Doug Wilson Gets a Blog, Josiah Collapses Under the Irony

I predict that Wilson's blogging effort won't last long. It's so obviously a promotional mechanism, it will collapse under its own weight. Without comments, how will he know if he even has an audience?

Given those that think he's the 13th apostle on the one hand and those that think he's the anti-christ on the other, I'm quite sure Wilson will have an audience. I'd guess he doesn't have comments precisely because he will have a good size audience, and the task of moderating would be too high.

Not to mention the just plain butt-ugly layout. He needs to get movable type or something.

Very astute post JQ. Wondered what you'd say when news got out.

Will the Doug blog fall down, as Evan predicts? Probably not. He's just too popular. I just wish he'd stick to talking about the Word and the gospel--I really like what he wrote about Psalm 1--instead of tearing through the Bible and transforming all sorts of descriptions into prescriptions.

Sir Josiah,

Perhaps it had occurred to you that you don't have to go to Wilson's blog? Oh wait, we have to criticize everything that comes out of Moscow, because it couldn't possibly be helpful - it has to be embarrassing. Who cares if it's accurate, we should be more worried about how we're embarassed.

You know, some people actually find Doug Wilson helpful and edifying. Even those who don't like the (relatively) little sarcastic material he has written usually know how to look past it to find the other excellent material he has contributed. But, hey, it's not cool to like Doug Wilson.

Of course, I didn't really expect a different response from you anyway. But it is still annoying. :) (And I fully expect responses to focus on exactly how much satirical material Rev. Wilson has written, since that's what gets people hot and bothered).

But see, while you think a majority of Wilson's stuff is helpful, I think a majority of it, well, isn't. His sarcasm is just the cherry on top if you will.

Well then, back to the fellow-Christian-bashing.

I hate to be middle-school about this, but he started it.

Good point, Mr. Donovan. That post where he rails about how embarassing Josiah is the worst!

I bet Wilson's never even heard of Abercrombie and Fitch either Josiah. But save some of that snobbery for later cause one day he'll be as cool as you and you'll be sorry.

Josiah, I am so sorry to hear of your collapse. Does this mean you will stop your embarrassing, shameless, self-indulgent, self-promoting blogging and perhaps pursue some profitable ministry in the kingdom of God? (It turns out that Pastor Wilson’s comments about SOME bloggers is correct after all). It must be tough trying to make a career out of being a critic of those who actually contribute to the kingdom. From a man who has never pastored a congregation, or held an office in the church, or written a book, tell us, how did you gain your credentials as a venomous critic of pastors, church officers and authors? And being the sensitive guy that you are, (so easily offended by sarcasm; a form of wit, which might explain why you are offended by it), how did you become so arrogant and embittered?

Perhaps you could write a book. Then again, if you did write a book you would not be able to tell anyone about it because then you would be like Pastor Wilson. What a shameful thing for someone to write a book and then to actually try to sell it—shame, shame! A godly Christian would never tell others about his ministry. I wonder what Pastor Wilson does with all that money he makes from his books? Does he give it away? You don’t know? Well, don’t let that stop you from criticizing Pastor Wilson. Tell us Josiah, what would you do with all the money you made from your book? (Still assuming you have something worth writing about and could write something anyone would actually pay to read. (I know, you probably have written many books but are too humble to let anyone know about them.)

I noticed that you reported on your blog that: “sometimes I’m really embarrassed to be a Christian.” It seems that many things embarrass you (it is all about you). Well, take comfort, because sometimes you embarrass the rest of us.

Just for fun, why don’t you post one paragraph that is actually edifying to Christians—one sentence of wisdom—one insight into the Word of God—or one thought that shows us you are a superior man whose criticism is worth listening to. Otherwise, I recommend a long, long period of silent prayer.

Pastor Randy Booth

Mr. Booth,

Josiah's comments are in recognition of the irony that is truly there. That he may or may not himself be narcissistic is entirely beside the point. Consequently, the bulk of your response is, essentially, nothing more than a pathetic tu quoque. Evidentally, it is possible to be sarcastic without being inflicted with any wit. Of greater concern is the fact that you have confused sarcasm for substance. If I were to ask those who know you, they would probably testify to what a gracious and humble man you are; and, in all sincerity, I would believe them. However, none of this came across in your response. Furthermore, given your self-identification as a pastor, this is all the more ashame. You are a shepherd over the house of God. Please, sir, act the part. You would not treat the people of Grace Covenant Church to such an undiluted barrage; what makes this situation any different? It isn't that you don't have the right to admonish someone outside of your own congregation; rather, it is that your own credentials call you to a higher standard in how this is to be done. For that matter, use that advanced education of yours, or at least some common sense- The idea that you would conclude such a consistently sardonic response by telling Josiah that he needs to write something edifying is perversely amusing.

