Dear NR editor,
Charles R. Kesler's excellent review of Michael Novak's book On Two Wings (The Eagle's Flight, 8 Apr 02) questions whether the Whig belief in guaranteed progress is justified in view of man's ability to either obey or disobey God's commands. But God has promised ultimate victory regardless of what man does. Also, Kesler seems uncomfortable basing American principles on religious faith alone, preferring it to be co-based on "our special rank in nature - a truth that plain reason can grasp as self-evident." I'd respond that this is the same "self-evident" truth that has been attacked continuously since Darwin and that the appearance of "self-evidence" is, at least in part and perhaps wholly, due to our Judeo-Christian heritage. Very interesting review!
Steven P. Sawyer