Thoughtful writing at the intersection of faith, public service, and constitutional principles.
Definitions of key terms in Catholic grace theology: prevenient grace, sufficient and efficacious grace, sanctifying and actual grace, monergism vs. synergism, justification, and more.
A Catholic convert defends and steelmans the claim that Protestantism's deepest assumption is that Christianity went wrong for 1,500 years before Luther.
A Catholic exegesis of 2 Kings 13:20–21: the Hebrew, the LXX, Sirach 48, and the patristic case that Elisha's bones warrant relic veneration.
What archaeology, the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Catholic doctrine say about whether King David was a real historical figure.
A scholarly account of Saint Andrew the Apostle: New Testament sources, the Patras martyrdom, the saltire X-cross legend, the relics, and Scottish patronage.
How the Article 32 preliminary hearing works after the FY 2014 and FY 2015 NDAA reforms — narrower scope, paper-based practice, waiver, and the OSTC interaction.
What the deuterocanonical books (the seven books most Protestants call the Apocrypha) are, where they came from, and why Christians disagree about them.
Delaware's irrevocable-proxy doctrine after Hawkins, Daniel, and CII Parent — what § 212(e) drafters need to do differently in 2026.
A comprehensive guide to church history covering the ecumenical councils, the Great Schism, the Reformation, and the development of Christian doctrine — from a Yale Divinity graduate.
Evaristus is the fifth pope—a name on Irenaeus's list. Here's what the earliest sources actually say, and what the Liber Pontificalis added 400 years later.
The Catholic tradition from Augustine to Leo XIV—plus the secular law of armed conflict—applied to the 2026 U.S.–Iran war. A lawyer's neutral walk-through.
1 Samuel 5:1–5 explained: the Philistine grain god Dagon falls face-down before the ark at Ashdod, head and hands severed on the threshold. Catholic typology.
An indulgence isn't a Get-Out-of-Hell card, and the Church never taught it was. What indulgences actually are—plus the history Luther was right to protest.
The Council of Trent (1545–1563) answered the Reformation, defined Catholic doctrine on Scripture, justification, and the sacraments, and reshaped the Church.
Ephesus (431) condemned Nestorius, defined Mary as Theotokos, and fixed the single-subject Christology every later ecumenical council inherited.
Apostolic succession traced from AD 96 to the 1992 Catechism: the patristic evidence, Tertullian’s legal logic, the Protestant critique, and why three in four Christians still require it.
A Yale MDiv convert's case for the Real Presence and transubstantiation—steelmanning Zwingli, Calvin, Luther, Carson, and Mathison, then answering each.
Why did Samuel drop the divine name from Eli's instruction in 1 Samuel 3:10? An exegetical study of the gradual Israelite silence around the Tetragrammaton.
Clement of Rome wrote our earliest post-apostolic Christian letter. His message to Corinth still shapes apostolic succession and Roman primacy debates.
Few New Testament books faced more persistent doubt than 2 Peter. Its disputed authorship, weak patristic attestation, and long road to the canon.
The most popular Christian text you've never heard of — and how the Church discerned that the Shepherd of Hermas belonged to Tradition, not Scripture.
Hebrews—anonymous, disputed, indispensable. Its three-century canonical battle and the theology that shaped Catholic worship.
Few books shaped early Christianity as deeply as Matthew. Explore its authorship debates, composition, theology, and canonical status.
The third Bishop of Rome is named at every Mass, yet almost nothing about him can be verified. The honest history of Anacletus, the pope history can barely see.
Nearly everything claimed about Pope Linus dissolves under scrutiny—yet he remains the earliest test case for apostolic succession. What does the evidence actually say?
Calvinism vs. Catholicism explained side-by-side: authority, salvation, sacraments, predestination, the Church, and Mary. A scholarly 2026 comparison of the two great Augustinian traditions.
Did the Catholic Church ban the Bible? Examining the councils, indices, and regional restrictions—what's myth, what's exaggeration, and what's actually true.
The life of Simon Peter—first among the apostles and first pope—traced through Scripture, the Church Fathers, and modern archaeology at Capernaum and Rome.
What does John 1:6 mean? A Catholic exegesis of the Greek—the ἦν/ἐγένετο contrast, the perfect participle ἀπεσταλμένος, and John the Baptist as witness.
What does 'uncover his feet' mean in Ruth 3:4? The Hebrew euphemism debate, three scholarly camps, and why Catholic exegesis must hold the ambiguity.
An exegetical study of 1 Samuel 2:25—the Hebrew ḥāpēṣ, the hardening tradition, and the Catholic response from Aquinas to Trent to De Auxiliis.
How Catholic inerrancy handles the conquest of Canaan, the Aqedah, the imprecatory psalms, and other hard Old Testament passages. Five approaches.
The Army's Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC) at TJAGLCS in Charlottesville: schedule, curriculum, daily life, and a week-by-week firsthand account.
Discover the Church of the East—one of Christianity's three ancient apostolic branches, stretching from Mesopotamia to China. Explore its apostolic origins, the Christological controversy of 431, its extraordinary missionary expansion, and its enduring witness today.
Explore Donatism, the fourth-century heresy that refused the Church's sacraments because its ministers were sinners. Examine Augustine's response, the doctrine of ex opere operato, and how Donatism resurfaces today in fundamentalism and rigorism.
The complete list of ex cathedra papal statements: only two are universally recognized — Ineffabilis Deus (1854) and Munificentissimus Deus (1950) — plus disputed candidates including Benedictus Deus, Unam Sanctam, and Ordinatio Sacerdotalis. Vatican I's four conditions explained.
A charitable Catholic case for Marian devotion, answering Protestant objections from Scripture, the Fathers, and the Reformers themselves.
A balanced Catholic assessment of Martin Luther: honest acknowledgment of medieval abuses he rightly condemned, examination of his theological claims, and rigorous critique of his solutions and later works.
Modern per stirpes divides at the first generation with a living heir. Worked diagrams, classic vs. modern comparison, and a state-by-state breakdown.
Yale Divinity School's acceptance rate is roughly 23% for the 2025–2027 cycles. A recent M.Div. graduate's complete 2026 guide: degree options, essays, full-tuition aid, and what to expect.
Did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter? A Catholic reading of Judges 11 with Augustine, Aquinas, the Fathers, the Catechism, and the full exegetical tradition.
Peter Abelard's relational theory of the atonement, its limits, and how Catholic teaching holds objective and subjective redemption together.
Can AI-generated works be copyrighted? The Copyright Office denies purely AI output protection but allows AI-assisted works with human creative control. Full 2026 guide to the case law, USCO guidance, and AI-training fair use rulings.
Who is the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament? A Catholic survey of the biblical evidence, the major interpretive positions, and why this mysterious figure matters for Christology.
How Athanasius understood Christ's work through incarnation, deification, and the triumph over death—resources for a richer Catholic theology of the cross.
How Augustine's Trinitarian theology shaped atonement doctrine—victory, sacrifice, grace, and love united in Catholic soteriology.
What is Christus Victor? The earliest Christian atonement theory teaches that Christ defeated sin, death, and the devil. Explore the Church Fathers' witness.
How the Golden-Mouthed Father understood Christ's atonement through victory, ransom, sacrifice, and exchange—a patristic synthesis that enriches Catholic theology.
