Throughout history, literature has played a crucial role in forming (and deforming) civilizations. Postmodernism produced a plethora of works espousing skepticism and relativism, and we see the destructive results all around us. It forces us to seek out literary works with the power to turn the cultural tide and begin the work of rebuilding a Christian civilization. I would propose three books, all written in the 20th century, that answer the crises of postmodern man:
- Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by Pope St. John Paul II
The Wednesday Audiences that St. John Paul delivered from 1979-1984 are foundational for understanding who we are as human persons made in the image of God. The degree to which we receive them will have a massive impact on so many of the controversial issues that have been plaguing Western society in the 20th and 21st centuries. Because our culture is in an identity crisis, we needed a robust and beautiful exposition of the human person that speaks to us today, and also calls us to conversion. Reading this text prayerfully, especially with others, is a profoundly healing experience. For those in the St. Louis area, please join us on Thursday evenings for our TOB Audience Meetings where we read St. John Paul’s master work together!
- The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI
When this book came out in 2000, I remember seeing it at the Daughters of St. Paul Bookstore; I bought it, and read it with delight. Anyone who desires a biblically rich exposition on why the Liturgy is central to life, and how the properly oriented worship of the Trinity leads to the divinization and fulfillment of man. So many themes are covered, including the cosmic dimensions of the Liturgy, the interconnection between worship, law, and ethics, the placement of the tabernacle, art and images, the direction of liturgical prayer, the importance of kneeling, and much more. Then Cardinal Ratzinger, in his original 1999 preface, stated the following:
If this book were to encourage, in a new way, something like a “liturgical movement,” a movement toward the liturgy and toward the right way of celebrating the liturgy, inwardly and outwardly, then the intention which inspired its writing would be richly fulfilled.[i]
Pope Benedict also said the following in his preface to Ignatius Press’ 2018 Commemorative Edition:
The postconciliar drama was largely marked by the battle around the correct renewal of the liturgy. At first a person could have thought the whole thing was but a paltry internal conflict among Christians concerning, for instance, the question of whether Latin should remain the language of the liturgy or whether it was necessary to admit all the languages of the world. It soon became obvious, however, that a Church that could no longer mediate the encounter with the living God, but instead only enabled little groups to celebrate themselves, would be a meaningless Church. And it became evident as well that this issue concerned far more than just the community of believers. Rather, it was seen that the collapse of the Church, considered a possibility by sociologists, would represent a catastrophe of unforeseeable proportions for the whole of mankind.[ii]
The Image of God Institute has a monthly Benedict XVI Study Group and will be diving into the Spirit of the Liturgy sometime next year.
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Arguably the greatest piece of literature of the 20th century, Tolkien gave us his masterpiece detailing the journey and mission of Frodo, Sam, and their fellowship to save Middle Earth from the horrors of Sauron. Why would a work of fiction in a different world than ours, with its own history and languages, have such a huge impact on our civilization? Because Tolkien weaves important themes of sacrifice, friendship, perseverance, humor, beauty, courage, and interior struggle into an expansive and detailed narrative that delights the imagination and the heart of a wide range of ages and backgrounds, this book merits inclusion among the best of all time, and will continue to impact all of us in a struggle to renew our culture for all that is good and true. As Tolkien stated, “The Lord of the Rings is, of course, a fundamentally religious work and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision…”[iii]
The Institute also has a monthly Literature Club which will be discussing The Lord of the Rings in 2025.
Each of these books has a common theme: Knowing God and ourselves. St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and J.R.R Tolkien, having lived through the atrocities of the last century, had a keen awareness of the problems of our culture and their texts allow us to slow down and reflect upon the realities of God and the human person. Reading and internalizing these great works, especially in community with others, is a simple yet effective way to begin the work of rebuilding Western Civilization at its foundations.
[i] Joseph Cardinal Razinger/Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, The Spirit of the Liturgy, Ignatius Press, 2020, p. 22-23
[ii] Ibid, p. 16
[iii] Joseph Pearce, Tolkien: Man and Myth, Ignatius Press, 1998, p. 100, referencing Humphrey Carpenter (ed.) The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, George Allen and Unwin, 1981, p. 172