Mitt: Make the Moral Case for Capitalism

Last updated on: October 1, 2012 at 12:44 pm By Timothy Dalrymple

Arthur Brooks nails it in this video. Data-driven arguments on behalf of free-market capitalism will not prevail over moral arguments that appeal to “fairness” and the plight of those the market leaves behind. In the marketplace of ideas, for the vast majority of people, “It’s immoral” will defeat “It works” every time. This is a particular danger for Romney, as he approaches the debates. Romney leans toward the economic argument for free enterprise while Obama leans toward the moral argument... Read more

When Do You Stop Calling Someone an Evangelical?

Last updated on: September 29, 2012 at 3:04 pm By Timothy Dalrymple

Terry Mattingly raises an interesting question at the excellent GetReligion blog: When do we stop calling someone evangelical? And who decides? The occasion for the question is Brian McLaren’s action, shortly after his son’s same-sex wedding ceremony (officiated by a Universal Life minister), to conduct “a commitment ceremony with traditional Christian elements for family and friends.” Terry does not draw a line in the sand, and — before everyone attacks him — he does not do so over the issue... Read more

Want to Help the Poor? Promote a Free Market in Health Care

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 2:38 pm By Timothy Dalrymple

What health care program would most benefit the poor? One healthcare expert's answer may might surprise you. Read more

Is “I Don’t Know” Political Suicide?

Last updated on: September 28, 2012 at 3:02 pm By Timothy Dalrymple

At a meal recently with two men who were older and much wiser than myself, the prevailing theme of the conversation was what you might call “acquired ignorance.” There’s so much we don’t know — and the further along we get in life, the less we’re willing to say that we know for certain. There were three identifiable steps to the process: FIRST: THE RISING. “I used to think I had it all figured out,” both of the men agreed.... Read more

The Shady Ethics of ‘The Obama Phone’

Last updated on: September 28, 2012 at 5:15 pm By Timothy Dalrymple

UPDATE: The story gets even weirder. See the update below. By now, most of my readers will have seen the infamous YouTube video of an Obama supporter explaining that all minorities should vote for President Obama because he gives out free phones: The story has taken several turns. Surely this woman is deceived, right? Surely — surely — Barack Obama is not in the business of giving out cell phones in exchange for a vote. Right? As it turns out, there is... Read more

Frank Schaeffer: Prince of the Scorn Merchants

Last updated on: September 28, 2012 at 10:13 am By Timothy Dalrymple

I’ve written before on the hot market for scorn of conservative evangelicals. The immediate provocation was a post from Rachel Held Evans which was unfair, I thought, to evangelicals who oppose gay marriage, but I tried to make clear that Rachel is a minor and periodic offender. Compared to the strains of scorn one finds every now and then in her writing, there are other writers who offer a veritable symphony of scorn and disgust and paranoia when conservative evangelicals... Read more

Megablogger Tim Challies On His Ten-Year Anniversary

Last updated on: September 26, 2012 at 10:56 am By Timothy Dalrymple

A hearty congratulations are due to Tim Challies for ten years of excellent blogging. His is one of the longest-surviving blogs in the Christian blogosphere, and his faithfulness, his sincerity, and his God-given talent have paid off with tremendous growth and impact. It all began with a minute, inconspicuous decision to register a domain name and start a blog. He writes: Registering a domain name, such a simple and insignificant thing, was one of those little acts that set my... Read more

“Unconditional” Love

Last updated on: September 25, 2012 at 3:51 pm By Timothy Dalrymple

My friend Darren Moorman was one of the producers of the film, Unconditional. He’s a hugely talented Christian in the filmmaking industry, and I hope to show some of the short films he has produced — films that were directed by another believing friend of mine, Matt Pope, including one short film for which I wrote the script. Unconditional released last weekend, but it’s had a tough time penetrating the market. Christians often express their desire for more uplifting, redemptive stories. This... Read more

Ranking the Top Christian Blogs

Last updated on: November 9, 2012 at 2:27 pm By Timothy Dalrymple

When it comes to "Top Blogs" rankings, let the reader beware. Read more

Yes, Your Child is Difficult

Last updated on: September 21, 2012 at 2:06 pm By Timothy Dalrymple

How do you know when your child is truly a difficult child, and how do you know when you’re just complaining about the ordinary burdens of parenting? My wife recently penned a reflection on Dr. James Dobson’s The Strong-Willed Child and Dobson’s recent filming, which she attended in San Diego, of an updated series of videos on good Christian parenting. It was gratifying that Dobson himself read the piece and reached out in appreciation. But it reminded me of our first year... Read more