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On Faith: Lessons from an American Believer

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On Faith is an inspiring collection of the late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia's reflections on his own faith, on the challenges that religious believers face in modern America, and on the religious freedoms protected by the Constitution. Featuring a personal introduction by Justice Scalia's son Father Paul Scalia, this volume will enrich every reader's understanding of the legendary justice. Antonin Scalia reflected deeply on matters of religion and shared his insights with many audiences over the course of his remarkable career. As a Supreme Court justice for three decades, he vigorously defended the American constitutional tradition of allowing religion a prominent place in the public square. As a man of faith, he recognized the special challenges of living a distinctively religious life in modern America, and he inspired other believers to meet those challenges. This volume contains Justice Scalia's incisive thoughts on these matters, laced with his characteristic wit. It includes outstanding speeches featured in Scalia Speaks and also draws from his Supreme Court opinions and his articles. In addition to the introduction by Fr. Scalia, other highlights include Fr. Scalia's beautiful homily at his father's funeral Mass and reminiscences from various friends and law clerks whose lives were influenced by Antonin Scalia's faith.

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2019

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About the author

Antonin Scalia

31 books114 followers
American jurist Antonin Scalia served from 1986 as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of United States.

Antonin Gregory Scalia previously served in the Administrations of Richard Milhous Nixon and Gerald Rudolph Ford, taught law at the universities of Virginia and Chicago, and served on the circuit for District of Columbia. Ronald Wilson Reagan, president, appointed him in 1986. People considered him a core member of the conservative wing; he vigorously advances textualism in statute and originalism in constitutional interpretation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonin...

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Amy.
3,051 reviews619 followers
May 29, 2022
If like me you look at this book and think: "I already read Scalia Speaks: Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived. What more can this book add?"

I am here to tell you: much. This book has much to add, mostly because it includes not just Scalia's words but the words of those around him who either observed his faith or benefited from it. The additional reflections provide emotional depth to this collection of speeches, dissents, and essays.

A more specific title might be: "On Catholic Faith." This book is very centered on Catholic tradition and theology. While I am not a Catholic, I found it really backed up the picture of Scalia presented in this book. To quote his son: "Today's emphasis on giving a personal witness or speaking about one's faith journey would have been foreign to [Justice Scalia.] As far as he was concerned, what mattered was not his faith but The Faith." And The Faith, for Scalia, meant the traditional observances of the Catholic church.

Which is not to say that he was a mindless observer. The intellectual rigor he brought to all other areas of his life also showed in his faith. I really enjoyed seeing the unity present both in his own writings and in the stories of those who witnessed his faith.

I found this collection edifying and inspiring. It both celebrates and mourns Scalia's passing, and in doing so, provides much needed emotional catharsis.
Profile Image for Matt Lewis.
101 reviews4 followers
September 6, 2020
This book was quite excellent. A great collection of speeches and writings of the late Justice Scalia on matters of faith, this book has a lot to offer. From reflections on personal faith to Supreme Court opinions and dissents, the berth of content is wide and captivating. The best part of the book, however, are the small reflections on the faith of Justice Scalia written by his friends and family. These reflections are scattered throughout. There are also a couple good prayers in this book, one written by St. Thomas More, the other by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

This book is reassuring in times like these, especially considering the low number of truly practicing Catholics in public life. A sentiment alluded to in this book (and one that I agree with) is that it is refreshing to see someone, who is the intellectual titan that Antonin Scalia was, still hold so true to his faith. I wouldn't consider this a "must-read" but it was certainly enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Justice Scalia, and especially to the Catholics among those fans.
Profile Image for Margie.
523 reviews
August 7, 2021
I listened on audio, really quick listen. I’m not Catholic but I was raised Methodist and now consider myself Baptist. I enjoyed hearing some of Scalia’s thoughts and decisions. Very interesting how he did his best not to make Supreme Court rulings based on his religion. He definitely thought of government and religion two different things and not intertwining.
650 reviews10 followers
May 4, 2019
This collection of speeches given by Antonin Scalia are a fascinating view into both his judicial opinions and his unyielding faith. Whether you are agnostic or a believer, this is an insightful read. There is no attempt to preach or convert, just a clear delineation between the laws given by God, and the laws created by society. God’s laws prepare one for God’s kingdom, and social laws are created by man, for this world and the best of society. Each has it’s place. And his discussion on capitalism vs socialism is spot on. Both offer social benefits and hope, and both have an underlying evil: greed for capitalism and love of power for socialism.
Profile Image for Dylan Paul.
45 reviews32 followers
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February 4, 2023
If you already own Scalia Speaks and Kevin Ring's Scalia's Court, it seems the only new content you'll find here is a number of brief but lovely essays by friends and acquaintances in praise of the late great Justice. In that case, it would be well-served as not only a gift to originalist conservatives but to fellow people of faith who might not yet have an appreciation for Scalia's wisdom.

