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Rules for Reformers
In Rules for Reformers, Douglas Wilson poaches the political craft of radical progressives and applies it to Christian efforts in the current culture war. The result is a spicy blend of combat manual and cultural manifesto. Rules for Reformers is a little bit proclamation of grace, a little bit Art of War, and a little bit analysis of past embarrassments and current cowardice, all mixed together with a bunch of advanced knife-fighting techniques. As motivating as it is provocative, Rules for Reformers is just plain good to read.
232 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
About the author
Douglas Wilson
290 books4,076 followersI write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
January 18, 2019
Doug Wilson is on fire in this book. Highly recommended for strategic thought about cultural engagement.
November 22, 2018
This book begins a bit stiff, with Wilson listing his "principles" which are a Christian re-casting of Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals". If the whole book were like this first section, it would have been difficult to finish it. Fortunately, most of the rest of the book is Wilson's typical style.
His writing is a pleasure to read and he offers his usual witty and biblical insights into understanding our times in a way that helps us better understand how out of step they are with what God requires of us.
There are his usual zingers. My favorite is a jab at the "conference circuit" and blogosphere. He writes, "What we need are some Levites with the sword of the Spirit to ascend into their pulpits and fix it. But that might require some courage, and so as a proposed alternative we have built a conference circuit, and a series of networks and coalitions, and let’s not forget the blogs, where we have all agreed to wave our swords in the air, and to do so in a gospel-centered way." p. 228
As usual, Wilson brings his concerns back to worship:
"The key battle in our culture wars is the reestablishment of worship that is pleasing to God. Our worship of Him must be weighty and substantive—but many churches have tried to turn their worship services into some kind of very light ministry meringue. Our worship services should renew our covenant with God in a solemn, joyful, and dignified way. We are commanded to worship Him with reverence and godly awe (Heb. 12:28–29). Why don’t we? Why do we refuse to do this? Our refusal is costing us far more than we think. Henry Van Til once noted that culture is religion externalized. Cultus (worship) lies at the heart of every culture. And the reason our culture has forgotten God is because our worship services did that first."
This is another great book by Wilson and Christians would do well to heed its message.
His writing is a pleasure to read and he offers his usual witty and biblical insights into understanding our times in a way that helps us better understand how out of step they are with what God requires of us.
There are his usual zingers. My favorite is a jab at the "conference circuit" and blogosphere. He writes, "What we need are some Levites with the sword of the Spirit to ascend into their pulpits and fix it. But that might require some courage, and so as a proposed alternative we have built a conference circuit, and a series of networks and coalitions, and let’s not forget the blogs, where we have all agreed to wave our swords in the air, and to do so in a gospel-centered way." p. 228
As usual, Wilson brings his concerns back to worship:
"The key battle in our culture wars is the reestablishment of worship that is pleasing to God. Our worship of Him must be weighty and substantive—but many churches have tried to turn their worship services into some kind of very light ministry meringue. Our worship services should renew our covenant with God in a solemn, joyful, and dignified way. We are commanded to worship Him with reverence and godly awe (Heb. 12:28–29). Why don’t we? Why do we refuse to do this? Our refusal is costing us far more than we think. Henry Van Til once noted that culture is religion externalized. Cultus (worship) lies at the heart of every culture. And the reason our culture has forgotten God is because our worship services did that first."
This is another great book by Wilson and Christians would do well to heed its message.
December 5, 2015
Very good. Not a book to read drinking chamomile tea, but something stronger and straight.
Also, this is sort of a "Guide to Understanding Why D.W. Writes the Way He Does."
Also, this is sort of a "Guide to Understanding Why D.W. Writes the Way He Does."
April 13, 2017
Such an invigorating, encouraging war cry for today's messed up world. Wilson makes the point early on that "When the bugle blows indistinctly, no one gets ready for battle." So he blows it, loud and rousing, throughout the entire book.
A few favorites:
"A courageous man defending the way reality actually is may of course be killed--but he is still invincible." "Laughter is war." "Do not spend your time worrying about how you are going to put out the fires the adversary sets. Wake up in the morning thinking about the fires you can set." "Do whatever you can with whatever you have." "There is no distinction to be made between working for reformation and picking a fight." "This is a war of liberation." "Our part is now."
