Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. When I heard about the death of Mikhail Gorbachev, I sighed. He was one of the final remaining pivotal figures in the end of the Cold War: Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan, … Continue reading
Faith & Society
What is Truth? Compromising for the Culture
Who better than the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to report on a conference of Anglican bishops? The BBC is satisfied that the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has brokered a compromise on one of the most controversial issues of the … Continue reading
Which is more extreme? The evolution of abortion positions
In the land of the mainstream media, conservative and Republican positions on so-called “culture war” issues are always “extreme,” while they rarely raise such concerns about liberal and Democrat positions. They then “helpfully” suggest ways that Republicans could attract more … Continue reading
Friendship, Not War, Is the Antidote to Niceness
Christians are known for being nice, or at least trying to be. But some reject niceness, saying it’s outmoded. They see a fool’s errand in trying to persuade a culture that has turned decisively hostile against Christians. The case has … Continue reading
Ukraine’s Freedom Fighter
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at The American Spectator. “Two visions of the world remain locked in dispute,” said President Ronald Reagan in July 1983. “The first believes all men are created equal by a loving … Continue reading
One Hundred Years Ago, ‘Following the Science’ Meant Supporting Eugenics
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at National Review Online. In the 1920s, when he was still an agnostic, C. S. Lewis noted in his diary his latest reading: “Began G. K. Chesterton’s Eugenics and Other Evils.” A controversial English Catholic writer, … Continue reading
The Measure of a Machine: Is LaMDA a Person?
In June 2022, Google suspended engineer Blake Lemoine from his work in artificial intelligence. Having previously assisted with a program called the Language Models for Dialog Applications (LaMDA), Lemoine was placed on leave after publishing confidential information about the project. … Continue reading
1776 and Slavery
Many progressives today are eager to redefine America not as starting in 1776, which is literally when the very title “United States of America” began, but in the year 1619, before Plymouth Rock and before John Winthrop and the Arabella … Continue reading
What Reversing Roe Really Means
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at The American Spectator. Throughout the 2015-16 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, I urged conservatives not to nominate Donald Trump. When November 2016 arrived, I did not vote for Donald … Continue reading
A Call to the Church: Teaching post-Dobbs
So now it is official. The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has overturned Roe v. Wade, and the legal issue of whether and how to restrict abortion has been returned to the states. I cannot … Continue reading
“Cat’s in the Cradle” Father’s Day
The haunting refrains of Harry Chapin’s song “Cat’s in the Cradle,” like “planes to catch and bills to pay … when you coming home, dad?” started to play in my mind recently. A Fortune 500 company recruiter asked to join … Continue reading
The Abortion States of America
Editor’s note: An early version of this article first appeared in Crisis Magazine last October. Roe v. Wade and so-called “abortion rights” are facing challenges unlike any time before. The chances of abortion being sent back to the states are … Continue reading
Christian Leaders and Controversies: The Case of Francis Collins
There is always a dilemma for Christians in best handling and reacting to the positions and counsel of Christian leaders. Often these are people we have grown to trust and respect as followers of Christ. Their convictions at times are … Continue reading
Yes, I Am My Brother’s Keeper—And So Much More
For the first time in our lives, we have experienced a universal international event, known as Covid-19. The World Series doesn’t come close to being a global event. The World Cup and the Olympics are much more global, but even … Continue reading
Strength for the Fight: The Faith of Jackie Robinson
“Everyone knows about the bravery Jackie Robinson exhibited in April 1947,” declares Eli Lehrer, executive vice president of the History Channel, as he promotes its upcoming series titled “After Jackie.” Most Americans do know about this aspect of Robinson’s life. … Continue reading
To Stupidity and Beyond
“To infinity and beyond!” In November of 1995, the first of four blockbuster animated films in the Toy Story franchise was released by Walt Disney Pictures to both audience and critical acclaim. With Toy Story, astute businesspeople at the Walt … Continue reading
Russians Know Death Unlike Any Other People
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The number of Russian combat deaths in Ukraine is striking, perhaps already exceeding the total dead in 10 years of war in Afghanistan from 1979-89. A NATO official has estimated that 7,000-15,000 … Continue reading
An Incredible Life and Legacy: Remembering Charles Wiley
My old and dear friend and mentor, Charlie Wiley, passed away in his sleep this week. He was 95 years old. If living a long life with your mind intact, your interest in life and its affairs still intense, your … Continue reading
Going Rogue for the Truth
Back in 1995, as a new director for a college office of career services, I attended the National Association of Colleges and Employers conference. One of the concurrent sessions was entitled “Going Rogue.” More and more students were formally accepting … Continue reading
I’m a Privileged American … Please Put Race Aside
I do not feel like a privileged person today when I watch Olympic competitions. These young white, black, and Asian athletes from around the world have been given incredible opportunities to train and specialize in their events. When I should … Continue reading