R. R. Reno, First Things Journalist Profile

Articles

A Christian at Passover, by R. R. Reno

1 week ago | brownpelicanla.com | R. R. Reno

The Brew: Jesus Calms the Storm, But Not Before We’re Good and Scared and Seasick, by John Zmirak By R. R. Reno, Frist Things, April 10, 2025My first experience of Passover came the spring after our wedding. My wife is Jewish, and she signed us up for the Yale Hillel Seder, a large affair of one hundred or more participants. I was at that stage of life almost always hungry.
Just War Principles in Ukraine, by R. R. Reno

1 month ago | brownpelicanla.com | R. R. Reno

GOOD NEWS: Catholic Charities of Texas Panhandle Suspends Refugee Program, by Eric KilleleaSupreme Court Pauses Order That Trump Pay $2 Billion in Foreign Aid, by Daniel Payne By R. R. Reno, First Things, February 28, 2025Representatives of the U.S. and Russian governments are meeting in Saudi Arabia. Their goal is to determine whether an agreement can be reached to end the war in Ukraine. I’m grateful that this effort is being made.
Pope Francis’s Apocalyptic Dream, by R. R. Reno

2 months ago | brownpelicanla.com | R. R. Reno

Complicit Clergy: The Catholic Church and Unaccompanied Migrant Children: It’s Worse Than We Thought, by Complicit Clergy By R. R. Reno, First Things, February 11, 2025Pope Francis published his suicide note. It took the form of a letter to the American Catholic bishops. In so many words, the Holy Father urged his brother bishops to intervene in American politics and oppose the Trump administration’s efforts to enforce our country’s immigration laws.
Altar Rails and Borders, by R. R. Reno

2 months ago | brownpelicanla.com | R. R. Reno

U.S. Hospitals Canceling Child ‘Trans’ Treatments Following Trump’s Order, by Susan Berry, Ph.D.Vandals Within, by Anthony Esolen By R. R. Reno, First Things, February 10, 2025Catholicism in the United States and Europe is heading toward trouble. The presenting issue is immigration.
Make Buildings Beautiful Again | R. R. Reno

Jan 13, 2025 | firstthings.com | R. R. Reno

In this episode, Justin Shubow joins Rusty Reno at The Editor’s Desk to talk about his essay, “Monument to Failure” from the March 2016 print edition of the magazine and the importance of the National Endowment for the Arts. Please subscribe in order to access this and many other great pieces! The conversation is embedded below. For your long-term convenience, follow us on SoundCloud or subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
Medal of Freedom Recommendations for Trump | R. R. Reno

Jan 8, 2025 | firstthings.com | R. R. Reno

President Biden recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to nineteen worthies, celebrities, activists, and politicians (some faded, others dead). Fashion industry heavyweights figured prominently this year. Ralph Lauren was a deserving recipient. His brand sells America to the whole world. Vogue top editor Anna Wintour was also honored. Count me among those ignorant of her no doubt notable accomplishments.
Mere Christendom | R. R. Reno

Nov 27, 2024 | firstthings.com | R. R. Reno

Douglas Wilson argues for what ought to be uncontroversial: governance by wise Christians. He calls it “mere Christendom” in a recent book by that name, described as democratic politics in a constitutional regime that produces Christian-influenced laws. In other words, the not-so-long-ago culture of the West. Wilson argues that secularism takes us down a dead-end road.
Bathrooms Are Not the Real Battlefield | R. R. Reno

Nov 26, 2024 | firstthings.com | R. R. Reno

Sarah McBride was elected to Congress on November 5. As the Democratic candidate in Delaware, the result should have been a no-news story, an inevitable outcome in that one-party state. But McBride is no ordinary woman. In fact, McBride’s a “he” now presenting as a “she,” the first transgender person to become a member of Congress. So, McBride is in the news. The presenting issue is bathrooms. Can McBride use the women’s restrooms in the Capitol?
Trump’s Victory Is Good News for Religious Believers, by R. R. Reno

Nov 12, 2024 | brownpelicanla.com | R. R. Reno |Jeanie Hannaman

Avoiding Elitism, by Rob MarcoNovember 12, 2024Founder’s QuoteNovember 12, 2024 By R. R. Reno, Editor, First Things, Nov. 7, 2024Religious believers breathed sighs of relief on Wednesday morning. Religious liberty was not a significant issue in the Trump campaign.
Trump’s Victory Is Good News for Religious Believers | R. R. Reno

Nov 7, 2024 | firstthings.com | R. R. Reno

Religious believers breathed sighs of relief on Wednesday morning. Religious liberty was not a significant issue in the Trump campaign. But there can be no doubt that his administration will accommodate religious dissent, instead of using legal and bureaucratic pressure to enforce conformity to progressive dogmas, as did the Obama and Biden administrations. However, there are deeper reasons for religious believers to be happy with the election outcome.