FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Plagues, Pandemics, and the Christian Response

In these times of continuing pandemic pandemonium, we at Praxis Circle think it’s worthwhile to calm the mind and heart by taking a longer-term view of humanity and its responses to other similar situations. One of our early Contributors, Dr. Rodney Stark, Distinguished Professor of Social Sciences at Baylor University, author of Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History, and an avowed agnostic, was highlighted in a column published early in the COVID pandemic when very little was known about it.

The column "Agnostic Researcher Shames Vatican Coronavirus Response" cites his research revealing that it was the historic plagues in Europe and the Mediterranean that were catalysts for the exponential growth of Christianity. Stark argues that the response of Christians versus those with a different worldview was a critical factor in the exponential growth of Christianity.

Stark points out that Christians' embracing the afflicted, literally and figuratively, and sometimes placing their own health at risk
Dr. Rodney Stark, Distinguished Professor of Social Sciences at Baylor University
served as genuine inspiration for others to convert to Christianity. It demonstrated not only true care and concern for their fellow men, but also a deep and abiding faith in the face of inevitable death.

Going into 2022 we can only hope that after now almost two years of experience with COVID that Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, and all others will not continue to operate on the basis of fear, but on the basis of a well thought-out worldview which encompasses a loving attitude toward others and a belief this world may not be all there is!







"Cultivate friends you disagree with, as well as those
with whom you agree, because together you'll locate the soft spots in your own thinking and find common ground to build on. "

Dr. Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at
Princeton


What We're Reading
(and Writing):
Continuing on with Dr. Stark (see above), it is he who wrote:

Leading Christian theologians such as Augustine and Aquinas were not what today might be called 'strict constructionists.' Rather, they celebrated reason as the means to gain greater insight into divine intentions.

Just before Christmas, we published the final part of our six-part series "The Road to Reason." We suggest reading the series in its entirety (see Part VI for all links). This series provides a solid foundation for worldview thought as we head into 2022, when we all should be resolved to be better thinkers and influencers on our society at large.
Who We're Watching:

As we advance into 2022 the Praxis Circle is looking forward to many exciting events, first and foremost, the introduction of several new Contributors.

In January we'll present John Reid, a hometown boy to us (Richmond, VA) who has truly "made good." His morning radio show on WRVA (AM) is a can't-miss listen.

In the late winter and on into spring, we'll be publishing Contributors Dr. Robert P. George (McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University), Heather Mac Donald (Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing writer for City Journal), Rusty Reno (editor of First Things magazine), Ashley McGuire (Senior Fellow with The Catholic Association and author of
Sex Scandal: The Drive to Abolish Male and Female), and also a delightful encore visit with our very first Contributor Os Guinness (prolific author and lecturer, lead drafter of the Williamsburg Charter, and co-founder of The Trinity Forum).

January 28: (Live Event) The Common Sense Society presents its inaugural Sir Roger Scruton prize to Dr. Jordan Peterson at its annual conference and gala in Palm Beach, FL.
Tickets available here.