Christian Rand Fan?

I went looking for Christian fans of Ayn Rand. Here are the results of my search.

If your interests are similar to mine, these lists could save you a lot of time. My search answers the question:

Is belief in Jesus compatible with conservative or libertarian political ideas?

I found only a handful of Christians who were enthusiastic about Rand’s ideas. You can find us here.

I’ve noticed many Christian writers denouncing Rand and any attempt at a political coalition between the Tea Party conservatives and the fans or devotees of Rand.

My guess is that most Christians (even most Christian leaders or pastors) have not heard of Rand. Of those who have heard of her, I think 95% have strong dislike of her, but only rarely is their opinion formed from actually reading her.

Meanwhile, mainstream Christianity is moving toward more overt socialism/collectivism politically.

But social media has allowed the Tea Party or libertarian Christians to gain somewhat of an audience. Though the base is still small, there are many more Christians thinking clearly about liberty and rights today than at any time in the past century.

As a Christian Rand fan myself, I hope to speak to Christians about the need to take Rand’s ideas seriously. Though Christians will not agree with all the answers Rand offered, we will be better off when we begin to ask the questions she asked.

A few voices take my own position: that Rand’s ethical system of rational self-interest is mostly compatible with Scripture:

John Piper: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-ethics-of-ayn-rand

Walter Hudson: http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/05/09/walter-hudsons-guide-for-making-peace-between-christians-and-objectivists/?singlepage=true

Sean Edwards: http://www.seanedwards.com/altruism/

Jacob Brunton: http://thechristianegoist.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/jesus-christ-and-ayn-rand/

Eric Hybner: http://blog.euphemos.com/2012/10/17/paul-ryan-objectivism-and-christianity/

Dwight Longenecker: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2012/10/be-self-centered-its-good-for-you.html

Jesi E: http://msblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2005/07/objectivist-christian-is-not.html

Brandon Hansen: http://www.omninerd.com/articles/Objectivism_vs_Christianity_Philosophical_or_Semantic_Differences

Sasha Libolt (my amazing wife): https://www.codylibolt.com/2014/11/i-dont-understand-the-question-and-i-refuse-to-respond-to-it/

Cody Libolt (myself): https://www.codylibolt.com/2014/10/the-fountainhead/

 

Other writers believe there is common ground at least in politics:

Chad Brand: http://www.amazon.com/Clash-Titans-Atlas-Shrugged-Christ/dp/1480081744

Mark Henderson: http://soulofatlas.com/perspective-1/

David Brat: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Brat

Katie Kieffer: http://katiekieffer.com/2012/09/10/christianity-is-compatible-with-ayn-rand/#sthash.M3O2a641.dpuf

Hunter Baker: http://thefederalist.com/2014/10/07/the-devil-and-ayn-rand-extending-christian-charity-to-john-galts-creator/

Values and Capitalism: http://valuesandcapitalism.com/reconciling-ayn-rand-and-jesus/

Kenn Cramer: http://patchworkpapist.com/2014/03/26/ayn-rand-is-more-christ-like-than-you-part-2/

 

The vast majority of writers held that we have little or no common ground in ethics or politics:

(You may judge for yourself whether the arguments are of any value. I do not endorse them in the slightest, but I offer them as a resource for understanding the ideological landscape.)

http://www.theawl.com/2011/04/when-alan-met-ayn-atlas-shrugged-and-our-tanked-economy

http://www.rotman.uwo.ca/the-system-that-wasnt-there-ayn-rands-failed-philosophy-and-why-it-matters/

http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/why-does-the-right-wing-worship-ayn-rand/Content?oid=2634848

http://www.americanvaluesnetwork.org/2011/05/ayn-rand-vs-jesus-2/

http://bleedingheartlibertarians.com/2014/04/ayn-rands-theory-of-rights-a-critique/

http://unapologetica.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-systematic-refutation-of-objectivism.html

http://www.faithfacts.org/blog/libertarianism-christianity

http://blog.thedow.org/2010/05/09/objectivism-and-why-i-cannot-accept-it/

http://dbzer0.com/blog/similarities-between-us-objectivists-and-christian-fundamentalists/

http://elizabethstokerbruenig.com/2013/09/08/the-curious-case-of-christian-libertarians/

http://open.salon.com/blog/idahospud44/2010/03/05/my_country_tis_of_me–the_united_states_of_ayn_rand

http://www.thedemocraticstrategist.org/strategist/2009/03/rand_and_conservatives_a_remin.php

