Postcards from Palookaville

David Robertson, of the Free Church of Scotland, brought this article to my attention this morning. Very much of the Roger Scruton `comfort from a false belief is not necessarily false comfort' variety, but still a fascinating read: here

On the issue of fascism/socialism as rasied by Rick, I wish that people would not bandy such terms around. As the recipient of both this year as terms of abuse (now does that mean I'm really a middle of the road guy??), I think some variation of Godwin's Law should be applied. At least, I have...

On the issue of fascism/socialism as rasied by Rick, I wish that people would not bandy such terms around. As the recipient of both this year as terms of abuse (now does that mean I'm really a middle of the road guy??), I think some variation of Godwin's Law should be applied. At least, I have...

I'm afraid Ref21 has been outclassed in its sad attempt to promote Calvin's anniversary by encouraging people to read the Institutes . The PCUSA has gone one better, issuing Calvin masks to members of its General Assembly. I kid you not. You can get the full story here . After years of looking to...

I'm afraid Ref21 has been outclassed in its sad attempt to promote Calvin's anniversary by encouraging people to read the Institutes . The PCUSA has gone one better, issuing Calvin masks to members of its General Assembly. I kid you not. You can get the full story here . After years of looking to...

The latest edition of Christianity Today carries a cover story on `Marketing Jesus' by Tyler Wigg-Stevens (who sounds as if he should be a Ref21 character). The article makes some good points about the unavoidability of having to market the gospel in a consumer culture, but also of the need to...

The latest edition of Christianity Today carries a cover story on `Marketing Jesus' by Tyler Wigg-Stevens (who sounds as if he should be a Ref21 character). The article makes some good points about the unavoidability of having to market the gospel in a consumer culture, but also of the need to...

I was fascinated last night to listen to the language used about Rick Warren on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. For the record, I'm a huge fan of the show: she is intelligent, witty, thought-provoking, and offers commentary on each day's events that often breaks with orthodoxies on all sides. Last...

I was fascinated last night to listen to the language used about Rick Warren on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. For the record, I'm a huge fan of the show: she is intelligent, witty, thought-provoking, and offers commentary on each day's events that often breaks with orthodoxies on all sides. Last...

There is a thoughtful reflection on the ethics of the recent face transplant, posted here . The writer nails it: the striking thing about the modern Western world is the importance of aesthetics, how these aesthetics shape human behaviour, sense of meaning, and even what risks are deemed necessary...