To Whom Honor is Due

RC,

Here is the Open Letter to Doug Wilson. I hope that I communicated how much we love and respect him without sounding like we are groupies. (Though we are.) I took the liberty of enclosing possible edits within the text via parentheses. Look over these suggestions and let me know what you think.

L.

Dear Doug,

You are one macho stud hombre (Dead on, but perhaps too familiar) I wanted to write you and publicly say that you are one of the few heroes that the church has left. In this particular issue of our magazine we are taking to task those girly-men that continue to baptize evangelicalism in estrogen.

Who is in charge here?! It's time we got off our Assisis', (How do you like the play on St. Francis' name? Do you think our readers will get it?) repented of our sins, and confronted these wimps. Hey, even the women who run things and think they like it that way deep down want real men to step up and take charge. Which brings this subject back to you.

There are still some of us that enjoy your writing, understand your vision, appreciate your sarcasm, and think that your wife is pretty hot. (Which I mean in the strictist, neo-puritan aesthetic sense of reformed Babedom.) When disciples years from now search the history of the church, men like you will easily stand out.

While Francis Schaeffer gave us back our brains and woridview, you gave us back our, uh, manhood. The way that you have led your congregation should be what is emulated in all churches instead of the silly, McChurch model of building a "congregation". I am hoping that one day Christians will regard the sentimentalism and goofiness of this church age with the same laughter that leisure suits and shag carpet get now. (Are we sure he doesn't wear leisure suits?)

But until then, I pray that many leaders in the present age will follow your wisdom in the way of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, thereby strengthening the body of Christ and proving that Postmillennialism belongs to the intrepid, tragically hip, elected ones.

Every time that I have had an opportunity to hear you speak, I have marveled at the wisdom God has given you. And I am not alone. Many would echo my appreciation and praise to God for giving the Church such a prophet, for such a time as this. (Should I mention that floral tie he occasionally wears? What about a separate letter warning Nathan to pass on that portion of his eventual inheritance?)

Your speaking and your writing constantly encourage, convict and give wise instruction to all who will listen. And yet, with all the ability God has given you, there remains a humbleness that reveals your awareness of total inadequacy without the grace of our Lord. This causes us to not only like your investments in the Kingdom but to love you as a man of God. You should know that I gave up hero worship a long time ago. I found out early in my journey that men, all men, have feet of clay. There was a time that I worshiped the Legalist, then despised him. Then I was enamored with the Intellectual, but became bored. I was even seduced for a while by the Mystics, but God told me they were wrong. Yes, I, like many others, have encountered charlatans along the way, as well as the well intentioned, who, without a Reformed, covenantal, and optimistic view of Scripture, have resulted in the near-sighted leading the near-sighted. All the more reason for us to celebrate the gifts that God has given you.

One other dimension that causes you and your ministry to be so effective is the sheer enjoyment that one perceives that you have as you labor for the Lord. Doubtless there are situations that weigh heavy on your heart. As a pastor this is a natural aspect of your work. But all the while you appear to be light of heart, grateful to the sovereign Lord for calling you into the ministry. This is a powerful message that is communicated to others. The joy of the Lord should be our strength. And it appears that you are strong in this area.

I also wanted you to know that your newest column, The Meander, has become my favorite in Credenda/Agenda. Your capsulated thoughts on life, ministry, books, music, etc. are insightful. Your observations are lessons on how the godly are in this world but not of this world. We suck the marrow out and leave the bones for the pagan. (Feel free to quote me.)

We here at the Highlands Study Center, also recognize your leadership by the fact that there are so many gifted, godly men around you. I speak of Jones, Schlect, Atwood, Schuler, Nance, and Braveheart along with all the other Merry Men of Moscow. You really have something special going on up there. Also the young guns of your next generation; Ben, Nathan, and the scores of young Jedi that are studying at New Saint Andrews College and Greyfriars encourages us and displays a trans-generational focus that most Presbyterians have lost.

Last, but far from least, your wife Nancy is the epitome of Christian womanhood. Her love and admiration for you is gloriously apparent. Her life and letters are setting a godly standard for all women to follow.

We are grateful to you for your faithfulness to our Lord. Your life and work and words continue to instruct and inspire. May you have a long prosperous life. May you live to see your grandchildren living for the Lord. May your friends remain true. And may the coffee always be hot, sleep always be sweet, laughter always genuine, cigars always Dominican (RC, I had a hard time finishing this. Just want the best for our brother. Perhaps you could tidy this up.)

Respectfully,
Laurence

P. S. Did you ever get a chance to watch that movie I gave you, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension? It's the bomb, dude.