The conservative communist David Brooks recently made a series of poignant observations about the emotional state of America at this point in the 21st century: “One well-established finding of social science research is that conservatives report being happier than liberals. Over the years, researchers have come up with a bunch of theories to explain this phenomenon. The first explanation is that conservatives are more likely to take part in the activities that are linked to personal happiness—like being married and actively participating in a religious community. The second explanation is that of course conservatives are happier; they are by definition more satisfied with the established order of things. The third explanation, related to the second, is that on personality tests liberals tend to score higher on openness to experience but also higher on neuroticism.

Paul defends the freedom believers have in Christ against the legalists and grace-killers in the church.

On 26 June 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the 14th Amendment requires that all states license marriages between same-sex couples and recognize all marriages that were lawfully performed out of state. We have the ability to now evaluate the effects of this decision over the last eight years. Indeed, Matthew Schmitz, editor of Compact, has done just that. In an important article in First Things, Schmitz itemizes several ways that this decision has changed America.

Paul concludes his defense of justification by faith with a personal appeal and an allegory.

As I have argued many times in Issues in Perspective, God has created three primary institutions, each with clear stewardship responsibilities: The family, the state and the church. Our God is a God of order and structure. Disorder, chaos and dysfunction result from not following His moral law and His revelation to us in His Word. God created humanity to live in community submitting to Him and to the institutions He has created. With the accommodation to postmodern autonomy, commitment to God and to His institutions is in serious decline. Disorder, dysfunction and chaos are the rule. In this edition of Issues, I want to focus on four consequences of this disorder.

The reconciliation of Paul and James–justification by faith and justification by works.

We have all heard the term “woke.” It is part of our cultural dialogue. With an obvious difference in emphasis, both the left and the right along the political spectrum use the term. But, what exactly does “woke” mean in American civilization? Ross Douthat has perhaps given the best summary of the power and appeal of “wokeness.” All Americans treasure equality and liberty; we seek to transform these ideals into living reality within our culture. But there remain limits, disappointments and defeats—and terrible disparities persist.

Paul demonstrates the inferiority and temporary nature of the Law in comparison with the Abrahamic Covenant.