Articles on Culture and Politics
“A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself, so that those who govern can govern. But what is the best that we can offer to those who govern? Prayer!” Pope Francis
Blind Benjamin Franklin
Apart from his rejection of wigs and the incident with the kite, the key and the lightning bolt, I’m afraid I have never been impressed or attracted to Benjamin Franklin. There was too much [...]
Cyrano de Bergerac: The Man Behind the Nose
I was first captivated by the story of Cyrano de Bergerac when I had a bit part in a college production of Edmund Rostand’s famous play. For those who are unfamiliar, Cyrano de Bergerac [...]
How Tenderness Leads to the Gas Chamber
Flannery O’Connor wrote, “In the absence of faith, we govern by tenderness. And tenderness leads to the gas chamber.” Whaat? Here’s what she’s getting at: People who have left the Christian faith wish to [...]
Utilitarianism: Good Works or What Works is Good?
I love my iPhone. I want it to work. I want my laptop not just to work, but to work every day in a whizz bang way. I want it quick. I want it [...]
Pope Francis Celebrates the Reformation
Five hundred years ago the German monk, Martin Luther strode up to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg and nailed his ninety five theses for debate. He was attacking the widespread abuses [...]
Billy Graham: All Things to All Men
I met Billy Graham when I was a theology student at Oxford. The Christian Union—an Evangelical student group—invited the famous evangelist to preach a university mission, and all clergy, theologians and theology students were [...]