Myth, J.R.R. Tolkien thought, can convey the sort of profound truth that is intransigent to description or analysis in terms of facts and figures. But, Tolkien admitted, myth can be dangerous if it remains pagan. Therefore, one must sanctify it. To enter faerie—that is, a sacramental and liturgical understanding of creation—is to open oneself to […]
Fantasy shows us ourselves in the light of the fullness of the natural and supernatural reality in which we find ourselves. Does so-called fantasy literature have any relevance to the so-called real world? Such a question is worth asking and indeed answering but can only be addressed if we have a clear understanding of what […]
The film “Maestro” is certainly well made—there is striking imagery throughout, in both black-and-white and color—and well-acted, with Bradley Cooper (who also directed) carrying off a spot-on impersonation of Leonard Bernstein. But at its core is an emptiness that no mere artifice can fill. Writers for the movies, I have found, don’t seem to know […]
I find that acknowledging my enemies does not make me hate them more. It makes me less resentful than thinking about them as traitorous friends. Having more enemies, I believe, will sharpen my mind to the reality that in this new year I will have many fights that I must fight and also many opportunities […]
As you celebrate New Year’s Day remember that for one thousand years the welcoming of a new year was not just a calendar event, but a culturally religious event which linked the renewal of nature with the redemption of the world. Some atheists, Muslims, and Christian fundamentalists like to grumble and gibe that the celebration […]
Think that Franklin and Jefferson celebrated the victory at Yorktown with a cheap jug of Wal-Mart red? Or signed the Declaration of Independence with a few six-packs (even of Sam Adams beer)? If so, you may be reading the wrong online journal. When celebrating anything important, for dinner-parties or even just drinking with friends, it […]
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ~Philippians 4:8 I pray that The Imaginative Conservative lifts your spirits and brings to your life things excellent and praiseworthy. Our work is made possible by the generous […]
The new year always makes us yearn for the “new”—and when we say “new” we mean a fresh start. Yet this desire often blots out what God has already given us. My last name, “Nee,” is quite odd—terribly short and simple and, yet, somehow often mispronounced (it’s just like “knee,” by the way, and should […]
Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay—Stay till the good old year,So long companion of our way,Shakes hands, and leaves us here.Oh stay, oh stay,One little hour, and then away. The year, whose hopes were high and strong,Has now no hopes to wake;Yet one hour more of jest and songFor his familiar sake.Oh stay, oh […]
It’s almost the end of the year, and almost your last opportunity in 2023 to support The Imaginative Conservative. Our journal is now more than thirteen years old. Perhaps you have traveled with us since that day in 2010 when we embarked on our mission is to preserve the transcendentals, the “permanent things” that constitute the glory of Western Civilization. […]
Welcome, Login to your account.
Welcome, Create your new account
A password will be e-mailed to you.