Un-Natural Law? Alito on Non-Resident Aliens

The Washington Post ran a fairly disturbing analysis of some of Alito’s opinions written opinions while serving as a senior lawyer in the Reagan Justice Department. Of particular interest–to me–was his rendering regarding the constitutional rights that are afforded (or not!) to not just illegal immigrants but also non-resident aliens–of which I am one! (I’m…

Evangelicals Out of the Box: JKAS on NPR

This is probably shameless self-promotion that conflicts with good Calvinist humility, but Fors Clavigera readers might be interested in an upcoming NPR program. Krista Tippett’s public radio program, “Speaking of Faith” will broadcast a show next week called “Evangelicals Out of the Box.” It will feature conversatiosn with me and Fuller professor Nancey Murphy. The…

World’s Top 100 Public Intellectuals

I have always found the notion of “public intellectual” interesting, but slippery–particularly given that there can be quite a plurality of publics. (The Church, as a public, might have a different set of public intellectuals than, say, the “public” as defined by the NYT. I’ve often thought that if a particular congregation represents a certain…

Our History of Violence

I finally had the opportunity to see David Cronenberg’s new film, A History of Violence, starring Viggo Mortensen (as Tom Stall), with an excellent performance by William Hurt (as Richie Cusak). As you’d guess, the film very much interrogates violence on a number of different levels, with various kinds of “disturbance”: from a sado-masochistic erotic…