A few favorites:
"A courageous man defending the way reality actually is may of course be killed--but he is still invincible." "Laughter is war." "Do not spend your time worrying about how you are going to put out the fires the adversary sets. Wake up in the morning thinking about the fires you can set." "Do whatever you can with whatever you have." "There is no distinction to be made between working for reformation and picking a fight." "This is a war of liberation." "Our part is now."
January 7, 2024
After ages of just letting this book sit after the slightly-dragging introduction, I banged it all out while long-haul flying. And what a book! Though some of the references are slightly outdated, the content is splendid and is a brilliant primer for Christians acting in the public square (which, surprise, we all do). Everyone should read this book.
February 9, 2015
"The besetting sin of ostensible reformers is the sin of shrillness and officious forms of uplift."
Once again Douglas Wilson tries really, really hard to be cleverly funny. Once again, he is not. His satire is old and tired; his ridicule is shrill and impotent.
This is a book for the jerk who wants to believe people don't like him because he's so dang principled. And it is the glaring problem of the book; Wilson wants to attack and bludgeon anyone who disagrees with him or gets in his way and then blames being hated on account of his principled righteousness.
"One of the first things a reformer has got to get used to is the experience of being despised and unpopular."
"When you are attacked by the powers that be, this is not a sign that something has gone dangerously wrong. There is no distinction to be made between working for reformation and picking a fight."
Wilson goes on to talk about tactical maneuvers for gaining power (and thankfully gives credit to the author because he doesn't always) outlined by Saul Alinsky. And seriously? Saul Alinsky?
Wilson urges non-conformity- the right kind:
"There are only two kinds of non-conformity and only one of them wears hipster glasses." Doug Wilson is the kind that wear the hipster glasses, pretending to be out of the mainstream but wanting nothing more than notoriety and a fawning fan base.
And finally there is the answer as to why he is so intent on demanding women be subservient. Plebes are needed, plebes are needed!:
"Those who are merely competent in the use of a particular weapon are followers, they may be very competent indeed but that is not the issue. They are also essential to success of any campaign but if they are promoted to the level where principled strategic thinking is necessary, they will also be essential to the failure of that campaign."
And so, gentlemen, your job is to keep the little woman at home, quiet, subservient and without a voice (make her fell like it's the most amazing thing she can do for your "cause"). In this way you can march about your small kingdom declaring your sagacity.
Once again Douglas Wilson tries really, really hard to be cleverly funny. Once again, he is not. His satire is old and tired; his ridicule is shrill and impotent.
This is a book for the jerk who wants to believe people don't like him because he's so dang principled. And it is the glaring problem of the book; Wilson wants to attack and bludgeon anyone who disagrees with him or gets in his way and then blames being hated on account of his principled righteousness.
"One of the first things a reformer has got to get used to is the experience of being despised and unpopular."
"When you are attacked by the powers that be, this is not a sign that something has gone dangerously wrong. There is no distinction to be made between working for reformation and picking a fight."
Wilson goes on to talk about tactical maneuvers for gaining power (and thankfully gives credit to the author because he doesn't always) outlined by Saul Alinsky. And seriously? Saul Alinsky?
Wilson urges non-conformity- the right kind:
"There are only two kinds of non-conformity and only one of them wears hipster glasses." Doug Wilson is the kind that wear the hipster glasses, pretending to be out of the mainstream but wanting nothing more than notoriety and a fawning fan base.
And finally there is the answer as to why he is so intent on demanding women be subservient. Plebes are needed, plebes are needed!:
"Those who are merely competent in the use of a particular weapon are followers, they may be very competent indeed but that is not the issue. They are also essential to success of any campaign but if they are promoted to the level where principled strategic thinking is necessary, they will also be essential to the failure of that campaign."
And so, gentlemen, your job is to keep the little woman at home, quiet, subservient and without a voice (make her fell like it's the most amazing thing she can do for your "cause"). In this way you can march about your small kingdom declaring your sagacity.
September 6, 2020
Wonderful tactics for true reformation
This book gives the foundational elements of the work in Moscow, Idaho. You can't cookie cutter this work, but you can learn and imitate it. May many more Christian communities embrace these principles and apply them in their own situation.
This book gives the foundational elements of the work in Moscow, Idaho. You can't cookie cutter this work, but you can learn and imitate it. May many more Christian communities embrace these principles and apply them in their own situation.
November 4, 2020
Some head scratcher moments, but gosh, some glorious stuff to get you pumped to be a faithful churchman/woman. Especially the last 20 pages or so - worth the whole thing.
