Apologies Accepted

 

                                  The cover I was expecting.

The cover I got. Whether there is any difference between the editions, I do not know.

 Handbook of Christian Apologetics, by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli

“Voted one of Christianity Today's 1995 Books of the Year.

Reasonable, concise, witty and wise, Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli have written an informative and valuable guidebook for anyone looking for answers to questions of faith and reason. Topics include:

• faith and reason
• the existence of God
• God's nature
• how we know God
• creation and evolution
• providence and free will
• miracles
• the problem of evil
• the Bible's historical reliability
• the divinity of Christ
• the resurrection
• life after death
• heaven and hell
• salvation
• Christianity and other religions
• objective truth

Whether you are asking the questions yourself or want to respond to others who are, here is the resource you have been waiting for.” – Amazon. 

“We are writing this book because we have been besieged with requests for it. We both teach philosophy of religion at Boston College, and students often ask us where they can find a book that lists, outlines, or summarizes all the major arguments for all the major Christian teachings that are challenged by unbelievers today – such as the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, the trustworthiness of Scripture, and the divinity and resurrection of Christ – and answers the strongest and commonest objections against these doctrines. We were amazed to find that no such book exists! There are thousands of books on apologetics, and some very good ones, but not one of them summarizes apologetic arguments as Aquinas summarized theological arguments … This book is written to begin to fill that vacuum.” – from Chapter 1.

          And why do I need a Handbook of Christian Apologetics if I already am a Christian, you might ask? The answer is simple. In the atmosphere of our modern culture, we are increasingly challenged to defend our faith and beliefs, and to have an organized and cogent answer at hand is a great help. I spent forty years of reading and study before I made my decision, and the reasoning and explanations that went into it were protracted and diffuse. To have them here in a concentrated and orderly form (including many supporting arguments that never occurred to me) is a useful and encouraging convenience.   

Amazon delivered this book yesterday by laying it on the ground, behind a bush, at the end of the driveway, basically just a few feet from the road. The distance between that spot and the house itself could accommodate two other moderately-sized houses (but was easily spanned by a looping driveway leading to the comparative safety of the distant porch); the package was basically in the well-traveled street, almost literally screaming “Grab me and tote me home.” Luckily, I had been keeping a sharp look-out for its arrival via my computer and was able to rush out and retrieve it before anything untoward could happen. I went to grumble on Amazon’s website, but none of choices of complaint offered was “Delivered to the Stupidest Place Possible”, so I just let it go.

Socrates Meets Jesus: A Wandering Book Gets Home

What would happen if Socrates--yes, the Socrates of ancient Athens--suddenly showed up on the campus of a major university and enrolled in its divinity school? What would he think of human progress since his day? How would he react to our values? To our culture? And what would he think of Jesus? Peter Kreeft, Christian philosopher and longtime admirer of the historic Socrates, imagines the result. In this drama Socrates meets such fellow students as Bertha Broadmind, Thomas Keptic and Molly Mooney. Throughout, Kreeft weaves an intriguing web as he brings Socrates closer and closer to a meeting with Jesus. Here is a startling and provocative portrayal of reason in search of truth. In a new introduction to this revised edition, Kreeft also highlights the inspiration for this book and the key questions of truth and faith it addresses. – Amazon.  (Revised Edition 2002)

Kreeft was born March 16, 1937, in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of John and Lucy Kreeft. He took his AB at Calvin College (1959) and an MA at Fordham University (1961). He completed his doctoral studies in 1965, also at Fordham where he completed a dissertation under the direction of W. Norris Clarke. He subsequently completed his post-graduate studies at Yale University.

Kreeft joined the philosophy faculty of the Department of Philosophy of Boston College in 1965. He has debated several academics in issues related to God's existence. Shortly after he began teaching at Boston College he was challenged to a debate on the existence of God between himself and Paul Breines, an atheist and history professor, which was attended by a majority of undergraduate students. Kreeft later used many of the arguments in this debate to create the Handbook of Christian Apologetics with then undergraduate student Ronald K. Tacelli.

Kreeft converted to Catholicism during his college years. A key turning point came when he was asked by a Calvinist professor to investigate the claims of the Catholic Church that it traced itself to the early Church. He said that, on his own, he "discovered in the early Church such Catholic elements as the centrality of the Eucharist, the Real Presence, prayers to saints, devotion to Mary, an insistence on visible unity, and apostolic succession."

The "central and deciding" factor for his conversion was "the Church's claim to be the one Church historically founded by Christ." He reportedly applied C. S. Lewis's trilemma (either Jesus is Lunatic, Liar, or Lord): "I thought, just as Jesus made a claim about His identity that forces us into one of only two camps ... so the Catholic Church’s claim to be the one true Church, the Church Christ founded, forces us to say either that this is the most arrogant, blasphemous and wicked claim imaginable if it is not true, or else that she is just what she claims to be."

