“A good border collie does not just decide (for the sake of doctrinal consistency) that he will always nip at a sheep’s left hind leg. He alternates, and does so with a larger purpose in view” (Against the Church, p. 206).
Because That’s How It Works
“If we learn to scatter more fragments of grace, a second glance might reveal them all to have become diamonds the moment they left our hands” (Against the Church, p. 204).
With All Your Protections in a Binder on His Desk
After my Due Process post, I received a letter from a friend — a tax attorney — who agreed with my central point about the modern tyrannical state, but who did want to defend the IRS on the point I was making about due process. “Although I agree with you that the modern administrative state …
When the Heart is Gone
“So let us try to forget the word evangelical as a demographic description. Let us try to forget the word liturgical as a description of the boring church you grew up in. Let us try to forget the word doctrine as it was handled by that great nineteenth-century divine, the Rev. Dr. Snodgood, in three …
Pursued by . . . Hounds
In a few weeks, the short film The Hound of Heaven will be premiering in London at the Raindance Film Festival. It was made here in Moscow, directed by Nate, and is spooky good. After it releases, I will let you know how you can see it. In the meantime, click on the picture for …
Keeping It Simple
After a few days have gone by, I finally got around to watching the clip of Ted Cruz addressing a dinner hosted by “In Defense of Christians” (IDC). I had seen it referred to in various ways, but with some online calling it a despicable stunt on the part of Cruz. I saw the entire …
Due Process, or Do the Process?
Some, like myself, believe that coercion without warrant from Scripture is a very bad thing. For others this category of coercion is largely invisible. It just appears to be part of the way things are. In this installment, I want to explain how unlawful coercion is a very real characteristic of our governmental system, and …
Stuff Inviolate
I have been arguing that property rights are human rights. I have been insisting that it is not possible to love your neighbor without respecting his stuff. I have been saying that the commandment thou shalt not steal presupposes the institution of private property in just the same way that the prohibition of adultery presupposes …
One Sees His Point, Of Course
Sure. Let’s Call It a Contribution.
So I have distinguished the payment of taxes that are owed, and the payment of taxes that is rendered out of a principled prudence. In the former instance, paying taxes is a matter of conscience and in the latter it is a matter of intelligence. When I give my wallet to the mugger, I am …