R. J. Snell, philosophy professor at Eastern University, posted an interesting essay today on The Public Discourse: “ Universities and the Graciousness of Being .” In the main, Snell wants to draw attention to the important role that good manners play in social life. At a minimum, like . . . . Continue Reading »
In The 50 Most Influential Religious Figures in American History , Joe Carter mentions G. K. Chesterton’s famous description of America as “a nation with the soul of a church. Readers may be interested in the context in which he wrote that. The famous phrase appears at the end of the . . . . Continue Reading »
Today in “On the Square”: David Hart reflects on the Mysteries of Consciousness , through his own and a friend’s having (or being given) a premonition of a friend’s death the next day. Now, these things—my vague intuitions, Jacob’s haunting dream—may have been . . . . Continue Reading »
In response to his own question, “What is America?”, G.K. Chesterton replied, “a nation with the soul of a church.” Throughout the nation’s history millions of believers of various faiths have shaped that soul. But which religious figures have had the most influence? I’ve selected fifty . . . . Continue Reading »
Dr. Laura Schlessinger is retiring from radio after a flap over her use of the N-word on her radio program. Schlessinger says she didn’t mean it in a hurtful manner—but was trying to point out that African-Americans use the word, which (I guess she meant) should be just as wrong as . . . . Continue Reading »
In a lecture on Introductory Theology, Kevin Vanhoozer describes how ministers were once considered Masters of theology, but now are considered Managers of programs for whom theology is only peripheral. He explains:The pastor is the Manager of resources, financial and personal – no wonder the . . . . Continue Reading »
A pro-choice group runs ads with women dressed as bears , in a reference to Sarah Palin’s “momma grizzlies.” One woman says “Want to know what threatens me? My daughter not having the right to choose” and another that they want to “protect our right to . . . . Continue Reading »
My cheap jab at Joel Osteen in a previous post has led some commenters wondering why I’m taking shots at the Word of Faith movement and/or the “prosperity gospel.” I admit that it was a bit naive and foolish to assume that readers of Evangel would even know why I was critical of . . . . Continue Reading »
Longtime readers of SHS and those who have read my books and other writings, know I oppose legalizing futile care theory. Futile care theory would permit bioethics committees or doctors to refuse wanted life-sustaining treatment based on quality of life and/or resource husbanding purposes (as . . . . Continue Reading »
“I’m walking from Erfurt, Germany, where an earnest young Augustinian friar named Martin Luther tried to get right with God, to Rome—500 years after said friar made the same journey himself,” writes the Lutheran scholar and pastor, and former First Things fellow, Sarah . . . . Continue Reading »
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