The Alliance for The Distributed Church

An Unconscionable Threat to Conscience
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/25/unconscionable-threat-conscience" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> by <a href="/about/people/donald-p-condit">Donald P. Condit</a> </div> </div> </div> <p> In May 2009, President Obama delivered <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/us/politics/17text-obama.html?pagewanted=all">the commencement address</a> at the University of Notre Dame where he proclaimed, to naïve applause: “Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded not only in sound science, but also in clear ethics … ”</p><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-related-material"> <div class="field-label"><h2 style="margin-left: 7px;"><b>You might also like...</b></h2></div> <div class="field-items" > <div class="field-item odd" style="margin-left: 7px;"> <a href="/related-material/prescription-health-care-reform">A Prescription for Health Care Reform</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-commentary-topic"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Business and Society </div> </div> </div> <p><a href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/25/unconscionable-threat-conscience" target="_blank">read more</a></p>

Despite Economic and Social Ills, Blacks Give Obama a Pass
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/25/despite-economic-social-ills-blacks-give-obama-pas" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> by <a href="/about/staff/anthony-b-bradley">Anthony B. Bradley</a> </div> </div> </div> <p> With the approach of Black History Month we are reminded of the historic presidency of Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president. Some black leaders, however, believe that Mr. Obama has let the black community down. For example, prominent voices like Dr. Cornell West and PBS’s Tavis Smiley, former supporters of Obama, believe that having a black president has not led to significant progress for blacks.</p><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-related-material"> <div class="field-label"><h2 style="margin-left: 7px;"><b>You might also like...</b></h2></div> <div class="field-items" > <div class="field-item odd" style="margin-left: 7px;"> <a href="/related-material/black-tired-essays-race-politics-culture-internati">Black and Tired: Essays on Race, Politics, Culture, and International Development</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-commentary-topic"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Business and Society </div> </div> </div> <p><a href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/25/despite-economic-social-ills-blacks-give-obama-pas" target="_blank">read more</a></p>

The Problem with Compassionate Conservatism
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/18/problem-compassionate-conservatism" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> by <a href="/about/staff/samuel-gregg">Samuel Gregg</a> </div> </div> </div> <p> The rise — at least temporarily — of Rick Santorum has given rise to speculation of late, most notably by <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/opinion/brooks-a-new-social-agenda.html?_r=1">David Brooks</a>, that it might facilitate a rethinking on the right about how America addresses some of the hard-to-deny social pathologies that characterize much of American society. Chiming in to this debate is <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rick-santorum-and-the-return-of-compassionate-conservatism/2012/01/04/gIQATYRfdP_story.html">Michael Gerson</a>.</p><div class="field field-type-text field-field-commentary-topic"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Business and Society </div> </div> </div> <p><a href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/18/problem-compassionate-conservatism" target="_blank">read more</a></p>

Caring For the Common Good: Why It’s Important To Integrate Faith, Work, and Economics
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/event/2012/caring-common-good-why-it%E2%80%99s-important-integrate-fa" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><div class="field field-type-text field-field-rightcolumn"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <center> <h2 style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> Event Schedule</h2> </center> <p> 2pm - Economics 101 For the Theologian by <a href="../../about/people/matt-zainea">Mr. Matt Zainea</a></p> <p> 3:30 pm - Panel Discussion moderated by <a href="../../about/staff/stephen-j-grabill">Dr. Stephen Grabill</a>. Panel members include Cedarville professors <a href="http://www.cedarville.edu/Academics/Business-Administration/Faculty-Staff/Global-Economics-and-International-Business/Haymond-Jeffrey.aspx">Dr. Jeff Haymond</a> and <a href="http://www.cedarville.edu/Academics/Business-Administration/Faculty-Staff/Global-Economics-and-International-Business/Wheeler-Bert.aspx">Dr. Bert Wheeler</a> along with <a href="../../about/people/matt-zainea">Mr. Zainea</a> and <a href="../../about/people/rudy-carrasco">Mr. Rudy Carrasco</a>.</p> <p> This conference is <strong>free and open to the public</strong>.</p> <p class="rtecenter"> <a href="http://www.cedarville.edu"><img alt="" src="/sites/v4.acton.org/files/Cedarville.png" style="width: 277px; height: 165px;" /></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-date"> <div class="field-label">Event Date: </div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">January 31, 2012 - <span class="date-display-start">2:00pm</span><span class="date-display-separator"> - </span><span class="date-display-end">5:00pm</span></span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-location-event"> <div class="field-label">Location:  </div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <p> <strong>Cedarville University</strong><br /> Cedarville University, Stevens Student Center Event Rooms<br /> Cedarville, OH</p> <p> Click here for a <a href="http://www.cedarville.edu/cf/tour/viewmap.cfm" target="_blank">Campus Map</a></p> <p> Parking is available in the lot by the Stevens Student Center.</p> </div> </div> </div> <p> The Acton Institute will hold a day-long conference entitled <em><strong>Caring For the Common Good: Why It's Important To Integrate Faith, Work and Economics</strong></em> on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The purpose of this conference is to teach and discuss the important connection between economic principles and everyday life in light of Biblical principles. This conference is hosted by Cedarville University and is open to the public.</p><p><a href="http://www.acton.org/event/2012/caring-common-good-why-it%E2%80%99s-important-integrate-fa" target="_blank">read more</a></p>

