Where will the Obama kids attend school in Washington? That question has been answered as it should be: by the new president and first lady. There is no argument about that. Sasha and Malia will attend SidwellFriendsSchool—private, religious, and pricey—on average around $28,000 per year. In Chicago, they attended the University of Chicago Lab School,... Continue Reading

Both our media and our politicians tell us that it is a terrible time to rear children. As parents, we are tempted to sing, “Why can’t they be like we were, perfect in every way?” We understand totally when one novelist says, “What a chance we take when we raise children. What a terrible chance,”... Continue Reading

I’ve already explained the problematical economics and ethics of a federal bailout for the Big Three (see “A Bailout for Detroit”). The demise of the pillar of metro Detroit’s economy saddens me—I’m from there; in fact, I was once a janitor for Chrysler. If there can be any profit from this pending tragedy, it will... Continue Reading

A new Book of Common Worship (and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Ordinances and Rites of the Church Together with The Confession of Faith, Shorter Catechism and Psalter), has been compiled and edited by Rev. Patrick W. Curles, assistant pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Ala. The basis of this book is the... Continue Reading

Quick, attempt the following: Name the three branches of the federal government. Recognize the speech where the words “of the people, by the people, and for the people” come from. Identify the female judge on American Idol. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute released on November 20 its latest findings on civic literacy in the United States.... Continue Reading

Throughout recorded history, most human beings have been poor. Poverty has been the norm and affluence the exception. Given a choice, most of us would rather be affluent than poor, but in this year of jarring financial losses, many of us are realizing that affluence can be fleeting [“… riches certainly make themselves wings.” (Proverbs... Continue Reading

Even in the midst of temporal troubles, there is always something to be thankful for. Thanks-giving isn’t easy. Two things make it difficult. (1) Our sinful natures act like a ship’s anchor let down at sea. When we try to stir ourselves to give thanks, we find our souls are “dragging anchor.” In the Bible,... Continue Reading

Oh, no, not another Bible! There are myriad manifestations on the market already, including cause-oriented editions like the Green Bible [Editors note: the original URL (link) referenced in this article is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.] and The Poverty and Justice Bible, Bibles that aim at affinity groups like The Golfer’s... Continue Reading

John E. “Jack” Bennett April 9, 1918—October 9, 2008 No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3). No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him (John 6:44). Jack Bennett was a big man with a towering intellect—an Annapolis grad, WW II hero... Continue Reading

A church constitution, to be unveiled December 3 at Wheaton College near Chicago, would unite some 100,000 disaffected former Episcopalians who now adhere to various conservative Anglican archbishops abroad. Rev. Daryl Fenton says breakaway Episcopalians will soon unveil a new church constitution. “What’s being planned is the organizing of a new Anglican Church in the... Continue Reading