1. Skip to Menu
  2. Skip to Content
  3. Skip to Footer>
Search the web safely with CatholicDaily Search
CNA Book Reviews
CNA Columns: Book Reviews
  • 'Indivisible' brings sound reasoning to political melee
    By Chris Gilbert

    Flipping on the news on any given day can be overwhelming, and trying to form a political stance from it all can be quite daunting.  How do we sort it out? Amidst multimedia bombardment, do we stop to consider where policies even derive? 

    Here is help!

    Evangelical James Robison and Catholic Jay Richards set forth a well-reasoned and clearly articulated political guidebook that’s infused with the light of rational faith.  Indivisible: Restoring Faith, Family, and Freedom Before It’s Too Late (Ignatius Press, 2012) presents strong arguments that will compel non-believers and convict believers.  The reader will discover commentary on the words of Christ as well as popes, saints, and faithful Christian witnesses who are “wise as serpents” among political confusion and misdirection.

    Robison and Richards lay a solid principled foundation upon which policies can be built. They examine dubious purposes and principles that lead to deadly policies by particularly challenging three popular political stances (which is why we need this book!):

    “It doesn’t really matter. It’s just politics.” The leadership and policies of our country directly apply to every citizen.  The ability to put bread on one’s table and the freedom to practice one’s religion must be defended (and they are being attacked).  Everyone’s freedom is at stake.  Closing one’s eyes does not stop the game.  As Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it, “Not to stand is to stand.” Since we all live in the polis, inaction becomes action which contributes to the outcome. 

    “Jesus would support our welfare program.” Perhaps more dangerously is the mindset that certain policies assume the proper Christian stance –    Robison and Richards deliver the anecdote to “Christian” positions that are politically and morally dubious with clarity and faithfulness to the Gospel. They uncover motivation that drives the attitude of entitlement: “envy masquerading as moral outrage.”   Too often, supposed Christian approaches are really just moral and political rot with a nice Christian wrapping. The authors peel back the camouflaged rhetoric of non-Christian and anti-Christian activists whose currency reads, “In Government we trust.”

    Finally, some fiscal conservatives think “social issues” distract and divide – "if we ignore abortion and gay marriage, we can gain ground on lowering taxes.”  But political freedom cannot exist without a strong moral foundation.  Social and economic issues stem from the same root – separating them is always a false choice. Financial freedom requires morality because morality sustains economy.

    The authors present the anecdote to bad policy by zeroing in on many important issues – the role of government, family and culture, poverty and private property, capitalism and globalization, immigration and environment.  They provide an accessible and solid survey of how to apply essential principles to policy.  They also repeatedly provide a pragmatic guide, “What should we do?” giving the newly motivated reader the ability to put down the book and take action. Ultimately, culture can only be restored and transformed through prayer, personal holiness and heroic virtue.

    The founding fathers knew freedom and culture could only flourish if based on morality.  So they described rights as ‘self-evident’ because they are universal moral truths.  In Romans 1, St. Paul explains that God wrote these laws of nature on the very hearts of men.  Thus, there can be no sober discussion of rights without natural law.  And to deny aspects of the “laws of nature and Nature’s God” is to unravel the whole system.  Hence our rights – our freedom which our country is based upon – are indivisible.

    What is freedom anyway?  Not just choice, not pure independence. The authors explain that true freedom is for something, namely excellence rooted in God. This freedom requires responsibility and virtue.  To acknowledge this means to recognize good and evil, and therefore sin – the corruption in every man.  Sin coupled with power deals a deadly blow to citizens.  Thus, our founding fathers understood the need to limit government. So they built a system to avoid future tyranny by balancing powers.  Power corrupts because humans run the government.  Human passion unchecked by moral guidance leads to bad law and poverty, whereas discipline brings liberty and prosperity.

    Robison and Richards have provided an invaluable tool to those who wish for the city of man to be more like the city of God.  Indivisible provides a solid, challenging, and thought-provoking political handbook that our country clearly needs in the year of a Presidential election and every year.

Catholic Saint of the Day - Let's all strive for sainthood!

  • St. John I, Pope
    By birth Pope John was a Tuscan, the son of Constantius. He was an archdeacon for several years before being elected Pope upon the death of Pope St. Hormisdas in 523. He was also a good friend and confidant of the philosopher Boethius.In 525 Pope John was sent to Constantinople by King Theodoric of the Ostrogoths to reverse an edict sent out by Emperor Justin against the Arians two years earlier, which required Arians to give back churches which they had taken from orthodox Catholics. Throdoric was himself an Arian, and a strong defender of Arianism (a heresy which arose in the 4th century and denied the divinity of Christ).Even though Theodoric wanted a reversal of Justin’s policy, Pope John did not comply with his wishes. Refusing to support heresy, he only counseled the Emperor Justin to be more gentle in his overzealous dealings with the Arians.The success that Pope John achieved was contrary to the wishes of Theodoric. He was received as the Successor of Peter and all the bishops of the East, with the exception of one, affirmed their communion with him and his precedence as Bishop of Rome, notable by the fact that it was he who presided over the Easter liturgy in Constantinople on April 19, 526. Even the Emperor Justin prostrated himself at the Pope’s feet.However, on his return to Rome, Theodoric, who had just murdered John’s good friend Boethius, and was furious with the outcome of the mission and had the Pope imprisoned in Ravenna, where he died of starvation and ill treatment.His body was taken to Rome where he now lies buried in the basilica of St. Peter.

Our Mission

Catholic newsWelcome to Catholic Daily, your source for Catholic inspiration and news delivered fresh—every hour of every day! Features of Catholic Daily include the Catholic Forum and our network of Catholic blogs. As you've probably noticed, the world is going through some great changes. Let Catholic Daily be your refuge, a sacred online place where you can join like-minded people who try to live their faith every day! Bookmark us.

