Writing

Pope Saint Evaristus: The Fifth Pope and the Silence of the Record

Evaristus is the fifth pope — a name on Irenaeus's list. Here's what the earliest sources actually say, and what the Liber Pontificalis added 400 years later.

Catholic Just War Theory: From Augustine to the Iran War

The Catholic tradition from Augustine to Pope Leo XIV—plus the secular law of armed conflict—applied to the 2026 U.S.–Iran war. A lawyer's walk-through, neutral on the merits.

1 Samuel 5:1–5: The Ark in the Temple of Dagon

1 Samuel 5:1–5 explained: the Philistine grain god Dagon falls face-down before the ark at Ashdod, head and hands severed on the threshold. Catholic typology.

Catholic Indulgences: What They Actually Are (and Aren't)

An indulgence isn't a Get-Out-of-Hell card, and the Church never taught it was. What indulgences actually are—plus the history Luther was right to protest.

The Council of Trent (1545–1563): Catholic Doctrine, Reform, and the Reformation's Long Answer

The Council of Trent (1545–1563) answered the Reformation, defined Catholic doctrine on Scripture, justification, and the sacraments, and reshaped the Church.

The Council of Ephesus (431): Theotokos, Nestorius, and the Fight Over Christ's Identity

The Council of Ephesus (431) condemned Nestorius, defined Mary as Theotokos, and fixed the single-subject Christology every later ecumenical council inherited.

Apostolic Succession: The Unbroken Chain from Christ’s Twelve

Apostolic succession traced from AD 96 to the 1992 Catechism: the patristic evidence, Tertullian’s legal logic, the Protestant critique, and why three in four Christians still require it.

Real Presence and Transubstantiation: What Catholics Actually Believe About the Eucharist

A Yale MDiv convert's case for the Real Presence and transubstantiation—steelmanning Zwingli, Calvin, Luther, Carson, and Mathison, then answering each.

“Speak, for Your Servant Is Listening”: Samuel’s Omission of the Divine Name

Why did Samuel drop the divine name from Eli's instruction in 1 Samuel 3:10? An exegetical study of the gradual Israelite silence around the Tetragrammaton.

Pope Saint Clement I: The Voice of the First Apostleless Generation

Clement of Rome wrote our earliest post-apostolic Christian letter. His message to Corinth still shapes apostolic succession and Roman primacy debates.

2 Peter — The Most Contested Letter in the Canon

Few New Testament books faced more persistent doubt than 2 Peter. Its disputed authorship, weak patristic attestation, and long road to the canon.

The Shepherd of Hermas: The Book That Almost Made It Into the Bible

The most popular Christian text you've never heard of — and how the Church discerned that the Shepherd of Hermas belonged to Tradition, not Scripture.

The Epistle to the Hebrews — Authorship, Canon, and the New Testament's Greatest Sermon

Hebrews—anonymous, disputed, indispensable. Its three-century canonical battle and the theology that shaped Catholic worship.

The Gospel of Matthew — The Church’s Gospel and Its Journey to Canon

Few books shaped early Christianity as deeply as Matthew. Explore its authorship debates, composition, theology, and canonical status.

Saint Anacletus: The Third Pope History Can Barely See

The third Bishop of Rome is named at every Mass, yet almost nothing about him can be verified. The honest history of Anacletus, the pope history can barely see.

Saint Linus: The Name Behind the Second Link in the Chain

Nearly everything claimed about Pope Linus dissolves under scrutiny—yet he remains the earliest test case for apostolic succession. What does the evidence actually say?

Calvinism vs. Catholicism

Calvinism vs. Catholicism explained side-by-side: authority, salvation, sacraments, predestination, the Church, and Mary. A scholarly 2026 comparison of the two great Augustinian traditions.

Did the Catholic Church Ban the Bible? What History Actually Shows

Did the Catholic Church ban the Bible? Examining the councils, indices, and regional restrictions—what's myth, what's exaggeration, and what's actually true.

Simon Peter: The Fisherman Who Became the Rock

The life of Simon Peter—first among the apostles and first pope—traced through Scripture, the Church Fathers, and modern archaeology at Capernaum and Rome.

John 1:6 Meaning Explained: There Came a Man, Sent from God

What does John 1:6 mean? A Catholic exegesis of the Greek—the ἦν/ἐγένετο contrast, the perfect participle ἀπεσταλμένος, and John the Baptist as witness.

Uncovering His Feet: What Actually Happened on the Threshing Floor in Ruth 3:4

What does 'uncover his feet' mean in Ruth 3:4? The Hebrew euphemism debate, three scholarly camps, and why Catholic exegesis must hold the ambiguity.

1 Samuel 2:25 Meaning: “The Lord Wanted Them Dead”

An exegetical study of 1 Samuel 2:25—the Hebrew ḥāpēṣ, the hardening tradition, and the Catholic response from Aquinas to Trent to De Auxiliis.

Scriptural Inerrancy and the Hard Passages of the Old Testament

How Catholic inerrancy handles the conquest of Canaan, the Aqedah, the imprecatory psalms, and other hard Old Testament passages. Five approaches.

Army JAG School: A Complete Guide to the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course

The Army's Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC) at TJAGLCS in Charlottesville: schedule, curriculum, daily life, and a week-by-week firsthand account.

The Church of the East: Christianity's Forgotten Third Branch

Discover the Church of the East—one of Christianity's three ancient apostolic branches, stretching from Mesopotamia to China. Explore its apostolic origins, the Christological controversy of 431, its extraordinary missionary expansion, and its enduring witness today.

Donatism: The Ancient Heresy That Still Haunts the Church

Explore Donatism, the fourth-century heresy that refused the Church's sacraments because its ministers were sinners. Examine Augustine's response, the doctrine of ex opere operato, and how Donatism resurfaces today in fundamentalism and rigorism.

Every Ex Cathedra Papal Statement: A Complete Guide

Only two papal statements are universally recognized as ex cathedra. Explore Vatican I's four conditions, the Immaculate Conception, and the Assumption.

Is Marian Devotion Idolatry? A Catholic Response to Protestant Objections

A charitable Catholic case for Marian devotion, answering Protestant objections from Scripture, the Fathers, and the Reformers themselves.

Martin Luther: A Fair Catholic Assessment

A balanced Catholic assessment of Martin Luther: honest acknowledgment of medieval abuses he rightly condemned, examination of his theological claims, and rigorous critique of his solutions and later works.

Modern Per Stirpes: How It Works (with Diagrams and Examples)

Modern per stirpes divides at the first generation with a living heir. Worked diagrams, classic vs. modern comparison, and a state-by-state breakdown.

The Yale Divinity School Application Guide: Acceptance Rate, Essays, Degrees, and What to Expect

A recent M.Div. graduate's complete guide to Yale Divinity School: 23% acceptance rate, degree options, essays, full-tuition aid, and what to expect.

Jephthah’s Vow: A Catholic Reading of Judges 11:29–40

Did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter? A Catholic reading of Judges 11 with Augustine, Aquinas, the Fathers, the Catechism, and the full exegetical tradition.

The Subjective View of the Atonement

Peter Abelard's relational theory of the atonement, its limits, and how Catholic teaching holds objective and subjective redemption together.

Can AI-Generated Works Be Copyrighted?

Can AI-generated works be copyrighted? The Copyright Office denies purely AI output protection but allows AI-assisted works with human creative control.

The Angel of the Lord: Divine Messenger, Theophany, or the Pre-Incarnate Son?

Who is the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament? A Catholic survey of the biblical evidence, the major interpretive positions, and why this mysterious figure matters for Christology.

Athanasius on the Atonement

How Athanasius understood Christ's work through incarnation, deification, and the triumph over death—resources for a richer Catholic theology of the cross.

Augustine on the Atonement

How Augustine's Trinitarian theology shaped atonement doctrine—victory, sacrifice, grace, and love united in Catholic soteriology.

Christus Victor

What is Christus Victor? The earliest Christian atonement theory teaches that Christ defeated sin, death, and the devil. Explore the Church Fathers' witness.

John Chrysostom on the Atonement

How the Golden-Mouthed Father understood Christ's atonement through victory, ransom, sacrifice, and exchange—a patristic synthesis that enriches Catholic theology.

The First Sale Doctrine

The first sale doctrine (17 USC § 109) lets you resell, lend, or gift copies you lawfully own — but digital files and licenses complicate the rule.

Gregory of Nyssa on the Atonement

Gregory of Nyssa's Christus Victor theology: the fishhook, divine deception, theosis, and universal restoration in early patristic soteriology.

Understanding Patents

What is a patent? Learn how U.S. patent law protects inventions, the three types of patents, and the requirements for obtaining patent protection.

Biblical Inerrancy: What It Means, Why It Matters, and How Catholics Understand It

A comprehensive guide to biblical inerrancy—what it means, its history from the Chicago Statement to Vatican II, how Catholics understand it differently from evangelicals, and how to approach apparent contradictions in Scripture.

Confessional Ph.D. Programs in New Testament: Evangelical and Catholic Options Honestly Assessed

An honest guide to confessional PhD programs in New Testament studies — Baylor, Wheaton, Fuller, Dallas, Boston College, CUA, Fordham, and Marquette. Faculty, funding, placement ceilings, and trade-offs.

Inerrancy vs. Infallibility: What's the Difference?

What is the difference between biblical inerrancy and infallibility? A Yale-trained Catholic explores how these two doctrines differ, where they overlap, and why the distinction matters for how we read Scripture.

Is Yale Divinity School Worth It?

Is Yale Divinity School worth the cost, time, and challenge? An M.Div. graduate evaluates the academics, community, career outcomes, and spiritual formation at YDS.

Ph.D. Programs in New Testament: An Insider’s Guide to the Top Doctoral Programs

A candid guide to the top PhD programs in New Testament studies. Faculty, funding, placement, and honest drawbacks for Yale, Duke, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and more.

Yale Divinity School M.Div. Degree Requirements: A Complete Guide (2025 Curriculum)

A complete breakdown of Yale Divinity School's current Master of Divinity degree requirements — the 2025 cohort-based curriculum, prescribed courses, Integrative Seminar, internship, and electives.

Apparent Authority in Agency Law

Apparent authority allows an agent to bind a principal even without actual authorization — if the principal's conduct reasonably led the third party to believe the agent was authorized.

Breach of Warranty of Authority

An agent who acts without actual authority breaches the implied warranty of authority and may be personally liable to the third party for resulting damages.

Canon 28 of Chalcedon: The Canon That Divided Rome and Constantinople

Canon 28 of the Council of Chalcedon (451) recognized Constantinople as 'new Rome' with privileges second only to old Rome. Why Pope Leo rejected it — and why it still matters.

The Chalcedonian Definition: What the Council Actually Declared About Christ

What is the Chalcedonian Definition? The 451 AD formula declared Christ is one person in two natures — divine and human — 'without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.'

Disclosed vs. Undisclosed Principal

The distinction between disclosed, unidentified, and undisclosed principals determines who bears liability when an agent enters a contract on a principal's behalf.

Yale M.Div. Degree Requirements: Pre-2025 Curriculum Guide

A complete breakdown of Yale Divinity School's pre-2025 Master of Divinity degree requirements — the five-area distribution framework, credit hours, content areas, language courses, placement exams, and electives.

The Arian Heresy Explained: What Arius Taught and Why the Church Condemned It

What is Arianism? A Catholic guide to the Arian heresy — what Arius actually taught, why it was condemned at Nicaea, and why the debate over Christ's divinity still matters.

Classical Theism vs. Process Theology: A Catholic Comparison

How does classical theism differ from process theology? A side-by-side comparison of divine simplicity, omnipotence, immutability, creation ex nihilo, and the God-world relationship.

Cyril of Alexandria on Light and Darkness in John's Gospel

What did Cyril of Alexandria teach about the light shining in the darkness? Exploring his Commentary on John, divine inviolability, and human vulnerability.

Apocalypticism in the Dead Sea Scrolls: Sons of Light and Sons of Darkness

What do the Dead Sea Scrolls reveal about Jewish apocalypticism? A study of the Community Rule, the War Scroll, the light-darkness dualism of Qumran, and how it connects to the New Testament.

Did Constantine Create Christianity? Separating History from Myth

Did Constantine invent Christianity or choose what books went in the Bible? A historian's guide to what Constantine actually did — and didn't do — at the Council of Nicaea.

The Gnostic Gospels: A Catholic Guide to the Nag Hammadi Texts

What are the Gnostic Gospels? A Catholic guide to the Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip, Apocryphon of John, and other Nag Hammadi texts—what they say and why they matter.

Gnosticism vs. Christianity: How the Ancient Heresy Distorted the Faith

How does Gnosticism differ from Christianity? A Catholic comparison of their views on God, creation, Jesus, salvation, scripture, and the body—and why it matters today.

JASOC: The Complete Guide to Air Force JAG Training

Everything you need to know about JASOC—the Air Force Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course at Maxwell AFB. Schedule, curriculum, and firsthand tips from a former JAG officer.

The Nicene Creed Explained: A Phrase-by-Phrase Guide to the Church's Central Confession

What does the Nicene Creed mean? A Catholic phrase-by-phrase guide to the full text of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed — its history, theology, and why it still matters.

The War Scroll Explained: A Catholic Guide to the Final Battle

A comprehensive guide to the War Scroll (1QM) from the Dead Sea Scrolls: the 40-year eschatological battle, angelic warfare, priestly liturgy, and what this reveals about Jesus's rejection of violent messianism.

What Is Gnosticism? A Catholic Guide to the Ancient Heresy

What is Gnosticism? A Catholic guide to proto-Gnostic currents, the 2nd-century systems, the Nag Hammadi texts, and the Church Fathers' response through canon, creed, and doctrine.

What Is Process Theology?

What is process theology? A clear introduction to Whitehead's process philosophy, dipolar theism, panentheism, and how process theology differs from classical Christian theism.

Who Were the Essenes? A Catholic Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls Community

A comprehensive guide to the Essenes, the Jewish sectarian community at Qumran that preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls. Discover their beliefs, practices, and significance for understanding Jesus's world.

Massa Damnata: Augustine's Doctrine of the Condemned Mass

What is Augustine's massa damnata? This essay examines the doctrine of the condemned mass, its biblical roots, its role in the Thomist-Molinist debate, and its continuing significance for Catholic theology of grace and predestination.

A Guide to Church History: Councils, Schisms, and the Development of Christian Doctrine

A comprehensive guide to church history covering the ecumenical councils, the Great Schism, the Reformation, and the development of Christian doctrine — from a Yale Divinity graduate.

What Is Comparative Theology? A Catholic Perspective on Interfaith Dialogue

What is comparative theology? A Catholic introduction to the method, with examples from Catholic-Orthodox and Catholic-Protestant dialogue.

Conservative at a Liberal Seminary: A Yale MDiv Graduate's Guide

What is it like to be a conservative at a liberal seminary? A Yale MDiv graduate shares lessons from three years as one of the few conservatives at Yale Divinity School.

Estate Planning in Arkansas: The Complete Guide

A comprehensive guide to estate planning in Arkansas covering wills, trusts, probate, inheritance, and tax strategies — written by an Arkansas attorney.

Is Yale Divinity School Liberal? What a Conservative Graduate Discovered

Is Yale Divinity School liberal? A Yale MDiv graduate examines the Buckley Institute data, shares firsthand experience, and answers the most common questions about YDS.

The JAG Corps Is Broken—Pete Hegseth Isn’t Wrong

A former JAG officer with six years of service breaks down what's actually wrong with the military justice system, why Hegseth's diagnosis is correct, and what real JAG Corps reform should look like.

The Numbers Are In: The Buckley Institute’s Yale Divinity School Ideological Diversity Report

Yale Divinity School has zero Republican faculty. The Buckley Institute's 2026 report confirms what one conservative MDiv graduate saw firsthand. Here's what the data shows.

John 1:5 Meaning Explained: The Light Shines in the Darkness

What does John 1:5 mean? A study of the Greek—the present tense of φαίνει, the double meaning of κατέλαβεν, and the already/not yet of eschatology.

What Happened to the Jesuits? A Catholic Lament for a Great Order

From 36,000 members to under 14,000—what happened to the Jesuits? A historically grounded Catholic assessment of the Society of Jesus's decline.

The Army’s Direct Commission Course: A Complete Guide

Complete Army DCC guide: fitness standards, packing lists, week-by-week breakdown, and insider tips from a JAG officer who went through the course. Learn what to expect.

DCC Packing List: The Complete Interactive Checklist

An interactive packing checklist for the Army's Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Benning — documents, uniforms, personal items, training supplies, and prohibited items.

Evangelical to Catholic: The Intellectual Journey

A comprehensive guide to the intellectual journey from evangelical Protestantism to Roman Catholicism — from sola scriptura to the Church Fathers, from faith alone to the fullness of Catholic tradition.

The Counter-Reformation: Catholic Reform in the Wake of Luther

A comprehensive examination of the Catholic Counter-Reformation: the Council of Trent, the founding of the Jesuits, and the Church's response to the Protestant Reformation.

Divine Foreknowledge and Free Will: The Catholic Answer

Can God know the future and humans still be free? The Catholic intellectual tradition offers robust answers through Thomism and Molinism. Here’s how they work and why they matter.

The Divine Liturgy Explained

What happens in an Orthodox Divine Liturgy? A guide to the structure, theology, and meaning of Eastern Christian worship.

Divine Providence and Free Will: A Catholic Guide

A comprehensive Catholic guide to the theology of divine providence and free will. Covers Thomism, Molinism, open theism, process theology, divine simplicity, foreknowledge, and how the Catholic tradition reconciles God's sovereignty with human freedom.

Divine Providence Models Compared: Thomism, Molinism, Open Theism, and Process Theology

A side-by-side comparison of the four major Christian models of divine providence: Thomism, Molinism, open theism, and process theology. How they differ on foreknowledge, freedom, sovereignty, and evil.

Divine Simplicity: God's Absolute Oneness

An exploration of divine simplicity—the doctrine that God is utterly simple, without composition or division. How this classical Catholic teaching shapes our understanding of God's nature and attributes.

Does God Know the Future? What Catholics Believe

Does God know the future? The Catholic Church teaches that God's knowledge is exhaustive, encompassing even the free acts of creatures. Here's what that means and why it matters.

The Eastern Catholic Churches

What are the Eastern Catholic Churches? A comprehensive guide to the 23 sui iuris churches in communion with Rome — their history, liturgy, theology, and role in Catholic-Orthodox ecumenism.

The First Vatican Council (1869-1870)—What It Taught and Why It Matters

Vatican I defined papal infallibility and primacy while defending faith against rationalism. Explore its two major constitutions, the context that prompted it, and its enduring significance for Catholic theology.

Why Did the Orthodox and Catholic Churches Split?

The Great Schism of 1054 divided Christianity into East and West. Explore the theological, political, and cultural causes — from the Filioque to papal authority — and why the split endures.

Greg Boyd's Open Theism: A Catholic Critique

Gregory Boyd is arguably the most publicly visible advocate of open theism. A Catholic evaluation of his major works—God of the Possible, Satan and the Problem of Evil, and Is God to Blame?—and the theological vision they present.

Is Molinism Compatible with Thomism?

Molinism and Thomism are the two great Catholic frameworks for reconciling divine sovereignty and human freedom. Are they truly incompatible, or can insights from both traditions be harmonized?

The Jesus Prayer and Hesychasm

What is the Jesus Prayer and why is it central to Orthodox spirituality? Explore hesychasm, Gregory Palamas, and the prayer of the heart.

Molinism: Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom

What is Molinism? Luis de Molina's middle knowledge (scientia media), the De Auxiliis controversy, and how Molinism compares to Thomism and Calvinism.

Open Theism: A Catholic Evaluation

What is open theism? A Catholic evaluation of the open model of God, its scriptural case, philosophical arguments, and why it falls outside defined Catholic dogma.

Open Theism vs. Molinism: A Catholic Comparison

How do open theism and Molinism differ on divine foreknowledge, human freedom, and providence? A Catholic comparison of two frameworks for understanding God’s knowledge of the future.

Open Theism vs. Process Theology: What's the Difference?

Open theism and process theology both reject exhaustive divine foreknowledge, but they differ profoundly on creation, omnipotence, and God's nature. A Catholic comparison of these two critiques of classical theism.

The Openness of God (1994): Summary and Catholic Response

A chapter-by-chapter summary of The Openness of God (1994) by Pinnock, Rice, Sanders, Hasker, and Basinger—the book that brought open theism to mainstream evangelical attention—with a Catholic evaluation of its arguments.

Oriental Orthodox vs. Eastern Orthodox

What is the difference between Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches? Explore the Council of Chalcedon, Christology, and reunion efforts.

The Orthodox Christian Calendar and Feasts

A guide to the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar — the Twelve Great Feasts, fasting periods, Pascha, and how the Church sanctifies time.

Orthodox vs. Catholic vs. Protestant

Orthodox vs. Catholic vs. Protestant — the key differences explained. A side-by-side comparison of authority, salvation, sacraments, worship, and what all three traditions still share. Updated 2026.

Orthodox Christianity for Beginners

New to Eastern Orthodoxy? A beginner's guide to Orthodox beliefs, worship, sacraments, and what makes the Orthodox Church unique.

Orthodox Easter vs. Catholic Easter

Why do Orthodox and Catholic Easter fall on different dates? Explore the calendar, theology, and liturgical differences between Pascha and Easter.

Orthodox Fasting

A comprehensive guide to fasting in the Eastern Orthodox Church — the four major fasting periods, weekly fasts, dietary rules, and the spiritual theology behind Orthodox asceticism.

Orthodox Icons Explained

What are Orthodox icons and why do Eastern Christians venerate them? Explore the theology of icons, the iconoclasm crisis, and how icon veneration differs from idolatry.

Orthodox Monasticism Explained

What is Orthodox monasticism and why does it matter? Explore the Desert Fathers, Mount Athos, hesychasm, and the monastic ideal in Eastern Christianity.

Orthodox vs. Catholic

What are the real differences between Orthodox and Catholic theology? A point-by-point comparison of papal authority, the Filioque, original sin, and sacraments.

Orthodox vs. Protestant

How do Orthodox and Protestant Christians differ on Scripture, salvation, sacraments, and worship? A point-by-point theological comparison.

Process Theology: A Catholic Evaluation

What is process theology? An examination of Whitehead's dipolar theism, panentheism, and the rejection of classical divine attributes—and why the Catholic Church cannot accept it.

Romans 9–11: Election, Israel, and the Mystery of Salvation

What does Romans 9–11 really teach about election and predestination? This Catholic interpretation engages Thomism, Molinism, Calvinism, and Arminianism — the most comprehensive treatment online.

Theology Glossary: Key Terms in the Divine Providence Debate

Definitions of key theological and philosophical terms in the debate over divine providence, foreknowledge, and free will: from actus purus to scientia media.

Theosis

What is theosis? A comprehensive guide to the Christian doctrine of deification — from its biblical roots through the Church Fathers to its place in Orthodox and Catholic theology today.

Can You Lose Your Salvation? Catholic Teaching

Can a Christian lose their salvation? The Catholic Church teaches that mortal sin can sever one's relationship with God — but that grace can always be restored through repentance.

Catholic vs. Calvinist Predestination: What Divides Us and What We Share

How do Catholic and Calvinist views of predestination differ? A comparison of Thomism, Molinism, and Reformed theology on election, grace, and free will.

The Inhospitable Table: On Political Hatred and the Death of Civic Courtesy

Governor Sanders was asked to leave a Little Rock restaurant. This essay examines what the Croissanterie incident reveals about political hatred, tolerance, and the slow death of civic life in America.

John 1:3–4 Meaning Explained: The Creator Who Became the Light

What do John 1:3–4 mean in the Gospel of John? A close reading in the original Greek — the punctuation of ὃ γέγονεν, Incarnation as life in the Word, and Chalcedonian Christology.

Lumen Gentium and Salvation Outside the Church

What does Lumen Gentium 16 teach about salvation outside the Church? A clear Catholic explanation of LG 14-16, extra ecclesiam nulla salus, and invincible ignorance.

Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism: Why the Church Condemned Both

Understand Pelagianism vs. semi-Pelagianism: why both heresies were condemned, their impact on theology, and what they teach about grace and salvation.

Buckley's Fusionism and the Future of the Conservative Coalition

How William F. Buckley Jr. and Frank Meyer unified traditionalists, libertarians, and anti-communists into a movement—and whether that coalition can hold in the age of populism.

The Buckley Program at Yale: Intellectual Diversity on a Progressive Campus

A firsthand account of the William F. Buckley Jr. Program at Yale—what it does, why it matters, and what it's like to be a conservative Fellow on a campus that would rather you weren't.

The First Council of Nicaea: What It Decided and Why It Matters

What happened at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD? A Catholic examination of the Arian crisis, the meaning of homoousios, and why the Nicene Creed still defines Christian orthodoxy.

God and Man at Yale: Why Buckley Still Matters Today

A personal reflection on William F. Buckley Jr.'s God and Man at Yale—what it got right and why its core argument is more relevant now than in 1951.

A Glossary of Greek Terms in John 1:1–18

A scholarly glossary of key Greek terms in John 1:1–18 — Logos, theos, sarx, doxa, and more — with theological significance for understanding the Prologue.

Five Heresies That Misread John 1 — and How the Church Answered Them

Five major heresies misread John 1: Arianism, Modalism, Adoptionism, Ditheism, and Docetism. Learn what each taught, where they went wrong, and how the Church's response was anchored in the text.

Made in the Image of God: Catholic Theological Anthropology and the Meaning of Human Dignity

Explore the Catholic understanding of the imago Dei, human dignity, and our calling as beings created in God's image through Scripture, the Fathers, and Vatican II.

Is Jesus God? The Biblical and Catholic Case for the Deity of Christ

Is Jesus God? A biblical and theological examination of the deity of Christ, from New Testament texts through the Councils, addressing common objections and theological implications.

What Rich Lowry Taught Me About Conservatism at Yale—and Why It Matters Now

A Buckley Fellow reflects on God and Man at Yale, dinner with Rich Lowry, and why intellectual conservatism matters more than ever.

The Holy Trinity Explained: A Catholic Guide to the Central Mystery of Faith

What is the Holy Trinity? A Catholic explanation of one God in three persons — the scriptural foundations, Nicene doctrine, and why it matters for the Christian life.

What Conservatism Owes to Christianity

The theological foundations of conservative thought - from natural law to human dignity - and why conservatism without Christianity is a house built on sand.

Why Conservatives Should Read Their Opponents

The case for engaging the strongest progressive arguments rather than caricaturing them—drawn from Buckley's example, Mill's logic, Aquinas's method, and three years at Yale Divinity School.

Army Commissioning Paths Compared: DCC vs. OCS vs. ROTC vs. West Point

How to become an Army officer: compare West Point, ROTC, OCS, and DCC. Eligibility, duration, cost, and which path is right for your military career.

