The Loop
Articles You Missed This Week
“We Hold These Freedom,” by John Betz in Church Life Journal
Church Life Journal is a diamond in the rough, a journal where serious theology and ethical thought is accessible to everyone. In this piece Betz argues that, yes, there is a danger of making our American freedoms into an idol. But there is also an analogical relationship between those American freedoms and the freedom we have in Christ.
I’m usually highly suspicious of claims like this one, and Betz’s is no exception. Nevertheless, this is an important article you won’t want to miss.
“The Insurrectionist Bible Study Vs. the Conspiracy Theories,” by Zachary Wolf on CNN
This article is almost exactly what you fear it’s going to be. It’s import, on the other hand, is a matter for debate—sadly, probably intense partisan debate.
“Tucker Carlson Sought Interview with Putin at Time of NSA Spying Claim,” by Jonathan Swan in Axios
Did the NSA read Tucker Carlson’s emails? If so, why exactly did they do it, especially given that it’s illegal? Whatever the truth of the matter, Carlson has drummed interest in his show this week by claiming that he was contacted by someone inside the NSA who read his emails aloud to him; that contact then purportedly read the emails aloud to other (yes, unnamed) journalists who could corroborate Carlson’s account.
Except that they can’t. Because their careers are dependent upon them being in good standing with their contacts in the government. So the only person’s word we have so far that any of this happened is…Carlson’s.
“The Excesses of Antiracist Education,” by Ross Douthat in the New York Times
This article, part two of Douthat’s race and American education explainer, is perhaps the most careful conservative take on the matter to date.
“Opponents of Critical Race Theory are Arguing with Themselves,” by Ibram X. Kendi in The Atlantic
After months of being picked apart by conservative commentators, Kendi finally comes out swinging in this piece. What do you think he achieved here? Did this piece do what he needed it to do?