Our purchasing decisions have massive implications beyond simply satisfying our immediate needs or desires. When we buy a product or support a business we inadvertently contribute to the values and principles these businesses uphold. This in turn influences the culture which then influences political action in our society.
by Pastor Andrew Isker The United States is well within a period of terminal decline. This is a cause of great discouragement and even despair for many. For many years the decline was noticeable but easy to deny. Slowly, imperceptibly you notice that things are not as good as you…
By: Jerry D, Plain Values This Month’s Question: What does restoration look like in your community? Answered by: Jerry D Miller, a minister in his local Amish church
The existing infrastructure and cultural norms in the West are increasingly hostile or incompatible with Christian values. In response to this reality many of us are turning towards the idea of building our own parallel infrastructure and communities, not unlike the pilgrims who were seeking new land and religious freedom…
Christians are often confronted with challenges that test their faith and convictions. In the face of today’s moral ambiguity and cultural relativism it is essential for believers to stand firm in their understanding of the Truth and take bold action. Christians need to shed their fears, refuse to tolerate evil,…
by ThinkingWest The most challenging period in which to select the great books of Christianity is the modern era. The sheer volume of Christian literature produced in the last two centuries makes extracting out “the best” a difficult task. Moreover, books written closer to the present have not yet been…
by Shawn & Beth Dougherty, Plain Values A Child comes in the back door with a full milk can; the screen door slaps shut behind him. There is the sound of a bucket being set on the bench, the clang of a bail handle against the side of the milk…
by J.Pilgrim I finally sorta-finished my greenhouse. It took eight trips to the homestead, spread over ten months, and cost roughly $4,000 out of the budgeted $3,000, without calculating fuel, food, and beer. I say “sorta”, because I still need to reinforce the roof by turning beams into trusses, then…
by Joel Salatin, Plain Values In animal husbandry and livestock production, probably the most common violation of God’s design is failure to mimic animal movement. Whether it’s a horse paddock, dog run, or a 1,000 cow herd, keeping animals requires intentional and managed movement. Studying God’s design in nature reveals…
by ThinkingWest In our third installment of the Great Books of Christianity, we explore the works hailing from one of the most tumultuous times in Christian history: the Reformation. As new forms of Christianity spread throughout the West, theologians on all sides sharpened their pens and duked it out on…
by Nic Stoltzfus, Plain Values I first moved to Pennsylvania in the fall of 2018 to become caretaker of the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead in Reading. I was also nearing completion of a coffee-table book I was working on: German Lutherans to Pennsylvania Amish: The Stoltzfus Family Story. I was unsure…
by Jerry D, Plain Values This Month’s Question: The balance between the blessings and pit-falls of modern-day technology can be hard to find. How do we balance using technology with staying connected to our community? Answered by: Jerry D Miller, a minister in his local Amish church
In today’s clown world people are seeking effective means to express their beliefs and fight for causes they hold dear. While protests, social media activism, and political engagement are common approaches, a lesser-known yet powerful weapon in the culture war lies in our purchasing power. The ability to shape corporate…
by Kilts Khalfan We live in a planetary Art War. Want proof? Look at what is paraded in front of children in the name of Art in 2023. I am talking of course about the Drag Queens that have invaded public libraries across the Western Hemisphere. Why is this concept…
by ThinkingWest Christianity is no stranger to the great books of the West and stands out among the great books as the inspiration for many of the foundational works of philosophy, literature, and science. Thus, there are a subset of great books in the West that aim to study Christianity…
