Peter J. Leithart

Friedman notes that the end of major wars frequently evokes an unwarranted euphoria.  Every war is considered not only a war to end wars, but a war that has ended war: After every major war - what we might call systemic war in which the entire international system convulsed - there was a . . . . Continue Reading »

A lot has happened since George Friedman published his America’s Secret War: Inside the Hidden Worldwide Struggle Between America and Its Enemies in 2003 (with a paperback edition in 2005).  Still, Friedman’s book is the most satisfying treatment of recent American history that . . . . Continue Reading »

In answer to a question from a former student about the relations of Jews and Gentiles in Old and New, I offered these points as coordinates for that question: 1. Yes, Gentiles were saved under the Old Covenant, and Israel’s contact with an success with Gentiles increased as time went on. . . . . Continue Reading »

In his The Suffering of the Impassible God: The Dialectics of Patristic Thought (Oxford Early Christian Studies) , Paul Gavrilyuk challenges the “fall into Hellenism” thesis especially as it pertains to the patristic use of the notion of impassibility.  Early in the book, relying . . . . Continue Reading »

God is Lord of light.  Everyone says that. But that’s not much help to me, since I’m lost in the dark.  If God is going to be my Lord, He has to be Lord of light and dark, death and life.  It’s not enough for Him to have first place in creation.  He has to be . . . . Continue Reading »

Jim Rogers of Texas A&M writes: “I’m not as certain as you are that it’s generally true that ‘If there’s one thing that Americans want, it is to be rich.’  This is, presumably, an empirical question, and so my armchair observations are certainly not to . . . . Continue Reading »

Christoph Luxenberg (a pseudonym) has argued that “In its origin the Quran is a Syro-Aramaic liturgical book, with hymns and extracts from Scriptures which might have been used in sacred Christian services.”  Philip Jenkins summarizes some of the evidence: “The very name . . . . Continue Reading »

“Do all in moderation” can sound ascetic, life-denying.   Me genoito ! Moderation is an aesthetic term, and as an ethical standard combines aesthetic and moral criteria.  It’s a musical ideal.   Moderatus is linked to modus , measure, limit, rhythm, song. Epieikes . . . . Continue Reading »

In his response to Faustus’ theories about the relation of hyle and God, Augustine launches into several lyrical passages in praise of the harmony and order of creation.  Some selections (from Book 21): “the divine art does not create the universe by simply making its individual . . . . Continue Reading »

Paul ends 1 Timothy with some quite striking warnings about the dangers of wealth.  Godliness involves contentment, contentment with food and clothing; Paul reminds Timothy that wealth neither came with us nor goes with us when we die (6:6-8).  Ungodliness is discontent with God’s . . . . Continue Reading »