Even having read most of the speeches and opinions published in this volume, it was a joy to revisit them and I'm glad it gave me an excuse to. Rest in peace, Justice Scalia... and may we be glad that originalism is slowly returning to the court, one confirmation at a time.
100 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2019
Yes, this book is about the faith of Justice Scalia. Do not let it stop you from reading the book. This book gives you a view into a brilliant mind and its humor. It is easy to understand how he and Justice Ginsberg were friends even with opposite views.
Profile Image for Grad.
97 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2021
“In the last analysis,” wrote Justice Scalia, “the most important objectives of human existence—goodness, virtue, godliness, salvation—are not achieved through the state; and those who seek them there are doomed to disappointment.”
Profile Image for Lee.
74 reviews
February 4, 2021
This is a fascinating and helpful collection of speeches and articles by the late Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia. Also includes several remembrances from colleagues and family.

As an Evangelical Christian, it was especially helpful and enjoyable to hear from a devout Catholic believer how he works out his faith at home, work and public square. There is a great deal of wisdom and experience to learn from and appreciate.

Some highlights ... The third part, "A Nation Under God", should be required reading/study for all middle and/or high school students. It's a fascinating look at the foundational importance of a nation built from the perspective of the existence of a creator God, an almighty God, an merciful God, etc. This foundational understanding is that the morality upon which this nation operates is based in the existence of this God and "religion" is the means by which the morality is taught, learned and practiced. There is not a requirement for worship of this God and not even belief in this God. Yet, there should be the understanding that is what is unique about this country and therefore respect extended to that reality. Scalia says it better than I.

The first part "Not to the Wise" had insightful observations on the principle the Apostle Paul discusses in 1 Cor 1:18f ... recognizing the importance and reality of mystery in life. Including the foolishness of only focusing on what we can physically see with our eyes and comprehend with our brains.

Only reason I don't give the book 5 stars is that it can get technical in the legal weeds at times. But that is not the predominant mood or feel of the book. Scalia has a sense of humor and humility regarding his own faults and failures.
Profile Image for Jeremiah Lorrig.
421 reviews38 followers
March 1, 2023
Wisdom lived is the dynamic combination I found in this book. Faith and reason come together in the mind of a truly brilliant person. Even if you don’t agree with him (and his son points out several semi humorous clashes he had with his father), this work is a window into the life of a genius whose living of life was even more impressive than his prodigious accomplishments.

I am sure I’ll read this again when I need encouragement in living my faith.
Profile Image for Kimberly Brooks.
652 reviews4 followers
June 5, 2019
I didn't really know much about Antonin Scalia, except that he was a Supreme Court Justice. But, man, what an incredible person! I really enjoyed reading this collection of his speeches, articles, and opinions on faith. True, some of the legal stuff was a little over my head, but overall, so interesting. We need more people like him.
Profile Image for Virginia Perry.
47 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2022
“God blessed him with a desire to be the country’s good servant, because he was God’s first”

Ended this book humbled, and grateful for the model of Justice Scalia’s faith in American public life. I hope to follow in the example he set - an imperfect sinner devoted to God, family, and country, whose hope is in Christ alone.
Profile Image for Thomas George Phillips.
618 reviews43 followers
January 26, 2022
As an admirer of Justice Scalia, I found his speeches in this book to be witty, informative and inspiring. Justice Scalia never wavered in his Catholic faith, and never apologized for it either.
Profile Image for Will Standridge, II.
117 reviews13 followers
January 16, 2021
This is one of the most surprising reads I've had in years. Scalia's "On Faith" is a collection of essays, speeches, letters, and dissents revolving around faith publicly and also his personal Catholic Faith. The book unveils Antonin Scalia as an insightful exegete, public theologian, and a model of integrating Christ into all of life. This book brought tears to my eyes and made me belly life as Scalia exercised his legendary wit. This is a fun book for anyone who enjoys theology, history, or the law. I pray God raises up more "American Believers" like Justice Scalia-we would be far better off.
Profile Image for Natali.
564 reviews405 followers
December 26, 2025
This is a thought-provoking collection of essays. Scalia was a firm believer that the Constitution does not afford identical rights to religious and non-religious people, a philosophical question I had never really considered before. He repeatedly makes the case that the Founding Fathers and our founding documents understood the United States as a Christian nation. I can see that argument.

But does freedom of religion also mean freedom from religion? And if “religion” is defined so broadly that it includes non-religion, then anyone can cloak bad conduct in the language of belief and demand constitutional protection. That is a dangerous premise, and Scalia clearly foresaw that tension.

