The Counsel of Trent

writing is thinking

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Great new book

Erik Wielenberg's excellent new book God and the Reach of Reason: C.S. Lewis, David Hume, and Bertrand Russell is now out. This is a rare gem. I read most of this in MS form and I can't say enough good things about it. Erik is that rare bird who--though he may have an axe to grind, we all do--does not just go about chopping people to bits. This is not a polemic, it's an exploration and a surprising one at that.

You come out of the study with a greater appreciation for all three thinkers and learn something about just about every area of philosophy. I know blurb often say that a book is "must reading" but for readers of Prosblogion this is surely more than a cliche.

This book is both insightful and *honorable* in the way he gives Lewis his due and really tries to put these guys into conversation together. (Russell was in America for most of Lewis's active apologetics career I think.)

I haven't read the published version yet and obviously Erik and I didn't see eye-to-eye on everything, but this is a fantastic book which will reward a careful read for any level of reader. We've probably wasted too much bloggage on the likes of Dennett and Dawkins. All three of Lewis, Hume, and Russell could be full of bluster at times, but their arguments need to be engaged. This book does that.

Available at Amazon.com here.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Isn't it ironic...

First day of school...last day of my gramma's life.

She served everyone...no one served her.

She took her mom into her home and cared for her until she died...the she died in a nursing home.

Put that in your song Alanis.

She got a raw deal.