When looking at the American model of representative government, many have the idea that either America invented its own model or that it was adapted from the ancient model found in Roman senate. Historically, neither idea is true. Free Book: Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society—Where We’ve Been, How We … Read more
No one disputes the attractiveness of living outside the liberal and politically correct society that dominates American life. To the degree possible, there is even an obligation to keep some separation from today’s decadent society. Hence, all this explains the controversy around the so-called Benedict Option. The Benedict Option is the brainchild of author Rod … Read more
Upon reading Rod Dreher’s new book, The Benedict Option, I was immediately struck by his declaration that the Culture War is over and conservatives have lost. I was not aware of the signing of any treaty. Someone also should have told the other side, since they are still firing at us with everything they have. … Read more
The life of a Christian involves suffering and the carrying of one’s cross daily. One way this is done is by the constant and often grueling repetition of tasks that are part of developing a trade or craft. However, such repetition is not without its purpose. In fact, it aids in the development of skills … Read more
One can tell the state of the society by its dreamers. When a society is comfortably decadent, few dare to imagine a world beyond the surrounding material comforts. In such a society, most people are content with the mediocrity of a superficial world in which those who dream are stifled and silenced. However, when a society … Read more
A Review of The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream by Tyler Cowen Rarely have I read a book with which I have so thoroughly disagreed as Tyler Cowen’s The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream. I had hoped for a perspective on what is behind American decadence. However, … Read more
Josef Pieper explains how our modern world has suppressed the sense of wonder and marvelousness that should be part of our spiritual, cultural and intellectual life. He writes: Free Book: Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society—Where We’ve Been, How We Got Here, and Where We Need to Go “Wonder does … Read more
The modern world is full of broken marriages and families. Unfortunately, this lamentable trend includes many Christians. Instead of opposing family breakdown, many favor making it easier with divorce and living together arrangements. As a result, such concessions have become accepted and even commonplace. The confusion reigning in civil society now extends even to the … Read more
It is our thesis that money should be the expression of the culture of a people in their passionate search for justice. As such, money should change slowly like the customs and usages of the population. It should not be subject to political manipulation. In this way, money becomes a stable measure of value and … Read more
On May 1, Return to Order author John Horvat II gave the final weekly seminar for seventy graduating business and accounting students at Benedictine University in Atchison, Kansas. The topic of the talk was “Return to Order: A Distinctly Catholic View of Contemporary Economics.” He discussed the current economic, moral and existential crisis and presented solutions from … Read more
