What’s the Deal?
Look, Wilson, there were no letters last week, and only around ten this week. This is not the way to end the year strong, and I am frankly disappointed in you.
Douglas Wilson
Okay, DJW, the letters always come out on Tuesday. In the providence of God, last Tuesday was Christmas Eve, and today is New Year’s Eve, which also happens to be my anniversary (44 for the curious). And that means I am going out for an anniversary date breakfast very shortly, and if you think I will be casting any longing glances back over my shoulder at the missed opportunity of answering more letters than these, that would be what Merriam Webster would call “a mistake.” However, I will be looking forward to the opportunity of answering more letters next week.
Wrong About Trump
Thank you for admitting you were wrong on Trump. When I voted for him it was as simple as doing anything to keep who I believe is a truly wicked political person (and her husband) out of the White House. I was willing to take the risk. Yes, Trump is maddening, and yet has proven himself better beyond measure than Hillary ever would be, and dare I say better than most of the Republicans he beat in the primaries.
Ron
Ron, yes, and thanks back.
A Blandings shout-out?! Awesome! (. . . That is all.)
Kristina
Kristina, thanks for noticing . . .
Re; “Where Cain Got His Wife and the Election” Few things I’ve read about Trump and the Evangelical elite’s response to him better sum up my own view than this piece. Well done, sir.
Kenneth
Kenneth, thanks very much.
Could Be a Response to Any Number of Posts
You are a disgrace to Christianity, you self-righteous, walking talking Calvinist superiority complex.
No More
No More, c’mon. It’s my anniversary.
The CT Fiasco
“the rank and file evangelicals, of the kind that CT used to represent.”
The further left any organization or group of people goes, the further they go from the rank and file. Elitism is baked into the leftist cake, and how pathetic that CT is all-in with the American secular left. Maybe one day soon they will announce that they are the house organ for the mainline denominations, whom they seem eager to emulate. Machen called it in 1923!
Mike
Mike, yes. We have seen this play run so many times, you would think it should no longer be such a surprise . . .
Faith and Works
Some discussion on what you believe here: Care to shed any light? Specifically, are works an evidence or instrument of salvation?
Matt
Matt, works are in no way an instrument of justification. They are necessary evidence of it.
Federal Vision: A Discussion with James White and Douglas Wilson
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Thank you for preaching the Word, sharp as it may be at times. It is also refreshing to see your kind heart when interacting with fellow believers in debate over the years.
The unity in this discussion with James White brought Psalm 133 to mind. I just wanted to thank you for the blessing this was to hear in our age of disunity in the Church.
Thank you,
Ian
Ian, thanks. James and I hope to do more of those.
A Couple of My Books
Just finished Evangellyfish. Was wondering if it was an iron fist in a velvet glove, scorched earth or charam warfare?
Jeff
Jeff, it was an attempt to combine them all.
Just finished reading Ploductivity. I strongly recommend it to all. The theology is strong, and the argument is very well organized. I like it so much that I am even ordering copies for some (and maybe all) of the men in my church.
One question, though: You make the case strongly implying a link between blessing (the Deuteronomic kind) and faithful dedication to a godly skill and craft. Mastery of and faithful plodding in godly, productive work produces fruit, which manifests in wealth. How do you avoid the implication that being wealthy is therefore a sign of greater faithfulness to God and that being poor is sign of less faithfulness to God? I guess another way of saying this is are you subscribing to a version of the Protestant/Calvinistic work ethic?
BJ
BJ, yes, but only “a version of.” I don’t think that wealth is an automatic sign of anything. But, everything else being equal, I think it is one of the indicators, generally speaking. And mere external conformity to God’s standards can bring external blessings, but which leave us with God’s words to the rich fool.
And Many Thanks Back
Apropos no particular article. It seems like there have been many voices raised against you in the wake of this Founders documentary. But I just want to say I appreciate your good humor in this battle they call life. Reminds me of King Lune. It’s encouraging and instructive. Keep it up. Praying for you.
Nathan
Nathan, thanks for the prayers, which are much needed. And thanks also for the kind words—King Lune is one of my favorite characters.
Congratulations on your anniversary. I’m sure you’re one of the most interesting people you talk to but you have to know that talking to yourself, especially in print, is seen as a sign of encroaching senility. Might want to have that looked at.
Blessings & happy new year!
@BJ, It’s almost like you have set up what’s called a hypothetical syllogism. Example: Premise: Mastery of and faithful plodding in godly, productive work produces fruit, which manifests in wealth. Or, to reduce, “Hard work produces wealth.” Antecedent = I have worked hard. Consequent = I will gain wealth. If the premise is actually true, then: Logically, we can say I have worked hard; therefore, I will gain wealth. Also, logically, we can say I have not gained wealth; therefore, I did not work hard. But it is illogical to say I have not worked hard; therefore, I will not… Read more »
@drewnchick Thanks for the brush up on logic. Deuteronomy 28 is quite explicit that there is a connection between obedience and blessing, as well as disobedience and cursing. Several proverbs affirm this, as well. So, I happily affirm the general principle. Having said that, I grew up in an environment where many god-fearing faithful people worked hard without gaining much beyond the necessities. So, any principle we affirm in this area has to account for godliness and working hard without gaining significant wealth. Doug does not explicitly deal with that arrangement, hence the question. And he still didn’t address that… Read more »
I think where it falls apart (though I haven’t read the book yet) is that I doubt that Wilson’s premise was intended to be that ironclad. It is stated as a general principle, or tendency, not like a law of physics (heating air causes it to rise). So the premise can be “actually true” without being so absolutely true that the contrapositive is absolutely true (I do not have much wealth, therefore I must not have worked hard). The contrapositive IS true, to the same limited degree the original premise is true — hard work is a path to wealth,… Read more »
Jane, This is exactly how the book is framed, hence my buying it for the guys. But he didn’t make your point explicit. I also absolutely agree with you and I suspect Wilson would as well, though not completely certain. His libertarian leanings give me the heebie jeebies sometimes. This truth is proverbial, not absolute. But I would also like to hear Wilson push back against the notions I encounter on occasion about poverty being a character flaw. It might not be widespread in churches, but it is prominent among the Ayn Rand loving folk on the political right, and… Read more »
There’s also the possibility–nay, likelihood–that God’s promises are covenantal and generational, not formulaic and automatic. As the adage goes, “God is not a vending machine…” Thus, when God promises an increase in wealth to those who are faithful, this is not a math equation where we can substitute “x” for a quantity of work and derive how much blessing we will receive. The inter-relations of countless variables–all within God’s providential control–influence and shape what those blessings look like, when they happen, and to what degree they manifest. It’s entirely possible that God’s blessings for hard work are a stable and… Read more »
“…self-righteous, walking talking Calvinist superiority complex.”?
So…..would that be the opposite of a “self effacing, groveling, mumbling Nihilistic inferiority complex?”
😏