Abraham Kuyper vs. John Rawls

Today I came across an interesting article by Gordon Graham on Neo-Calvinism and Contemporary Political philosophy. In this article he contrasts the two extremely different visions of Abraham Kuyper and John Rawls. For instance, consider this claim by Kuyper: “No political scheme has ever become dominant which was not founded in a specific religious orContinue reading “Abraham Kuyper vs. John Rawls”

Kuyper the Liberation Theologian?

No. He was not a liberation theologian, far from it, however some of the things he says certainly latches on to the same type of issues that liberation theologians have attempted to address. Must not the spirit of the Compassionate One be poured out over our whole government administration? We are not a pagan butContinue reading “Kuyper the Liberation Theologian?”

The Scotch Whiskey Principle of Theology and Other Observations

Every issue of First Things Magazine includes a section titled “While We’re At It.” In it editor R.R. Reno writes short, witty, and smart comments on current events. The section is filled with commentary that is too short to be an article but a little too long to be tweetable. Today I give you theContinue reading “The Scotch Whiskey Principle of Theology and Other Observations”

Thoughts on Ferguson

At this point you already know what is going on in Ferguson, Missouri. So I don’t need to give you the details. (If you don’t know whats going on then you obviously have been living under a rock – a rock on the moon). It seems like everybody has an opinion and that everybody hasContinue reading “Thoughts on Ferguson”

Why We Won’t Need the Government Anymore (Maybe)

Anarchy – the government is unnecessary, undesirable, or harmful. On one end of the spectrum of anarchism you have some people who hold that the government is a necessary evil, on the other end of the spectrum you have those who believe that the government is an unnecessary evil that we need to eliminate asContinue reading “Why We Won’t Need the Government Anymore (Maybe)”

Bullet the Blue Sky by U2

In honor of the 4th of July I give you a song about American militarism and the havoc it has wreaked in Central America… Happy 4th of July!!! This guy comes up to me His face red like a rose in a thorn bush Like all the colors of a royal flush And he’s peelingContinue reading “Bullet the Blue Sky by U2”

I Pledge Allegiance To….

Over the last few weeks I have been answering some common questions about Christianity and Culture. Today I turn my attention to the other subject one is never supposed to talk about in a proper setting. Thankfully this isn’t a proper setting – so lets talk politics! How does Christian allegiance intersect with national allegiance?Continue reading “I Pledge Allegiance To….”

Two Quick Political Philosophy Reviews – Balibar and Rawls

Spinoza and Politics (Radical Thinkers)  – Etienne Balibar This book was great. I read it as a 3rd year philosophy student at UCLA and I took 2 classes on Spinoza. In one class we studied The Ethics, and in the other we read the Tractatus Politicus. Balibar’s book was mostly about the Tractatus Politicus andContinue reading “Two Quick Political Philosophy Reviews – Balibar and Rawls”

Niebuhr, Christ, and Culture (Pt. 1)

Niebuhr’s book Christ and Culture is a classic book on the history of the interaction between Christianity and the culture around it. Over the next few days I’m going to share some thoughts I have on this book…. Are his five types accurate? I think that Niebuhr’s typology pretty accurately represents my experience interacting withContinue reading “Niebuhr, Christ, and Culture (Pt. 1)”

This Paycheck’s Book Purchases (February 7th)

I am married now and I am still reading books! Its a wonderful surprise that I really didn’t expect. I guess this blog series didn’t die out…. Anyway, here are this paycheck’s book purchases, you might notice there is a little bit of everything (ministry, philosophy, history): Flesh: Bringing the Incarnation Down to Earth byContinue reading “This Paycheck’s Book Purchases (February 7th)”