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The Moscow pastor and his views on slavery

Andrew Crapuchettes, founder and CEO of Emsi, was interviewed and his story appeared this week in the Daily News. In the interview, he was asked why Doug Wilson and Christ Church were of concern to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

He answered this way: “The short version is (someone asked our pastor if slavery is in the Bible). He said, ‘Yes, it is.’”

Well, that is a short answer. But it’s not a truthful one.

As an elder in Christ Church, he must know that the controversy surrounding his pastor’s views on slavery consists of far more than a simple acknowledgement that slavery is in the Bible.

In fact, Doug Wilson has written (or co-written) two booklets on slavery: “Southern Slavery as it Was.” in 1996, and “Black and Tan,” in 2005. Here are some excerpts from “Southern Slavery as it Was”: (These are repeated nearly verbatim in “Black and Tan.”)

“Our humanistic and democratic culture regards slavery in itself as a monstrous evil, and it acts as if this were self-evidently true. The Bible permits Christians to own slaves, provided they are treated well.” p.12

“Owning slaves is not an abomination. The Bible does not condemn it, and those who believe the Bible are bound to refrain in the same way.” p.21

“The reason why many Christians will be tempted to dismiss the arguments presented in this booklet is that we will say (out loud) that a godly man could have been a slave owner.” p.11

It is possible that Andrew Crapuchettes is unaware of his pastor’s writings on slavery. If so, he (along with every member of Christ Church) should ask him about them.

Who knows, maybe Doug Wilson is still willing to say (out loud) that a godly man could be a slave owner. Or maybe he’s changed his mind.

Steve Wells
Moscow

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