2017 Archives

January 16, 2017

10 Quotes for Religious Freedom Day

Thomas Jefferson wanted what he considered to be his three greatest achievements to be listed on his tombstone. The inscription, as he stipulated, reads “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and father of the University of Virginia.” Continue Reading...

January 16, 2017

5 facts about Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today Americans observe a U.S. federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King’s birthday, January 15. Continue Reading...

January 13, 2017

The 5 most dangerous countries to be a Christian

For the sixteenth consecutive year, North Korea is ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians, according to the international non-profit ministry Open Doors. Every year Open Doors publishes the World Watch List to highlight the plight of persecuted Christians around the world. Continue Reading...

January 13, 2017

Leo XIII, Kuyper, and the foundations of modern Christian social thought

“For Christians who wish to restore our society,” says Acton senior research fellow Jordan Ballor, “the writings of Leo XIII and Abraham Kuyper can provide a set of guiding principles.” “When a society is perishing,” wrote Pope Leo XIII in 1891, “those who would restore it . Continue Reading...

January 12, 2017

Pope Francis, Manzoni’s The Betrothed, and sound economics

Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian poet and novelist, is best known for his book The Betrothed. Rev. Robert Sirico, president and co-founder of the Acton Institute, recently wrote an article for Crisis Magazine praising Manzoni and discussing some of the economic themes found in The Betrothed. Continue Reading...

January 12, 2017

How free trade fosters a creative, collaborative world

In their defenses of free trade, advocates routinely focus only on the long-term, economic benefits, and understandably so. The overall expansion of trade in recent years has led to greater economic growth, innovation, and prosperity for all, including America. Continue Reading...

January 12, 2017

Is there a Christian view of financial quantification?

Note: This is the third post in a series on developing a Christian mind in business school. See also Part I and Part II. As I mentioned in the last post, when in this series I talk about developing a Christian mind in b-school I’m referring primarily to learning how to think Christianly about things as they are symbolized, things as they are known, and things as they are communicated. Continue Reading...

January 11, 2017

The challenge of modernity: Os Guinness on the church and civilization

The modern world has introduced a wide array of fruits and freedoms, yet it also brings with it new tensions and temptations. Whether in family, business, education, or government, the expansion of opportunity and choice require heightened levels of individual wisdom, discernment and intentionality. Continue Reading...

January 11, 2017

The rising threats to European liberty

“It’s not good manners to begin the year with dire predictions,” says Kishore Jayabalan in this week’s Acton Commentary, “but with continuing Islamic terrorist attacks, increasing concern over Russian aggression, and the general fecklessness of its leaders, we have many reasons to worry about the future of liberty in Europe.” Continue Reading...

January 11, 2017

Video: Alex Chediak explains how to beat the college debt trap

Few questions loom as large for parents and students these days as the question of how to afford a college education. College costs have been rising for decades, and all too often, students rely heavily on student loans and graduate with significant debt loads that they spend years paying off. Continue Reading...