August 2015 Archives

August 31, 2015

Subsidizing Subsidiarity: How Conservatives Failed New Orleans

This week marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall on the Gulf Coast. As always happens when remembering such ignominious events, we look back in hindsight to attempt to learn what could have been done differently. Continue Reading...

August 31, 2015

Video: Wayne Grudem And Barry Asmus On A Solution To The Poverty Of Nations

So far, 2015 has given us our busiest Acton Lecture Series ever, and we’re pleased to share more of it with you today on the PowerBlog. Back on April 16, Acton had the privilege of hosting Wayne Grudem and Barry Asmus, who spoke on the topic of the book they jointly authored, The Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution. Continue Reading...

August 31, 2015

Israel and the Significance of Religion on Culture and Economics

Despite ongoing conflict and regional unrest, Israel’s economy is doing exceptionally well. Unemployment is under six percent, incomes are up, and the Index of Economic Freedom shows Israel’s rank improving over the last few years while America and many Western European nations are declining. Continue Reading...

August 28, 2015

Is Bitcoin Hostile to Property Rights?

Over the last couple of years there has been a lot of criticism over the crypto-currency Bitcoin—some of which I’ve made myself (I think it is doomed as a currency but would be a great “alternative to Western Union”). Continue Reading...

August 28, 2015

Rev. Robert Sirico: Dialogue With Pope Must Include Free Markets

In today’s Roll Call, Acton Institute president Rev. Robert Sirico comments on Pope Francis’ September visit to the U.S. and what may be part of the dialogue when the pope is here. Continue Reading...

August 27, 2015

Nurture in the Economy of Love: Insights on Parental Discipleship

The spate of Planned Parenthood videos raises many issues, one of which is the importance of nurturing the lives that we have had a hand in conceiving, adopting, and welcoming into our homes. Continue Reading...

August 27, 2015

John Oliver’s Real Target Isn’t Crooked Televangelists—It’s Conservative Churches

In 2004, Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, famously appeared on CNN’s Crossfire and accused the hosts of “hurting America.” He excoriated the show’s hosts for being “partisan hacks” who suck up to politicians and spin the news for partisan ends. Continue Reading...

August 27, 2015

Surrendered Unto Stewardship: Darrell Bock On Money That Matters

What is the purpose of money? Is it for our survival? For our status, significance, or success? Is it for the service of ourselves or for the service of others? In a talk for the Oikonomia Network, theologian Darrell Bock sets out to answer the question, drawing from the numerous treatments of money in the book of Luke — from the rich fool and Lazarus’ wealthy neighbor to Zacchaeus and the widow’s mite. Continue Reading...

August 27, 2015

McKibben Misreads Environmental Zeitgeist

One of the United States’ most-recognized climate-change missionaries, Bill McKibben has made it a habit of late to hide behind the clerical garb of Christian religious to spread his message against free-market capitalism (see here, here, here, here, here and here). Continue Reading...

August 26, 2015

Rev. Robert Sirico: Papal Message Must Cut Through Media Noise In U.S. Visit

With only a few weeks before Pope Francis makes his first U.S. visit, the media frenzy is already beginning. At Crux, the observation is made that “pet projects” of Catholics across the nation will be vying for Vatican attention. Continue Reading...