June 23, 2022
Really enjoyed this one. Though he is Reformed, he is also irenic and has respect for the Catholic position, particularly in the works of Chesterton. A lot these principles are solid and should be used if we want to see real work done for Christ in the political sphere.
March 4, 2021
I did enjoy this. Every page of it was fun reading. It was packed with thoughtful wisdom on the mindset and inconsistencies of the new radical left orthodoxy and how to expect and engage with their hypocrisy. As a subscriber to 2K theology, my main issue with the book is that I feel Wilson doesn't make appropriate distinctions between the kingdom of God and the culture wars, as though an essential part of Christian piety is not only taking part in the culture wars (especially as they pertain to politics), but doing so from the right side of the aisle. To be clear, I am a Christian, and I also happen to think limited government and free-market capitalism are dope. I also think fellow Christians are free to not share that perspective. I also believe we could have major losses in the culture wars while the kingdom of God is as strong as ever. Conversely we could succeed in the culture wars while the kingdom of God is struggling immensely. The point is, appropriate distinctions need to be made, as I think Jesus did, Paul did, and a good bit of historic Protestantism did. I don't want my pastor telling me how to get political victories, and I don't want my political pundits telling me how to be a good Christian. 100% would recommend to anyone who has read a couple of VanDrunnen books first.
"Now if this be so, then by way of use let me say, That this truth looks very sourly and badly upon all those who preach anything rather than Christ. The Lord be merciful to them! How have they forgotten the great work about which their heads and hearts should be most exercised, namely—the bringing in of souls to Christ, and the building up of souls in Christ. Where do we find in all the Scripture, that Christ, his prophets or apostles, did ever in their preaching meddle with businesses of state, or things of a mere civil concernment? "My kingdom is not of this world. Who has made me a judge?" says Christ."" - Thomas Brooks, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
"Now if this be so, then by way of use let me say, That this truth looks very sourly and badly upon all those who preach anything rather than Christ. The Lord be merciful to them! How have they forgotten the great work about which their heads and hearts should be most exercised, namely—the bringing in of souls to Christ, and the building up of souls in Christ. Where do we find in all the Scripture, that Christ, his prophets or apostles, did ever in their preaching meddle with businesses of state, or things of a mere civil concernment? "My kingdom is not of this world. Who has made me a judge?" says Christ."" - Thomas Brooks, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
Want to read
December 30, 2014In part, a response to Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals.
September 21, 2019
One of my favorite books I've read this year. Christians who would like to know how to be involved practically in cultural renewal, this is your book.
July 8, 2019
Good book, well worth the read.
December 18, 2020
Really good. Listened as an audiobook while doing doordash.
August 5, 2022
Doug Wilson is a polarizing character. I have friends I respect who loath him, and I have friends I respect who love him. As such, this was my first taste of Wilson and my attempt to assess the man/his work for myself.
Pros: Wilson's witticisms and one-liners are awesome, and his willingness to try to unflinchingly engage pagan American culture head on is something I highly respect. His discussion on the proper use of satire was also very helpful (though I haven't read much of his satire, so I'd be interested to see what that's like).
Cons: At times this work felt a bit disjointed. I had a bit of a hard time following any kind of structure in the book. I also think that Wilson very closely identifies the kingdom of God with the political right. This is a charge that Wilson would probably deny, but I wish he taken greater pains to parse out the distinctions between political progress and the advancement of true godliness. I am wrestling with how to understand political engagement from a Christian perspective, but I would push back slightly on this point if I ever had the chance to talk with Wilson face to face.
Overall impression: a very helpful and challenging book. Definitely one I'd love to read with a group of other Christians as I'm sure it would generate some lively discussion, as well as (hopefully) courageous, loving engagement with unbelievers.
Pros: Wilson's witticisms and one-liners are awesome, and his willingness to try to unflinchingly engage pagan American culture head on is something I highly respect. His discussion on the proper use of satire was also very helpful (though I haven't read much of his satire, so I'd be interested to see what that's like).
Cons: At times this work felt a bit disjointed. I had a bit of a hard time following any kind of structure in the book. I also think that Wilson very closely identifies the kingdom of God with the political right. This is a charge that Wilson would probably deny, but I wish he taken greater pains to parse out the distinctions between political progress and the advancement of true godliness. I am wrestling with how to understand political engagement from a Christian perspective, but I would push back slightly on this point if I ever had the chance to talk with Wilson face to face.
