Category Archives: Politics

Thinking about Immigration

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Richard Heyduck

Immigration has been a contentious topic in the USA for some time now. If one pays any attention to our political discourse, it’s hard to miss. Here are some of my thoughts and questions on the subject. Why do we … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Immigration, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

(not) Enlisting Jesus as Our Political Trump Card

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Richard Heyduck

If you’re a Christian, you know Jesus is really important. We who claim to be his disciples think we ought to listen to him, follow him, and obey him. We ought to do what he did. One of our current … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Health Care, Jesus, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What Are They Supposed to Think?

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Richard Heyduck

What are my black friends supposed to think, with yesterday’s acquittal of Officer Yanez in the shooting of Philando Castile? Blacks may (in theory) have second amendment rights, but if they exercise them they’re more likely to receive an instant … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Current events, Politics, Violence | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Today’s Lament

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Richard Heyduck

A lament, in light of the signs of the times. I lament that so many women suffer from the depredations of men who treat them as mere objects. I lament that so many of those men cover their actions with, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Ethics, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sustaining Institutions over Time & Collective Identity

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Richard Heyduck

Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor recently wrote on “Political Identity and the Problem of Democratic Exclusion” for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Opinion page. He argues for the need for greater cohesion and unity among “the people” than is commonly found in … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Taylor, Culture, Current events, Doctrine, Ecclesiology, Politics, United Methodism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Means and Ends

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Richard Heyduck

Ends are purposes or goals toward which we aim. Means the the methods and devises we use to achieve or realize those ends. In current political discourse we are endlessly focused on means even when we use the language of ends. If someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fixing Politics?

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Richard Heyduck

I’ve heard many pine for a better practice of politics in our society. They’re tired of the gridlock, the bickering, the constant attacks. They want to make progress on issues that “concern us all.” David Brook’s recent column is along … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Liberalism, Politics, Social Capital | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Christian Politics

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Richard Heyduck

We’re in a season where American Christians are thinking about politics. Well, maybe not. Maybe it’s truer to say we’re in a season where the politics of the current American polarizations have colonized Christian minds. Candidates and their flunkies are assuring … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church & State, Clash of Civilizations, Culture, Current events, Ecclesiology, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Free Community College!

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

Why is there such a thing as COST? Why isn’t everything just free? Cost is a way of showing the relative value of things. When we see that one thing costs more than another, we can take it as an … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Higher Education, Politics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Liberal” and “Conservative”

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

We use these words, “liberal” and “conservative” quite a bit and in multiple contexts. From where I stand, I see them used most frequently in theological and political contexts. They are not as helpful as we think, since we often … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment