Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom[2][4][5].
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.
The Divine Comedy is an Italian narrative poem begun around 1308 and completed around 1321. It is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The poem discusses the state of the soul after death and presents an image of divine justice, describing Dante's travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. It is an allegory representing the soul's journey towards God, drawing on medieval Catholic theology and philosophy, especially Thomistic philosophy. The work is considered one of the greatest in Italian literature and Western literature, and it helped establish the Tuscan language as the standardized Italian language.
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].
In Episode 404 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with religious writer Rod Dreher about the crisis of modernity and how to open our eyes to the reality that life and the world are far more mysterious, exciting, and adventurous than we have been led to believe.
Dreher and Kofinas spend the first hour of their conversation engaging on fundamental questions about the nature of existence, the knowability of God, the centrality of love, and how to find mystery and meaning in a world that for many has come to feel empty and soulless.
In the second hour, Rod and Demetri discuss what the eastern tradition of Christianity can tell us about how we should live in the world, how those lessons apply to the culture wars, how to confront evil, and the appropriate role that Christianity should play in policy and politics.
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Episode Recorded on 02/24/2025
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