Many thanks for the good discussion on the previous post. Obviously more is needed. In fact, when I consider the shape we’re in, more is desperately needed. I say the Apostles’ Creed far more often than I say the Pledge. And when I say the Pledge of Allegiance, as noted already, it is not without …
The Minimal State and Other Bright Ideas
The last day or so Nancy and I have had the wonderful privilege of visiting the folks at Trinitas Christian School in Pensacola, and were wonderfully impressed with the work they are doing as a classical and Christian school. What a marvelous place. Last night I spoke for them on “The Paideia of God,” and …
Even Using Both Hands
I have been arguing that the central response of Christians to the ongoing disintegration of our culture must be to return to the worship of the triune God in such a way as that it becomes the seed of a renewed and rejuvenated Christian culture. That end cannot be accomplished by political means, as Scripture …
No Answer to Blood but Blood
The old Chinese curse says, “May you live in interesting times.” And here we are. Some conservatives who are not worried think that Obama will simply be a Carter rerun — an unknown who made a great first impression, but who grew quickly wearisome at an accelerating pace. Some conservatives who are panicked think that …
Battlefields and Museums
The real constitution of every nation is located in the cultural assumptions of the people of that nation, and those cultural assumptions are themselves fixed by the object of their worship. The God (or gods) you worship shape and direct everything. The God you worship may cause you to write certain things down (in your …
Knee Deep in the Mulligatawny
Well, we are knee deep in the mulligatawny now. Let’s talk about it, shall we? I have written already that for Christians to respond to Obama’s election with panic and despair is unbecoming, silly, and counterproductive. That is all good enough, but what should our response to all this be? In order to answer the …
Ten Things to Keep in Mind After the Election
I write at the very beginning of election day, not knowing the outcome. These are things that we should remember regardless, and they will be applicable regardless. 1. God is still Father, Christ is still at His right hand, and the Holy Spirit is still abroad in the world, recreating that world according to the …
Something to Mutter at the Polls
Obama floats, Obama leads,Obama nods, the media needsThat man’s apotheosis.Obama lies, Obama drawls,Obama grins, Obama trawlsWith our brand new neurosis. The other guy is John McCain,With not much there to numb the pain,Not even Sarah Palin.His grimaces might pass for smiles,Conservatives would walk for milesTo put this coffin nail in. Elections come, elections go,I vote …
A Festival of Self-Deception
The election is tomorrow and regardless of how it goes, it will be nice to have something else to talk about, like where in the back yard we should bury the family silver. But in the time remaining, here are just a few relevant observations. First, in times of declension the people in charge are …
More Like Another Professional Sport
I heard a television pundit say something the other night that was very insightful. I know, remarkable, but there it is. He said, anticipating the event of an Obama election, that the ensuing political struggles would all be conducted between the two forty-yard lines. I think this is exactly right. On the one hand it …