Gene Edward Veith Jr.'s Blog, page 374
November 13, 2013
Flannery O’Connor’s prayer journal
Speaking of Flannery O’Connor, her prayer journal has just been published, dating from her grad school days studying creative writing at the University of Iowa. Her reflections on writing, her thoughts on her vocation as a writer, and her love of God are stunning. After the jump, an excellent review by James Parker in the [Read More...]
Has America shifted to the left?
The recent elections herald a political shift in America to the left. So says liberal columnist E.J. Dionne Jr., citing the overall defeat of Tea Party candidates, the victory of the pro-gun control, pro-abortion Terry McAuliffe in once-conservative Virginia, the “new progressivism” of New York’s newly-elected mayor Bill Blasio, and the victory of Republican Chris [Read More...]
November 12, 2013
Reformational Catholicism
Calvinist theologian Peter Leithhart is calling for “The End of Protestantism.” It should be replaced, he says, by “Reformational Catholicism,” which he goes on to describe. Much of what he is calling for sounds like Lutheranism. Is it? His essay and questions from me after the jump.Peter Leithhart, The End of Protestantism The Reformation isn’t [Read More...]
St. Augustine’s friend at an NFL game
Our discussion of the brutality of the NFL reminded me of the good friend of St. Augustine, Alypius, who was a fan of the gladiator games. In his efforts to pursue virtue, he knew that taking pleasure in other men’s suffering and inflicting suffering was wrong, so he resolved not to go to them anymore. [Read More...]
78% of uninsured say they won’t sign up for Obamacare
The most serious aspect of the Obamacare trainwreck, if it holds up: According to a Gallup poll, 78% of Americans who do not have health insurance say that they will NOT sign up for Obamacare. Commentary by John Nolte, Poll: 78% of Uninsured Not Interested in ObamaCare: A new Gallup poll brings more terrible news [Read More...]
November 11, 2013
A day of two Martins
Today is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, which is appropriate since he–an ex-Roman soldier who became a heretic-fighting bishop– is the patron saint of soldiers and this is Veterans Day. Nice how that worked out, since St. Martin’s day has been observed for centuries before Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World [Read More...]
Faith & feelings
Are your emotions often out of synch with your faith? Does God feel far away? Do your dry feelings make you wonder if you even have genuine faith? Are you plagued with lingering guilt, dark thoughts, and spiritual depression? Maybe you need to hear this presentation from Rod Rosenbladt. The audio and the lecture notes [Read More...]
Veterans Day
This is Veterans Day, so let us honor those who have served in the military vocations. You readers who are veterans, thank you for your service. I’ve read that some veterans, particularly of our recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, are sick of hearing that. It is good, though, that they are receiving today almost [Read More...]
Typhoon kills thousands
One of the most powerful storms ever recorded hit the Philippines, killing some 10,000 people. Go here to help. After the jump, details about the storm, the difference between hurricanes and typhoons, and some Lutheran connections. From My Way News – Philippine typhoon deaths climb into thousands: As many as 10,000 people are believed dead [Read More...]
November 8, 2013
An audio of Flannery O’Connor reading a story
Thanks to Colin Cutler for alerting me to this recording of Flannery O’Connor reading one of her signature stories. WARNING: O’Connor is one of the pre-eminent Christian fiction writers of the past century, but she is not for the faint of heart. After the jump, some excerpts from an essay of hers that tells what [Read More...]
