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December 11, 2011

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Christian Nationalism?

I’m delighted to share the news that in May 2025 philosopher Andrew Fiala’s book, Christian Nationalism and the Paradox of Secularism: Philosophical, Theological, and Historical Reflections on Religious Nationalism , will be published in my Brill Social Philosophy Series . Andy’s book is an important and timely contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the relationship between religion and politics in contemporary society. With even half an ear listening to the rhetoric surrounding the recent election, it’s clear Christian nationalism is knocking loudly at the door. To be honest, I’d prefer it knocked quietly and then decided to leave after realizing it had come to the wrong house! Here are a few reflections on why I think a more inclusive and pluralistic approach to religion and society is essential for the flourishing of both democracy and faith. Drawing from American secularist principles (such as the First Amendment’s commitment to religious freedom) and Christian theology...

Life’s Unexpected Turns

Life often has a way of reminding us how little control we truly have. On Friday, Jane broke her arm. In an instant, the rhythm of our days shifted. Suddenly, the tasks she would usually perform without a second thought became impossible. It’s moments like these that throw a spanner in the works of our carefully constructed routines. It fell to me to step up to the plate—to care for her, the household, and all the little things that keep life moving. While this shift is challenging, it has also offered a moment of clarity: how much we take for granted. The sameness and routine of daily life can lull us into a false sense of permanence. When that continuity is disrupted, we are forced to adapt, to go with the flow, and to rediscover flexibility. Flexibility has been the key for me over the past few days. Plans have been upended, expectations reworked, and tasks rearranged. Yet, amidst this disruption, I’ve been reminded of a profound truth: life’s unexpected turns are best met ...

Hedgehog or Fox?

I admire deeply those who have achieved mastery in an art or craft, yet I often see myself as a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I have gained competence in many areas, but mastery in none. Achieving mastery requires singular focus and unwavering dedication, often at the cost of everything else. As St. Paul put it, “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal…” While I respect those who have reached mastery, I sometimes feel pity for the “master” who knows little of anything else. Isaiah Berlin, in his essay “The Hedgehog and the Fox,” referenced an ancient Greek idea: “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” Berlin categorized philosophers as either foxes, who gather knowledge from many sources, or hedgehogs, who see everything through one grand idea. Extending this metaphor to life, I see myself as a bit of a fox. I’ve explored various fields, learned a little here and there, but neve...

What do I know!

Classes start this week, and I have my September optimism! As usual, I’m looking forward to engaging in philosophy with students. When people hear that you’re a philosopher—not in the sense of a “barroom philosopher,” but as someone who gets paid to do philosophy—they often expect definitive answers. People who perhaps should know better frequently ask, “So, what does philosophy say about such-and-such?” They expect some kind of final answer. In a Q&A session following a presentation, often I get the sense that some folks were slightly disappointed with my responses like, “Yes, that sounds fine,” or “Perhaps,” or “I don’t know.“ Our culture generally assumes that we can truly and definitively know things. If we don’t know something now, we believe we will certainly know it soon. Students cram their heads with facts and come to believe they have knowledge. But the best philosophy, at least since Socrates in the West and Laozi in the East, suggests that we don’t know what we t...

The three things

Each morning, Jane and I pray together using our community prayer book, "A New Way of Living" (available on Amazon). We selected one of our daily meditations from Ed Sellner’s insightful 1993 book, "Wisdom of the Celtic Saints" (also linked below). St. Ita, a sixth-century Irish holy woman, purportedly understood the mind of G*d, knowing both what God favors and of what G*d disapproves. Whether her words truly reflect G*d’s is unknowable (how could we know?), but St. Ita's wisdom often resonates with truth for me. This year, democratic elections are occurring in more countries worldwide than ever before, likely shaping global affairs for years to come. Europe appears to be leaning towards right-wing and populist movements. Britain's recent election shifted the country left of center, with the right split between a disorganized Conservative Party and a rising extreme right. France and Germany are also undergoing significant political shifts, leaning heavil...

Advent changes

The year changes again. We are in Advent. Last week, we had the joy of putting up our Christmas tree and decorating the house for the season. It was a little different this year—Jane has a broken arm, so she couldn’t do as much as usual. But we had the sweetest helpers: six-year-old twins, full of energy and enthusiasm, joined us for the task. They did a fine job, even if the lower branches ended up a bit heavier with ornaments than the higher ones! Pulling out the decorations is always like opening a time capsule. “Do you remember when we got that one?” These little treasures mark the milestones of our lives. “That’s the ornament we got the year Jack died.” “The kids made that in elementary school!” Decorating the tree becomes a ritual of memory, a journey through the bittersweet mosaic of our shared past. In our family, we have a tradition of buying a special ornament whenever a family member or animal companion passes on. It might sound morbid, but it’s a deeply meaningful ritual t...

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