Editor’s note: BNG previously reported on the influence of Doug Wilson in Moscow, Idaho, and his influence in advocating for Christian nationalism. The following opinion piece offers an alternative perspective from someone who saw the events differently. It is BNG’s policy, when possible, to present diverse viewpoints on controversial topics.
Moscow, Idaho, was yet again in national news when CNN interviewed Pastor Doug Wilson. The news reported Grace Agenda as a recruiting weekend instead of reporting that Grace Agenda is a teaching conference to help Christians understand our culture better and to live for Christ in every aspect of every day.
The Sons of Patriarchy advance publicity emphasized their purpose for visiting Moscow was to disrupt Grace Agenda. The Sons’ gathered about 300 supporters, while Grace Agenda had 3,500 to 4,000 Christians attending its conference and block party.
Dave Glasebrook
The Bible does not tell us to disrupt a Christian conference. Instead, the Bible instructs us in Mark 9 and Luke 9 of James and John telling Jesus they saw someone casting out demons using Jesus’ name and that they tried to stop him from doing so. Jesus told them not to interfere because if someone is not against you he is for you.
Who are The Sons of Patriarchy? The mouthpiece and producer is Peter Bell. Sarah Bader, an atheist, is the majority owner and co-producer. Helen Shores Peters assists and still holds a grudge for being expelled from Logos school after three strikes of unmarried sexual activity. After Bell’s confession on Facebook of a pornography problem, Bader claims The Sons’ ownership remains in female survivors’ hands regardless of what Bell exposes.
Which of them believes the Bible is God’s word and believes Matthew 28:18 that all authority in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus Christ?
By what authority?
The Sons claim they must extinguish patriarchy, in particular the biblical patriarchy preached at Christ Church, and they must fight Christian nationalism — as both are dangers to America. What authority do atheists and agnostics have to tell any Christian how the Bible instructs Christians to live? None at all. They have neither law nor any unchanging reference to base their actions on.
Conversely, Christians have the Bible, God’s word, filled with God’s promises that God is unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 tells us “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Christians have a firm foundation that is never shaken.
In the Episode 52 podcast of “Highest Power: Church + State,” Bader was interviewed by BNG’s Rick Pidcock. She said, “Moscow showed up in a way that they have not in a long time, if ever.” That’s not true, as the 1912 Center is used to host meetings of a private group, named the Latah County Human Rights Task Force, which draws similar crowds as The Sons’ did. It wasn’t the first time the task force has met to discuss Christ Church without saying “Christ Church” and it won’t be the last time.
“They do not understand what God is doing in Moscow.”
By what authority do The Sons, most of whom do not believe in the Bible, tell anyone what the Bible approves or condemns? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” They think that it is Doug Wilson and others making a worldly play but do not understand what God is doing in Moscow.
What do the Sons offer?
The Sons’ podcasts and posts offer incorrect interpretation of the Bible, gossip and an occasional portion of truth with no accountability to listeners. In The Sons’ podcast with Emilie Dye, Bell introduced Dye’s affair and Dye said it started when she was under age, giving the impression the sex started when she was under 18 (Season1, Episode 2, Part 2, @1:12:39).
However, in two independent police investigations, Dye told police she was over 18. Either Dye lied to the police or she lied to everyone else. The Sons have the documentation showing there were no charges made or laws violated but refuse to correct the podcast even though they say honesty is their No. 1 rule. (See “Highest Power,” Episode 52, @21:34)
In the BNG podcast, Bader said she wanted to ask Wilson about the crimes he has committed. For more than three decades, Pastor Wilson has been subjected to investigations by federal, state, city and ecclesiastical authorities because of false charges. These investigations showed nothing unorthodox, corrupt or illegal.
The Sons do not ask for prayer for those involved in sinful situations, neither do they call for repentance from those they interview who are still living in sin, nor do they embrace the old hymn reminding us earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Bell’s confession demonstrates that neither Bell, The Sons nor the pastors encouraging and assisting The Sons have the wisdom, along with the rooting and grounding in Scripture to advise or criticize other Christians. The Sons offer sin and hate, not joy and redemption in Christ.
Why all the fuss about Moscow?
Biblical preaching and teaching and Christians living their lives for Christ is having an impact on this college town. The preaching at Christ Church is orthodox, Reformed, Presbyterian preaching and would not be out of step in America 100 years ago. However, American Christians today moved away from the Bible.
Both the PCA and the SBC narrowly defeated measures to ordain female pastors and homosexuals to church office. The Bible does not allow women as pastors and condemns homosexuality, making it obvious that Christians need to blow the dust off their Bibles in order to read from “In the beginning” to “Amen” every year.
The push against All of Christ, For All of Life, For All of Moscow is from a small group who see God is at work and they do not want to give up their sinful lifestyles.
Christian nationalism
The Great Commission is the core of Christian nationalism. The tag “Christian nationalism” was made up by non-Christians as a political slam, but it really isn’t. Article III of the 1606 Virginia Charter is clear that the settlers were to spread the Christian faith to those they met living in darkness and ignorance of the worship of the true God, taking Christian nationalism to the New World.
“The Great Commission is the core of Christian nationalism.”
If you believe the Bible is God’s holy word, believe Jesus is given all authority in heaven and on earth, and believe the Great Commission is a command for all of us, you already are a Christian nationalist for the country you live in.
Look to the Cross not the internet
The Sons are a small group kicking at the goads with deceitful programs. The Bible is full of stories of life without God and returning to God with repentant worship and living as Christ commands us to live. Throughout Scripture, God’s unfailing justice, mercy, redemption and cleansing of the foulest sinner is repeated over and over. As Christians today we have fallen away from our past, ignoring the history of Calvinism in the Anglicans, Baptists and others of our early settlers. We Christians have forgotten our confessions and catechisms; instead, we look away from the Cross to focus on implementing current, popular ideas of Christianity.
Look to the Cross and welcome Jesus Christ.
All of Christ, For All of Life, For All of Your Home Town.
Dave Glasebrook grew up in Southern Baptist churches. As a young man, he was taught the London Baptist Confession and is a professing Christian for more than 60 years. He lived and worked around the world in both military and civilian occupations. Currently he lives in Moscow, Idaho, attending Christ Church.
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It’s Pete Hegseth’s theology that ought to concern us | Analysis by Mark Wingfield
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