In an election season, all political parties claim to champion freedom, which highlights the very different ways people think about what it means to be free. This issue of Plough Quarterly explores many dimensions of freedom: not only what people need to be freed from, but what we are set free to do. Contributors look at freedom in light of addiction, disability, asylum, religious liberty, modern slavery, dictatorship, conversion, workers’ rights, theology, the fine arts, and more.

On this theme: 

Sohrab Ahmari reminds Christians of their long tradition of defending workers’ rights.

Robert Donnelly reports on the welcome asylum seekers receive on the US southern border.

Rosemarie Garland-Thomson considers the terrible freedom of choice a pregnant woman faces.

John Barclay looks at freedom and slavery, metaphorical and literal, in the writings to Paul.

Daniel J. Sims uncovers his own complicity and compromise in the global aid industry.

Santiago Ramos realizes people living under dictatorship value books more than free people do

Jordan Castro recalls how he sought freedom in fiction and heroin, but found it elsewhere.

Joonas Sildre shows how Arvo Pärt remained true to his art under Soviet rule.

Pan Yongguang recounts how his church community escaped China together.

Plough Quarterly features stories, ideas, and culture for people eager to apply their faith to the challenges we face. Each issue includes in-depth articles, interviews, poetry, book reviews, and art.