[jonno]

Keep in mind that over the years Piper has often commented on Rand. This Interview was not meant to be an exhaustive critique. In the following link Piper deals more directly with her ideas.
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-ethics-of-ayn-rand

Hank weighs in too (a blast from the past)...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2408625/posts

[freestyle]

Thanks, I’ll check these out. I actively seek out criticism of Rand and her ideas. Rand had a way of using such precise and literal language (perhaps because English was a second language) that it becomes a bit disappointing when I start reading a critique that immediately sets up a straw man and argues against that.

[freestyle]

Thank-you. That first link (www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-ethics-of-ayn-rand) is a much more comprehensive version of the authors knowledge of Objectivism and Rand. He does a very solid job of describing her views objectively. I find the final critique to be a bit confusing though. Essentially, he says that Rand's philosophy of ethics are sound IF there is no "Maker". He concludes that since, in reality, there is a Maker who cannot be dealt with (traded with voluntarily) as man, that she is unable to conceive the rational reasoning for mercy. (This is how I am understanding his point, granted, I'm not totally able to follow his logic).

I know Rand argues that if charity is said to be a moral "duty" then it corrupts or perverts the concept "benevolence".