Comments on: How Not to Criticize an Encyclical

By: David C

David C — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:32:36 +0000

Am always shocked by how major publications would never let someone without basic science knowledge report on science, basic political knowledge (like of the Constitution, say) report on politics, but that anyone is supposed capable of talking religion. Astonishing. He obviously has no idea what “charity” is meant to indicate… even though it is explained in the encyclical.

By: Davey Henreckson

Davey Henreckson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:35:24 +0000

John,

I have to say I found your conclusion very refreshing. The lack of paradigmatic honesty I keep reading at NRO or FT took me by surprise. I found many parts of Caritas convicting, but I’m a schismatic Presbyterian and shouldn’t really care what the pope says.

It’s all very amusing.

By: Is Benedict really a libertarian? : Theopolitical

Is Benedict really a libertarian? : Theopolitical — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:11:42 +0000

[...] the existing system, and not turn reactionary, as a de facto validation of the current system. (There is also a less charitable explanation.) But on any close reading of the text, I cannot find any substantial support [...]

By: John Schwenkler

John Schwenkler — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:45:18 +0000

Good idea. I’ll do that when we get a bit further in.

By: Will

Will — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:38:56 +0000

Cool. I’ve been following the encyclical reading group with some interest, and I think it would be interesting to throw out an open thread or two on how Caritas in Veritate has actually changed peoples’ minds (or at least challenged a few assumptions).

By: John Schwenkler

John Schwenkler — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:26:30 +0000

I certainly hope so, Will – though it’s not as if Catholic social teaching is entirely new to me. But for example, the discussions I’ve already seen of the passages on global political authority have led me to reconsider some of my hostility toward the U.N. and (to a decidedly lesser extent) the E.U.

As I said in an earlier post, though, I think that there’s plenty of room for good faith disagreement, especially concerning policy matters. My point here was just that such discussions have to take place within a general attitude of humility, and that facile interpretations of Biblical passages and economic crises alike aren’t going to get us anywhere.

By: Will

Will — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:31:01 +0000

Will the Pope’s arguments actually change your opinion about size-of-government issues, then? I mean, I appreciate the fact that you’ve consistently defended an honest interpretation of the encyclical on both social and economic issues, but will Caritas in Veritate actually persuade you to rethink your substantive views?

I hope this doesn’t come off as some sort of lame attempt at a “gotcha” question – I’m actually pretty curious to see how Catholics incorporate the encyclical’s teachings into their social and political thought.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:18:19 +0000

Facile interpretations of the “render unto Caesar” passage are virtually infallible (you’ll pardon the expression) indicators that someone doesn’t know what they’re talking about.