

Acton Line
Acton Institute
Dedicated to the promotion of a free and virtuous society, Acton Line brings together writers, economists, religious leaders, and more to bridge the gap between good intentions and sound economics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2013 • 21min
Reflecting on the Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI
In this episode of Radio Free Acton, Michael Matheson Miller is joined by Acton's Director of Research Samuel Gregg to reflect on the papacy and legacy of retiring Pope Benedict XVI. This is part one of a two part podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 6, 2012 • 20min
Amity Shlaes and 'Coolidge'
On this edition of Radio Free Acton, Amity Shlaes - bestselling author of The Forgotten Man - joins the show to talk about her forthcoming biography of Calvin Coolidge. This edition of RFA was originally released on August 6, 2012. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 16, 2011 • 45min
Concealing Christian Identity
Radio Free Acton hits the web once again, this time featuring an exchange between Hunter Baker, author of The End of Secularism, and Jonathan Malesic, author of Secret Faith in the Public Square: An Argument for the Concealment of Christian Identity. Their conversation continues an exchange begun in the Controversy section of the latest issue of Acton's Journal of Markets & Morality. Should Christians be overt about their faith when operating in the public square, or should Christian identity remain concealed in order to protect the faith from being drained of any real meaning? Baker and Malesic provide some thought-provoking perspectives on this vital question. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 7, 2010 • 24min
More on American Exceptionalism: The Podcast
There has been quite the uptick regarding the topic because of fears that America has lost its greatness. "America's Destiny Must Be Freedom," is a commentary I penned in June related to that fear, as well as an overview of America's freedom narrative. I also hosted an Acton on Tap on American Exceptionalism last August. I addressed the history of the theological roots, the different strains of thought related to American Exceptionalism, and the debate today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 30, 2010 • 34min
The Stewardship of Art, Part 2
David Michael Phelps continues to lead the discussion between Professors Nathan Jacobs and Calvin Seerveld, who previously debated this topic in the Controversy section of our Journal of Markets & Morality. The first portion of that exchange is available at the link for part 1; the remainder of the Controversy can be read by clicking here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 29, 2010 • 41min
The Stewardship of Art, Part 1
September in Grand Rapids means the return of ArtPrize, which bills itself as a "radically open" art competition, juried by the general public, and awarding the largest cash prize for an art competition in the world - $250,000 for first place. As the competition takes place in the hometown of the Acton Institute - in fact, many artists exhibited their work in our building last year, and will do so again this year - it's hard for us to miss it. And frankly, the questions that have been raised about the impact of such a non-professional, wide-open art contest with such a large prize at stake on the art world (for example, does ArtPrize foster real art, or are artists simply pandering to the public to have a shot at the prize) are too intriguing to pass up. This edition of Radio Free Acton tackles the question of how Christians should steward the arts. The participants, Professors Nathan Jacobs and Calvin Seerveld, previously debated this topic in the Controversy section of our Journal of Markets & Morality (Volume 12, Number 2 - you can read the first part of their debate at this link), and we thought it would be interesting to bring them together for a live exchange as well. Special thanks are due to David Michael Phelps, who agreed to sit in as the moderator of the program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 28, 2009 • 16min
Perspectives on Health Care Reform, Part 2
Dr. Donald Condit and Kevin Schmiesing join us to discuss the ins and outs of the healthcare system as well as viable options for reforming and improving it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 27, 2009 • 21min
Perspectives on Health Care Reform, Part 1
Dr. Donald Condit and Kevin Schmiesing join us to discuss the ins and outs of the healthcare system as well as viable options for reforming and improving it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 24, 2009 • 32min
Glenn Sunshine on why you think the way you do
Glenn Sunshine, professor of history at Central Connecticut State University, joins us to talk about his book 'Why You Think The Way You Do', which demonstrates the massive impact that Christianity has had in the development of the modern Western worldview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2008 • 21min
Obama and Religion
The Radio Free Acton crew takes on the controversy over the highly-publicized statements of Rev. Jeremiah Wright who served as pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ and serves as a spiritual mentor to Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Host Marc Vander Maas is joined by Anthony Bradley and Ray Nothstine, and Acton President Rev. Robert A. Sirico makes his first appearance in the Acton Studio. What is Black Liberation Theology? What are the similarities and differences between Black Liberation Theology and the Liberation theology that rose to prominence in the 80s? What would the early civil rights leaders in the US think about this theology? The RFA crew tackles all these questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


