I have long been using apologetics and bits and pieces of arguments G.K. Chesterton uses on both adult and young adults of high school age. I want to say that the strongest argument, as Chesterton, and as now I, see it, is that the best way to come to Orthodoxy, or the Creed, is atheism, Darwinism and Materialism themselves. Before I say what it is, I will say what Orthodoxy is not. It is not a philosophical debate over atheism vs. belief in God. It is an experiential journey of G.K. Chesterton, who followed the path of atheism, which was very entrenched in the educational system of England in the late 1800's (as it is now). He judges the "fruits" of all these -isms, which are not involved in the way, the truth, and the light, and in many cases diametrically opposed to Truth.
The materialist philosopher (Darwinists, relativists) arguments contradict themselves laying the way for the way, the truth and the light. Since the present age has all but forsaken philosophy, it also was unwittingly laid to waste common sense. Chesterton is the "Apostle of Common Sense" and Orthodoxy is his swan song. Do not become discouraged by the discussion of the maniac, lunatic and asylum which are the first items of the book. He compares some of the great thinkers, with their universally appealing laws, to the lunatics.
How can this be that these individuals of higher learning, such as Nietzsche, can explain everything by such small arguments? Chesterton argues that indeed they do explain the universe, but the universe they explain is a very small universe. Even though the circle is infinite, the circle is a very small one! 3 pence in diameter he states. Insomuch the attack is not against dogmas of Catholicism and Christianity, but attacks against human thinking. The killing of thought itself, which is the only thought that should be censored. If there is any unwavering dogma, it is the dogma against miracles. No matter what is put forth in terms of the miracle, there is an predisposition against it. Nietzsche, and others like him, which Chesterton one by one fillets are "...wrong not by error of their arguments, by the manifest mistake of their whole lives." The Christian may have doubts, and he can take two conflicting items and the conflict as well and move on. The dogma of the materialist or Darwinist (or any of the isms) can have no exceptions. Chesterton makes not excuse for God's complexity, but just states that it is.
In a way, Orthodoxy is much like "City of God" by St. Augustine in one aspect, it provides convincing arguments against gods that we have set up in front of the real God and the real Truth. Augustine (400 AD) explains why Christianity is not responsible for the fall of Rome (but like the phoenix, or a sinking ship with a cross, sinks, but comes back to life again, it becomes a submarine, and miraculously reemerges). If Christianity were a fad, that fad would have died with Rome. But as Chesterton points out, it is one of the only things that did survive the fall of Rome. Chesterton takes the atheists, of which he was one at one time, to task one at a time, as Augustine took the Roman gods to task one at a time. In the case of Nietzsche, he was insane at the end of his life. Chesterton comments that if he had not gone insane, his followers would have.
After we get through the hard part of the beginning of the book, the maniac (the self reliant man being part of this), there is a whole different way of looking at our universe that Chesterton put forth for our contemplation. He shows how man is basically Mystical. And he lays down the stories of childhood as superior to the morbid philosophies. He helps us reclaim the sense of wonder. He keeps logic in its place, showing the many logical items and concepts conveyed. He ridicules the philosophies that begin on an unfounded base. And the rest of their philosophy that follows is not grounded. He looks at the philosophers who criticize Christ, and try to slice him up into a gentle, kind moralist, who speaks some truths. Under this view, he becomes like monster with his arm and leg sawed off. Chesterton points out that it is not a nervous breakdown that happens when Christ overturns tables in the Temple, but a truth-speaking thing, that aligns with his other actions. Chesterton says that Christ is a seamless garment, which cannot be parted out. His divinity, and miracles that go with it, are intertwined with his humanity.
Audio books is a great way to introduce ourselves and others into these old (1905 copyright) concepts. Do not get bogged down by unfamiliar philosophers or poets, but take in what you can take in. And as in any classic book, you will be back for more.
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Mitch
I think book made me want to believe in religion
Reviewed in Canada on March 13, 2019Héctor Guillermo Muñoz
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Reviewed in Mexico on July 7, 2018
