The Fare Forward Interview with Ross Douthat
Ross Douthat is a former senior editor of The Atlantic and current Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times. He is also the author of Privilege: Harvard Education and the Ruling Class (2005), Grand New Party (2008, with Reihan Salam), and Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics 2012). Douthat spoke with Fare Forward’s editor-in-chief about how Americans think about religion, Christianity in the Trump presidency, and the future of Christianity and liberalism. The following is an edited version of their conversation.
Detachment Parenting
The common narrative of fatherhood is that responsibility for his children leads a father to more conservative beliefs—but a faithful radicalization will serve our children better.
Art and the Work of Re-Enchantment
If we are not careful, mankind tomorrow will consist of a few monastic communities dedicated to pure contemplation, standing apart from an immense mass of atheists consecrated to the production of material goods. Such a prospect fills me with horror. If we wish to avoid it we must have imagery. —Jean Danielou, Prayer as a Practical Problem, p. 73
The New Stoicism
The ancient philosophy of Stoicism is currently experiencing a revival—but it’s modern practitioners may find it falls short of a true solution for life’s most pressing problems.
The Devil’s Workshop
In defiance of our expectations, Topol’s novel of the aftermath of genocide treats our fascination with horror with seriousness and compassion.
The Betrothed
Tackling wide ranging social issues from class struggle to market forces, The Betrothed provides a background of surprising depth for its simple tale of star-crossed lovers.
Arabia Felix
A compelling account of a failed and forgotten expedition offers insight into the nature of success—particularly for Christians.
Before Church and State
In laying out a political history of medieval France under the reign of St. Louis, Before Church and State challenges modern assumptions and presents an alternative vision of rights, sovereignty, and social order.
Introduction to Christianity
Unlike too many books that attempt to explicate Christianity, Joseph Ratzinger's allows for both the spiritual and the intellectual aspects of humankind by framing faith through mystery.
LACMA
The organization and subject matter of LACMA's exhibition on home points to the true heart of hospitality and of what it means not to have a place in the world.
Graduation
Romanian director Cristian Mungiu’s award-winning film examines life in a corrupt and amoral society—but not without a small example of the redeeming practice of virtue.