Category: From The Mailbag

From the Mailbag … Roger and Bret Continue Their Discussion On Kinism & Christendom

Pastor,

Thank you (and all) for your detailed responses. It warms my heart to know that there are real people, your friends, that are in community with each other and ready to risk it all to fight. It is especially helpful to know where to send money for support in the fight. I am sure that supporting a firearms group like the NRA or the one you mentioned will go a long way.

Note that I asked you about fighting for kinism, but you said fighting for Christendom in the title of your reply. Are these synonyms? What would you say to a Christian family that leaves a church where the pastor is more devoted to kinism than Christendom, if they are not synonyms?

Hello Roger,

Yes … they are synonyms.

One cannot contend for Christendom without contending for Kinism. Especially in our current context in the West where Christendom is being attacked via the means of attacking the family structure. Christianity is a faith that presupposes the family unit. Kinism is merely an extension of that presupposition carried out to each continuing concentric circle that ripples out from the family unit.

Since I hold that there is no such thing as Christendom (or Christianity for that matter) that has subtracted the centrality of family such as is found everywhere in Scripture, and since Kinism is merely another way of stating the doctrine of the Creator Creature distinction (an essential and primary truth without which the Christian faith cannot exist as the Christian faith) I would say to such a hypothetical family leaving such a hypothetical church having such a hypothetical pastor that they should rethink their understanding of Biblical Christianity.

Besides … this is surely a vastly hypothetical question since I am full of doubt that any Pastor exists who is more devoted to Kinism than Christendom. Indeed, since the WOKE assault that now servers as the point of the spear attacking Christianity, and Christendom it is simply the case that most Pastors are asleep at the switch.

Since Christianity has as an essential aspect to its reality what Kinism is championing your question is like asking “what if the Pastor at the Church is more devoted to the incarnation or to the penal substitutionary doctrine of the Atonement than to Christendom.” You see the implicit contradiction here don’t you? You have presented what is called a “false dichotomy.” How can a Pastor be faulted for being more devoted to a cardinal doctrine of Christianity without which Christianity can not be Christianity than he is to Christianity itself?

As to time spent on this one doctrinal aspect of Christianity Luther is reputed to have said;

“If I profess, with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity. Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle-field besides is mere flight and disgrace to him if he flinches at that one point.”

Guess where that one point is now Roger? That one point is the point that Kinism is engaged in. If the Church loses here Christendom goes into declension (something R2K desires very much) and it is back to the catacombs while living in Dark chaos and old night. Indeed, it is not too much to say that the enemy will have been successful in a short term victory.

In Athanasius’ time the issue that was being attacked was the deity of Jesus Christ. In Augustine’s day the issue that was being attacked was whether or not man had Libertarian free will. In Luther’s day the issue was both Justification by faith alone and the what was the epistemological ground for the Church — Scripture or Tradition. Today the issue is also twofold

1.) Creator-Creature distinction and the means of attack is by attack the doctrines of Scripture that have been shorthanded to be called “Kinism.” (Which is merely Christianity 101).

2.) Theonomy or Autonomy. (These two issues are implied in one another just as the two issues at the time of the Reformation were implied in each other.)

Of course, as has been more than hinted at in the original response, most Christians seem not to have the capacity to understand the implications and consequences of this issue. Just as Athanasius, Augustine, Luther were the minority voices at their time so Kinists are the minority voices today.

But as Rushdoony said …

“History has never been dominated by majorities, but only by dedicated minorities who stand unconditionally on their faith.”

R.J. Rushdoony

Blessings Roger as you consider all this,

Bret

p.s. — FWIW The NRA is counter-productive to securing the 2nd amendment. If you want to secure the 2nd amendment don’t send your money there.

p.p.s.  – If you really want to dig into this I can offer a few books that may help turn some lights on. Let me know.

From The Mailbag; Pastor, How Should I Fight In This War For Christendom?

This morning I received a comment from a reader that raised such a good question that I believed it worthy of being placed as its own post. The question came in response to the post “The Storm is Breaking.” For the answer to mailed in question I turned to my friends. God, out of sheer and pure grace has condescended to me by giving me a host of wise and Christian friends who, for the most part, share the Biblical and Christian Worldview. The answers to the question raised by Roger were so excellent I decided to run their answers to his question followed by a short synopsis of my own.

Some of these men I know better than others. Many of them I would go to war with. Many of them have had my back over the years. Many of them I have pastored …. baptized their children …. officiated their weddings. Most of them I would trust with my life. These are good and wise men and I trust you’ll consider with great profit their offerings.

You will find a variety of responses to the question with different shades of emphasis but as the question is not an easy one we should not be surprised to find different shades. However with these different shades one might conclude with Frodo Baggins;

 ‘Go not to the Elves for counsel for they will answer both no and yes.’ 

Thank you Roger for asking the question. May the Lord Christ give you wisdom and self-honesty in your arriving at an answer.

Pastor,

“Could you please be a little more specific about those who are striving for personal peace and happiness versus those willing to fight for kinism? I know about the clergy, but I have a very high position in DC, my kids are all married and have wonderful Christian families, and we live in a large home in a nice neighborhood. No one here knows I am a kinist, and because I know the clergy would not approve of my views, my wife and I just watch your church online every Sunday.

I feel convicted that I need to fight, but I also don’t want to lose everything God has blessed me with. I also don’t know what fighting would look like.”

Roger

Joel Franks offered as an answer;

If he is afraid to lose “what God has blessed him with” by standing on biblical beliefs that are contrary to the world and satanic Humanism then I really wouldn’t consider these “blessings” to begin with.
Doing what God has asked often times lands those hot water, granted he could definitely be more nuanced on his approach as the way he is saying seems like he is ready to go dull mask off in an obnoxious manner. Granted they most likely take it that way regardless of his approach.

I hope his kids are on the same page as him on this
Aaron Jagt answered;

It’s hard to give advice without knowing more. A high position in DC could mean a lot of different things. I guess generally if you’re involved in politics pretty much everyone keeps to the politically correct line to some extent, but I don’t think I’d be able to do that myself.

 Phillip Jagt (Aaron’s Brother) answered,

Throwing yourself into a fire to destroy yourself isn’t “fighting”. Being wise and use what leverage you have to influence what God has given you to influence. That is fighting. I would take the route of being an authority in something, and promoting your values to those who pay attention and want to listen. Don’t share your thoughts to those who will not listen in good faith. We are not all called to public teaching. Play the long game. Be stable.”

Didn’t Daniel face similar situations? He always, always stood firm on his faith. Even in today’s world that is something to be imitated and followed. A certain caution must go along, but one has to be willing to give up everything for Christ, even as we all do from day to day. We all face choices like this, whether it is keeping pronouns out of your corporate email, or just standing against it in the board room, we all have to face it at one time or another.
Jason M answered;

I hope what he is not saying is that what he has is of much more value than us peasants. I hope he is not saying we should do the fighting because we have less to lose.

 Jason Von Laban II answered;

It is a simple answer. The only way to strive for personal peace and fight for God is to do His will. Doing His will means following His laws.

 Mark Chambers answered,

All, that is ‘ALL’ who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Wisdom has a place in this but not fear. At least not fear of mankind.
Isa 8:13 “It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.

You don’t have to kick doors down, God opens doors. You only need to walk through them. But you do have to walk.

John 9:4 “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.
And it’s getting darker every day
Dr. Robert M. Shivers wrote,

Well, I have a lot at stake in the world. I am well known and prominent in oil and gas technical work, I do consulting for other companies, I deal with (((financial institutions))) trying to secure funding for capital projects and in addition I have a nice house in an exclusive, respectable neighborhood in town. No one would have trouble finding my home address or office address. In other words, I’m an easily identifiable target.

Yet, I don’t use a pseudonym to post on FB and I’m prone to Luther-esque intemperate language when dealing with idiots and arrogance. One used to be able to find the comment at bottom searching for my name on google
I might have sympathy with a young man struggling to establish his career and support his family while working in a hostile environment, but men who are established need to find the courage to be outspoken and take a stand.

