The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. David Brooks on finding faith later in life
David Brooks, longtime columnist and bestselling author who discovered Christian faith later in life, recounts his spiritual awakening. He talks about numinous subway and mountaintop moments. He explores why social ills are spiritual, contrasts religion with mere spirituality, and names thinkers and practices that drew him into Christian life.
57:58
Social Problems Are Deeply Spiritual
- Many modern social ills are spiritual and relational rather than purely material.
- David Brooks cites rising depression, loneliness, and negative public discourse since ~2010 as evidence of a moral and relational crisis.
Decline Of Congregations Breaks Shared Morality
- Losing congregational life erodes a shared moral order and mutual trust.
- Brooks argues privatized morality makes collective agreement on right and wrong impossible, worsening polarization and mistrust.
Orthodox Faiths Attract Young Seekers
- Young people seeking meaning are often drawn to rigorous, orthodox religious traditions.
- Brooks notes growth in conservative Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and observant Judaism as attractive for coherent moral frameworks.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right 7 chevron_right 8 chevron_right 9 chevron_right 10 chevron_right 11 chevron_right 12 chevron_right 13 chevron_right 14 chevron_right 15 chevron_right 16 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 34sec
Traveling from Secularism into Faith
00:34 • 1min
Brooks's Background and Writing
02:00 • 5min
Are America's Problems Spiritual?
06:40 • 4min
Loss of Shared Moral Order
10:30 • 20sec
Why Young People Return to Orthodox Faiths
10:50 • 1min
Religious but Not Spiritual Versus Spirituality
12:02 • 2min
Brooks's Jewish Upbringing
14:14 • 1min
Numinous Moments That Opened Faith
15:38 • 20min
Ad break
35:12 • 18sec
From God to Christianity
35:31 • 3min
Attention as Prayer and Jesus's Gaze
38:30 • 2min
Church Life and Spiritual Practices
40:50 • 5min
Belief, Resurrection, and the Beatitudes
46:08 • 2min
Maintaining Hope in Bleak Times
48:33 • 8min
Outro
56:04 • 48sec
#96235
The Severe Mercy
Sheldon Van Auken
Sheldon Van Auken's The Severe Mercy recounts his conversion to Christianity alongside his wife, which unfolds amid her diagnosis with leukemia.
The memoir blends candid personal narrative, theological reflection, and pastoral insight as the couple navigates love, faith, and suffering.
Van Auken examines grace and providence, arguing that deep spiritual growth can come through intense suffering.
The book influenced many seekers with its honest portrayal of devotion and loss.
Its emotional power and theological depth have made it a lasting work in Christian spiritual literature.
#57045
High and Holy, Meek and Lowly
Unknown (Puritan prayer referenced)
#3235
• Mentioned in 19 episodes
My Bright Abyss
Chris Wyman
#2663
• Mentioned in 23 episodes
A Work in Progress
Faith Adiele
A Work in Progress is a multi-generational family memoir spanning four families across three continents.
It explores themes of immigration, interracial relationships, and the impact of historical events on family dynamics.
The memoir incorporates various storytelling techniques and artifacts from the author's family archives, creating a rich and complex narrative.
Adiele's innovative approach to structure reflects the multicultural nature of her family history, making it a unique and compelling read.
The book delves into the author's personal journey of self-discovery while examining broader historical and cultural contexts.
#93
• Mentioned in 238 episodes
Confessions
Augustine
Written in Latin between AD 397 and 400, 'Confessions' is a blend of autobiography, philosophy, theology, and critical exegesis of the Christian Bible.
The first nine books are autobiographical, tracing Augustine's life from his birth to his conversion to Catholicism.
He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden.
The last four books focus on philosophical and theological issues, including memory, time, eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis.
The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence.
#27
• Mentioned in 407 episodes
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis
In 'Mere Christianity', C.S.
Lewis argues for the existence of God and defends Christian theology.
The book is divided into four parts: the first argues for the existence of God based on the 'law of human nature'; the second defends Christian theology, including the 'Liar, lunatic, or Lord' trilemma regarding Jesus Christ; the third explores Christian ethics, including the cardinal and theological virtues; and the fourth discusses the Christian conception of God, particularly the Holy Trinity.
Lewis also addresses topics such as free will, morality, sexual ethics, and the institution of marriage.
The book is known for its clear and logical presentation of Christian apologetics and has been praised for its straightforward and humorous writing style.
#525
• Mentioned in 78 episodes
Varieties of Religious Experience
William James
This book is a collection of lectures delivered by William James at the University of Edinburgh between 1901 and 1902.
It focuses on the personal and subjective aspects of religious experiences, rather than on theology or organized religion.
