The question of whether a cleric can kill a sinner (criminal) is not one that occupies the thoughts of Christians today. But whenever we find such a question that occupies a past thinker it’s important to reflect on why we don’t find such questions pressing. Sometimes we don’t find the question pressing anymore because the [...]
Tags: Thomas Says
I recently had the chance to read Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye for my Teach For America credentialing program at Loyola Marymount University. Reading the book in that setting prompted notice of the near absence of school in the novel. In one way this is disappointing, as I’m sure Morrison would powerfully present how her [...]
Previously I covered what Thomas says about killing plants and animals and killing sinners. Regarding plants and animals, Thomas says it’s okay to kill them because they are for our use. Regarding sinners, Thomas says it’s okay to kill them because they have by their actions descended to the level of animals—sinners have lost their [...]
Tags: Thomas Says
I was thrilled to have Mark Galli, a Senior Editor at Christianity Today, respond to my critiques of his insightful essay on evangelicalism. I asked him if I could repost his comment here, and he graciously accepted. My reply is at the bottom. Matthew, thanks for the careful reading and reaction to my piece—and, of [...]
Update: see also Hunter’s thoughts here. Hunter Baker’s new book, The End of Secularism, is a breath of fresh air in the ongoing debate over how Christians ought not act in the public square. Baker systematically treats the historical, sociological, political, and epistemological dimensions of the most prevalent–and problematic–formulation of the relationship between religion and [...]
As observers of evangelicalism, few are better positioned than Mark Galli, a senior editor at Christianity Today. And what he sees is a movement divided into factions, but united by the nature of our solutions to the malaise we have all bemoaned. Galli examines the spiritual disciplines movement (Dallas Willard), the social justice movement (Sojourners), [...]
This summer I interned at the field office of Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti. I spent the days taking calls from constituents, working to build support for a program that has reduced graffiti in the area by 82% in six years(!), and learning about city government. On my last day I facilitated a [...]
No recent essay I have read captures the potential intrusion on natural human life by political borders better than Joshua Treviño’s recent piece for The New Ledger. It is not a policy proposal, or even a philosophical defense of any particular position on border enforcement. Instead, Treviño provides an intimate account of life on a particular [...]
Yesterday’s installment of Public Discourse features an intriguing essay by Professor Gerard Bradley on why marriage law depends upon the procreation of children. Bradley highlights from the outset the impossibility of neutrality by the government on this issue, a shot across the bow at Rawlsian theories of public policy. Bradley then turns to the heart [...]
From a book that has helped me think more clearly about the moral implications of what I buy at the grocery store: You want the best ‘organic test’? Go to any farm unannounced and see what is on the bookshelf of the farmer. Because what I’m feeding my thoughts and my emotions dictates how I [...]
Edit–Goodness, I changed the title so that it reflected the fact that I am quoting without comment. And with that, I’m starting my weekend. Over the last few weeks, I’ve come across a number of pieces that have lingered with me in various ways. I hope to offer more substantive reflections on many of them [...]