The Complete Guide to Becoming an Army JAG Officer

A complete guide to becoming an Army JAG officer — from application and selection boards to DCC, JAG School, and your first duty station, by a JAG veteran.

DCC vs. OCS: How Army Commissioning Paths Compare

A detailed comparison of the Army's Direct Commission Course (DCC) and Officer Candidate School (OCS)—eligibility, duration, career fields, and which path fits your goals.

John 1:2 Meaning Explained: This One Was in the Beginning with God

What does John 1:2 mean? A close reading in the original Greek — why the repetition guards against Modalism and polytheism, and what it reveals about God.

Modalism: The Trinitarian Heresy That Collapsed the Persons of God

What is Modalism? A Catholic examination of the heresy that denied the real distinction of Father, Son, and Spirit — its origins, key proponents, and why the Church condemned it.

Apollinarius of Laodicea and His Christological Heresy

Apollinarius of Laodicea denied that Christ had a human rational mind, replacing it with the divine Logos. Gregory of Nazianzus's devastating reply—'what is not assumed is not healed'—sealed the condemnation at Constantinople I (381).

What Does Bara Mean in Hebrew? The Biblical Word for 'Create' Explained

What does bara (בָּרָא) mean in Hebrew? The biblical verb for 'create' in Genesis 1:1 explained — its grammar, its 54 occurrences, why God is its only subject, and what it means for creation theology.

The Parallels Between Cana and Calvary in John's Gospel

The wedding at Cana and the crucifixion share extraordinary parallels — drink, thirst, the hour, and the mother of Jesus. These connections are the key to understanding John's Gospel.

Genesis 1 Interpretations Compared: A Guide to the Major Views

A fair, sourced comparison of the major interpretations of Genesis 1—from Young Earth Creationism to the Cosmic Temple view, with Catholic teaching.

John Walton's Lost World Series: A Reading Guide

Start reading John Walton's Lost World series with confidence. A complete guide covering all six volumes, summaries, reading order, and key theological themes.

The Meletian Schism: The Egyptian Church Crisis That Shaped Nicaea

The Meletian Schism divided the Egyptian church over lapsed Christians during the Diocletian persecution. Learn how it shaped the Council of Nicaea's Canon 6 and intersected with Arianism.

Why Did Jesus Call His Mother 'Woman'?

Jesus addresses Mary as 'woman' at Cana and from the cross — a choice that puzzles modern readers. Here's what the Greek actually means and why it matters for understanding John's Gospel.

Why Did Jesus Give Mary to John at the Cross?

Jesus bypassed his own brothers to commend his mother to the Beloved Disciple. This wasn't just filial care — it was a theological act that reshaped how we read John's Gospel.

Women in the Gospel of John

From the mother of Jesus to Mary Magdalene, women play a more prominent role in John's Gospel than in any other. Here's a comprehensive analysis of every major female figure in the Fourth Gospel.

In the Beginning Was the Word: John 1:1 Explained

A deep dive into John 1:1 in the original Greek—the Logos, Colwell's rule, Nicene consubstantiality, and why this verse is the whole Gospel.

The Gospel of John Prologue: A Verse-by-Verse Series

A Catholic verse-by-verse commentary on the Prologue to John's Gospel (John 1:1–18) — exploring the Greek text, Trinitarian theology, and the Church's doctrinal tradition.

Meaning and Method in Comparative Theology

A review of Catherine Cornille's Meaning and Method in Comparative Theology — her framework for studying other religions without syncretism.

Judaea Capta Coins as Imperial Propaganda

How Vespasian and Titus used Judaea Capta coins to broadcast Rome's victory over the Jewish Revolt and assert imperial dominance across the empire.

Joseph Ratzinger, Doubt, and Humility

How Joseph Ratzinger's writings on doubt cultivate Christian humility—and why the humble submission of doubt to faith is more honest than relativism.

God Desires All Men To Be Saved

What does 1 Timothy 2:4 mean for Catholic theology? A reflection on Catechism §74, predestination, free will, and God's universal desire for salvation.

Progressive Revelation of the Divine Character

The God of the Old Testament is only partially revealed. In Christ, that progressive revelation reaches its fullness, and no further revelation follows.

The Full Revelation of God

Jesus Christ is the full revelation of God. CCC 65-67 on why no public revelation will supplement or surpass Christ, the Father's definitive Word.

Joseph Ratzinger and the Purpose of Theology

How Joseph Ratzinger grounds theology in the Church as a living conversation with God, drawing humanity together in Christ's liberating work.

Pluralism v. Inclusivism: Salvation and Diversity

Inclusivism vs. pluralism: how each theology handles salvation, religious diversity, and Christ's role—with Catholic, Hick, and Pannenberg perspectives.

Stages of Revelation

How God progressively revealed himself through Noah, Abraham, and Israel—a Catholic reflection on Catechism §§ 54–64 and salvation history.

God’s Gradual Revelation of Himself

Why did God reveal himself gradually? A Catholic reflection on Catechism §§ 51–53 and the divine pedagogy that prepared humanity to receive Christ.

Errors in Scripture and Biblical Authority

Do contradictions undermine biblical authority? A Catholic take on inerrancy, <em>Dei Verbum</em> § 11, and reading Scripture for the truth it teaches for our salvation.

Divine Condescension and Divine Love

What does divine condescension mean? Explore how God's loving condescension shapes revelation and grace. A Catholic theological reflection on God's gentle approach to humanity.

Man as a Religious Being

“Man is by nature and vocation a religious being…He lives a fully human life only if he freely lives by his bond with God.”

Can We Know God?

Since our knowledge of God is limited, our language about him is equally so. The Catechism teaches that we can name God only by taking creatures as our starting point—and that our words always fall short of the mystery.

Our Capacity to Know God

“In the historical conditions in which he finds himself, however, man experiences many difficulties in coming to know God by the light of reason alone.”

Week 6 of JASOC: Pilot Culture

A JAG officer's critical perspective on Air Force pilot culture: examining the exclusivity of the pilot track, the impact on Air Force leadership, and what makes pilot culture insufferable yet essential.

To Know God as a Catholic

Our desire to know God does not require that we accept him when he reveals himself. Just as a hungry man may refuse food, so too we may reject God.

The Greatest Country as a Unifying Theme

America is the greatest country on earth, and shared patriotism can unite us across political divides. Why love of country still matters as a unifying theme.

Married Clergy: Progressive or Ultra-Traditional?

Would a pope allowing married Catholic priests be a progressive change or a return to ancient tradition? A short reflection on clerical celibacy.

Love of Country as a Unifying Principle

Perhaps once a shared love of country bound us together, but now I fear we are fracturing between those who love this country and those who denigrate...

COVID-19 Testing Delays and Government Incompetence

With these testing delays that are plaguing the country, I am left wondering what value these mass testings have.

Effort and Faith in the Catholic Church

In the Catholic vision, salvation requires our cooperation with grace—not works that earn heaven, but a transformative journey into the divine life.

Faith and the Foundation of Belief

“Faith is man’s response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the...

The Catechism as an Exposition of Divine Love

God is love, and the Catechism must be read in its entirety as the outworking of that divine love in the world.

The Courage to Speak for Rule of Law

We must awaken the courage that has defined the American ethos for generations, or we may forever lose the founder’s legacy.

Proof-Texting and The Catechism

In this post, I discuss proof-texting and the importance of considering each of the teachings of the faith as part of a unified whole.

Catholic-Protestant Relations and the Catechism

In this post, I take a look at Catholic-Protestant relations in light of the Catholic Church’s organization of her own Catechism.

The Year of COVID-19 and Hope for the Future

In this post, I discuss COVID-19, murder hornets, the joy that is 2020, and my optimism for the future.

The Protestant Ideal as a Logical Fallacy

In this post, I discuss how Protestants often set up the Protestant ideal against the Catholic reality and the logical failure of such arguments.

Catechesis and the Preservation of the Faith

In this post, I continue my reflection on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, giving particular attention to the Church’s understanding of catechesis.

Evangelical Catholic Thought

In this post, I continue my reflections upon the Catechism of the Catholic Church with particular reflection upon the existence of evangelical Catholic...

Prologue to the Catechism of the Catholic Church

In this post, I begin working through and reflecting upon the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Getting Acquainted with the Latin Mass Crowd

In this post, I discuss my interactions to date with the Latin mass crowd.

Choose to Believe

Belief is an act of will. Explore how Christian faith transcends doubt through decisive choice. Learn why belief requires commitment beyond intellectual assent.

Disown Family Members Over Politics?

In this post, I discuss those who would disown family members over political beliefs.

We Must Not Yield on Due Process

Why due process is the bedrock of American freedom — and what happens when we trade constitutional rights for political convenience.

Twitter Toxicity

In this post, I reflect upon Twitter toxicity and the worldview-warping nature of social media.

Sola Scriptura and the Journey Toward Catholicism

In this post, I write about sola scriptura and what started my journey toward the Catholic Church.

What Is Forgiveness?

In this post, I write about my journey toward understanding forgiveness.

