The Best Letters of All Time

“We now live in a climate where an employee at any major American corporation who mentions to a coworker that he thinks that little boys are made of ‘snips and snails and puppy dog’s tails’ is an employee who is risking his livelihood. Such microaggressions will not be tolerated, and it might even be a thought-crime to categorize something so egregious as a microaggression.”

While this article was spot on, it was odd to read something like this about corporations when I am living proof that one’s livelihood is just as much at risk (as my offer of contract renewal was rescinded for this very reason) at an ACCS school for claiming gender is not meaningless and it is impossible to afford gender in the schools statement of faith while becoming a ministry of a church that denied gender has any bearing on who we are and our roles as well as claiming authority was a result of the fall and always sinful. If it is something to be aghast at in corporations it should be even more so when it’s becoming normative in one’s own backyard

Luke

I have been listening to many of your history conferences over on Canon+ and have learned a lot. It seems that much that I think I know about history is more of a based on a true story movie version as told by the regime. What direction could you point me to find resources that will allow me to study American History (primarily from the War for Independence and the War Between the States) that is more historically accurate? Bonus points on anything that focuses on North Carolina. Thanks for your time,

Levi

Recently I read a post of yours. A post about how the PCA is going to Hell (my words). This was probably your Blog and Mablog post, “PCA, R.I.P” dated November 14, 2018. Also, I recently picked up a missionary support card at an out of town reformed church which I visited. The card featured eight or so missionaries and the “All Saints Reformed Church” that they wish to plant in St George, Utah. Now, I have a question for you concerning this church.

Should I contribute cash to this church plant venture? Is this venture worthy of support? Is any PCA venture still worthy of support? Sincerely,

Robert

Looking at all the variegate economic weather reports on the next couple of years with predicted recession has me thinking a lot more about additional ways to make our household more what (I believe it was) Aaron Renn called, anti-fragile. I see much wisdom in the Proverbs about the long obedience in the same direction sort of accrual for wealth and resources but also understand the terms and conditions in Ecclesiastes that our finances can be fleeting on account of the sinfulness of this world. Since you’ve lived and pastored through multiple recessions, what are some time honored, Biblical principles. you would give to younger families and couples (in particular) to weather prolonged economic distresses? What literature has benefited you on the subject?

Thank you,

B

I am responding to the blog post about your father passing away. First, I want to express sympathy for your loss. Jim was a deeply influential man who changed many lives—including my husband Daniel’s. Our family will always be grateful for Jim’s teachings and influence in our lives. You mentioned how your father was constant and constantly read to you. I looked up “Lantern Waste” as I had never heard of it. Is “Into the Lantern Waste” (the lyrics by Sarah Sparks) the work you were referring to?

I am wondering—would you be interested in creating a list of the books your father read to you as a child then sharing that list with others? My children (Gabriella and Owen) are seven and four and love to read. I thought it would be neat to have a list of recommended children’s books and stories that Jim Wilson read to his kids that could be passed down to future generations.

Grateful for your father’s life and influence.

Krista

I recently watched the the first episode of season 4 of Man Rampant with Michael Foster. I found it to be very insightful.

I had never heard of the term “manosphere” but have definitely stumbled upon it as I’ve started watch more Jordan Peterson videos and David Goggins. I think they have a lot of common grace insights into masculinity but come up short since they don’t have a biblical worldview. One such insight comes from Jordan Peterson where he says you need to become a monster and then learn how to control it. He gets this from the biblical idea of meekness which doesn’t mean weakness but [is] the word picture of a man who doesn’t unsheathe his sword. In other words, a man who “walks softly but carries a big stick” sort of idea or a warrior in a garden instead of gardener in war. I think this is true because weak men will never bring true peace and inherit the earth but neither will brutes who can’t control their strength.

Yet, the monster that Jordan Peterson refers to is also mixed with a weird understanding of sin where the monster is actually our dark side that we should develop and then control so that we can understand how evil people think, kind like how Harry Potter has a piece of Voldemort’s soul in him. In other words, we should embrace the sin that is crouching at the door and domesticate it. I definitely disagree with this aspect of the concept.

My question is what is the biblical path to true meekness that the above concept is missing? I think it assumes that biblical virtue isn’t enough and that our sin can be useful instead of something to be put to death.

JT

Hello, I’ve recently purchased the paper back and audio book of When The Man Comes Around and I can’t help to ask, when is the Spanish version coming out? Having come from a Premill Dispensationalist background, I can’t help but want to get this resource out to my local church, which is mostly Spanish speakers. My father is our Lead pastor and he’s recently left Dispensationalism behind (thank the Lord!), but I’ve been doing my best at translating for him this material. I would like to purchase 20 copies of this book in Spanish, if they are available. I hope to hear from you!

