“If Catholicism is only a ‘religion’ then to hell with it”. So starts William Slattery’s book entitled “ Enchanted by Eternity: Recapturing the Wonder of the Catholic Worldview”. The book drew me to it with reviews talking about the kingdom of God on Earth. Slattery starts off with a recollection of his youthful questioning of how can this religion be so earth-shattering in a sense and yet be seemingly relegated to a compartmentalized Sunday and private salvation. Slattery goes on to reveal the culprit as to why this is so – the modern world view – or referred to as modernity. Modernity relegates Catholicism to just one other religion or faith on the world stage.
The author gives an inspiring view of Catholicism that is enlivening and living. It is a view that I will occasionally feel in my mind and heart and feel overwhelming peace and joy. The view or feeling is often momentary and the routine, cares and concerns of everyday life seems to sap that view. Perhaps it is not meant to be continuous but rather like the Transfiguration a glimpse of the glory of God. Then we descend the mountain and live out our faith in the routine and troubles of this world. However it is a treasure to read a book that promotes that vision.
The author describes the times we live in as both exciting with many astounding breakthroughs in healthcare, psychology, education, politics and arts. However he tempers this with a litany of depressing facts about our society today such as depression, suicides, psychological problems, cancer and obesity, to name a few. Again the culprit of modernity is discussed as a push that drives us away from the human beings we were created to be. I believe life is a mixture of this good and bad that is a battle in which we participate in. The author highlights this conflict in modern life.
The book delves into the attributes of modernity that dehumanizes us. He discusses the compartmentalizing and a focus on matter with a deterministic or machine like view of life. It includes a modern view that God created the world and then leaves it alone to run its machine like course. Also aggravated by the rise of relativism, where there is my truth and your truth. The discussion made a lot of sense and was relatable to a modern view of the world.
The author talks about the modernity Face of God as one of all-powerful, distant, uninvolved and to be feared. He quotes French historian Paul Veyne, an agnostic, who stated that the chief reason Christianity conquered the Roman empire was the “gigantic nature of its God”. The author then discusses recent developments in astrophysics, microbiology, quantum physics, the big-bang theory and mathematics that coincide with the Catholicism world view. This in depth discussion was illuminating and fascinating. It made me search for more information on quantum physics which is a fascinating subject unto itself.
The author goes on to relate this Catholicism world view to the Scriptures. He covers Genesis, the Old Testament, the Gospel of Jesus and his crucifixion and resurrection, and the book of Revelation. The picture painted is coherent and inspiring. The chapters may have played a part in my recent direction to read the entire Bible over the course of a year. The author discusses the heavenized planet earth, leaning on text from the book of Revelation. The Kingdom of God is discussed. To quote the author “ If you were to pick one biblical concept to sum up what the entire Bible is about and what Jesus intended to achieve during his life’s time in Israel, it would be the establishment of this Kingdom.”
The book wraps up discussing the vision of heaven. It is beautiful. I will leave that for your review. The vision is backed by quotes from Scripture. “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”. The last chapter talks about what all this means to us today in how we live our lives. It is full of inspiring text. Too much to do justice. It builds as the Tchaikovsky’s Overture quoted to an inspiring ending.
I recommend the book. It would be appealing to anyone that is interested in the inter-relationship between science and religion. Also appeals as an inspiring text for those that seek a deeper connection to their religious beliefs in a secular society. It is written as directed to Catholicism, but I believe would have appeal to any Christian denomination or anyone searching for God. I do have to admit sometimes it can be a bit overly deep and sometimes seem repetitive. However I recommend pushing through any parts that may not appeal. It is well worth the journey!