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Sense, Sensibility, and Adam Smith with Jan Van Vliet

Life and Books and Everything — Clearly Reformed

Sense, Sensibility, and Adam Smith with Jan Van Vliet

February 16, 2026
Life and Books and Everything
Life and Books and EverythingClearly Reformed

This year is a special anniversary for the United States as Americans celebrate 250 years of independence. But 1776 was an important year in more ways than one. Besides the Declaration (and several other key events and people), 1776 was the year that Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations. In this episode, Kevin talks to Dordt professor Jan Van Vliet about his book on Adam Smith (P&R, 2024). Together, Kevin and Jan explore Smith’s biography, his two most important works, whether those works contradict each other, and whether Smith was religious. Along the way, they look at how Smith influenced the modern world and what lessons we can still incorporate today.

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