Nathanael Blake

Fellow

Nathanael Blake, Ph.D. is a Fellow in the Life and Family Initiative at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. His first book, Victims of the Revolution: How Sexual Liberation Hurts Us All, was published by Ignatius Press in Spring 2025. As a cultural commentator, Dr. Blake has published hundreds of articles at outlets including Public Discourse, World Opinions, The Federalist, Catholic World Report, and the University Bookman 

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Nathanael Blake, Ph.D. is a Fellow in the Life and Family Initiative at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. His first book, Victims of the Revolution: How Sexual Liberation Hurts Us All, was published by Ignatius Press in Spring 2025. As a cultural commentator, Dr. Blake has published hundreds of articles at outlets including Public Discourse, World Opinions, The Federalist, Catholic World Report, and the University Bookman 

His research interests include American political theory, Christian political thought, and the intersection of natural law and philosophical hermeneutics. His published scholarship includes, among others, work on Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Soren Kierkegaard. 

Dr. Blake grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and received an undergraduate degree in microbiology with a chemistry minor from Oregon State University. After working as a writer and editor in the pro-life movement, he enrolled in graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, earning a doctorate in political theory. His dissertation was titled: “Natural Law and History: The Use and Abuse of Practical Reason.” Blake was a Richard M. Weaver Fellow of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and taught American Government at Wheeling Jesuit University. 

An evangelical Christian, Blake helps lead worship at his church—he particularly enjoys playing old hymns on double bass. 

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It’s Time to Name Your Price

Nathanael Blake

The Roe regime of judicial policy-making obscured and diluted the connection between voting and abortion, but now the candidates we vote for will determine whether human life in utero is protected or not.

Articles

The Catholic World Report / November 7, 2022

Don’t Give Up On Conservatism

Nathanael Blake

Conservatism is already counter-revolutionary. We don’t need to abandon the name just because some grifters and pundits have abandoned the substance

Articles

The Federalist / October 31, 2022

Amazon’s ‘Rings Of Power’ Trades Tolkien for Tropes

Nathanael Blake

The show squandered its potential by adding a multitude of silly plot devices and petty personal conflicts to J.R.R. Tolkien’s story.

Articles

The Federalist / October 19, 2022

Virginia’s Anti-Parent Plot Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Nathanael Blake

Everything Democrats say they believe about LGBT youth demands that children be taken from parents who do not affirm rainbow identities.

Articles

The Federalist / October 18, 2022

Pro-Lifers Can Keep Winning But Only If We’re Smart And Steadfast

Nathanael Blake

Since the overturning of Roe, pro-life victories have been won in rapid succession, but there is still work to be done.

Articles

The Federalist / October 11, 2022

It’s Not Tolkien’s Fault Amazon’s Adaptation Is Terrible

Nathanael Blake

The latest episode of ‘The Rings of Power’ shows the real obstacle to filming Tolkien is the filmmakers themselves.

Articles

The Federalist / September 27, 2022

NYT Attacks Jewish Schools to Punish Dissent, not Uphold Academic Standards

Nathanael Blake

The Times’ campaign against yeshivas is about much more than teaching Math and English. It is a template for attacking all dissenters.

Articles

The Federalist / September 22, 2022

Standing up to the Biden administration’s transgender mandate

Nathanael Blake

Government agencies including the HHS are poised to try to force Catholic doctors and hospitals, along with other dissenters, to chemically and surgically sterilize patients, including children.

Articles

Catholic World Report / September 21, 2022

Rings and Rationalism: Tolkien’s Tales Against Domination

Nathanael Blake

He wanted to tell stories, not put crude speeches into the mouths of his characters.

Articles

Why The ‘Rings Of Power’ Showrunners Keep Writing Themselves Into Ridiculous Corners

Nathanael Blake

Amazon’s expensive show based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ illustrates the problems with the entertainment industry.

Articles

The Federalist / September 14, 2022

The Moral Imagination and Rings of Power’s Failures

Nathanael Blake

Amazon wanted a big-name fantasy series, not a tragic tale of man’s sinful rebellion against God, and it shows.

Articles

The Federalist / September 6, 2022

‘Liberated,’ AKA Indulged and Miserable

Nathanael Blake

The sexual revolution has not delivered on its promises, for it cannot.

Articles

WORLD Opinions / August 29, 2022