Disorientation, John Zmirak, ed. (Ascension Press, 2010)
The first universities were schools of theology. Eight hundred years later, they still are — it is only the the theology that has changed. At my State U (circa 1990), our catechism was the New York Times. In English 102, I learned how the Bible was one of many ancient works of literature testifying to the truths of modern liberal morality. In philosophy I learned that free will does not exist – our every action is predetermined at the molecular level. In geology I learned that population control was the solution to all the earth’s problems. (How I was supposed to do anything about it, what with my molecules telling me to have so many children, no one ever explained. But no doubt the Invisible Hand would guide me, per Saint A. Smith.)
It was a hodge-podge of errors, spread all over the ideological map. No wonder, what with the fundamental moral dictate being Nobody Really Knows, But We’re Sure It Isn’t All That Old Fashioned Stuff.
Meanwhile, I had finished high school as my parish’s “Catholic Student of the Year”, armed with a faith as enthusiastic as it was flimsy. I was not at all prepared for the collegiate onslaught that was coming. No surprise that by the time I earned my BA I had long since left the Church.
What I had hoped, therefore, when I first picked out Disorientation for my Tiber River review book, was that it would be something more like Amy Welborn’s Prove It! books. I wanted to be able to hand my eighteen-year-old niece a readable collection of explanations about how to wade through the intellectual mire. Something gently persuasive – she might not be all that strong in her faith, so she might need to be convinced herself.
And I know I’m demanding, but there is something else I wanted: I was looking for a book that would be comfortable even to the non-catholic. A catholic book, sure, but dealing with wide principles, more the realm of natural law than of doctrine. Nearly all the topics in the book, after all, are of interest to readers of any faith, not just Catholics or even just Christians.
Unfortunately, this is not that book. So I was disappointed there. [Let this be my plea: Dear Catholic Publishers, Please issue a companion volume that is my dream book. Thank you. Jennifer.] But that doesn’t make it a bad book, just a different book. And I think some of my readers, and many fans of the famous bloggers who co-authored Disorientation, are going to really like this one.
Here’s the low-down to help you decide if this book is a good fit for you:
The essays assume you are already on board with the book’s theses. For the most part, there is very little effort to win over the doubtful – this is much more in the preaching-to-the-converted category. There are acknowledgments of the grains of truth to be found in each of the errors discussed, but mostly the essays are offering ammunition for your next debate. Invigorating reading, and a lovely antidote if you’ve accidentally read too much National Geographic lately. But not something you can hand to your on-the-fence, mildly-catholic friend, unless you’re trying to start a fight. Er, enlightened discussion.
The authors speak for themselves. If you like what Elizabeth Scalia has to say about relativism, you’re going to like her essay. If you like Father Z’s take on modernism, you’ll be a happy camper. But just because, say, you’re a total Mark Shea or Jimmy Akin groupie, does not mean that Father Z’s essay is going to fall in line with how one of those two would have handled Father Z’s assigned subject, or vice versa. And let me tell you in advance: the essay on feminism is going to raise a few hackles. Just will. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
[Note to Tiber River readers on my orthodoxy rating: I didn’t find anything in the book that was contrary to the Catholic faith. But you could be a solid catholic and disagree with some of the opinions presented.]
Keep in mind these are essays. Sounds obvious, I know. But you know how when you a read a blog – even one you really like – there are usually certain types of posts you skip? If you happen to usually skip the long, rousing essays written by your otherwise favorite author, well, here’s a collection of what you were skipping. On the other hand, if you always gloss over the pet-blogging waiting for the big guns, here they are.
The Verdict: A bunch of your are going to really like this book. It’s a compendium of superstar catholic bloggers at their most curmudgeonly, laying into all the weird modern ideologies devoted fans love to hate. Strong appeal potential for anyone who loves a great debating society.
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