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 …
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. …
Unraveled
One of the characteristics of unraveled societies is that they are not aware of it. Because a culture is coming apart into pieces, it becomes easy to identify (and blame) that other piece over there. Your piece of the Balkanization is just fine. The privilege of demonizing others is one of the perks of fragmentation. …
7 Rules for Reformers
A generation ago “community organizer” Saul Alinsky famously penned his Rules for Radicals, and it is my conviction that those interested in reformation should match his craft and self-awareness without trying to compete with the speed and depth of his revolutionary destructo-vision. Some revolutionaries are patient and some are not. Gramsci argued for the “long …
Obama’s Red Rubber Nose
I want to begin by acknowledging what all right-minded observers ought to know by now, which is that Obama’s foreign policy approach is a clownfest. And if that is the case, and it is, his Middle East bureau would be the red rubber nose. It is as if somebody decided to take a mash-up of …
Hey, This Knife Cuts in Two Directions!
Suppose the point were to be made — and it is a worthy point to make — that being a Christian trumps being an American. This is a point with which I am in whole-hearted agreement, and which I have made in this place numerous times. A conservative Republican believer in Jesus has far more …
Douglas the Dogmaton?
A few distinctions still remain to be made in our discussion of authoritative proclamation. A friend has reminded me that we need to bring another issue to the surface, which is the nature of claims of authority (implicit in authoritative claims) over against claims of infallibility. And this whole subject is actually trickier than it …
That Bucket and Broomstick Sequence
In our discussions of politics in the name of Jesus, the point has been raised that it is no light thing to speak in the name of Jesus. This cheerfully granted, and yet I have persisted in saying that unequal weights and measures — the kind used by the Fed — are hateful to God. …