According to Kreeft's personal account, his conversion to the Catholic Christianity was influenced by, among other things, Gothic architecture and Thomistic philosophy, the writings of St. John of the Cross, the logic of asking saints to pray for us, and a visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City when he was twelve years old, "feeling like I was in heaven ... and wondering why, if Catholics got everything else wrong, as I had been taught, they got beauty so right..."

Although a Catholic, he places central emphasis on the unity between Catholics and Protestants.  – Wikipedia.

I had been wanting to get this book for quite some time. I was finally inspired to order it when I found a couple of other Kreeft "sequels" at HalfPrice Books. It took a long time to get here, so long in fact that the sellers assumed it was lost and offered me a refund, which I hesitated to claim; I so much really wanted the book. And today it arrived at last, and I've started tucking into it with great satisfaction.

New Acquisitions of January 22

 This Saturday John and I went to Half Price Books in San Marcos (as tends to happen at the end of January, as I find out from my history on Facebook) along with Kameron and Joey. The store still seems a little bare, but I was able to get a few good things after all.

Planet Narnia, by Michael Ward (2008), expounds the theory that C. S. Lewis, a noted scholar of medieval and renaissance literature, themed the seven books of his Narnia Chronicles around the seven ‘planets’ (for the old Greek word for ‘wanderer’ – as opposed to the ‘fixed stars’ of the night sky); in the ancient system this included the Sun and Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.  Each planet had its own character and attributes. Ward contends each Narnia book exemplifies these attributes. I have yet to read the book completely and feel a little reserved about his conclusions, but from what I’ve read and heard there may be a compelling case here. In the meantime, I get to hear about Narnia all over again. An autographed copy, “With Jovial Regards!” Lacks this cover.

The Unaborted Socrates (1983) and The Best Things in Life (1984) by Peter Kreeft. Kreeft, a professor of Philosophy at Boston College and a Catholic convert, has written several books using Socratic dialogues (with Socrates himself in a modern context) to examine various issues. In these two books he looks at abortion and the definition of what makes a good life. I was surprised to find two Kreefts on one day, and then found out that they had belonged to the same lady. I spent a little time removing a page of notes she had stapled to the back cover of Best Things; it’s in good shape for all of that. I have several other volumes by the same author, so I’m expecting good things.

J. R. R. Tolkien: Architect of Middle Earth, by Daniel Grotta (or sometimes Grotta-Kurska). Second Edition, 1978. Architect is famous in Tolkien publishing as the first Tolkien biography and for its many errors; the Tolkien Estate was blocking his access in favor of Carpenter’s authorized biography. The book rather unusually went from paperback to this 6 7/8” by 10” softcover to a hardback (with old Hildebrandt paintings for illustration) during the Jackson movie craze, when anything Tolkien would sell. John pointed this book out to me, and I had to buy it; it looked so forlorn, like the last puppy at the pound. Also, I’ve always loved the Hildebrandt cover; to have it at this size was strangely appealing. Looking it up, I see Grotta-Kurska passed away in 2015.

Casablanca (DVD). I headed out to Half-Price with the one firm intention of buying this movie; anything else I found would be gravy. I suppose there is little need to explain why I wanted a copy of this classic, except that, although it plays often on TCM, I can never be guaranteed the time to watch it. Now I can do so whenever the mood strikes me.  A standard edition.

A Charlie Brown Valentine (DVD). The 40^th Peanuts special, first released in 2002. It is NOT Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, which is what I thought I was getting. Instead of having a real storyline, it is just a string of jokes and vignettes, pleasant enough but lacking a unified tale, which Schulz (had he been alive) might have supplied. It contains the Bonus TV Special Someday You’ll Find Her, Charlie Brown. Now that it’s in the Archive, I suppose there is no point in selling it. But now I do want to get Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown and even It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown in the Remastered Deluxe Editions.

New to the Library: Symbol or Substance?

Symbol or Substance?: A Dialogue on the Eucharist with C. S. Lewis, Billy Graham and J. R. R. Tolkien (2019) by Peter Kreeft. Kreeft is of course a popular Catholic apologist, and in this imaginary conversation he presents three different positions (Evangelical, Anglican, and Catholic) on accepting the Bread and Wine and whether it is a symbolic memorial or indeed the Body and Blood of Christ.

“In this engaging fictional conversation, Peter Kreeft gives credible voices to C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Billy Graham as they discuss one of the most contentious questions in the history of Christianity: Is Jesus symbolically or substantially present in the Eucharist?

