[Vision2020] Retreat, Denial, and Silent Running

[Steve Wells]

Doug Wilson hasn't retreated and his position on slavery hasn't changed. 
Or so he says in tonight's Daily News. But let's compare what he (and 
Credenda Agenda) said before the Canon Press flier flap with what came 
after.

Before:
"[N]othing is clearer  the New Testament opposes anything like the 
abolitionism of our country prior to the War Between the States. The New 
Testament contains many instructions for Christian slave owners, and 
requires a respectful submissive demeanor for Christian slaves.
. . .
The reason why many Christians will be tempted to dismiss the arguments 
presented here is that we have said (out loud) that a godly man could 
have been a slave owner. But this 'inflammatory' position is the very 
point upon which the Bible speaks most directly, again and again. In 
other words, more people will struggle with what we are saying at the 
point where the Bible speaks most clearly. There is no exegetical 
vagueness here. Not only is the Bible not politically correct, it was 
not politically correct one hundred thirty years ago.
. . .
This entire issue of slavery is a wonderful issue upon which to 
practice. Our humanistic and democratic culture regards slavery in 
itself as a monstrous evil, and acts as though this were self-evidently 
true. The Bible permits Christians to own slaves, provided they are 
treated well. You are a Christian. Whom do you believe?" -- Doug Wilson, 
Why are we writing about this? < 
http://www.credenda.org/old/issues/vol4/them4-6.htm >

"Nowhere in the Bible, however, is slavery abolished as an institution 
or spoken of as evil per se. What the Bible does say about slavery 
reveals it to be a blessing or a curse, as well as a practice ordained 
and regulated by God.
. . .
The inspired and inerrant Word of God declares that Abraham has been 
given slaves by God as a blessing. & It is impossible to maintain that 
slavery is evil on a biblical basis in light of these verses.
. . .
A slave owner who treats his slaves according to the biblical mandate is 
a blessing to his charges. Examples of such masters abounded in the 
South, as well as in Scripture.
. . .
Christian abolitionists were not only wrong in their reasoning, they 
were actually guilty of encouraging sin. Paul exhorted slaves to love 
their masters and serve them obediently, for this was pleasing to God 
(Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-24). Rather than encouraging slaves to be 
obedient and content in their position as the Bible instructs, 
professing Christians were fomenting rebellion."  Gregory Dickison, 
Moses on the XIII Amendment < 
http://www.credenda.org/old/issues/vol4/magi4-6.htm >

"It explains Scriptures defense of a form of slavery against 
evangelicals who are embarrassed by it." Canon Press advertisement for 
Wilson's "Southern Slavery" pamphlet. < 
http://www.canonpress.org/pages/culture.asp >

After:
"[S]slavery has always been an evil needing to be abolished." < 
http://www.christkirk.com/BizarreCharges/PressReleases/SilencingDisent.asp >

"No member of Christ Church supports slavery."  Doug Jones, Daily New, 
Nov.21, 2003

"The institution of slavery ... is sinful, evl." -- Doug Wilson, Daily 
New, 9 Jan.2004

Notice that before the Canon Press flier slavery was a "wonderful issue" 
upon which Wilson and the Credenda Agenda proudly spoke "out loud." The 
bible "permits Christians to own slaves," slavery is not evil, and those 
who oppose slavery arre "guilty of encouraging sin."

But after their views on slavery were made public, they said just the 
opposite. Slavery is evil, and we should all just loosen our shoes a bit 
and drink another beer.

Doug Wilson unsubscribed from vison2020, Greg Dickison quit talking 
after his views were exposed, and Dale Courtney refused to talk about 
the flier or slavery. But they haven't retreated, you understand. 
They're just a lot quieter than they used to be.

Which is fine with me. But I do wonder why. Why are they unwilling to 
speak "out loud" about the "wonderful issue" of slavery? And why are 
they now so "embarrassed by it"?

Will Credenda Agenda remove its pro-slavery articles? Will Canon Press 
stop advertising the "Southern Slavery" pamphlet? Will the 
neo-confederates Steve Wilkins and George Grant not be featured speakers 
at the "It'-Not-About-Slavery" Slavery Conference?"

I hope so. But until then, it is clear that Christ Church supports 
slavery. And that contrary to Doug Jones' statement, there are plenty of 
Christ Church members that support slavery. They all do. If they didn't, 
they wouldn't go there.