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New Review of My Book
Louis Markos is a C. S. Lewis scholar / Christian worldview thinker at Houston Baptist University. My Little Bluebonnet took his classes in undergrad. Although I’ve only physically met him once myself, he did write one essay for my earlier book Science Fiction and the Abolition of Man: Finding C. S. Lewis in Sci-Fi Film and Television. He also endorsed my new book The Good, the True, the Beautiful: A Multidisciplinary Tribute to Dr. David K. Naugle.
And now he’s reviewed it. It’s a nice piece of writing, and does a good job introducing things like Naugle, Abraham Kuyper, their ideas, and why a book like this might be of some interest to some people. (Did I mention how cheap it is on Kindle?)
And it’s a superb intro to some of the ideas in the book. E.g., what should a Christian think of H. P. Lovecraft’s magnificent fiction, or the nightmare-inducing It movies? Markos introduces the fine essays by Jaclyn Parrish and Leigh Hickman on those topics.
And, for something much more light-hearted–but no less serious or edifying–he introduces Mary Flickner’s lovely little essay on gardens.
Markos well describes my little essay on how faith goes beyond reason. (I’ve introduced the view that faith and knowledge can overlap before around here, and more than once and even more than twice. But that’s not at all there is to the relationship of faith and reason, which I’ve also tried to bring to your attention.)
I am also deeply gratified by his short description of the fruits of my best and oldest surviving idea for a story: “a wildly imaginative science-fiction story by Boone in which the inhabitants of hell are condemned to dwell for eternity in their own tight, narcissistic microcosmic bubble.”
But this is the best Markos quote:
Whatever the subject matter of the essays, all pay tribute to the life and work of David Naugle, a type of professor that every Christian college and university could use a dozen of. In an age that has become increasingly polarized, not just between Christians and secular humanists but among Christians themselves, Naugle’s call to slow down, take a step back backwards, and analyze the larger picture of the Christian worldview is more important than it has ever been.
Of course, you can take that step and do that analysis without this book. But if you want to get a leg-up on how to do it with gardens, Stephen King, H. P. Lovecraft, faith and reason, worship songs, beauty, or some other cool stuff, we can help. And if I say so myself, my intro to Kierkegaard in this book is a good one. And did I mention that it’s cheap on Kindle?
Published in Religion & Philosophy
Is your publisher interested in audiobook versions? They sound like books I would enjoy narrating.
Thanks!
But I think someone has already done that for this book.
(But if you were interested in doing that for SFAM, I guess I could ask someone if that’s an option.)
By all means. I know most of the time the author doesn’t have much to say about it, but I have gotten two narration contracts through Ricochet and one through my alumni association’s Facebook page, so you never know. If I can help with the process, whether I get to record the book or not, I’ll be happy to do so.
Are you trying to get me in more trouble with my better half? My bookshelves overflowth as it is and any further purchases get frowned upon. I guess it is kindle then- I do not like e-books as much, but the evidence is more deniable. Markos has an offering on The Great Courses- Life and Writings of C S Lewis- he hasn’t a voice for radio but I enjoyed it very much.
addendum- in view of another thread on Ricochet- are e-books a decrement in the good as compared to books- a lesser form of being?
Which reminds me: I’m long overdue on cranking out a good review of Mark’s The Conversion and Therapy of Desire. How could I resist? It’s got “desire” in the title.
Side note: Let’s face it. Some of Mark’s books are so expensive that Zuckerberg and Musk are still holding off until the price comes down. But the Kindle versions are quite affordable!
Cool! Thanks!
I texted the co-editor of Science Fiction and the Abolition of Man. Hopefully he’ll get back to me and have some idea which person at the publisher I should email about this.
If you don’t hear . . .
And scratch that. He texted back already. So far so good. But if you want to proceed, I reckon we’d better talk details by email. I’m PlatoAndAugustine@Gmail.com. Send me an email there if you like, or give me your email.
Yes.
But so is Pepsi as opposed to Dr. Pepper, and I’ll still take Pepsi when the situation calls for it.
You, and others around here, are too kind.
Reason, Authority, and the Healing of Desire in the Writings of Augustine is indeed pricey. I think the e-version is pricey too.
But the Wipf and Stock e-books do go for about 10 USD.
Dad@pratt-hobbies.com. I’ll follow up soon. Taking a lazy afternoon.
I finally got around to reading that review. I especially like this quote from your writing:
It makes me think it would be worthwhile to read more. Whether I actually will get to it is another question.
A question, though: The reviewer refers to a “David K. Naugle,” a “David Noebel,” and a “Nobel.” I’m pretty sure the latter two spellings refer to the same person, but what about the first one?
I don’t know Noebel. But Naugle is a different person. Taught my undergrad courses in Intro to Philosophy, Intro to Worldviews, Philosophy of Religion, and Aesthetics at DBU.
Shameless self-promotion:
Naugle’s health is failing and he may never read this. But I’m sure he’d approve of this essay:
https://ricochet.com/962999/are-ufos-demonic-preliminary-reflections/
@markeckel tag test.
You there?
Yes sir! Signed up today. Profile is as far as I’ve gotten :)
Welcome to Ricochet!
Welcome to Ricochet, Mark!
Thanks man. I’ll get my act together here soon ☺️
Wait, that’s required? Shoot, I’ve been doing things wrong.
MarkEckel.com has its act together. A lot of good stuff there. The reviews of Live Not By Lies by Dreher are superb.