Moises

Re: Pride and Paddywonking

The introductory meme mentioned “participation trophies” and I was hoping you might expand upon this topic as it relates to training up children. There has been some debate in my Christian circles whether it is biblical to encourage winning. What’s being argued is that Christ came for the poor in spirit, the “losers”, and that when Paul talks of prizes and crowns it is only meant to point to Heaven and does not have relevance to earthly competition.

My contention is that we have gotten to a place where encouraging winning, and discouraging losing, strikes some as “unloving.” There is agreement that whether you win or lose, you should be pursuing Christ-likeness and there are rich lessons in both instances. Having said that, I think winning is preferable to losing. Not only do I believe this to be obvious in reality, but also biblical. Winning teaches us about Christ, and Heaven and lots more that is too much to write here. So it seems a disservice to kids to teach them that winning or losing simply doesn’t matter, it’s only “how you play the game.” Is this something you have written about or do you have some great thoughts I could quote you on? Thank you for all that you do and we pray for your family and ministry often!—1Thess.5:23.

CJ

One verse I don’t think you mentioned in “Pride and Paddywonking” is Proverbs 19:18—”Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction” (NKJV) Other translations put it “do not desire his death” or “do not be a party to his death.” I’ve always taken the second part of the verse as alluding to Deuteronomy 21, where the execution of a rebellious son is prescribed, as well as to the natural ways such destruction plays out. So I’ve always taken the first part to mean “start way, way earlier than that.” That seems, from all I’ve observed and experienced, to be as painfully obvious as if it were “written in letters deep as a spear is long on the trunk of the World Ash Tree” and the World Ash Tree were planted in my front yard. Clay is best shaped while it’s new and soft. Once the clay’s been fired, it’s too late to reshape it. If it’s been shaped but not yet fired, there’s still hope for reshaping, but it’s requires either squishing or smashing: Add water till it’s soft, and then squish it, or smash it to powder, and then add water. (We can mix baptism into this metaphor either way.) I think that’s all true, regardless, but I’m curious now whether this verse supports that understanding or if the word for “son” in the first part implies a certain age that undermines my reading. A quick search couldn’t find anyplace you’d discussed the verse, so I was curious what your take might be. The KJV renders the second part quite differently with “let not thy soul spare for his crying,” so perhaps you read it that way.

Kyriosity

May we say, to your “Pride and Paddywonking” writing on biblical child training, many amens and more amens! It’s our view that this issue is the central missing element that has caused “sincere Christian parents” to fail to produce a Godly seed, for decades now . . . There have been some, but precious few, voices speaking biblically on the subject, and far too many “Focus on the Family Zoo,” “Dr. James or Kevin Whomever,” and even worse voices, seducing parents into every other (secular or quasi-secular) way to train up their children—other than the simple, clear way the Bible clearly teaches, and you ably outlined.

As older people with two grown daughters, who were to the best of our ability biblically trained and loved extravagantly, who became beautiful women of God training up their own children in the scriptural way themselves, we offer a couple expansions of your thoughts:

First, Proverbs 13:24, which you mentioned, goes on to say that a parent who loves his son chastens him “betimes,” which we’re told means something like, “early, or with the dawn . . .” suggesting that chastening should begin as soon as parents realize a young toddler needs the work. In other words, wet concrete’s the easiest to shape correctly before it hardens . . . they don’t call them the formative years for nothing. Bubble-headed “gentleness” in the face of drying concrete doesn’t produce much of a usable foundation in our experience.

Second, Mrs. B grew up in an angry, abusive, alcoholic, broken home where motherly rage was actively modeled for her on a regular basis, and when we were pregnant for our first child (realizing her background had ill prepared her for motherhood) she pursued God for wisdom to be a Godly mother. She was concerned that when our child disobeyed, she’d be an angry mother like her mother had been. One of the most distinct and significant impressions she received (and we acted on) was this: instruct your child in a normal tone of voice, do it only once, and correct any disobedience right then . . . well before their repeated disobedience makes you angry. This, of course, involved being concise and clear in the things she chose to say to the child and very consistent in following up. This approach, with scads of affection and lots of fun and laughter, made for a wonderful and peaceful home, and as we suggested, two lovely, funny, and creative Christian daughters. This tactic entirely takes care of the “disciplining in anger” issue, is why we bring it up.

