Who is Joel Webbon? - Christendom 2.0 Examined

Joel Webbon is known for his views on patriarchy and Christian nationalism and today that means his online fame is growing, but should it? Right Response Ministries has been a fountain of controversy over the last few years so let's take a closer look. Where did Joel Webbon come from? What's his theology like? Let's talk about that and a bunch more on today's Underdog Theology.
#JoelWebbon #patriarchy #dougwilson

[@jamiebos8850]

Joel Webbon was my college roommate as a freshman in Bible college. He was a fanatic about the charismatic and the prosperity gospel back then, but I'm definitely freaked out to discover his new online presence as a fanatic for patriarchy 😢. YIKES...

[@joshirwin5245]

I'll take "things that never happened" for $500

[@lj5116]

Did you both babble out some false prophesies together?

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

You must feel dirty. I'm sorry

[@pamparker4047]

Webbon is a bully

[@lj5116]

@@pamparker4047 liberal Christian’s having power over me almost put me in an early grave. God has other plans.

[@ataxcollector695]

First, replay army where ya at? 😤 Second, I commented this in the last video and I'll say it again: The downplaying and brushing aside of the atrocities of slavery/racism promoted by the American church in order to protect this idea that American society was better in the past, more moral and never did any wrong is so rampant in fundy circles.

[@ValetinianChristian]

Joel Webbon looks like Matt Walsh’s eviler twin 😆

[@sneaksyranger]

Webbon likes to bludgeon believers, in a metaphorical sense. Such as, sending your kids to public school is a sin or parents with apostate children are failures. I think it amounts to a 1 Corinthians 13 thing. He has knowledge, but is lacking in love.

[@Middleagedmutantninjaturtle]

He is such a creep. I don't care if that's petty to say, Joel gives me the creeps.

[@Dandelionfleur]

He gives me the heebee jeebees!

[@Star-dj1kw]

The mini series Roots came out in 1977. I was 9 years old, a white little girl in the south. I watched every episode. People talk about white tears. I grieved with those characters. I grieved at the history of the south and for bigotry. I am appalled that educated people are dressing up this wickedness with falsified science of epigenetics. Then men who SAY they’re shepherds twist God’s word until it’s marred unrecognizable.

[@ceciliaramos2280]

Imagine being so insecure as a man that you don’t want your wife to outpace you.🙄🙄

[@jennyoneill5989]

We just found your channel and love it!!!! You cover so much of what we wish people were saying and talking about! Thank you!!

[@TammyBayFaker]

You have to wonder when a man labels his ministry “RIGHT Response”. Like he’s Mister Right?! I’m glad he’s supposedly right on the Gospel, but his stance along side Doug Wilson is off the rails. I don’t trust him on anything now

[@TheMik579]

Dean, I really appreciate your work! I couldn't believe how this guy Joel was defending Driscoll! Sad😢

[@ChristinaRamsey-zn8qp]

Thank you so much for your faithful summary… this “dumb dumb” has felt like gum at the bottom of the shoe in the reformed movement since these guys have been trying to hijack the our theology.

[@juanitadudley4788]

I'm sure he wants his daughters to marry men who have that view of women. Or that he wants his daughters to feel like all they have to offer men is their bodies. Men, obviously, do most of the physical work. I bet he doesn't do a lot of heavy lifting in his day to day job. Maybe he does in his hobbies. But, even if his wife is "just a homemaker", she takes care of their kids and provides a welcoming environment for him to come to. She helps him to be a better man which helps him in his ministry and other endeavors. I tend to think being the primary caregiver of the people who will carry on his legacy after he dies is kinda important.

[@jaimesfolly]

I view homeschooling as having the potential of being great, but fundamentalists too often provide their children with schooling meant to keep them trapped. The curriculum is not meant to prepare daughters for higher learning or career.

[@DerekDutton]

The reason why guys like Joel, Wilson, Sauve, etc… profess the true Gospel (justification by faith alone) yet have theology like this (post/theo/recos) is because they believe that God can contradict Himself in Scripture. They can profess the true Gospel and yet contradict it in their teachings because they believe God speaks this way in His word. It’s neoorthodoxy. Justification by faith alone and faith is redefined as faithfulness (faith&works), that’s how they can say faith alone but what they really mean is faithfulness (faith&works) alone.

