Gospel Fare
Taking Rauch’s Liberalism Seriously: A Response to Patterson
Do polite compromises secure faith’s future in liberal democracy? They don’t; doctrine must guide law and civic life.
Ralph C. Hancock
August 15, 2025
Do polite compromises secure faith’s future in liberal democracy? They don’t; doctrine must guide law and civic life.
Is political neutrality sustainable? For religious bodies, it may be pragmatic, given current defeats in the culture war, but must defend against the risk of relativism.
When we stop depending on legislatures as the place Americans can hash out their disagreements, it should perhaps not surprise us when court mandates don’t effectively fill the gap.
More and more of our friends and family are opting out of social media entirely. Honest question: What would Jesus do?
Domestic peacekeepers are speaking out with everything they’ve got—reminding this country about its historic capacity to hold and work through serious disagreements productively. It’s time to listen before it’s too late.
Are there understandings of social justice that would help us unite around its aspirations—rather than continue fighting over it?
These are serious times – with serious challenges. Does that make it less (or more) important that we stay open to diverse perspectives on what’s happening?
What if deeper conversation threatens my very sense of self? In most cases it is infinitely worthwhile to engage in such “rival contestation.”
If we’re only feeling angrily estranged by the Supreme Court, maybe we’re missing something important. These stories might leave you strangely hopeful.
In hearing the latest LGBT+ cases, justices on the Supreme Court demonstrate well the thoughtful dialogue needed in legislative debates.