The Council of Chalcedon (451): How Political Rivalry Reshaped Christendom

The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) resolved a Christological crisis but reshaped the political map of Christendom. How it destroyed Alexandria, elevated the papacy, and set the stage for the Great Schism.

Week 5 of JASOC: Experiencing Regret

In this post, I discuss my fifth week in JASOC and some of the regret I still have about joining the Air Force.

The Mother of Jesus as a Named Source in John

An analysis of John 19:26-27 arguing that Mary, the mother of Jesus, served as a named source for the Gospel of John. Based on a paper from Yale Divinity School.

Married Priests and De-Innovating the Catholic Church

In this post, I discuss married priests and distinguish between innovations and de-innovations within the Roman Catholic Church.

Should Eastern Orthodoxy Exist in the West?

In this post, I consider whether Eastern Orthodoxy, according to its own teachings, should exist in the West at all.

Eastern Orthodoxy Explained

What is Hellenistic Christianity? A complete guide to Eastern Orthodox theology, theosis, liturgy, sacraments, and the Church's ancient roots in Christian Hellenism.

Inspiration of Scripture

Understand divine inspiration and biblical authority. Explore what Scripture inspiration means in Catholic theology and how to interpret the Bible's role.

Week 4 of JASOC: Get In The Courtroom

In this post, I discuss finally being able to get in the courtroom in the fourth week of JASOC.

Atheism Provides a False Sense of Intelligence

In my interaction with militant nonbelievers, it has become apparent that, for many, atheism provides a false sense of intelligence.

The Insufferable Recovering Evangelical

The 'recovering evangelical' label has become a badge of honor—but does it hold up? A Catholic convert and former Southern Baptist pushes back on the exvangelical movement.

Fight the Cynic

Combat cynicism in faith. Learn why Christianity isn't self-help psychology and how realistic expectations strengthen Christian life and community.

The Military Doesn’t Trust Its Leadership

Military personnel don’t trust their leadership. A veteran’s perspective on why service members lose faith in their officers and what the USS Theodore Roosevelt incident reveals about the institution.

What is a Liberal?

Beyond the shallow definition—discover what truly separates liberals from conservatives: the role of government coercion in achieving policy goals.

Anti-Catholic Evangelicals

During this time of quarantine, I have had the opportunity to dialogue with some old-school anti-Catholic evangelicals, and it has left me wondering how...

My Theology Circa 2007

A snapshot of my evangelical theology in 2007 — from Open Theism to Arminianism — before seminary reshaped everything. A starting point for tracing my faith journey.

Waiting to Reopen

As life has hit the pause button amid this pandemic, I will choose to be grateful for what I have as we are all waiting to reopen.

Sara Patterson Named 2020 Garrett Ham Scholar

This year, Ouachita Baptist University awarded the Garrett Ham Scholarship to Sara Patterson.

Paper Writing and Basement Dwelling

How I adapted my paper writing process during a five-month lockdown while managing three major academic papers and a final exam.

Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity – A Review

What follows is a review of Lamin Sanneh’s Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World...

The Ivy League's Response to COVID-19: Why Universal Pass/Fail Misses the Mark

How Yale Divinity School and peer institutions adopted pass/fail grading during the pandemic—and what the push for universal pass reveals about student entitlement and institutional confusion.

Enough with the Deference to the Military

In this post, I discuss faux deference to the military and how it has warped the ability of military personnel and veterans to interact with society.

Zoom, Yale, and the New Ivy League Experience

How does Zoom change the Ivy League experience? This post reflects on the COVID-era shift to online classes at Yale Divinity School and its challenges.

Angry All the Time in the Ivy League

Campus activists at elite colleges like Yale often appear perpetually angry. But beneath the outrage lies a deeper psychological need: the search for heroic purpose and significance.

COVID, Yale, and a Brave New World

How COVID shut down Yale's campus mid-semester, forcing remote learning via Zoom and canceling spring commencement. A personal account of pandemic disruption to campus life and academic work.

The Strange Call for Military Justice Reform

Botched investigations, missing constitutional safeguards, and a sexual assault crisis — a JAG veteran explains why military justice reform must go further than removing commanders from prosecution decisions.

The Military and the Elite

The relationship between the military and the elite has evolved significantly over the years and not for the better.

Spring Break, Buckley, and the Coronavirus

In this post, I discuss the first week of spring break, the Buckley seminar, and the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Ivy League Facade

As I begin to grow comfortable at Yale, I am becoming more aware of the Ivy League facade that masks much of the mundane and unpolished aspects of elite universities. Explore the reality behind the prestige.

Making Summer Plans at Yale: Language Study and Ph.D. Preparation

Planning summer academics at Yale Divinity? Learn how I structured German language study, navigated GI Bill regulations, and prepared for Ph.D. applications.

The Work of James Cone: Liberation Theology and the Oppressed

A theological examination of James Cone's liberation theology, his critique of white supremacy, and the challenge to Christian faith in standing with the oppressed.

My Dinner With Rich Lowry

How I had dinner with National Review editor Rich Lowry at Yale's Buckley Program. Reflections on intellectual humility, the danger of familiarity with greatness, and engaging James Cone's liberation theology.

Ivy League Buzzwords

An insider's look at how Ivy League students use buzzwords like 'oppression,' 'power dynamics,' and 'create a space' to such excess that they dilute the meaning of justified critique and desensitize people to real injustice.

Opportunities at Yale Divinity School: A Student's Perspective

A Yale Divinity School student shares first-hand experiences with study abroad programs, interdepartmental courses, world-famous instructors, and more.

Abortion and the Christian Left

A Catholic response to the 'personally pro-life, politically pro-choice' position. Why this compromise on human life fails philosophically and theologically.

Roman Law at Yale: How Divinity Students Can Take Classes Across Campus

How Yale Divinity School's degree flexibility enabled me to take a Roman Law graduate seminar at the law school, and what I learned about course selection across campus.

Grades at Yale and the End of the Semester

How does grading work at Yale Divinity School? A personal reflection on semester grades, the H- conversion to A-, and what academic success means beyond the transcript as I transition toward PhD work in New Testament.

The Administrative Discharge Process — JASOC Week 3

JASOC Week 3: Master military administrative discharge procedures, board processes, and insider tips from an Air Force JAG officer. Learn what to expect.

Week 14 at YDS: Finals at Yale

Seminary finals at Yale Divinity School: a firsthand account of blue book exams in New Testament, Greek, and Early Christianity. Reflections on theological education and spiritual formation.

Discerning Vocation at Yale: A Seminary Student's Essay

A Yale Divinity student's personal essay on vocational discernment, Catholic conversion, and the intersection of faith, military service, and academic calling.

The 2019 Harvard-Yale Game Protest

A Yale Divinity student's firsthand reaction to the 2019 Harvard-Yale football game protest — the climate demands, the virtue signaling, and what it reveals about elite campus culture.

Week 12 at Yale: Finishing the Semester

A weekly update from Yale Divinity School — progress on final papers, preparing for exams, visiting the Yale Art Gallery's Dura-Europos exhibit, and thoughts on the curriculum.

Week 11: Veterans Day at Yale

A veteran's perspective on celebrating Veterans Day at Yale Divinity School, examining the gap between institutional lip service and actual military acceptance at elite universities.

The Obsession with Oppression at Yale Divinity School

A conservative student's firsthand account of oppression culture at Yale Divinity School—the fetishization of victimhood, the woke scold minority, and the silent reasonable majority.

Neo-Gnosticism in Evangelical and Progressive Christianity

How both evangelical and progressive Christianity have absorbed Gnostic tendencies—rejecting the body in different ways while departing from historic Christian teaching.

Week 10 at Yale: Ph.D. Aspirations

A Yale Divinity School student reflects on PhD aspirations, academic grading, and the top doctoral programs in New Testament and religious studies worth pursuing.

Social Justice Warriors at Yale Divinity: A Conservative Perspective

A conservative Yale Divinity student reflects on campus activism, social justice rhetoric, and the impossibility of civil discourse when ideology replaces dialogue.

Week 8 at Yale: Cancel Culture Comes to YDS

A firsthand account of cancel culture at Yale Divinity School: how ideological conformity silences diverse perspectives, the consequences for free speech, and why this matters for conservative students.

Week 7 at Yale: Struggle with Scriptural Inerrancy

What does scriptural inerrancy really mean? A Yale Divinity student explores how to define biblical errors, reconcile contradictions, and understand Scripture as a reliable guide for faith.

Viewpoint Diversity at Yale Divinity School: A Conservative Student's Perspective

How does a theologically conservative student navigate a progressive divinity school? A candid exploration of viewpoint diversity, intellectual challenge, and finding your place at Yale Divinity.

Week 5: Conservatives at Yale Divinity

Is Yale Divinity liberal? Yes. But conservative students thrive. A candid account of being a conservative at Yale Divinity School and finding your place there.

“Authority of Community in Christian Faith”

“How Scripture and community tradition work together in Christian faith. A Yale Divinity student's reflection on balancing Protestant and Anglican approaches to religious authority.”

Using the GI Bill at Yale — A Veteran’s Guide

How I used the Post-9/11 GI Bill to attend Yale Divinity School — tuition, Yellow Ribbon, housing allowance, and what veterans should know about Ivy League graduate programs.

