Religion & Liberty Online Archives

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February 04, 2013

Christians in the New Industrial Economy

The Acton Institute recently partnered with the Christian History Institute to produce the latest issue of Christian History magazine. The issue (which you can download as a free PDF) examines the impact of automation on Europe and America and the varying responses of the church to the problems that developed. Continue Reading...
January 29, 2013

Free Market Judaism

“Judaism loves the market economy,” says Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi for the British Orthodox synagogues. Rabbi Sacks explains how the “beautiful idea” of comparative advantage promotes peace, cooperation and tolerance among all people. Continue Reading...
January 25, 2013

Questioning Obama’s Hand On The Bible

Just after the Presidential inauguration several leaders raised questions about whether or not President Obama should have sworn the oath of office by placing his hand on the Bible. Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church—a Protestant mega-church in Seattle—after seeing Obama sworn in said, “Praying for our president, who today will place his hand on a Bible he does not believe to take an oath to a God he likely does not know.” Continue Reading...
January 22, 2013

Gandalf’s Good Stewardship

I’m reading through the Lord of the Rings trilogy with my son, and there’s a striking exchange between Gandalf and Denethor in The Return of the King. Gandalf has just arrived with Pippin from Rohan, and the two have been admitted into an audience with the Steward of Gondor. Continue Reading...
January 21, 2013

MLK Day Recommendations

While The civil rights movement was led by Christians, it is easy to forget how many believers—particularly in the South—did not support the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On this day set aside to honor the civil rights leader we should read his best work, “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, and reflect on how his words are applicable to us today. Continue Reading...
January 18, 2013

We Should Affirm All Callings—Even Pastoral Ones

The winter issue of Leadership Journal is on vocation and callings. In the lead editorial, managing editor Drew Dyck reminds us that while it’s important to affirm the calling of lawyers, journalists, and plumbers, we need to remember that being a pastor is a calling too: I applaud this move toward a more holistic understanding of vocation. Continue Reading...
January 11, 2013

Preventing inauguration blues

For those who voted for Mitt Romney, the Presidential Inauguration on January 21st could be a difficult day. Presidential elections have always been simultaneously exciting and frustrating. Today, alarmists on the left and the right place television advertisements, preach sermons, design billboards, and the like, proclaiming the apocalyptic consequences of the wrong person assuming the office of President of the United States. Continue Reading...
January 03, 2013

Evaluating the Emancipation Proclamation

One hundred and fifty years have passed since President Abraham Lincoln issues one of the most extraordinary proclamations in our nation’s history. The Emancipation Proclamation declared: That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom. Continue Reading...
December 31, 2012

Acton’s Most Tweetable Moments: 2012

Acton’s Twitter followers are at an all-time high, and we’re gaining about 45 new followers every month. Here’s a look back at our 10 Most Tweetable Moments of 2012: Acton Commentary: The LBJ Curse on the Black Vote How to explain the entitlement crisis to an 8 year old The FRC Shooting & the vocation of a hero The Israelites of the Hebrew Bible never quite figured out how best to arrange human political affairs Internships for 2012 Christian schools are not a withdrawal from the world Mary Tyler star: we need “Moore” taxes on the rich Doug Devos: Free Enterprise & the Entrepreneurial Spirit For black voters, entitlement programs trump moral issues every time The High Cost of Conscience Continue Reading...