I’ve been reading Jerry Bridges (1929-2016) for nigh on four decades. Ever since the release of The Pursuit of Holiness by NavPress in 1978, I have eagerly awaited each of his new books. I’ve never been disappointed. Indeed, he became one of the chief influences on my life. It was really difficult to choose, but Here is my selection of the best of …
An Umberto Eco (Ex Caelis Oblatus) Eleventary
“I love the smell of book ink in the morning.” “There is nothing more wonderful than a list, that instrument of wondrous hypotyposis.” “A democratic civilization will save itself only if it makes the language of the image into a stimulus for critical reflection—not an invitation for hypnosis.” “Only publishers and television people believe that people crave easy experiences.” “I …
A Justice Scalia Eleventary
“Day by day, case by case, the Supreme Court is busy designing a Constitution for a country I do not recognize.” “The Supreme Court of the United States has descended from the disciplined legal reasoning of John Marshall and Joseph Story to the mystical aphorisms of the fortune cookie.” “To allow the policy question of same-sex marriage to be considered …
A Dr. King Eleventary
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole …
A Martin Luther Eleventary
“Hier stehe ich; Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen!” “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every part of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where …
A John Calvin Eleventary
1. “We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.” 2. “There is no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in our own intelligence.” 3. “If it seems …
Chalmers and the Solas
Thinking about the “Five Solas of the Reformation,” during this Reformation anniversary week, I couldn’t help but also think of the reformational way Thomas Chalmers has shaped my thinking about life, grace, mercy, the Scriptures, and the beauty of the faith that the magisterial reformers bequeathed to us. It struck me that like them, Chalmers’ influence has also produced a …
Symbols of Hate
So, as long as we’re banning symbols of intolerance, oppression, and hate, let’s not forget the worst offenders of all.
Always Something New in London
Every year, I take a group of graduating seniors from Franklin Classical School to England. We usually visit London, Cambridge, Ely, Brighton, Chartwell, and Lewes. And of course, there are a host of must-see sights and sites in each of those places. In addition though, I always try to make sure each trip is unique–we try to see something new …
Recent Gleanings from Milton
“The end then of learning is to repair the ruins of our first parents by regaining to know God aright, and out of that knowledge to love him, to imitate him, to be like him, as we may the nearest by possessing our souls of true virtue, which being united to the heavenly grace of faith makes up the highest …
Essential Political Maxims
“The greatest political storm flutters only a fringe of humanity.” G.K. Chesterton “Almost nothing is as important as almost everything in Washington is made to appear. And the importance of a Washington event is apt to be inversely proportional to the attention it receives.” George Will “Being in politics is like being a football coach; you have to be smart …
2014: Best Films
Only a few of these films are actually new releases this year–they are just new to me. Though I typically don’t see very many movies, I try to make sure that the ones I do see really count. These days, that’s not a particularly easy task. At any rate, here is my very subjective list of the best of the …
2014: Best Non-Fiction
Here is my very subjective list of the best non-fiction books I was able to read in 2014, ranked here in no particular order: 1. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief by John Frame (P&R) This is a massive, magisterial work that sets traditional, orthodox, Reformed systematics within the compass of Frame’s triperspectival and trinitarian didactae. It is eloquent and …
A Will Rogers Election Eleventary
“The short memories of the American voters is what keeps our politicians in office.” “A fool and his money are soon elected.” “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” “There is only one redeeming thing about this whole election. It will be over at sundown, and let everybody pray that it’s not a tie, …