school tends to attract a lot of lukewarm Christians who have two corporate job incomes and only a couple kids. These families might be able to afford tuition without help but aren’t exactly a boon to the school culture we’d like to see.
The more mature Christian families we know tend to be large and single income (or maybe a small second income), making private education unreachable, even if you scrimp. We’ve had friends check out the school and love it but not enroll because of cost or go for a few years then need to leave for financial reasons. For what it is worth, our school does have financial aid (which we are thankful for) but knocking a few thousand off of a $14K+ bill (times however many kids) still makes it quite pricey if your income is average and your family larger than average.
I’ve thought about this a lot and apart from government intervention (which of course is not allowed in ACCS) the only two ways school can be affordable for the types of families I’m referencing is for grandparents to help (most Christian families I know do not have these sorts of grandparents, unfortunately) or for schools to be denominationally supported (not a bad idea but has some drawbacks—our kids’ school is intentionally independent from denominations). I do know a handful of more affordable schools that are run out of churches (which keeps overhead low) but of course that means the school has to stay small, which also has some downsides.
I guess I am curious to know what you mean about raising tuition? Do you think there should be ways to make things more affordable for the type of families I have described and if so, what ways would those be? I am in agreement with your sentiment that on the whole, private schooling has advantages over homeschooling but maybe, realistically, private school is only for more well off families?

Sarah

I would love to hear your thoughts on the interview Dr Roman Yomplaskiy gave on AI and how it pertains both to eschatology and the practical crisis of job loss from AI and the existential crisis of possibly living in a world where the only necessity of getting up in the morning is to worship Christ and not simply to provide for self and others. Lack of scarcity with cheap good made by AI is what i am referring to. That is supposing there is a means to pay with jobs being replaced by robots. Link is below. It is interesting to listen to the end of interview where two nonbelievers contemplate there may be legitimacy to religion, although one believes it is simulation theory. Would love for you to digest this topic and convey hope on topic. I know I and others need it.
Take care and God bless you and yours.

Marc

A few months ago you had responded to a short question wherein you were asked, ‘what advice would you give to someone addicted to porn,’ to which you responded something like this: a boy at 12 who watches porn ought not to be married and needs time with dad. A man at 23 ought to be married, and that man needs a certain kind of woman who needs a certain kind of man.
Similarly on that note, in a post entitled “A Sexual Marketplace,” you wrote, “We still understand the ‘blue book valuation’ for things like cars, and we get the fact that dented fenders lower the value, but we are nevertheless hostile to the idea of accountability for past sexual behavior when it comes to our right to future sexual happiness.”
With all that, what advice would you give a Christian man, now in his mid-twenties, who has been wanting to be married for some time, and still struggles with a habit of sexual sin from his teens? Should such a man presume to seek a wife while he is still fighting—genuinely fighting—his sin? To paint the picture clearer, I do not watch porn, but I do still struggle with the pervasive sins of lust and masturbation. A recently married friend of mine sent me a homily on 1 Corinthians 7 by John Chrysostom, with which he encouraged me that marriage is a help against fornication; however, there is the other sentiment that I’ve heard from some other friends that they would not want to marry until they had their sexual sin under control (what they mean by ‘under control,’ I don’t know). Is there a general line you’d draw in judging a man my age to be ready as opposed to being definitely not ready to marry or to pursue marriage, other than what you’ve already said about men who have an particularly bad view of women?
I understand this is a very long question, but thank you for your time if you do come across this.

SJ

I previously wrote you and shared a song that I wrote that was inspired by the work of Megan Basham, Eric Metaxas, and several within Canon Press. It was called HIGH HORSE. My friend and I met you when you preached at GMU for the DC church plant back in the fall. I wanted to let you know that I have released a new song calling out progressive pastors for aligning with Molech and for their moral cowardice on the issue of abortion.
It’s called “MAKING A DATE WITH MOLECH“
I am passionate about creating art that speaks truth unapologetically and am hoping to connect with like-minded artists to advance the cause of the Kingdom of God. If you are aware of any other artists, I would appreciate a connection.

Geoff

For years I’ve been of the opinion that the binding and loosing Jesus mentions in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 are critical. If the church binds sin and looses righteousness by preaching, teaching, and practice, then this leavens society, God blesses and there is prosperity. If the church binds righteousness and looses sin then this goes out into society and is magnified and soon returns to the church for another round. The process and its results are judgments of God.
This is the leavening law of doctrine.

James

Have you noticed that when women reject the hair coloring God assigned to womankind, they adopt the colors He assigned to poisonous frogs and venomous snakes? Maybe that’s not a coincidence. Kinda’ like raccoons with their built-in masks that tell us that they’re bandits. Maybe.

