Solomon On Anger Addiction And The Atlanta Shooter

Often, it seems, our media culture sees murder and violence as a matter of wrong ideas.

The Secret Service police arrest a man for bringing a rifle and ammunition near the vice president’s home and a suspect accused of killing women whom … Read More

Solomon On Strength

A recent study in South Korea showed that suicidal thoughts correlated with weak grip strength (which is widely believed to be a measure of overall general strength). According to Psychology Today,

Regression models showed lower hand grip strength correlated significantly … Read More

Good And Bad Behavior Are Both Habit-Forming

In Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Famer Boy, there is a story about Almonzo and his father going fishing—especially about the effort it required to decide to fish.. It begins thus:

Sometimes he woke in the morning and heard rain drumming on … Read More

Solomon On Social Media And Strife

There are a lot of things to argue about and many important issues. That seems to justify writing one’s own opinion on social media and sharing links pertinent to these issues. That is understandable. That reasoning affects me as … Read More

Solomon On How To Learn Self Control

One of the most basic abilities a person must possess to have a chance of working with others and being productive is “self-control.” “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). … Read More

Protest Versus Productivity

We all want a better future. We want to see progress. We hope the next generation will prosper more than we did.

But how much control do we have over what the future looks like?

I ask this because it … Read More

Solomon On What Sets Cities On Fire

“Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath” (Proverbs 29:8 ESV).

While it has been almost a relief to have something new to worry about instead of the pandemic and its 24/7 news anxiety cycle, the … Read More

The COVID-19 Crucible: Pandemic As Purifier?

Sometimes in history a population suffers a major crisis that everyone must deal with. Obviously, our current pandemic and lockdown constitute such a predicament. But, when we consider how we should deal with it, or view it, the lessons … Read More

Does God Want You Weak Or Strong?

In the Bible, not least Proverbs, humility is promoted as a virtue. Part of that humility involves recognizing the greatness of God and his authority and control over the world. We are dependent on God and should recognize this … Read More

Lockdown Is No Excuse To Become A Sluggard

People have been comparing life under lockdown to the movie Groundhog Day.

I think the movie may be relevant to some peoples’ experiences and may actually have lessons for us. But there was one main difference. In the movie, Phil Connors … Read More

Are You Powerless To Change? Or Too Impatient?

People are haunted by behaviors that sabotage their lives. Often, they pretend the sabotage isn’t happening. But even when they acknowledge it, they find changing their behavior difficult. They feel powerless, and sometimes even stop trying to … Read More

Solomon Says: Rebellion Is Not The Way To Restore Liberty

The global pandemic has exacerbated an ongoing question that always intensifies as we near major elections: Can we trust our rulers? Are they evil or good? Are they competent or incompetent? Useful or useless?

A quote I see … Read More

On Being Exiled From Work

Only a month ago millions of people had jobs waiting tables, cutting hair, and working many other jobs. Some liked their jobs. Some didn’t. Some regarded their jobs as temporary while they worked on something else for their futures. … Read More

Solomon And The Pandemic

In my new book on reading Proverbs and growing in wisdom (Athanasius Press), I spend a whole chapter dedicated to showing that the message of Proverbs is the same as the message of Ecclesiastes.

Consider this essay by Susan Neiman, which begins with this … Read More

Solomon On How To Be A Hero

The way young people are exhorted to “follow their heart,” “dream big,” “reach for the stars,” and other clichés, one could easily get the idea that progress depends on people doing difficult or at least very hard things. People … Read More

Solomon On “Toxic Masculinity” And “Toxic Femininity”

Solomon mentions a kind of “toxic femininity” pretty early in Proverbs (2:16) but his focus is young men: “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and … Read More

The Sexual Revolution And The Socialist Revolution Are Linked

Star Parker recently wrote that “Marriage and Family Reduce Crime.” According to Parker,

There’s a general assumption in public policy discourse that economic policy and social policy are separate universes.

When economic policy … Read More

Our Politics Show The Dark Side Of “Practice Makes Perfect”

When parents have a child take piano lessons, they will attempt to cajole or maybe coerce little John or Jennifer to practice regularly. And they might repeat the mantra “practice makes perfect.”

That saying is meant to encourage practice in … Read More

Paul: Apostle Of Capitalism

People with means should help those without means. This has not been affirmed by many societies in history. But with the spread of Christianity the idea has taken root that we all have an obligation to help others.

Weirdly, this … Read More

The Bubble vs. the Baby: How the Student Debt Bubble is Crushing Fertility

Debates over whether or not there is an “education bubble” — including  whether or not student debt is, at this point, a net good or a net bad — have become almost commonplace. We also see a lot of … Read More

Can Wal-Mart Re-Educate Its Enemies? Perhaps, But Not Likely

Call this a mustard seed, perhaps, but when a politician also happens to own property he needs to develop and lease, he can do the right thing about Wal-Mart. Bloomberg reports:

“Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale says he will be celebrating … Read More

Is Obama America’s Lax Parent Who Wants Us Comfortable in the Basement?

When babies are born, parents protect them from everything. As children grow up, parents are supposed to help them by lessening their protection and increasingly exposing them to challenges.

Awhile back, I pointed to a phenomenon (mostly in Japan) of … Read More

Containing The Education Bubble: Is “Differential Tuition” The Answer?

The idea that an Engineer should pay the same for his degree as an English major sounds implausible on its face. It is a relief to see the Wall Street’s Journal Real Times Economics blog call the idea into … Read More

Learning from Anti-Market Wal-Mart Hatred: Investing in the Invisible Makes More Sense

The city government of Washington DC is about to raise the minimum wage to $12.50 an hour, though the mayor is threatening to veto it. Wal-Mart officials have said they will pull out of three new stores that were to … Read More