Mike Huckabee is surging in the polls: He is in first place in Iowa (5 points ahead of Romney), virtually tied for second place in New Hampshire, and in second place nationwide (within just 3 points of Giuliani). Of course, this has resulted in a spike of attack ads, on issues such as Huckabee's tax policies as Governor of Arkansas (1996-2007). Joe Carter, Director of Research for the Huckabee Campaign, pens a rebuttal to these attacks (read Joe's lengthy comment below the actual post) and points to a balanced piece in the NY Times (of all places). Update: Dick Morris argues that Governor … [Read more...] about The Tax Policies of Mike Huckabee
Church of England Ordains More Women Than Men
According to the BBC, 213 women and 210 men were ordained as Anglican priests last year. (HT: David Kotter) … [Read more...] about Church of England Ordains More Women Than Men
Marvin Olasky on Freedom vs. Democracy
Olasky provocatively raises the issue of Pakistan--where both democracy and liberty are in short supply: "Pro-American dictator or anti-American democracy? That's the choice in Pakistan now, where President (and top general) Pervez Musharraf has suspended his country's constitution, fired the country's chief justice, and shut down nongovernmental television stations. He said that had he not acted, Islamist extremists would have taken over the country."Olasky suggests that the U.S. finds itself in this position because it prioritized the advocacy of democracy over the advocacy of liberty. He … [Read more...] about Marvin Olasky on Freedom vs. Democracy
Importance of Gratitude – A Thanksgiving Meditation
John Piper responds to prominent atheist Christopher Hitchens and (retired) Bishop John Shelby Spong of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. Upshot: You both seem to assume that the affection of gratitude is puerile and unsatisfying—something we need to grow out of if we would be deeply joyful and useful people. Presumably you feel that way because, in your experience, being self-sufficient and being thanked is more satisfying than feeling dependent and thankful. I have tasted this pleasure you seem to prefer. It is the pleasure of power—the pleasure of being above others so that they must give … [Read more...] about Importance of Gratitude – A Thanksgiving Meditation
Huckabee Commercial #2
This ad will air in Iowa starting tomorrow. Recent polls (immediately before Thanksgiving) showed Huckabee in a statistical dead heat with Gov. Romney for first place in Iowa, and tied for second place nationally among likely Republican primary voters. Also: Randy Alcorn on why he supports Huckabee and why he wrote a letter to the NRLC protesting their decision to endorse Senator Thompson. … [Read more...] about Huckabee Commercial #2
Vintage Francis Schaeffer
Francis Schaeffer argued that "at its core, the Reformation was the removing of the humanistic distortions which had entered the church." Schaeffer explains: ...The Christianity of the Reformation, therefore, stood in rich contrast to the basic weakness and final poverty of the humanism which existed in that day and the humanism which has existed since. It is important that the Bible sets forth true knowledge about mankind. The biblical teaching gives meaning to all particulars, but this is especially so in regard to that particular which is the most important to man, namely, the individual … [Read more...] about Vintage Francis Schaeffer