Deal Hudson | The Christian Review

On Books To Read Before You Reach 30

Posted by Deal Hudson | Jun 15, 2015 | America, Books, Culture, Featured, History, Literature, Theology |

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the list is A.J. Heschel’s treatise on the Jewish tradition of Shabbat — The Sabbath (1955). A Polish-born rabbi and scholar, Heschel emigrated to the United States 1940 eventually becoming a professor of Jewish mysticism at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. His 1955 God In Search of Man (1955) was almost required reading during my college and seminary years, read alongside the work of Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, and Martin Buber.

The Arrogance of Bob Schieffer and the Mainstream Media

Posted by Deal Hudson | Jun 2, 2015 | America, Conservatism, Culture, Featured, Media, Politics, TV/Radio |

The latest and most egregious example of Schieffer’s arrogance was the mainstream media’s coverage of the 2012 Bengazi tragedy. Not only did those networks take their talking points from the State Department and the White House, without asking any questions, but when they blacked out the hearings of the House Select Committee on Bengazi two years later.

From the Birthplace of St. Benedict — Music That Eases the Soul

Posted by Deal Hudson | May 28, 2015 | Catholic Church, Culture, Featured, Liturgy, Music, Saints, Spirituality |

I told Fr. Basil that as I listened to the recording I realized my body had become relaxed and my mind contemplative and peaceful. He seemed to appreciate that comment more than my praise of the recording itself, which corroborates the monks’ intention in their recording to provide a kind of beauty that nourishes the listener.

How Much Do I Hate “Mad Max: Fury Road”? Let Me Count the Ways

Posted by Deal Hudson | May 24, 2015 | Culture, Featured, Media, Music, Spirituality, Theology |

After a few scenes at home we are off into the desert for rest of the movie which Miller, in stark contrast to David Lean, succeeds in making to appear like a vast sandbox, except for the few scenes allowing the distinquished Theron to look magical against its vast background.

Tomorrow is Never Guaranteed

Posted by Deal Hudson | May 13, 2015 | Ethics, Faith, Family, Featured, Media, Spirituality |

I have often been a passenger on the Amtrak train between DC and New York that derailed last night...

House Will Vote on 5-Month Abortion Bill Next Week

Posted by Deal Hudson | May 8, 2015 | 2016 Election, America, Culture, Faith, Family, Featured, Politics |

This morning news broke that the U.S. House of Representatives will vote next week on H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. In recent days, members of the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) have made over 10,000 live constituent calls to key Members of Congress urging this vote. The legislation, which would stop abortion after five months based on the unborn child’s ability to feel pain is supported by the majority of Americans.

The Search for True Happiness, Revisited

Posted by Deal Hudson | May 5, 2015 | Catholic Church, Ethics, Faith, Featured, History, Manners, Politics, Scripture, Spirituality, Theology |

I concluded that happiness is passion of a certain kind but not the kind of passion immediately identified with romantic love or lust. Happiness is passion in the way a sudden religious conversion can change a person’s life. Suddenly you know something that changes everything, that your entire life must be directed by.

The Exorcist Author Learns Death is a Lie

Posted by Deal Hudson | Apr 29, 2015 | Books, Catholic Church, Faith, Family, Featured, Movies, Spirituality |

The heart of this book is Blatty’s account of the life, death, and afterlife of his Peter, who in 2006 was found dead sitting in front of a television with a remote still in his hand — a victim of viral myocarditis, an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle.

Campy Intellectuals and the Great Books

Posted by Deal Hudson | Apr 10, 2015 | Books, Culture, Education, Featured, History, Media |

When I came across this list from 2011, I couldn’t remember having ever seen a list of “The 100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books” before, compiled by its panel of “critics and experts.” When I scanned the list, I was surprised that The Guardian, usually a reliable source on matters of intelligence and taste, would publish something so shallow.

The God Who Died?

Posted by Deal Hudson | Apr 2, 2015 | Catholic Church, Culture, Faith, Featured, Saints, Spirituality, Theology |

The God who died to both Jews and Greeks seemed like the ultimate oxymoron, an absurd self-contradiction. And, if His death had been final, they would have been right to view the death that way. But His death was not final. Death was real, but it was not final. Death was followed by Life, not just any life but a life raised out of death itself, a Resurrection.