Month: July 2012
Jimmy Carter Calls Christians to Return to Jesus’ Moral Agenda on Prisoners
In general, I’m not a fan of Jimmy Carter. He was a mediocre president and a meddlesome ex-president. However, over the last two weeks, I spent time in Ph.D. classes with a correctional chaplain from South Carolina. She informed the class of the dehumanizing effects of incarceration and encouraged us with examples of how Christian ministry can rehumanize inmates. What she said helped me cut Jimmy Carter a little slack and pay attention to his remarks. Jesus’ moral agenda is summarized in Luke 4:18-19. Unfortunately, U.S. Christians in general and Baptists in particular have neglected it, especially the part about … Continue reading Jimmy Carter Calls Christians to Return to Jesus’ Moral Agenda on Prisoners
Hold on to Your Wallet: The Cost of Corporate Welfare and Rent-Seeking
It seems to me that opposition to corporate cronyism is a cause that should unite the Right and the Left. Veronique de Rugy points to recent studies that show just how costly corporate cronyism is: I have been talking a lot recently about the cost of cronyism – the practice by which government officials provide preferential treatment (such as loans, subsidies, or regulatory preferences) to handpicked firms or industries. Cronyism takes many forms: It is Solyndra, the farm bill, subsidies to oil-and-gas corporations, banks and automobile companies, but also the protections granted to the sugar industry and other industries, tax credits … Continue reading Hold on to Your Wallet: The Cost of Corporate Welfare and Rent-Seeking
Why Does the UN Still Exist?
Over at Defining Ideas, Kenneth Anderson asks and answers a good question: Why does the UN still exist? The rhetoric that surrounds the United Nations, the rhetoric that gives us the persistent ideal of “The Parliament of Man,” has this constant and peculiar trope. It is always looking beyond the dismal present day of the United Nations to the glorious transcendental future of global governance, always on offer, but always on offer tomorrow. Call it “UN platonism.” Or maybe call it—the non-falsifiable idea of the United Nations. It amounts to an infatuation with “global governance” as an ideal platonic form. … Continue reading Why Does the UN Still Exist?
Don’t Eat Your Dog: The Surprising Moral Case for Free Enterprise
From Arthur Brooks at the American Enterprise Institute: Continue reading Don’t Eat Your Dog: The Surprising Moral Case for Free Enterprise
The Art of Jon McNaughton, the Tea Party’s Painter (Or, In My Opinion, Bad Art Giving Voice to Syncretistic Theology)
A fascinating interpretation of the politically charged artwork of Jon McNaughton, and the emerging political coalition between some Mormons and some evangelicals: A few years ago, political commentators wondered if a new partnership was emerging in American politics between evangelicals and Catholics. But neither group has turned out to be as monolithic as some expected. One Nation Under God, The Forgotten Man and Wake Up America! suggest a new coalition, one personified in Glenn Beck (and now perhaps Mitt Romney): a union among conservative evangelicals and Mormons. It is noteworthy that Joseph Smith is not among the worthies who step … Continue reading The Art of Jon McNaughton, the Tea Party’s Painter (Or, In My Opinion, Bad Art Giving Voice to Syncretistic Theology)
The Aurora Murders and Demonic Possession: Demonic infestation is a rare, strange and terrible psycho-spiritual affliction. It’s also real. Was James Holmes possessed?
Father Dwight Longenecker raises the possibility, and explains the deeper meaning, of possession by Evil: What makes a mild mannered, promising young scientist decide to arm himself to the teeth, walk into a suburban movie theater and start killing innocent people at random? Did he have a bad childhood experience? Doesn’t seem that way. Everybody says he was a nice, very smart, shy kid. Maybe a bit of a geek, but there are millions of geeks who don’t go on killing sprees. Was he insane? There weren’t any warning signs that he was crazy. Was he politically or religiously motivated? … Continue reading The Aurora Murders and Demonic Possession: Demonic infestation is a rare, strange and terrible psycho-spiritual affliction. It’s also real. Was James Holmes possessed?
‘Mystery Guests’ Rank Churches Based on First-Time Visits: Churches with 300-500 in Attendance Perform Best
When it comes to making a good first impression, which church scores best? Mega (1,000+), large (300-500), or micro (<80)? First-time visitors to churches across the country say churches with 300 to 500 attendees perform the best when it comes to first impressions, according to a recent report. Their experiences at mega churches and smaller-sized congregations weren’t quite as enjoyable. Faith Perceptions partnered with church leaders and sent out “mystery guests” to rate their first-time visits at churches varying in size from dozens of members to over a thousand. They found that “large” churches – with average weekly attendance of … Continue reading ‘Mystery Guests’ Rank Churches Based on First-Time Visits: Churches with 300-500 in Attendance Perform Best
In the matter of Chick-fil-A, it’s Mike Huckabee vs. Bert and Ernie
Can’t a guy just enjoy his chargrilled chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and sweet tea without politics barging in? The comments about same-sex marriage made by Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy a week ago continue to generate controversy this week, with politicians and fantasy creatures, well at least their handlers, weighing in. “Guilty as charged,” Cathy was quoted as saying in the Baptist Press last week when asked about his company’s support of the traditional family unit as opposed to same-sex marriage. “We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned … Continue reading In the matter of Chick-fil-A, it’s Mike Huckabee vs. Bert and Ernie
Janitors With College Degrees and the Higher-Education Bubble: As college costs continue to climb, the return on many degrees has diminished
I was a janitor while I attended in college, so I have nothing against that line of work. Still, this report by John Leo can’t be encouraging to college grads: Students are paying a bigger share of their college bills, parents are paying less, and families are beginning to turn away from well-known and expensive colleges in favor of cheaper ones, including community colleges or anything near home. So says the 2012 version of Sallie Mae’s annual report, “How America Pays for College,” a collection of dry statistics that nevertheless reflect the rapidly rising anxiety about higher education and whether … Continue reading Janitors With College Degrees and the Higher-Education Bubble: As college costs continue to climb, the return on many degrees has diminished
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