Published by The Institute of Religion and Public Life, First Things is an educational institute aiming to advance a religiously informed public philosophy.

50+ Messages / Page

  First Things · [email protected]
January 28, 2026 at 6:08 PM

In the Footsteps of Aeneas

In the Footsteps of Aeneas Announcing a new podcast. Also, an ode to an epic, the latest Catholic failure at Notre Dame, and how the future of Children of Men is approaching. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 28, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 27, 2026 at 7:36 PM

The Battle of Minneapolis

The Battle of Minneapolis On the irredeemable worldview of the ICE protestors, justifying church-hopping, Trump's flaming rhetoric, the March for Life, and what the West is. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 27, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 26, 2026 at 9:59 PM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on the protesters who invaded a church, the liberal protestant assumptions of abortion, and regime change. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles The Great Christia…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 26, 2026 at 4:57 PM

The Jerusalem Statement Against Christian Zionism

The Jerusalem Statement Against Christian Zionism In the Daily Newsletter, Mark Twain, a movie about playwright Lorenz Hart, a friend’s reflection on John Allen Jr., and a new podcast episode. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 26, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 26, 2026 at 4:55 PM

This Sunday See Bishop Robert Barron in Florida

This Sunday See Bishop Robert Barron in Florida Bishop Barron will deliver the First Things annual Neuhaus Lecture Dear Reader, We are less than one week away from the second annual Ne…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 25, 2026 at 5:59 AM

Sunday Spotlight: On the Threshold

Sunday Spotlight: On the Threshold From the archive, a three part series by Patricia Snow on her RCIA process and entrance into the Catholic Church. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume o…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 23, 2026 at 5:46 PM

Trump, Interventions, and Regimes to Topple

Trump, Interventions, and Regimes to Topple On how Trump is finishing what his predecessors started, a warning against overstating the right's anti-Semitism problem, and Christian nationalism. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 23, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 22, 2026 at 4:33 PM

No, Infant Baptism Is Not Abuse

No, Infant Baptism Is Not Abuse In the Daily Newsletter, a former Irish president calls paedobaptism abusive, how the Roe decision came from liberal churches, and ecumenical Thomism. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 22, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 21, 2026 at 4:33 PM

Stevenson’s Treasure

Stevenson’s Treasure In the Daily Newsletter, a consideration of novelist Robert Louis Stevenson’s moral vision and a fact check of the New Yorker magazine. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 21, 2026 In today’s new…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 20, 2026 at 5:56 PM

The Rise and Fall of Gay Activism

The Rise and Fall of Gay Activism On the the raunchy first wave of gay activism, the Minnesota church disruption, and the pro-life betrayal that wasn't. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 20, 2026 In today’s newslet…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 19, 2026 at 9:59 PM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on the Catholic Church and evolution, Maduro’s arrest, and the tragic, glorious life of Reginald Pole. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles Church History Does No…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 19, 2026 at 8:55 PM

The Viking History of Greenland

The Viking History of Greenland Also on the intellectual Christian revival, the Heisman Trophy winner, and the gift of admiration. Philip Pilkington joins Conversations. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 19, 2026 I…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 18, 2026 at 5:59 AM

Sunday Spotlight: Downstream of the Sexual Revolution

Sunday Spotlight: Downstream of the Sexual Revolution From the archive, three articles by Darel E. Paul on phenomena downstream of the sexual revolution: abortion, drag queens, and fertility declines. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 16, 2026 at 6:07 PM

AI as Liberation

AI as Liberation On an optimist’s view of artificial intelligence, the Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua boxing match, and the divine call to adventure. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 16, 2026 In today’s newsletter: LIEL…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM

From Little Rock to Minneapolis

From Little Rock to Minneapolis On the white “normies” who fight federal law enforcement, a liberal case for pronatalism, the chaos of the avant-garde academy, and a new podcast. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 15, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 14, 2026 at 5:15 PM

First Things Lectures: Bishop Robert Barron on Recovering the University’s Soul

First Things Lectures: Bishop Robert Barron on Recovering the University’s Soul Bishop Barron will deliver the annual Neuhaus Lecture Dear Reader, First Things, in partnership with New…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 14, 2026 at 4:44 PM

The Banality of Minnesota Fraud

The Banality of Minnesota Fraud A moral analysis of the pervasive fraud in Minnesota, a definitive history of the Catholic Church and evolution, and the prison witness of Jimmy Lai. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 14, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM

Church History Does Not Support Trump’s Expansionism

Church History Does Not Support Trump’s Expansionism On the lack of justification for a takeover of Greenland, the tortured life of Reginald Pole, and Glenn Arbery reviews a modern western. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 13, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on theological error, recent events in Venezuela, and the working environment of a young William Shakespeare. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles Wake Up Dead Ma…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 12, 2026 at 6:02 PM

Was Maduro’s Arrest Legal?

Was Maduro’s Arrest Legal? On the legality of extracting and trying the Venezuelan president, how bioethics as an institution lost its way, and rejecting scientific materialism. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 12, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 11, 2026 at 9:59 PM

Sunday Spotlight: Just War Theory

Sunday Spotlight: Just War Theory From the archive, the desirability of good wars, the relevance of the just war tradition, and a defense of the Iraq War. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the vo…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 9, 2026 at 4:03 PM

Recovering a Christian World

Recovering a Christian World How theologians ceded ground to materialists, a multi-faith case for public displays of the Ten Commandments, two pro-life goals, and a book stack Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 9, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 8, 2026 at 5:29 PM

When No-Fault Divorce Turns Children into Commodities

When No-Fault Divorce Turns Children into Commodities On how changes to marriage warp anthropology, the oneness of truth, and the oddness of the Nativity. Also, Damian Thompson joins the Editor’s Desk. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 8, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 7, 2026 at 5:55 PM

Why Creators Convert

Why Creators Convert On why so many creatives converted to Catholicism between 1890 and 1950, Shakespeare’s messy work environment, and HBO’s John Adams series. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 7, 2026 In today’s …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 7, 2026 at 12:30 PM

First Things Lectures: Bishop Robert Barron on Recovering the University’s Soul

First Things Lectures: Bishop Robert Barron on Recovering the University’s Soul Bishop Barron will deliver the annual Neuhaus Lecture Dear Reader, First Things, in partnership with New…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 6, 2026 at 6:12 PM

Trump’s Caracas Gambit

Trump’s Caracas Gambit On the morality of nabbing Maduro, modern infanticide, the feast of the Epiphany, Pope Leo's letter to priests, and the Declaration of Independence. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 6, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on the books we read in 2025, the darker workings of memory, and the New York Governor’s stance on MAiD. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles The Genius of Vince …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 5, 2026 at 3:58 PM

Wake Up Dead Man Captures the Beauty of Priestly Ministry

Wake Up Dead Man Captures the Beauty of Priestly Ministry Today, the priest who consulted on the latest Knives Out movie. Also, Mark Bauerlein’s book column and Edward Feser joins the Editor's Desk podcast. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 5, 202…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 4, 2026 at 9:59 PM

Sunday Spotlight: The Humanities

Sunday Spotlight: The Humanities From the archive, James Hankins, Mark Bauerlein, and Matthew J. Franck consider the humanities historically and through college presidents. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday is the golden clasp that bin…
  First Things · [email protected]
January 2, 2026 at 4:39 PM

The Lessons of Woodrow Wilson

The Lessons of Woodrow Wilson On how the Wilson administration gives us unexpected pointers for the Trump era, and the emotional rollercoaster of cheering for Alabama football. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 2, 2026 …
  First Things · [email protected]
January 1, 2026 at 5:40 PM

The Genius of Vince Gilligan's Pluribus

The Genius of Vince Gilligan's Pluribus On the hit television show, and the virtues of cultural Christianity. Daily Newsletter: JANUARY 1, 2026 In today’s newsletter: JASON M. BAXTER: The Genius of Vince Gi…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM

Our Most Popular Articles of 2025

Our Most Popular Articles of 2025 The year’s top ten articles, an appeal to the Governor of New York to halt the advance of MAiD, and reflections on our year in film and television. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 31, 2025 …
  R. R. Reno · [email protected]
December 30, 2025 at 11:00 PM

Close 2025 with Us

Close 2025 with Us Make a gift before midnight December 31st SUPPORT FIRST THINGS Dear Reader, Today we published one my favorite yearly pieces, "Our Year in Books." I encourage you t…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM

Our Year in Books

Our Year in Books Editors and contributors reflect on their 2025 reading, Caravaggio is considered in full, and the role of a moral core for America’s armed forces. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 30, 2025 In to…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on Tucker Carlson, the origins of “posliberalism” in theology, and the Chinese buying American babies. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles Make Me A Lutheran RIC…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM

The Smiling Archbishop of New York

The Smiling Archbishop of New York On Timothy Cardinal Dolan's tenure, the wrong way to solve the fertility crisis, haunting memories, and the root of Europe's problems. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 29, 2025 …
  R. R. Reno · [email protected]
December 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM

Make a Gift, Get a Book (or two)

Make a Gift, Get a Book (or two) Donate to First Things and receive a complimentary book SUPPORT FIRST THINGS Dear Reader, The staff at First Things enjoyed a restful and blessed Chri…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 28, 2025 at 9:59 PM

Sunday Spotlight: 2025

Sunday Spotlight: 2025 With over seven hundred articles published, First Things made its mark on 2025. From the archive, Paul Kingsnorth, Mary Harrington, and Robert Barron. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday is the golden clasp that bi…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM

What Does "Postliberalism" Mean?

What Does "Postliberalism" Mean? On the theological roots of liberalism and the turn against it, a Catholic ballet, and John Wilson's year of reading. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 26, 2025 In today’s newslett…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 25, 2025 at 3:35 PM

Wassailing at Christmas

Wassailing at Christmas Merry Christmas, from First Things. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 25, 2025 In today’s newsletter: FRANCIS YOUNG: Wassailing at Christmas …
  First Things · [email protected]
December 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM

Make Me A Lutheran

Make Me A Lutheran On a new translation of St. John Fisher's case against Luther, the tradition of keeping candles in the window, and a grievous new Canadian law. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 24, 2025 In toda…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM

What Vivek Gets Wrong About Citizenship

What Vivek Gets Wrong About Citizenship On what it takes to be an American, the liberal theologian who justified Traditiones Custodes, and the Right's civil war. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 23, 2025 In today…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on the European Bishops’ spinelessness, the 2025 Erasmus Lecture, and New York’s new death-for-the-old bill. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles The German Bisho…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 22, 2025 at 6:40 PM

Wealthy Chinese are Buying Babies—and American Citizenship

Wealthy Chinese are Buying Babies—and American Citizenship On how surrogacy allows Chinese nationals to buy U.S. citizenship, a bad change to canabis law, the goodness of work, and the Gospels of Christmas Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 22, 20…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM

Sunday Spotlight: Liturgy

Sunday Spotlight: Liturgy On how we worship. From the archive, a cardinal, a pope, and a protestant write on knowing Christ through silence and evangelicals, high and low. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday is the golden clasp that bind…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM

Pope Leo's China Dilemma

Pope Leo's China Dilemma On the Vatican’s tricky relationship with China, why Hegseth is right to overhaul the chaplaincy, the faces of postliberalism, and how to end vice. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 19, 2025 …
  First Things · [email protected]
December 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM

Kathy Hochul, Champion of the Culture of Death

Kathy Hochul, Champion of the Culture of Death On the New York assisted suicide bill, American empire in the 1990s, James Hankins retires from Harvard, the Rockettes and Jesus, and more. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 18, 2025 …
  First Things · [email protected]
December 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM

From Belzec to Bondi

From Belzec to Bondi On the Sydney terror attack, the lost souls of modernity, a bias-blinded book on the early Church, and the German bishops go too far. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 17, 2025 In today’s news…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM

In Praise of Translation

In Praise of Translation On how the many human tongues are not a punishment but a blessing. And, how divorce destroys the fundamental Western value of rootedness. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 16, 2025 In toda…
  First Things · [email protected]
December 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on Marian devotions and particularity, bringing Afghan wars home, and moving forward from liturgy wars. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles Trump’s NSS Is a Real…