February 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”.
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