Overall impression: a very helpful and challenging book. Definitely one I'd love to read with a group of other Christians as I'm sure it would generate some lively discussion, as well as (hopefully) courageous, loving engagement with unbelievers.
December 6, 2022
Started this right after I finished the Art of War, which was well timed, as he references (sometimes facetiously) that book frequently throughout this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was well done, with a lot to think about. I would read it again. We need a wake up call in Christianity, to get up and to do and to try, and Douglas Wilson hit that pretty squarely with a lot of ideas and tactics in this book. Well worth the read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was well done, with a lot to think about. I would read it again. We need a wake up call in Christianity, to get up and to do and to try, and Douglas Wilson hit that pretty squarely with a lot of ideas and tactics in this book. Well worth the read.
February 5, 2019
One of the best I've read by Wilson. Good stuff!
June 16, 2021
This is a helpful tactical book for how Christians should engage in the culture war based off Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals." It's a needed book for this age to help equip Christians who don't want to be a benchwarmer any longer but want to engage the culture by combatting lies with the truth, darkness with light, and ugliness with beauty. Lot of practical help on micro and macro levels.
January 22, 2022
Fun read!
April 15, 2022
Truly excellent.
May 20, 2024
A practical guide to patient, faithful, and distinctily Christian cultural warfare from a postmillenniall perspective.
September 27, 2022
Festina lente
September 2, 2019
Wow! Doug Wilson sticks to scripture and an accurate interpretation of it like few that I have read before. His perspective on culture, both from an American as well as global perspective, and how to reform it as a Christian society is truly inspiring! He mixes his charm, wit and hilarious sarcasm in with profound biblical truth and keeps the reader engaged and eager to turn the page to see what he is going to say next. I must say, I’m tempted to start from page 1 again almost immediately!
May 1, 2021
Cheerful, snarky, and incisive, Rules for Reformers is a potent dose of wisdom for those who would see our churches become effective in leading our society toward the kingdom of God. It's decidedly heavenly minded, but leavened with a great deal of practical wisdom about how the world actually works. This book will annoy fashionable activists to no end -- buy a case and give it out to every single one you know.
Toward the end, Wilson lapses into his traditional "you've gotta be Reformed or this isn't gonna work" chauvinism, but it's really not til the last chapter, so it's not too difficult to ignore -- which you should. As the history of New England (and all of northern Europe) shows, Reformed theology devours its own grandchildren; Moscow, Idaho has not yet demonstrated that they've found the solution to that particular problem. That said, we really do have to be Kuyperian -- in the sense that we believe every square inch of creation belongs irretrievably and irrevocably to God -- or it really isn't going to work. (Yeah, I know -- the Reformed folk think that means you have to be Reformed. But that's the chauvinism talking, and they're wrong, 'cuz I ain't.)
The very last section before the epilogue -- on how the world runs on the power of condemnation, and Christ has freed us from condemnation forever -- is tremendously powerful, and I would love to see it expanded to booklet-length, at least. There's a great deal more to say in fleshing that out, and it would be absolutely groundbreaking if the Church really got hold of it.
Toward the end, Wilson lapses into his traditional "you've gotta be Reformed or this isn't gonna work" chauvinism, but it's really not til the last chapter, so it's not too difficult to ignore -- which you should. As the history of New England (and all of northern Europe) shows, Reformed theology devours its own grandchildren; Moscow, Idaho has not yet demonstrated that they've found the solution to that particular problem. That said, we really do have to be Kuyperian -- in the sense that we believe every square inch of creation belongs irretrievably and irrevocably to God -- or it really isn't going to work. (Yeah, I know -- the Reformed folk think that means you have to be Reformed. But that's the chauvinism talking, and they're wrong, 'cuz I ain't.)
The very last section before the epilogue -- on how the world runs on the power of condemnation, and Christ has freed us from condemnation forever -- is tremendously powerful, and I would love to see it expanded to booklet-length, at least. There's a great deal more to say in fleshing that out, and it would be absolutely groundbreaking if the Church really got hold of it.
September 6, 2019
This was the first Doug Wilson book that I finished reading. The other book that I started were good but for one reason or another I lost interest in them at the time and stopped reading. That being said, I enjoyed this book. It was witty, thought provoking and at times funny.
What I loved most about the book is that it made me think about my role in society as a Christian. If I could be honest, I often get into the rut that one day I am going to heaven and in the meantime the Lord is going to work out all the junk going on here on earth. I convince myself (wrongfully) that the Lord cant use someone like me to do his work. This thinking is sinful.