The first sale doctrine (17 USC § 109) lets you resell, lend, or gift copies you lawfully own — but digital files and licenses complicate the rule.
Gregory of Nyssa's Christus Victor theology: the fishhook, divine deception, theosis, and universal restoration in early patristic soteriology.
What is a patent? Learn how U.S. patent law protects inventions, the three types of patents, and the requirements for obtaining patent protection.
A comprehensive guide to biblical inerrancy—what it means, its history from the Chicago Statement to Vatican II, how Catholics understand it differently from evangelicals, and how to approach apparent contradictions in Scripture.
An honest guide to confessional PhD programs in New Testament studies — Baylor, Wheaton, Fuller, Dallas, Boston College, CUA, Fordham, and Marquette. Faculty, funding, placement ceilings, and trade-offs.
What is the difference between biblical inerrancy and infallibility? A Yale-trained Catholic explores how these two doctrines differ, where they overlap, and why the distinction matters for how we read Scripture.
Is Yale Divinity School worth the cost, time, and challenge? An M.Div. graduate evaluates the academics, community, career outcomes, and spiritual formation at YDS.
A candid guide to the top PhD programs in New Testament studies. Faculty, funding, placement, and honest drawbacks for Yale, Duke, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and more.
A complete breakdown of Yale Divinity School's current Master of Divinity degree requirements — the 2025 cohort-based curriculum, prescribed courses, Integrative Seminar, internship, and electives.
Apparent authority allows an agent to bind a principal even without actual authorization — if the principal's conduct reasonably led the third party to believe the agent was authorized.
An agent who acts without actual authority breaches the implied warranty of authority and may be personally liable to the third party for resulting damages.
Canon 28 of the Council of Chalcedon (451) recognized Constantinople as 'new Rome' with privileges second only to old Rome. Why Pope Leo rejected it — and why it still matters.
What is the Chalcedonian Definition? The 451 AD formula declared Christ is one person in two natures — divine and human — 'without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.'
The distinction between disclosed, unidentified, and undisclosed principals determines who bears liability when an agent enters a contract on a principal's behalf.
A complete breakdown of Yale Divinity School's pre-2025 Master of Divinity degree requirements — the five-area distribution framework, credit hours, content areas, language courses, placement exams, and electives.
What is Arianism? A Catholic guide to the Arian heresy — what Arius actually taught, why it was condemned at Nicaea, and why the debate over Christ's divinity still matters.
How does classical theism differ from process theology? A side-by-side comparison of divine simplicity, omnipotence, immutability, creation ex nihilo, and the God-world relationship.
What did Cyril of Alexandria teach about the light shining in the darkness? Exploring his Commentary on John, divine inviolability, and human vulnerability.
What do the Dead Sea Scrolls reveal about Jewish apocalypticism? A study of the Community Rule, the War Scroll, the light-darkness dualism of Qumran, and how it connects to the New Testament.
Did Constantine invent Christianity or choose what books went in the Bible? A historian's guide to what Constantine actually did — and didn't do — at the Council of Nicaea.
What are the Gnostic Gospels? A Catholic guide to the Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip, Apocryphon of John, and other Nag Hammadi texts—what they say and why they matter.
How does Gnosticism differ from Christianity? A Catholic comparison of their views on God, creation, Jesus, salvation, scripture, and the body—and why it matters today.
Everything you need to know about JASOC—the Air Force Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course at Maxwell AFB. Schedule, curriculum, and firsthand tips from a former JAG officer.
What does the Nicene Creed mean? A Catholic phrase-by-phrase guide to the full text of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed — its history, theology, and why it still matters.
A comprehensive guide to the War Scroll (1QM) from the Dead Sea Scrolls: the 40-year eschatological battle, angelic warfare, priestly liturgy, and what this reveals about Jesus's rejection of violent messianism.
What is Gnosticism? A Catholic guide to proto-Gnostic currents, the 2nd-century systems, the Nag Hammadi texts, and the Church Fathers' response through canon, creed, and doctrine.
What is process theology? A clear introduction to Whitehead's process philosophy, dipolar theism, panentheism, and how process theology differs from classical Christian theism.
A comprehensive guide to the Essenes, the Jewish sectarian community at Qumran that preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls. Discover their beliefs, practices, and significance for understanding Jesus's world.
What is Augustine's massa damnata? This essay examines the doctrine of the condemned mass, its biblical roots, its role in the Thomist-Molinist debate, and its continuing significance for Catholic theology of grace and predestination.
What is comparative theology? A Catholic introduction to the method, with examples from Catholic-Orthodox and Catholic-Protestant dialogue.
What is it like to be a conservative at a liberal seminary? A Yale MDiv graduate shares lessons from three years as one of the few conservatives at Yale Divinity School.
A comprehensive guide to estate planning in Arkansas covering wills, trusts, probate, inheritance, and tax strategies — written by an Arkansas attorney.
Is Yale Divinity School liberal? A Yale MDiv graduate examines the Buckley Institute data, shares firsthand experience, and answers the most common questions about YDS.
A former JAG officer with six years of service breaks down what's actually wrong with the military justice system, why Hegseth's diagnosis is correct, and what real JAG Corps reform should look like.
Yale Divinity School has zero Republican faculty. The Buckley Institute's 2026 report confirms what one conservative MDiv graduate saw firsthand. Here's what the data shows.
What does John 1:5 mean? A study of the Greek—the present tense of φαίνει, the double meaning of κατέλαβεν, and the already/not yet of eschatology.
From 36,000 members to under 14,000—what happened to the Jesuits? A historically grounded Catholic assessment of the Society of Jesus's decline.
Complete Army DCC guide: fitness standards, packing lists, week-by-week breakdown, and insider tips from a JAG officer who went through the course. Learn what to expect.
An interactive packing checklist for the Army's Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Benning — documents, uniforms, personal items, training supplies, and prohibited items.
A comprehensive guide to the intellectual journey from evangelical Protestantism to Roman Catholicism — from sola scriptura to the Church Fathers, from faith alone to the fullness of Catholic tradition.
A comprehensive examination of the Catholic Counter-Reformation: the Council of Trent, the founding of the Jesuits, and the Church's response to the Protestant Reformation.
Can God know the future and humans still be free? The Catholic intellectual tradition offers robust answers through Thomism and Molinism. Here’s how they work and why they matter.
What happens in an Orthodox Divine Liturgy? A guide to the structure, theology, and meaning of Eastern Christian worship.
A comprehensive Catholic guide to the theology of divine providence and free will. Covers Thomism, Molinism, open theism, process theology, divine simplicity, foreknowledge, and how the Catholic tradition reconciles God's sovereignty with human freedom.
A side-by-side comparison of the four major Christian models of divine providence: Thomism, Molinism, open theism, and process theology. How they differ on foreknowledge, freedom, sovereignty, and evil.
An exploration of divine simplicity—the doctrine that God is utterly simple, without composition or division. How this classical Catholic teaching shapes our understanding of God's nature and attributes.
Does God know the future? The Catholic Church teaches that God's knowledge is exhaustive, encompassing even the free acts of creatures. Here's what that means and why it matters.
What are the Eastern Catholic Churches? A comprehensive guide to the 23 sui iuris churches in communion with Rome — their history, liturgy, theology, and role in Catholic-Orthodox ecumenism.
Vatican I defined papal infallibility and primacy while defending faith against rationalism. Explore its two major constitutions, the context that prompted it, and its enduring significance for Catholic theology.
The Great Schism of 1054 divided Christianity into East and West. Explore the theological, political, and cultural causes — from the Filioque to papal authority — and why the split endures.
Gregory Boyd is arguably the most publicly visible advocate of open theism. A Catholic evaluation of his major works—God of the Possible, Satan and the Problem of Evil, and Is God to Blame?—and the theological vision they present.
Molinism and Thomism are the two great Catholic frameworks for reconciling divine sovereignty and human freedom. Are they truly incompatible, or can insights from both traditions be harmonized?
What is the Jesus Prayer and why is it central to Orthodox spirituality? Explore hesychasm, Gregory Palamas, and the prayer of the heart.
What is Molinism? Luis de Molina's middle knowledge (scientia media), the De Auxiliis controversy, and how Molinism compares to Thomism and Calvinism.
What is open theism? A Catholic evaluation of the open model of God, its scriptural case, philosophical arguments, and why it falls outside defined Catholic dogma.
How do open theism and Molinism differ on divine foreknowledge, human freedom, and providence? A Catholic comparison of two frameworks for understanding God’s knowledge of the future.
Open theism and process theology both reject exhaustive divine foreknowledge, but they differ profoundly on creation, omnipotence, and God's nature. A Catholic comparison of these two critiques of classical theism.
A chapter-by-chapter summary of The Openness of God (1994) by Pinnock, Rice, Sanders, Hasker, and Basinger—the book that brought open theism to mainstream evangelical attention—with a Catholic evaluation of its arguments.
What is the difference between Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches? Explore the Council of Chalcedon, Christology, and reunion efforts.
A guide to the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar — the Twelve Great Feasts, fasting periods, Pascha, and how the Church sanctifies time.
Orthodox vs. Catholic vs. Protestant — the key differences explained. A side-by-side comparison of authority, salvation, sacraments, worship, and what all three traditions still share. Updated 2026.
New to Eastern Orthodoxy? A beginner's guide to Orthodox beliefs, worship, sacraments, and what makes the Orthodox Church unique.
Why do Orthodox and Catholic Easter fall on different dates? Explore the calendar, theology, and liturgical differences between Pascha and Easter.
A comprehensive guide to fasting in the Eastern Orthodox Church — the four major fasting periods, weekly fasts, dietary rules, and the spiritual theology behind Orthodox asceticism.
What are Orthodox icons and why do Eastern Christians venerate them? Explore the theology of icons, the iconoclasm crisis, and how icon veneration differs from idolatry.
What is Orthodox monasticism and why does it matter? Explore the Desert Fathers, Mount Athos, hesychasm, and the monastic ideal in Eastern Christianity.
What are the real differences between Orthodox and Catholic theology? A point-by-point comparison of papal authority, the Filioque, original sin, and sacraments.
How do Orthodox and Protestant Christians differ on Scripture, salvation, sacraments, and worship? A point-by-point theological comparison.
What is process theology? An examination of Whitehead's dipolar theism, panentheism, and the rejection of classical divine attributes—and why the Catholic Church cannot accept it.
What does Romans 9–11 really teach about election and predestination? This Catholic interpretation engages Thomism, Molinism, Calvinism, and Arminianism — the most comprehensive treatment online.
Definitions of key theological and philosophical terms in the debate over divine providence, foreknowledge, and free will: from actus purus to scientia media.
What is theosis? A comprehensive guide to the Christian doctrine of deification — from its biblical roots through the Church Fathers to its place in Orthodox and Catholic theology today.
Can a Christian lose their salvation? The Catholic Church teaches that mortal sin can sever one's relationship with God — but that grace can always be restored through repentance.
How do Catholic and Calvinist views of predestination differ? A comparison of Thomism, Molinism, and Reformed theology on election, grace, and free will.
Governor Sanders was asked to leave a Little Rock restaurant. This essay examines what the Croissanterie incident reveals about political hatred, tolerance, and the slow death of civic life in America.
What do John 1:3–4 mean in the Gospel of John? A close reading in the original Greek — the punctuation of ὃ γέγονεν, Incarnation as life in the Word, and Chalcedonian Christology.
What does Lumen Gentium 16 teach about salvation outside the Church? A clear Catholic explanation of LG 14-16, extra ecclesiam nulla salus, and invincible ignorance.
Understand Pelagianism vs. semi-Pelagianism: why both heresies were condemned, their impact on theology, and what they teach about grace and salvation.
How William F. Buckley Jr. and Frank Meyer unified traditionalists, libertarians, and anti-communists into a coherent movement—and whether that coalition can survive.
A firsthand account of the William F. Buckley Jr. Program at Yale—what it does, why it matters, and what it's like to be a conservative Fellow on a campus that would rather you weren't.
What happened at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD? A Catholic examination of the Arian crisis, the meaning of homoousios, and why the Nicene Creed still defines Christian orthodoxy.
A personal reflection on William F. Buckley Jr.'s God and Man at Yale—what it got right and why its core argument is more relevant now than in 1951.
A scholarly glossary of key Greek terms in John 1:1–18 — Logos, theos, sarx, doxa, and more — with theological significance for understanding the Prologue.
Five major heresies misread John 1: Arianism, Modalism, Adoptionism, Ditheism, and Docetism. Learn what each taught, where they went wrong, and how the Church's response was anchored in the text.
Explore the Catholic understanding of the imago Dei, human dignity, and our calling as beings created in God's image through Scripture, the Fathers, and Vatican II.
Is Jesus God? A biblical and theological examination of the deity of Christ, from New Testament texts through the Councils, addressing common objections and theological implications.
A Buckley Fellow reflects on God and Man at Yale, dinner with Rich Lowry, and why intellectual conservatism matters more than ever.
What is the Holy Trinity? A Catholic explanation of one God in three persons — the scriptural foundations, Nicene doctrine, and why it matters for the Christian life.
The theological foundations of conservative thought - from natural law to human dignity - and why conservatism without Christianity is a house built on sand.
The case for engaging the strongest progressive arguments rather than caricaturing them—drawn from Buckley's example, Mill's logic, Aquinas's method, and three years at Yale Divinity School.
How to become an Army officer: compare West Point, ROTC, OCS, and DCC. Eligibility, duration, cost, and which path is right for your military career.
A complete guide to becoming an Army JAG officer — from application and selection boards to DCC, JAG School, and your first duty station, by a JAG veteran.
A detailed comparison of the Army’s Direct Commission Course (DCC) and Officer Candidate School (OCS)—eligibility, duration, career fields, and which path fits your goals.
What does John 1:2 mean? A close reading in the original Greek — why the repetition guards against Modalism and polytheism, and what it reveals about God.
What is Modalism? A Catholic examination of the heresy that denied the real distinction of Father, Son, and Spirit — its origins, key proponents, and why the Church condemned it.
Apollinarius of Laodicea denied that Christ had a human rational mind, replacing it with the divine Logos. Gregory of Nazianzus's devastating reply—'what is not assumed is not healed'—sealed the condemnation at Constantinople I (381).
What does bara (בָּרָא) mean in Hebrew? The biblical verb for 'create' in Genesis 1:1 explained — its grammar, its 54 occurrences, why God is its only subject, and what it means for creation theology.
The wedding at Cana and the crucifixion share extraordinary parallels — drink, thirst, the hour, and the mother of Jesus. These connections are the key to understanding John's Gospel.
A fair, sourced comparison of the major interpretations of Genesis 1, examining Young Earth Creationism, Old Earth Creationism, the Framework Hypothesis, Cosmic Temple Inauguration, theological narratives, and their relationship to Catholic teaching and modern science.
Explore Walton's Lost World series: a guide to six volumes on Genesis, law, and Old Testament interpretation. Summaries, reading order, and theological themes.
The Meletian Schism divided the Egyptian church over lapsed Christians during the Diocletian persecution. Learn how it shaped the Council of Nicaea's Canon 6 and intersected with Arianism.
Jesus addresses Mary as 'woman' at Cana and the cross. The Greek term gynai is respectful but unprecedented when used by a son for his mother. What does John's Gospel accomplish by marking this address?
Jesus bypassed his own brothers to commend his mother to the Beloved Disciple. This was not just filial care -- it was a theological act that reshaped how we read John's Gospel.
From the mother of Jesus to Mary Magdalene, women play a more prominent role in John's Gospel than in any other. Here's a comprehensive analysis of every major female figure in the Fourth Gospel.
A deep dive into John 1:1 in the original Greek—the Logos, Colwell's rule, Nicene consubstantiality, and why this verse is the whole Gospel.
A Catholic verse-by-verse commentary on the Prologue to John's Gospel (John 1:1–18) — exploring the Greek text, Trinitarian theology, and the Church's doctrinal tradition.
A review of Catherine Cornille's Meaning and Method in Comparative Theology — her framework for studying other religions without syncretism.
How Vespasian and Titus used Judaea Capta coins to broadcast Rome's victory over the Jewish Revolt and assert imperial dominance across the empire.
How Joseph Ratzinger's writings on doubt cultivate Christian humility—and why the humble submission of doubt to faith is more honest than relativism.
What does 1 Timothy 2:4 mean for Catholic theology? A reflection on Catechism §74, predestination, free will, and God's universal desire for salvation.
The God of the Old Testament is only partially revealed. In Christ, that progressive revelation reaches its fullness, and no further revelation follows.
Jesus Christ is the full revelation of God. CCC 65-67 on why no public revelation will supplement or surpass Christ, the Father's definitive Word.
How Joseph Ratzinger grounds theology in the Church as a living conversation with God, drawing humanity together in Christ's liberating work.
Inclusivism vs. pluralism: how each theology handles salvation, religious diversity, and Christ's role—with Catholic, Hick, and Pannenberg perspectives.
How God progressively revealed himself through Noah, Abraham, and Israel—a Catholic reflection on Catechism §§ 54–64 and salvation history.
Why did God reveal himself gradually? A Catholic reflection on Catechism §§ 51–53 and the divine pedagogy that prepared humanity to receive Christ.
Do contradictions undermine biblical authority? A Catholic look at inerrancy, Dei Verbum § 11, and reading Scripture for the truth it teaches for our salvation.
What does divine condescension mean? Explore how God's loving condescension shapes revelation and grace. A Catholic theological reflection on God's gentle approach to humanity.
“Man is by nature and vocation a religious being…He lives a fully human life only if he freely lives by his bond with God.”
Since our knowledge of God is limited, our language about him is equally so. The Catechism teaches that we can name God only by taking creatures as our starting point—and that our words always fall short of the mystery.
“In the historical conditions in which he finds himself, however, man experiences many difficulties in coming to know God by the light of reason alone.”
A JAG officer's critical perspective on Air Force pilot culture: examining the exclusivity of the pilot track, the impact on Air Force leadership, and what makes pilot culture insufferable yet essential.
Catholic teaching on knowing God: reason, revelation, and grace. A walk through CCC §§31–35 with Reformed and Arminian parallels.
America is the greatest country on earth, and shared patriotism can unite us across political divides. Why love of country still matters as a unifying theme.
Are Catholic priests allowed to be married? In the Latin Rite, no; in the 22 Eastern Catholic churches in communion with Rome, yes. A short reflection on whether restoring married Latin clergy would be reform or return.
Perhaps once a shared love of country bound us together, but now I fear we are fracturing between those who love this country and those who denigrate...
With these testing delays that are plaguing the country, I am left wondering what value these mass testings have.
In the Catholic vision, salvation requires our cooperation with grace—not works that earn heaven, but a transformative journey into the divine life.
Faith is man's response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man — the foundational dynamic on which the Catechism and the Christian life rest.
God is love, and the Catechism must be read in its entirety as the outworking of that divine love in the world.
We must awaken the courage that has defined the American ethos for generations, or we may forever lose the founder’s legacy.
In this post, I discuss proof-texting and the importance of considering each of the teachings of the faith as part of a unified whole.
In this post, I take a look at Catholic-Protestant relations in light of the Catholic Church’s organization of her own Catechism.
In this post, I discuss COVID-19, murder hornets, the joy that is 2020, and my optimism for the future.
In this post, I discuss how Protestants often set up the Protestant ideal against the Catholic reality and the logical failure of such arguments.
In this post, I continue my reflection on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, giving particular attention to the Church’s understanding of catechesis.
Evangelical Catholic thought is not a contradiction but a central part of the Church's self-understanding. This post explores how the Catechism's foundational emphasis on God's grace, Christ's redemptive work, and universal salvation aligns with evangelical conviction.
Reflecting on the Catechism's opening: how Christ and God's love for humanity form the foundation of Catholic theology and address Protestant misconceptions.
Understanding the Latin Mass devotion within Catholicism: reverence, tradition, and the need for submission to the Church's authority.
Belief is an act of the will. How faith and doubt coexist, and why the Catholic tradition treats believing as a choice we keep choosing.
Why disowning family members over politics betrays what truly matters. A personal reflection on family, friendship, and political civility.
Why due process is the bedrock of American freedom — and what happens when we trade constitutional rights for political convenience.
In this post, I reflect upon Twitter toxicity and the worldview-warping nature of social media.
Sola scriptura is logically self-defeating: affirming Scripture alone requires authority outside Scripture. The insight that started my Catholic journey.
In this post, I write about my journey toward understanding forgiveness.
The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) resolved a Christological crisis but reshaped the political map of Christendom. How it destroyed Alexandria, elevated the papacy, and set the stage for the Great Schism.
In this post, I discuss my fifth week in JASOC and some of the regret I still have about joining the Air Force.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a source behind the Gospel of John: analyzing John 19:26-27 and its parallels to the Cana miracle as evidence of her authority in the text.
Married priests are a de-innovation, not an innovation. Explore why the celibacy requirement is a late tradition, how the Orthodox example informs Catholic practice, and what traditionalists fear.
Examining whether Eastern Orthodoxy can legitimately exist in Western territories according to its own ecclesiology and teachings on papal jurisdiction.
What is Hellenistic Christianity? A complete guide to Eastern Orthodox theology, theosis, liturgy, sacraments, and the Church's ancient roots in Christian Hellenism.
Understand divine inspiration and biblical authority. Explore what Scripture inspiration means in Catholic theology and how to interpret the Bible's role.
In this post, I discuss finally being able to get in the courtroom in the fourth week of JASOC.
In my interaction with militant nonbelievers, it has become apparent that, for many, atheism provides a false sense of intelligence.
The recovering evangelical label has become a badge of honor—but does it hold up? A Catholic convert and former Southern Baptist pushes back on the exvangelical movement.
Why cynicism about Christianity often stems from false expectations. Fight unrealistic hopes and discover faith built on neighbor-love, not self-fulfillment.
Military personnel don’t trust their leadership. A veteran’s perspective on why service members lose faith in their officers and what the USS Theodore Roosevelt incident reveals about the institution.
Beyond the shallow definition—discover what truly separates liberals from conservatives: the role of government coercion in achieving policy goals.
During this time of quarantine, I have had the opportunity to dialogue with some old-school anti-Catholic evangelicals, and it has left me wondering how...
A snapshot of my evangelical theology in 2007 — from Open Theism to Arminianism — before seminary reshaped everything. A starting point for tracing my faith journey.
As life has hit the pause button amid this pandemic, I will choose to be grateful for what I have as we are all waiting to reopen.
This year, Ouachita Baptist University awarded the Garrett Ham Scholarship to Sara Patterson.
How I adapted my paper writing process during a five-month lockdown while managing three major academic papers and a final exam.
A review of Lamin Sanneh’s seminal work on how Christianity transformed from a European religion into a global faith, exploring eight pillars of Christian missions history.
How Yale Divinity School and peer institutions adopted pass/fail grading during the pandemic—and what the push for universal pass reveals about student entitlement and institutional confusion.
How does Zoom change the Ivy League experience? This post reflects on the COVID-era shift to online classes at Yale Divinity School and its challenges.
Campus activists at elite colleges like Yale often appear perpetually angry. But beneath the outrage lies a deeper psychological need: the search for heroic purpose and significance.
How COVID shut down Yale's campus mid-semester, forcing remote learning via Zoom and canceling spring commencement. A personal account of pandemic disruption to campus life and academic work.
Botched investigations, missing constitutional safeguards, and a sexual assault crisis — a JAG veteran explains why military justice reform must go further than removing commanders from prosecution decisions.
The relationship between the military and the elite has evolved significantly over the years and not for the better.
In this post, I discuss the first week of spring break, the Buckley seminar, and the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.
As I begin to grow comfortable at Yale, I am becoming more aware of the Ivy League facade that masks much of the mundane and unpolished aspects of elite universities. Explore the reality behind the prestige.
Planning summer academics at Yale Divinity? Learn how I structured German language study, navigated GI Bill regulations, and prepared for Ph.D. applications.
A theological examination of James Cone's liberation theology, his critique of white supremacy, and the challenge to Christian faith in standing with the oppressed.
How I had dinner with National Review editor Rich Lowry at Yale's Buckley Program. Reflections on intellectual humility, the danger of familiarity with greatness, and engaging James Cone's liberation theology.
An insider's look at how Ivy League students use buzzwords like 'oppression,' 'power dynamics,' and 'create a space' to such excess that they dilute the meaning of justified critique and desensitize people to real injustice.
A Yale Divinity School student shares first-hand experiences with study abroad programs, interdepartmental courses, world-famous instructors, and more.
A Catholic response to the 'personally pro-life, politically pro-choice' position. Why this compromise on human life fails philosophically and theologically.
How Yale Divinity School's degree flexibility enabled me to take a Roman Law graduate seminar at the law school, and what I learned about course selection across campus.
How does grading work at Yale Divinity School? A personal reflection on semester grades, the H- conversion to A-, and what academic success means beyond the transcript as I transition toward PhD work in New Testament.
JASOC Week 3: Master military administrative discharge procedures, board processes, and insider tips from an Air Force JAG officer. Learn what to expect.
Seminary finals at Yale Divinity School: a firsthand account of blue book exams in New Testament, Greek, and Early Christianity. Reflections on theological education and spiritual formation.
A Yale Divinity student's personal essay on vocational discernment, Catholic conversion, and the intersection of faith, military service, and academic calling.
A Yale Divinity student's firsthand reaction to the 2019 Harvard-Yale football game protest — the climate demands, the virtue signaling, and what it reveals about elite campus culture.
A weekly update from Yale Divinity School — progress on final papers, preparing for exams, visiting the Yale Art Gallery's Dura-Europos exhibit, and thoughts on the curriculum.
A veteran's perspective on celebrating Veterans Day at Yale Divinity School, examining the gap between institutional lip service and actual military acceptance at elite universities.
A conservative student's firsthand account of oppression culture at Yale Divinity School—the fetishization of victimhood, the woke scold minority, and the silent reasonable majority.
How both evangelical and progressive Christianity have absorbed Gnostic tendencies—rejecting the body in different ways while departing from historic Christian teaching.
A Yale Divinity School student reflects on PhD aspirations, academic grading, and the top doctoral programs in New Testament and religious studies worth pursuing.
A conservative Yale Divinity student reflects on campus activism, social justice rhetoric, and the impossibility of civil discourse when ideology replaces dialogue.
A firsthand account of cancel culture at Yale Divinity School: how ideological conformity silences diverse perspectives, the consequences for free speech, and why this matters for conservative students.
What does scriptural inerrancy really mean? A Yale Divinity student explores how to define biblical errors, reconcile contradictions, and understand Scripture as a reliable guide for faith.
How does a theologically conservative student navigate a progressive divinity school? A candid exploration of viewpoint diversity, intellectual challenge, and finding your place at Yale Divinity.
Is Yale Divinity liberal? Yes. But conservative students thrive. A candid account of being a conservative at Yale Divinity School and finding your place there.
“How Scripture and community tradition work together in Christian faith. A Yale Divinity student's reflection on balancing Protestant and Anglican approaches to religious authority.”
How I used the Post-9/11 GI Bill to attend Yale Divinity School — tuition, Yellow Ribbon, housing allowance, and what veterans should know about Ivy League graduate programs.
An Air Force JAG officer's firsthand account of JASOC—the Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course at Maxwell AFB. Covers exercises, moot courts, military justice training, and what to expect.
Spiritual growth at Yale Divinity School — the Annand Program, communal prayer, academic workload, and what seminary life really looks like from inside the M.Div. program.
What the first week of Yale Divinity School is really like — classes, community, and culture shock. A veteran's firsthand account of the M.Div. program.
A first-person guide to BTFO at Yale Divinity School covering Berkeley Divinity, class registration, grades, campus life, and what incoming students should expect.
The complete writing sample from a successful Yale Divinity School M.Div. application, drafted from scratch after seven years out of school.
See a real seminary application essay that worked. Full personal statement from a successful Yale Divinity School M.Div. acceptance with writing tips.
God and Man at Yale Divinity series intro: my path to Yale Divinity School's MDiv, from Southern Baptist roots through law, military service, and how the GI Bill made it possible.
Your guide to JAOBC/JASOC Week 1: the Air Force Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course. See the schedule, military justice curriculum, and what to expect.
A former Air Force Captain's 2026 guide to the JAG Corps: how to apply, four entry routes, pay and rank, JASOC training, four-year commitment, and whether it's worth joining.
