John G. Stackhouse Jr.'s Blog, page 29

How to Study: Top 10 Tips for Guaranteed (!) Success

A new school year dawns, and there is excitement in the air. At least at the university level, however, excitement fades quickly under the press of scholastic duties. The energy of September gives way to the ominous realities of October, … Continued

Some Matters Really Are Beneath (Christian) Contempt

The redoubtable Oliver O’Donovan offers us wise words for these times. They were posted and re-posted, you won’t be surprised to learn, particularly during the last US election…although I can’t find a live link for the original interview (please post … Continued

Plan, Plan Well, and Plan to Fail

This autumn I will begin my 54th year of starting school. (My overtaxed mother sent me, her firstborn, out to half-day nursery school when I was three. I’ll leave the rest of the math to you.) As a long-time student … Continued

Race and Racism: Waking Up, Again, to the Obvious

The convulsions over race and racism continue south of the border. Accusations accumulate, fingers point, victims and their families grieve, and apologies are offered by white leaders in politics, industry, and the church. A Tennessee pastor, however, wants to move … Continued

Why Can’t Colin Kaepernick Get Hired? Taylor Swift Provides an Answer

John Feinstein of The Washington Post is wondering aloud about NFL owners who are willing to hire criminals—notably DUI offenders and abusers of wives and girlfriends—to play on their football teams. It would be natural to write off these self-aggrandizing … Continued

Another Scandal: Why Are We Still Surprised?

Dr. Arthur Porter is officially dead and charges against him have therefore been dropped. He is merely the latest hero to be toppled from his pedestal as his misdeeds—well, let’s call them what they are: serious crimes—have come to light. … Continued

Polygamy: Forbidden Once Again—but for How Much Longer?

My friend and “Context” colleague Lorna Dueck recently set out an eloquent case against the legalization of polygamy in Canada on the grounds of religious freedom. Here’s why I fear that she and I won’t like what’s coming next. First, … Continued

Confederation: A Miracle Worth Celebrating

We Canadians don’t get worked up over Canada Day. The French are stirred whenever “La Marseillaise” is played. The Brits stand up anytime they hear “God Save the Queen.” Nobody outdoes the Americans for red-white-and-blue extravagance on the Fourth of … Continued

Anti-Americanism: Insecurity? Paranoia? Racism?

As we near our 150th birthday as a country, Canadians find it easy to be a little bit smug. Our usual points of reference—Britain, the USA, and France—are in political disarray, while our Prime Minister is handsome, glib, and cool … Continued

Are There Any (Real) Liberals Left?

The story of the resignation of the UK’s Tim Farron as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party is easily interpreted as an indictment of liberal politics. That’s how he himself interprets it. The relentless questioning of his personal views on … Continued