“These widely respected modern Christian witnesses represent three important Western theological traditions. Graham, an ordained Southern Baptist minister who traversed the world and the airwaves to spread the good news of salvation, represents evangelical Protestantism. Lewis, an Oxford professor, a prolific Christian apologist, and the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, was a member of the Church of England. Also an Oxford don, Tolkien was a friend of Lewis, the author of The Lord of the Rings, and a Roman Catholic.”  -- Amazon.

J. R. R. Tolkien: Religion and Politics

 

J. R. R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle-Earth, by Bradley J. Birzer. Foreword by Joseph Pearce. (2002, 2004)

“Since the appearance of The Lord of the Rings in 1954, J.R.R. Tolkien’s works have always sold briskly, appealing to a wide and diverse audience of intellectuals, religious believers, fantasy enthusiasts, and science fiction aficionados. Now, Peter Jackson’s film version of Tolkien’s trilogy—with its accompanying Rings-related paraphernalia and publicity—is playing a unique role in the dissemination of Tolkien’s imaginative creation to the masses. Yet, for most readers and viewers, the underlying meaning of Middle-earth has remained obscure. Bradley Birzer has remedied that with this fresh study. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle-earth, Birzer explains the surprisingly specific religious symbolism that permeates Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium. He also explores the social and political views that motivated the Oxford don, ultimately situating Tolkien within the Christian humanist tradition represented by Thomas More and T. S. Eliot, Dante and C. S. Lewis. Birzer argues that through the genre of myth Tolkien created a world that is essentially truer than the one we think we see around us every day, a world that transcends the colorless disenchantment of our postmodern age. “A small knowledge of history,” Tolkien once wrote, “depresses one with the sense of the everlasting weight of human iniquity.” As Birzer demonstrates, Tolkien’s recognition of evil became mythologically manifest in the guise of Ringwraiths, Orcs, Sauron, and other dark beings. But Tolkien was ultimately optimistic: even weak, bumbling hobbits and humans, as long as they cling to the Good, can finally prevail. Bradley Birzer has performed a great service in elucidating Tolkien’s powerful moral vision.” – from the publisher.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: Religion. Literature. Softcover.

The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind ‘The Lord of the Rings’, by Peter J. Kreeft. (2005)

Ignatius Press. “While nothing can equal or replace the adventure in reading Tolkien’s masterwork, The Lord of the Rings, Peter Kreeft says that the journey into its underlying philosophy can be another exhilarating adventure.
Thus, Kreeft takes the reader on a voyage of discovery into the philosophical bones of Middle earth. He organizes the philosophical themes in The Lord of the Rings into 50 categories, accompanied by over 1,000 references to the text of ‘Lord’. Since many of the great questions of philosophy are included in the 50-theme outline, this book can also be read as an engaging introduction to philosophy. For each of the philosophical topics in ‘Lord’, Kreeft presents tools by which they can be understood.” – Amazon. Kreeft is of course the amazing Catholic scholar and philosopher who has written on much of popular culture from an ethical point of view.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: Philosophy. Literary. Softcover.

Bilbo’s Journey: Discovering the Hidden Meaning of ‘The Hobbit’, by Joseph Pearce. (2012)

“Discover the Christian meaning in The Hobbit. In ‘Bilbo's Journey’ go beyond the dragons, dwarves, and elves, and discover the surprisingly deep meaning of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel The Hobbit. Bilbo's quest to find and slay the dragon Smaug is a riveting tale of daring and heroism, but as renowned Tolkien scholar Joseph Pearce shows, it is not simply Bilbo's journey, it is our journey too. It is the Christian journey of self-sacrifice out of love for others, and abandonment to providence and grace. In Bilbo's Journey: Discovering the Hidden Meaning of The Hobbit you will relive the excitement of Tolkien's classic tale, while discovering the profound Christian meaning that makes The Hobbit a truly timeless adventure.” – Google Books. Has a sequel I need to get: ‘Frodo’s Journey’.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: Religion. Literature. Softcover.

The Hobbit Party, by Jonathan Witt and Jay W. Richards. Foreword by James V. Schall. (2014)

“The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot.” Ignatius. “Anyone who has read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings can gather that their author hated tyranny, but few know that the novelist who once described himself as a hobbit “in all but size” was―even by hobbit standards―a zealous proponent of economic freedom and small government. There is a growing concern among many that the West is sliding into political, economic, and moral bankruptcy. In his beloved novels of Middle-Earth, J.R.R. Tolkien has drawn us a map to freedom. Scholar Joseph Pearce, who himself has written articles and chapters on the political significance of Tolkien’s work, testified in his book Literary Giants, Literary Catholics, “If much has been written on the religious significance of The Lord of the Rings, less has been written on its political significance―and the little that has been written is often erroneous in its conclusions and ignorant of Tolkien’s intentions…. Much more work is needed in this area, not least because Tolkien stated, implicitly at least, that the political significance of the work was second only to the religious in its importance.” Several books ably explore how Tolkien’s Catholic faith informed his fiction. None until now have centered on how his passion for liberty and limited government also shaped his work, or how this passion grew directly from his theological vision of man and creation. The Hobbit Party fills this void. The few existing pieces that do focus on the subject are mostly written by scholars with little or no formal training in literary analysis, and even less training in political economy. Witt and Richards bring to The Hobbit Party a combined expertise in literary studies, political theory, economics, philosophy, and theology.” – Amazon.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: Politics. Philosophy. Hardback.

