The rise of "advocacy philanthropy," in which wealthy donors and their foundations spend vast sums of money in order to influence public policy and achieve political goals, has led to a "shadow government," which usurps the democratic political process. Examples range from school curriculum to the 2020 presidential election.
What's with Donald Trump telling Republicans that, unless his claims that the election was stolen from him are vindicated, they should refuse to vote?
Does it seem like the world has gone mad? Bari Weiss, the ex-New York Times journalist hounded out of her job for violating political correctness, sums up evidence that it has.
While most people's preoccupation with the economy is usually about creating jobs, our economy now has to deal with people who had jobs but quit. In the so-called "Great Resignation," a record number of Americans are quitting their jobs and in some cases are leaving the labor market. Why that is, how the former workers are getting by, and what it means.
A controversy has broken out among evangelical Christians on whether Christians should fight the culture or try to be accepted by it. The focus is on the leaders, the evangelical elite. Are they too eager for acceptance by the mainstream journalists, academics, and their social peers in the professional class?
Historian Nadya Williams discusses the concept in ancient Rome of "otium," or leisure, as opposed to "negotium," or busy-ness. The ideal was "otium," which allowed for the life of the mind. But since someone had to do the work, this mindset was connected to the rise of slavery. Christianity, though, with its doctrine of vocation, would place a new value on work.
The Bible assigns a very high status to old people. But it doesn't draw back from the miseries of old age. And it gives a special promise to the elderly.
Harvard professor James Hankins notes that classical education used to be associated with the elite. But today's revival of classical education is "countercultural" and "populist." And that's a good thing.
Today I attain my Biblical allotment of three score years and ten, that is to say, 70 years. Everything else will be extra. Some thoughts on the advantages of getting old and reflections on Psalm 90
One of the puzzles in J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings sagas is who--or what--is Tom Bombadil? After failing to find out--even from expert sources--I have finally come across an answer. . . .
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