April Letters

From the April 2005 Print Edition

Laughing Matters I am gratified that much of my assessment of Kierkegaard’s humor is confirmed by a critic as distinguished and rigorous as David B. Hart (see “The Laughter of the Philosophers,” January). In his critique, Mr. Hart has focused intently on a single sentence concerning . . . . Continue Reading »

Briefly Noted 8

From the March 2005 Print Edition

An Examined Faith: The Grace of Self-Doubt By James M. Gustafson Fortress. 119 pp. $15 paper. America’s senior Protestant ethicist here gives us another volume that ought not to pass without due appreciation and due concern. In this collection of recent lectures James Gustafson continues his . . . . Continue Reading »

March Letters 71

From the March 2005 Print Edition

A Moral Moment Missed? Richard John Neuhaus’ “Internationalisms” (Public Square, December 2004) fails to discuss the current war in terms of just war theory, which include just cause, right intention, competent authority, reasonable chance of success, proportionality of ends, and . . . . Continue Reading »

Briefly Noted 7

From the February 2005 Print Edition

Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey and Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies. By David T. Koyzis. InterVarsity. 281 pp. $18 paper. Koyzis’ book sounds two basic themes”that “ideologies” are necessarily idolatrous and that “Christian democracy” offers . . . . Continue Reading »

February Letters 70

From the February 2005 Print Edition

Science and Climate Change I am writing to express my disappointment with Thomas Sieger Derr’s “Strange Science” (November 2004).While I agree with Professor Derr that the science on global warming is uncertain, the conclusions he draws from the data are irresponsible. Prof. Derr . . . . Continue Reading »

Briefly Noted 6

From the January 2005 Print Edition

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason By Sam Harris W.W. Norton 256pp. $24.95 Sam Harris, who took his undergraduate degree in philosophy at Stanford University, endeavors here to accomplish in brief compass the following goals: to discredit all forms of religious faith as . . . . Continue Reading »

January Letters 69

From the January 2005 Print Edition

Canadian Conservatives? Raymond J. de Souza’s “Unsettling Canada” (October 2004) contains solid hints about why social conservatives continue to forge ill-advised alliances with political conservatives. However, in noting the weakened position of social conservatives within . . . . Continue Reading »

Briefly Noted 68

From the December 2004 Print Edition

The Fate of Their Country: Politicians, Slavery Extension, and the Coming of the Civil War. By Michael F. Holt. Hill and Wang. 168pp. $20. This is a book that has everything going for it except its arbitrarily imposed”and quite unpersuasive”thesis. Holt, a historian at the University of . . . . Continue Reading »

2004 December Letters

From the December 2004 Print Edition

Just Punishment? In “Capital Punishment: The Case for Justice” (August/September), J. Budziszewski makes a strong argument for capital punishment based on justice in accord with Scripture. However, I think that in focusing on justice and clemency rather than on signs or sacramentality he . . . . Continue Reading »

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From the November 2004 Print Edition

Freedom Just Around the Corner: A New American History 1585-1828. By Walter A. McDougall. HarperCollins. 638 pp. $29.95. In this first installment of a projected three-volume national history, Walter McDougall, whose panoramic history of the Space Age won the Pulitzer Prize, surveys the shifting . . . . Continue Reading »