Virtue signaling is the new self-righteousness. And self-righteousness is for sissies. Every once in a while a term is coined that just has purchase. Political correctness is such a term. Some people hate it, especially if they’re guilty of it. I recall visiting a family member who happened to be the academic dean of a major university in the mid-90s. I used “political correctness” in passing. His face grew red and his voice strained. I knew I had touched a nerve.... Read more
That little reversal in the title of this post is intended to shake you out of idolatry. Yes, we all know the aphorism, “The family that prays together, stays together”. And there may even be some truth in it. But it gets things precisely backward and here’s why: This way of looking at things instrumentalizes God. It turns God into a means to our chosen end. It may be a good end–families sticking together in this case, and I’m all... Read more
The other day I stumbled across a post by a fellow Patheos blogger entitled, The Broken Aesthetics of Feminism. I was intrigued because I have an interest in aesthetics. I’m not a feminist though, although I do know many women and I’m even related to a few of them. One of them happened to be my mother. My mother was a Lefty. She was a fan of FDR and voted for him in every election after his death. She also... Read more
The best way to avoid disappointment is to not even try. Life is struggle. Jacob is not praised because he is too wise to care; he is praised because he fights. The other day a young man questioned my use of martial metaphors in preaching. My response was simple and direct. I use them because they’re biblical, end of story. I suspect that this didn’t convince him. But the riposte should have stuck him like a slap in the face... Read more
If you’re afraid of your plumber you’ve got a real problem. Now I’m assuming your plumber is the regular sort, somewhat taciturn and law abiding. The plumbers I know, and I know many, really don’t care too much about the politics of their customers. They just show up and do what they’re paid to do and leave. Apparently some liberals are waking up to the truth that the men they rely upon for the basic necessities of modern life are... Read more
I have a little sister, and like many children who grow frustrated with tagalong siblings, I’m sorry to say, I hit her once or twice. (Probably more, although I hope not.) My parents were not particularly good at parenting. But they did do some things right. And in this case I think they did their jobs very well. They put a stop to the violence with an authoritative, NO! I wasn’t a pugnacious boy, but for some reason I demanded... Read more
I’m pleased to announce that I’ve finally gotten my manuscript in to the publisher for Man of the House! About 4 years in the making, and one false start behind me (the first publisher and I parted ways), it is now only 6 months or so away from release. Since I’ll be talking about it more and more in the weeks and months ahead, I won’t say anything about it now. I’ll just leave you with this quotation from the... Read more
My last post noted that I’m working my way through Leon Podle’s fine book, The Church Impotent, The Feminization of Christianity. I’m at the point where Lee goes from amply substantiating his point with reams of data to moving on to an explanation–i.e., how’d this happen? Here’s a photo of the transitional paragraph (I’m too lazy to type it all out) click to enlarge: This is from page, 101. I’ll take up his explanation next time. I’m still busily working... Read more
I’m in the midst of a flurry of last minute edits to my manuscript, Man of the House before I send it off to my editors. Consequently my posts here at Patheos are down to one a week for the time being. In part, because I don’t want to leave something out of my book, and also just because I’ve really wanted to read it, I’m finally working my way through Leon Podles book, The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity.... Read more
I just finished reading a book that I’ve been commissioned to review for Touchstone Magazine. The book is entitled, Biblical and Theological Foundations for the Family. It is by Joseph C. Atkinson. (Atkinson is associate professor of sacred scripture at the Pontifical John Paull II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America.) I was first made aware of the book through Mars Hill Audio Journal. (Host Ken Myers interviewed Atkinson about the book on issue... Read more
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