Nice Letter, from a Christian Libertarian

From: Norman Horn
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2020 11:08 PM
To: Walter Block <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: An humble request for the eminent Dr. Block

Dear Walter — Thanks so much for your endorsement. It really does mean a lot, and though we might trim it a bit for space it makes me smile.

Answering your question… Well, it goes back a good bit. I first became a libertarian in 2005, and at that point I had been doing a LOT of reading of LVMI and running into your work frequently. You and I first met at Mises University 2006, and we had some fun conversations then. In early 2007, I had written a paper on government and air pollution for an energy policy class I was taking, and I sent it to you in hopes of soliciting your suggestions on how to improve my Rothbardian argument. To my surprise, you said three things that tremendously encouraging: (1) don’t change a word, (2) come present this at the Austrian Scholars Conference, and (3) get the paper published and here’s how to do it.

What you taught me then, perhaps unknowingly, was that I was ready to become the multi-faceted scholar that I wanted to be, but wasn’t sure how to execute. I could be a professional engineer, trained in economics, libertarianism, and theology, and make serious contributions to the intersections of these fields. And so I continued to do so.

Eventually I started LibertarianChristians.com after publishing a number of essays at LewRockwell.com and writing a little more broadly. My scholarship in theology and ethics grew, and the work product became substantial. People took notice, and I got involved in YAL and Students for Liberty and the Ron Paul campaigns. As my reach grew, eventually it became evident that I could force-multiply my impact by turning LibertarianChristians.com into a full-fledged nonprofit. And now we continue with our worldwide reach and we’re growing every month.

The point is, you were an integral part of a major shift in my thinking. And so I have a special place in my heart for Walter Block, who encouraged me in a way nobody else did at the time. Would LCI even exist without you? I’m not sure. I wouldn’t want to bet on it.

Now to be fair, I did naturally solicit many other Christian libertarians to endorse the book as well. But among just a couple select non-Christians, I choose you, and that’s why. You’re important to me.

Stay heroic!

Norman Horn, Ph.D.

Share

2:22 am on September 16, 2020