A variety of news organizations are reporting that President Barack Obama is vetting Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval for the Supreme Court. Many observers view this as a politically shrewd maneuver because Sandoval is a Republican, and it puts the Senate Majority in the uncomfortable position of having to oppose the nomination of a fellow Republican. But those who are viewing this in partisan terms are missing the point. Filling a Supreme Court vacancy is not a matter of figuring out what political party a person belongs to. It’s about judicial philosophy. It is possible to be a member of the conservative party and simultaneously to hold to an activist judicial…
-
-
Governor John Kasich’s completely unacceptable remarks about religious liberty
Governor John Kasich recently appeared at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center and commented on gay marriage and religious liberty. According to press reports, he said this: I think frankly, our churches should not be forced to do anything that’s not consistent with them. But if you’re a cupcake maker and somebody wants a cupcake, make them a cupcake. Let’s not have a big lawsuit or argument over all this stuff — move on. The next thing, you know, they might be saying, if you’re divorced you shouldn’t get a cupcake. This statement is so confused and misleading, it’s hard to know where to start with a response. I can…
-
106-year-old woman dances with joy in the White House
WATCH: 106-year-old viral sensation Virginia McLaurin reflects on her meeting with the Obamas – @RonAllenNBC https://t.co/REygz88owo — NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) February 23, 2016
-
Scalia explains how to pick a Supreme Court Justice
Scalia explains that if Judges are going to make the law instead of interpreting the law, then they have to be vetted for what kind of policies they are going to pass in their opinions. Scalia of course disagrees vigorously with judges who substitute their own will for the law. Nevertheless, as long as they do so, the people have a right to know what kind of laws they are going to pass in their rulings.
-
A short remembrance of Dr. Charles Ryrie
I was in chapel yesterday when I learned that Dr. Charles Ryrie had passed away at the age of 90. Dr. Ryrie’s name is probably most familiar to evangelicals because of his best-selling Ryrie Study Bible. He is known to students of theology as an ardent proponent of Dispensationalism, a view that he cogently summarized in his popular book Dispensationalism and that he taught for many years at Dallas Theological Seminary. I will leave it to others to discuss Ryrie’s wider life and legacy. Sandra Glahn has penned a fitting tribute that is worth the read. I simply wish to share briefly about my own experience of the man. I…
-
On the Senate’s power to block judicial nominations
When President Barack Obama was still a Senator, he opposed President Bush’s nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Obama explained why: There are some who believe that the President, having won the election, should have the complete authority to appoint his nominee, and the Senate should only examine whether or not the Justice is intellectually capable and an all-around nice guy. That once you get beyond intellect and personal character, there should be no further question whether the judge should be confirmed. I disagree with this view. I believe firmly that the Constitution calls for the Senate to advise and…
-
Justice Scalia believed in the Devil (and was offended if you didn’t!)
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was always quotable. Even when he was in verbal fisticuffs, he was a happy warrior. After Scalia’s passing on Saturday, I was reminded of a 2013 interview that he did with New York Magazine. The conversation was wide-ranging, but by far the most interesting exchange was about heaven, hell, and the existence of the Devil. This interview is a playful glimpse into Scalia’s faith, which did in fact include belief in the existence of a personal Devil. The interviewer is somewhat scandalized by the admission, but Scalia doubles-down. Scalia makes the observation that a majority of Americans believe in the Devil and that you have…
-
Senate majority must confirm an originalist to succeed Scalia
Discussions about the political consequence of Antonin Scalia’s death have already begun in earnest. That may be unseemly to some, but it is inevitable in this high political season. In the video above, Hugh Hewitt makes a profound observation about our current moment. Among other things, he says this:
-
Some reflections on Justice Scalia’s passing
One cannot overstate how stunning Scalia’s death is. When I first saw the news yesterday, it was like a punch in the gut. But not like a normal punch in the gut. It’s more like a punch in the gut that damages the internal organs. There are consequences that long outlast the initial shock. For his family, obviously, the loss has a personal dimension that is all their own. Scalia had nine children and 28 grandchildren. On that score, Ross Douthat said it right: “Politics aside, we should all die full of years, with 28 grandchildren, in our sleep after quail hunting. Antonin Scalia RIP.” Amen. But of course for…
-
Pop Quiz: How competent are you with English?
Here’s a little English pop quiz that I just posted on Twitter. It’s only one question. Let’s see if you can get it right. What does "he" mean in the following sentence? "If anyone has a question, he can ask me after class." — Denny Burk (@DennyBurk) February 13, 2016 I plan to follow-up with an answer and an explanation in about a week (maybe sooner).