Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

rug

(82,333 posts)
Fri Feb 17, 2017, 08:50 PM Feb 2017

Michael Novak, theologian who made a spiritual case for capitalism, dies at 83

By Emily Langer
February 17 at 7:27 PM

Michael Novak, a Catholic philosopher who helped carve a space for religion in modern politics, diplomacy and economics, arguing that capitalism is the economic system most likely to achieve the spiritual goods of defeating poverty and encouraging human creativity, died Feb. 17 at his home in Washington. He was 83.

The cause was complications from colon cancer, said his daughter Jana Novak.

Mr. Novak, who spent his formative years in the seminary, was widely recognized as one of the most influential Catholic theologians of his generation. He was the 1994 recipient of the Templeton Prize, which honors makers of an “exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension” and is accompanied by a monetary award exceeding that of the Nobel Prize.

In a measure of Mr. Novak’s influence within the Catholic Church, he was received and consulted by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. He was at times a professor, a columnist, chief U.S. delegate to the U.N. Human Rights Commission and, for several decades, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, the conservative think tank in Washington.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/michael-novak-theologian-who-made-a-spiritual-case-for-capitalism-dies-at-83/2017/02/17/fa38989c-f212-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html?utm_term=.f2c000e2a7ab

An intellectual scumbag for whom I offer the Prayer of Saint Gertrude:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Michael Novak, theologian who made a spiritual case for capitalism, dies at 83 (Original Post) rug Feb 2017 OP
Good riddance! 50 Shades Of Blue Feb 2017 #1
Amen! shrike Feb 2017 #2
I like to think that Novak was naive. Willie Pep Feb 2017 #3
In the 60s and early 70s he was on the left and very much anti-war. rug Feb 2017 #4
Good riddance to bad rubbish! meow2u3 Mar 2017 #5

Willie Pep

(841 posts)
3. I like to think that Novak was naive.
Tue Feb 28, 2017, 04:19 PM
Feb 2017

I remember Novak being in a debate from a several years ago where he faced off against Charles M.A. Clark and Thomas Storck in a capitalism vs. socialism vs. distributism debate. Novak mentioned that labor unions were a salutary part of capitalism yet he also worked for anti-union outfits like the American Enterprise Institute. I don't get it.

 

rug

(82,333 posts)
4. In the 60s and early 70s he was on the left and very much anti-war.
Tue Feb 28, 2017, 07:14 PM
Feb 2017

From the late 70s forward he became very much a neocon. It was a real shame. The right doesn't need the intellectual cover he gave them for the last 40 years.

meow2u3

(24,922 posts)
5. Good riddance to bad rubbish!
Wed Mar 1, 2017, 09:58 AM
Mar 2017

He's finally facing judgment from God and I don't think it's going to be pretty for him. BTA, it's up to God.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity»Michael Novak, theologian...