Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at American Spectator. Bill and Hillary Clinton have endorsed gay marriage, completely reversing their support of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between one man and … Continue reading
One of the most famous opening lines in literature comes from Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina: “All happy families are like one another; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Great literature causes us to think and ponder; it directs … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in USA Today. Hillary Clinton supports gay marriage. This is a major shift. Yet, as someone who wrote a book on Clinton’s faith, I can’t say I’m surprised. Hillary Clinton is … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com. Having spent most of his life in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis has given proof that he can rise above his environment. As his compatriot Bishop Alberto Bochatey remarked, “he is … Continue reading
In response to recently being diagnosed with a rare and terminal type of brain cancer, sitcom star Valerie Harper declared, “we are all terminal.” In a cover story for “People” magazine and an interview on CNN, Harper, age 73, stressed … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at Forbes.com. We will always have the poor among us (Matthew 26:11), but over a billion living on less than $1 a day? It is natural for well-meaning individuals to work … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared as an Exclusive Special Report for American Spectator. Today, Ronald Reagan’s Evil Empire speech turns 30 years old. It stands as one of the most memorable orations of the last three decades. It … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at American Spectator. February is the month of presidents. It includes Washington’s birthday, Lincoln’s birthday, Ronald Reagan’s birthday, and, of course, Presidents Day. Given that I teach and write about presidents, this time of year … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at American Spectator. Liberals are apoplectic over remarks by Dr. Ben Carson at the National Prayer Breakfast. Carson, a prominent pediatric surgeon from Johns Hopkins University, dared to weigh in … Continue reading
Stephen Spielberg’s masterful movie on Lincoln and the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation have recently brought even greater attention than usual to Abraham Lincoln. Holidays like Presidents Day remind us of Lincoln’s position on slavery and his role in … Continue reading
On February 8, 2013, Dr. Paul Kengor (executive director of The Center for Vision & Values and professor of political science at Grove City College) and Dr. Gary Scott Smith (chair of the history department at Grove City College and fellow for faith and … Continue reading
One of the most widely employed metaphors in today’s American political discourse is that the United States is a “city on a hill.” Especially popularized by Ronald Reagan, this phrase (taken from Matthew chapter 5) has been used by countless … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A longer version of this article first appeared at National Catholic Register. Vladimir Putin has sparked international outcry by banning adoptions of Russian children by American families. His action immediately halted the departure of hundreds of Russian orphans … Continue reading
On Monday the United States will celebrate one of its great festivals of civil religion as Barack Obama is inaugurated for a second time. Although nothing in the Constitution mandates it (the only things the Constitution specifies are the date … Continue reading
So how is that New Year’s resolution diet going? Will the long-term results be better than the last diet? For the majority of us, even successful diets are unsuccessful. We may lose weight, but it comes back. Most people can … Continue reading
The greatest stories are stories that show in some way the drama of creation, fall, and redemption. In Advent, the story of stories comes to life. The story comes to life in hymns, liturgies, and customs that touch us in … Continue reading
The gentle spirit of Christmas brings a sense of fresh promise and renewal every year. The remembrances and commemorations of the birth of an innocent baby have a softening effect. Christmas provides a respite, even surcease, from the stresses, bruises, … Continue reading
Christ is quoted, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Therein is one of life’s toughest lessons. How do we teach our children the habit of giving? We know that social modeling is a powerful teacher. If we … Continue reading
Earlier this year I went to the WPXI television studio in Pittsburgh to tape an interview. The technician who escorted me inquired, “What are you here to discuss today?” When I replied, “heaven,” he asked, “Have they found it?” As … Continue reading
As Christmas approaches, Americans are once again spending a lot of money. With that in mind, here are some thoughts on the importance of self-control in our lives. Experience, an excellent teacher, has taught me many critical lessons. I learned word processing … Continue reading
