Wondering about Wonder as we Emerge from the En-Darkenment. Rod Dreher and Bethel McGrew

Jun 25, 2025

Guest

Bethel McGrew

Guest

Rod Dreher

Rod Dreher, an influential author and journalist, engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Bethel McGrew, a keen cultural commentator. They delve into the profound impacts of personal faith journeys, including Dreher's shift from Catholicism to Orthodoxy. The conversation highlights the erosion of traditional marriage and religious liberties in today's society. They also explore the interplay of totalitarian ideologies and modern spirituality, discussing the quest for meaning amid disillusionment and the complexities of familial bonds intertwined with faith.

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ANECDOTE

Rod Dreher's Spiritual Journey

Rod Dreher's journey to Christianity was deeply shaped by a mystical experience at Chartres Cathedral at age 17.
He transitioned from Catholicism to Orthodoxy after struggling with intellectual pride and church scandal disillusionment.

INSIGHT

Foreseeing Cultural and Ideological Shifts

Rod Dreher foresaw cultural shifts weakening conservative Christian influence early on.
He wrote Live Not By Lies inspired by testimonies from those who lived under communist oppression, highlighting ideological dangers in America.

INSIGHT

Re-enchantment and Its Cultural Need

Christian re-enchantment means recovering belief that God fills all things, giving life intrinsic meaning.
Young Europeans on pilgrimages seek meaning and community amid modern disenchantment and cultural collapse.

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Light of the Mind, Light of the World

Spencer Klavan

This book tells a daring new story about how humanity got to its current state and how we can chart a better path forward. It surveys the history of science and faith from the astronomers of Babylon to the quantum physicists of postwar Europe and America. Klavan argues that science is leading us not away from God but back to him, and to the ancient faith that places the human soul at the center of the universe. He shows how the latest developments in physics can help shatter the illusion of materialism and how the search for knowledge of the natural world can illuminate the glories of its Creator.

The great good thing

Andrew Klavan

The Wonder

Emma Donoghue

Submission

Michel Houellebecq

In 'Submission', Michel Houellebecq presents a dystopian vision of France in 2022 where an Islamic party, led by the moderate Ben Abbas, comes to power in an alliance with the Socialists. The novel follows François, a middle-aged literature professor at the New Sorbonne University, who is an expert on J.K. Huysmans. As Islamic law is instituted, François is offered academic advancement on the condition that he converts to Islam. The book delves into themes of personal decadence, the decline of Western civilization, and the complexities of human happiness through submission. It is a darkly comic masterpiece that blends realism and fantasy, prompting reflections on the current cultural climate of the West and the validity of its liberal, atheistic project.

Live Not By Lies

Rod Dreher

In 'Live Not By Lies', Rod Dreher warns American Christians about the dangers of what he terms 'soft totalitarianism', a form of totalitarianism that relies more on psychological manipulation than overt violence. Drawing on the experiences of Christians who lived under Soviet rule, Dreher provides practical advice on how to identify and resist this form of totalitarianism. The book outlines a method for resistance: SEE (acknowledge the reality), JUDGE (assess reality in light of Christian truth), and ACT (take action to protect truth). Dreher emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparation, family, church fellowship, and a willingness to suffer in order to resist the encroaching ideology[4][5][6].

Living in Wonder

Rod Dreher

Rod Dreher's "Living in Wonder" explores the resurgence of spiritual and mystical experiences in a technologically advanced, secular world. The book delves into the concept of 're-enchantment,' examining how individuals are seeking deeper meaning and connection beyond traditional religious institutions. Dreher discusses various phenomena, including UFOs, AI, and the occult, as manifestations of this spiritual yearning. He argues that while these experiences can be genuine, they must be understood within a Christian framework to avoid potential dangers. Ultimately, the book advocates for a return to a more profound and direct experience of faith.

The Discarded Image

Stratford Caldecott

1984

None

George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.