Rhetoric, Writing, and Travels
An eschatological update on stuff.
Greetings, Perspectivalists.
This newsletter is a bit tardy on delivery but better late than having voted for Joe Biden. The tardy efforts of righteous men avail much, as long as they are delivered warm and fresh. And speaking of leftist propaganda, we returned a month ago from a glorious trip to the liberal lands of the Pacific Northwest. The whole thing was glorious. The scenery was like a moving symphony accentuating each note with G chords of praise and Em chords of sobering beauty.
Our general approach as a family is to keep those annual vacations short and financially frugal. So, this year, I had a scheduled conference in Oregon, and after some strategizing, we decided to make a bigger thing of the initial little thing. We began the trip with some hiking in Washington, then attended the camp at Rockaway Beach--unmistakably the most charming and stunning place I have ever had the joy of speaking. I did six talks on the book of Jonah at the week-long conference, and then we used up the third week for more tourist endeavors. The end of the story is that 17 days later, we concluded that we had the best trip of our lives as a family and virtually all paid for by the generous folks at Reformation Covenant Church, who not only gave me a handsome honorarium but also covered the flights of all seven of us and the rental of a mega-pint of a van (let the reader understand).
We hiked in the snowy terrain of the Olympic Mountains, the famous Diablo Lake Trail, and the North Cascades. My lovely wife orchestrated the entire thing, and with a few minor exceptions, the trip was a work of art. I'd like to offer special thanks to the city of Forks, Washington, for reminding me just how hideous those vampire flicks were. I renewed my zeal against romantic displays among humans, vampires, and werewolves. And also, special thanks to those who commented how well-behaved my children were while judging us for over-populating the earth. You're welcome.
The CREC and Friendships
One of the beauties of the CREC is that wherever I travel and lecture, we find like-minded people. They don't see the world in every single way we do, but they are always on the same melodic line. My children have begun to notice this, and they quickly remind me that I need to beg the hosts to invite daddy back to speak again so they can re-acquaint themselves with their newfound friends. I try to explain to them that daddy is just a common currency, but they view me as a ticket to sweet fellowship and new adventures.
The one astounding realization I had on this trip was just how much the CREC has grown and how many people are married to other people from other CREC churches. It was a common refrain to meet couples who met in a Gloria Sanctus camp or a music camp and have family members spread out in CREC flocks across the country. The unity was palpable and lovely. I have probably lectured, preached, or visited over 20+ CREC congregations, and the thing that most strikes me is the immediate union and communion we have even before the wine bottle is opened.
Another confirmation in visiting the PNW was that our churches are growing everywhere. COVID had the distinct role in opening us to some profound silliness and giving us an open door to stupidity far as the curse is found. It was exciting to hear psalms sung and visitors coming from every part to find churches that are biblically saturated, liturgically robust (think: not gay), and joyful.
As if that were not sufficient saturation, upon my return to DeSantis land, I had the brief opportunity to re-acquaint myself with my people in Pensacola and then pack up again to go to Lousiana to the world-renown Jubilate Deo Music Camp. The camp has grown to almost 300 students; it will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. I am not a trained musician but do occasionally play one on the web. I have convinced many people that I have a few things to say on the subject, which means I can use my voice to lead morning worship services and other sundry things.
My class this year (high schoolers) had almost 100 students. We worked our way through the theology of the psalter, emphasizing the necessity of singing as a weapon of choice in God's arsenal and the Church's role in producing an army of liturgical warriors. Some of these students have been with me for years, and I always look forward to seeing them again and realizing just how fatherly my role is toward them as the years go by. We will take all those memories with us and then remind ourselves of just how blessed we are to be a part of something so special in history. Long live the CREC!
Beyond the glories of camp life, the wonderful conversations, and the divine hearing of beautiful music, I also had the joy of speaking at the third Psalm-Tap Conference. The conference is a fine display of modern musical scholarship both in composition, poetry, tune-writing, and pastoral encouragement. In particular, I'd note my friend Scott Aniol's great work in musicalizing the Baptist planet. Scott is a joy to be around, and his labors are proving fruitful in the G3 world and, more broadly.
Projects, Publications, and Podcasts
Since returning from all that fun-fare, I have been able to sit down for a moment or two and resume my preaching ministry at Providence and regular pastoral duties. Our congregation has grown like guava in an Ecuadorian jungle, so my responsibilities have increased. The good news is that I have surrounded myself with a session and diaconate that think highly enough of me to take some things off my plate to avoid the early death of their pastor. I am grateful to them for all these things and more. Lest I appear to be receiving too much praise, none of this could be accomplished without a congregation that is loving, patient, and more loving still towards me. When I say I am blessed, I say it with a real southern accent that slows the speech patterns to bleesssss-eded. It's blessedness fried like my corndogs.
Additionally, I have seen a few things come to pass that have been boiling like a low-country boil. Notably, the book edited by Andrew Sandlin entitled Failed Church has been published. I have a chapter contribution where I argue that we live in an age of competing priesthoods. But I would encourage you to read the other essays by John Frame, George Grant, and other better scholars and leave mine for last if you still have an appetite for crumbs. And speaking of scholars, Andrew Sandlin continues to be a friend and an example of hearty work unto the Lord. If you don't know about the work of CCL, I fart in your general direction.
