Category :

(PD) Thomas Farr–American Apostasy at 250 

During his 1984 trip to China, President Ronald Reagan spoke to Chinese college students of America’s commitment to the “self-evident truths” of its founding. Reading from the Declaration of Independence, he affirmed America’s foundational moral principles: All humans are created equal, and valued equally, by God. God grants every person on earth certain inalienable rights, including the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  

President Reagan emphasized the importance of religion in living out these truths: “[Our faith is] why we wish well for others. It’s why it grieves us when we hear of people who cannot live up to their full potential.” Americans, he said, have even used their freedom to fight and die while protecting the freedom of others. 

He told the students that their American peers had “committed to memory” the self-evident truths of the Declaration. His implicit message was that America’s students know that human equality, freedom, and dignity are given by God and not by the state. The state’s duty is to secure the inalienable rights of its citizens, especially religious freedom.  

No American president could truthfully make such a statement today. Two hundred and fifty years since our nation’s founding, the public conscience has begun to replace its fidelity to inalienable rights and religious freedom with a state-enforced commitment to radical human autonomy. The reasons for this authoritarian shift are not new, but its emergence in the mainstream is led by the Democratic Party and our elite educational institutions.  

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, America/U.S.A., History

(CT) Marvin Olasky–Still a Restless Nation, Unless We Rest in God

In the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln said America was “conceived in liberty.” Today we might call that our country’s unique selling proposition. While other nations emphasized biological unity, America in the 20th century finally became a liberty theme park where people of all skin colors and ethnicities could together enjoy the thrill rides of building families and careers. 

On our national roller coaster, we’ve had the right to wave hands as long as we do not hit the noses of our neighbors. George Washington defined this liberty theme park well in a Bible-oriented letter to a Jewish synagogue in 1790: “Everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid” (an allusion to Micah 4:4).

Legal racial segregation has disappeared, but on our 250th anniversary tomorrow, we should remember a roadblock that appeared shortly before our 200th: In 1973, the US Supreme Court ruled that unborn children had no right to life. A redefinition of liberty followed in Justice Anthony Kennedy’s 1992 defense of abortion: “At the heart of liberty is the right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life.” 

Earlier, liberty meant “live and let live”—but live within a common reality that does not include file cabinets marked “my facts” and “your facts.” That’s not true now. Post-Kennedy and within postmodernism, we feel entitled to live with internet algorithms that feed us only the news we feel fit to imprint on our brains.

Read it all.

Posted in America/U.S.A., History, Religion & Culture

(ESPN) USMNT goes out of world cup with a very disappointing performance

This wasn’t enough. Not nearly. Not even close.

It might feel harsh to boil down a month of excitement and exhilaration to something as simple as that, but for all of the pageantry and majesty of high-level sports, the scoreboard always tells the tale. The United States men’s national team gave this country everything it could have wanted from a home team in a World Cup: beauty and belief, passion and grit, a buzzing, rising feeling that this was a moment we would always remember.

Everything, except another game.

Is it a failure? It doesn’t matter. There will be plenty of focus on that word and whether it applies, but the honest truth is this: It makes no difference what you call it because it’s clear what this was not — a success.

The players know. Mauricio Pochettino was brought here to elevate the talent pool, sure, and to enhance the program’s tactical acumen, absolutely. But mostly he was recruited — with dollars kicked in by high-value U.S. Soccer donors — to deliver a different ending to these summers.

Read it all.

Posted in America/U.S.A., Sports

A prayer for the day from the Pastor’s Prayerbook

O God, renew our spirits by thy Holy Spirit, and draw our hearts this morning unto thyself, that our work may not be a burden, but a delight; and give us such a mighty love to thee as may sweeten all our obedience.  Let us not serve with the spirit of bondage as slaves, but with cheerfulness and gladness, as children, delighting ourselves in thee and rejoicing in thy wishes for the sake of Jesus Christ.

–Robert W. Rodenmayer, ed., The Pastor’s Prayerbook: Selected and arranged for various occasions (New York: Oxford University Press, 1960)

Posted in Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Scripture readings

What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

“For thy sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

–Romans 8:31-39

Posted in Theology: Scripture

(Church Times) C of E General Synod to discuss new rules on clergy conduct next month

Rules accompanying the new Clergy Conduct Measure will come before General Synod next month. This follows a vote in the House of Lords on Wednesday to send the Measure to the King for Royal Assent.

Notes accompanying the Rules state that the “overriding objective” at their core, “mandates that all complaints must be dealt with justly, fairly, expeditiously, and proportionately, alongside a strict duty for all parties to co-operate with the proceedings”.