God uses means and if we are willing to be used by God He will gladly do so, not that he needed our permission in either case, but reading this book was a helpful reminder for me to get over myself and get in the game. There were tons of statements made in the book that stood out to me (over 200 that I highlighted).
The reason that I gave this book a 4 star as opposed to a 5 star is because there were times that the writes style was to much for me to enjoy. Granted, that is most likely a problem with me but nonetheless there were times when I had to out the book down and come back to it a couple weeks later.
My favorite sections of the book were 3,4,6,8.
What I loved most about the book is that it made me think about my role in society as a Christian. If I could be honest, I often get into the rut that one day I am going to heaven and in the meantime the Lord is going to work out all the junk going on here on earth. I convince myself (wrongfully) that the Lord cant use someone like me to do his work. This thinking is sinful.
God uses means and if we are willing to be used by God He will gladly do so, not that he needed our permission in either case, but reading this book was a helpful reminder for me to get over myself and get in the game. There were tons of statements made in the book that stood out to me (over 200 that I highlighted).
The reason that I gave this book a 4 star as opposed to a 5 star is because there were times that the writes style was to much for me to enjoy. Granted, that is most likely a problem with me but nonetheless there were times when I had to out the book down and come back to it a couple weeks later.
My favorite sections of the book were 3,4,6,8.
December 26, 2018
Douglas Wilson is the kind of author who has written profitably on a wide array of topics, but I believe this book to be of singular importance. Why? Because in this precise area, he has been actively cultivating "long obedience in the same direction.*" In short, he isn't a couch quarterback with a few "great ideas." He's a guy who has been in-the-fray sharpening these Rules for a long time. This is not just social commentary punditry. This is Douglas Wilson speaking on a topic in which he is, unarguably,** a foremost expert. So if you care about this topic, and you really should, this book represents iron-sharp, expert-advice straight from the forges of reality.
* Which phrase was lifted from his book, which he lifted from Nietzsche, but it's okay because truth never needs to be laundered.
** I mean, if you have your head on straight.
* Which phrase was lifted from his book, which he lifted from Nietzsche, but it's okay because truth never needs to be laundered.
** I mean, if you have your head on straight.
August 12, 2015
Full disclosure: I love Doug Wilson. Wilson takes from Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals and Sun Tzu's The Art of War and composes rules for the Christian reformer in cultural warfare. Wilson is hopeful that the culture and the polis can be reformed, but this reformation is premised upon the church first being reformed. He can have this hope because he is a post-millenialist, but also because the Gospel can do these things. Central to this book's appeal is Wilson's insistence that Christ is Lord over all things and his sense of humor. He is a happy warrior, and one of the rules is to cultivate a robust sense of humor. This rule is exhibited on every page, and I found myself chuckling all the way through.
May 21, 2022
Wilson is careful to lay a solid framework for culture reform (from a Reformed Christian perspective). And in the last few pages, he sets up a few targets he deems worthy of such tactics, targets he engages with regularly himself. He also briefly discusses the necessity of the Reformed Christian perspective in all this.
The satire and humor can be a bit dense at times, and I don't believe it's always intentional, but likely owes more to this reader's lack of understanding. It's a rare enough occurrence that it shouldn't be feared, but common enough to warrant mention.
The satire and humor can be a bit dense at times, and I don't believe it's always intentional, but likely owes more to this reader's lack of understanding. It's a rare enough occurrence that it shouldn't be feared, but common enough to warrant mention.
December 1, 2020
The title put me off this book for the longest time, because I didn't realize it was riffing off the (in)famous book, "Rules for Radicals", basically a playbook on how to strategically implement socialism in Western society. Wilson's book here is basically the conservative evangelical opposite of that. I think it's possible this might be Doug Wilson at his best, combining his sense for strategy, rhetoric, pure undiluted gospel, and genuine pastoral care. I'm definitely going to need to re-read this book a couple times.
April 30, 2022
I’m not sure I would recommend Rules for Reformers to everyone I know, but I can say without a doubt that if this book is in the least bit appealing to you it’s a solid recommend. Excellent and convicting. Personally, I found it challenging in many areas that were not in a way Big Eva tends to motivate with guilt, but with grace filled vision I wanted to walk in. Put this on your shelf and refer back to it as you seek God’s Kingdom established on earth as it is in heaven.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews