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

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  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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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…
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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 …
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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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…
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December 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM

Evangelicals’ Elite Problem

Evangelicals’ Elite Problem On why there are no evangelical elites, why there will never be female deacons, the new president of Chile, and a somber start to Hanukkah. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 15, 2025 In…
  R. R. Reno · [email protected]
December 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM

Double Your Impact

Double Your Impact Help First Things fulfill a matching donation SUPPORT FIRST THINGS Dear Reader, I'm pleased to tell you that in response to our Gratitude Tuesday update, we've rece…
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December 14, 2025 at 5:59 AM

Sunday Spotlight: Mistreated Jesuits

Sunday Spotlight: Mistreated Jesuits The Society of Jesus is not always kind to its own. From the archive, three notable Jesuits who were mistreated: Mankowski, Danielou, and de Lubac. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday is the golden cl…
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December 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM

Same-Sex Marriage and the European Bishops

Same-Sex Marriage and the European Bishops On Catholic bishops and European Union, the life and legacy of a Catholic lawyer, and unexpected book recommendations. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 12, 2025 In today…
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December 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM

Exclusive Preview of First Things' Catholic newsletter

Exclusive Preview of First Things' Catholic newsletter Enjoy an excerpt of the second edition of the Fourth Watch: Why Newman, Why Now? ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ …
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December 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM

Now Is the Time to Fix Immigration

Now Is the Time to Fix Immigration On the future of immigration policy and a Christian monument under attack. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 11, 2025 In today’s newsletter: MICHAEL A. SCAPERLANDA: Now Is the Ti…
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December 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM

Trump’s National Security Strategy Is a Reality Check

Trump’s National Security Strategy Is a Reality Check On what Trump gets right about Europe, an attempted cancelation of one of our writers, the particularity of Marian devotion, and Rome and the USCCB. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 10, 2025 …
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December 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM

How Globalization Led to Tribalism

How Globalization Led to Tribalism On how globalized information technology and immigration brought Afghan warfare to the United States. Also, Luma Simms on mercy, truth, and annulment. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 9, 2025 …
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December 9, 2025 at 1:14 AM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on the Canada’s lawless abortion industry, blasphemy laws in the UK, and a Nobel laureate economist’s suicide. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles What Does The …
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December 8, 2025 at 8:10 PM

The Antidote to Right-Wing Resentment

The Antidote to Right-Wing Resentment On the need for heroic zeal to counter envy, Vatican 2 at sixty, and assisted suicide meets resistance in Illinois. Also, Sohrab Ahmari talks Gen Z. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 8, 2025 …
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December 7, 2025 at 5:59 AM

Sunday Spotlight: Heresy in Judaism

Sunday Spotlight: Heresy in Judaism How do Jews define against heresy? From the archive, three articles on the Mosaic foundations of Orthodox faith, Spinoza, and Jewish messianism. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday is the golden clasp …
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December 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM

Pope Leo’s Spiritual Reading

Pope Leo’s Spiritual Reading Can the book The Practice of the Presence of God tell us anything about this pontificate? Also, correcting the order of Christ's last words. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 5, 2025 I…
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December 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM

The Return of Blasphemy Laws?

The Return of Blasphemy Laws? On charges of desecration against a UK Qur’an burner and late-term abortion in Canada. Also, R. R. Reno and J. J. Kimche discuss the Sabbath. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 4, 2025 …
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December 3, 2025 at 5:54 PM

Nick Fuentes and Richard Hanania’s Paganism

Nick Fuentes and Richard Hanania’s Paganism On how Nick Fuentes wears Christianity as a skin suit, why an expert in decision making ended his own life, and George Weigel’s gift guide. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 3, 2025 …
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December 2, 2025 at 8:30 PM

Christian Ownership Maximalism

Christian Ownership Maximalism On why Christians should own the means of production, the deleterious effects of Catholic suburbia, and a saint-filled vision of education. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 2, 2025 …
  Matteo at First Things · [email protected]
December 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM

Gratitude Tuesday

Gratitude Tuesday A Thank You from First Things SUPPORT FIRST THINGS Dear Reader, Last April, I joined First Things as director of advancement. With Fall, the season of harvest, reflect…
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December 2, 2025 at 1:59 AM

Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Last week’s most read articles on the Nuremburg film, the Department of Education, William F. Buckley, and the life and writings of Walker Percy. Readers’ Choice: Last Week’s Most Read Articles My Judgmen…
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December 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM

The Secret of Mexico's Faith

The Secret of Mexico's Faith Read the first installment of The Fourth Watch, our Catholic newsletter. Also, how Mexico kept the faith and the humble origins of the first apostle. Daily Newsletter: DECEMBER 1, 2025 …
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November 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Sunday Spotlight: Jim Keating

Sunday Spotlight: Jim Keating James F. Keating writes a newsletter about Catholicism. From the archive, three articles on confession, Catholic colleges, and a Balthazarian. PRESENTS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT Sunday is the golden clasp that bin…
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November 28, 2025 at 4:54 PM

British Catholicism's Bright Future

British Catholicism's Bright Future On Britain's growing Catholic communities, the saint the U.K.'s National Trust wants to remain forgotten, and the burden of Christian leadership. Daily Newsletter: NOVEMBER 28, 2025 …
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November 27, 2025 at 3:56 PM

Thanksgiving Linguistics

Thanksgiving Linguistics On the connection between thanking and thinking, God's inestimable gifts, and the staff's book recommendations. Daily Newsletter: NOVEMBER 27, 2025 In today’s newsletter: JOSHUA T. …