A report from the Clergy Discipline Commission, also published last week, records a “significant increase” in the number of cases being referred for formal investigation — from 12 in 2024 to 25. In 2025, 119 allegations of misconduct were made under the Measure against priests or deacons, compared to 71 in 2024.

Read it all.

Posted in Church of England, Ethics / Moral Theology, Parish Ministry, Pastoral Theology

(Paul Kedrosky) AI, Immigration, and Collapsing Labor Force Participation

The U.S. labor force participation rate has quietly returned to levels last seen in the 1970s (outside the recent pandemic). It increasingly seems to signal a structural shift in how society works, with a shrinking share of adults participating directly in the production of goods and services. The consequences extend well beyond slower economic growth.

Some implications:

  • A growing share of U.S. society has no direct stake in labor markets.
    • As fewer adults work or seek work, a larger fraction of voters experience the economy mostly as consumers, retirees, or rentiers, not as workers.
    • That changes political incentives around wages, immigration, AI, taxation, and redistribution.
  • The economy becomes increasingly dependent on a shrinking core.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, America/U.S.A., Economy, Labor/Labor Unions/Labor Market, Science & Technology

(AEI) Nicholas Eberstadt–Can a Depopulating America Still Flourish Economically?

or the first time in generations—since the Great Depression—the prospect of long-term population decline is looming on the American horizon. Almost no serious consideration has yet been devoted to how well America might fare in the face of depopulation. That inattention could prove costly, for depopulation could come upon us with stunning speed.

Fortunately, a depopulating America can still prosper—in theory. The power of human ingenuity and adaptability made the world much richer during the era of the global population explosion. It can do so in an era of long-term population decline as well. American history demonstrates our nation’s exceptional advantages over others in ingenuity and adaptability.

But major changes in policy, practice, and behavior will be required before the US can expect to succeed economically in the terra incognita of population decline. To be blunt: America is not well positioned to pass the stress test that depopulation will unforgivingly impose. In fact, the US may actually be less prepared for an eventual depopulation today than it was a generation ago.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, America/U.S.A., Children, History, Marriage & Family

A Short description of Jan Hus from the Virtual Museum of Protestantism

He protested against the ecclesiastical system, he preached in favour of reform in the Church and advocated a return to the poverty recommended by the Scriptures. Indeed, the Scriptures were the only rule and every man had the right to study them. In Questio de indulgentis (1412) he denounced the indulgences.

He admired Wyclif’s writings and defended him when he was condemned as a heretic. He was excommunicated. An interdict was pronounced over Prague and he had to leave it and go to southern Bohemia, where he preached and wrote theological treatises, notably the Tractatus de ecclesia (1413), known as «The Church».

Read it all.

Posted in Church History, Czech Republic

A Prayer for the Feast Day of Jan Hus

Faithful God, who didst give Jan Hus the courage to confess thy truth and recall thy Church to the image of Christ: Enable us, inspired by his example, to bear witness against corruption and never cease to pray for our enemies, that we may prove faithful followers of our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Posted in Church History, Czech Republic, Death / Burial / Funerals, Spirituality/Prayer

A prayer to begin the day from the ACNA prayerbook

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who can do no good thing apart from you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Posted in Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Bible Readings

Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

–Matthew 23:1-12

Posted in Theology: Scripture

A prayer to begin the day from the Church of England

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Posted in Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Scripture Readings

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.”

And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zeb′edee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zeb′edee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.

–Mark 1:14-20

Posted in Theology: Scripture

A prayer for Independence day fron the ACNA Prayerbook

Lord God, by your providence our founders won their liberties of old: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to exercise these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Posted in America/U.S.A., History, Spirituality/Prayer

A Prayer to begin the day from Frank Colquhoun

We beseech thee, O Lord Christ, to deliver thy Church from the worship of mammon, from bondage to the world, and from all complicity in social evil and silence at wrong.  Bring all mankind into the glorious liberty of the children of God, and set the whole creation free from sin and corruption; for thy holy name’s sake.

Posted in Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Bible Readings

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

–Romans 8:18-25

Posted in Theology: Scripture

A prayer for the feast day of Saint Cilléne Droichtech 

Gracious God we give you thanks for the life and ministry of your servant Cilléne Droichtech, abbot of Iona, and pray that by your Spirit you will enable us to follow his example of seeking to protect the innocent, especially in times of war, through Jesus Christ our Lord who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Posted in --Scotland, Church History, Spirituality/Prayer

A prayer to begin the day from Daily Prayer

O God in whom all fullness dwelleth, who givest without measure to them that ask; Give us faith to ask, and faith to receive, all that thy bounty giveth; that being filled with all thy fullness we may as thy faithful stewards impart thy gifts to all thy children; for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Daily Prayer, Eric Milner-White and G. W. Briggs, eds. (London: Penguin Books 1959 edition of the 1941 original)

Posted in Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Bible Readings

So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

–Romans 8:12-17

Posted in Theology: Scripture

(Church Times) ‘Pervasive distrust’ in Church of England can be remedied only through accountability, report warns

Clerical accountability must be “vigorously tackled” and is “the key issue for the Church to tackle and should not be a protracted debate”, a report on trust in the Church of England concludes.