Walking with Frodo, by Sarah Arthur. (2003)

“A devotional journey through ‘The Lord of the Rings.’” “Tolkien's Lord of the Rings epic tale has long captivated readers with its parallels to biblical truth. And now, Walking with Frodo looks at the biblical themes found in the classic Lord of the Rings trilogy. The 18 devotions pair choices and characteristics (deception vs. honesty, light vs. darkness, good vs. evil) displayed by characters in The Lord of the Rings and bring to light what the Bible has to say.” – Amazon. Gabbin’ about God and Gandalf.

Ranking: Keeper.

File Code: Religion. Devotional. Softcover.

Following Gandalf: Epic Battles and Moral Victory in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, by Matthew Dickerson. (2003)

“While the success of J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is remarkable, it's certainly no mystery. In a culture where truth is relative and morality is viewed as "old-fashioned," we eagerly welcome the message of these tales: we have free will, our choices matter, and truth can be known. Matthew Dickerson investigates the importance of free will and moral choices in Tolkien's Middle Earth, where moral victory, rather than military success, is the "real" story. He explores Christian themes throughout, including salvation, grace, and judgment. Following Gandalf will delight veteran Tolkien fans and offer new fans an impressive introduction to his major works. Engaging and theologically thought-provoking, it will interest pastors, students, seminarians, and lay readers.” – Amazon. A much better book (to my mind) than ‘Walking with Frodo’, they do have different aims; ‘Frodo’ is a devotional and ‘Gandalf’ is an explication of religious themes.

Ranking: Keeper.

File Code: Ethics. Religion. Literature. Softcover.

Finding God in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware. (2001)

I must admit that I have not read this book. I have looked into it. There are better analyses of the underlying religion beneath Tolkien; this one impresses me as mainly a proselytizing tool. I cannot fault the authors for their aims, but their style strikes me as a bit … well, frankly, of using Tolkien as a bit of cheese to bring folks to God. Or perhaps reconcile Christians to a work with wizards and magic? Either way, it seems to fall between two stools.

Ranking: Keeper.

File Code: Religion. Literature. Hardback.

Items from the Wish List: From the Sublime to the Hilarious

Poetic Diction: A Study in Meaning by Owen Barfield

First published in 1928, 'Poetic Diction: A study in Meaning' presents not merely a theory of poetic diction but also a theory of poetry and a theory of knowledge. "Language has preserved for us the inner, living history of man's soul. It reveals the evolution of consciousness." Owen Barfield Owen Barfield is one of the twentieth century's most significant writers and philosophers. A member of the Inklings, Barfield's ideas and literary artistry influenced fellow-Inklings C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, and won praise from many of the foremost literary figures of the century. Praise for Owen Barfield: "A prolific and interesting thinker" - Times Literary Supplement "The wisest and best of my unofficial teachers."- C.S.Lewis "A masterpiece ... of prophetic value" - T.S.Eliot "possibly the clearest and most searching thinker of the present time" - Howard Nemerov. – Amazon.

The Rediscovery of Meaning, and Other Essays by Owen Barfield

'The Rediscovery of Meaning' is a collection of essays about language, imagination, the human being, society and God. In each, Barfield points to solutions to the modern-day experience of meaningless fragmentation. This book includes some of Barfield's most brilliant, most readable, and most profound pieces. Among them are 'Poetic Diction and Legal Fiction', 'The Harp and the Camera', 'Matter, Imagination and Spirit', and 'Philology and the Incarnation'. – Amazon.

Owen Barfield on C.S. Lewis by Owen Barfield

'Owen Barfield on C.S. Lewis' is a collection of essays and lectures about the author, theologian, and literary scholar, C. S. Lewis. Barfield and Lewis were close friends for 44 years, from their Oxford days after WWI to Lewis's death in 1963. Barfield's reflections on their relationship ended only with his own passing, in his hundredth year. Barfield was instrumental in converting Lewis to theism. However, the two disagreed on many points, and it is that creative dialectic which defines and irradiates their friendship: "In an argument we always, both of us, were arguing for the truth, not for victory" (Owen Barfield). C.S. Lewis on Owen Barfield: "The wisest and best of my unofficial teachers." "Barfield towers above us all." To Walter Field: "You notice when Owen and I are talking metaphysics which you don't follow: you don't notice the times when you and Owen are talking economics which I can't follow. Owen is the only one who is never out of his depth." – Amazon.

