I heard it and was flabbergasted. When asked what could hold him back from acting in world affairs, Trump said “Only my morality.” He went on to say that his own morality is in his mind and that he doesn’t want to hurt anyone. Every dictator thinks only his own morality limits him. That is what makes him a dictator. But the question for Trump and all dictators is what constitutes his own morality? Besides the fact that what Trump... Read more

Here I continue discussion of Daniel Taylor’s book The Myth of Certainty: The Reflective Christian and the Myth of Certainty (InterVarsity Press). If you have read Chapter 2 you may comment here. If not, feel free to ask a question. In any case, follow the rules at the end here. Chapter 2 is entitled The Reflective Christian and the Church. Here Dan reveals what he thinks about many American churches, especially (but not only) ones he and I consider fundamentalist... Read more

*The attached photo here is not meant to demean the specific police depicted who were, when this photo was taken, simply seeking to help civilians in an emergency situation. The photo is in public domain.* What is a “police state?” Type the phrase into a search engine and add “definition” and you will get a plethora of sometimes contradictory or at least contrary definitions. There is obviously no unanimous definition. Here I consider “police state” one in which armed police,... Read more

Not only is Christian Nationalism not new; it is not especially American. Yes, to be sure, America adds its own wrinkle to Christian Nationalism. “American Christian Nationalism” is not exactly the same as any other Christian Nationalism. However… My former colleague Philip Jenkins wrote an eye-opening book about World War I that has unfortunately been largely overlooked: A Great and Holy War: How World War I Became a Religious Crusade. Philip is a historian who writes books about religions in... Read more

Here I begin discussion of the book The Myth of Certainty: The Reflective Christian and the Risk of Commitment by my former colleague and always friendDaniel Taylor. If you have read Chapter 1: The Nature of Reflection feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. In any case, follow the rules set forth at the end of this blog post. Dan Taylor was professor of English at Bethel College (now Bethel University) in St. Paul, MN... Read more

*Now continues a second part of this series; this series is about my reasons for being a Christian and for embracing a particular “brand” of Christianity called (as in the name of this blog) “evangelical Arminianism.” In order to understand this post you need to read the preceding ones about my reasons for being an “evangelical” Christian. 10) Wrapping Up “Why I Am an Evangelical Arminian Christian”: In this two-part series I have attempted, to the best of my ability,... Read more

This will only make sense to those who have followed the recent series of posts and responses about the fairness of fees to be paid by owners of condominiums in a new complex. However, the hypothetical thought experiment illumines more than the specific issue. The question is what makes an economic covenant fair. The right answer is— (drum roll)—option three. Under the veil of ignorance the majority, if not all of the owners would decide that maintenance fees be based... Read more

Here I will offer a theory of how best to determine and justify the monthly annual fees for owners of condominiums in a new complex. Everyone who has responded to my immediately preceding post has mentioned “fairness.” But what is that? The reason I posed that specific question (about the hypothetical condominium complex) in my immediately preceding blog post is because it is a case study in what fairness means. I think it points to other scenarios, including how taxes... Read more

Here is an ethics quandary and thought experiment (one combined) for your delight. Answer briefly as you wish. But follow the rules at the end. A condominium complex is completed and all the condos have sold. The owners have not yet moved in. The very final “touches” are being put on it. The “Declaration” to be filed with the Secretary of State is being written by the owners. They all meet to decide on several issues. One of those is... Read more

The thing I like best about public intellectual David Brooks is his open and unapologetic belief in a universal cosmic moral order. These days that is not something anyone can simply take for granted. I am sure Brooks does not think such a universal cosmic moral order is obvious to everyone, but I am sure he believes it is objectively real and something needing to be discovered. He thinks, as I do, that it is not a social construction, infinitely... Read more