My pre-order is supposed to arrive today. Congratulations on the new book, Rod. I still haven’t found God yet, but I’m still trying. I look forward to reading Living in Wonder.
Whether that's your real name or a handle, it's a great one. I picture a medieval mendicant monk on a preaching tour through the Dolomites when I see it. Perhaps I've read too many Umberto Eco novels.
Seven years ago I was speaking at a Protestant apologetics conference on a roster with the esteemed J. P. Moreland. In a breakout session, he told the astounding incident of the appearance of an angel in a classroom where he was teaching -- and event witnessed by the students. Moreland asked the breakout session if any of us had seen an angel. I alone raised my hand. After class he shooed everyone away and listened attentively as I told of seeing a long line of armed men along the north wall of my church sanctuary. They were standing at what I'd call "parade rest," and I knew they were there for a reason (I had just revised a controversial book I'd written and needed protection.). When I finished telling Dr. Moreland this incident, he nodded gravely and said, "You are a very dangerous woman."
Rod, you are a dangerous man, and I believe you are being similarly protected. I can't wait to get my copy of the book which should arrive tomorrow.
The spiritual warfare before this book, and what could come after, are just incredible, ay? Darkness did not want this going out. As you know, we get to pray up, on all four sides and in multiple dimensions, that surrounding wall of spiritual guards.
Very recently, my husband and I were driving in a heavy storm that came up without warning. Suddenly the car next to us aquaplaned and went perpendicular right in front of us. My husband is a skilled driver but I believe our angels saved us. I have no explanation otherwise for avoiding an accident. (We had cars and trucks on all sides) I later looked up the storm, to see if the aquaplane driver was safe or what (had been praying for him), but though the storm was mentioned, and there were numerous accidents, it did not mention this incident. So I am assuming he did not get killed, which is also a miracle. I am grateful.
You’ve had fine reviews saying what it will mean, many things, for me, chiefly the need of the non-Orthodox to realize the immanence of God, and all the beauty, miracles and wonder of life. So I can only humbly add a small thing. As you know, God did not give me the gift of writing, but I think I can recognize good writing and bad. This is good!
It flows. I don’t get lost in convoluted sentences. It conveys deep meanings in the right words. It is concise enough without skipping what needs to be said. It does not meander. Of course the stories are great fun, as you've been told. As I read it I believe I felt what is called the “left-brain” letting go. It speaks to both the “rationalism of parts” and holism. Meaning that the way you call beyond human logic to “the right brain”, this even for intelligent people who can use analysis, may be my favorite. But then, you probably know, once I knew you, I saw that your ability to do that was central to your spiritual self and blesses your readers. How you do that with language - supposedly not the right brains specialty? Well...wonder. Integration of parts, perhaps. Zowie.
Maybe you noticed my bachelor’s is in music despite teaching math and trading stocks. Yes, I am analytical, but aesthetics and intuition are there too, always were. You gave a sort of permission or way for non-logic (non-human logic) to take precedence in my faith. My Anglican faith, though sacramental, had said - three pillars: reason, tradition, scripture. Man, you blew that and your book blows it further regarding “reason”. But you know that.
I’m only on chapter three. I think the book should be savored and studied, not gulped. I think the part about Marco Semarini is some of your very best writing. Only the ghost story in the Dante book beats it, and that is no mere ghost story, but a very spiritual story about healing, spirits and family curses. I think you know. - Hope you don’t mind me saying this as well (and I admit writing this before this before I saw the CT review): You printed the part about Marco before in Substack, and I loved it, but then you perhaps went to discussing politics. Important but it did not match. In the book I can stick with Wonder. Is politics the left brain?
My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed your Q&A session at Samford last night. Thanks for making the long trek to Alabama. Hurry back soon! I’ll be digging into the new book on my way to Mexico. Thanks for praying for the mission (your offer to pray on the spot was most gracious, and a memory I will cherish). Safe travels home!
It was a great event last night in Birmingham. I wish everyone reading could have been there.
It was inspiring first of all to see all the books on display from Eighth Day (and to meet Warren Farha). Looking over all those titles and thinking about the lineage--from the Greeks and Romans to the Desert Fathers and early saints, all the way up to new books like The Devil's Best Trick to McGilchrist and Esolen and, of course, Living in Wonder--well, it was a tangible reminder that we're part of an intellectual tradition of which we can be proud.