Symbol or Substance?: A Dialogue on the Eucharist with C. S. Lewis, Billy Graham and J. R. R. Tolkien by Peter Kreeft

In this engaging fictional conversation, Peter Kreeft gives credible voices to C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Billy Graham as they discuss one of the most contentious questions in the history of Christianity: Is Jesus symbolically or substantially present in the Eucharist?

These widely respected modern Christian witnesses represent three important Western theological traditions. Graham, an ordained Southern Baptist minister who traversed the world and the airwaves to spread the good news of salvation, represents evangelical Protestantism. Lewis, an Oxford professor, a prolific Christian apologist, and the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, was a member of the Church of England. Also an Oxford don, Tolkien was a friend of Lewis, the author of The Lord of the Rings, and a Roman Catholic.

While Lewis and Tolkien likely discussed the Eucharist during their long friendship, the conversation in this book never took place―but it could have, says Kreeft, who faithfully presents the views of these three impressive men. – Amazon.

Christian Mythmakers: C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George Madonald, G.K. Chesterton, and Others 
by Rolland Hein

The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr (Penguin Classics) by E. T. A. Hoffmann, Anthea Bell

 Tomcat Murr is a loveable, self-taught animal who has written his own autobiography. But a printer's error causes his story to be accidentally mixed and spliced with a book about the composer Johannes Kreisler. As the two versions break off and alternate at dramatic moments, two wildly different characters emerge from the confusion - Murr, the confident scholar, lover, carouser and brawler, and the moody, hypochondriac genius Kreisler. In his exuberant and bizarre novel, Hoffmann brilliantly evokes the fantastic, the ridiculous and the sublime within the humdrum bustle of daily life, making The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr (1820-22) one of the funniest and strangest novels of the nineteenth century. – Amazon.

Upstart Crow - The Complete Series 1-3 And The Christmas Specials Boxset

Upstart Crow by Ben Elton

It’s the 1590s. William Shakespeare—brought to life on screen by the inimitable David Mitchell—is at the start of his career. But no one is taking him seriously. In London, he is mercilessly mocked by his rivals and at home in Stratford he is belittled by his sullen teenage daughter.

Yet he is determined to find an ending for his newest creation,Romeo and Juliet. Luckily, inspiration is forthcoming. The trials and tribulations of his closest friends and family reveal the plot twists he’d been missing. And not only for this famous tragedy but for many of his finest plays.

With sparkling wordplay, hilarious gags, and his trademark wit, Ben Elton celebrates the great William Shakespeare and reveals the startling stories behind the playwright’s best-known plays. – Amazon.

Rick & Morty: Season 4 (DVD) Starring Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland 

History and Faith

A Short History of the Early Church, by Harry R. Boer.

An Eerdman’s book. “For readers who want a brief yet reliable introduction to the history of the early church as well as for those who are looking for a quick review of the period, this volume furnishes a concise overview of the key events, figures, controversies, and councils essential for a proper understanding of the first seven centuries of the Christian church. Harry R. Boer provides background on the world into which the church was born, surveys the life of the church from the ministry of Jesus until 600 A.D., examines the effects of persecution and heresy on the church, explains the role of several key church leaders, and focuses specifically on the church's ongoing struggle to formulate proper doctrines of the Trinity and of Christ. Each chapter is clearly outlined and concludes with several discussion questions that enhance the book's use as a study guide for church groups or as a text in courses on early church history.” I got this copy in the early 80’s and found it a good factual resource to combat more secularly-biased versions of history.

Ranking: Keeper.

File Code: Church History. Religion. Softcover.

How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, by Thomas E. Woods, Jr., Ph. D.

“Ask someone today where Western Civilization originated, and he or she might say Greece or Rome. But what is the ultimate source of Western Civilization? Bestselling author and professor Thomas E. Woods, Jr. provides the long neglected answer: the Catholic Church. In the new paperback edition of his critically acclaimed book, How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, Woods goes far beyond the familiar tale of monks copying manuscripts and preserving the wisdom of classical antiquity. Gifts such as modern science, free-market economics, art, music, and the idea of human rights come from the Catholic Church, explains Woods. In How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, you’ll learn:

• Why modern science was born in the Catholic Church
• How Catholic priests developed the idea of free-market economics five hundred years before Adam Smith
• How the Catholic Church invented the university
• Why what you know about the Galileo affair is wrong
• How Western law grew out of Church canon law

·         How the Church humanized the West by insisting on the sacredness of all human life

No institution has done more to shape Western civilization than the two-thousand-year-old Catholic Church—and in ways that many of us have forgotten or never known. How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization is essential reading for recovering this lost truth.” – Google Books. If we continue chopping away at the roots of our culture, we may find there is nothing (philosophically speaking) holding up the branches anymore. Illustrated.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: History. Western Civilization. Hardback.

