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John H. Haas

John H. Haas is a retired professor of history and Contributing Editor at Current.

FILM FORUM: Civil War, I

John H. Haas   |  May 1, 2024

Alex Garland’s film makes the (first) Civil War seem suddenly—and fittingly—near

Further reflections on Liberty U and other Christian institutions

John H. Haas   |  March 13, 2024

While Susan Wise Bauer’s experience at LU is much worse than average, it reflects real concerns in Christian higher education.

Song of the Day: Rhiannon Giddens sings Paul Simon’s “American Tune” 

John H. Haas   |  March 6, 2024

Rhiannon Giddens’ adaptation of Paul Simon is art in its own right.

America Abroad: Slinking Back to Form

John H. Haas   |  February 22, 2024

At the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, an old stance is passé no more

Grumpy Christmas

John H. Haas   |  December 21, 2023

For many years I’ve entertained a fantasy of a world where the church one day decides to fast from all the effluvia associated with Christmas, scale it way back, and for a decade chooses to just have a low-key service dedicated to reflecting on God’s Incarnation as a human being.

A grim anniversary: John Brown’s execution

John H. Haas   |  December 5, 2023

Brown’s legacy is complicated, to say the least. Men of the time who whole-heartedly approved his hanging just as sincerely revered his memory.

Thanksgiving: mixing the flavors of civil religion, war, and commerce

John H. Haas   |  November 23, 2023

Forget Squanto. Our current Thanksgiving has its roots in war and commerce.

REVIEW: Ain’t that America?

John H. Haas   |  November 20, 2023

Through Jon Lauck’s eyes, the Midwest really is something to see

Veterans Day: song of the day

John H. Haas   |  November 11, 2023

“Born in the USA” offers productive reflections for this Veterans Day.

Blessing of unicorns: weekly roundup

John H. Haas   |  November 4, 2023

This week John Haas takes over the Unicorn!

Ukraine Will Be a Long War

John H. Haas   |  October 17, 2023

Is America ready to see it through?

Song of the day: Allegri, Miserere mei, Deus (Psalm 51)

John H. Haas   |  October 12, 2023

This setting and performance of Psalm 51 are sublime and needed this week.

No, it’s not “OK” to like Barry Manilow’s music, and in your heart you know it

John H. Haas   |  October 3, 2023

Barry Manilow’s music shirks its duty, which is the duty of every human being when we open our mouths: Tell the truth.

Observations for students in higher ed at the beginning of the semester

John H. Haas   |  September 7, 2023

1. Higher ed is not K-12. Expect things to be different. 2. Your professors are not here to entertain you. Your professors are not here to motivate you. Sometimes they will be entertaining or motivating, and when they are, consider […]

No Laughing Matter?

John H. Haas   |  August 18, 2023

Humor may be even more complicated than evil

And a happy 40th anniversary to Robert Schuller’s Self-Esteem: The New Reformation

John H. Haas   |  August 15, 2023

Historians love anniversaries. They give them an excuse for writing about what they want to write about anyway. This year is the 40th anniversary of a book that, unless you’re approaching retirement age you have likely never heard of, but […]

Baraye: song of the day (or maybe the century, so far)

John H. Haas   |  July 20, 2023

I think of this as the song of the century thus far (or one of them). It comes from the protests in Iran in 2022 sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini who had been arrested for improperly wearing her […]

Difficult students and free speech in the college classroom

John H. Haas   |  July 12, 2023

I had a very challenging student some years ago. Extremely bright, attentive, focused, curious, well-read–all the things you want. But they answered every question immediately upon its asking, never raising a hand (sometimes answering while it was still being asked). […]

The bogeyman threat of Christian nationalism

John H. Haas   |  July 10, 2023

David French wrote in The New York Times yesterday:  Arguments for a ‘Christian nationalism’ are increasingly prominent, with factions ranging from Catholic integralists to reformed Protestants to prophetic Pentecostals all seeking a new American social compact, one that explicitly puts […]

Three songs for July 4th

John H. Haas   |  July 3, 2023

Happy July 4th from the Arena!

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