[@louisduplessis2075]

I glad nobody told me when I can go to the bathroom.

[@ceciliaramos2280]

Yeah. They would of had to do a lot of cleaning. 😂😂

[@JhutaNabi]

Hey @DeanLentini, I love what you do. Keep doing you. Love your satirical sense of humor. Long live “the olive”! 😂

[@thomasgolden4537]

The “the founding fathers didn’t kidnap! They only bought the slaves!” Is reminiscent of this kid in the Navy who would press the limit of cheating in team sports. He was very quick to point out how his behavior, however unethical, was not technically cheating so it was fine. I am thinking of a specific guy and he was indeed a fundy in his chapel dealings. Why is demonstrating loopholes for sin a thing for these guys?

[@JhutaNabi]

@thomasgolden4537 Because they are legalists who are under the heavy burden of performance religion (Matthew 23:4, Acts 15:10), not grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). Therefore, to give themselves some relief from the burden of legalism, they have to create loopholes. Or else, the burden is unbearable. Which is also why legalists can be great hypocrites.. and completely oblivious to their hypocrisy... like the Pharisees of old.

[@angelmartin7310]

Oh so it's the slavery stuff you guys are triggered by. How petty. There are much more dangerous things Joel teaches

[@thomasgolden4537]

@@angelmartin7310 So we agree that Joel teaches dangerous things, comments on slavery being one of them, but you feel the need to lash out?

[@angelmartin7310]

@thomasgolden4537 if God Himself wasn't too good to be beaten, tortured, stripped, spat on, crucified for us than none of us are too good to be a slave. Pagans especially. God worked a miracle through the African slave trade and pearl-clutching about the practice utterly misses that point. And believing descendant of slaves with a humble heart admits that and praises God for it. Also, there is no evidence in scripture that God holds the master accountable for buying a slave someone else forced into slavery.

[@pearcejayw]

@@angelmartin7310 So by your logic none of the humans deserve to have human right, to be protected, and have decent living? That's false, Lol. The Bible CLEARLY tells us to love each other as HUMAN that MUST be treated as HUMAN BEING. Yes, slavery did happen in the past and yes, God may destined some of His people to become "slave" in order to fullfill their mission. But truly, slavery has ZERO reason to be justified in any ordinary circumstances.

[@chrstfllwr1]

Dean, I'm a first time listener. Why don't you reach out to Joel and have a discussion with him? You are doing an awful lot of speculation of motives in Joel's mind. He seems willing to engage with people he doesn't agree with like Mike Winger. Why not ask him instead of assuming motives and intent? God Bless Brother.

[@patrickmccurdy8688]

Why does Joel reach out to Russell Moore? That's why. Guy is a White Christian Nationalist.

[@JereOwnby]

Do not give that guy any audience he doesn't have.

[@ricardirickydorante5894]

I agree. This channel is very speculative, and while he tries not to assert motive or intent, it's hard not to do in many instances without clarification.

[@pamparker4047]

Well , if you’re doubt what the host said go and google his name and hear for yourself

[@joeyrose1245]

Excellent question

[@JhutaNabi]

