commentary

September 17, 2014

Now Available: ‘Matthew’ by Cornelis Vonk

Christian’s Library Press has now released Matthew, the third primer in its Opening the Scriptures series. You can purchase it on Amazon today. Written by Dutch Reformed pastor and preacher Cornelis Vonk, and translated by Nelson D. Continue Reading...

June 26, 2013

Commentary: Can America Remain the Land of Religious Liberty?

There is little doubt that America is moving further away from the kind of broad and liberal religious freedom that was championed during the founding period. In terms of intellectual thought, that period was certainly the high water mark for religious liberty around the globe. Continue Reading...

December 12, 2012

Commentary: Christmas and Secularism’s Futility

In today’s culture, there is always an abundance of news stories about the “War on Christmas.” In my commentary this week, I address that concern and the lack of understanding of the deeper meaning of Christmas. Continue Reading...

October 20, 2010

More on American Exceptionalism: The Podcast

Acton podcast host Marc Vander Maas was joined by John Pinheiro, Jordan Ballor, and myself to discuss the issue of American Exceptionalism. Click on the link below to listen: [audio: http://bonhoeffer.acton.org/acton_media/mp3/APC-0010.mp3] Continue Reading...

December 22, 2009

Column: Christmas message should inform environmentalism

In a new column in The Detroit News, I set authentic environmental stewardship against the goings-on at the recently concluded UN Copenhagen conference. A slightly longer version of this commentary will be published tomorrow in the weekly Acton News & Commentary. Continue Reading...

October 21, 2009

America’s Uncontrolled Debt and Spending is the Real ‘Waterloo’

In my commentary this week, “America’s Uncontrolled Debt and Spending is the Real ‘Waterloo,’” I offer the well known point that debt and spending threatens our liberty and prosperity. It is becoming very evident that it will be up to citizens to demand accountability from their lawmakers, as I mentioned. Continue Reading...

April 09, 2009

The Tax Code: Business as Usual

In this week’s Acton Commentary, I argue for simplifying the tax code. It should also be evident that any sort of tax reform should coincide with reforming the way Washington currently operates when it comes to spending. Continue Reading...

December 05, 2007

Farm Subsidies: Sustaining Dependency

Are farmers hooked on pork? Jordan Ballor and Ray Nothstine look at the current battle over farm subsidies. “By encouraging the production of overabundant commodities, the government is creating a cycle of dependency that undermines entrepreneurial initiative,” they write. Continue Reading...

December 05, 2007

What Latin Americans Want

What’s behind the stunning defeat of Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez in a popular referendum this week? Undoubtedly, he overestimated the appeal of his “21st century socialism” among Latin Americans. A new poll also shows that the most trusted institution in Latin America is not the government — but the Catholic Church. Continue Reading...

September 05, 2006

Acton Op-Ed Roundup

Acton in the News Over recent days a number of Acton staff have authored op-eds in various print outlets. Here’s a rundown: Associate editor David Michael Phelps wrote a piece that appeared in today’s edition of the Rhode Island-based Providence Journal, “Miracles of God and miracles of science” (PDF). Continue Reading...