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19280545

http://therelentlesstheologian.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-ayn-rand-has-everything-to-do-with.html

http://bgrnathan.blogspot.com/2010/04/rational-christian-answer-to-ayn-rand.html

http://www.clayjones.net/2011/04/ayn-rand-the-good/

http://blog.faithandfreedom.us/2013/07/is-capitalism-compatible-with.html#.VIrx26YhUrx

http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2011/08/12/from-jesus-socialism-to-capitalistic-christianity/10731

https://biblepaedia.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/ayn-rand-paul-ryan-and-moral-objectivism/

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/15/my-take-christianity-and-ayn-rands-philosophy-are-2-distinct-religions/

http://wepartypatriots.com/wp/2011/04/29/ayn-rand-vs-christianity/

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/10/09/christians_libertarians_and_ayn_rand__124238.html

http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2011/06/can-christian-be-follwer-of-ayn-rand.html

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/ayn-rand-joins-the-ticket

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/matthew-archbold/how-ayn-rand-led-me-to-catholicism

http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/03/ayn-rand-really-really-hated-c-s-lewis/

http://www.utne.com/mind-and-body/good-christians-dont-follow-ayn-rand.aspx#axzz3Le91iSbs

http://ourfuture.org/20110610/Concern_Over_Republican_Embrace_Of_The_Ayn_Rand_Poison

http://www.breitbartunmasked.com/2014/09/15/6-videos-that-prove-ayn-rand-now-rules-christian-conservatism/

http://quietmike.org/2014/10/21/ayn-rand-and-christian-republicans/

http://maverickphilosopher.typepad.com/maverick_philosopher/2009/01/is-ayn-rand-a-good-philosopher-rand-on-the-primacy-of-existence.html#more

http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2005/07/objectivism-original-sin.html

http://theweek.com/article/index/265008/i-hate-ayn-rand-mdash-but-heres-why-my-fellow-conservatives-love-her

http://sojo.net/blogs/2011/04/25/ayn-rand-manichaeism-and-christianity

http://swampland.time.com/2011/05/13/the-gops-godless-philosopher/

http://aynrandhatedjesus.blogspot.com/

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/september/2.36.html

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/MP/20130719/OPINION02/130719271

http://blog.acton.org/archives/62593-ayn-rand-didnt-understand-capitalism-altruism-christianity-reality.html

http://www.thechristianleftblog.org/tcl-blog/category/ayn%20rand

http://weeklysift.com/2012/04/30/jesus-shrugged-why-christianity-and-ayn-rand-dont-mix/

https://friendsofjustice.wordpress.com/2014/11/03/ayn-rand-the-reluctant-apostle-of-christendom/

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/22345-the-rights-ayn-rand-hypocrisy

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/06/must-christian-voters-choose-between-ayn-rand-and-jesus/239944/

http://www.liberalslikechrist.org/about/JesusChristvsAynRand.html

http://graceuniversity.edu/iip/2011/06/18-1/

http://elizabethstokerbruenig.com/2014/10/08/the-many-lives-of-ayn-rand/

http://www.forwardprogressives.com/republicans-trying-mix-ideologies-jesus-christ-atheist-doesnt-make-sense/

http://thinkchristian.reframemedia.com/why-christians-like-paul-ryan-should-be-careful-with-ayn-rand

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140612124239-117953348-rational-christian-answer-to-ayn-rand

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/06/exclusive-christians-must-reject-ayn-rand-faith-based-group-tells-raw-story/

http://atlasleft.org/how-the-right-got-from-christianity-to-ayn-rand/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-sapp/ayn-rand-could-split-gop_b_892934.html

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=4e4_1404950912

http://www.gmu.edu/org/patriotsvoice/objectivism.htm

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_03/another_blow_to_the_christian043864.php

http://theweek.com/article/index/263601/glenn-beck-and-sean-hannity-are-boosting-a-profoundly-un-christian-movie-mdash-and-no-one-cares

https://stpeter.im/writings/rand/whoneeds.html

http://10cities10years.com/2012/07/09/objectivist-christians-and-the-unselfish-atheist/

https://drdanmerritt.wordpress.com/2014/08/30/christian-objectivism/

http://thechristianscribbler.com/tag/objectivism/

http://citizentom.com/2012/11/26/the-debate-over-christianity-objectivism-and-altruism-continues/

http://www.ldsliberty.org/the-objectivist-critique-of-christianity%E2%80%94does-it-apply-to-mormonism/

http://thesaltcollective.org/christian-doormat-met-ayn-rand/

http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/articles/breakpoint-features-archive/entry/12/9153

