Joe Carter

The Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) recently made available an address Fr. Richard John Neuhaus first delivered in 1995 . In reflecting on the role of IRD, Fr. Neuhaus provides some particularly intriguing and provocative thoughts on the role of religion in America: If you go back and . . . . Continue Reading »

Philosopher Roger Scruton laments the reductionism that often accompanies new developments in neuroscience: I read this stuff with mounting scepticism, especially now, when the overblown celebrations of Darwin’s anniversary have begun to stick in the throat. I am reminded of the street . . . . Continue Reading »

Upon reading the claim by a New York Times art critic that in looking at a painting “to lack a persuasive theory is to lack something crucial,” the incomparable Tom Wolfe wrote in his book The Painted Word : Then and there I experienced a flash known as the Aha! Phenomenon, and the . . . . Continue Reading »

Randal Rauser, a professor of theology at Taylor Seminary, Edmonton, Canada, argues that every area of life requires a faith commitment : At the end of his tremendously irritating film “Religulous”, Bill Maher states that “Faith means making a virtue out of not thinking.” With . . . . Continue Reading »

At the Harvard Business blog , Gill Corkindale wonders whether it is realistic to expect work to make us happy: According to Swiss philosopher Alain de Botton, we are living in a unique era, when we are encouraged to seek happiness through work. The idea of work as a source of fulfillment has been . . . . Continue Reading »

“As long as Americans are comfortable with debt, we will elect officials who are too.” — Ray McCollum (Via: Challies / Take Your Vitamin Z ) . . . . Continue Reading »

If you’re fascinated by science but bored with discussions about evolution (as I am), then I recommend this short video exchange between linguist John McWhorter and biochemist Michael Behe. McWhorter, who happens to be an atheist, does an excellent job of asking the questions many of us have . . . . Continue Reading »

As Muslims across the world celebrate Ramadan, they’ll be joined in their fast by Brian D. McLaren . McLaren, the controversial godfather of the emergent church movement, says he and a handful of his friends are fasting during the Islamic holy month in order to “come close to our Muslim . . . . Continue Reading »

What would happen if literary geniuses were interviewed by academic search committees? The summaries might look something like this : Name of applicant: Austen, Jane At times a charming candidate, but too coy to fit into our department of women’s studies. A bit too pleased with herself, . . . . Continue Reading »

After a fifteeen-month battle with brain cancer, Senator Edward Kennedy died today at the age of seventy-seven. As one of the most influential liberal senators of all time, he was often viewed as the archenemy of conservatives. On a personal level, though, Kennedy’s warmth and charm would . . . . Continue Reading »