Author Archives: Rick D. Williams

About Rick D. Williams

Teaching and writing have been my life's work for over two decades as a journalist and educator. My degrees in History were earned at Illinois State University, and I've done additional graduate work at Lincoln Christian Seminary and Urbana Theological Seminary. Over the years I’ve led conference workshops and authored articles and book chapters on topics ranging from religious education and international student ministry to state and local history.

Tolkien & the Reality of Fantasy (part 1)

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Rick D. Williams

In the wildly popular 1999 film The Matrix, Morpheus famous asks Neo, “What is real?” This familiar and provocative phrase is perhaps the quintessential philosophical query.  Attempts to answer are rooted deep in Classical Platonic idealism and branch out into … Continue reading →

Posted in Classics | Leave a comment

Liberty’s Languish

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Rick D. Williams

“I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we’ve struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We’ve made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the … Continue reading →

Posted in Civics | Leave a comment

Civic Contradictions

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Rick D. Williams

As we near the end of another presidential campaign, I am struck by how different the experience has been for me this time around. This is my first major election cycle since 1996 I’ve not viewed through the lens of … Continue reading →

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A “Worldview Pub”?

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Rick D. Williams

About a year and a half ago I finished my 15th year as a high school teacher at a small, private school in east-central Illinois.  Day after day; year after year, I lived life and encouraged the life-of-the-mind in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Worldviews | Leave a comment