****************************************************************************

“I find it bizarre, on a Kafkaesque level, that people who live in a society where perversion is the norm, where the institution of holy marriage is mocked, where life in the womb is subject to industrial-scale genocide, and where the government enslaves future generations to permanent indebtedness, feel free to level moral critiques against orthodox Bible-believing Christians in the 19th century South, some of whom had slaves. I tell you what Mr. 21st Century American Evangelical, I had rather stand as a Southern slave-holder before the Judgement Seat of Christ than as one of the useless contemporary Christians who watched their country sink into perdition, impotent to do anything about it, and yet point the blue finger of censoriousness towards our grandparent’s grandparents.” – R M Shivers
 Matthew Davis answered;

We are not in a position for full frontal assault type warfare. Guerilla tactics are needed. Infiltrators and spies within are needed to chip away at the foundations that have been built by the enemy. Philiip has it right in his comment.

My “wise beyond her years daughter” Laurajane Steinhauser answered;

There is more than one position in warfare. We must never deny Christ and if Roger ever was outed for kinism I believe that would count as standing by his Christian principles.

That said it takes charging Generals with their bayonets out as well as spies who exist undercover to help win wars. Imo this is a heart matter. Are you keeping your cover because you love more the blessings then he who blessed you or are you keeping your cover because you can in your position do more for King Christ being in the role that is more Machiavellian in nature.

Only he can answer that truthfully.

Cody Justice answered;

If he is affluent, he should become a financier for those who are already fighting. There will be no counter revolution apart from a full purse.

If he is not affluent but knows others who are, he should direct them accordingly. Finances are crucial to secure anti-fragility.

(Here Bret inserts commentary)

Roger, there are a number of organizations that you can support in this contest. Before I recommend a few of those I would say that if you are part of a Church that is WOKE/Politically Correct you need to quit supporting that Church with your tithes and offerings because the modern visible Church is either warring against the Church invisible and the Lord Christ or they are Absent Without Leave. Very few Churches right now are engaged in this conflict. There is no sense if funding the enemy.

There are a few organizations I might recommend. First, I would recommend the Pactum Institute as headed by Dr. Adi Schlebusch. This the 21st century version of the Chalcedon Institute. (Full disclosure — I am one of the research fellows with the Pactum Institute.)

Another organization in this war that fights on a slightly different front is the Michigan Firearms Organization. These chaps are fighting for the retention of our 2nd Amendment rights. (Full disclosure — I have close personal contacts who are involved in this organization.)

Another organization is Charlotte Christ the King Reformed Church where I serve as Pastor. Like all Churches we end up having more month than money at the end of every month.

Finally, there is Iron Ink, where we always find God faithful in a host of ways including via the gifts of His people to the needs here.

If you want to find out how to support any of these organizations just let me know.

 Conrad Long answered;
I appreciate the commenters remembering our Father Daniel, and willingness to lose everything in Christ’s service and gain eternity as Daniel served in the courts of Nebuchadnezzar and later Belshezzar.

However, I think we would do well to remember Obadiah as well, who secretly served in Ahab’s administration and by his secret work saved the lives of many prophets, including Elijah if I recall correctly.

I think a critical aspect which is often neglected is that God wants us to be tactical. You must be ready to be self-sacrificing in a banzai charge if that is what is called for, but you must also be ready to be self-sacrificing by continuing to hold your position and do other important work, recon, admin, logistics, etc. Even if people call you a POG and say you’re not in the fight.

This sort of thing requires a great deal of wisdom and specific context. What is the outlook for each of your potential courses of action? Do a Christ-centered cost-benefit analysis.

 Dan Brannan answered;
The old question, “What’s a man to do?” is answered, “Everything he can, as opportunity allows.”

If he holds high position in DC, he has opportunity to influence policy-makers and policy. He is also uniquely positioned to be a whistleblower or embedded journo, arguing our position concerning inside baseball on the Hill.

But he has to accept that fighting is not optional, and everything can be taken from him.

Lester Holden answered;

___

Bret closes;

These are my friends Roger. Many of them bear the scars from this fight. Many of them have been put on National Lists by Bagel organizations, many have been harassed by the FEDS, many have experienced the attempt of cancel culture.  Many have been threatened with their livelihoods. Others I know not named here have even been imprisoned. I pray that the Lord Christ will give you wisdom in how to approach all of this honorably and as a disciple of our Liege Lord Jesus Christ.