Kevin,

Thank you for you gentle admonition. You are right that my response to Josiah was not my usual way of addressing the faithful or even the unfaithful. Nevertheless, hard responses are sometimes called for when fools take to making PUBLIC attacks on the godly; especially godly officers of the Church if Jesus Christ. There are few things that provoke me more than for those who labor with all their strength in the service of Christ; who labor in the Word and prayer, and courageously defend the faith and oppose evil; who do countless deeds of faithful service in secret; who sacrificially give of their time and substance for others—to see them unjustly assaulted by people who are in no position to know what they are talking about, and to see them do it publicly and viciously.

I have known Pastor Wilson for many years and find him a most excellent example of godliness. He is one of the least narcissistic persons I have ever known (and I know him very well). I am weary of and outraged over the hateful and ungracious spins that are put on his writings and his ministry; many examples of which are found on this web site. He has been a faithful and diligent pastor and minister of God's Word and I am convinced that envy of his success drives much of the hatefulness that is expressed against him (by those who do not know him). As you feel compelled to defend your friend Josiah, I feel compelled to defend my friend Douglas Wilson -- a man of real substance and accomplishment. It is not that men cannot disagree with Pastor Wilson or even disapprove of his methods. But what I hear goes way beyond disapproval and approaches slander.

The substance of my criticism of this blog is that it is often ugly, hateful, uninformed, self-centered, profane, and embarrassing (this substance was expressed in my previous post). While I make no claim to be a prophet, you would no doubt find many of them to have been less than "acting the part" of "gracious and humble men." Pastors should be “Gracious and humble” men most of the time, but your assumption that the ONLY righteous response from a pastor to EVERY circumstance is to be "gracious and humble" fails to recognize that righteous indignation is also called for a different response at times; (Scripture has many example of such). I will place my one rant against this injustice over against all my other writings any time. Nevertheless, there is a time to stand up and vigorously defend the innocent.

I am not ashamed to reveal who I am. I am Pastor Randy Booth. I can be reached at rbooth@gcc-web.org.

There is only one person to judge "godliness" and I'm afraid it's not you.

Part of human nature is to take a look at our surroundings and make mental or written notes about our opinions. Sometimes those opinions do not go down the party line, but a personal belief that each and everyone of us have. To admonish Josiah based on his lack of stature in the church, shows a great gap between you in the pulpit and those in the pews. How can you reach out, when you're offended by those who think differently?

I wish people cared as much about what Jesus has to say about things as they do about what pastors have to say about what Jesus has to say about things or what bloggers have to say about what pastors have to say about what Jesus has to say about things.

As I am slowly learning, this technology often doesn't jive with profitable spiritual discussion nor the LOVING spread of the Gospel. I have been guilty of being overcome with righteous indignation via my blog, but I never felt happy afterwards. And that's not to say that my points didn't have merit, or that yours don't, or that Pastor Booth's don't. I think we prefer blogs becuase writing on them is easier than talking to actual people.

I love you, Josiah, but you spent 36 hours thinking about how you were going to respond to a blogger.

I don't know Rev. Doug Wilson, but I have been listening to MP3s of his sermons for a few months now. I am almost ready to move to Moscow with my family. I have seldom heard such clear and powerful teaching. I am very impressed with him, and challenged, and blessed by him. I have been spreading the sermons around, and many of my friends are also finding him to be most edifying.

And his biting sense of humor in his blog is a plus. Not a minus.

Just wanted to toss that in. Carry on with your anathema hurling.

Quote: "hey, it's not cool to like Doug Wilson."

I'm so glad to hear I'm not cool!!!

I, too, find Pastor Wilson's sermons and books to be greatly edifying. That he has made so many enemies among the unbelievers points, I think, to his Church's faithfulness to Christ.

That he's made so many enemies among the
Reformed points to our endless fascination with calling each other heretics while sitting around in our tiny congregations being right about everything.

I like his blog and props to him for plugging his books there. I sell my things from my website, too.

And Pastor Booth, thank you for CMF, too.

"Anathema Hurling" would be a great name for a thrash-metal band.