We’re thinking biblical child training will need to be part of what is recovered by the Christian world at large and parents in particular, in order for the tide to turn in the Church, much less in society at large.

Unfortunately, it seems that anyone who thus gently disciplines their children using a rod runs into “Christian” opposition, sometimes pretty vehement, such that one needs to swim against the tide in the Church and overcome heated attacks from within (to your point about pride.) It certainly happened with us, and seems so with you as well. We’re very thankful for you speaking truth on this subject from your prominent platform. Keep up the good work, and grace and peace be yours!

Mr. & Mrs B

I read Pride and Paddywonking yesterday and I’ve been thinking about it. It seems biblical to support spanking or using physical pain as a form of punishment, and looking at the parents I admire all of them have used that as one of the ways that they interact with their children. It still scares me, because I’ve seen the damage physical abuse can cause, and even the ways that Christian discipline can be misunderstood. I was wondering if you could help me understand what that kind of discipline looked like, in your home or in the homes of people you admire. What is said? Does it happen in public or private? Do you have any kind of ritual or liturgy to it? Another question I had: one of my friends tries not to discipline when feeling angry to avoid the dangers of abuse, but their children know that and will sometimes try to get a rise so that they don’t get punished. I think that’s a really difficult situation and I wondered what your thoughts on that kind of dynamic would be?

Thank you for all your constant writing and for answering our questions.

Nellie

I am told that when the early translators wrote, the word “should” was used like we use the word “would” but that we have kept the usage of yesteryear. So (I al told) if the proverb were to be translated today it might be rendered:

“Train up a child in the way that he WOULD go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

That changes the translated meaning from an apparent promise (which sometimes fails) into a warning not to let the child do whatever the child wants to do.

Craig

With regard to ‘gentle parenting’: Apparently one can interpret the Bible freely by using only the part of a Hebrew translation that suits one’s taste. I followed the link to Lizzy and realized I have seen this stuff before—like 40 years ago, coming from a seminary trained gal. Same ability to ignore accurate translation. “Here is the Hebrew translation of the term “rod”:

WORD ORIGIN—from an unused word

DEFINITION—rod, staff, CLUB, scepter, tribe

NASB Translation —CLUB (4), correction (1), half-tribe* (22), rod (27), scepter (11), scepters (1), spears (1), staff (1), tribe (40), tribes (83). ” – (Strong’s Concordance)

Also at Lizzy’s website you can send her your email if you “Want To Be A Rockstar Mom” and who wouldn’t want to be that?

Melody

What age/range do you think is too old for corporal punishment for a child? I think my 7 year old is still fair game for spankings if necessary, but I believe my older teenager is too old. At what age does it become inappropriate and unhelpful to administer such correctives?

GRH

I would really appreciate a post on attraction in relationships–what is legitimate, what isn’t, what you should regard, what you should ignore, what is wise, what isn’t. I’m struggling with thinking about all of this biblically. I recently turned away a guy who ‘checked all the boxes’ but that I wasn’t drawn to at all, nor did I really want to be drawn to him. Some people told me, ‘Spend more time with him . . . the feelings will come.’ And, some told me that it was as simple as, ‘I’m not attracted, so I shouldn’t move forward.’ I’m fearing, though I sought wise counsel from my parents and wise older people at church, that I was only looking at the outward appearance and not at the heart. But, I also know that there are thousands of really awesome, Christian guys who I’m not going to marry and aren’t who God wants me to be a helpmate to. Thanks!

A

Greetings and many thanks for all the work you do, it truly is a blessing to us all. A subject that has come up every so often in our church/community is what girls/women should or can wear.

Now as the Bible makes clear we should look at what is in the heart of the women regarding the clothes they wear, what message are they trying to convey and are they trying to dress to express the glory of the image of God, rather than drawing arbitrary lines about what is acceptable and not. And although we all agree on this point the question always feels unanswered.

For example, I find that a girl wearing a tight jean (I don’t mean obscenely tight so that everything is on show, just not baggy and looking like minimal effort went into making the form of it) and a nice t-shirt is really beautiful to me. Now I don’t think of it in a sexual way but I can’t help but wonder if our (my) taste has been unconsciously corrupted by the world’s hyper-sexualisation and that what I consider pretty today is actually unfitting for the image of God.

So my question is how can we as Christians learn discernment in today’s world where what seems acceptable might just seem that way because the extreme is so far to the sexual side?

Gerthys

Why do conservative evangelicals who lean towards biblical courtship still tend to push for long dating/courting time frames? Common advice such as ‘take it slow” and “pace yourself” is often given, seemingly without a sound basis. I know this is a wisdom issue, and depends on the people and situation, but what does the Bible say about this?