I shake my head in befuddlement at the kind of (il)logic that Joel Webbon uses regarding slavery and Exodus 21:16. And he calls this "rightly dividing the word of God"? Let's Bible (and logic) check Joel, shall we? Exodus 21:16 says: “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death". He claims that slaveowners in America did not kidnap the slaves, they just "bought" them. 1) So, according to Joel this verse is only about kidnappers, not about those who bought and owned slaves, right? This means that, according to the Mosaic Law, an Israelite wasn't allowed to kidnap a man, but it was fine for him to buy a kidnapped man (chattel slavery). Therefore, ancient Israel could buy chattel slaves from the surrounding pagan nations to their heart's content... AS LONG AS they outsourced the kidnapping to a Gentile? Someone from one of the surrounding pagan nations. Similarly, an American or Christian in America could buy and own those enslaved against their will, as long as he didn't go to Africa and kidnap them. I've heard of money laundering before, but how's this for morality laundering?😂 2) If according to the Mosaic Law, buying a kidnapped slave is okay, as long as someone else kidnapped him, then it seems to me that God had more respect for stolen property (Exodus 22:1-14) than kidnap victims. The God who created ALL human beings in His image. And, repeatedly reminds Israel not to mistreat others because they were slaves once (Leviticus 19:33-34, Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Exodus 22:21, 23:9, Ezekiel 47:22-23) and destroyed Egypt for enslaving Israel, was okay with Israel indulging in human trafficking just as long as they weren't the first step in the supply chain (the kidnapper)? 3) Also according to Joel, if the act of kidnapping is the real culpability, why does the verse also mention sale and possession? God could have simply said: "He who kidnaps a man shall be put to death". But the Bible says: "if the victim is found in HIS hand". Whose hand? The kidnapper's hand, or someone else's hand? Here is a different translation: "Anyone who steals a person and sells him, or (anyone) is found with him (the stolen one) under his hand, must surely be put to death" (items in parentheses added in order to clarify the intent of the verse). Seems to me that the verse is saying: "If you kidnap a person, or a kidnapped person is found in your possession, you will die". If followed, this injunction would destroy the WHOLE SUPPLY CHAIN of chattel slavery* - in ancient Israel or the New World. Decide for yourself whether this was God's original intent in the Mosaic Law. When untaught and unstable people twist Scripture, they do so to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16). * slavery as practiced by the African slave trade in the Americas and the Caribbean. The Mosaic Law regulates (but does not condone) Indentured Servitude.

[@JhutaNabi]

@@ericedwards8902 In these troublous times, the veneer of Christianity is being stripped away from individuals and groups. People's real Christianity or the lack thereof is being exposed. Twenty years ago, when things were far more harmonious and less fractured than they are today, we wouldn't have known what lurked deep in the hearts of such people. Now we do. That is a good thing. But at the same time I am deeply grieved and disappointed (although I shouldn't be, 2 Timothy 3:1-8) at the state, tone and temperature of the American Church at large. Who knows, maybe this is God cleaning up His church - slag floats to the top when gold is melted.

[@helenr4300]

Yes people who know they will get good money for selling someone from a different tribe/nation/the other.... and are in regular conflict with the other - will opt to sell them. But there needs to be a market to drive the demand.

[@mbasir]

I think the right thing for Webbon and his ilk, is to call them chrislamists, not christians.

[@dkreichen1968]

Read your Bible! Believe your Bible! Teach the Bible! And, if people attack you, you are over the target!!!

[@BibleStudywithVernon]

I’m starting to notice a consistent pattern between Dale, Joel, and Doug.

[@joeyrose1245]

Do you think Paul ever pulled Philemon to the side and said, “Brother, my fellow worker, you know you really should get rid of your slaves”?

[@helenr4300]

But he did say Onesimus should be treated as a brother.... In the greco roman world slavery was so normalised, and in Paul's time abolition would seem impossible. Plus the early church expected that Jesus' return was imminent. Hence Paul suggesting that marriage and children would be a distraction to spreading the gospel which was urgent. But if you burned with desire; or you would be a bad witness by pulling out of existing betrothals then go marry. This was not a group that was planning for the long term and generations to come, in which case breeding the next wave of Christians would be very relevant (as the quiverful movement today). So dealing with the inequalities of slavery would also not be on Paul's immediate agenda, compared to preaching to all ready for the 2nd coming.

[@pearcejayw]

@@helenr4300 spot on

[@shawnlusby1538]

Joel Webbon is Johnny Mac on steroids!

[@rjhall5712]

I don't get that view at all

[@juanitadudley4788]

At 1:13:34, when Dean said, "oh"... That was hilarious for some reason!

[@raymondrinehart5957]

Hahahahahha yeah

[@Star-dj1kw]

The youth pastor did good 👍🏼 He was a sweet young man.

[@JhutaNabi]

@DeanLentini unlike you, I kinda like his cheesy analogy 😁. So on point when it comes to my bride and me.. Which is why I busted out laughing when I heard him say it.

[@setholesen6784]

Yeah I thought it was a little cringey to go after the youth pastor. I don't even understand that segment. It was just kind of mean

[@adamguy33]

I saw him on mike winger talking about theonomy and i just dont think the bible teaches that so i figured he was off on others things as well and i ended up here. New sub

[@ForwardTalk]

Christian Nationalism is gaining huge ground. It’s winning the argument in the public square.

[@ezbody]

It's growing at the same rate as fascism, because it's the same thing. You won't find it anywhere in the teaching of Jesus, just like other delusions of the American Christless, godless, loveless, angry, "patriotic", neighbor-hating, abusive, so-called Christianity.

[@helenr4300]

And terrifying. This side of the pond we have had theocracy in our history, we have learned about how being catholic could get you burned at the stake; and a change in power leads to the protestants getting burned instead. Christian Nationalism - apart from all the 'my kingdom is not of this world' Jesus teaching - is very narrow to a certain category of christianity. They would happily oppress Christians in other traditions. I would have a problem with a government that enforces conformity on diverse people generally, but even as a Christian the idea of Christian theocracy is terrifying.

[@JesseCamera]

Just wanted to point out that I have books from a variety of teachers for research and argument sake. Perhaps others do as well. Though you could argue that he shouldn’t advertise it lol

[@Underdogtheology]

Fair, but I think we all know that shelf was put together on purpose. Colour focused.

[@priestap]

Honest question: Maybe you've covered this before, but have you done a video explaining what you mean by "Fundamentalist?" The term can mean different things, as I'm sure you know. You seem to use it mostly as a pejorative, so I'm interested in knowing what you mean by it when using it as a label. So you know where I'm coming from, I'm pretty vanilla Reformed Amill.

[@helenr4300]

new to this channel but to me fundamentalist used in this kind of critique = Literalist, YEC, high control version of faith, submission of wives, (husbands and pastors to have total authority and not to be questioned even when abusive) extreme purity culture etc. Those growing up in those contexts (eg IFB) are forced to conform, the preaching may be about saved by faith, but so many things defined as sin that they are left anxious about whether the sinners' prayer they prayed at age 5 was genuine enough, those who have left talk about rapture trauma, taught that anyone outside their church/group of churches is going to hell, pressure on parents to home school (public schools source of demonic etc) using very poor curricula provided through church groups, such that often huge gaps in education. Hope that helps, it is deeper than theology, it is how controlling a group is using a very narrowed set of beliefs, and usually claiming that only they have the true faith.

[@overthinkingchristian8732]

I didn't know he was associating himself with Doug Wilson. I Googled Christendom 2.0 and read the blurb about Mere Christendom by Wilson. Dear God...how does this pass as Christian?

[@nothingfancyfishing2174]

Bro you got me dying on the what is the shower part hahahahahahahahahaa

[@Underdogtheology]

And what is a comment? And what is a reply? And what is a like?…etc.

[@thomasgolden4537]

Really drives it home when the youth pastor’s voice cracks a little bit.

[@ThisisPam]

Replay because my life sucks 😅 No, I apologize, my life is wonderfully blessed. But I do have a teaching job that involves several very angsty grade 8 and 9 boys 🤓 Ok Joel, we get it. You aren’t scared of anything. Except perhaps - Doug Wilson Edit: made it to the 1:02 mark. 🤦🏼‍♀️ As icing on the cake of total depravity, Joel gives us total misogyny. Nice.

[@Underdogtheology]

Hahaha

[@andrewmattiewalter]

Lol

[@cruzaderawaken9600]

Could Joel be joking about the whole wife reading book thing? Even if he was joking I'm still concerned about him.

[@davidbanks4168]

Webbon White and Wilson - I sure do miss their music! That first album of theirs…..

[@davidbanks4168]

We all remember their hit “ Three umbrellas” with Owen Strachan on backing vocals and maracas.

[@JhutaNabi]

@@davidbanks4168 What about their other great hit, "See How They Run"... which was retitled "The Farmer's Wife" on their greatest hits album.

[@pearcejayw]

FR, that sounds like a great vocal group name 😂

[@winsomepickett7694]

Not to put too fine a point on it, Dean, but you seem to come up with a different pronunciation of Brian Sauvé's name every time you say it. So, for the record, it is pronounced "SOE'-vay," which, perhaps ironically, means "saved" in French. There is no extra charge for this information.

