One of the temptations young parents face is the temptation of wanting to learn some “techniques,” some 1,2,3 tricks for sure-fire success. When you feel lost, it is easy to want to resort to easy solutions. If you already feel like you are in over your head, why would you seek out solutions that are …
Staggering Backward
Isaiah gives us a good description of what it is like to be ruled by those who have been struck with a judicial stupor. He also describes what it is like when a people are liberated from that rule. “The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful” …
The Holy, Horror, and Halloween
I want to take the approach of yet another Halloween to address something that is increasingly related to it. A few years ago I wrote about the lawfulness of celebrating Halloween itself — at the little kid dressing up level — but here I want to develop further a thought I mentioned in passing there. …
The Limitations of Kitten Hugging
Whenever you propose something, as I propose a return to mere Christendom, one of the natural objections people raise is the objection of trajectories — as in, “that’s all very well, but what might this lead to next?” Given this sinfulness of this world, and the genius we have for corrupting everything we touch, this …
Cathedrals of the New Foundation
In the past, it is true, I have occasionally written positive things about generally despised groups. I have done this with the medievals, with the Puritans, and even for some aspects of the Confederacy. Given this propensity of mine, was it not just a matter of time before I would come out to praise some …
Froward
I have written many times that free markets are for a free people, and that only a free people can sustain them. But slaves to sin cannot be a free people. And the only way to be liberated from slavery to sin is through the gospel that brings new life. Another problem is that when …
Deep Theology, Man
First, read this. After you have done so, then you may read what follows. The two cash quotes are these: “Note that “faithfulness to Scriptures” involves politics, the arts and sciences, and movies. Note as well that Leithart himself has defended the political theology of Constantine precisely because it is a worthy alternative to secularity. …
Red State Incarnationalist
There are a number of reasons why Christians are reluctant to bring their ideas down out of the realm of ethereal abstractions. One of those reasons is that to do so requires us to take responsibiltiy. Another reason is that taking responsibility brings us into conflict. In short, we can’t come down from the heights …
In Defense of Blasphemy Codes
In one sense, defending blasphemy codes is the easiest thing in the world. All you have to do is demonstrate how everybody has them — you can defend them because everybody defends them. Blasphemy codes are inescapable — it not whether a society outlaws blasphemy, but rather which patterns of speech will be considered blasphemy. …
Book of the Month/October 2012
This is a superb little book, one that addresses a screaming need with clarity, while at the same time avoiding a simplistic 1,2,3 triteness. The theme of the book, as the title suggests, is that provocative little phrase from the Westminister Confession which says this: “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for …