Literary Converts, by Joseph Pearce.

“A biographical exploration into the spiritual lives of some of the greatest writers in the English language this century. The twentieth century has been marked both by belief and unbelief. While attendance at church has declined dramatically, the lives of many of the greatest leaders have been influenced and inspired by Christianity. In LITERARY CONVERTS Joseph Pearce explores the world of some of the finest writers in the English language who have believed. Most of those included converted to Roman Catholicism and some to Anglicanism. The list is like a 'Who's Who' of the last one hundred years: Oscar Wilde, Evelyn Waugh, C S Lewis, Malcolm Muggeridge, Graham Greene, Hilaire Belloc, G K Chesterton, Dorothy L Sayers, T S Eliot and J R R Tolkien.” – Google Books. Pearce takes a historical look at the movement, from the conversion of Wilde at the beginning of the century to the death of the ambiguous Grahame Greene near its end, to look at the influences and motives of the ‘Literary Converts’, including their debates and controversies with the likes of Shaw and Wells. Illustrated with photos.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: Literary History. Religion. Hardback.

Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C. S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley, by Peter Kreeft.

“On November 22, 1963, three great men died within a few hours of each other: C. S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy and Aldous Huxley. All three believed, in different ways, that death is not the end of human life. Suppose they were right, and suppose they met after death. How might the conversation go? Peter Kreeft imagines their discussion as a part of The Great Conversation that has been going on for centuries. Does human life have meaning? Is it possible to know about life after death? What if one could prove that Jesus was God? With Kennedy taking the role of a modern humanist, Lewis representing Christian theism and Huxley advocating Eastern pantheism, the dialogue is lively and informative.” – Amazon. While Kreeft is a decidedly Christian writer, he gives the other viewpoints a fair hearing, often quoting from the speakers’ works themselves. There is a similar book by Kreeft, “Symbol or Substance?”, a dialogue on the Eucharist as imagined between Billy Grahame, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien, that I want to get.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: Religion. Philosophy. Softcover.

Wish List: Apologetics and Testimonies

The Real Story of Catholic History: Answering Twenty Centuries of Anti-Catholic Myths by Steve Weidenkopf

Anti-Catholics like to paint Church teachings in a way that makes them seem vain, backward, or superstitious, all in the hope of drawing people out of the Faith and into sects or unbelief. Catholic apologists fight back with facts and sound arguments. But there's another area where the Church's enemies tell their own false story Of Catholicism: its history. Whether it's from the media, in classrooms, or out of the mouths of pastors and politicians, we've all heard a version of Catholic history filled with unrelenting violence, ignorance, worldliness, and bigotry. It's enough to make many believers question whether the Church truly was founded by Christ! This kind of attack requires no less of a response from those who know the truth. In The Real Story of Catholic History, Steve Weidenkopf gives it to you. Weidenkopf (The Glory of the Crusades) collects over fifty of the most common and dangerous lies about Catholic history and, drawing on his experience as a historian and apologist, shows how to answer them simply and powerfully. Whether it's claims about Catholicism's supposedly pagan origins, old myths about Galileo or the Inquisition that never seem to go away, or more modern misconceptions that anti-Catholics cynically exploit, The Real Story provides the desperately needed corrective. Packed with research and diligent in pursuit of the truth, while never whitewashing or explaining away the Church's past faults when they're found, The Real Story of Catholic History is an essential resource for every Catholic's bookshelf. - Amazon.

Go in Peace: Your Guide to the Purpose and Power of Confession by Mitch Pacwa

Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila (Dover Books on Western Philosophy) by St. Teresa of Avila

In this landmark of Christian mysticism, the revered Carmelite nun presents moving accounts of her profound religious experiences and ultimate union with God. St. Teresa wrote this memoir at the behest of her confessor. It offers a warm, accessible account of her transformation into an impassioned leader and reformer of church doctrine.
St. Teresa recounts her childhood and education in sixteenth-century Spain, her physical afflictions and spiritual crises, her many visions and mystical encounters, and her determination to embrace the contemplative life. In describing the ascent of the soul, she explains the core of her theology as a four-stage process that progresses from mental prayer to divine rapture. Next to Don Quixote, this timeless work constitutes Spain's most popular prose classic. It forms an excellent introduction to the saint's other writings and to the Christian tradition of mystical literature. – Amazon.

