In American political rhetoric–stump speeches, newspaper editorials, party propaganda–the terms “left wing” and “right wing” are used as epithets. They are terms of opprobrium. We employ them on our opponents, hoping to persuade voters to turn away from such dangerous ideologues. When . . . . Continue Reading »
The Public Square Rapidly changing attitudes toward Christian ministry reflect a cultural incursion into the life of the churches that is getting mixed reviews. In all the churches one hears seminary professors, bishops, and others in positions of oversight complain about candidates for ministry . . . . Continue Reading »
The Resurgent Liberal: And Other Unfashionable Prophecies by robert reich random house, 303 pages, $19.95 There are no liberal neckties. At a conservative gathering one will generally find a smattering of Adam Smith neckties. In the back of conservative magazines, there are likely to be one-column . . . . Continue Reading »
The Galileo Affair: A Documentary History edited and translated with an introduction and notes by maurice a. finocchiaro university of california press, 382 pages, $50 cloth, $12.95 The Galileo affair lasted twenty years. It began pleasantly, almost innocently, in December 1613 in Florence at . . . . Continue Reading »
Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Obligation by alan wolfe university of california press, 361 pages, $25 Let it be said at the outset and without ambiguity: this is an important book. Alan Wolfe, a professor of sociology at Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, . . . . Continue Reading »
America’s Theologian: A Recommendation of Jonathan Edwardsby robert jenson oxford university press, 224 pages, $26 At first glance it is surprising that an avowedly Lutheran theologian, steeped, by his own admission, in the European theological tradition, should find so much to recommend in . . . . Continue Reading »
A Future South Africa: Visions, Strategies, and Realitiesedited by peter l. berger and bobby godsellwestview press, 344 pages, $32.50 “My dear friend, clear your mind of cant,” said Dr. Johnson in a celebrated piece of advice to Boswell. “You may talk as other people do; you may say to a . . . . Continue Reading »
Thinking the Faith: Christian Theology in a North American Context by douglas john jaul augsburg press, 456 pages, $29.95 The intention is admirable, indeed urgent. It is to restate the Christian proposition in a manner critically attuned to American culture and the challenges facing our society. . . . . Continue Reading »
Paul Tillich famously wrote about ethics in the heteronomous, autonomous, and theonomous modes. To summarize all too briefly, heteronomous ethics is authoritarian, requiring submission to alien rules. Autonomous ethics is the conceit of modern liberalism that the individual is a law unto himself. . . . . Continue Reading »
Dull, restless mornings, crawling with hungers— To have something to do and to have done it. Blackbirds, treading the rubbery rowan branches. Sucking down the berries like juju beads. Walkers heading for work, pointing like windsocks. The indifferent trees around them, letting their leaves . . . . Continue Reading »
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