Ross Douthat, in the NY Times: Today’s attention-grabbing entry in the immigration debate is the joint editorial by Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol and National Review editor Rich Lowry urging House Republicans to just say no to the Schumer-Rubio approach to immigration reform. *** The core of the Lowry-Kristol thesis isn’t that the G.O.P. should necessarily resign itself to a Romney-esque performance among Hispanics in 2016 and beyond; it’s that a conservative party with an appealing, populist-inflected economic agenda will ultimately probably win more white votes and more Hispanic … [Read more...] about Ross Douthat on Immigration Reform
3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church
Excellent article by Jon Nielson, coming at the question of "Why do young adults leave the church?" from an another angle: Looking at the traits of those who stay. Here are the three he lists, with excerpt: 1. They are converted. "Youth pastors, we need to preach, teach, and talk—all the while praying fervently for the miraculous work of regeneration to occur in the hearts and souls of our students by the power of the Holy Spirit!" 2. They have been equipped, not entertained. "Put your youth ministry strategies aside as you look at that 16-year-old young man and ask: “How can I spend … [Read more...] about 3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church
Is college worth it? Author Interview
I really enjoyed reading Is College Worth It? by Bill Bennett and David Wilezol. It delivers a fantastic word of caution in a day when too many assume college is for everyone, even as a soft economy has left many under-employed (or unemployed) graduates saddled with a mountain of debt. It's a very balanced book: Bennett and Wilezol paint an accurate picture of what things make college worthwhile and what factors might compel a person to take another route. (At the end of the book, the authors apply their perspective to twelve divergent scenarios, offering advice on whether or not the person … [Read more...] about Is college worth it? Author Interview
Hobby Lobby Wins ‘Major Victory’ against HHS Contraceptive Mandate
Melissa Steffan, writing for Christianity Today, reports: Hobby Lobby has won a "major victory" in its case for an injunction against the Department of Health and Human Services' employer-provided contraceptive mandate, according to The Becket Fund. Today, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the evangelical-owned craft chain had proven that complying with the mandate would cause "irreparable harm" to the company. As a result of today's decision, the case now will return to a lower court that will rule on the injunction. Read the whole thing. Other companies have also … [Read more...] about Hobby Lobby Wins ‘Major Victory’ against HHS Contraceptive Mandate
Are the Liberal Arts Dead?
With college tuition at an all-time high, many in higher education are explicitly promoting the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). For example, Governor Scott in Florida may reduce tuition in STEM fields at state institutions. Others argue for the enduring value of a broad-based liberal arts education as a means to enhance critical thinking and communication skills. Steve Yoder wrote a balanced article in The Fiscal Times, helpfully exploring both sides of the issue. A few excerpts: The number of liberal arts colleges nationwide has dropped from 212 in 1990 … [Read more...] about Are the Liberal Arts Dead?
Randy Alcorn’s new graphic novel Eternity
Randy Alcorn has just released a graphic novel called Eternity. It'd be a great giveaway for a teen or pre-teen boy who enjoys comic books (even if he's never read the Bible or heard about Jesus). I was invited to offer an endorsement, and here's what I wrote: "Randy Alcorn's Eternity is an engaging, biblically faithful, and beautifully illustrated retelling of Jesus' story of a rich man and Lazarus, a beggar, both of whom die and have their fortunes immediately reversed (Luke 16:19-31). But it's more than that. Alcorn used this story to unpack the weighty realities of heaven, hell, and the … [Read more...] about Randy Alcorn’s new graphic novel Eternity