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Is War ever Just?
In his novel, The Things They Carried, novelist Tim O’brien, writing about the Vietnam War, says: “A true war story is never moral. It does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest models of proper human behavior, nor restrain men … Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, God's Providence, Reflections on the Psalms
Tagged bible, Jesus, Moses, Qur'an, Ten Commandments, War
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The Seduction of Time
In Mark 8:33 of the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciple Peter, “Go behind me, Satan,” because Peter has suggested that Jesus was not going to suffer as the Son of Man. What does this verse tell us about Satan, about Jesus, … Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, Reflections on the Psalms
Tagged Jesus, Love, Peter, psalms, Satan, Seduction, Temptation, Time
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Montaigne and Repentance
Michel de Montaigne, the French writer of Essays, was a thinker. Alone in a library, his library, pondering. Alone, as he was in conception, as he will be in death. Alone, facing his maker, facing the universe, facing himself. No … Continue reading
Posted in Biography, books, Christianity, Michel de Montaigne
Tagged Essays, Montaigne, Repentance
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Montaigne and Human Folly
In the opening note to the reader in Montaigne’s Essays, the author suggests, since the Essays are only about the experiences and ruminations of Michel de Montaigne himself, that it is folly to read further. Montaigne was quite right, of … Continue reading
Posted in books, Christianity, Michel de Montaigne
Tagged Essays, Human Folly, Montaigne, Skepticism
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Montaigne’s Trials
The French thinker Michel de Montaigne wrote in his essay, Of Books: “I make no doubt that I often . . . speak of things that are much better, and more truly, handled by those who are masters of the … Continue reading
Reflections on Montaigne’s Essays
A year ago, I created this blog, the American Plutarch, to write reflections on a variety of historical, philosophical, and religious topics. I invite responses from readers, as I enjoy a dialogue about the nature of humanity. To me, history, … Continue reading
Richard Hooker’s Message from the Past
In light of the Supreme Court decision on marriage this past week, and the controversy from opposing sides that has ensued, it is worthwhile, in my opinion, to seek the wisdom of the past. Oftentimes the human perspective living in … Continue reading
Whose Democracy Is It, Anyway?
Is America under the Constitution a democracy? The Constitution was written over the course of a summer in 1787 (in Philadelphia: the Constitutional Convention). The 55 or so men who wrote the Constitution did not have mandated authority from the … Continue reading
Posted in American History, Government
Tagged Constitution, Democracy, Government, James Madison
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Liberty or Order?
The title of this essay, Liberty or Order?, has been a headline in the news recently. Indeed, it is one of the longest running headlines in the American news media. The first newspapers in America, printed in the early 1700s, … Continue reading
The American Plutarch 