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In Praise of Sidewalks

From First Thoughts

David Schaengold’s excellent observations about the modern skyscraper continue to draw well-deserved attention. Rod Dreher is the latest to chime in , touting the cathedral as the superior to the “cold and forbidding beauty” of the modern skyscraper: Still, I think Schaengold is on . . . . Continue Reading »

Playing the (a)Theological Mystery Card

From First Thoughts

Every theologian, wanna-be theologian, a-theologian, and otherwise thinking person has one. Discuss a point of theology long enough, and you’ll inevitably see it played. Call it Anderson’s Law: As a theological conversation grows longer, the probability of seeing the mystery card . . . . Continue Reading »

The Witness of Being Weird

From First Thoughts

One of the main themes of the early days of First Things ’ Evangel blog was evangelicals’ complex relationship to culture. I recently came across Evangel contributor Russell Moore’s astute analysis on the question from 2007 in the pages of Touchstone , the other ecumenical magazine . . . . Continue Reading »

The New Dating Game

From First Thoughts

Charlotte Allen has  a long piece in The Weekly Standard that highlights the contemporary dating game and the pathologies—there’s really no other word—that drive it.   From her conclusion: The whole point of the sexual and feminist revolutions was to obliterate the sexual . . . . Continue Reading »

The Witness of Weirdness

From First Thoughts

One of the main themes of Evangel’s early days was evangelicals’ complex relationship to culture.I recently came across Evangel contributor Dr. Russell Moore’s astute analysis on the question from 2007 in the pages of Touchstone, the other ecumenical magazine of record.Dr. . . . . Continue Reading »

Desiring the Kingdom: Final Thoughts

From First Thoughts

I am grateful that Professor (or is it Agent?) Smith took a little time to address some of the concerns I raised regarding his excellent book. He would have been justified to take the route of Stanhope from Charles Williams’ Descent into Hell, who, when asked about the meaning of his play, . . . . Continue Reading »

One More on Avatar: Pandora as Eden

From First Thoughts

I’d put this in the comments on Justin’s post, but Milliner’s review of Avatar and its conservative reviewers merits deserves a broad audience.The blue people do it better. Harmony with nature, respect for food sources, sensitivity to the earth, liturgical vitality, rites of . . . . Continue Reading »