Orthodoxy [NOOK Book]

One of the greatest books I have ever read

Chesterton became my favorite author of all-time after I picked up this title about six months ago. While I would describe this book as 'dense' (in that it took me a long time to read it given its content), it is by far the most rewarding book I've read. In this Christian apologetic classic, Chesterton tackles a variety of issues and uses amazing language abilities (such a metaphor) to drive home his points. One of my favorite passages reads: 'Because children have abounding vitality...they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, 'Do it again' and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, 'Do it again' to the sun and every evening 'Do it again' to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never gotten tired of making them.' He is very quotable and this book will get your reaching for not only more Chesterton titles, but the Bible as well! It has been a blessing to me, so I encourage all of you to read this indispensible classic!

10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

Chesterton's Orthodoxy is a Masterpiece of Language and Faith

Few books are graced with the power of expression and conviction of belief which characterize Chesterton's 'Orthodoxy.' While not quite Chesterton's masterpiece (that honor belongs to 'The Everlasting Man'), 'Orthodoxy' is simply brilliant in its defense of the truth and, importantly, the beauty of the Apostles' Creed. Likening religious faith to a sane but romantic poetry, and scientific materialism to prosaic insanity, Chesterton makes the claims of faith seem quite reasonable if not rational (rationalism is not his task). Therefore, although the tone is not formal or the method scholastic, his argument is an act of theology as understood in the high Middle Ages -- not as a rational proof of the truth of religion, but rather as a demonstration that the deposit of faith is not by nature revolting to human reason. This is quite simply an exhilarating read. Some readers may be a bit impatient at times with Chesterton's rhetoric, since he occasionally piles paradox upon paradox until the reader almost loses sight of the point of the discussion; yet even these famous Chestertonian ramblings contain gems. If one is suspicious that Christian orthodoxy may indeed be the answer to the big questions, this book will likely confirm such suspicions.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

interesting and different

This book is not at all what I expected when I bought it. I was expecting a discussion and, perhaps, an explanation of the orthodoxy of the Catholic Church. This book is actually an account of Chesterton's journey of faith. The style of writing, being very "old-fashioned" could be a little difficult to follow and distracting. (The book was written about 100 years ago.) That said, I was surprised at how current the topics and concerns were. When you got "into it" the book had a lot to say and was very informative. I would definitely recommend it to those who had done a bit of studying and reading about the Faith. I don't really think it is for beginners and some may find the style off-putting. My advice would be to just try to get past the language; if you do you will get a new understanding and perspective.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Well read, good Sir! Well read.

I have read Chesterton for a number of decades now and have read ORTHODOXY about once a decade since college (that's 3.5 times or so!). I decided to listen to it read by someone else. This production is excellent. Vance reads fluidly and with an strong range of tonality and inflection in the voice that provides flair and drama in keeping with the text's. I frankly found some of the readings so compelling that I listened to selected tracts as many as three time before continuing.<BR/><BR/>This was so well done that I should like a six to seven hour trip sheerly for the joy of listening to it again all at one go!<BR/><BR/>You will not go wrong with this audio production of ORTHODOXY.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

bravo!

well written, and a must read. this format does not include titles for the chapters in the table of contents though

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Same great Chesterton with helpful index

Chesterton's 'spiritual autobiography' is a fascinating look at a man who was prophetic in his outlook about mankind, spirituality, and philosophies that have been gutted of the Divine. He called the liberal theologians on their rejection of core doctrines such as original sin and hinted at where such tendencies would lead. The evolutionists, the Malthusians, ie, the 'spirit of the age' are all given a good shake down decades before some of the worst aspects of their philosophy would be obvious even to them. (For something even more prophetic, see Chesterton's book on eugenics).

This edition had something that I hadn't seen before and that was an index. Though not comprehensive it is still fairly thorough and I have already used it to trace some of Chesterton's themes within the book. The edition in question is ISBN 9780979127663.

Everyone should look for ways to introduce Chesterton to moderns- though they will be humbled to hear how much of their thought he anticipated. Orthodoxy is a great text for this purposes, and this version with an index would be a great edition to use.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Part of My Moral Landscape

I picked this book up several years ago, when a book I was reading (The Sacred Romance) kept quoting it. I am so grateful I did! I have reread this book several times over, and it really has shaped my moral landscape. Chesterton examines various systems of belief in an approachable, playful (and often rather sarcastic) way. He teaches by delighting.

WON'T OPEN ON MY NOOK!

SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH THIS. IT WON'T OPEN ON MY NOOK!!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

WON'T OPEN ON MY NOOK

SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH THIS. IT WON'T OPEN ON MY NOOK!!!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Table of Contents nicer in other free nook edition ISBN-13:2940019696628

I selected a different free nook edition (ISBN-13: 2940019696628), which has a scan of the table of contents instead of the jumbled text TOC in this edition.

Classic defense of Christianity

This lucid defense of classic Christianity is never out of date -- in fact, it speaks to our time clearly and without apology. The extensive annotations enable the reader to follow along easily and with understanding. It also includes a helpful, and sometimes startling, introduction. Highly recommended.

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