Doug Wilson, New Saint Andrews, and the Middle Finger Ad


When I was examined (in October 2011) by the Canadian Presbytery of the ARP I was asked about Federal Vision.  I told the court it was heresy.  I said I believed Doug Wilson and company were espousing heresy. Following the meeting I was taken aside by men who knew Doug Wilson and urged to consider the possibility that I had misunderstood them.  In the years that followed I encountered many reformed men who thought very highly of Doug Wilson, and the general consensus was that he had been misunderstood.   Over and over again I was told he didn't believe what I thought he believed.  I didn't have the time to pursue it myself, so I chose to believe these men.  I took a charitable view of Wilson and Moscow and eventually began recommending some of their resources, though with some misgivings.  


Then, in 2020, Doug Wilson (and the church in Moscow) took a stand against covid regulations.  I was thrilled.  I was still more grateful when (in 2021) Gabe Rench publicly stood up for Canadian churches that were illegally meeting.  It was ironically during this same period that people began to tell me things about Doug Wilson and Christ Church (Moscow, Idaho) that were concerning.  However, I was grateful for the stand they had taken and they had my loyalty.  I had made my decision about these men.  I would just overlook what others were saying and continue to take a charitable view of Wilson (and friends).   


When I first heard about Kevin De Young’s piece on the Moscow Mood I skimmed over it and dismissed it.  But by this time two things had happened that would soon lead me to reconsider my position.  


First, I had seen (what I suspected to be) the fruit of Wilson’s ministry in the lives of Christians I knew well.  It wasn’t good.  They had become combative, censorious and ultimately - and most importantly - distracted.  Christ and His gospel was no longer the preoccupation of their lives.  They were engaged in a culture war.  They weren’t pacifists and everyone knew it.  They were ready for a fight.  I think they wanted a fight.  Their attitude toward those who disagreed with them (both in the Church and outside it) had become critical and harsh.  They lacked compassion and grace.  They weren’t men determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  They had become “issue” men.  How much of this was due to the influence of Wilson and his associates, I don’t know, but it was an alarming pattern.


Second, men I respected had started to raise similar concerns.  I went back and read Kevin De Young’s piece again.  This time more carefully.  I was stunned by what I discovered.  Did Doug Wilson actually use that language?  It seems he did.  I found this troubling.  Still, I don’t believe his use of vulgar words - words my teenagers wouldn’t dream of using -  is the most serious problem with his ministry.  Rather, I believe it is the fruit of a more fundamental issue.  I saw it in the recent ad put out by New St. Andrews.   I saw it, too, in the response of Doug Wilson and Friends to the fall out from the ad.  It’s not just the use of the middle finger or the vulgar language.   What is it?  It’s their posture toward the world - toward sinners in need of the Saviour - and toward those in the Church who disagree with them.  “And by the way, if you don’t like the ad we don’t want you ‘cause you’d fold on the battlefield anyway.”  It’s almost as if they are giving everyone else the middle finger.  That’s the message.  That’s what’s being communicated.  They are at war with all that’s bad around them, and if you are on the wrong side of the ‘fence’ you had better watch out.  “Having given you the finger, we’re going to hoist the Jolly Roger and raid your ship.”


Imagine borrowing the image of the Jolly Roger.  What are Christians?  “We’re pirates.”  What’s our posture toward the world?  “Johnny Cash’s middle finger.”  


What does this have to do with Christianity?  Would the early Church have recognized these men as their own?  They - the early Church – were known for their love.  Is this what New St. Andrews, Christ Church and Doug Wilson are known for?  Is it something they want to be known for?  The Bible says that in our efforts to reach the world with the message of the gospel of grace we are to be constrained by the love of Christ.  In everything we do we are to walk as Jesus walked.  What marked the whole of Jesus’ life and ministry?  Compassion.  What was His posture toward sinners?  “Come and welcome.”  It was grace upon grace.  And every Christian knows this by way of experience.  I know that while my sin abounds, His grace superabounds.  When I find a man bound in egregious sin I know “there go I but by the grace of God.”  I know that everything I have is because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.  So, if we are going to say something to the world, what is it?  What is our message?  Our message is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.   


I expect someone will tell me I have completely misunderstood the ad and the men behind it.  They only want men “willing” to give the finger to idolatry, not idolaters.  They don’t want their men to give the finger to ‘bad’ men like Russell Moore (as seen in the video), or to the gay men who happen to live next door; they just want them to be really angry about idolatry.  However, given Wilson's history of using terms like 'fudgepacker,' 'gaytards,' and other derogatory language, it's difficult to be certain. They’ll likely tell us the use of the Jolly Roger is just a metaphor.  They aren’t actually going to go to war.  They don’t really want their students to behave like pirates… well, maybe a little.  And, I’m sure they would tell us, they do preach Christ.  Here’s the problem.  They can explain - as they are so often compelled to do - what they didn’t mean and what they actually did mean, but something else is being conveyed.  It's hostile, angry and Christless.  Sadly, it doesn't seem as if they are known for their preoccupation with Jesus. I don’t know what kind of reputation they have in Moscow, Idaho, but based on their internet presence, they aren’t known for compassion and mercy.  And when I see ads like the one in question I can’t help but wonder, “do they even want to be known for these things?”  


I don’t know what’s in the hearts of these men, and I don’t pretend to. I am only commenting on what I have seen, heard, and read. I expect they mean well, but good intentions are not enough. I haven’t had the time or energy to delve into Wilson’s relationship with Federal Vision or to determine whether he believes the things some say he does. What I do know is what I hope and pray for: that one day, Wilson, Canon Press, and New St. Andrews might be known for presenting a crucified, risen, and altogether lovely Savior to a fallen world.


I don’t know what will come of this post. Part of me hopes it will remain tucked away in obscurity. If it does come to light, I hope it may be used to bring men to repentance where repentance is needed. On the other hand, if I have been unfair or overly severe on any point, I hope I may be brought to see it. Whatever happens, I will always be grateful for Wilson’s stand in 2020 and for the way these men defended Canadian pastors in 2021


“The stupendous fact that Christ loves us - loves man, sinful man - admits us to the secret of all that He has done, and is still doing for man… Who so lovely, so attractive, who so worthy, who so precious as Thou?  Who such a Friend, such a Brother, such a Redeemer, such a Portion?... Rather let me yield my heart’s fondest treasure, costliest strongest attraction, life’s sweetest charm, yea life itself, than part, blessed Jesus, with Thee.”  - Octavius Winslow


For more on the middle finger ad go here.

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