The Editors

Our friend Robert Fastiggi, who teaches at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, sends us this report on a recent conference. You’ll notice that one of the keynote speakers was Russell Hittinger, a member of the board of the Institute on Religion and Public Life. On March 3-4, a conference . . . . Continue Reading »

The writers of the recent  A Call for Intergenerational Justice have come Late to the Debt Party , writes David Mills in his “On the Square” column today. The writers, representing the Evangelical Left, have issued a vague statement that for the first time takes seriously the . . . . Continue Reading »

Four items from our archives: Richard John Neuhaus’s Today is Ash Wednesday . . . Edward T. Oakes’ Cardinal Newman for Ash Wednesday . David Mills’ Just Give It Up . Russell E. Saltzman’s Death By Imposition . . . . . Continue Reading »

• Biblical scholar Fr. Benedict Thomas Viviano has proposed an original take on the story of the wise men in Matthew’s Gospel. You guessed it! They may not all have been men. “The main reason to think of the presence of one or more women among the magi is the background story of the . . . . Continue Reading »

On this President’s Day, we offer selections from three articles we’ve published on Abraham Lincoln, all dealing in some way with his attempts to balance principle with practice, or rather to achieve his principles by understanding the situation, including the limits and restraints, in which he had to act, and acting accordingly. The value of his example is obvious… . Continue Reading »

The March issue is here! And let me tell you, it is an emotional rollercoaster ride. The public square is a touching remembrance by James Nuechterlein of RJN and First Things on the occasion of the start of our twenty-second year of publication… . Continue Reading »

• Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is said to have a way with words. Yes, and his ways are many and wondrous and were on display during a recent ELCA church council meeting, at which he spoke about faithfulness and leadership: “You can bet your . . . . Continue Reading »

The February issue is here! And not a moment too soon. First thing first, we have James Nuechterlein’s timely Public Square column in which he traces the few successes and many failures of America’s attempts to solve its racial problems… . Continue Reading »

• Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is said to have a way with words. Yes, and his ways are many and wondrous and were on display during a recent ELCA church council meeting, at which he spoke about faithfulness and leadership: “You can bet your . . . . Continue Reading »

First Things’ January issue has been sent out to subscribers, and is now available online. It is, if we might say so, brimming with intellectual variety. The issue opens with James Nuechterlein’s Public Square column, where he analyzes the roots of discomfort with patriotism, and how those who value religious orthodoxy can be patriots without being idolaters… . Continue Reading »