Certain things must be said about the charges of slander leveled against Doug Wilson on various internet blogs and bulletin boards that inexplicably aren't being said elsewhere. If for no other reason, they must be said to reassure the people of Christ Church, Moscow, that their pastor is innocent of such charges.
I assume the people of Christ Church understand the ins and outs of most of the old accusations involving Christ Church and its associated ministries. But the more recent charges of slander may be harder to get a handle on. Is Doug Wilson slandering the PCA by his criticism of the PCA's judicial process against Louisiana Presbytery and Pastor Steve Wilkins?
So his opponents claim, but unless the PCA has grown a soul and body the answer is, in a word, no. Slander is a knowingly false and defamatory statement against an individual. From every perspective, biblically, lexically and legally, institutions are incapable of being slandered. This is an important point.... Those who attack Doug Wilson by rehearsing internet garbage are in danger of committing the sin of slander. It's a present danger whenever we speak negatively against an individual. But an institution can't be slandered. Biblical law protects the reputations of individuals, not institutions. There is no blasphemy against the Church, nor slander, nor gossip. All these are sins against persons.
Doug can attack process, he can criticize institutions, even whole churches, but it's only when such charges descend to the level of the individual that slander becomes a real danger. Even then, slander requires that the charge be knowingly false and defamatory. Gossip need not be knowingly false. Slander must be. Both must attach to individuals to come into existence.
The irony, from the point of view of this PCA pastor, is that Doug has been careful to avoid slander in his recent writings on the PCA's judicial process against Louisiana Presbytery even as those who charge Doug with slander have in a number of cases slandered him by repeating unconscionable and ungodly attacks against him.
Frankly, those who charge Doug with slander should know better. I won't comment on whether I think he's helping Steve Wilkins by writing on the PCA process because I don't know. I do know what constitutes slander, and it's not what I've seen thus far from Doug. He's a victim here, not the perpetrator.
