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Orthodoxy 6: The Paradoxes of Christianity

8/19/2016

Chesterton finally begins a shift from his observations of the world and Christianity's seeming absurdities, to Christianity’s synthesis of those observations. In chapter six, Chesterton expounds on more seeming contradictions within Christianity. How can Christianity be so fierce in one direction (e.g. damning those who commit suicide), while being so fierce in the other direction (e.g. glorifying a martyr’s embrace of death)? This chapter was extremely beneficial to me, as it not only countered many of the claims still levied against Christianity today, but also showed me why I have frequently felt so torn as a Christian – towards the hatred of sin, yet loving humanity in their fallenness because I recognized that “but by the grace of God…”

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Orthodoxy 5: The Flag of the World

8/19/2016

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Chesterton begins chapter five with an introduction to pessimism and optimism. He sets both ideas up as the two main views in which the world is traversed by human minds. But whether one is an optimist or a pessimist, Chesterton believes that both have reasons to love this world. Having been born here, all of humanity has set about to make this place their home and to fight for their place. We have fought for this world not because we sought her out and loved her over all the others, but because we were born here. Rather than optimism or pessimism, we love our world with patriotism. We fight for her to uphold her good and to overcome her bad. We are born patriots. It is this unearned and unconditional love that helps to make the world great. Chesterton says,

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Orthodoxy 4: The Ethics of Elfland

8/19/2016

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Chesterton has now set the stage for his positive assertions, which begin in chapter four. He has shown how materialists hold to very inconsistent ideals and philosophies about the world. Their epistemology is lacking. They are cornered into an insanity characterized by utter confidence in self, and myopic, hyper-focused reasoning. While he will continue tearing down materialism, he now finally starts to build up the merits of Christian orthodoxy.

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Orthodoxy 3: Suicide of Thought

8/18/2016

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Chesterton ended chapter two with the conclusion that reason must be balanced with the acceptance of mysticism. Being able to accept two seemingly apparent contradictions - an antinomy - is important: fate and free will, love and discipline, particle and wave. Rather than being a weakness, seeing from two different angles provides us with clearer vision and perception of depth. In chapter three, Chesterton begins to explore how the isolation of thought has deteriorated the applicability of man's reason. Man, the industrialist, has specialized truths so that individual truths are held and perfected with ignorance to and the neglect of other truths.

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Orthodoxy: 1-2

8/15/2016

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Chapter I : Introduction
G.K. Chesterton's book "Orthodoxy" has been one of the best reads of my life. C.S. Lewis had previously been my favorite author, until Chesterton came along. For as witty and profound as Lewis is, Chesterton condenses that wit and profundity into his book so that the density of thought is staggering. On top of this, I love Chesterton because I have a passion for studying materialism and freethought. These topics are very intriguing to me, both because atheism is on the rise today, and because even many who are religious live their practical lives guided by these worldviews. In "Orthodoxy," Chesterton writes on a wide variety of topics, all with the same great weight and clarity. But since most people don't get the opportunity to read in what little spare time they have, I thought I would summarize Chesterton's work in hopes that I can 1) pique your interest to make the time to read it, or 2) summarize some of his great ideas so you can benefit from them.

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Crutches: The Tyranny of Love

8/5/2016

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Christianity is a crutch. Never has a truer statement been made. Christianity is a belief for the weak, helpless, and hopeless individual. What more could one expect from a religion where a "Great Physician" is the centerpiece? I have heard such a claim levied at Christianity fairly frequently. Good, American, self-made individuals take issue with such a religion because casts don't have bootstraps by which one can pull themselves up, and are rather cumbersome features. They impede self and produce dependence. Who needs a crutch when one has proven with their life that they are self-sufficient - they are hindered by nothing? Many Westerners are therefore functional atheists, denying their need for a God who is just a crutch.

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Orthodoxy 6: The Paradoxes of Christianity

Orthodoxy 5: The Flag of the World

Orthodoxy 4: The Ethics of Elfland

Orthodoxy 3: Suicide of Thought

Orthodoxy: 1-2

Crutches: The Tyranny of Love

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