“Christianity and the History of Freedom”

by Kevin E. Schmiesing Ph.D. - July 2, 2008

Kevin Schmiesing looks at the role of faith in history's long march toward a free society. "The rise of Christianity did not smother the flame of liberty burning brightly in Greece and Rome only to be rekindled as medieval superstition gave way to the benevolent reason of Voltaire, Hume, and Kant," he writes. "Instead, Christianity took the embers of freedom, flickering dimly in an ancient world characterized by the domination of the weak by the strong, and--slowly and haltingly--fanned it into a blaze that emancipated humanity from its bonds, internal and external."

“Hip Hop’s Delusional God-Talk”

by Anthony B. Bradley - July 2, 2008

Anthony Bradley tells us that there is a "serious disconnect" in the hip hop community that allows rappers to evoke the name of God in thanks while producing music that celebrates evil. Could there be a connection to the declining rate of church attendance in the black community and a shift toward a more "deistic" understanding of Christianity?

June 2008

• Rev. Sirico Delivers Krieble Lecture
• What Should Christians Think About Global Warming?
• Rev. Sirico Discusses Pope Benedict’s Visit to United States
• Repairing Health Care: Grace-Marie Turner
• Acton and You

Volume 17, Number 4 • Fall 2007

Featuring:

“The CEO Serves: Moral Purpose and Business Leadership,” an interview with Edward M. Kopko

Edward M. Kopko has been the president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida-based Butler International, Inc., since January 1987. Butler International, with 3,800 employees, is a worldwide provider of technical and technology services, helping clients such as Boeing, Caterpillar, Citigroup, Los Alamos National Laboratories, Merrill Lynch, Verizon, and many others.

Mr. Kopko is chairman and chief executive officer of CE Group and Chief Executive Magazine, where he is publisher. Chief Executive Magazine is a leading publication that has been devoted to publishing articles on strategy and issues for chief executives for more than twenty seven years. Mr. Kopko holds a B.A. degree in economics from the University of Connecticut, an M.A. in economics from Columbia University. He spoke recently with R&L executive editor John Couretas.

Volume 10, Number 2 • Fall 2007

This issue of the Journal features a scholia translation of Leonardus Lessius, “On Buying and Selling” from 1605. Lessius was a Jesuit theologian considered to be an important figure in the development of pre-Smithian economics by scholars like Joseph Schumpeter, John T. Noonan, and Raymond de Roover. Wim Decock provides both a translation of Lessius’ work as well as an introduction placing him in his early modern context of scholasticism and moral theology.

Also in this volume, Mary Ann Glendon reflects upon “John Paul II’s Challenges to the Social Sciences: Initial Responses of Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.” John R. Schneider explores “Christian Theology and the Human Ontology of Market Capitalism.” Donald P. Condit asks “Should Business Be Responsible for Employee Health Care?” Edward J. O’Boyle pens a “Requiem for Homo Economicius.” Pamela Z. Jackson and Jonathan E. Leightner examine “Unrighteous Stewards in Biblical and Modern Times.” John Meadowcroft considers “Altruism, Self-Interest, and the Morality of the Private Sector: An Austrian Approach.”