Rod was on his game: what was most impressive was how easily and fluently he discussed what are some pretty difficult-to-verbalize topics. As a listener, it was no doubt helpful to be a reader of this newsletter--lots of what was discussed would be familiar to us. But I also believe that the many people hearing this for the first time came away enlightened--and just as important, curious to learn more. The first step of getting people to live in wonder is probably to cultivate wonder. I think last night's talk did that, and I'm sure the book will do so as well.
And hey, glad to see that coozy pressed into immediate service and fulfilling its Aristotelian final cause :) May it hold many a beer in the years to come!
Rod wants to hear about encounters with angels. In Catholic theology everyone has a Guardian Angel and there have been events that have made me wonder if they were "Guardian Angel" moments. That said, each one could easily be written off as coincidence; I won't fault anyone who does. I believe such moments *happen*, but don't presume the discernment to declare any particular event definitively so.
I'll list here only the one I think most likely:
My brother's intrusive thought he needs to check on his young son. He stops what he's doing, searches the house and comes across the little guy climbing up tall bookcase shelves as though a ladder, the bookcase wobbling and threatening to crash down. Five minutes later, he was bolting it to the wall.
Thank you, Rod, for all that you do. As a formerly-atheist political philosopher, I'm hardly your target audience. Yet notice the "formerly" in that sentence. Your work--in your books, at TAC and on this substack--has opened my mind and heart. (The Exorcist Files podcast has played a role, too, as has meditation.)
I enjoyed attending your visit to Samford. It was fun to meet you for a moment as well. I'm so glad that you have mementos from your trip to Alabama. The Go to Church or the Devil Will Get You sign has been on that property for as long as I can remember. It is iconic. And true! It is on property that was originally owned by the patriarch of family of road builders. Good people. I'll try to get you a Beer & Hymns huggie to send you the next time I go. This event is held monthly on a Monday night at Iron City. It is an outreach of Independent Presbyterian Church with extremely talented musicians and old gospel hymns. It is open to all ages and a very diverse crowd of people from all walks of life attend.
I hope you get into music and liturgy in the book. Those are what brought me back to the Methodist church when I strayed in my younger years. The familiarity of the ritual of generational, communal music and liturgy within the worship service grounded me back to my roots in Christianity (and Methodism). My worry with modern worship is that it is always changing. With modern worship, there is nothing that you can come back to and shed tears because you remember your grandmother's voice singing that very hymn beside you when you were a child. Same with the corporate recitation of the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the singing of the Doxology, etc. I wouldn't say Methodism has as strong traditions as Eastern Orthodoxy, but traditional Methodist worship does provide the structure to allow one to feel God's presence in ways that modern worship does not.
Thanks for writing "Living in Wonder." I am excited to read it and plan to share it with many others as well.
I love this! I only wish there were two fiddles. The mandolin is especially commendable I think, and those close harmonies are hard to beat. The guys also strike me as quite bright, not like the stereotype in the film - and I like the film a lot - "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"
But as it is "Living in Wonder" release day, I will relate the book to a quote from the film (and classic literature): "It's a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart."― Ulysses Everett McGill."
My pre-order is supposed to arrive today. Congratulations on the new book, Rod. I still haven’t found God yet, but I’m still trying. I look forward to reading Living in Wonder.
Whether that's your real name or a handle, it's a great one. I picture a medieval mendicant monk on a preaching tour through the Dolomites when I see it. Perhaps I've read too many Umberto Eco novels.
BF, seek and you will find.
First came Purgatory (TBO), then the Inferno (LNBL), now Paradise.
Seven years ago I was speaking at a Protestant apologetics conference on a roster with the esteemed J. P. Moreland. In a breakout session, he told the astounding incident of the appearance of an angel in a classroom where he was teaching -- and event witnessed by the students. Moreland asked the breakout session if any of us had seen an angel. I alone raised my hand. After class he shooed everyone away and listened attentively as I told of seeing a long line of armed men along the north wall of my church sanctuary. They were standing at what I'd call "parade rest," and I knew they were there for a reason (I had just revised a controversial book I'd written and needed protection.). When I finished telling Dr. Moreland this incident, he nodded gravely and said, "You are a very dangerous woman."