Ministers of Common Grace
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/11/ministers-common-grace" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> by <a href="/about/staff/jordan-ballor">Jordan Ballor</a> </div> </div> </div> <p> In a recent essay, Bryan Fischer <a href="http://www.afa.net/Blogs/BlogPost.aspx?id=2147515275">makes the controversial claim that the president of the United States should be seen as a “minister of God.”</a> Citing Romans 13:6, which reads that “the authorities are God’s servants” (NIV), or that “the authorities are ministers of God” (ESV), Fischer, a radio host for the American Family Association, concludes that “if we allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves, we are in fact choosing a minister when we select a president.”<</p><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-related-material"> <div class="field-label"><h2 style="margin-left: 7px;"><b>You might also like...</b></h2></div> <div class="field-items" > <div class="field-item odd" style="margin-left: 7px;"> <a href="/related-material/wisdom-wonder-common-grace-science-art">Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-commentary-topic"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Effective Compassion </div> </div> </div> <p><a href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/11/ministers-common-grace" target="_blank">read more</a></p>

Arizona Luncheon with Reverend Robert Sirico
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/event/2012/arizona-luncheon-reverend-robert-sirico" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-eventheader"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_eventheader" width="682" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.acton.org/sites/v4.acton.org/files/events/arizona-banner.jpg?1326217429" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-rightcolumn"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <p> Individual seats $35<br /> Student Ticket $15<br /> Table Sponsorship $500</p> <h3> Sponsorship includes</h3> <ul> <li> VIP seating for your table of 8</li> <li> special recognition on our website, the program, and from the podium</li> <li> Copy of Acton Media’s film <em>The Birth of Freedom </em>for you and your guests</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-date"> <div class="field-label">Event Date: </div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">February 16, 2012 - <span class="date-display-start">12:00pm</span><span class="date-display-separator"> - </span><span class="date-display-end">1:30pm</span></span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-location-event"> <div class="field-label">Location:  </div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <p> Arizona Biltmore Hotel<br /> 2400 East Missouri Ave<br /> Phoenix, AZ 85016</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-link field-field-registration"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="https://secure.acton.org/reg/cnt/2012arizona.php" target="_blank">Register Now</a> </div> </div> </div> <p> Registration begins at 11:30am.</p> <p> Questions: Contact Kimberly Wybenga at 616.454.3080 or <a href="mailto:kwybenga@acton.org">kwybenga@acton.org</a></p>

One Percent or 33: America's Real Inequality Problem
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/04/one-percent-or-33-americas-real-inequality-problem" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> by <a href="/about/people/david-paul-deavel">David Paul Deavel</a> </div> </div> </div> <p> The American economy remains sluggish and, from all over the political spectrum, particularly the left, people have turned their attention to inequality. The Occupy Wall Street movement, though without actual plans for reform, emphasizes the growing inequality between the top one percent and the 99 percent of Americans below them, with the implication that income growth among top earners means less for everybody else.</p><div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-related-material"> <div class="field-label"><h2 style="margin-left: 7px;"><b>You might also like...</b></h2></div> <div class="field-items" > <div class="field-item odd" style="margin-left: 7px;"> <a href="/related-material/catholic-education-promise-school-choice">Catholic Education and the Promise of School Choice</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-commentary-topic"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Educational Choice </div> </div> </div> <p><a href="http://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2012/01/04/one-percent-or-33-americas-real-inequality-problem" target="_blank">read more</a></p>

Europe: A Continent in Economic and Cultural Crisis
<div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-peopleimage"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img class="imagefield imagefield-field_peopleimage" width="202" height="300" alt="" src="http://www.acton.org/sites/v4.acton.org/files/people/Gregg_Sam1_clr.JPG?1325619160" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-link field-field-registration"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <a href="https://secure.acton.org/reg/cnt/2012gregg.php" target="_blank">Register Now</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-datetime field-field-date"> <div class="field-label">Event Date: </div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <span class="date-display-single">February 23, 2012 - <span class="date-display-start">12:00pm</span><span class="date-display-separator"> - </span><span class="date-display-end">1:00pm</span></span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-text field-field-location-event"> <div class="field-label">Location:  </div> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <p> Waters Building<br /> 161 Ottawa Ave, Suite 301<br /> Grand Rapids, MI 49503</p> </div> </div> </div> <h3> Lecture Description:</h3> <p> Less than 100 years ago, Europe ruled most of the globe. Now, however, it seems to be the sick man of the global economy. In this lecture. Acton research Director Dr. Samuel Gregg outlines the economic characteristics of Europe’s present crisis, and examines some of the cultural and religious developments that have contributed to its present turmoil and long-term decline.</p><p><a href="http://www.acton.org/program/als/europe-continent-economic-cultural-crisis" target="_blank">read more</a></p>

November/December 2011 Notes
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/pub/acton-notes/volume-21-number-6/novemberdecember-2011-notes" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><h2> <em>Wisdom & Wonder</em> Book Launch</h2> <p> Dr. Vincent Bacote, who was the speaker at the <em>Wisdom & Wonder</em> book launch, said Abraham Kuyper is still relevant "because there is confusion about the role of Christians in society." The event took place on the campus of Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids on December 10. Dr. Bacote, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College, addressed over 60 who attended the launch.</p><div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-type"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Article </div> </div> </div> <p><a href="http://www.acton.org/pub/acton-notes/volume-21-number-6/novemberdecember-2011-notes" target="_blank">read more</a></p>

President's Message
<div class="fb-social-like-widget"><fb:like href="http://www.acton.org/pub/acton-notes/volume-21-number-6/presidents-message" layout="button_count" show_faces="false" width="110" action="like" font="verdana" colorscheme="light"></fb:like></div><p> A widespread assumption among people who associate with the religious left is that the rich are not in good standing with God, and therefore society should expropriate some portion of their wealth and share it with everyone else. That is part of the idea behind the Occupy Wall Street movement too.</p><div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-type"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> President's Message </div> </div> </div> <p><a href="http://www.acton.org/pub/acton-notes/volume-21-number-6/presidents-message" target="_blank">read more</a></p>