John Locke reminds us that the Latin rebellare means to “bring back again the state of war.” War, as Locke usefully defines it, is a state that ensues “when someone declares by word or action,” “as a matter of calm settled design,” “that he intends to end another man’s life,” or to “get another manContinue reading “The Real Rebels”
Tag Archives: law
Kingdom Come
Almost a century ago, Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King, to be celebrated on the last Sunday of October. Though placed towards the end of the liturgical year, this reminder of our Savior’s regal office was not intended to replace the last Sunday in the Church’s annual cycle, which (like theContinue reading “Kingdom Come”
The Jealousy of God
Seeking to put to rest certain heretical claims concerning the law of Moses, St. Paul draws a sharp distinction between that law and the promise of the Gospel. The ordinances of the old covenant were given “by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one”Continue reading “The Jealousy of God”
Our Spiritual Law
It is our business to live by our own law, not by fears: to follow, in private or in public life, the law of love and temperance, even when they seem to be suicidal, and not the law of competition and grab, even when they seem to be necessary to our own survival. For itContinue reading “Our Spiritual Law”
What is Political Philosophy?
Philosophy is the love of wisdom. To love something, we must know it. Had our Creator not left the stamp of his own Wisdom upon our soul, we would have no idea wisdom exists, and would be helpless to recognize it even if we happened to stumble upon it. By the same token, no oneContinue reading “What is Political Philosophy?”
Asking God and Intellect to Rule
“One who asks law to rule,” Aristotle observes, “seems to be asking god and intellect alone to rule, while one who asks man adds the beast.” By god, Aristotle means the supreme intellect, whose superiority consists partly in not relying on a limited supply of brain cells, and partly in being free of the passionsContinue reading “Asking God and Intellect to Rule”
To Be, or Not to Be, a “Conservative”?
A friend recently referred me to this essay by the inimitable G. K. Chesterton. Reviewing a book called Conservatism, Chesterton explores the question: “What is a conservative?” He begins by questioning conservatism’s very existence. G. K.’s doubts stem from recognizing “one of the great mistakes of modern controversy: the duty of writing round a wordContinue reading “To Be, or Not to Be, a “Conservative”?”
"His Tongue shall Speak Judgment" 