Joshua Gibbs

Arbitrary Laws

Arbitrary laws have to be enforced with disproportionate punishments. Reasonable laws are based in common sense and exist for everyone’s benefit. Reasonable laws are enforced with proportionate punishments. Why? Because people follow reasonable laws for their own benefit. A man doesn’t drive 100 miles an hour on the interstate for two reasons: first, because heContinue reading “Arbitrary Laws”

Nicolas Gomez Davila

In lectures and articles for CiRCE, I have often mentioned Nicolas Gomez Davila, and lately been asked where to start with his philosophy. Sadly, very little of Davila’s work has been translated into English. I first encountered Davila on the recommendation of a friend, yet he recommended I begin with Davila’s Goodreads quote page, whichContinue reading “Nicolas Gomez Davila”

New Uncritical Prejudices

There is no “bizarre” Old Testament purity law moden men wouldn’t take seriously if “recent studies” showed it had health benefits. One easily imagines “cloth spun of two fibers” becoming unpopular after headlines reported human skin was healthier (“and 20% more luminous”) when regularly covered with single fiber cloth. Neither would anyone who decided toContinue reading “New Uncritical Prejudices”

My Latest Book Is Now Available For Pre-Order

I am pleased to announce that The 25th: New and Selected Christmas Essays is now available on the CiRCE website and on Amazon. While you’re waiting for The 25th to ship, join the prestigious, elite, and by-no-means massive group of people who have read Blasphemers, my short story collection.

Madness… Ending?

While generally not one to look for silver linings, the pandemic is putting a pinch on art museums, who have accordingly begun selling off paintings in their permanent collections in order to stay alive. Every museum selling off art to stay alive has started with their 20th century garbage. I think we are ready toContinue reading “Madness… Ending?”

Michael W. Smith

My latest for CiRCE concerns the place of contemporary Christian music in classical Christian schools. Is it enough that a book, song, or record be “Christian”? Or, do classical Christian schools have a higher standard than “mere Christianity”? If classical schools have a higher standard than “mere Christianity,” why? And what is that standard?

Make Up Your Minds

Is Earth the best place to be human? Maybe not, according to scientists at Washington State University, who have lately identified “superhabitable” planets that are “warmer and wetter than Earth.” More habitable. Warmer and wetter.

Speaking Engagement

In October, I will deliver a lecture entitled “The Classical Christian War on Competence” at the CiRCE Online Conference. The lecture will center on four subjects: classical writing programs, the Grammy Awards, kidnap-victim Jaycee Lee Dugard, and the following proverb of Nicolás Gómez Dávila: “Modern man is a prisoner who thinks he is free becauseContinue reading “Speaking Engagement”

Angels Enjoy Government

It is baffling to me why reasonable men who are well-read in the Scriptures persist in using the axiom, “If all men were angels, no government would be necessary,” to defend their thoughts on politics. Before the creation of mankind, when there were only angels, government nonetheless existed. There are many orders of angels, someContinue reading “Angels Enjoy Government”

And That’s Why It Really Hurts

I don’t understand why progressives are complaining that the rich have gotten richer during the pandemic. If you give poor people and middle class people five trillion dollars of free money and tell them to spend it immediately, a good portion of that money is going to end up in the pockets of the rich.Continue reading “And That’s Why It Really Hurts”