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Wyatt Graham

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Five Books Conservatives Should Read

September 22, 2021 by wagraham 2 Comments

The last few years have shown us how important political thinking is to our way of life. Politics affect everything—whether that means actual policy or simply the newest political topic that spills into social media. 

I have found myself in the past as a political outsider, not seeing my own face in conservative nor liberal parties in North America. And yet I assume that I am a conservative. It turns out that by receiving a whole set of traditions, assumptions, and ideas as I did, I was being a conservative. 

A number of books have helped me to understand what it means to be Conservative, and they showed me why I often did not see myself or my views within the current political parties in North America. Here are five:

Conservatism: An Invitation to the Great Tradition by Roger Scruton

Roger Scruton provides a brief but helpful historical analysis of the origin and growth and conservatism. To over simplify, Scruton argues that modern conservatives originated as a response to the excessive individualism of liberalism. For example, the French Revolution was a very liberal era, one which left beyond much of the past for certain ideals. It was excessive, and so conservatives, agreeing with much in liberalism, responded by saying yes, but not quite. 

Lament for a Nation: The Defeat of Canadian Nationalism by George Grant

George Grant wrote Lament for a Nation to lament the loss of Canadian Nationalism after the defeat of John Diefenbaker in 1963. It’s a classic Canadian work of politics from a nationalist perspective. 

How to Be a Conservative by Roger Scruton

Roger Scruton writes a more practical or comparative work on conservatism that highlights the truths of various systems (capitalism, socialism, etc.) while showing how conservatism works within or without such systems. It is a useful guide to understanding the world as a conservative. 

The North American High Tory Tradition By Ron Dart

Ron Dart studies The North American High Tory tradition, a traditional conservatism. I am cheating here since I have not read this book yet, but I have (will) talked to the author about the topic of his book for a podcast. I plan to read it, but through this conversation, I hope to have a good sense of the value of the book. 

The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity by Richard Hooker

Richard Hooker (1554) is one of the greatest theologians and political thinkers of the last 500 years. His works, free online or affordably priced in updated English, represent for many a high-mark in conversative thinking. 

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Filed Under: Books, Culture Tagged With: Politics

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Comments

  1. Mark Mathias says

    September 22, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    I can appreciate what case you are making, Wyatt.
    Many of us spent time finding theological justification for voting for secular leaders
    as to whether, even if they didn’t believe…by their actions, their political policies would line up with biblical persuasions — such as abortion, homosexuality, etc.
    And this mindset even if they didn’t live their policies. For example, Trump, more than once, stated he was the best president for the sake of homosexuals ever…
    He was ostensibly against abortion but feeble in enforcing its prevention, and so on.

    But that’s not the point — as I served the Lord I became more convicted about the personal commitment these politicians really felt it any at all. We are anything but perfect but I know my theological goals and am extremely uncomfortable if I should find myself slightly wavering, even if I stay strong in my goals in the end.
    Ultimately, I believe it is very possible to not vote for anyone and use that passion for God through the Gospel.
    I never noticed the disciples arguing over which Caesar to cheer as he strut down the cobblestones. Yes, interact with human beings, of course, but we can do that theologically. The vast majority of people in countries will vote I would imagine, but these votes do not save anyone, especially when the devil is the prince of this world and, arguably, the vast majority of citizens are willingly under his authority — people prefer the way of the flesh, sin and the devil compelled by the curse. And since Few Shall Enter The Kingdom, it stands to reason that something is terribly wrong with the entire system.
    Election cycle after cycle people stampede the voting blocks and we end up with leadership that makes homosexuality to New Civil Rights Movement, and his predecessor happened to be a Muslim after claiming to be a Christian, etc.
    So the other side shines forth as the vital hope for the world — vote before it is too late! And from there, helter-skelter. It does appear that Christians forget God is in control especially during an approaching election cycle, depending on their convictions.
    Now we have e a presidential regime connected to the same old past cycles and who will save us?
    So I, for one, am more concerned with passing the gospel without a pause, far more than I am with putting a perfect man in office — only spiritual power can accomplish anything meaningful in the world where Satan rules by proxy. Prophecy will be fulfilled as “Matthew 24 is knocking at the door” (Johnny Cash).

    Reply
  2. Theo says

    September 23, 2021 at 8:47 am

    Glad to see others diving into the red/high/radical tory stream in Canada.

    Reply

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Wyatt is the Executive Director of The Gospel Coalition Canada. He enjoys his family and writing. You'll generally find him hiding away somewhere with his nose in a book.

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