James examines various types of religious experiences, including healthy-mindedness, the sick soul, conversion, mysticism, and saintliness.
He emphasizes the importance of feeling and personal experience in religion, arguing that these experiences are the primary source of religious beliefs and practices.
The book also discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of these experiences, highlighting their complexity and life-altering nature.
#4511
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
Bobos in paradise
The New Upper Class and How They Got There
David Brooks
In this book, David Brooks introduces the term 'Bobo' to describe the new upper class that combines the bourgeois world of capitalist enterprise with the hippie values of the bohemian counterculture.
Brooks explores the ideology, manners, and morals of this elite, discussing their shopping habits, business culture, intellectual, social, and spiritual lives.
He traces the origins of this affluent educated class and contrasts their lifestyle with that of the 1950s, highlighting their unique blend of materialism and idealism.
The book also examines where this Bobo elite is headed and their impact on modern society.
#8964
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
The Long Loneliness
Dorothy Day
The Long Loneliness is Dorothy Day's compelling autobiographical account of her life.
The book recounts her journey from a bohemian lifestyle in the 1920s Greenwich Village to her conversion to Catholicism and her subsequent dedication to social activism.
Day co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement with Peter Maurin, establishing initiatives such as the Catholic Worker newspaper, hospitality houses, and rural farming communes.
The autobiography explores her struggles, spiritual growth, and the importance of community and service to others in alleviating the 'long loneliness' that she and many others experience.
Day's story is a powerful portrait of early twentieth-century America and the ongoing struggle for social justice and spiritual fulfillment.
#863
• Mentioned in 55 episodes
The Road to Character
David Brooks
In 'The Road to Character,' David Brooks delves into the lives of some of the world’s greatest thinkers and leaders to illustrate how they built strong inner characters.
The book contrasts 'résumé virtues' (external achievements) with 'eulogy virtues' (internal character strengths like kindness, bravery, and honesty).
Brooks examines figures such as Frances Perkins, Dwight Eisenhower, Dorothy Day, and others, highlighting their personal struggles and the virtues they developed.
He argues that modern society often prioritizes external success over internal character, and he provides practical advice on how to rebalance these aspects of life.
The book is a call to rethink priorities and strive for a life marked by humility, moral depth, and meaningful relationships.
#849
• Mentioned in 55 episodes
How to Know a Person
The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
David Brooks
David Brooks's "How to Know a Person" delves into the complexities of human relationships, exploring how we perceive and understand others.
The book emphasizes the importance of empathy, active listening, and self-awareness in building meaningful connections.
Brooks challenges readers to move beyond superficial judgments and embrace a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them.
He argues that true connection requires vulnerability and a willingness to be seen authentically.
Ultimately, the book offers a practical guide to fostering richer, more fulfilling relationships.
#325
• Mentioned in 111 episodes
The Second Mountain
The Quest for a Moral Life
David Brooks
In 'The Second Mountain', David Brooks explores the concept of two mountains in life: the first mountain, which represents individual success and ego-driven achievements, and the second mountain, which symbolizes a life of deeper meaning, commitment, and contribution to a greater good.
Brooks argues that our society's extreme individualism has torn the social fabric, and the path to repair is through making deeper commitments to a spouse and family, a vocation, a philosophy or faith, and a community.
The book is both a personal reflection on Brooks' own life journey and a broader social commentary, offering practical advice and stories of people who have lived joyous, committed lives.
David Brooks is known as one of America’s leading public intellectuals, a longtime columnist for The New York Times and now a staff writer at The Atlantic. He joins James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share how he went from a mostly cultural Jew, to a “Jew-y” Christian in the land of faith.
Timeline:
0:00 Traveling to the land of faith
6:20 Our social and political problems are spiritual ones
10:04 Understanding the America’s religious revival
11:46 Religious but not yet spiritual
14:05 David’s movement to faith
19:05 Dorothy Day and St. Augustine influences
28:15 Unpacking David’s mystical experiences
34:35 A new frontier in the Christian faith
37:33 Three Jewish women that paid attention: Simone Weil, Edith Stein, Etty Hillesum
47:50 Audience Question: How do we maintain hope in bleak times?
Brooks is the bestselling author of several books including:
How to Know a Person: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652822/how-to-know-a-person-by-david-brooks/
The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/217649/the-second-mountain-by-david-brooks/
The Road to Character:
https://www.acappellabooks.com/pages/books/343956/david-brooks/the-road-to-character
Bobos in Paradise
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bobos-in-Paradise/David-Brooks/9780684853789
Read Fr. Jim's spiritual reflection on this episode
Do you have a spiritual question for Father Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected] Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices