Rod Dreher’s new book “The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in A Post-Christian Nation” (Sentinel, 2017) is an account of how, he says, America’s “culture wars” have ended. He thus suggests a way Christians can live in a post-Christian … Continue reading
L. John Van Til
Why the Electoral College Should Endure
Some supporters of Hillary Clinton are taking out their frustrations in a vigorous campaign to, as they say, “Abolish the Electoral College.” Their mantra is that since Clinton had a larger share of the popular vote than Donald Trump, she … Continue reading
John Podesta: The Clintons’ Principal Political Operative
If John Podesta is not a household name today, he is on his way. And why? The thousands of emails dumped by WikiLeaks in the past week came from his account. They are troublesome to Hillary Clinton’s campaign for two … Continue reading
Lying, Serial Lying, and the 2016 Presidential Race
Article VI of the U.S. Constitution prohibits a religious test as a qualification for any public office in the United States. This was a topic of interest just before the presidential election in 2012. And why? Because Republican candidate Mitt … Continue reading
Conscience and Republican Convention Delegate Voting Rules
Over the weekend a reporter on Fox News said something that focused my attention: “There is a move to have the Republican Convention Rules Committee enact a measure that would prevent bound delegates from abstaining from votes on the first … Continue reading
Hiroshima: Obama vs. Truman
President Obama’s address at Hiroshima, Japan on May 27 provides us with a good opportunity to examine his foreign policy attitude and contrast it with the views of one of America’s most courageous war-time presidents—Harry S. Truman. This exercise has … Continue reading
Is it in the Genes? Trump as Businessman
Donald Trump was, of course, famous long before he began his presidential run. That fame rested on his decades-long career in real estate. Though there are heated arguments currently between Trump and commentators regarding his net worth, there is no … Continue reading
Question of Semantics: What Do “Radical Islam” and “Terrorism” Really Mean?
President Obama and his administration’s spokespersons continue to explain the eruption of bombings and mass shootings as “lone wolf attacks” or “work place violence.” The cause, they often say, is too many guns in society. Their response is a further … Continue reading
I Have the Nine … a Retrospective on the Charleston Church Shooting
On June 17, 2015, a young man entered Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina and was welcomed by members of the Bible study and prayer group. He sat with them for most of an hour and then … Continue reading
V&V Q&A – “The Soul of Grove City College: A Personal View” – with L. John Van Til
Editor’s note: The “V&V Q&A” is an e-publication from The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College. In this latest edition, we sit down with retired Grove City College professor L. John Van Til to discuss his new book, “The Soul … Continue reading
American Boots on the Ground: A Moral Basis
Americans can see or hear about dozens of terrorist acts every day. They can tune in to their favorite TV shows or go to the local cinema and be bombarded with violence and mayhem endlessly. Perhaps these events should be … Continue reading
STREAMING VIDEO – 2014 – Is God Alone Lord of the Conscience?
Dr. L. John Van Til speaks at The Center for Vision & Values 2014 annual conference, Faith and Freedom Abused: Threats to our Religious Liberty.
Liberty of Conscience in the Public Square: Challenges to the Affordable Care Act
Editor’s note: The subject of this article is derived from a conference paper that Dr. Van Til will present at the 2014 Annual Conference in April. It is not surprising that Obamacare, especially the HHS mandate, has generated dozens of … Continue reading
Understanding the “Wall of Separation” between traditional Republicans and the new conservatives
It’s evident in recent elections and day-to-day political clashes in Washington that there is a substantial divide between traditional Republicans and what we may term “new conservatives.” Oh yes, it’s true that there are shades of differences on each side … Continue reading
Is America’s House Divided Again?
Having just viewed Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” and knowing that Lincoln’s birthday is approaching, it seemed fitting to ponder one of Lincoln’s most famous speeches, and perhaps a lesson for Americans today. On June 17, 1858, Lincoln gave his famous “House … Continue reading
STREAMING VIDEO — Video Preview of Conference – April 19-20, 2012
How Will You Mark Thanksgiving?
How will you spend your Thanksgiving Day this year? Sleep in because you have extra days off? Settle down to watch football? Pull up a chair at four o’clock to eat a huge feast? Make plans for Black Friday, plotting … Continue reading
Should a Candidate’s Faith Be an Issue? Dealing With the Romney Question
Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith remains a frequent news item as the 2012 election cycle grinds on. Not long ago, a Texas evangelist called Mormonism a cult and has since been sharply criticized for stating his views. On Halloween, CNN Today ran a … Continue reading
The Great Lisbon Earthquake: Thinking Theology and Natural Disasters
It was November 1, 1755, All Saints Day in the Roman Catholic faith. The churches were full as the faithful worshiped. Suddenly, the earth began to shake and continued for more than three minutes. The city of Lisbon, Portugal soon … Continue reading
From “Redeemer Nation” to Redeemer President
Recently, I was re-reading a favorite book of mine that has been on my shelf within eyesight for decades. That book is Ernest Lee Tuveson’s Redeemer Nation: The Idea of America’s Millennial Role (Chicago, 1968). Though Tuveson does not use … Continue reading