Rod, you are a dangerous man, and I believe you are being similarly protected. I can't wait to get my copy of the book which should arrive tomorrow.
The spiritual warfare before this book, and what could come after, are just incredible, ay? Darkness did not want this going out. As you know, we get to pray up, on all four sides and in multiple dimensions, that surrounding wall of spiritual guards.
Some keep waiting. Just ask Father Hopkins:
Andromeda
Now Time’s Andromeda on this rock rude,
With not her either beauty’s equal or
Her injury’s, looks off by both horns of shore,
Her flower, her piece of being, doomed dragon’s food.
Time past she has been attempted and pursued
By many blows and banes; but now hears roar
A wilder beast from West than all were, more
Rife in her wrongs, more lawless, and more lewd.
Her Perseus linger and leave her tó her extremes?—
Pillowy air he treads a time and hangs
His thoughts on her, forsaken that she seems,
All while her patience, morselled into pangs,
Mounts; then to alight disarming, no one dreams,
With Gorgon’s gear and barebill, thongs and fangs.
And yet, why do men then now not reck his rod?
Wreck
!
Very recently, my husband and I were driving in a heavy storm that came up without warning. Suddenly the car next to us aquaplaned and went perpendicular right in front of us. My husband is a skilled driver but I believe our angels saved us. I have no explanation otherwise for avoiding an accident. (We had cars and trucks on all sides) I later looked up the storm, to see if the aquaplane driver was safe or what (had been praying for him), but though the storm was mentioned, and there were numerous accidents, it did not mention this incident. So I am assuming he did not get killed, which is also a miracle. I am grateful.
Dear Rod Dreher: How your book sings!
You’ve had fine reviews saying what it will mean, many things, for me, chiefly the need of the non-Orthodox to realize the immanence of God, and all the beauty, miracles and wonder of life. So I can only humbly add a small thing. As you know, God did not give me the gift of writing, but I think I can recognize good writing and bad. This is good!
It flows. I don’t get lost in convoluted sentences. It conveys deep meanings in the right words. It is concise enough without skipping what needs to be said. It does not meander. Of course the stories are great fun, as you've been told. As I read it I believe I felt what is called the “left-brain” letting go. It speaks to both the “rationalism of parts” and holism. Meaning that the way you call beyond human logic to “the right brain”, this even for intelligent people who can use analysis, may be my favorite. But then, you probably know, once I knew you, I saw that your ability to do that was central to your spiritual self and blesses your readers. How you do that with language - supposedly not the right brains specialty? Well...wonder. Integration of parts, perhaps. Zowie.
Maybe you noticed my bachelor’s is in music despite teaching math and trading stocks. Yes, I am analytical, but aesthetics and intuition are there too, always were. You gave a sort of permission or way for non-logic (non-human logic) to take precedence in my faith. My Anglican faith, though sacramental, had said - three pillars: reason, tradition, scripture. Man, you blew that and your book blows it further regarding “reason”. But you know that.
I’m only on chapter three. I think the book should be savored and studied, not gulped. I think the part about Marco Semarini is some of your very best writing. Only the ghost story in the Dante book beats it, and that is no mere ghost story, but a very spiritual story about healing, spirits and family curses. I think you know. - Hope you don’t mind me saying this as well (and I admit writing this before this before I saw the CT review): You printed the part about Marco before in Substack, and I loved it, but then you perhaps went to discussing politics. Important but it did not match. In the book I can stick with Wonder. Is politics the left brain?
- Written with much Wonder and thanks, Linda.
Congratulations Rod! I'm glad things went so well for you at the great book launch! Three cheers for Rod!!
My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed your Q&A session at Samford last night. Thanks for making the long trek to Alabama. Hurry back soon! I’ll be digging into the new book on my way to Mexico. Thanks for praying for the mission (your offer to pray on the spot was most gracious, and a memory I will cherish). Safe travels home!
Congratulations Rod! Looking forward to reading.
It was a great event last night in Birmingham. I wish everyone reading could have been there.