[@ThisisPam]

😂 Thanks for your service

[@Underdogtheology]

Meh, I’ll probably just mess it up worse now. Can’t help it.

[@winsomepickett7694]

@@UnderdogtheologyIt's funny, you know who I had an online argument with over the importance of getting somebody's name right? Joel Webbson (April, 2022, re: Thabiti Anyabwile).

[@bridegroomministries1212]

maybe he should teach her better as is his calling so that he would have no worries when she reads these things. But hes stuck isnt he? He loves Doug so very much he inevitably must become Doug rather than James White. BTW, its James White that says "Derangement Syndrome"

[@Star-dj1kw]

😂😂 those books BUSTED Dean PI 🕵️‍♂️

[@Underdogtheology]

😂

[@thomasgolden4537]

The wild horse analogy describes our former planter/pastor perfectly. Nothing to be done about it now, but really helps me process those frustrations when they crop up. Appreciate you man!

[@JereOwnby]

Where are you live? TikTok? Instagram? Where?

[@zachoward535]

Do you invite these guys on your show? If not, why not?

[@reformedpilgrim]

I view Joel as a brother in Christ. I think he has some inconsistencies to work out. He can be harsh with Dispensationalists. But in his introduction of the Statement on Christian Nationalism and the Gospel, he said he can catch more flies with honey, and sounded more balanced, explaining the statement as non-denominational. Well, which is it? He wants to be taken seriously as a serious person, yet won't he call out his camp for how they treat people on Twitter. Joel needs to work these issues out.

[@Underdogtheology]

Wait, that’s honey? 😬 😜

[@Sparooski]

hour and 5 in and you just went Monty Python. That was funny.

[@ForwardTalk]

The latest number of people that he has stated that he has is 200+.

[@spankydave7758]

Hey Dean. Any chance the videos/ podcasts could be 45 minutes? I can't watch when it's 1 hour and 20, though I would like to.

[@andrewmattiewalter]

How about, watch it in two parts?

[@andrewmattiewalter]

Or! You could play it at 2x speed like I do...

[@Michelliejellie]

Your mispronunciation of sauvé reminded me of when andy, from the office, sings the song mispronouncing Sabre lol

[@unapologeticbeliever]

My jaw is on the floor. I'm only up to the slavery part - he doesn't know the difference between DESCRIPTIVE and PRESCRIPTIVE! The Bible describes a LOT of things - including SIN and less-than-ideal circumstances! It doesn't mean we should emulate that. Does JW also think he should take multiple wives? Commit genocide? Cause those are described in the Bible, too! And re: his bathroom comments. He didn't say he 'encourages' his kids to go potty before bed, he said he CONTROLS WHEN they can go to the bathroom. BARF!

[@pearcejayw]

Your jaw is on the floor? I think mine is already loose and rolling somewhere now 🤣. Pastor Webbon is truly wrong and he already goes beyond the Bible. If he uses 1 Timothy to say that women should not preach, that's still reasonable (even though I'm not agree with that for now, but that's still make sense). But to use the order of creation to conclude that women should not make the world and just... merely to be a housemaker and serve the husband??? That's sick.

[@scottwinkler2466]

And now he's posting videos about Middle Earth, mermaids and fairies. Yeah..... Nope.

[@breannawilliamson9787]

Vineyard and Calvary split off because they are not similar. Lol. Calvary is very solid.

[@Dandelionfleur]

Joel "Taliban" Webbon, that's all you need to know about him!

[@simplyserge144]

This is why you shouldnt get your AA history from reformed theologians. The history of the Transatlantic slave trade is far mroe complex than what he states and whats he done is essentially distancing himself from that part of history, therefore having less compassion and "empathy" towards this very discussion and possibly those who were affected by it.

[@helenr4300]

'our people only brought them; it was other Africans to blame' Yes the trade played off tribal/national politics making a market on the African coast - demand encourages supply. Supply invites demand - it is all interlinked, and messy and none of the nations involved from those who captured, to those who worked them to death in the 'New World' and those who profited from the trade (some of the major UK port cities were built on the 3 way slave trade) can claim to be clean over this.

