Capitalism, as a system, is neither moral nor immoral—it is just one economic system, one that seems to us fallen creatures to be the best that humanity has created thus far. Christians can, and probably should, support free market capitalism. But I want to quote Gideon Strauss of The Max DePree Center for Leadership from an article he wrote when he was with Cardus. He makes a very important distinction. We believe markets to be the best way—no, the only sane way—to... Read more
In a previous issue of Christianity Today, the cover story was about Science Fiction and “how the genre draws us to its own views of redemption.” The author, James A. Herrick, writes, “Ironically, the universe that science stripped of the supernatural is being resupplied with deities and redemptive purposes by science fiction writers and moviemakers. Apparently, we cannot do without myths.” Having been a fan of the genre for most of my life, I am very in tune with this. And the future... Read more
Humanity is built for community and community is built for humanity. We were created to work in harmony with others in order to serve the community, a synergistic force for the good of all. We work together to move society forward. This work is the Hebrew concept of Shalom – the universal flourishing of everyone in the community through our work. In the community there are mini-communities that do the same basic services – creating specializations for the good of the larger community. There are mentors and apprentices, whether... Read more
Here, courtesy of John Ortberg at the Out of Ur blog, are the “Seven Deadly Sins of Evangelicals and Politics.” Messianism. The sin of believing that a merely human person or system can usher in the eschaton. This is often tipped off by phrases like: “The most important election of our lifetime” (which one wasn’t?); or “God’s man for the hour.”Selective Scripturization. The sin of using Scripture to reinforce whatever attitude toward the president you feel like holding, while shellacking it with a... Read more
In the amazing film Amadeus, the Viennese court composer Antonio Salieri becomes spiritually hardened because he cannot understand how God would allow the obviously pagan Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to be so incredibly talented while Salieri flounders as just a mediocre composer. There is a moment where he looks at the sheet music from Mozart and is astonished: Was Salieri hearing the voice of God through the music of Mozart? Isn’t this impossible, since “those who are in the realm of the... Read more
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