http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-archive/entry/13/10618

http://www.summit.org/resources/essays/the-ethics-of-ayn-rand/

http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-archive/entry/13/15455

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/r/ayn_rand/index.html

http://voicesnewspaper.blogspot.com/2012/10/why-does-religious-right-support-mormon.html

http://www.salon.com/2014/07/14/republicans_confuse_atlas_shrugged_for_the_bible_partner/

http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2011/jkidd_aynrand_apr2011.asp

http://umchapel.org/the-gospel-of-ayn-rand/

http://remnantofgiants.wordpress.com/2011/06/04/reading-the-bible-alongside-ayn-rand-paul-ryan-and-the-u-s-budget/

http://blog.tifwe.org/series/ayn-rand/

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/pantheon/2011/06/ayn-rand-godmother-of-satanism/

https://friendsofjustice.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/ayn-rand-the-mother-of-american-satanism/

http://valuesandcapitalism.com/the-immorality-of-ayn-rand/

http://ndcatholic.org/editorials/column0611/

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/uncommongodcommongood/2013/12/ayn-rand-christians-and-altruism/

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/brad-bannon/2012/04/27/paul-ryans-budget-inspired-by-ayn-rand-not-jesus-christ

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/gop-ayn-rand-problem-politics-religion-don-t-105244331.html

https://www.vulcanhammer.org/2014/08/09/the-disciples-of-ayn-rand-and-the-disciples-of-jesus-christ/

http://www.faithandleadership.com/blog/12-12-2011/will-willimon-ayn-rand-and-christmas

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-sapp/ayn-rand-and-republicans_b_866097.html

http://sojo.net/blogs/2011/07/12/choosing-between-ayn-rand-and-jesus

https://guthriesgospel.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/the-tea-party-and-ayn-rand-versus-jesus-christ/

http://blogforarizona.net/the-gops-ayn-rand-budget-vs-jesus/

http://blog.eternalvigilance.me/2013/04/classic-libertarian-idealism-cares-objectivism-is-as-silly-as-socialism/

http://umc-gbcs.org/blog/christ-bore-the-cross-atlas-shrugged

http://blog.talkingphilosophy.com/?tag=objectivism

http://hbeeinc.com/blog/?p=2383

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/29/jesus-or-ayn-rand-can-conservatives-claim-both/comment-page-17/

http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/014647.html

http://word-sunday.com/blog/?p=682

https://guthriesgospel.wordpress.com/tag/objectivism/

http://newepicurean.com/objectivism-the-worst-and-most-dangerous-philosophy-in-america/

http://mol.redbarn.org/objectivism/Writing/NathanielBranden/BenefitsAndHazards.html

http://patch.com/california/gilroy/tea-party-and-christianity-and-not-compatible-philosophies

http://thriceholy.net/aynrand.html

http://www.restitutionbible.com/jesus-christ-vs-ayn-rand/

http://cnsnews.com/commentary/jen-kuznicki/no-atheism-and-conservatism-are-not-compatible

http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ngier/libchristian.htm

http://www.christianovercomers.com/blog/2012/12/15/is-libertarianism-compatible-with-christianity/

http://contrarianworld.blogspot.com/2013/11/why-ayn-rand-still-matters-and-still.html

http://www.millennialstar.org/is-ayn-rands-philosophy-compatible-with-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ/

http://blog.eternalvigilance.me/2011/10/we-are-not-robots-ayn-rand-we-are-moral-agents/

http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/philosophy/ayn-rand-architect-of-the-culture-of-death.html

http://www.philosophyinaction.com/podcasts/2014-11-20.html

http://natewkratzer.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/no-you-cant-follow-both-jesus-christ-and-ayn-rand/

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/books-and-arts/wealthcare-0

https://localcrank.wordpress.com/tag/ayn-rand/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/11/1119171/-Paul-Ryan-Ayn-Rand-and-the-Political-Contradiction-of-Christianity#

http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-06/budget-battle-pits-atheist-ayn-rand-vs-jesus

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/archive/index.php/t-246609.html

http://www.crisismagazine.com/2009/the-vanity-of-ayn-rand

http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2012/10/government-two-sizes-too-small-ayn-rand-libertarians/

http://jwisaacs.com/2014/03/31/review-of-the-soul-of-atlas/

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Virtue-of-Stupidity-A-Critique-of-Ayn-Rand-and-Objectivism

http://www.christianworldview.net/2012/01/what-is-wrong-with-libertarianism/

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mercynotsacrifice/2012/08/12/ayn-rand-vs-jesus/

http://remnantculture.com/3388-what-can-christians-learn-from-ayn-rand

http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/atlas-shrugged-christian-perspective.html