Daniel

A couple of thoughts and a book recommendation. Will Spencer recently has gone over “Black Sun” by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke. Seems HIGHLY relevant to our current snafus with Webbon/Ogden and “race”, culture, Jew-hate, etc.
Also, if our world really is crumbling into chaos, disorder, sin, and bitterness, wouldn’t the answer be to repent of our sins first and then evangelize even harder? If things are as bad as they seem, having online debates over whether or not interracial marriage is normative seems like a serious missing of the plot. Also, what keeps one at that “moderate” position of interracial marriage not being normative rather than going full bore segregationist? Seems like a small leap given the questions already being asked.

Bo

My church has in the bookstore Mark Dever’s “God & Politics”. I bought and read it to see where it was coming from, and now I’m looking for a different book to recommend instead. Can you think of a similarly short book (it weighs in at 55 pages) that engages with the issue in a thoughtful way?
I already have and have read FSQ—I like it but I don’t think I could convince my church to carry it. I’m willing to try but I wonder if there is another book to recommend as well.

Joshua

The Narnia analogy to our present circumstance works, and in fact something like it occurred to me, and some other people, around ten years ago.
The thing is, Caspian could in fact NOT fight alongside Nikabrik, because Nikabrik was all along the kind of dwarf who would bring the monsters into it. Caspian just didn’t know that until happened. It’s not only who Nikabrik would bring, but who he was himself that was a problem. The reason Nikabrik could unhesitatingly fight alongside a hag and a werewolf was that in his bitterness he had become so near like them in character. Remember too, Nikabrik did not believe in Aslan. Let the reader understand indeed.

John

IMO you hit the nail on the head with your Monday post. When we look at all our country’s problems, it goes back to our rejection of God and replacing him with ungodly sexual desire. The conservative movement may be slightly less debauched than the left, but it is still clearly awash in sexual sin.
Which leaves me to wonder: why don’t you write about this more? This post was a bit of a departure from the norm of this blog. Hordes of young Christian men need to be challenged to stop watching porn. But also stop listening to sexualized music, stop watching sexualized movies and TV. To be fair, KDY was way ahead of this when he wrote his post lambasting Christians for watching Game of Thrones way back in 2018.
So my encouragement to pound this point hard.

Luke

Re: Infighting and Those Reservoirs of Guilt
I completely agree with your premise of this article, and that the chaos on the right is part of the judgement of God. From that perspective, what do you make of the fact that the Trump administration seems completely unable to get any prosecutions together? Is that also a judgement of some kind from God, or is that one of the things our nation needs to do to pursue the righteousness again?

Ian

Would you agree that Romans 1 teaches that homosexuality is a consequent sin and not the root sin?

Zeph

I’m not a fan of Joel Webbon. But I just ran across the information about him committing fornication while in his early church planting days.
Maybe I’m too strict. But I would be greatly hesitant to allow anyone who has held any formal church teaching role and committed fornication or adultery to ever pastor a church again. Anyone who has sinned in this way when they were a professing Christian shouldn’t even trust themselves to pastor others. It’s not about forgiveness. It’s about the high standard required for the office of pastor.

Nate

I wasn’t sure which would be the best way to contact someone in Moscow with this question, so I apologize if this is not the best route. Please feel free to direct me to another email address if necessary. I am looking for suggestions on methods for memorizing psalms to sing. I drive a lot and would love to have something I could listen to repeatedly to help me memorize them. The ones I have found so far are difficult without being able to visually follow along with the written words. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you so very much for EVERYTHING all of you do out there in Moscow. The impact your ministry has had on my spiritual life is immeasurable!

Adelia

I recently read your book Joy at the End of the Tether. I loved it. I did have a question though. You wrote:
“Evangelical Christians, who ought to know better, have contented themselves for some years now in voting for the lesser of two evils . . . But the Bible prohibits establishing a ruler—whether a ruler or judge—who does not fear God . . . Instead of this, we appoint fools and imbeciles, men who do not fear God, men who love deceit, kickbacks, and bribes, and then we wonder why our traditional values campaign always seems to bog down. “Why, O Lord, dost thou not deliver us from the secularists?” Of course, the answer is that we haven’t stopped voting for them. We are like those who want to be delivered from drowning so long as they get to stay down at the bottom of the pool . . . Only a fool entrusts a man with real power over his fellows when that man does not fear God” (Wilson, Douglas . Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes (pp. 47-48). (Function). Kindle Edition).
This exact perspective is what kept me from voting for Trump but then I was persuaded by your arguments for Trump essentially as the lesser of two evils. (Pink stuff). But he definitely does not fear God and here you say we are fools if we vote for such a man. Can you explain this to me?

JC

Is it wrong or even a bad idea for a pastor to take public speaking courses? I’d like to become more engaging in the way I deliver my sermons. I’m not a boring speaker, but I know I could improve. It seems improving my public speaking could be part of ‘giving my all.’ But I also don’t want to become self-focused or filled with vanity. Any thoughts?

Roger