MOSCOW, Idaho (RNS) — Pastor Doug Wilson has agreed to a live on-air discussion with the producers of “Sons of Patriarchy,” a podcast dedicated to exposing what it describes as abuse within Wilson’s church, Christ Church, after a confrontation during a weekend of dueling events in Moscow.
The unexpected agreement came Saturday (Aug. 9) when Wilson was approached by Peter Bell, the podcast’s producer, and Sarah Bader, who works on the show, during a weekend-long event organized by the church.
Bell said Wilson agreed to “a live 1-on-1 with me in Moscow, Idaho. We have it on record.”
However, Bell noted to RNS that Wilson is demanding a closed venue for the live conversation and other stipulations.
“He’s well aware of the crowd and media this would bring, and that I know his theology about as well as anyone else,” said Bell, who started “Sons of Patriarchy” last year to expose what he sees as patterns of abuse in church leaders.
Wilson confirmed the potential debate on Facebook, posting “It’s happening … IF” in response to an announcement about the face-off.
Guests pack the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center for a “Sons of Patriarchy” live event on Aug. 8, 2025, in Moscow, Idaho. (Photo by Tracy Simmons/FāVS News)
The development follows a sold out “Sons of Patriarchy” event on Friday, in which more than 275 people packed Moscow’s Kenworthy Performing Arts Center to hear a live recording of the show. The podcast producers had deliberately scheduled their first Moscow visit to coincide with Grace Agenda, Christ Church’s weekend conference themed around C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series.
The dueling Moscow events came the same weekend Wilson drew national attention for a CNN interview where he defended his belief that women should not be in church leadership and are expected to submit to their husbands. Wilson, a self-described Christian nationalist, also doubled down on his support to repeal the 19th Amendment — which gave women the right to vote and was ratified in 1920 — sa …