Mason

Your review here of the situation especially the “Prolegomena to Any Future Monkeyshines” and “Totalitolerance” sections is such a great summary of the past few years. What astonishes me in deep blue territory is how many of the Christians in my area still can’t get over their political priors, and so fall hook, line, and sinker for all of the narratives about “Christian Nationalism,” “White Nationalism,” and the like. TDS is showing itself to be a heck of a winnowing fork.

Ian

How would you respond to the popular statement, “Love the sinner, Hate the sin”

Thanks in advance,

Simeon

I´d like to start by pointing out how grateful I am for your ministry and your passionate defense of the Christian faith in this difficult age. In these days of trouble for the Church, I´m pretty sure the need of the hour is for faithful men willing to stand for hard truths. My question is on the issue of deception and the use of lying in the Christian life. I agree with your main point that, under the oppression of wickedness and tyranny, a Christian may lawfully deceive (either with actions or words) in order to avoid others from harming him and his family. I also agree that, in our day and age, the use of fake C-19 vax cards would be lawful in many occasions.

My question would be whether this resource would be “okay” if used to preserve a job position in the government (obtained through the demands of national law).

Would that answer change if the demand was made by a private employer, there being probable reason to believe the employee really needs THAT job in his current situation? Could an employer making such a dangerous demand be considered as tyrannizing and exceeding his authority to such an extent that a lie could be used to stop him from doing evil?

The bigger issue for me seems to be that we live in a time in which companies/private business join with government in trying to coerce the community into receiving dangerous substances in their bodies…

Imagine if all physicians and medical students were forced to take the jab by private hospitals, and later these mRNA vaccines were proven to be highly lethal in the long run? Wouldn’t the duty of the employees in such a situation (if unable to resist openly) be to use deception to carry out their duty towards their God and their society in their jobs? I think in the following examples: Jacob deceiving Isaac to receive the blessing which was truly his, David deceiving Achish in 1 Samuel 27, and also Samuel deceiving Saul under the Lord’s command in 1 Samuel 16…

The Lord bless you and keep you.

John

I know that the To the Word and Same Page Summer reading plans are made available through the Christ Kirk app and other Bible reading apps, but are there any plans to make the plans available through Logos/Faithlife? I would love to have it linked to my Logos so I could use it across my platforms! At any rate, I (and my church) are so thankful for it!

Patrick

I recently listened to your sermon on Psalm 37 and was blessed by it. However, I have a question concerning the promises of God in this Psalm and elsewhere in Scripture. Can we take these promises at face value and expect that at every time and in every circumstance this will be the outcome? For example, Psalm 37:32&33. I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was executed at the hands of the Nazis. Verse 19 of this same Psalm says that in the days of famine the upright will be satisfied (have abundance in ESV). Has there never been an instance where a Christian died of starvation because of famine? These kinds of promises seem easy to believe when we are living in a place of prosperity, but what about the Christian who is languishing in a prisoner of war camp and being starved to death. Are we to read these promises with a “yeah, but . . .”? How are we to understand the instances when these promises don’t appear to have been fulfilled in a Christian’s life? I am trying to reconcile what I read in Scripture and what I see in actual experience. Paul says that all the promises of God in Him are yea and amen, but what about the exceptions? How do I reconcile Matthew 6:33 with 2 Corinthians 11:27?

Colleen

I thoroughly enjoy your podcasts—except for one teeny detail. . . How about having someone help you monitor your use of “. . . uh?”

No big thing, but my family has often helped me with my own “uhs” and “you knows,” along with a distracting habit of scratching my nose when I speak.

There has been a point at which my wife has told me she stopped listening to what I was saying, and started counting the “uhs” instead . . .

Cordially Yours,

Tommy

I am writing about your 2018 post, Under Lock and Key. Your analogy of locks and keys resonates with me. It’s always seemed there was something fundamentally egregious about encouraging women to pursue sexual activities outside of marriage.

I recently met a wonderful Christian woman, for whom I have developed strong feelings. We started dating, and some time into the relationship she revealed to me that in spite of a strong godly upbringing, she has a somewhat lengthy and sordid sexual past. I have struggled very much with the application of grace in this context. I know she has repented and been forgiven and that today she walks very closely with the Lord. And yet, something very weighty and irreplaceable has been lost. There was defilement and persistent sin. It seems that no matter what I try to think, I sense that loss and feel the defilement from her previous actions. The stronger my feelings for her, the greater pain I feel. Images haunt me and I am tortured day and night to the point of some physical pain.

