In this episode we introduce Current, a new online platform of commentary and opinion that provides daily reflection on contemporary culture, politics, and ideas. Editor Eric Miller talks about Current‘s vision, some of his favorite articles, and the history of the […]
Archives for July 2021
Sunday night odds and ends
A few things online that caught my attention this week: Where is our political imagination? Does the Library of Congress need a new name? What did Margaret Mead think about the nature of men and women Civic healing Nat Turner: […]
Song of the Day
Happy 4th of July:
Is the American flag still a marker of national unity?
In Episode 86 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home podcast Current editor Eric Miller talks about walking in his Western Pennsylvania neighborhood and his wife saying, “Remember when the American flag was just up there by itself and didn’t […]
Springsteen will perform at Central Park concert
But he will not be playing an entire set or headlining. Here is the news from the Facebook page of the Springsteen magazine Backstreets: NOT SO FAST, MR. MAYOR Springsteen not a headliner for proposed Central Park concert. After weeks […]
Museums will play a key role as the United States heads toward its semiquincentennial in 2026
Here is John Garrison Marks at the blog of the American Alliance of Museums: While the US Semiquincentennial Commission outlined a broad vision for the commemoration in its 2019 Inspiring the American Spirit report—describing a grassroots commemoration that educates, engages, and unites […]
Can the “spirit of 1776 survive the history wars of 2021?”
America’s 250th anniversary is coming. It should be interesting. Here is Jennifer Schuessler at The New York Times: The story historians tell about the American Revolution has changed enormously since the Bicentennial. Uplifting biographies of the founding fathers may still […]
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?
I’ve had a lot to say about this topic in the past. Today, however, I am just going to offer some resources. For those inspired by Independence Day weekend to do some reading or viewing: Was America Founded as a […]
Is revisionist history “fiction”? Yes, if you are a Texas conservative.
Kevin Roberts is the Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He has a Ph.D in American history from the University of Texas. His 2003 dissertation was titled “Slaves and slavery in Louisiana: The Evolution of Atlantic World […]
A new Battle of the Alamo?
Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson and Jason Stanford recently published Forget the Alamo: The Rise and Fall of an American Myth. It has a provocative title and an even more provocative argument: Every nation needs its creation myth, and since Texas […]
Are you reading the Christian Scholars Review blog?
The Christian Scholar’s Review (CSR) is “a medium for communication among Christians who have been called to an academic vocation. Its primary objective is the publication of peer-reviewed scholarship and research, within and across the disciplines, that advances the integration of […]
Was I a member of a cult?
I wouldn’t call Gilgal a “cult,” although some have called it that and I can understand why. One of these days I will write about the first seven or eight years of my evangelical life as an active participant in […]
I miss browsing in the library
I am really excited for my colleagues at the Messiah University’s Murray Library as they launch their new “discovery” system called Primo this week. I can’t weight to dig in. I have benefited immensely from Murray Library’s e-book collection, interlibrary […]
The Michigan Republican and evangelical music minister who searched for evidence of election fraud, but “all he found was lies”
Ed McBroom is a dairy farmer in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a substitute teacher, a music minister at First Baptist Church of Norway (MI), and a GOP state senator who chairs the Oversight Committee. Here’s a little devotional from the First […]
“1776” or “Hamilton”?
How about both? Over at The Washington Post, historian Zachary Clary argues that the musical “1776” is a better portrayal of the American founding because it “tackles slavery head on.” I have never seen the play, but I thoroughly enjoy […]
What happened on January 6, 2021?
The New York Times has analyzed thousands of videos related to the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and put together its own 40-minute video. It is calling this video “the most comprehensive picture to date of what happened–and […]
What is popular this week at Current?
Here are the most popular Current features of the last week: Adam Jortner, Found Footage: January 6 and the Horror Movies that Made It Scott Hancock, South Carolina and the First ‘Big Lie’ Greg Williams, D.C. DISPATCH: SUBVERT the SUBJECT Lines! John […]
When It Comes to Religious Freedom, Do Jefferson and Madison Still Matter?
In an age of incivility, returning to the nation’s foundations may aid stability
Some changes at Current
Current is coming-up on its three month anniversary. We are pleased with the caliber of writers we have been able to attract to our new platform and the quality of featured pieces we have been able to publish. We want […]
Nancy Pelosi picks Liz Cheney for House committee investigating Jan. 6
Cheney lost her leadership position in the GOP caucus when she refused to go along with the Big Lie. She is the only Republican member of the committee. Here is AXIOS: In a closed-door meeting with freshmen Republicans Wednesday, McCarthy […]