Week 2 of JASOC

An Air Force JAG officer's firsthand account of JASOC—the Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course at Maxwell AFB. Covers exercises, moot courts, military justice training, and what to expect.

Week 2: Opportunities for Spiritual Growth at Yale

Spiritual growth at Yale Divinity School — the Annand Program, communal prayer, academic workload, and what seminary life really looks like from inside the M.Div. program.

Week 1 of the M.Div. at Yale Divinity School

What the first week of Yale Divinity School is really like — classes, community, and culture shock. A veteran's firsthand account of the M.Div. program.

BTFO (Before the Fall Orientation) at Yale

A first-person guide to BTFO at Yale Divinity School covering Berkeley Divinity, class registration, grades, campus life, and what incoming students should expect.

Writing Sample from Yale Divinity Application

The complete writing sample from a successful Yale Divinity School M.Div. application, drafted from scratch after seven years out of school.

Personal Statement from Yale Divinity Application

See a real seminary application essay that worked. Full personal statement from a successful Yale Divinity School M.Div. acceptance with writing tips.

God and Man at Yale Divinity

Complete Yale Divinity School guide: how to apply, personal statement, GI Bill benefits, financial aid, acceptance, and thriving in the M.Div. program.

Week 1 of the Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course

Your guide to JAOBC/JASOC Week 1: the Air Force Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course. See the schedule, military justice curriculum, and what to expect.

Air Force JAG Corps: Career Guide & Honest Review

A former Air Force Captain shares an honest review of the JAG Corps—JASOC training, base legal office duties, military justice, and whether it's worth joining.

Mattie Dodson Named 2019 Garrett Ham Scholar

Ouachita Baptist University named Mattie Dodson the 2019 Garrett Ham Scholar. She used the funds to study female saints in Italy with the Sisters of San Luca.

The Lost World of Genesis One: A Review of John Walton's Classic

A review of John Walton's The Lost World of Genesis One—ancient Near Eastern cosmology reframes Genesis 1 as an account of functional origins, not material creation. Includes analysis of competing views.

Cole Jester and Colton Sims Named 2018 Garrett Ham Scholars

Ouachita Baptist University named Colton Sims and Cole Jester the 2018 Garrett Ham Scholars. Learn about the scholarship, their honors research, and how to apply.

The Crucifixion of the Warrior God: A Bridge Too Far

A critical review of Greg Boyd's Crucifixion of the Warrior God. Boyd's cruciform hermeneutic is promising, but does his reading undermine Scripture's reliability?

Probable Cause and the Military Prosecutor's Duty

Why probable cause is a binding standard in military justice — not a suggestion — and why prosecutors who ignore it commit legal malpractice. A JAG officer's memorandum.

Ouachita Baptist University Names Taylor Bascue the 2017 Garrett Ham Scholar

Taylor Bascue is one of a number promising students at Ouachita Baptist University. Watch the video below for more information.

Ouachita Baptist University Names Libby Hilliard the 2016 Garrett Ham Scholar

At its annual awards reception, the Carl Goodson Honors Program at Ouachita Baptist University named...

Cy Pres, Modification, and Dissolution of Nonprofits

Learn how the cy pres doctrine allows courts to modify charitable trusts and nonprofits, plus the rules governing nonprofit dissolution and asset distribution.

Founding a Nonprofit Organization

In this post, I discuss some considerations when founding a nonprofit organization, including choosing the organization’s form.

Nonprofit Organizations

In this post, I discuss the basics of nonprofit organizations, why they are necessary, and the essential role they play in our society.

Greg Boyd’s Answer to the Problem of Suffering: A Review

Greg Boyd’s Is God to Blame? challenges the blueprint worldview and argues that Jesus, not Augustine or Calvin, should define how Christians think about suffering.

Protestants and Purgatory

The doctrine of purgatory has a legitimate place within an evangelical Protestant understanding of salvation, offering a coherent framework for ongoing spiritual transformation beyond this life.

Atonement Without Anselm

Paul's atonement theology in Romans 5 goes beyond Anselm's satisfaction theory. Explore the Christus Victor model and why Christ's entire life matters.

The 2015 Recipients of the Garrett Ham Scholarship

At its annual awards reception, the Carl Goodson Honors Program at Ouachita Baptist University named...

How to Talk to Protestants about Scripture

Catholic and Protestant views of Scripture's authority are remarkably similar. The real disagreement is interpretive authority — the Magisterium versus individual or congregational reading.

How to Talk to Protestants About Tradition

Why the Catholic understanding of tradition is hard to explain to Protestants — and how to bridge the gap without starting an argument.

How to Talk to Protestants about Divine Revelation

Catholics and Protestants share core beliefs about divine revelation and Christ as God's fullness. The real divide is whether discernment happens individually or within the Church.

How to Talk to Protestants about Authority

In this post, I discuss how to talk to Protestants about authority from a Catholic perspective to increase mutual understanding.

How to Talk to Protestants

Much Protestant-Catholic animosity stems from semantic differences rather than real theological disagreements. A Protestant explores common ground and the path toward Christian unity.

Does Everything Happen for a Reason?

Does everything happen for a reason? A Catholic examination of divine sovereignty, free will, and the problem of evil—and why God is not the author of suffering.

Military Crimes

In this post, I discuss military crimes as a distinct system of criminal law and the general structure of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The Body of Christ: Why Christianity Is Communal, Not Individual

What does it mean to be part of the body of Christ? Christianity is inherently communal — claiming faith while rejecting church membership contradicts the New Testament vision of believers as one body, not isolated individuals.

Rules of Professional Conduct for Judge Advocates

In this post, I discuss the specialized rules of professional conduct governing judge advocates practicing law in the military.

Keep “X” in “Xmas”

What does it really mean to keep Christ in Christmas? On the Greek origins of 'Xmas,' the culture wars, and what believers are actually called to do.

A Judge Advocate’s Professional Responsibility

In this post, I discuss the unique rules of professional responsibility imposed on judge advocates practicing within a military context.

The Court-Martial Process

How the court-martial process works — from charges and Article 32 hearings to trial, sentencing, and post-conviction review. A JAG veteran explains.

Unlawful Command Influence

In this post, I discuss unlawful command influence and the issue it poses for the military justice system.

The Military Court System

In this post, I provide an overview of the unique characteristics of the military court system, including its trial and appellate courts.

Fighting Frivolous Appeals

In this post, I discuss how the Arkansas Supreme Court is fighting frivolous lawsuits by sanctioning those who file frivolous appeals.

Introduction to Military Justice

From the Articles of War to the UCMJ — how the military justice system evolved from the Revolutionary War to today. Written by a JAG veteran.

Five Common Misconceptions Regarding the Hobby Lobby Decision

In this post, I address some common misunderstandings regarding the Supreme Court’s recent Hobby Lobby decision and its holding on religious liberty.

Stay Pending Appeal

In this post, I discuss the stay pending appeal and how it can prevent the enforcement of a judgment until the final resolution of the appeal.

Certified Questions of Law

In this post, I discuss certified questions of law and the interaction between various state and federal courts in the Arkansas appellate process.

The Mandate and Enforcing the Result of an Appeal

In this post, I discuss the mandate in the Arkansas appellate process and its usefulness in enforcing the result of an appeal.

The Record on Appeal

In this post, I discuss the record on appeal, what is required, and the important role it plays in the Arkansas appellate practice.

Oral Arguments

In this post, I discuss the place of oral arguments in Arkansas appellate practice, including when they may occur and when they may not.

Amici Curiae Briefs

How amici curiae briefs work in Arkansas appellate practice under Rule 4-6—who can file, what deadlines apply, and why friend-of-the-court briefs matter.

Deadline to File the Record on Appeal

In this post, I discuss the deadline to file the record on appeal and the requirements imposed by the appellate court.

Deadlines For Filing an Appeal

In this post, I discuss the various deadlines for filing an appeal in Arkansas.

How to File a Civil Appeal in Arkansas

In this post, I discuss how to file a civil appeal in the State of Arkansas.

How to Secure a Copyright

In this post, I discuss how to secure a copyright protection for your original works.

Ouachita Baptist University Names Anna Sikes the 2014 Garrett Ham Scholar

The Carl Goodson Honors Program at Ouachita Baptist University named Anna Sikes the 2014 Garrett Ham Scholar, supporting her travel to a Houston conference on spiritual formation.

Conducting a Copyright Search

In this post, I discuss how to conduct a copyright search to discover what works have taken advantage of the protections of registration.

Maintaining a Trademark

In this post, I discuss the requirements for maintaining a trademark after registration, including the filing requirements to keep it protected.

Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Trademark Application?

The USPTO doesn't require an attorney for trademark applications, but errors can mean denial and lost fees. A lawyer can run searches, handle Office Actions, and protect your mark.

Trademark v. Service Mark

Trademarks protect goods while service marks protect services, but both receive identical legal protection. Correctly classifying your mark matters when filing with the USPTO.

Copyright Deposit Requirement

The Copyright Act requires two copies of every published work to be deposited with the Library of Congress within three months — even if you don't register the copyright.

