My series on seeing the Right after fusionism through the lens of Whittaker Chambers concludes at Law & Liberty with a consideration of the temptation to renounce modern life altogether:

Chambers’ early experience with the Quakers illustrates how efforts at building strict moral community become dysfunctional when those of different beliefs are viewed as threats to the community’s integrity. The community becomes a tribe, with a tribalistic suspicion of outsiders. This is a case of the “paradox of intentionality”—formative communities that exist for the purpose of moral formation tend to descend quickly into tribalism and self-righteousness, precisely because formation has become an end in itself. Moral formation ought always to be formation for a mission, and where that mission is authentic it will cultivate a lively sense of common humanity and civic solidarity with our neighbors of other beliefs.

I’m humbled to have had the opportunity to write this series. As always, your thoughts are welcome!