Ouachita Baptist University named Mattie Dodson the 2019 Garrett Ham Scholar. She used the funds to study female saints in Italy with the Sisters of San Luca.
Explore John Walton's The Lost World of Genesis One—a groundbreaking functional-origins reading of Genesis 1 grounded in ancient Near Eastern cosmology. Full review with analysis of Walton's 18 propositions, strengths, and shortcomings.
Ouachita Baptist University named Colton Sims and Cole Jester the 2018 Garrett Ham Scholars. Learn about the scholarship, their honors research, and how to apply.
A critical review of Greg Boyd's Crucifixion of the Warrior God. Boyd's cruciform hermeneutic is promising, but does his reading undermine Scripture's reliability?
Why probable cause is a binding standard in military justice — not a suggestion — and why prosecutors who ignore it commit legal malpractice. A JAG officer's memorandum.
Taylor Bascue is one of a number promising students at Ouachita Baptist University. Watch the video below for more information.
Libby Hilliard, a junior Biblical Languages major from Van Buren, Arkansas, was named the 2016 Garrett Ham Scholar by the Carl Goodson Honors Program at Ouachita Baptist University.
Learn how the cy pres doctrine allows courts to modify charitable trusts and nonprofits, plus the rules governing nonprofit dissolution and asset distribution.
In this post, I discuss some considerations when founding a nonprofit organization, including choosing the organization's form.
In this post, I discuss the basics of nonprofit organizations, why they are necessary, and the essential role they play in our society.
Explore Greg Boyd’s open theism response to suffering. This review of Is God to Blame? examines how Jesus Christ redefines our understanding of evil and divine compassion.
How the Catholic doctrine of purgatory completes salvation as a process of theosis after death—and why C.S. Lewis and other thoughtful Protestants have found it compelling.
Paul's atonement theology in Romans 5 goes beyond Anselm's satisfaction theory. Explore the Christus Victor model and why Christ's entire life matters.
The Carl Goodson Honors Program at Ouachita Baptist University named Collin Battaglia and Mack McGehee the 2015 Garrett Ham Scholars.
Catholic and Protestant views of Scripture's authority are remarkably similar. The real disagreement is interpretive authority--the Magisterium versus individual or congregational reading.
How to explain the Catholic understanding of tradition to Protestants and build understanding across Christian traditions without conflict.
Both Catholic and Protestant traditions affirm divine revelation through Christ. This post explores their common ground and the fundamental difference in how each tradition discerns revelation's meaning.
Catholic-Protestant dialogue about religious authority: start from shared Scripture, then move to the Church Fathers and Catholic Tradition.
Protestant-Catholic dialogue often falters on semantics rather than substance. Learn how to bridge the communication gap and find theological common ground.
Does everything happen for a reason? A Catholic examination of divine sovereignty, free will, and the problem of evil—and why God is not the author of suffering.
In this post, I discuss military crimes as a distinct system of criminal law and the general structure of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
What does it mean to be part of the body of Christ? Christianity is inherently communal — claiming faith while rejecting church membership contradicts the New Testament vision of believers as one body, not isolated individuals.
In this post, I discuss the specialized rules of professional conduct governing judge advocates practicing law in the military.
“The Greek origins of 'Xmas,' why culture wars distract from Christian witness, and what believers are actually called to do at Christmas.”
In this post, I discuss the unique rules of professional responsibility imposed on judge advocates practicing within a military context.
How the court-martial process works—from preferral and Article 32 hearings to trial, sentencing, and post-trial review—updated for post-2023 UCMJ reform.
In this post, I discuss unlawful command influence and the issue it poses for the military justice system.
In this post, I provide an overview of the unique characteristics of the military court system, including its trial and appellate courts.
In this post, I discuss how the Arkansas Supreme Court is fighting frivolous lawsuits by sanctioning those who file frivolous appeals.
From the Articles of War to the UCMJ — how the military justice system evolved from the Revolutionary War to today. Written by a JAG veteran.
Five common misconceptions about Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014) — the Supreme Court's RFRA-based ruling on contraceptive-mandate accommodations for closely held for-profit corporations.
In this post, I discuss the stay pending appeal and how it can prevent the enforcement of a judgment until the final resolution of the appeal.
How federal courts ask the Arkansas Supreme Court to answer unsettled state-law questions — when certification is allowed, what the order must contain, and how briefing works.
In this post, I discuss the mandate in the Arkansas appellate process and its usefulness in enforcing the result of an appeal.
In this post, I discuss the record on appeal, what is required, and the important role it plays in the Arkansas appellate practice.
In this post, I discuss the place of oral arguments in Arkansas appellate practice, including when they may occur and when they may not.
How amici curiae briefs work in Arkansas appellate practice under Rule 4-6—who can file, what deadlines apply, and why friend-of-the-court briefs matter.
Deadline to file the record on appeal in Arkansas: 90 days for appeals, 30 days for interlocutory orders. Learn when extensions are granted.
The deadlines for filing an appeal in Arkansas are strictly enforced. Learn the key filing windows and exceptions available under the Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
How to file a civil appeal in Arkansas — the brief filing schedule, page-and-copy requirements, the strict appellant/appellee/reply timeline, and the Clerk of the Court's discretionary extensions under the Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Copyright protection attaches automatically the moment an original work is fixed in a tangible form under the Copyright Act of 1976. This post explains why registration and copyright notice still matter even though neither is required for protection to exist.
The Carl Goodson Honors Program at Ouachita Baptist University named Anna Sikes the 2014 Garrett Ham Scholar, supporting her travel to a Houston conference on spiritual formation.
In this post, I discuss how to conduct a copyright search to discover what works have taken advantage of the protections of registration.
In this post, I discuss the requirements for maintaining a trademark after registration, including the filing requirements to keep it protected.
The USPTO doesn't require an attorney for trademark applications, but errors can mean denial and lost fees. A lawyer can run searches, handle Office Actions, and protect your mark.
Trademarks protect goods while service marks protect services, but both receive identical legal protection. Correctly classifying your mark matters when filing with the USPTO.
The Copyright Act requires two copies of every published work to be deposited with the Library of Congress within three months — even if you don't register the copyright.
U.S. copyright law protects foreign works under nine specific conditions tied to the Berne Convention and treaty obligations. Registration is still recommended regardless.
How long copyright protection lasts under U.S. law — the post-1978 life-plus-70 rule, the 95/120 rule for works for hire and anonymous works, and the patchwork of pre-1978 renewal rules.
In this post, I discuss my experience during the tenth week of Army JAG School, which focused primarily on legal assistance.
In this post, I discuss my graduation from JAG School and entry into the Army JAG Corps.
In this post, I discuss week 9 of the Army’s JAG School and my introduction to ultimate football.
In this post, I discuss the administrative law block and week 8 of the Army’s JAG School.
Copyright Fair Use
In this post, I discuss international law and week 7 of the Army’s JAG School.
What is a copyright? Learn how the Copyright Act of 1976 protects original works and grants authors exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display them.
In this post, I discuss my experience during week 6 of the Army JAG School, particularly the “brief the commander” exercise.
A look at the contract and fiscal law block during Week 5 of the Army JAG School, including the daily commander-email exercises.
Week 4 of the Army JAG School wraps up the military justice block with the graded mock trial, plus a weekend exploring Charlottesville.
Week 3 of the Army JAG School digs into pre-trial and evidentiary procedure, Article 32 investigations, and the annual Blues Reception.
Week 2 at the Army JAG School eases into the academic routine and begins the military justice block of instruction.
First impressions from Week 1 of the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC) at the Army JAG School in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Honest reflections after finishing the Army JAG Corps Direct Commission Course at Fort Benning — what DCC is really like and how to prepare.
Week 6 of the Army Direct Commission Course wraps up judge advocate training at Fort Benning with out-processing, graduation, and the drive to Charlottesville.
In this post, I discuss the process and benefits of copyright registration and how it can provide greater protections to your intellectual property.
Week 5 of the Army Direct Commission Course covers convoy operations, MOUT, the record APFT, the six-mile ruck march, and Combat Water Survival Training.
Week 4 of the Army Direct Commission Course is a compressed Basic Rifle Marksmanship block on the M-16 — zero, practice, and qualification.
Week 3 of the Army Direct Commission Course focuses on land navigation and the start of basic rifle marksmanship — plus an unexpected Georgia snow day.
A JAG officer’s firsthand Week 2 guide to the Army’s Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Benning: land navigation, first aid, CIF gear issue, and PT.
A JAG officer's firsthand Week 1 guide to the Army's Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Benning: packing, AFT fitness standards, and 2026 eligibility.
A National Guard judge advocate's introduction to Army JAG initial training: the DCC and JAOBC pipeline, wait times, and what to expect.
Filing a notice of appeal in Arkansas requires six specific elements — from identifying the parties to ordering transcripts. Missing deadlines or elements can forfeit your appeal.
In this post, I discuss the petition for review in Arkansas appellate law.
The Arkansas Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over constitutional cases, death penalty appeals, and attorney discipline matters.
After filing with the USPTO, your trademark application faces examiner review, possible office actions, and publication for opposition. The full process typically takes 12 to 18 months.
An overview of the three core forms of U.S. intellectual property protection — trademarks, copyrights, and patents — what each protects, what each does not, and how they fit together for a single product or business.
In this post, I discuss the process and requirements of registering your trademark, a great way to protect your intellectual property.
Arkansas Rule 2 lists 13 categories of circuit court decisions appealable as of right plus one discretionary category for privilege-related discovery disputes.
Agency law governs when one person may act on behalf of another. How actual authority, apparent authority, ratification, and estoppel create binding obligations.
When is an agent personally liable to a third party? Liability depends on whether the principal is disclosed, unidentified, or undisclosed.
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Courts can disregard your LLC or corporation's liability protection when personal and business affairs are intermingled. Undercapitalization and ignoring formalities are key factors.
Partnership tax allocation, basis, and distribution explained. Partners owe tax on allocated profits — not just distributions they actually receive.
Partnerships avoid double taxation by passing income through to partners. The IRS 'check the box' rules let unincorporated businesses choose their own tax classification.
The business judgment rule protects company directors and officers from liability for good-faith business decisions. Learn how it works.
An agent owes fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to the principal. In partnerships, these duties apply to every partner — and they cannot be waived by agreement.
In this post, I discuss the directors’ duty of loyalty to the company they manage and how this may interact with potential legal liabilities.
What is irrevocable agency? Learn why a power coupled with an interest cannot be revoked, how common law protects it, and when it applies to your situation.
An LLP shields partners from liability for each other's wrongful acts, making it popular for law firms and medical practices. Here's how LLPs compare to LLCs and corporations.
Limited partnerships separate management from investment — general partners run the business with personal liability while limited partners contribute capital with liability protection.
Shareholders can sue corporate management on behalf of the corporation through derivative suits. Standing requires contemporaneous ownership and a demand on directors first.
Shareholders own the corporation but directors wield the power. In public companies, directors are not obligated to follow shareholder wishes — elections are the main recourse.
How agency relationships are created (often without a writing) and how they end—through revocation, renunciation, death, or operation of law.
A 2013 guest-post analysis of the Marketplace Fairness Act and the debate over collecting state sales tax from out-of-state online retailers. Updated 2026 to reflect the post-Wayfair economic-nexus regime that has since rewritten this area of law.
Corporations distribute profits through cash and stock dividends, but insolvency rules limit when dividends can be paid. C Corporation dividends face double taxation at reduced rates.
In this post, I discuss the power of appointment and specifically discuss the difference between general and special powers.
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Charitable trusts must benefit an indefinite class of the public and are exempt from the Rule Against Perpetuities. The cy pres doctrine lets courts modify purposes that become impossible.
A corporation is a separate legal entity that shields shareholders from personal liability but faces double taxation. S Corporation election offers pass-through tax treatment instead.
A good business lawyer helps entrepreneurs achieve their goals through risk mitigation — not by simply saying no. The attorney's role is to find workable paths forward.
Creating a trust requires intent, a transfer of property, and identifiable beneficiaries. For real property, a written instrument is necessary. Here's what the process involves.
Family limited partnerships reduce estate tax through valuation discounts on gifted interests that lack control and marketability — leveraging the annual exclusion to move wealth out of larger taxable estates.
In this post, I discuss family limited partnerships and the potential tax benefits they may offer for business and estate planning alike.
What happens when a will beneficiary dies before the testator? Learn how anti-lapse statutes, class gifts, and contingent beneficiaries protect your estate plan.
In this guest post, Lauren Hillier, an employment lawyer at Slater & Gordon Lawyers in the United Kingdom, discusses vacation policy in her country. This...
In this post, I provide an introduction to trusts, how they work, their benefits, and some of their basic attributes that make them valuable tools.
Trustees owe seven fiduciary duties including loyalty, prudence, and impartiality. The No Further Inquiry Rule makes self-dealing a strict liability violation regardless of fairness.
In this post, I discuss the popular idea of the video will, separating fact from fiction to discuss when such a will can serve a valid purpose.
When bequeathed property changes before death, ademption and abatement rules decide what your heirs actually receive. Plan around these doctrines.
A general overview of the Arkansas probate process, from the executor's first filings and creditor notice through estate tax and final distribution.
In this guest post, James Faulkner, a specialist legal copywriter from the United Kingdom, discusses the differences in United Kingdom and United States...
An ILIT removes life-insurance proceeds from your taxable estate while preserving liquidity to pay estate taxes. Mechanics, the three-year transfer rule, Crummey powers, and 2026-current estate and gift tax thresholds.
Beyond mental incapacity, three additional grounds can invalidate a will: undue influence, fraud, and duress. A guide to proving each — and to tortious interference as an alternative remedy.
A will is often the easiest way to ensure that your property is disposed of in accordance with your wishes after death. Not everyone, however, may draft a...
In previous posts, I discussed grounds for will contests, including lack of mental capacity undue...
In this post, I discuss the public notice requirement imposed by the probate process.
In this post, I discuss small estate probate in Arkansas, a streamlined probate process that bypasses some of the normal probate headaches.
The dead hand problem asks how far a testator’s control should reach beyond the grave. Courts enforce reasonable conditions but strike down restraints on marriage, religion, and property destruction.
Learn how to revoke a will in Arkansas, including revocation by subsequent writing, physical destruction, dependent relative revocation, and the effects of divorce under Arkansas Code 28-25-109.