[@JereOwnby]

A meme about this Joel Wbbon came across my Facebook feed. So, I Googled him and that brought me to you. I am a subscriber now. For sure. Thank you for your work. I am gonna start watching your past episodes. I am very happy to find you. How in the world do a huge segment of the Church fall into thrall to the most un-Christian leader in American history?

[@icyprimadonna]

thanks Dean

[@isaacfarley4527]

It's Brian So-vay (or as I've called him So Gay) I live in Ogden, Utah and I know him somewhat. I agree with your criticism.

[@Underdogtheology]

Appreciate ya, but also I’d appreciate it if ya edited that comment. I’d like to keep it, but I don’t allow name calling even if it rhymes. 😜

[@akadwriter]

How do I contact you?

[@annlowry9841]

When he said there are "four people" he dictates.... as far as I can tell from social media, he has 3 children. 🤷

[@JhutaNabi]

Hmmm... wonder who the fourth person is... maybe one like unto the Son of God (Daniel 3:25). 🤔

[@annlowry9841]

@@JhutaNabi his wife. His wife is the 4th person

[@JhutaNabi]

@@annlowry9841 I was just being facetious. My feeble attempt at satire.

[@patrickmccurdy8688]

Hopefully his children are under 15 yo!!!

[@annlowry9841]

He needs to work on his gaslighting. It's terrible. Terrible gaslighting skills dude. You obviously didn't want us to think you were dictating pre bed "potty" habits.

[@savedbygrace7982]

Did you do an episode on Michael Foster?

[@Underdogtheology]

Nope, I forgot. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@darlenegriffith6186]

​@@Underdogtheology You definitely should do an episode on Michael Foster, the It's Good to be a Man podcaster. He is an acolyte of Doug Wilson and promotes the same toxic ideas.

[@pamparker4047]

Webbon is an seriously delusional

[@setholesen6784]

Pretty cringey to go after the youth pastor. I don't even understand that segment. It was just kind of mean. And immature

[@bridegroomministries1212]

Hes supposed to wash his wife in the water of the Word. Not Fahrenheit 451 her learning.

[@bernardstreeter8153]

👍

[@ebullock1000]

Omg the bathroom comment- maybe he should’ve given more nuance in the sermon he gave… then having to back pedal after the fact? Really feels like gas lighting.

[@deroche89]

You must be a big R. Scott Clark fan

[@Underdogtheology]

Nah. I mean he’s fine, but nah.

[@rjhall5712]

I think you are correct on Webbon, I had to walk away from his teachings. But one thing I have to point out is that women do not help there cause by pulling off their clothes for film and entertainment in Hollyweird and the cover of magazines while screaming "I MUST BE RESPECTED" and taking the route of least resistance . I must admit I did cringe at the mention of Beth Moore , natural reflex , I do apologize. Enjoying your content !

[@Underdogtheology]

Appreciate that.

[@helenr4300]

And men on centrefolds, films and entertainment flashing flesh ....??? Why is bare flesh part of entertainment? Because it sells, because there is a market. Car adverts back to 50s will have pretty girls draped on the car, nothing to do with the product, the tech, etc but the male market could be reached this way.

[@LampWaters]

If joel is lex luther.... Doug is plastic Santa in Santa Clause 2

[@carolinem1698]

I don’t feel like an underdog, but I have always felt like a square peg hovering over a round hole. And 99% of the time, I’m OK with that. 😊

[@Underdogtheology]

Close enough!

[@ryanotten3587]

Canadian, eh

[@LampWaters]

Yes lex luther thats it

[@Nick_UnpluggedChristian]

rejection of patriarchy/hierarchy is heresy

[@Underdogtheology]

Oh I get your username now. Unplugged from orthodoxy? Right?

[@helenr4300]

Says you. Not all Christians agree with you.

[@Nick_UnpluggedChristian]

@@helenr4300 Don't care. They are heretical.

[@helenr4300]

@@Nick_UnpluggedChristian nice to know you have the direct line to God, and not merely an interpretation you have grown up with. And that you know exactly who are not Christians. Oliver Cromwell wrote - 'I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.'

[@pearcejayw]

@@Underdogtheology LOL