-
Against Iran (and North Korea) panic
CPA at Three Hierarchies applies the wisdom of Mao (really!) to our current situation. Related: Jim Henley argues that Pakistan is a plausible test case of an Islamist-influenced dictatorship with nukes which hasn’t passed them off to terrorists, giving us some reason to think that Iran wouldn’t either.
-
McPherson’s Grace at this Time
Last week I read C.W. McPherson’s short book Grace at this Time, which is an explanation and commendation of the Daily Office as a form of daily prayer for Christians. The practice of the daily office – a structured form of daily prayer consisting of a prescribed order of psalms and readings with responses and…
-
A few links with notes
In comments to this post, *Christopher commended the work of Catholic theologian James Alison. A quick Google search reveals that many of his writings are available online here. I’m somewhat wary of people who rely too much on Rene Girard’s work, only because they often give off a vibe of “Girard has figured out everything!”,…
-
Ward on Original Sin and Atonement
Previously we saw Keith Ward offer an account of original sin that he thinks consistent with a broad evolutionary picture. As a result of a primal choice for evil and turning away from God, the human race finds itself estranged from God and unable to repair the breach. Ward distinguishes between what he calls “forensic”…
-
The road to hell, etc.
With Iraq as Exhibit A, U of Chicago law prof Eric Posner (son of Richard, I think) argues for a presumption against “humanitarian” war in the Washington Post. Many well-meaning people – often, but not exclusively liberals – who otherwise tend to be “anti-war” find themselves with an itchy trigger finger when it comes to…
-
Go, capitalism!
Nice article at Reason on the flourishing American beer market. Despite the sneering connotations often given to the phrase “American beer,” the article notes that “More styles of suds are now brewed in America than in any other place. Along with the light-tasting lagers that still dominate the market, the new offerings include porters, stouts,…
-
Evolution, the Fall, and Original Sin
I enjoyed Keith Ward’s Pascal’s Fire so much (despite disagreement in places) that when I saw his Religion and Human Nature at a used bookseller for five bucks I snatched it up. RHN is part of Ward’s four-part “comparative theology” which also includes volumes on revelation, creation, and community. His methodology is to compare the…
-
A day that will live in infamy
It’s not everyday that we get a bill that constitutes a massive executive power grab and effectively authorizes torture (or “torture-lite” if you insist). What a great day to be an American! Republicans like Denny Hastert and their media echo chamber keep accusing people who oppose this sort of thing as wanting to “give rights…
-
"The Muslim Gandhi"
A friend of mine sent me this article from the New Yorker on the life and death of Mahmoud Muhammad Taha, a radical Islamic cleric in Sudan who was executed for opposition to the government. The twist is that Taha was a radical progressive, an exponent of a liberal reinterpretation of Islam. Taha’s direct influence…
-
Links a poppin’
Marvin has a three part series on the Emergent Church, offers some critical questions, and wonders how a congregation like his, which is not located in a hip, urban enclave might make use of some “emergent” ideas. Brandon writes that Richard Dawkins’ reading of scripture makes fundamentalism look sophisticated and he also questions whether it’s…
A Thinking Reed 