The movement showed the Soviets that Poland’s Catholic heritage was glowing hot once again and was on the cusp of resurfacing after years of suffocation. “The power of the papacy was never more visible,” said theologian Michael Novak, “and the Soviets learned this to their dismay: that [the pope] could turn their empire inside out.”
Read MoreFebruary 2020 marks the third anniversary of the death of the American Catholic intellectual and the 1994 winner of the Templeton Prize in Religion, Michael Novak. Perhaps most famous for his 1982 book, “The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism,” Novak’s ideas were immensely influential for several decades in American public life, numerous faith communities and the world of political economy.
Read MoreOn 17 February, we commemorate the third anniversary of the death of Michael Novak, a prominent American thinker with Slovak roots. While Michael Novak's contributions to the philosophy of democratic capitalism or the social doctrine of the Catholic Church were partly known in our intellectual and Christian circles, his work as an ambassador in the field of human rights remains largely unknown. This article is at least an attempt to fill this gap.
Read MoreValentine’s Day has become the high holy day of the cult of romantic love. It began as a pagan celebration that, in the 5th Century, became a Christian religious holiday still observed across the world by a variety of faith communities. In contemporary America, however, it has shed most Christian associations, and now billions of dollars (and countless anxieties) are spent on a day that embodies our culture’s extraordinary emphasis on romantic love.
Read MoreWe are coming this week on the anniversary of the death of our beloved friend Michael Novak, one of the founders of this site and many other valuable initiatives. His voice as a writer, on theology and politics, on the arts and sports, could always break through the rancor and confusion of what is left of our public discourse.
Read MoreThere are times when I feel prepared to answer this question, and other times when I’m ashamed. I know I should have, but time just got away from me this week…
One of the most common responses to this question that I have heard (and used myself) is some variation of “I want to, but I just don’t have the time”.
Read MoreRecently, Pope Francis gave a press conference while returning to the Vatican from a trip to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. During his press conference, he, of course, lied. What else does one do at a press conference?
The lies were understandable because he was making a political statement against capitalism and against America, two of his favorite bugaboos. Yet, is it ever alright for the pope to lie? I shall leave that matter for the theologians. I do wonder, though, who is hearing the pope’s confession these days?
Read MoreDear Ann Cannon • One of my friends goes crazy with gift-giving during the holiday season. She spends a lot of money and gives a lot of “stuff” to all of her friends. I heard she does it at work, too. I love to honor the season and my friendships, as well, but I do not want to spend the kind of money this friend spends or buy people something they may not need or want.
Read MoreIn February 1972, when Eastern Europe seemed permanently welded to the Soviet sphere and entirely subject to its compulsory secularism, Mr. Armstrong’s Plain Truth magazine wrote, “One of the biggest roles desired by the Vatican is that of mediator between East and West. The Vatican … will continue to do its part in courting the Eastern European countries.”
Read MoreWhile the classical liberals want to maintain our Christian heritage through free markets, autonomy, and democracy and the populists want to maintain our Christian heritage through anti-globalization efforts rooted in social cohesion and social order; both sides aren’t so irreconcilably different that they cannot work together to save America.
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