Viriditas: Nothing Can Grow Without Roots w/ Ross Arlen Tieken

'The Stripping of the Altars' by Eamon Duffy is a study of the traditional religious culture of England in the years leading up to the Reformation. The book examines the beliefs and practices of ordinary people, highlighting the importance of ritual, imagery, and community in their spiritual lives. Duffy challenges conventional narratives of the Reformation as a straightforward triumph of Protestantism, arguing that late medieval Catholicism was a vibrant and deeply rooted faith. The book explores the ways in which religious devotion was expressed through liturgical ceremonies, the veneration of saints, and participation in parish life. Through meticulous research and vivid prose, Duffy reconstructs a world of shared beliefs and communal rituals that was irrevocably altered by the religious changes of the 16th century.

This book provides a detailed analysis of the sources of Aquinas's thought and the reception of his realism, offering insights into the metaphysical structure of creation. It explores the analogy of divine creation with works of art, presenting the world as a 'picture' of God. The author carefully avoids pantheism, staying within Christian Tradition.

Konstantin Noica's 'The Six Maladies of the Modern Mind' critiques modern thought, identifying six key problems: the spirit of abstraction, the cult of novelty, the loss of the sense of the sacred, the dictatorship of relativism, the reduction of being to function, and the triumph of nihilism. He argues that these maladies stem from a departure from classical and traditional modes of thinking, leading to a fragmented and disenchanted worldview. Noica emphasizes the importance of recovering a sense of wholeness, meaning, and transcendence in order to overcome these intellectual and spiritual crises. The book calls for a renewed engagement with perennial wisdom and a rejection of the superficiality and alienation of modern culture. It offers a profound diagnosis of the ills of modernity and a vision for intellectual and spiritual renewal.

In Before Church and State, Andrew Willard Jones presents a compelling analysis of social order within the sacramental kingdom of St. Louis IX. Jones challenges conventional understandings of the relationship between church and state in pre-modern societies. The book explores how social cohesion was achieved through shared religious beliefs and practices. It examines the role of sacraments and rituals in shaping social interactions and hierarchies. It argues that the modern separation of church and state represents a significant departure from historical norms. Before Church and State offers a unique perspective on the foundations of Western civilization, offering insight into alternative modes of social organization and governance.

In 'Orthodoxy,' G.K. Chesterton presents a compelling defense of Christianity, arguing that it is the most rational and fulfilling worldview. The book is a personal and philosophical journey where Chesterton explains how he came to embrace traditional Christianity after exploring various heresies and philosophies. He compares Christianity with other worldviews, highlighting its unique ability to balance paradoxes and provide a coherent explanation of human nature and the world. Chesterton's writing is characterized by his wit, humor, and profound insights, making the book both intellectually stimulating and engagingly readable.