The End of Christendom (1980)-Malcolm Muggeridge
The End of Christendom by Malcolm Muggeridge is a thought-provoking book that examines the decline of Christendom and the abiding nature of Christianity. The author argues that Christendom is vastly different from Christ and that the former is a sociopolitical construct that has declined while the latter remains enduring. Muggeridge provides historical context for the decline of Christendom, including the Enlightenment, colonialism, internecine conflicts, modern liberalism, and materialism. Through a mixture of delightful humor, wit, and probing judgments, Muggeridge goes to the heart of Western culture’s sickness. He draws inspiration from the insights of Pascal, Dostoevsky, and Solzhenitsyn to support his argument that Christendom is subject to decline and desolation. Despite his pessimism about human systems, Muggeridge expresses infinite confidence in the ultimate loving purposes of God. The author’s voice assumes a prophetic power as he draws inspiration from the insights of these great thinkers. He argues that as Christians, we should rejoice in the decay of institutions and instruments of power because it is precisely when every earthly hope has been explored and found wanting that Christ’s hand reaches out sure and firm. Muggeridge’s book is a prophetic voice that offers insight into the root causes of Western culture’s sickness and provides hope in the ultimate triumph of God’s truth. The book concludes with Pascal’s reflection on the paradoxes of the human condition and the only satisfactory answer being knowledge of God.
In summary, “The End of Christendom” is an insightful book that provides historical context for the decline of Christendom and offers hope in the ultimate triumph of God’s truth. Muggeridge’s prophetic voice draws inspiration from the insights of great thinkers and offers a thought[1]provoking reflection on the nature of Christianity in the modern world.
The Book of All Books (2022)-Roberto Calasso
Roberto Calasso’s, The Book of all Books is a masterpiece that presents a unique combination of narrative, commentary, and a broad epic sweep of the Old Testament, going beyond it. It is an engaging read, rich with the author’s vast erudition, deep insight into the mysteries and enigmas of the Bible, and rendered in modern language. The book takes the reader on a journey through the web of events, characters, and situations that are familiar to us through the Hebrew Old Testament narratives, starting with Genesis to the New Testament, Jewish Talmud, and includes references from early church fathers, apocryphal writings, ancient myths, secular history, and modern psychology. Calasso weaves them together into an engaging narrative, drawing various themes together but never veering away from the Bible focus. The book begins with a short chapter “The Torah in Heaven” referring to the ancient myth of the Torah as “Yahweh’s only Daughter” before the creation of the world. It then moves on to the Book of Samuel, David, Solomon, and the decline of the Kingdom of Israel, moving back to the time of Abraham, forward to Moses, and the settlement of the promised Land, and so forth. Observations of Bible characters and historical events provide refreshing insights into the key Bible themes such as the question of sacrifice, election, separation, evil, suffering, punishment, promises and prophecy, the messianic mission, and redemption. As the narrative moves back and forth through history, the Bible and its whole outline emerge in a new light. It often astonishes us by offering answers to questions that the ordinary readers of the Bible might find difficult. Anyone interested in the Bible, whether as a believer or simply as a student of literature and history, would find this book a valuable read.
Prof Gigy Joseph
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