A Shorter Summa: The Essential Philosophical Passages of Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica by Peter Kreeft

A shortened version of Kreeft's much larger Summa of the Summa, which in turn was a shortened version of the Summa Theologica. The reason for the double shortening is pretty obvious: the original runs some 4000 pages! (The Summa of the Summa was just over 500.) The Summa is certainly the greatest, most ambitious, most rational book of theology ever written. In it, there is also much philosophy, which is selected, excerpted, arranged, introduced, and explained in footnotes here by Kreeft, a popular Thomist teacher and writer. St. Thomas Aquinas is universally recognized as one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived. His writings combine the two fundamental ideals of philosophical writing: clarity and profundity. He is a master of metaphysics and technical terminology, yet so full of both theoretical and practical wisdom. He is the master of common sense. The Summa Theologica is timeless, but particularly important today because of his synthesis of faith and reason, revelation and philosophy, and the Biblical and the classical Greco-Roman heritages. This little book is designed for beginners, either for classroom use or individually. It contains the most famous and influential passages of St. Thomas' philosophy with copious aids to understanding them. – Amazon.

Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men by Dwight Longenecker

Modern biblical scholars tend to dismiss the Christmas story of the “wise men from the East” as pious legend. Matthew’s gospel offers few details, but imaginative Christians filled out the story early on, giving us the three kings guided by a magical star who join the adoring shepherds in every Christmas crèche.

For many scholars, then, there is no reason to take the gospel story seriously. But are they right? Are the wise men no more than a poetic fancy?

In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod.

In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world.

The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The “star” that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment—confirmed by computer models—that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king.

The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod “and all Jerusalem with him” may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel. – Amazon.

Confessions by Saint Augustine, Michael P. Foley

Like the first Hackett edition of the Augustine's Confessions, the second edition features F. J. Sheed's remarkable translation of this classic spiritual autobiography with an Introduction by noted historian of late antiquity Peter Brown. New to this edition are a wealth of notes on literary, philosophical, biblical, historical, and liturgical topics by Michael P. Foley, an Editor's Preface, a map, a timeline, paragraph numbers in the text, a glossary, and a thorough index. The text itself has been completely reset, with textual and explanatory notes placed at the foot of the page for easy reference. – Amazon.

The Golden Legend: Lives of the Saints by Jacobus de Voragine

Legenda Of Jacobus de Voragine, appearing about the middle Of the century, was hailed as aurea, as golden amid the baser metal Of all other such repertories. – Amazon.

God Against the Gods: Storytelling, Imagination and Apologetics in the Bible by Brian Godawa

How God Captures the Imagination

Brian Godawa, Hollywood screenwriter and best-selling novelist, explores the nature of imagination in the Bible and how it relates to apologetics and evangelism.

He explains how God subverts pagan religions by appropriating their imagery and creativity and redeeming them within a Biblical worldview.

Improve your imagination in glorifying God and defending the faith.

You will discover what C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Francis Schaeffer understood about Christian apologetics and Biblical evangelism.

Here are the Chapters and what you will learn:

Demonizing the Pagan Gods
God verbally attacked his opponents, pagans and their gods, by using sarcasm, mockery and name-calling. Demonization is not wrong if they really are demonic.

Old Testament Storytelling Apologetics
Israel shared creative images with their pagan neighbors: The sea dragon of chaos, and the storm god. The Bible invests them with new meaning.

Biblical Creation and Storytelling
Creation stories in the ancient Near East and the Bible both express a primeval battle to create order out of chaos. But how do they differ?

The Universe in Ancient Imagination
A comparison and contrast of the Biblical picture of the universe with the ancient pagan one. What’s the difference?

New Testament Storytelling Apologetics
Paul’s sermon to the pagans on Mars Hill was subversive storytelling: Retelling society’s narrative through a Gospel lens.

Imagination in Prophecy and Apocalypse
How God uses symbolism to both obscure and reveal meaning in prophecy.

An Apologetic of Biblical Horror
Learn how God uses the genre of horror in the Bible as a powerful moral tool to communicate spiritual, social and moral truth. – Amazon.

The Imagination of God: Art, Creativity and Truth in the Bible by Brian Godawa

Want to Know God More? Use Your Imagination

This book was previously released with the title, Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story and Imagination.

Artist and screenwriter Brian Godawa used to revel in his ability to argue the truth of the Gospel, often intellectually crushing his opponents in the process.

But winning an argument does not equal persuading people to follow Jesus. So what’s missing?

Through prayer and searching the Scriptures, Godawa realized that while God cares deeply for rationality, it wasn’t the only tool he used to reach people with his truth.

He discovered that storytelling, visual images, and other art in the Bible were central to Biblical evangelism and Christian apologetics because they could go places reason could never go: into the imagination and the heart.