He believed religion is not a private hobby the Constitution must hide. At the same time, he believed that religious belief does not automatically exempt conduct from neutral laws. That distinction led him to rule repeatedly that religious conduct is protected only to the extent the law historically allowed. He strongly rejected the idea that the Constitution requires the government to scrub religion from public life in order to protect the non-religious. That, to him, was the core flaw in treating “freedom from religion” as a constitutional mandate.

Honestly, I don't know how I feel about that. Our society treats insulation from religion as a right, almost as a moral good in itself. Not just freedom to dissent, but freedom to never encounter, be reminded of, or be mildly inconvenienced by religion in public life. That’s a relatively modern expectation. Is it a good one or is it an over-correction from religious oppression?

This is where neutrality has become asymmetrical. Non-religious worldviews get treated as default and unobjectionable, while religious ones are treated as intrusive or dangerous. And where has that got us? It's a big question. This book has forced me to sit with this ambiguity. I could ponder this my whole life and probably never land in a comfortable place on that topic.
Profile Image for Mika’ele Castro.
5 reviews
June 6, 2025
As an admirer of Justice Scalia’s jurisprudence and a Christian committed to integrating faith into vocation without necessarily conflating the two, I found this book to be one of the more insightful ones I’ve read. That said, I would be lying not to acknowledge a sense of initial disappointment. The book begins slowly, and upon realizing it was a compilation of speeches, opinions, and dissents, I questioned how long it would hold my interest (Yes, I should have read the description). Yet as I continued reading, I came to appreciate the style and structure of the collection. By the end, I found it not only worthwhile but deeply edifying—both as a portrait of one of my favorite Justices and as a reflection on the interplay between faith and public service.

Though I am not Catholic, I approached this book with a specific curiosity: to better understand how Justice Scalia reconciled his constitutional convictions with his deeply held Christian beliefs, without allowing the latter to override the former. In that regard, I found the book to be particularly illuminating. The inclusion of writings by Scalia himself, as well as posthumous reflections from his friends, children, and former clerks, adds meaningful depth to the collection. These voices underscore just how integral faith was to his life, both privately and in the public sphere.

In a society that often demands a rigid separation between faith and professional duty, here, Justice Scalia offers a more thoughtful and inspiring alternative. Scalia does not present a model of compartmentalization, but one of principled tension—faithful first to God and then the Constitution, without compromising either.

For any person of faith seeking to understand how belief can coexist with public service, I would recommend this book. It may not be groundbreaking in form or a "must-read" by any means, but it offers a humble example of conviction lived out in arguably the most important job in American government.
Profile Image for Bernard Tan.
329 reviews
March 22, 2022
Antonin Scalia was a Republican nominated Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America from 1986 till his death in 2016. He died in his sleep at the age of 79, in the ranch of his friend John Poindexter - a person who I met for dinner just seven years ago.

Scalia was a devout Catholic. This book is a collection of essays on his faith, and how he viewed his role as a Justice and as a Sinner. It is as much a theological and philosophical perspective of how one should conduct or view ones responsibilities in life, especially if both the private and public contradict.

Scalia was never shy of his faith, but he was conscious to separate the role of the State and that of the Church. As he clearly states, the role of the State is concerned on the here and now, while the Church is on the ever after. And he saw no contradiction in dealing with both.

A Catholic doctor cannot in consistency with his faith perform abortions. But a Justice does not make policy but must "discern and apply honestly the policies adopted by the people's representative". Scalia was economically a conservative capitalist and explains why socialism may not be "more catholic". In other areas, he was not shy to dissent from the majority, especially moves to increasingly secularise all aspects of public life. He was supportive of public prayer as being part of American life and tradition.

The most moving essay is the eulogy for his funeral service that was delivered by Father Paul Scalia, his son. I will remember this as a basis if I have to deliver one for a loved one.

A thought provoking book, clearly reflective of this thought provoking man.
Profile Image for Mary Lou.
1,092 reviews24 followers
October 4, 2019
In this day and age when memes are considered a reasonable argument, and people get their news from late-night hosts and consider themselves informed, this book reminds us what true intelligence looks like. I had the same thought when reading "On Faith" that I had when I read Charles Krauthammer's "Things That Matter," namely that the authors were incredibly thoughtful, intelligent men, and the world is a better place for the gifts they shared with us. Both of these men had amazing minds and with each book I wanted to read passages aloud to someone - anyone! - and discuss their profundity.

The speeches, letters, and SCOTUS opinions collected in "On Faith" focused on Scalia's personal faith, as well as issues of faith that sometimes divide our country. Whether one agrees with him or not, Scalia offers plenty of food for thought. Each of these chapters could fuel an evening of book club discussions.