How courts handle ambiguous wills—patent vs. latent ambiguity, extrinsic evidence, and the reformation debate—and why careful drafting matters for your estate plan.
How Arkansas inheritance law treats unmentioned children, adopted children, posthumous children, nonmarital children, advancements, and half-siblings — the issues that complicate the otherwise simple per stirpes default.
In this post, I discuss and explain the various different parts of a will and their importance when drafting your will.
Killing the testator or disclaiming your inheritance are the two main bars to inheriting under a will. Three different legal approaches address the slayer rule across jurisdictions.
In this post, I discuss the charitable remainder unitrust, the estate planning benefits it offers, and how it can provide you income now.
In this post, I discuss some techniques for estate planning with life insurance, the benefits it can offer, and how it can help address estate tax...
In this guest post, Howard Iken a divorce attorney in Orlando,...
A revocable living trust becomes irrevocable at the settlor's death and operates outside probate. Trust administration and probate run simultaneously but independently.
A Qualified Personal Residence Trust transfers your home to heirs at a reduced gift tax value while you continue living in it. Learn how QPRTs work.
GRATs and GRUTs let you transfer property to heirs at reduced gift tax values. Learn how these grantor retained trusts work for estate planning.
Whole life, term life, and universal life insurance each serve different estate planning purposes. Policy proceeds can be included in your taxable estate depending on ownership structure.
A Grantor Retained Income Trust (GRIT) transfers property out of your taxable estate while you retain its income — a useful estate and gift tax planning strategy.
Charitable remainder trusts, pooled income funds, and gift annuities can reduce your estate tax while supporting causes you care about. Here's how each planned giving strategy works.
In this post, I discuss the charitable donation deduction, its limitations, and how knowledge of this information can help you with your tax planning.
Learn how gifts of partial interests to charity can qualify for tax deductions, including remainder interests, fractional shares, and conservation easements.
Donating appreciated property to charity avoids capital gains tax and provides an income tax deduction. Bargain sales offer a middle ground between full gifts and full sales.
In this post, I discuss qualified charitable deductions for purposes of the income and estate taxes and how they can help lower your tax bill.
In this post, I define a skip person for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax and explain how to determine if a property transfer recipient qualifies.
Congress enacted the generation-skipping transfer tax to close a loophole where wealthy families avoided estate tax by transferring assets directly to grandchildren. Three events trigger it.
The Uniform Transfer to Minors Act lets you transfer property to a child through a custodian — here's how it works and the gift, estate, and income tax implications.
In this post, I discuss the grantor trust and the potential estate planning benefits it can offer.
529 plans offer tax-free growth for education expenses. A special gift tax rule lets you front-load five years of contributions in a single year.
A Crummey Trust qualifies gifts for the annual gift tax exclusion by granting beneficiaries a temporary withdrawal right. Crummey Letters and the 5-by-5 lapse rule are key mechanics.
When a surviving spouse is not a U.S. citizen, the marital deduction is unavailable. A Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT) defers estate taxes until the spouse's death.
An irrevocable living trust permanently removes property from the settlor's estate while creating a separate tax entity. Mechanics, common uses, the rare-circumstances doctrine that allows judicial modification, and the trade-offs between irrevocability and flexibility.
How Arkansas adult guardianships work, who files, the court's role, and why a durable power of attorney or living trust is usually a better plan.
Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) Trust
In this post, I discuss tenancy by the entirety, a common way married couples own property together, and the asset protection benefits it may provide.
HIPAA restricts access to your health records and originally limited preexisting-condition exclusions in group health plans. A HIPAA release is a useful complement to a living will or healthcare power of attorney.
A living will provides healthcare instructions if you become incapacitated. Combined with a healthcare power of attorney, it prevents situations like the Terri Schiavo case.
What a holographic (handwritten) will requires under Arkansas Code § 28-25-104, why establishing the testator's handwriting and intent is harder than a witnessed will, and when a holographic will is genuinely the right tool.
A durable power of attorney survives incapacity, letting your chosen agent act for you without a guardianship proceeding. Here's why it belongs in most estate plans.
A power of attorney authorizes someone to act on your behalf — including selling property and taking out loans. General vs. limited POAs carry very different risks.
In this post, I discuss the pros and cons of a living trust, particularly the benefits and drawbacks it offers as part of your estate plan.
Per capita divides an estate equally among surviving heirs. Per capita at each generation splits it equally at each level. Learn how both methods work and compare to per stirpes.
Per stirpes meaning explained: a Latin phrase that directs how an estate passes when an heir predeceases the testator. Classic vs. modern per stirpes, real examples, state-by-state defaults, and how to draft it in a will.
Arkansas requires two competent witnesses for valid will execution and recommends a self-proving affidavit to streamline probate by eliminating the need to locate witnesses later.
Your will doesn't need to list every asset you own. The residuary estate catches everything else — and naming a residuary beneficiary prevents intestacy surprises.
In this post, I discuss the anti-lapse statute, how it affects a bequest to someone who predeceases you, and how it can save an impossible will...
Learn how to disinherit a child in Arkansas. Arkansas’s pretermitted heir statute requires explicit language—simply omitting a child from your will is not enough.
The federal estate tax applies to estates exceeding the basic exclusion amount ($15 million per individual in 2026) after deductions for spousal transfers and charitable gifts. Portability lets spouses share unused exemptions.
In this post, I discuss how the gifts you make may result in a large tax bill, courtesy of the federal gift tax, and how this backstops the estate tax.
In this post, I discuss the different types of Title II weapons as defined by the National Firearms Act, including machine guns.
What is a living trust and do you need one? An Arkansas attorney explains how living trusts work, their benefits, and when they make sense.
In this post, I discuss the parental power of attorney and how parents can use it to help provide for their children’s needs.
In this post, I discuss how a family limited partnership, or FLP, can be used to reap large estate and gift tax savings and why it's become so popular.
How Haynes v. United States (1968) struck down NFA registration on Fifth Amendment self-incrimination grounds, and how Congress's 1968 amendments brought the registration regime back into constitutional compliance.
A family limited partnership lets a business owner transfer wealth to heirs while retaining full management control as general partner — separating financial interest from authority.
Holographic wills and online services exist, but DIY wills risk invalid formalities and unintended distributions. Here's when hiring an estate planning attorney is worth it.
A gun trust is a legal entity that owns NFA-regulated firearms — bypassing CLEO consent, individual fingerprinting, and photographs while simplifying transfers across multiple trustees.
The National Firearms Act of 1934 imposed excise taxes and registration on machine guns, short-barreled weapons, and suppressors. The 1986 Hughes Amendment banned new machine guns; the 2025 OBBBA cut the tax to $0 for most NFA items beginning in 2026.
Ouachita Baptist University recently featured me in its “Ouachita Grads Make a Difference” series. In it, they spotlight my work since graduating in...
Part 2 on Arkansas LLCs covers member-managed vs. manager-managed governance, operating agreement essentials, and why pass-through taxation makes LLCs attractive but requires planning.
An LLC shields members' personal assets from business debts after filing Articles of Organization with the state. Improper formation can expose you to full personal liability.
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships expose your personal assets to unlimited liability. Learn why entrepreneurs should choose LLCs instead.
In this post, I discuss the ramifications of parents’ dying without a will.
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