You wrote:

“I have not forgotten that one of the central themes of the Bible is how the whore is transformed into a virgin bride. I have not forgotten Mary Magdalene. I have not forgotten the glory of grace, and the clean mountain water of forgiveness. We know and exult in the fact that the splendor of God’s mercy to this seedy and corrupt planet is enough to stop the mouths of the principalities and powers. But grace does not invert the standards. Grace brings us back to the standards. Grace restores virginity—it does not overthrow the glory of virginity. “

In a dating relationship (and beyond), what does it mean that grace “restores virginity?” There is no going back. I feel certain after struggling that I cannot overcome the revulsion (that is the strongest feeling—though there is also anger and sadness) I feel knowing her past, and have nearly resolved to break things off. It seems rare for this to be a “deal breaker” in today’s time, and I’m always in awe that people are able to overcome this sort of issue and tie the knot. I pray for the Spirit to lead me and change my heart, if marriage is what He has in mind, but I cannot imagine it possible that I ever see past this.

I would be keenly interested to know your thoughts, if you have counseled couples through this before, and under what circumstances you would offer what sort of advice. I am 35 years old with my life more or less “in order,” (church, house, job) and have found it very difficult to find a woman without sexual history, yes, even in the church. Is there any point in hoping for someone who hasn’t been with another man in that way?

Thank you kindly,

Chad

I’ve heard folks—experts I guess—claim that the human brain is not fully developed until people reach their mid to late 20’s. Supposedly this is especially true for boys, you know those with both X and Y chromosomes. With that in mind, my question is this: Is there an age that’s too young to get married? Are teenagers too young to get married?

John

Re: Mallory’s interest in the Christian perspective on particular subjects, a book I read many years ago is Gary North’s “Foundations of Christian Scholarship.” American Vision describes it thus, “In 1976, Dr. Gary North edited and published “Foundations of Christian Scholarship: Essays in the Van Til Perspective.” It included chapters on psychology, history, economics, education, political science, sociology, mathematics, theology, and two chapters written by Dr. Greg Bahnsen on apologetics and philosophy. “

David

My husband and I get a real kick out of watching your videos.

I’ll preface by saying I once was a hardcore, left wing, liberal, atheist. I considered myself a feminist and believed in and supported the idea of destroying the patriarchy. Fortunately, I submitted my life to Christ in late 2018. That’s around the time that God started flipping my worldview.

I never expected to find toxic femininity in the church. It wasn’t until I went to my first women’s Bible study that I got the first whiff of it. There’s a disdain for male headship, which surprises me. We’ve been going to this church for almost two years now. Last Sunday, a group of women went down to the front to lead in prayer over other women. It was presented as “if any women have need of prayer over delicate matters, we have this group of women here to pray over you.” I thought this was strange.

Again, I’m new to Christianity. Though, I love my Bible and I study it daily. This just rubs me the wrong way, it seems like they want the role of deacon. Maybe I’m seeing this all wrong, but one of the ladies is also studying women’s ministry and we’ve had quite a few conversations about egalitarianism. I haven’t confronted the women, I’m praying about it.

Anywho, all that to say, what do you think about this? Am I overreacting? The last church I went to, I had similar strange vibes and a year after my husband and I left, the pastor’s wife started preaching. What you permit, you promote.

I hope to hear back from you!

Warm Regards,

Rebecca

I greatly appreciate the feedback you have already given and have one last question in regards to 1 Corinthians 11:2-16.

Would disobedience to the Paul’s requirement of hair length/covering during prayer bring a church member under church discipline? And if not, why not?

Thank you so much for your patience with me as I have struggled with this passage.

Sincerely,

Stephen

“Anyone who remained faithful to biblical orthodoxy and resisted in any way the ongoing demands of the sexual revolution was going to be regarded—you can count on it—as the equivalent of a white supremacist.” This one is quite timely. Earlier today, ESPN shared a quote from Jason Adam on his refusal to wear the rainbow patch on his jersey and hat. Of course, the moment he mentioned Jesus, the rabble was in an uproar and the comment section, of course, became a dumpster fire. But most noticeable is the usage of the word “supremacist” towards Christians. It’s completely predictable the line of thinking they employ and how easy it is to see where it leads . . .

Greg

In your book of the Month for June you mention that Francis Schaeffer blamed Thomas for “pretty much everything.” Is there a particular book where Schaeffer lays out what he blames Thomas for, that a younger reader could look at?

Greg