Why did CNN, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times all interview Douglas Wilson about his church planting?
In episode 402 of the Plodcast, host Douglas Wilson opens by detailing a surge in media interviews over recent months, including CNN, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times podcast 'Interesting Times' with Ross Douthat. He attributes this spotlight to church planting activities, particularly in Washington D.C., which he describes provocatively as an act that 'got everybody's attention.' Wilson recounts a conversation with a New York Times reporter who inquired about his intentions to network with influential people in the Trump administration during his D.C. visit. He reveals he had only met Pete Hegseth and Ross Voigt once each at that time, emphasizing that media coverage itself acts as a 'force multiplier.' Wilson speculates that media interest stems from sensational terms like 'theocracy' and 'Christian nationalism' that scare people. The episode transitions to a hamartiology segment, where Wilson defines the Greek verb 'mataioo,' meaning 'to become vain,' and links it to a dislike of God's sovereignty and ingratitude, using examples from Romans 1:21. He illustrates this with anecdotes about toddlers refusing to say thank you, connecting it to broader theological themes. Finally, Wilson reviews Francis Schaeffer's book 'True Spirituality,' recalling his initial struggle to understand it as a youth in the Navy and his recent rereading, which he found encouraging for its balance of personal piety and cultural engagement. The episode blends personal narrative, theological teaching, and cultural commentary in a solo format.
