Acton Line

In this engaging discussion, Kevin Vallier, a philosophy professor at the University of Toledo and affiliate scholar at the Acton Institute, dives into the complexities of American fusionism, exploring how religion can coexist with liberty. Vallier shares his personal journey from atheism to intertwining libertarianism with Lutheranism. He analyzes the historical ties between Christianity and classical liberalism, debates the roles of moral understanding, and highlights the importance of dialogue between theologians and social scientists to navigate modern ideological challenges.

Director of the Acton Institute’s Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage Nathan Mech mediates a discussion between Mustafa Akyol and Rabbi Reuven Firestone on the current crises in Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations. Drawing from their respective religious traditions, Akyol and Rabbi Firestone confront the challenges of tribalism and discuss how religion can be a source of solutions, rather than problems, for the Middle East and conflicts around the world today. Special attention is given to insights from Mustafa Akyol’s new book, “The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World.”Subscribe to our podcastsThe Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the WorldCollins Center for Abrahamic Heritage

Though often used, the term “financialization” is largely misunderstood. In order to address this issue, the American Institute for Economic Research commissioned Acton board member and chief investment officer of the Bahnsen Group, David Bahnsen, to write a white paper on this topic. His approach to financialization is simple: that we defend and not demonize capital markets, and clarify and not obfuscate how financial markets enhance our attempts at achieving human flourishing. On today’s episode, Acton’s chief operating officer, Stephen Barrows, talks to David about his paper.Subscribe to our podcastsFinancialization and Missed Boats | American Institute for Economic Research

On today’s episode, Acton librarian Dan Hugger sits down Kris Mauren, co-founder and president of the Acton Institute. They discuss why the Acton Institute was founded, what it’s done, and where it’s hoping to go in the new year. Subscribe to our podcasts

On today’s episode, we’re bringing you a rebroadcast from December 1, 2021. Eric Kohn, Acton’s former director of marketing and communications, sits down with Dallas Jenkins, director of “The Chosen,” an online multi-season TV series depicting the life of Jesus. Later in the episode Kohn interviews Jonathan Roumie, the actor who portrays Jesus.The Chosen is the largest crowdfunded media project of all time. At the time of this interview, they had raised 90% of the money for season 3. Now, season 5 is set to premiere on March 27, 2025.Subscribe to our podcastsWatch | The Chosen TV How A Crowdfunded Christian TV Series Could Change Entertainment  

In recent years, America’s status as a “Christian nation” has become an incredibly vexed question. This is not simply a debate about America’s present, or even its future—it has become a debate about its past. Some want to rewrite America’s history as having always been highly secular in order to ensure a similar future; others seek to reframe the American founding as a continuation of medieval Christendom in the hopes of reviving America’s religious identity today.In his book “Religion & Republic: Christian America from the Founding to the Civil War,” Miles Smith offers a fresh historical reading of America’s status as a Christian nation in the Early Republic era.  On today’s episode, Eric Kohn, former Acton director of marketing and communications, talks to Miles about his book.Subscribe to our podcastsMiles Smith | Hillsdale CollegeReligion & Republic | Miles Smith

Join Joe Creech, the Executive Director of the Lilly Network, as he dives into the evolving landscape of Christian higher education. He highlights the network’s crucial role in supporting 101 ecumenical colleges and universities through contemporary challenges. Creech explores identity crises within Catholic institutions and calls for a stronger bond between local churches and schools. He also discusses the importance of liberal arts in fostering human flourishing, advocating for education that prioritizes community and deeper understanding over mere vocational training.

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Mark Clifford, award-winning journalist and historian of Hong Kong, about his new book Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong’s Greatest Dissident, and China’s Most Feared Critic. Hong Kong has scores of billionaires, but only one of them dared stand up to China while the city’s freedoms were whittled away. What in Jimmy Lai’s extraordinary life explains such courage?Subscribe to our podcastsMark CliffordThe Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong FoundationThe Troublemaker | Book by Mark L. Clifford | Official Publisher Page | Simon & SchusterToday Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World: What China's Crackdown Reveals About Its Plans to End Freedom Everywhere: Clifford, Mark L.Let There Be Light: How Electricity Made Modern Hong Kong (Center on Global Energy Policy Series): Clifford, MarkThe Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom [Full Film]Jimmy Lai’s Fight For Freedom Continues | Panel DiscussionThe Call of the Entrepreneur | Acton Institute

Join Acton Institute’s president emeritus Rev. Robert Sirico as he hosts a live panel featuring Mark Simon, Mary Kissel, and William McGurn as they discuss the resumption of Jimmy’s trial in Hong Kong. Featured in Acton’s award winning documentary The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai’s Extraordinary Fight for Freedom you will hear the insights of these close friends and associates of Jimmy as they examine his prospects for release and the future of freedom in Hong Kong. The panel was streamed live on Monday, November 25, 2024. Subscribe to our podcastsWatch the panelThe Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for FreedomThe Troublemaker | Simon & Schuster

With decades of hindsight, the peaceful end of the Cold War seems to have been inevitable. But in the early 1980s, most experts believed the Soviet Union was strong and stable, and would last into the next century. Ronald Reagan entered the White House with no certainty of what would happen next, only an overriding faith in democracy and an abiding belief that Soviet communism—and the threat of nuclear war—must end.Based on his interviews with senior Reagan officials and thousands of pages of newly declassified documents, Dr. William Inboden, in his new biography “The Peacemaker,” sheds a fresh perspective on President Reagan’s unwavering faith and commitment to freedom during the Cold War. On October 30, 2024, Dr. Inboden was the keynote speaker at Acton’s 34th Annual Dinner. Take a listen.Subscribe to our podcastsActon On-DemandWilliam Inboden | University of Florida The Peacemaker | Penguin Random House