Sunday
11Oct2009
John Piper talks COLLISION with Doug Wilson
Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 12:33PM John Piper interviewed Doug Wilson about COLLISION following the film screening at the 2009 Desiring God National Conference:
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Reader Comments (12)
To be honest, I lost some respect for Doug in this interview. What exactly does he mean by, "Christopher just doesn't like God." Is he trying to make the claim that Hitchens isn't veracious in his claims? That he really believes that there is a supernatural entity just dislikes it? Also, some of his rather immodest statements such as, "Hitchens doesn't have an argument," are a bit disconcerting. It's fine to disagree with Christopher, but to stake an arrogant claim like that is ridiculous. There were some really cheap shots put on display here, by a man of God no less.
Get used to it Mike. I have seen Doug debate several times and don't expect anything special or new from this movie from him (nor do I from Hitchens). Hitchens is too figurative for Wilson to be forced to deal with the argument head on and I suspect this is a deliberate on Hitchens' behalf - he enjoys the argument more than the outcome sometimes. Frankly, Wilson is a terrible apologist but I can't say I think he has particularly good material to work with.
I get a little scared when men like Douglas Wilson with a very skewed theology try to defend the faith against non-believers, that is best left to the James White's of the Christian realm. If you get the opportunity to listen to Wilson's debate with James White you will see very quickly where him theology is. Very scary.
Mike- You have to remember that Dougs audience is completely Christian. They are convicted their is a God and so is he, so it's perfectly normal for him to talk like that based on his worldview. Also, Hitchens (right or wrong) is almost always more aggressive than this..."Hitchens doesn't have an argument" is nothing much really.
I am glad Douglas Wilson did this... It is easy to nit-pick him, but we should be grateful for men like him that are willing to partake in these types of debates.
James White might be better at winning the argument, but I guarantee that Wilson is better at winning the man-which is what's most important.
Full disclosure: our family has read every book Doug Wilson has written and we listen to every sermon he makes available on itunes. Growing up in a Reformed family we were never given the real meat and patatoes that Pastor Doug gives us. He has discovered the Reformed way of thinking that we are now able to put it into practice. That is what Pastor Doug is doing. There is nothing scary about that. The scary thing is that other christians continue to see their own personall faith and relationship to Jesus as most important. Pastor Doug has shown us how to deal with the pagan men and women we work with in a real practical way. By being in their faces, because we have the truth and we want them to embrace TRUTH as well. The world does not have an argument. Period. We only give them one when we act as guests here on this earth when in reality it is ours. OUR KING and Savior wants nothing less then subjects who can be seen as HIS subjects - bold in the Faith. And everywhere taking dominion, yes scary thought. AND lots of work. Blessings.
Mike,
Hitchens calls himself an "anti-theist."
Asserting that Hitchens hates God and is suppressing the truth is the classic Reformed position on Total Depravity. Wilson is just being consistent with classic Reformed Christianity. Cornelius Van Til and Greg Bahnsen would have made the same assertions. The Bible teaches in Romans 1 that unbelievers know God exists but suppress the truth because they hate God.
Doug Wilson IS a man of God, and he isn't making cheap shots any more than the Bible, in your view, makes "cheap shots".
If Hitchens likes Scotch and this Scotch is not "against his religion", drink it. Not everyone living a good life is opposed to drink and if you are, hide now because it shall end soon enough. Long live the Scotch makers! As another anti-theist, his drinking does become a banter point for the "without libation" people however, did you ever see Hitchens banter about his point when over the influence? Put some drink in Wilson and you will see a man in a worrisome state with a hedonistic impulse, I promise.
Mike
grow a pair
Overall, I was dissapointed in brother Wilson's defense. His offense was very good but his defense was poor as far as I am concerned. I was saddened to see him represent Christianity so firmly with his personal eschatological standpoint and his doctrine of "resuscitation." I would have preferred Dr. James White as well....Marc
Wonderful post... Very informational and educational as usual!
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