Christians have routinely accepted a range of false dichotomies when es to so-called “full-time ministry,” confining such work to the vocation of pastor or evangelist or missionary. The implications are clear: Those who enter or leave such vocations are thought to be “entering the work world” or “leaving the ministry,” whether it be for business or education or government. Tothe contrary, God has called all of us to minister to the lost across all vocations, and to do so “full-time.”...

Note: Later today at the Faith & Freedom conference I’ll be speaking on a panel titled, “A Cronyism Crisis: How Corporate Welfare Undermines Markets and Human Flourishing.” If you’re at the conference please stop by this session. The Term:Crony capitalism (sometimes referred to as cronyism or corporatism) What it means:Crony capitalism is a general term for the range of activities in which particular individuals or businesses in a market economy receive government-granted privileges over their customers petitors. Why it Matters:...

We have routinelypointed to Jeremiah 29 as an introductory primer for life in exile, prodding us toward faithful cultural witness and away from the typical temptations of fortification, domination, and modation. As Christians continue to struggle with what it means to be in but not of the world, Jeremiah reminds us to “seek the welfare of the city,” bearing distinct witness even as we serve our captors. We are to “pray to the Lord for it,” Jeremiahwrites, “because if it...

Since the landmark Supreme Court decision Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) every state has developed a system of public defense. The decision guaranteed that those accused of felony offenses are entitled to a lawyer under the rights outlined in the 6th Amendment, which include, the right to a jury trial, a public trial, and pertaining to Gideon, “to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.” In the wake of the Gideon decision each state was required to develop a system...

The presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders is about e to an end. Unfortunately, though, the Democratic Socialism espoused by Sanders will live on long after his presidential ambitions have faded. This type of socialism is nothing new, of course. For more than a century free market economists have been warning of the dangers of succumbing to the economic fallacies of democratic socialism. A prime example is the late, great Milton Friedman. Although he’s been gone for a decade, Friedman is...

Samuel Gregg, Director of Research at the Acton Institute and author of For God And Profit: How Banking and Finance Can Serve the Common Good, joins host Drew Mariani on Relevant Radio’s The Drew Mariani Show to discuss the recent failed referendum in Switzerland that would have provided a guaranteed basic e to all citizens, and how that vote reflects the limitations of social democracy. You can listen to the full interview via the audio player below. ...

“Economics are the method,” wrote Margaret Thatcher in 1981, “the object is to change the heart and soul.” Guided by her Christian faith, the prime minister believed that the welfare state was not only harming her fellow citizens but damaging the moral fabric of the United Kingdom. As Florence Sutcliffe-Braithwaiteexplains, Thatcher’s fears about the welfare state were twofold: First, she and her advisers thought that generous collective provision for unemployment and sickness was sapping some working-class people’s drive to work....

Samuel Gregg’s latest book, For God and Profit: How Banking and Finance Can Serve the Common Good argues that making a profit and living a good, moral life are not mutually exclusive endeavors. People are taking notice. In a new review of the book at Zenit, Fr. John Flynn agrees with Gregg. “[M]oney and finance,” he begins, “play an essential role in the well-being of persons and nations and they are not of themselves immoral.” He continues: Another handicap to...

Following the recent Rome conference “Freedom with Justice: Rerum Novarum and the New Things of Our Time”, held in celebration of 125th anniversaryof Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical on private property, the Industrial Revolution and the spread of Marxist ideology, Acton’s Samuel Gregg was interviewed by Shalom World TV. VaticanjournalistAshley Noronha, who hosts the India-based religious news magazine Voice of the Vatican, asked Gregg what was the the connection between religious and economic freedom andhow traditional Catholic social teaching is responding...

Can we live the good life in the world of finance and banking? Acton’s research director, Samuel Gregg, explores that question in his latest book For God and Profit: How Banking and Finance Can Serve the Common Good. He was recently interviewed by the Social Trends Institute in order to discuss the motivation behind writing the book as well as expanding on the theme of his book. Some of the highlights: What’s the biggest challenge facing Christians and other people...