The report, Trust and Trustworthiness in the Church of England: Listening and responding to usual and unusual challenges, was produced by Professor Veronica Hope Hailey, a former Dean of the Business School at the University of Bristol, drawing on 74 interviews with bishops, clergy, lay people, and members of the national church institutions.

“Whilst no one wants to return to the feudal patriarchal structures of the past, if the institution is to restore trust with the society it is meant to serve, clerical accountability must be vigorously tackled,” Professor Hope Hailey writes.

“It’s not simply about formal control but also the need to change the culture of individualism some clergy seem to think they deserve. That love of autonomy means that they can be inconsistent and unpredictable in their promises to implement policy.”

Read it all.

Posted in Anthropology, Church of England (CoE), CoE Bishops, Ethics / Moral Theology, Ministry of the Laity, Ministry of the Ordained, Parish Ministry, Pastoral Care, Pastoral Theology, Theology

(Gallup) A new Survey tool finds half of U.S. teens are missing at least one necessity

The Gallup study found that roughly half of U.S. adolescents lacked at least one necessity measured by the ANI. Neighborhood safety was the least common (about 76% reported having it), followed by the ability to afford extracurricular activities (about 78%). The most common were access to medical care (about 97%) and having an adult who offers encouragement (about 96%).

Analysis of the Character Lab data revealed two underlying dimensions — material necessities (transportation, housing, nutrition, safety, medical care, quiet space, and extracurriculars) and social necessities (academic support, emotional support, and encouragement). Because the two dimensions are highly correlated, the authors combined them into a single metric that they call “Access to Necessities,” appropriate for most research and screening applications.

Across both the Character Lab and Gallup studies, students with higher ANI scores consistently showed better outcomes: higher GPAs; greater emotional, social and academic thriving; better physical and mental health; and greater life satisfaction. Critically, the ANI predicted these outcomes even after accounting for traditional measures of socioeconomic status. In other words, the ANI didn’t merely replicate what SES captured — it added meaningfully to it.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, America/U.S.A., Economy, Education, Personal Finance, Poverty, Teens / Youth

(Bloomberg) US Hiring Slows Sharply, Curbing Recent Job-Market Momentum

US hiring slowed sharply in June even as the unemployment rate fell, curbing some of the budding momentum in job growth this year.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 57,000 last month after downward revisions to the prior two months took some of the shine off recent blockbuster reports, Bureau of Labor Statistics data Thursday showed. The unemployment rate fell to 4.2% as labor force participation plunged.

The payroll figures, which were lower than all but one estimate in a Bloomberg survey, suggest the labor market still faces some challenges despite signs of strength in recent months. While consumer spending has been resilient in the face of the energy shock from the Iran war, Americans are pessimistic about high prices, which may also be keeping employers cautious about hiring.

Read it all.

Posted in * Economics, Politics, America/U.S.A., Economy, Labor/Labor Unions/Labor Market

A brief biography of Moses the Black from the OCA

Moses the brigand spent several years leading a sinful life, but through the great mercy of God he repented, left his band of robbers and went to one of the desert monasteries. Here he wept for a long time, begging to be admitted as one of the brethren. The monks were not convinced of the sincerity of his repentance, but the former robber would neither be driven away nor silenced. He continued to implore that they accept him.

Saint Moses was completely obedient to the hegoumen and the brethren, and he poured forth many tears of sorrow for his sinful life. After a certain while Saint Moses withdrew to a solitary cell, where he spent his time in prayer and the strictest fasting.

Once, four of the robbers of his former band descended upon the cell of Saint Moses. He had lost none of his great physical strength, so he tied them all up. Throwing them over his shoulder, he brought them to the monastery, where he asked the Elders what to do with them. The Elders ordered that they be set free. The robbers, learning that they had chanced upon their former ringleader, and that he had dealt kindly with them, followed his example: they repented and became monks. Later, when the rest of the band of robbers heard about Saint Moses’ repentance, then they also gave up their thievery and became fervent monks.

Read it all.