CatholicDaily Blogs

Rise Up

Rise UpRise Up, Talitha Koum , is a blog about how we are all invited to rise up, with God all things are possible

Homeschooling

SaintsCatholic Homeschooling is the Catholic Daily blog by two parents who homeschool their kids in a Catholic environment.

Holy Health

Holy HealthHoly Health is the blog is that encourages good health, both physical and spiritual.

Talking With God

Talking With God features reflections on Why, Where, and When to pray.

Special Blessings

Special Blessings is a Catholic Daily blog featuring the thoughts and reflections of a reverted Catholic wife, mother, and teacher.

Fr. Neil

Fr. NeilOur Blessed Mother's Children, the blog of Rev. Neil Buchlein, features his inspiration and powerful homilies. Visit.

God is Simple

God is SimpleGod is Simple is a Catholic Daily blog that celebrates the simplicity of God and the way He works in our lives.

Mystic Post

Mystic PostMystic Post, a blog by Stephen K. Ryan, celebrates the mystical side of Catholicism.

God's Rules

God's planGod Makes the Rules, Not You, is a Catholic blog by Ron Fazio about God's plan for your life, and the world.

Grief, Stress

GriefGrief, Stress and All The Rest, is a Catholic Daily blog by Sharyn Cartnick, retired nurse and community health educator.

Pure Catholic

Catholic chastityPure Catholic, a blog by Robert Threadgill, explores the idea of living purely as a Catholic in the midst of an inpure world.

Media Musings

Catholic mediaMedia Musings and Everyday Spirituality is the Catholic Daily blog of Gina Zanicky, a professional in the world of Catholic media. Movie reviews, book reflections, spirituality, and more.

Catholic World

Catholic worldOur Catholic World, a blog by writer Daniel Klimek, features commentary on politics, art, literature and culture, all from a Catholic perspective

Immaculee

Immaculee Ilibagiza is a bestselling Catholic author and Rwandan genocide survivor. Visit her Catholic Daily blog!

A Better Life

Blogging for a Better Life is filled with inspirations that will help you live a better and more faith-filled life. Visit the blog today!

Young Adults

Young Adults and God is geared for young people trying to stay faithful to their beliefs.

The Spirit

The Spirit is Moving showcases real-life testimonies from all over the world.

Time 4 Truth

Time For Truth is a Catholic Daily blog covering hot Topics from one Catholic to another.

Holy Spirit

Trust, the Holy Spirit is with us is a Catholic Daily blog which strives to offer an invitation to be loved and to love.

Despite Doubts

Despite My Doubts is a Catholic Daily blog that seeks to prove that good does exist the world.

Clarion Call

Clarion Call is a Catholic Daily blog featuring musings from someone who is paying attention to the world.

Tranquility

Path To Tranquility is a powerful blog about finding peace in your heart and in the world. Visit this Catholic Daily blog today!

Heart of a Lion

Heart of A Lion, Gentle Like a Dove is a Catholic Daily blog showcasing stories of courage and truth.

Cafe Catholic?

Cafeteria Catholic? is a Catholic Daily blog about seeds sown among thorns.

God Is At Work

Catholic mediaGod Is At Work In You is the blog of Michele Bondi Bottesi, award-winning Catholic author, psychologist, pro-life advocate, publisher, and producer at Apostolate Films.

Daily Homily

Listen to the Daily Homily by Fr. Neil Buchlein. His blog is called Our Blessed Mother's Children.
Friday, May 18

Latest Posts

CatholicDaily Blogs

Discerning Daily

SaintsDiscerning Daily is the Catholic Daily blog about discerning our vocations and striving for holiness each day.

Society of Saints

SaintsSociety of Saints is the Catholic Daily blog from Australia that looks at saints in the making, saints in waiting and saints in action!

Addiction, Violence

AddictionsAddiction and Violence gives a powerful inside look at the spiritual side of social work.

Sean Bloomfield

Sean BloomfieldInside The Mind of a Catholic Filmmaker is the blog of Sean Bloomfield, producer of Catholic films.

I Prefer Heaven

Catholic blog I Prefer Heaven, the Catholic Daily blog by Jackie Stutmann, is focused on helping people make everyday choices for Heaven. Visit Jackie's blog.

Faith Comes First

FaithFaith Comes First, a Catholic Daily blog, celebrates the miracles happening all around us. Visit the blog.

A Humble Heart

HumilityReflections from a Humble Heart is a "meek little blog about faith and humility by Rebecca Dawkins."

On Mary's Mind

MaryOn Mary's Mind is a blog that features Catholic inspirations to brighten your day. Visit Mary's blog.

Catholic Prophecy

Catholic MomThe Catholic Prophecy blog presents intriguing prophecies from saints and mystics of the past. Are we living in the End Times? You decide.

Hail Mary Pass

MaryHail Mary Pass is the funny, hard-hitting Catholic Daily blog for all Catholics not fully practicing their faith.

God In All Things

SaintsGod In All Things is the Catholic Daily blog by Diana Tan that encourages readers to seek and find.

Political Theology

Catholic politicsPolitical Theology is a Catholic blog exploring the inherent agreement between faith and reason.

Saints and Angels

Catholic saintsSaints and Angels is the Catholic Daily blog that explores the treasures of Catholicism and the lives of the saints.

Traces of Heaven

Catholic motherTraces of Heaven is a powerful blog about Catholic living by a homeschooling wife and mother.

Be a blogger!

Catholic DailyThe Catholic Daily Blog Network is seeking bloggers to join our team. Learn more.

Facebook