Here, from the bottom of page 184 of Ross Douthat’s book, is an example of the prose that the Times’ editors found so compelling. Read more
Here, from the bottom of page 184 of Ross Douthat’s book, is an example of the prose that the Times’ editors found so compelling. Read more
Leftover observations from the week that was, including: some Christian families now including education in their homeschooling; why churches have a stake in supporting a living wage; more white evangelical "experts" demonstrate a clueless disregard for the meaning of consent; treating the Grand Inquisitor as a role model; and how the CFPB is protecting consumers from banks, and why Mitch McConnell wants to stop that. Read more
The Breastplate of St. Patrick: "Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me ..." Read more
Lying about others — bearing false witness against them — is dangerously corrosive. It sets the liar on a downward path that leads not just to moral confusion, but to epistemological insanity. Bearing false witness will ultimately make you crazy. Read more
"Did exactly this actually occur precisely in this way?" is probably the least interesting, least insightful, least helpful, least edifying, least inspirational questions one could ask about this story. Those who make it their first question, and their most important question, seem to be trying to hide, to evade, to distract themselves from actually engaging the actual story on its own terms. They'd rather talk about historicity -- by which they mean cubits and kettle corn. Read more
And thus we come to the paradox of pitchforks. Any creature capable of eternally wounding another creature with a pitchfork lacks the authority to wield that pitchfork, rightfully belonging at the other end of it. The pointy, business end of it. Read more
It won't help us to sort this out by skipping ahead to later volumes or to the prequels, where the authors imagine they settle this question. The story so far is too firmly committed to both answers for the contradiction to be resolved that way. Based on his actions and his agenda thus far, Nicolae has to know that he is the Antichrist. And based on his actions and his agenda thus far, Nicolae cannot know that he is the Antichrist. Read more
I seem to have collected a bunch of links having to do with gender and such. So I might as well share them here. Read more
Henri Nouwen on hospitality as an offer of space; Defeating the Dragons shares a horrifying story of America, today; Greg Boyd says we need to be honest about "the Dark Side of the Bible;" Amanda Marcotte on how victim-blaming empowers predators; and John Holbo on Douglas Wilson's weird ideas about love, marriage and religious liberty. Read more
It's the Friday music game -- I'll show you mine, you show me yours. This week, more songs with names in the title, including: Callgula, Calliope, Candy, Carey, Carol, Caroline, Catherine, Cecilia, Celeste, Celestine, Charles, Charlie, Cooter and Corey. Read more
Select your answer to see how you score.
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