Despite the serious nature of the topic, Scalia's natural warmth and humor radiate from the pages. Somehow he manages to be awe-inspiring in his scholarship, yet still comes across as humble and unpretentious. I have no doubt that he would be the ideal dinner guest. Somewhere in Heaven, Scalia and Krauthammer are hanging out together. When I get there, I want a seat at that table.
Profile Image for David Tai.
19 reviews6 followers
October 23, 2020
While there are some theological difference that I disagree with the book, I enjoyed reading about Justice Scalia's application of his faith into his living and the law. My favorite read in this definitely the testimonies given by his friends and family.

Some of my favorite quotes
-Faith is a gift. Justice Scalia viewed his faith as a gift. The expression he bore at Mass conveyed a sense of gratitude and responsibility. His faith was not a burden. It was not a credit. It was not an artifact. It was a gift, a blessing to be accepted, to be nurtured, to be treasured, to be shared.

-Let me conclude as I began, with a disclaimer: the burden of my remarks is not that a government of the Right is more Christ-like, only that there is no reason to believe that a government of the Left is. To tell you the truth, I do not think Christ cares very much what sort of economic or political system we live under. He certainly displayed little interest in that subject during His time among us- as did His apostle....The minimum wage, for example- which is a current political issue in Washington- is a good or bad idea depending upon whether it produces good or bad economic consequences. It has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
27 reviews
July 6, 2023
Antonin Scalia in his own words. I now have a better understanding of this great Judge.

I have learned much about this great judge. His faith is without a question the backbone of his thought process. I found his view on the separation of church and state to be illustrative and helpful in my own understanding. I am not Catholic but protestant justice Scalia gave me a better understanding of Catholicism. I would love to say more, but I do not want to ruin the joy of this book for anybody. I highly recommend!
18 reviews
April 30, 2021
As always, I find myself agreeing with conservative philosophy about 60% of the way, and then losing it at “therefore, everybody is on their own all the time”. Also, for someone who considered himself to be strictly constitutional, he sure does draw a lot of his reasoning from “tradition”

That being said, Scalia was the smartest and possibly most compassionate of that generation of the right, and we are seeing the result of his passing in our current discourse.
Profile Image for Joseph.
812 reviews
May 4, 2021
A well-curated collection of the Supreme Court Associate Justice’s perspective on faith, especially in public life. His thought is obviously well-articulated and defended. Yet surprisingly, he includes his disagreements with family and other justices and politicians, not always as a source of counter-argument, but as a way of sharing the diversity of opinions that exist on faith and perhaps gives a glimpse into the issues and opinions for which there is not always consensus.
Profile Image for Rebecca Sager.
5 reviews
September 1, 2019
Reading the speeches, essays, and decisions of Antonin Scalia gave me new insight into how a man of faith views our founding documents and their impact on legislation and the judiciary. Through his eyes, we can see many of the fallacies and traps our current public servants are falling into. A compelling read.
Profile Image for Janet Jenkins.
138 reviews2 followers
October 2, 2020
The authors of other 5 star reviews have done a far better job of explaining why they rated this book in such a manner. It was a book that appeared at the right time, with the troubles our nation is facing, the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. God Bless the United States of America🇺🇸
Profile Image for K Chang.
26 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2022
reading this to try to understand the origin of a lot of different conservative views. honestly very well written, but I wonder if his originalist views of the Constitution are used a a cover for his conservatism denying equal rights to Americans. And only further backed up using his religious views. I am disliking Scalia so far.
86 reviews
January 24, 2022
So glad I read this, it was given to me by a friend over wise I never would have picked it up. It is at heart collection of writing by Antonin Scalia and reveals the wisdom and heart of the man as well as his deep abiding faith. As a protestant it was wonderful to read my catholic brother's interpretation of the faith and see his love for the same Jesus who saved us both.
440 reviews
July 23, 2024
More interesting than I thought it would be. Scalia's positions make sense according to his beliefs, even if I don't always agree. However, I found myself agreeing, surprisingly, with quite a few things he said, especially about religion in public life and the fact that separation of church and state does not authorize discrimination against religion.
Profile Image for Melissa.
261 reviews
May 18, 2019
Really enjoyed this book! It was interesting to read the tributes to Justice Scalia from those who knew him, to read from these people how he touched their lives. Mixed in with various speeches he made. Great read!
29 reviews
June 1, 2019
Great insight into the inner workings of catholic belief. I really enjoyed the inside peek into Justice Scalia's personality. The writing is ...flat in a way but it gives a picture that wasn't there before, so it gets the job done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

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