Posted in Church History, Egypt

A prayer for the feast day of Moses the Black

Almighty God, whose blessed Son dost guide our footsteps into the way of peace: Deliver us from paths of hatred and violence, that we, following the example of thy servant Moses, may serve thee with singleness of heart and attain to the tranquility of the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Posted in Church History, Spirituality/Prayer

A Prayer to begin the day from A Devotional Diary

O God, the author and fountain of hope, enable us to rely with confident expectation on thy promises, knowing that the trials and hindrances of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed, and having our faces steadfastly set towards the light that shineth more and more to the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

–J.H. Oldham ed., A Devotional Diary (London: SCM Press, 1925)

Posted in Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Bible Readings

A Song of Ascents. Of David. O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

–Psalm 131

Posted in Theology: Scripture

(Church Times) Professors Andrew Village and Leslie J. Francis–Is the parish system viable for the future?

We wanted to know what people felt about their parish in terms of its financial viability and the general principles that should guide the wider Church. The sample of 3219 clergy and laity who took part in our survey and answered all the questions about parishes seemed to be reasonably representative of the Church as a whole. We presented them with six items with which they could agree or disagree. Their responses are shown in the table. When we analysed the overall figures in more detail, the results confirmed some widely held assumptions, but challenged others.

One third of respondents (32 per cent) agreed that their parish was not financially self-sufficient, and almost as many (28 per cent) agreed that their parish could not meet its share of diocesan costs. This has to be a worrying sign, even if the majority do not think this to be so. Fear of financial pressures was greater among those who worship in congregations of less than 50, and it was more keenly appreciated by stipendiary clergy than others. Lay people in large congregations may not understand the perils faced by their fellow worshippers in other parts of the C of E.

A similar proportion (33 per cent) felt that parishes (or benefices) should pay for their clergy. Unsurprisingly, stipendiary parish clergy, whose lives depend indirectly on parish giving, were much more likely to agree with this idea than did lay people (42 per cent versus 29 per cent). Evangelicals were more likely than others to agree with this (36 per cent versus 26 per cent), but even here this was a minority opinion.

There was strong agreement (75 per cent) across the Church that rich parishes should subsidise poor ones….

Read it all.

Posted in Uncategorized

The ACNA Court issues a key procedural update on the matter of the Archbishop Steve Wood Trial

The matters before the court are not merely procedural. Serious allegations of
canonical offenses by the Archbishop have been made. A Board of
Inquiry has investigated these accusations and found that there is probable cause
to present Archbishop Wood for trial.
For the record, the Board of Inquiry found that:
‘Concerning the Presentment of Archbishop Steve Wood, in accordance
with the standards established in and required by Title IV, Canon 4, Section
6, and following other pertinent Canons, the Board of Inquiry finds that
there is probable cause to present Archbishop Wood for trial for violation
of Canon 2 of this Title and has duly recorded its vote and judgment that
the following three charges should be considered in the trial:

  1. Violation of Ordination Vows (Canon IV.2.1.3);
  2. Conduct giving just cause for scandal or offense, including the abuse
    of ecclesiastical power (Canon IV.2.1.4); and
  3. Sexual Immorality (Canon IV.2.1.6).’
    This is no small thing. It is, in fact, a matter of great import. The panel of this Court,
    made up of three Bishops, two priests, and two lay people, are charged with getting
    to the bottom of these allegations, and laying to rest, once and for all, the truth or
    falsehood of these allegations.
    3
    Therefore, the Court has decided that it needs to take back its charge to discover
    the truth.

Read it all.

Posted in Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), Ethics / Moral Theology, Law & Legal Issues

(Gallup) American Pride Falls to 25-Year Record Low

 As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, 33% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely proud” to be an American, the lowest reading in Gallup’s trend dating back to 2001. Another 20% say they are “very proud,” which means just over half of Americans express high levels of pride in their country.

The remaining shares say they are “moderately proud” (22%), “only a little proud” (15%) or “not at all proud” (9%).

When Gallup first asked this question in 2001, 55% of U.S. adults were extremely proud to be American. Pride surged after 9/11, with 65% to 70% of Americans expressing extreme pride through 2004. Extreme pride declined after that but held at majority levels through 2017. Since 2018, no more than 47% of U.S. adults have said they are extremely proud. The latest figure, from a June 1-15 poll, is down eight percentage points from last year and is tied for the largest year-over-year change in the trend, along with 2004-2005.

Looking at “extremely proud” and “very proud” responses combined, roughly nine in 10 Americans expressed high levels of pride in the early years of the trend, through 2004. That reading slipped into the 80% range in 2005, fell to 70% in 2019 and has been below 60% since last year.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, America/U.S.A., Sociology