First Thoughts

“Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive”

The Brexit vote reveals national divisions in the United Kingdom and social divisions in English society—but it still defies the simplistic pieties of the metro-Left. Continue Reading »

Leave Wins

Like most Americans, I paid little attention to the Brexit campaign. It seemed a foregone conclusion. The prediction markets were signaling that a vote to leave the E.U. was a long shot; the polls indicated that Remain was comfortably ahead; the stock markets were quiet. Besides, anti-E.U. protests . . . . Continue Reading »

The Ecumenical Consequences of the Peace

Recent Protestant debates over the Trinity and the role of women point to a fundamental problem, but also suggest fruitful avenues for future theological and ecclesiastical engagement. Continue Reading »

What We've Been Reading—6.24.16

This week, for my sins, I read The Power of Positive Thinking and The Art of the Deal. I won't list my sins here, but you can tell by the penance that they are great. Norman Vincent Peale does not lay any great stress on sin in The Power of Positive Thinking. For him, it is more important to improve one's attitude, to think positively, than to say domine, non sum dignus.

Hot Takes and Viral Hits for Your Hip Christian Women’s Magazine

Eggs Benedict Option: Saving Western Civilization over Brunch

Ten Espadrilles That Scream Gender Realism

And Many More! Continue Reading »

American Civil Liberties Union Seeks Texas Abortion Data

The ACLU has never shown any interest in abortion reporting previously. For instance, ACLU has remained silent as California has refused to report any abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control since 1997. The ACLU has not complained when other states refused to release data to the CDC. Additionally, the ACLU was silent in early 2011 when the CDC delayed publishing their annual “Abortion Surveillance” report and a CDC spokesman indicated that there were “no plans” for abortion data to be released. Continue Reading »

“Hate,” Once More: The Assassination of Jo Cox

Last week, Thomas Mair murdered Labour Party lawmaker Jo Cox in a village in northern England. Yesterday, Parliament paid tribute to her in a special session. To judge by the speeches, British politicians are just as attracted to the explanatory power of “hate” in political violence as are their . . . . Continue Reading »

The Continuing Disaster of Sudan's Islamist Government

Sudan largely dropped out of the news after the secession of South Sudan. Independence for South Sudan came on the heels of reduced conflict in Darfur and, earlier, the inward turn of the Islamist Al-Ingaz (or “Salvation”) regime. These events seemed to portend a turn for the better in Sudan. . . . . Continue Reading »

The Great Orthodox Council: Antioch Is Different

The Church of Antioch, a traditional bridge between cultures and nations, refuses to attend the Holy and Great Council—and not just because it objects to the council documents. Antioch is seeking to defend its territorial integrity against militant Islam and incursions by a sister church. Continue Reading »

A Letter from Rusty

Dear Readers, Supporters, and Friends,

There's still time to contribute to the mission of First Things. Continue Reading »