🏛️ Apologetics Fact

The length and detail of Paul's letters in the New Testament stand out among ancient documents. For example, the cost of the materials for writing the book of Romans alone is estimated by scholars as equivalent to more than $2,000. In a modern American context of cheap writing implements and nearly universal literacy, it is easy to forget how exceptional documents of such length and quality were when they were written.

🗣️ Quote

"If you can abandon your principles for convenience, or social acceptability, then they are not your principles. They are your costume."– Nitya Prakash

🏅 Person: Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860)

Thomas Cochrane was a British naval officer during the Napoleonic wars, noted for his daring leadership and technological innovation. In command of the the HMS Speedy, over the period of 13 months he captured or burned 53 French and Spanish vessels, and captured the Spanish frigate El Gamo, defeating its crew of 319 men with the mere 54 men carried aboard the Speedy. His most notable impact on world history came later in life, when he was expelled from the Royal Navy after being framed for stock exchange fraud. During this period he took command of the independent Chilean navy and played a critical role in the wars of independence which freed Chile and Peru from Spanish rule, contributing significantly to the loss of Spain's place among the great powers of Europe.

📕 Book: Return of the Strong Gods

A recent read for Locus Lectorum, this book by R. Reno was rated by our members below:

• Sam: 10/10 — Reno lays bare the common origins of various foundational distortions that seem omnipresent in Western society today with prescience and skill.

• Josiah: 9/10 — This book provides a clear picture of the philosophical movements that led to the weakening of Western culture, and presciently predicts the rise in nationalism and populism.

• Mark: 8/10 — Reno offers a detailed historical analysis of how society has shifted from the extreme fascism of Hitler to a soft culture that accepts homosexuality.

• Calvin: 7.5/10 — Half a point just for the brilliant concept/name, which alone makes the book worth reading despite some gaps in direction.

• Caleb: 7/10 — Reno atones for his sin of misinterpreting Hayek by sagaciously identifying the cancer that has devoured most of Western culture.

• Isaac: 6/10 — Reno delivers a compelling history detailing the rise of the weak gods in western culture.

• Lane: 6/10 — Reno does an Ayn Rand impression minus the hard drugs, giving a great explanation of how western civilization came to glorify weak ideals without having any answers of what to do about it.