The Bible is a Work of Art

Weaving historical insight, pop culture and personal narrative throughout, Godawa reveals the importance God places on imagination and creativity in the Scriptures.

You’ll get a biblical foundation to pursue imagination, creativity, beauty, wonder and mystery in your faith.

You’ll learn what C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien understood: The power of poetry, parables and visual art found in God's Word.

For any Christian who wants to learn Biblical evangelism and Christian apologetics in a postmodern context, this book will help you find a path between the two extremes of intellectualized faith and anti-intellectual faith by recovering a biblical balance between reason and imagination. – Amazon.

Not God's Type by Holly Ordway

This is the story of a glorious defeat.

Ordway, an atheist academic, was convinced that faith was superstitious nonsense. As a well-educated college English professor, she saw no need for just-so stories about God. Secure in her fortress of atheism, she was safe (or so she thought) from any assault by irrational faith.

But then something happened . . . How did she come to “lay down her arms” in surrender to Christ – and then, a few years later, enter into the Catholic Church?

This is the moving account of her unusual journey. It is the story of an academic becoming convinced of the truth of Christianity on rational grounds – but also the account of God’s grace acting in and through her imagination.

It is the tale of an unfolding, developing relationship with God, told with directness and honesty – and of a painful surrender at the foot of the Cross. It is the account of a lifelong, transformative love of reading – and the story of how a competitive fencer put down her sabre to pick up the sword of the Spirit.

Above all, this book is a tale of grace, acting in and through human beings but always issuing from God and leading back to Him. And it is the story of a woman being brought home. – Amazon.

Socrates Meets Jesus by Peter Kreeft

History's greatest questioner confronts the claims of Christ. – Amazon.

The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ by Brant Pitre, Robert Barron

For well over a hundred years now, many scholars have questioned the historical truth of the Gospels, claiming that they were originally anonymous. Others have even argued that Jesus of Nazareth did not think he was God and never claimed to be divine.

In The Case for Jesus, Dr. Brant Pitre, the bestselling author of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, goes back to the sources—the biblical and historical evidence for Christ—in order to answer several key questions, including:

   • Were the four Gospels really anonymous?
   • Are the Gospels folklore? Or are they biographies?
   • Were the four Gospels written too late to be reliable?
   • What about the so-called “Lost Gospels,” such as “Q” and the Gospel of Thomas?
   • Did Jesus claim to be God? 
   • Is Jesus divine in all four Gospels? Or only in John?
   • Did Jesus fulfill the Jewish prophecies of the Messiah?
   • Why was Jesus crucified?
   • What is the evidence for the Resurrection?

As The Case for Jesus will show, recent discoveries in New Testament scholarship, as well as neglected evidence from ancient manuscripts and the early church fathers, together have the potential to pull the rug out from under a century of skepticism toward the traditional Gospels. Above all, Pitre shows how the divine claims of Jesus of Nazareth can only be understood by putting them in their ancient Jewish context. – Amazon.

The Devil in the City of Angels: My Encounters With the Diabolical by Jesse Romero

“I went from an indifferent apathetic Sunday Mass attending Catholic Christian to an on fire Catholic Christian in a few short years. What reignited my faith? The many encounters I had with the occult and diabolical.” 

So says renowned Catholic apologist and retired veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Jesse Romero. Now for the first time in print, Romero reveals the harrowing details of his experiences with the demonic while working for the LASD. Discover the true stories of spiritual warfare being waged in the streets and alleys of L.A., including: 

• Romero’s encounters with Richard Ramirez, the infamous “Night Stalker” 
• How the Rosary drove out a demon that had taken hold of a young man 
• What happened when inmates involved in the occult would try to say “Jesus is Lord” 
• How a young man who had committed suicide returned to beg his parents for prayers to release him from the pains of Purgatory 
• …and much more. 

The Devil in the City of Angels is much more than a catalog of strange and terrifying events. It exposes Satan as the Father of Lies so we can see how he works, and how to defeat him. Drawing on his own experiences as well as the most authoritative sources, Romero offers the reader numerous cautionary tales, but also that hope that is only found in Jesus Christ and his Church. – Amazon.

Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft, Ronald K. Tacelli

Reasonable, concise, witty and wise, Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli have written an informative and valuable guidebook for anyone looking for answers to questions of faith and reason. Topics include:

• faith and reason
• the existence of God
• God's nature
• how we know God
• creation and evolution
• providence and free will
• miracles
• the problem of evil
• the Bible's historical reliability
• the divinity of Christ
• the resurrection
• life after death
• heaven and hell
• salvation
• Christianity and other religions
• objective truth

Whether you are asking the questions yourself or want to respond to others who are, here is the resource you have been waiting for. – Amazon.