Rebel - Podcast for Cultural Engagement · The Rebels - Nate Wright & Chris Poots

The Allistar Begg Controversy & The Moscow Mood

February 10, 2024·40 min·4 clips

Why Alistair Begg's advice on trans weddings is called dead wrong and a violation of the ninth commandment.

This episode of the Rebel Podcast features hosts Elder P and P-Nate discussing the controversy surrounding pastor Alistair Begg's advice about attending a transgender wedding. They connect this to broader criticisms of their own ministry network and the "Moscow mood" associated with figures like Doug Wilson. The hosts reference an episode from the Ezra Institute podcast where Joe Boot and Michael Thiessen also addressed the Begg situation. They outline three common responses to the criticism of Begg: progressive Christian affirmation, the "Jesus ate with sinners" argument, and the claim that critics are being mean-spirited. The conversation pivots to an article by pastor Kevin DeYoung criticizing the visceral, culture-war posture of the "Moscow mood" from Doug Wilson's circle. DeYoung argues this mood prioritizes political posturing over Christian virtue and could have negative long-term spiritual effects. The hosts mention responses to DeYoung from Joe Rigney and Doug Wilson himself. They argue that the current cultural moment is not peacetime but wartime, requiring a different, more confrontational stance. A key insight is that critics often attack tone because they cannot refute the actual theological arguments or cultural analysis. The hosts draw a distinction between attending a non-Christian heterosexual wedding, which they see as permissible, and attending a same-sex or transgender wedding, which they view as affirming a lie. They cite 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 to illustrate that a faithful Christian witness will naturally be an aroma of death to those who are perishing. The episode has a conversational and candid tone, blending theological discussion with practical advice and personal anecdotes. Listeners interested in Reformed cultural engagement, theonomy, and debates over Christian witness in a secular culture would find this episode compelling. Those who prefer a less confrontational approach to faith and culture or are uncomfortable with critiques of figures like Alistair Begg or Kevin DeYoung might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A direct take on tone, rebuke, and the church's posture in public.

The Alistair Begg discussion widens into discipleship, cultural tone, and the kind of Christianity that shapes how believers speak to co-workers, friends, and the wider world.

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Why you'd press play

Want a blunt Christian take on tone, rebuke, and restoration?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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