What We’re Reading

Mark David Hall, Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism? Many terms have popped up over the years and decades simply meant to smear political opponents. No term has risen to such contemporary prominence as “Christian Nationalism.” In his new book, Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism? Professor Mark David Hall undresses the smear campaign against Christians, noting that “[m]ost of the books and articles touting the dangers of Christian nationalism are written by polemicists who rely more on rhetoric than arguments.” To the contemporary secular and progressive elite, small though influential as they are, Christianity and Nationalism have been deemed the enemy. Hall shows why this is not the case, historically, and contemporarily. Hall offers a thoughtful rebuttal to the shallow polemical smears against Christians worried about the current condition of America (and its future) while equally offering encouragement for continued Christian engagement in the public square—something that is essential for the continued vibrancy (and revival) of our democratic ethos. Tocqueville would undoubtedly agree with much of Hall’s assessment and writing.

~ Paul Krause

Bernard Iddings Bell, Crisis in Education. In recent decades, the classical renewal movement in America has grown, and an increasing number of Americans have woken up to the poor state of our schools and universities. Meanwhile, many are looking for figures to help provide intellectual grounding for the reinvigoration of our schools — figures who can provide us with old insight as we endeavor to renew our educational institutions. Bernard Iddings Bell is one of those thinkers. Usually known for his excellent book, Crowd Culture (1952), Bell also wrote other books during his lifetime, including Crisis in Education (1949). Within this 1949 book, Bell challenges the rise of “progressive” or “modern” education, which he recognizes as being premised on a problematic understanding of the human being. This modern view of man holds that material pursuits — “riches, comforts, amusements” — are among man’s highest aims and should therefore be the aim of education. What we need, Bell responds, is a better understanding of the human being and a return to a genuinely liberal education that reflects this better understanding. Bell advocates for the kind of education that frees the individual from the materialist and conformist thinking of the “Common Man,” instead introducing him to the wisdom and insights of our intellectual heritage. This is the kind of education that raises a body of gentlemen and gentlewomen who can provide the kind of leadership that the “Common Man” needs. Writing in the aftermath of the Second World War, Bell knew that there was a close connection between the deteriorating manners and morals of Americans and the illiberal education they were more than ever receiving. Bell’s Crisis in Education, many decades after it was written, is still worth reading.

~ Darrell Falconburg

Dante, The Inferno. Virgil engages with Dante Alighieri during the duration of the Inferno as a master and guide; this characteristic becomes a representation of mankind’s consciousness and rationale, a key component in what shields Dante’s mortal body from being affected by sin and the demons and creatures in the circles and zones of Inferno. Raymond Schoder writes, “Vergil’s personage of human reason acts as discernment and productive judgment, corresponding with his wisdom to determine how to approach routes in Inferno.” Schoder’s statement is understood in the poem when Virgil utilizes wisdom to navigate the Inferno with Dante as they pass through each variation of sin and their corresponding consequence(s). While Dante is often quick to sympathize with souls and their eternal punishment, Virgil chastises Dante’s reaction because Virgil acknowledges a soul’s punishment is based on God’s ordained judgment through love. The Divine Comedy’s explanations for a soul’s eternal consequence then leads Virgil to carefully describe hell’s structural significance, ultimately making Dante grow dependent on these descriptions. Virgil’s explanations of hell’s functions not only help Dante understand the wickedness of sin but to connect with Dante as they experience this journey together. In the Inferno, the first book of The Divine Comedy, Virgil’s relationship with Dante transitions from master and guide to father-figure which develops a genuine bond of friendship through forgiveness and love.

~ Sarah Tillard

With the publication of Sophie Belloncle’s “All the Grace I Beg: The Cruelty of Mercy in Measure for Measure,” we conclude our journal colloquium on William Shakespeare. The return of a themed edition to VOEGELINVIEW has been in the work for nearly a year, with careful thought and consideration to the topic. Given the great success of this return, which included an uptick in weekly readership, a reposting of Clinton Rogers’ “Moving and Being Moved by Shakespeare’s Sonnets” on RealClearBooks, and the joy of reading submissions to include in this series of publications, we will continue with themed editions in the future. Until then, I hope the readers of this journal, as well as new contributors, continue to find wit and wisdom in what is published in our pages. We exist for you and wouldn’t have the success we have found in growing and transforming over the years without you.

Lastly, I wish to note – especially to our generous donors – that the journal’s fund is moving from the University of Wisconsin to a new location as one of our professors, Dr. Rick Avramenko, has taken a new position at a new university. As such, the VOEGELINVIEW Fund at the University of Wisconsin will no longer be accepting donations. In the interim, support for the Eric Voegelin Society and the journal is possible through the Nicholls Foundation of Nicholls State University. If you want your donation to support the Eric Voegelin Society, please indicate the Eric Voegelin Society in the Gift Allocation/Comment box when filling out donation information. Alternatively, if you wish your donation to support the journal, please write VoegelinView or VV Journal in the Gift Allocation/Comment box. When the journal’s formal fund is reestablished through Rick’s hard work, an announcement will be made a new link established.

~ Paul Krause

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