Copyrights and Foreign Works

U.S. copyright law protects foreign works under nine specific conditions tied to the Berne Convention and treaty obligations. Registration is still recommended regardless.

How Long Does a Copyright Last?

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Week 10 of the Army JAG School

In this post, I discuss my experience during the tenth week of Army JAG School, which focused primarily on legal assistance.

Welcome to the JAG Corps

In this post, I discuss my graduation from JAG School and entry into the Army JAG Corps.

Ultimate Football and Week 9 of JAG School

In this post, I discuss week 9 of the Army’s JAG School and my introduction to ultimate football.

Administrative Law and Week 8 of JAG School

In this post, I discuss the administrative law block and week 8 of the Army’s JAG School.

Copyright Fair Use

Copyright Fair Use

International Law and Week 7 of JAG School

In this post, I discuss international law and week 7 of the Army’s JAG School.

Understanding Copyrights

What is a copyright? Learn how the Copyright Act of 1976 protects original works and grants authors exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display them.

Brief the Commander and Week 6 of JAG School

In this post, I discuss my experience during week 6 of the Army JAG School, particularly the “brief the commander” exercise.

Fiscal Law and Week 5 JAG School

A look at the contract and fiscal law block during Week 5 of the Army JAG School, including the daily commander-email exercises.

Courts-Martial, Charlottesville, and Week 4 of JAG School

Week 4 of the Army JAG School wraps up the military justice block with the graded mock trial, plus a weekend exploring Charlottesville.

Military Justice and Week 3 of JAG School

Week 3 of the Army JAG School digs into pre-trial and evidentiary procedure, Article 32 investigations, and the annual Blues Reception.

Week 2 of the Army JAG School

Week 2 at the Army JAG School eases into the academic routine and begins the military justice block of instruction.

Week 1 of the Army JAG School

First impressions from Week 1 of the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC) at the Army JAG School in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Final Thoughts Regarding the JAG Corps Direct Commission Course (DCC)

Honest reflections after finishing the Army JAG Corps Direct Commission Course at Fort Benning — what DCC is really like and how to prepare.

Judge Advocate Training During Week 6 of DCC

Week 6 of the Army Direct Commission Course wraps up judge advocate training at Fort Benning with out-processing, graduation, and the drive to Charlottesville.

Copyright Registration

In this post, I discuss the process and benefits of copyright registration and how it can provide greater protections to your intellectual property.

Convoy Operations in Week 5 of DCC

Week 5 of the Army Direct Commission Course covers convoy operations, MOUT, the record APFT, the six-mile ruck march, and Combat Water Survival Training.

Rifle Marksmanship and Week 4 of DCC

Week 4 of the Army Direct Commission Course is a compressed Basic Rifle Marksmanship block on the M-16 — zero, practice, and qualification.

Land Navigation and Week 3 of DCC

Week 3 of the Army Direct Commission Course focuses on land navigation and the start of basic rifle marksmanship — plus an unexpected Georgia snow day.

Week 2 of the Army’s Direct Commission Course (DCC)

A JAG officer’s firsthand Week 2 guide to the Army’s Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Benning: land navigation, first aid, CIF gear issue, and PT.

Week 1 of the Army’s Direct Commission Course (DCC)

A JAG officer's firsthand Week 1 guide to the Army's Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Benning: packing, AFT fitness standards, and 2026 eligibility.

Army JAG Initial Training

A National Guard judge advocate's introduction to Army JAG initial training: the DCC and JAOBC pipeline, wait times, and what to expect.

The Notice of Appeal

Filing a notice of appeal in Arkansas requires six specific elements — from identifying the parties to ordering transcripts. Missing deadlines or elements can forfeit your appeal.

The Petition For Review

In this post, I discuss the petition for review in Arkansas appellate law.

Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals: Appellate Jurisdiction in Arkansas

The Arkansas Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over constitutional cases, death penalty appeals, and attorney discipline matters.

The Basis for a Trademark Application

The Basis for a Trademark Application

After Filing Your Trademark Application

After filing with the USPTO, your trademark application faces examiner review, possible office actions, and publication for opposition. The full process typically takes 12 to 18 months.

Intellectual Property

Trademarks protect brand names, copyrights protect original works, and patents protect inventions. Here's an overview of how each form of intellectual property works.

Registering Your Trademark

In this post, I discuss the process and requirements of registering your trademark, a great way to protect your intellectual property.

Availability of Civil Appeals in Arkansas

Arkansas Rule 2 lists 13 categories of circuit court decisions appealable as of right plus one discretionary category for privilege-related discovery disputes.

Agency Relationships

Agency law governs when one person may act on behalf of another. How actual authority, apparent authority, ratification, and estoppel create binding obligations.

Agent Liability to a Third Party

When is an agent personally liable to a third party? Liability depends on whether the principal is disclosed, unidentified, or undisclosed.

The S Corporation

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Piercing the Corporate Veil

Courts can disregard your LLC or corporation's liability protection when personal and business affairs are intermingled. Undercapitalization and ignoring formalities are key factors.

Partnership Tax Terms

Partnership tax allocation, basis, and distribution explained. Partners owe tax on allocated profits — not just distributions they actually receive.

The Benefits of Partnership Taxation

Partnerships avoid double taxation by passing income through to partners. The IRS 'check the box' rules let unincorporated businesses choose their own tax classification.

The Business Judgment Rule

In this post, I discuss the business judgment rule and the legal liability protections that it provides to company management.

Fiduciary Duties of an Agent

An agent owes fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to the principal. In partnerships, these duties apply to every partner — and they cannot be waived by agreement.

Directors’ Duty of Loyalty

In this post, I discuss the directors’ duty of loyalty to the company they manage and how this may interact with potential legal liabilities.

Irrevocable Agencies

What is irrevocable agency? Learn why a power coupled with an interest cannot be revoked, how common law protects it, and when it applies to your situation.

Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

An LLP shields partners from liability for each other's wrongful acts, making it popular for law firms and medical practices. Here's how LLPs compare to LLCs and corporations.

Limited Partnerships (LPs)

Limited partnerships separate management from investment — general partners run the business with personal liability while limited partners contribute capital with liability protection.

The Shareholder Derivative Suit

Shareholders can sue corporate management on behalf of the corporation through derivative suits. Standing requires contemporaneous ownership and a demand on directors first.

Shareholders and Directors

Shareholders own the corporation but directors wield the power. In public companies, directors are not obligated to follow shareholder wishes — elections are the main recourse.

Creating and Terminating an Agency Relationship

How agency relationships are created (often without a writing) and how they end—through revocation, renunciation, death, or operation of law.

Closing The Internet Sales Tax Gaps – Who Wins And Who Loses?

In this guest post, Matthew Brennan, a marketing writer writing on behalf of The Hays Firm, LLC in Chicago, discusses the...

Dividends

Corporations distribute profits through cash and stock dividends, but insolvency rules limit when dividends can be paid. C Corporation dividends face double taxation at reduced rates.

Power of Appointment

In this post, I discuss the power of appointment and specifically discuss the difference between general and special powers.

Who Has the Right to Receive Trust Distributions?

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Trust Modification and Termination

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Charitable Trusts

Charitable trusts must benefit an indefinite class of the public and are exempt from the Rule Against Perpetuities. The cy pres doctrine lets courts modify purposes that become impossible.

The Corporation

A corporation is a separate legal entity that shields shareholders from personal liability but faces double taxation. S Corporation election offers pass-through tax treatment instead.

The Role of the Lawyer in Business

A good business lawyer helps entrepreneurs achieve their goals through risk mitigation — not by simply saying no. The attorney's role is to find workable paths forward.

Creating a Trust

Creating a trust requires intent, a transfer of property, and identifiable beneficiaries. For real property, a written instrument is necessary. Here's what the process involves.

Using a Family Limited Partnership to Lower Estate Tax Liabilities

Family limited partnerships reduce estate tax through valuation discounts on gifted interests that lack control and marketability — even without a family business to protect.

The Family Limited Partnership as an Innovative Estate-Planning Tool

In this post, I discuss family limited partnerships and the potential tax benefits they may offer for business and estate planning alike.

When an Heir Predeceases the Testator

What happens when a will beneficiary dies before the testator? Learn how anti-lapse statutes, class gifts, and contingent beneficiaries protect your estate plan.

Can Your Employer Stop You From Taking a Holiday?

In this guest post, Lauren Hillier, an employment lawyer at Slater & Gordon Lawyers in the United Kingdom, discusses vacation policy in her country. This...

Introduction to Trusts

In this post, I provide an introduction to trusts, how they work, their benefits, and some of their basic attributes that make them valuable tools.

Duties of a Trustee of a Trust

Trustees owe seven fiduciary duties including loyalty, prudence, and impartiality. The No Further Inquiry Rule makes self-dealing a strict liability violation regardless of fairness.

The Video Will

In this post, I discuss the popular idea of the video will, separating fact from fiction to discuss when such a will can serve a valid purpose.

Abatement and Ademption: Property Changes and Your Kids’ Inheritance

When bequeathed property changes before death, ademption and abatement rules decide what your heirs actually receive. Plan around these doctrines.

