Respect for Marriage Act: Evaluating Biblical Merits

Samuel SmithCommentaries

June’s Dobbs Supreme Court ruling effectively overturned Roe v. Wade and set off a firestorm of abortion-focused protests, debate, and fresh political campaigning across the United States. However, the contention has not stopped with abortion but has now spread to the marriage issue, reigniting the debate over whether there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. The re-emergence of this issue to the national spotlight was largely catalyzed by Justice Clarence Thomas’ statement in his concurring opinion to Dobbs that the past ruling on same-sex marriage in Obergefell is “demonstrably erroneous” and that the Supreme Court has “a duty to … Read More

Reflections on the Dobbs Decision

Samuel SmithCommentaries

Last month the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Mississippi law banning nearly all abortions in the state. Fierce debate, large protests, and even acts and threats of violence quickly followed, highlighting America’s growing cultural and political division. With many self-proclaimed Christians on both sides of this issue, it is important that we – as principled followers of Christ – set aside our partisan allegiance and personal experiences and consider Dobbs on its Biblical and Constitutional merits. Biblical Merits The central question of the debate over the original Roe v Wade ruling and now the Dobbs v … Read More

Baby Formula Crisis – Economic Lessons

Brian EschenCommentaries

Oftentimes it is difficult to see the effects of government policy until a crisis reminds us just how much damage bad policy can inflict on our economy.  A current illustration of this can be found in the current baby formula supply crisis in the United States.  While there are factors outside of human control that have contributed (such as panic buying during the COVID scare and a recent bacterial infection at a production facility), government intervention in the marketplace greatly exacerbated the problem.  The intervention came in the form of “price gouging” laws and protectionism.  Let’s take a closer look … Read More

Tax Day 2021

Michael WintherCommentaries

It’s tax day… Well, actually, every day is tax day.  But on the day of the income tax filing deadline, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the hidden taxes that you don’t see on your 1040 tax return.  Most people don’t realize it, but these hidden taxes are the most damaging taxes to our pocketbooks, our economy and our liberty. How much tax do you pay?  There is no way to know. This is what makes hidden taxes so dangerous.  We can have a public debate over the costs and benefits of ordinary taxes like those on income, … Read More

Are Christians Selfish With Our Liberties?

Michael WintherCommentaries

An IPS CommentaryBy Mike Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Are Christian Selfish With Our Liberties? As the “stay-at-home” orders and other government restrictions on movement and assembly have continued, many churches have become frustrated at the limitations on their corporate worship.  As a result, many church bodies have made statements or drafted documents that are asking public officials to restore their ability to gather for congregational worship. I want to applaud these efforts.  It is important for the church to defend its God-given rights to travel, assemble, and worship.  I do, however, want to challenge all churches … Read More

What Happened to Separation of Powers?

Michael WintherCommentaries

An IPS Commentary By Mike Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies What Happened to Separation of Powers? Much of the news over the past six weeks has focused on the efforts of our governors and our President to contain the impact and the spread of the novel coronavirus.  There is considerable debate about whether the anti-virus measures are too restrictive, too lenient, too early, or too late. There is very little discussion, however, about whether it is appropriate for these executive branch officials to bypass their legislatures to make law. This necessitates a long overdue discussion of law-making … Read More

Crisis, Economics and the Compromise of Principle

Michael WintherCommentaries

An IPS Commentary By Mike Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Crisis, Economics and the Compromise of Principle As I write this, the world is in the middle of the Covid-19 epidemic and Congress has just passed an economic relief bill with an advertised price tag of about 2.2 trillion dollars.  This is an amount roughly equal to 10% of our 22 trillion dollar federal debt.  This debt took 185 years to accumulate and now we are increasing it by 10% in one nearly unanimous congressional vote. In addition, the Federal Reserve is pumping vast amounts of liquidity … Read More

Hope vs. Discouragement

Michael WintherCommentaries

An IPS Commentary By Mike Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies Hope vs. Discouragement Are you discouraged by the current state of our nation?  Are you frustrated by the direction of our government and political system?  Are you discouraged by the condition of our culture?  Very few Christians believe that there is any chance to positively transform our culture, our government or our world. If you are a Christian; if you favor small, limited government; if you believe that there is absolute truth; if you believe in free enterprise; and if you favor liberty over the nanny state, … Read More

The Presidential Campaign: Side Show or Main Event?

Michael WintherCommentaries

By Mike Winther, President of Institute for Principle Studies The Presidential Campaign: Side Show or Main Event? In each four-year presidential cycle, much of America becomes completely enamored with the drama of the presidential election. We follow the media as they follow the presidential candidates—we become the paparazzi following the paparazzi. For many Americans, the presidential race is a hybridization of entertainment, drama, sport, and ultimately distraction. Although the presidential election is certainly important, I believe that our current perspective on the President and the presidential election is harmful to our efforts to produce positive change in America. While we … Read More

Relativism and Gay Marriage

Michael WintherCommentaries

By Mike Winther, President of Institute for Principle Studies Relativism and “Gay Marriage” The Obergefell decision and the proper role of civil government In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision on “gay marriage”, there is ample reason to criticize the Court, but there is also ample reason to criticize the criticizers. In the political, moral and academic debates of our time, it is important that we take the correct stand, but it is equally important that we support our position with the correct argument. All the wrong arguments I hear critique after critique of the Supreme Court that … Read More