Of musical note is the new tune I published entitled Strawbridge. The tune was written in honor of my dear brother Gregg Strawbridge who left this world on January 25th and whose friendship I miss, especially when things are getting difficult in pastoral lands. Several churches have begun singing it, and our congregation has been introduced to it. This is the second tune I've written, and after much peer-review, it's my joy to see it used and sung in churches and published in new hymnals.
In a week or so, I have a few other things coming, including an essay in the upcoming Fight, Laugh, Feast magazine. Further, my lengthy introduction of Abraham Kuyper's Lectures on Calvinism will be published in a reprint of Kuyper's Stone Lectures. Canon Press is doing the fine work in their Christian Heritage Series, and I am honored to contribute to that cause. The book should be available for purchase in the coming weeks. Canon is also publishing a book composed of a series of talks delivered at last year's council meeting of the CREC, and I also have a chapter in that book. The ink of the contract is still wet.
I remain committed to ongoing projects trying to plod along on the Lusk/Brito commentary on I Corinthians 11-14 and future Mark commentary for 2024. Also, my dissertation finally arrived on my desk, bound and pretty like Dolly Parton.
The good news is that the thrill of my dissertation is finally passing, which means that I need to start doing some editing work to present it as a living sacrifice to God and Peter Leithart. The goal is to turn it into three books for the Theopolis Exploration Series. The books would be divided into a Pastoral Theology of Friendship, Leisure, and Learning. Pray that my determination continues to see this arrive safely at pastors' desks all over the country.
From publications to podcasts. I have always found that I have the face for radio, which means that the recording universe is made for someone like me. It's been fun to do a host of podcasts over the years, but I become a wee bit more selective as I get older. It's not that I wouldn't mind doing a podcast with a newbie with an audience of six, but the reality is I am not Dr. Strange. Dr. Brito has severe limitations, and I have to be a bit choosy; and with few exceptions, I have to select the interview offers that seem most fruitful at this stage. One of my favorites was with Eric Conn over at King's Hall. He and Brian Sauve are doing good work, and I'm eager to do whatever I can to encourage them. I was also recently interviewed by Full Proof Theology with Chase Davis, which should go--as the kids say--LIVE sometime this week.
And speaking of Douglas Wilson, I recently had the audacity to defend his rhetorical flair and got into all sorts of fun over on Zuckerberg station. I wrote about it here. That discussion flourished to two book requests from reputable publishers, which I will consider with my trusted amigos. It also opened the request line to several interviews. But what was exciting was the endeavor from my friend, Matt Fuller. Matt is a gifted video and audio technician. At least that's what I call him. He is also a sharp thinker. We have been discussing starting a new format of conversations on current issues, and the end result was the beginning of Capture the Dragon. Our first episode focused on the serrated edge approach to rhetoric. Go ahead and subscribe to the channel. I will wait.
We have some happy ideas going forward and are grateful for the great responses to the first episode.
As a final side of fries, I have some upcoming work for the Perspectivalist podcast focusing on James B. Jordan's work and some other political material. Some great plans are coming down the tobacco pipe, and I hope you will subscribe to the channel and even contribute to the cause.
Traveling Schedule
While the month of June was filled with excitement and an insane traveling schedule, the good news is that in October, I will be traveling more than I did in June. So, there's that. In fact, I have returned just from some work as Presiding Minister of the Athanasius Presbytery. If I were to give you a glimpse into the phone calls and the church planting efforts in this part of the country, I am not sure you would believe me. I returned Saturday from a trip to Tallahassee, where I met with a fine group of folks eager to start a church plant there. That excitement could be multiplied by 10.
In October, I travel to South Carolina to do a few lectures on culture and music. Then, I head over to Nashville, TN, for the presbytery, where I will preside over the 25th meeting of Athanasius Presbytery. After I return home, I pack up again and head over to my home country of Brazil, where I will be ordaining the first CREC pastor in South America, and then traveling to a nearby town to meet with a potential church plant in Joinville, Santa Catarina. When I return to the US, I have a quick turnaround to Alaska, where I will lecture on Augustine of Hippo and Augustine of Canterbury at a history conference. Shortly thereafter, assuming my blood is still warm, I will be headed to California for the annual CCL meeting with Sandlin, Bahnsen, and other friends.
Prayer as Gift
Finally, I ask you to pray for me in these areas:
Physical and mental strength to complete writing deadlines and endure much traveling in the months ahead.
That I leisure well in the presence of my enemies using mockery effectively.
For wisdom to choose the healthier options rather than assuming I can fulfill all of them.
Greater love for my tribe.
Piety to destroy devilish temptations; humility to see my efforts as an infinitesimal contribution to the greater work of the kingdom.
Competency to analyze my dilemmas and achieve wise decisions.
Pastoral succinctness rather than pastoral elongation; choosing to be concise rather than over-extending myself.