It was inspiring first of all to see all the books on display from Eighth Day (and to meet Warren Farha). Looking over all those titles and thinking about the lineage--from the Greeks and Romans to the Desert Fathers and early saints, all the way up to new books like The Devil's Best Trick to McGilchrist and Esolen and, of course, Living in Wonder--well, it was a tangible reminder that we're part of an intellectual tradition of which we can be proud.
Rod was on his game: what was most impressive was how easily and fluently he discussed what are some pretty difficult-to-verbalize topics. As a listener, it was no doubt helpful to be a reader of this newsletter--lots of what was discussed would be familiar to us. But I also believe that the many people hearing this for the first time came away enlightened--and just as important, curious to learn more. The first step of getting people to live in wonder is probably to cultivate wonder. I think last night's talk did that, and I'm sure the book will do so as well.
And hey, glad to see that coozy pressed into immediate service and fulfilling its Aristotelian final cause :) May it hold many a beer in the years to come!
Rod wants to hear about encounters with angels. In Catholic theology everyone has a Guardian Angel and there have been events that have made me wonder if they were "Guardian Angel" moments. That said, each one could easily be written off as coincidence; I won't fault anyone who does. I believe such moments *happen*, but don't presume the discernment to declare any particular event definitively so.
I'll list here only the one I think most likely:
My brother's intrusive thought he needs to check on his young son. He stops what he's doing, searches the house and comes across the little guy climbing up tall bookcase shelves as though a ladder, the bookcase wobbling and threatening to crash down. Five minutes later, he was bolting it to the wall.
Congratulations, Rod. I’m looking forward to reading your new work.
Congratulations, Rod! Can’t wait to receive my signed copy and to start reading.
My preorder is arriving today!
Thank you, Rod, for all that you do. As a formerly-atheist political philosopher, I'm hardly your target audience. Yet notice the "formerly" in that sentence. Your work--in your books, at TAC and on this substack--has opened my mind and heart. (The Exorcist Files podcast has played a role, too, as has meditation.)
I daresay you'll make a Christian out of me yet.
Best wishes to you, brother!
I enjoyed attending your visit to Samford. It was fun to meet you for a moment as well. I'm so glad that you have mementos from your trip to Alabama. The Go to Church or the Devil Will Get You sign has been on that property for as long as I can remember. It is iconic. And true! It is on property that was originally owned by the patriarch of family of road builders. Good people. I'll try to get you a Beer & Hymns huggie to send you the next time I go. This event is held monthly on a Monday night at Iron City. It is an outreach of Independent Presbyterian Church with extremely talented musicians and old gospel hymns. It is open to all ages and a very diverse crowd of people from all walks of life attend.
I hope you get into music and liturgy in the book. Those are what brought me back to the Methodist church when I strayed in my younger years. The familiarity of the ritual of generational, communal music and liturgy within the worship service grounded me back to my roots in Christianity (and Methodism). My worry with modern worship is that it is always changing. With modern worship, there is nothing that you can come back to and shed tears because you remember your grandmother's voice singing that very hymn beside you when you were a child. Same with the corporate recitation of the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the singing of the Doxology, etc. I wouldn't say Methodism has as strong traditions as Eastern Orthodoxy, but traditional Methodist worship does provide the structure to allow one to feel God's presence in ways that modern worship does not.
Thanks for writing "Living in Wonder." I am excited to read it and plan to share it with many others as well.
Woo!
Congratulations Rod! In God’s providence, today us also the Catholic feast day of St. John Paul the Great. He, no doubt, would bless your work.
Maybe it’s from a bit north of Alabamy, but it goes along with the Southern culture you’re celebrating. (And the lyrics are really good, too!)
https://youtu.be/wHnmFKxM51c?si=u6g6KONmh7oC8YkA
I love this! I only wish there were two fiddles. The mandolin is especially commendable I think, and those close harmonies are hard to beat. The guys also strike me as quite bright, not like the stereotype in the film - and I like the film a lot - "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"
But as it is "Living in Wonder" release day, I will relate the book to a quote from the film (and classic literature): "It's a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart."― Ulysses Everett McGill."
Good song, Stephen. Thanks.