Ploutos
Puritan Board Sophomore
On Culture War, Doug Wilson, and the Moscow Mood
Kevin DeYoung has recently published what I found to be a very helpful "overview" of the Doug Wilson phenomenon. His approach is a little bit different - rather than taking up the theological quibbles that all soundly Reformed Christians should have, or addressing some of the scandals, he sets out to discern the reason for Doug Wilson's appeal, with the thesis that DW's draw is not primarily theological and is instead emotive - that people are instinctively drawn to a brand/image/attitude that taps into something they resonate with.
Because of his decision not to focus on theology or particular incidents, he is able to address some of the less clear-cut issues: the incendiary rhetoric, the coarse behavior, and (what I found most insightful) the extent to which this phenomenon is in the end centered not so much on a belief system but on the personal brand of Doug Wilson himself. That he does so with reasoned Biblical support is much appreciated by at least this one reader; in addition, rather than simply criticizing DW, he provides an alternate vision / course of action in the areas of critique.
As is usual in his writing, he is very gracious and irenic in his tone. He spends considerable time noting DW's positives, pointing out areas of commonality, and highlighting the potential for greater good influence. Here and elsewhere, this generates a vague sense of annoyance that the good is not more unreservedly affirmed and the bad not more pointedly critiqued. This is as likely to reflect my own immaturity and sharpness as it is to reflect an actual shortcoming on KDY's part.
For those (like my wife) who have not had prior exposure to DW, I found this to be a very helpful overview. This is an article that can be given to the less theologically egg-headed among us to explain why one should exercise care with this man and his writings - to people for whom the nuances of the Federal Vision controversy might not mean much, for instance.
I would welcome thoughts from those who have the time to read this for themselves.
Kevin DeYoung has recently published what I found to be a very helpful "overview" of the Doug Wilson phenomenon. His approach is a little bit different - rather than taking up the theological quibbles that all soundly Reformed Christians should have, or addressing some of the scandals, he sets out to discern the reason for Doug Wilson's appeal, with the thesis that DW's draw is not primarily theological and is instead emotive - that people are instinctively drawn to a brand/image/attitude that taps into something they resonate with.
Because of his decision not to focus on theology or particular incidents, he is able to address some of the less clear-cut issues: the incendiary rhetoric, the coarse behavior, and (what I found most insightful) the extent to which this phenomenon is in the end centered not so much on a belief system but on the personal brand of Doug Wilson himself. That he does so with reasoned Biblical support is much appreciated by at least this one reader; in addition, rather than simply criticizing DW, he provides an alternate vision / course of action in the areas of critique.
As is usual in his writing, he is very gracious and irenic in his tone. He spends considerable time noting DW's positives, pointing out areas of commonality, and highlighting the potential for greater good influence. Here and elsewhere, this generates a vague sense of annoyance that the good is not more unreservedly affirmed and the bad not more pointedly critiqued. This is as likely to reflect my own immaturity and sharpness as it is to reflect an actual shortcoming on KDY's part.
For those (like my wife) who have not had prior exposure to DW, I found this to be a very helpful overview. This is an article that can be given to the less theologically egg-headed among us to explain why one should exercise care with this man and his writings - to people for whom the nuances of the Federal Vision controversy might not mean much, for instance.
I would welcome thoughts from those who have the time to read this for themselves.