From The Mailbag — Could You Give A “Back Of The Napkin” Explanation Of Kinism?

“Hey brother, when you have a minute could you sketch out for me a quick ‘back of the napkin ‘ explanation of kinism and what the opponents of kinism are all twisted up about. Just haven’t been able to nail it down. No rush, I know you are with family and it is Advent, so whenever you are inclined.

Thanks.”

Kyle Patrick

Hello Kyle;

Thanks for asking.

Remember, per your request this is a back of the napkin kind of explanation. Much more could be said.

Kinism is the doctrine that God, by His creative and providential work has set men in families, clans, tribes, and nations and because of that there is a natural and biblical requirement to prioritize and order our loves in just such a fashion.

Kinist do NOT deny that they also have responsibilities to those who share a common faith who are not in those concentric circles of natural responsibilities but they recognize that normatively we are to provide for our own relatives and especially for members of our own household, realizing that the man who does not prioritize his own Kin has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

Further, Kinists do NOT believe that conversion strips a man of his race, nation, tribe, clan, or family. Instead, Kinists believe that grace restores nature and as such conversion and sanctification lifts us to be the best sons, daughters, fathers, husbands, Uncles, Aunts to our own people that God in creation intended us to be.

In brief Kinism is anti-Gnosticism.

Finally, people (especially Christian Clergy it seems) are all tied up into knots and hysterical about Kinism because;

1.) They were educated in Government schools and so have bought into the egalitarian swill.

2.) They think the civil rights era was all about Christianity when in point of fact it was all about Marxism.

3.) They are afraid of the peer pressure. Their children might not be able to marry just the right people. They might not get the promotion at work. They might get shunned by friends for believing Christian truths held for every generation by Christians until 1950 or so. Most people are basically cowards.

4.) They follow the crowd.

I hope this helps Kyle. If you have more questions I’d be glad to field them if I am able.

From the Mailbag; Pastor Can You Give Me A Reading List Dealing With The Post-War Consensus

A friend writes and asks;
Dear Pastor,

Do you have some recommended reading on the Post War Consensus debate? I’m trying to get some awareness into these recently contested matters.

Bret responds,

Hello Josh. I don’t know of anything that deals directly with the current angst but here are a list of books that if read will give you the context of why people are justly complaining about this “post-war consensus.” (That really is a bit of mislabeling since the post-war consensus is just the final flowering of all that was pursued in the post-enlightenment consensus.)

Return of the Strong Gods — R. R. Reno

The Age of Entitlement — Christopher Caldwell
The Unprotected Class — Jeremy Carl
Reflections on the Revolution in Europe — Christopher Caldwell
Out of Revolution — Rosenstock-Huessy
Law and Revolution — Harold J. Berman
Law and Revolution II — Harold J. Berman
The Bondage of the Free — Kent Steffegen
The Dispossessed Majority — Wilmot Robertson
The Tears of the White Man; Compassion as Contempt — Pascal Bruckner

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends; Ethan Holden On Transparency

“I’ve always believed in a “Flags Out Front” approach to things.

Meaning:

1. Be upfront and honest with what you believe politically, theologically, philosophically, and morally.

2. Don’t be afraid to put your views out in the open, especially the ones that people will find most controversial.

3. Fight for those views without apology.

4. Eventually, you will have the “Adam Carolla” or “Howard Stern” affect. Have you ever noticed how those two men can say anything they want, and nobody calls for them to be cancelled anymore? They used to….but not anymore. Why? Because they know that both of those men are too far gone to be scolded and scorned into changing their opinions. The sons of earth are shrewd in that way, and we should be too.

5. Don’t lie or obfuscate your views unless you are dealing with your enemies. You do not owe them any information. But your family, friends, and church leadership are not the folks that you want to hide your beliefs from. To do so is to put them in the same camp as your enemies.

6. If your more controversial “flags out front” views are not shared by your Elders, do not undermine them by trying to convert the congregants to your point of view. Sure, use your public platform to discuss what you want to discuss. But do not be a subversive.

7. Lastly, enjoy yourself! Don’t be a shrill, get wrapped around the axels, and self righteous. State your business, and have a good time doing it!

Raise the flag.

They are going to find out anyway.”