The Arkansas Probate Process

A general overview of the Arkansas probate process, from the executor's first filings and creditor notice through estate tax and final distribution.

Differences in UK and US Business Law

In this guest post, James Faulkner, a specialist legal copywriter from the United Kingdom, discusses the differences in United Kingdom and United States...

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)

In a previous post I discussed the role life insurance can play in an estate plan. In...

Grounds to Contest a Will

In a previous post I discussed the proper mental capacity required to form a valid will. If the...

Required Mental Capacity to Make a Will

A will is often the easiest way to ensure that your property is disposed of in accordance with your wishes after death. Not everyone, however, may draft a...

The No Contest Clause

In previous posts, I discussed grounds for will contests, including lack of mental capacity undue...

Probate Public Notice and the Nonclaim Statute

In this post, I discuss the public notice requirement imposed by the probate process.

Small Estate Probate

In this post, I discuss small estate probate in Arkansas, a streamlined probate process that bypasses some of the normal probate headaches.

The Problem of the Dead Hand

In this post, I discuss the ability of the dead to affect the behavior of the living, sometimes known as the problem of the dead hand.

Revoking a Will

Learn how to revoke a will in Arkansas, including revocation by subsequent writing, physical destruction, dependent relative revocation, and the effects of divorce under Arkansas Code 28-25-109.

Ambiguous Wills

How courts handle ambiguous wills—patent vs. latent ambiguity, extrinsic evidence, and the reformation debate—and why careful drafting matters for your estate plan.

Issues of Inheritance Planning

In most circumstances, inheritance planning is relatively straightforward, particularly where you want to leave your property to your surviving children....

Parts of a Will

In this post, I discuss and explain the various different parts of a will and their importance when drafting your will.

Bars to Inheritance

Killing the testator or disclaiming your inheritance are the two main bars to inheriting under a will. Three different legal approaches address the slayer rule across jurisdictions.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust

In this post, I discuss the charitable remainder unitrust, the estate planning benefits it offers, and how it can provide you income now.

Planning with Life Insurance

In this post, I discuss some techniques for estate planning with life insurance, the benefits it can offer, and how it can help address estate tax...

Filing for Divorce and the Gray Zone of Inheritance

In this guest post, Howard Iken a divorce attorney in Orlando,...

Trusts and Probate

A revocable living trust becomes irrevocable at the settlor's death and operates outside probate. Trust administration and probate run simultaneously but independently.

Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT)

A Qualified Personal Residence Trust transfers your home to heirs at a reduced gift tax value while you continue living in it. Learn how QPRTs work.

GRATs and GRUTs

GRATs and GRUTs let you transfer property to heirs at reduced gift tax values. Learn how these grantor retained trusts work for estate planning.

Life Insurance

Whole life, term life, and universal life insurance each serve different estate planning purposes. Policy proceeds can be included in your taxable estate depending on ownership structure.

Grantor Retained Income Trusts (GRITs)

A Grantor Retained Income Trust (GRIT) transfers property out of your taxable estate while you retain its income — a useful estate and gift tax planning strategy.

Planned Giving Strategies

Charitable remainder trusts, pooled income funds, and gift annuities can reduce your estate tax while supporting causes you care about. Here's how each planned giving strategy works.

Timing and Limitations of the Charitable Donation Deduction

In this post, I discuss the charitable donation deduction, its limitations, and how knowledge of this information can help you with your tax planning.

Giving Gifts of Partial Interests to Charity

Learn how gifts of partial interests to charity can qualify for tax deductions, including remainder interests, fractional shares, and conservation easements.

Noncash Gifts to Charity

Donating appreciated property to charity avoids capital gains tax and provides an income tax deduction. Bargain sales offer a middle ground between full gifts and full sales.

Charitable Deductions

In this post, I discuss qualified charitable deductions for purposes of the income and estate taxes and how they can help lower your tax bill.

Understanding the “Skip Person”

In this post, I define a skip person for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax and explain how to determine if a property transfer recipient qualifies.

Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax

Congress enacted the generation-skipping transfer tax to close a loophole where wealthy families avoided estate tax by transferring assets directly to grandchildren. Three events trigger it.

Uniform Transfer to Minors Act

The Uniform Transfer to Minors Act lets you transfer property to a child through a custodian — here's how it works and the gift, estate, and income tax implications.

Grantor Trusts

In this post, I discuss the grantor trust and the potential estate planning benefits it can offer.

529 Plans

529 plans offer tax-free growth for education expenses. A special gift tax rule lets you front-load five years of contributions in a single year.

The Crummey Trust

A Crummey Trust qualifies gifts for the annual gift tax exclusion by granting beneficiaries a temporary withdrawal right. Crummey Letters and the 5-by-5 lapse rule are key mechanics.

Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT)

When a surviving spouse is not a U.S. citizen, the marital deduction is unavailable. A Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT) defers estate taxes until the spouse's death.

Irrevocable Living Trusts

In this post, I discuss the irrevocable living trust and the advantages it can provide as part of a comprehensive estate plan.

Adult Guardianship

How Arkansas adult guardianships work, who files, the court's role, and why a durable power of attorney or living trust is usually a better plan.

Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) Trust

Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) Trust

Creditors and Tenancy By The Entirety

In this post, I discuss tenancy by the entirety, a common way married couples own property together, and the asset protection benefits it may provide.

HIPAA

HIPAA restricts access to your health records and once barred insurers from denying coverage for preexisting conditions. A HIPAA release complements your living will.

The Living Will

A living will provides healthcare instructions if you become incapacitated. Combined with a healthcare power of attorney, it prevents situations like the Terri Schiavo case.

The Holographic Will

The Holographic Will

The Durable Power of Attorney

In this post, I discuss the durable power of attorney and the potential benefits that it can offer.

The Power of Attorney

A power of attorney authorizes someone to act on your behalf — including selling property and taking out loans. General vs. limited POAs carry very different risks.

Pros and Cons of a Living Trust

In this post, I discuss the pros and cons of a living trust, particularly the benefits and drawbacks it offers as part of your estate plan.

Per Capita and Per Capita at Each Generation

Per capita divides an estate equally among surviving heirs. Per capita at each generation splits it equally at each level. Learn how both methods work and compare to per stirpes.

Per Stirpes

What does per stirpes mean? Understand the difference between classic and modern per stirpes, why it matters for your will, and when to use it in estate planning.

Executing a Will in Arkansas

Arkansas requires two independent witnesses and a notary for valid will execution. A self-proving affidavit streamlines probate by eliminating the need to locate witnesses later.

Your Will and Residuary Estate

Your will doesn't need to list every asset you own. The residuary estate catches everything else — and naming a residuary beneficiary prevents intestacy surprises.

The Arkansas Anti-Lapse Statute

In this post, I discuss the anti-lapse statute, how it affects a bequest to someone who predeceases you, and how it can save an impossible will...

Disinheriting Children in Arkansas

In this post, I discuss the steps Arkansas requires to disinheriting children. It’s not as easy a simply leaving a child out of your will.

The Federal Estate Tax

The federal estate tax applies to estates exceeding the exclusion amount after deductions for spousal transfers and charitable gifts. Portability lets spouses share unused exemptions.

The Federal Gift Tax

In this post, I discuss how the gifts you make may result in a large tax bill, courtesy of the federal gift tax, and how this backstops the estate tax.

Title II Weapons

In this post, I discuss the different types of Title II weapons as defined by the National Firearms Act, including machine guns.

The Living Trust Explained

What is a living trust and do you need one? An Arkansas attorney explains how living trusts work, their benefits, and when they make sense.

Parental Power of Attorney

In this post, I discuss the parental power of attorney and how parents can use it to help provide for their children’s needs.

Using FLPs to Lower Estate and Gift Tax Liabilities

In this post, I discuss how a family limited partnership, or FLP, can be used to reap large estate and gift tax savings and why it’s become so popular.

NFA Gun Registration Requirements

The Supreme Court struck down NFA registration on Fifth Amendment grounds in Haynes v. United States. Congress responded by rewriting the registration framework in 1968.

Protecting Your Business With a Family Limited Partnership

A family limited partnership lets a business owner transfer wealth to heirs while retaining full management control as general partner — separating financial interest from authority.

“Do I Need a Lawyer to Draft My Will?”

Holographic wills and online services exist, but DIY wills risk invalid formalities and unintended distributions. Here's when hiring an estate planning attorney is worth it.

Gun Trusts

Gun Trusts

The National Firearms Act of 1934

The National Firearms Act of 1934 imposed excise taxes and registration on machine guns, short-barreled weapons, and suppressors. The 1986 Hughes Amendment banned new machine guns.

Garrett Ham Appears on the 4029 Evening News

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Ouachita Grads Make a Difference

Ouachita Baptist University recently featured me in its “Ouachita Grads Make a Difference” series. In it, they spotlight my work since graduating in...

The Limited Liability Company (LLC) Part 2

Part 2 on Arkansas LLCs covers member-managed vs. manager-managed governance, operating agreement essentials, and why pass-through taxation makes LLCs attractive but requires planning.

The Limited Liability Company (LLC) Part 1