Inside the Pages Archives

IP#191 Mary DeTurris Poust – Cravings on Inside the Pages

Mary DeTurris Poust has once again brought us a spiritual work that speaks to us in the ordinary things of life. In “Cravings: A Catholic Wrestles with Food, Self-Image, and God” she takes on the monumental struggle most of us have with self-image and diet. With humor and very practical suggestions, she helps us to see the blessings found in turning everything over to God and allowing Him to transform our love-hate relationship with food and the mirror. By doing so, we can deepen our relationship with God and see the gifts He has for us everyday. We also then can experience the greatest gift of all, His deep and abiding love for each of us as His beloved child. Before you start your next diet, or if you “wrestle” with your body image, this is the book for you! You won’t be disappointed.

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“Whether you’re tired of being obsessed with your weight, are hungry for inner peace even more than you’re hungry for food, or are desiring the freedom that comes with self-acceptance,Cravings will leave you satisfied.”–Kate Wicker, Author of Weightless: Making Peace with Your Body

“Another excellent tool in Mother Church’s hand to help feed God’s children with what they crave most: truth, the food of saints!” —Rev. Leo Patalinghug, Author of Grace Before Meals

IP#190 John West – The Magician’s Twin on Inside the Pages

“The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case against Scientism” is fascinating. I love discussing anything surrounding the thought of C. S. Lewis, and this particular conversation with John West, brought great insight on Lewis’ thought about the dangers of “scientism”. This extensive book offers warnings by the beloved writer concerning the influence of unleashed science and its various fields and it’s potentially troubling effect on mankind. A wonderfully engaging read…don’t miss.

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Here is the link to the site that is dedicated to the book: C.S. Lewis Web

From the book description:

Beloved for his Narnian tales and books of Christian apologetics, bestselling British writer C. S. Lewis also was a perceptive critic of the growing power of scientism, the misguided effort to apply science to areas outside its proper bounds. In this wide-ranging book of essays, contemporary writers probe Lewis’s prophetic warnings about the dehumanizing impact of scientism on ethics, politics, faith, reason, and science itself. Issues explored include Lewis’s views on bioethics, eugenics, evolution, intelligent design, and what he called “scientocracy.” Contributors include Michael Aeschliman, Victor Reppert, Jay Richards, and C. John Collins.

IP#189 Dr. Rodney Stark – America’s Blessings on Inside the Pages

“America’s Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists” is outstanding; it’s the book most anti-religion pundits don’t want you to read.

Once again, it was a delight to speak with Dr. Rodney Stark about this subject. He is one of the leading authorities on the sociology of religion. The Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences and co-director of the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University, Dr. Stark has broken open for us a wealth of studies, polls, and data that indicate the tremendous benefits organized religion has had on the United States of America. He also presents, in his uniquely authentic style, the dangers of taking this blessing for granted.

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From the description:

Starting with a historical overview, Stark traces America’s religious roots from the founding of the country up through the present day, showing that religiosity in America has never been consistent, static, or monolithic. Interestingly, he finds that religious practice is now more prevalent than ever in America, despite any claims to the contrary. From here, Stark devotes whole chapters to unpacking the latest research on how religion affects different facets of modern American life, including crime, family life, sexuality, mental and physical health, sophistication, charity, and overall prosperity. The cumulative effect is that when translated into comparisons with western European nations, the United States comes out on top again and again. Thanks in no small part to America’s rich religious culture, the nation has far lower crime rates, much higher levels of charitable giving, better health, stronger marriages, and less suicide, to note only a few of the benefits.
In the final chapter, Stark assesses the financial impact of these religious realities. It turns out that belief benefits the American economy—and all 300 million citizens, believer and nonbeliever alike—by a conservative estimate of $2.6 trillion a year. Despite the atheist outcry against religion, the remarkable conclusion is clear: all Americans, from the most religious among us to our secular neighbors, really ought to count our blessings.

IP#188 Dr. Robert George – What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense on Inside the Pages

Dr. Robert George, Princeton professor of Philosophy, discusses why we must first answer the question of what marriage really is before we can begin to defend the institution of marriage. He, and his co-authors, contend that marriage is a comprehensive union of mind and body, a conjugal union, ordered to family life, which unites a man and a woman as husband and wife. They document the social value of applying this principle in law.

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From the book description:

What Is Marriage? decisively answers common objections: that the historic view is rooted in bigotry, like laws forbidding interracial marriage; that it is callous to people’s needs; that it can’t show the harm of recognizing same-sex couplings, or the point of recognizing infertile ones; and that it treats a mere “social construct” as if it were natural, or an unreasoned religious view as if it were rational.

“With many countries on the verge of redefining a basic social institution, What Is Marriage? issues an urgent call for full deliberation of what is at stake. The authors make a compelling secular case for marriage as a partnership between a man and a woman, whose special status is based on society’s interest in the nurture and education of children.”
— Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law, Harvard University

IP#187 Dr. James Hitchcock – The History of the Catholic Church on Inside the Pages

I could have listened to Dr. James Hitchcock all day, he is absolutely fascinating. But the next best thing is to read his tremendous work, “The History of the Catholic Church: From the Apostolic Age to the Third Millennium”. The content is the best, the layout makes it so very accessible, and the storytelling is engaging…a must have and a perfect gift for family and friends! In our discussion, we discuss the influence of the papacy, Constantine, the 13th and 15th century, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, and so much more. Not enough time, but so much fun. Don’t miss! One of my favorites of 2012!

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“For years, James Hitchcock has been our premier historian – a dissident from conventional wisdom, well-armed and solid. Here he pioneers a new method for presenting a long sweep of history: an orderly and altogether fascinating series of vignettes – of arguments, movements, distinctive persons, and concrete events. There is just enough narrative in these sequences to carry the reader along, but without involving her in excessive interpretation. This book provides both a great resource for easy reference, and a stimulating definition of a Christian humanism that holds in tension the transcendent and the down to earth, the holy and the sinful. This is a tension which Hitchcock maintains throughout.”
– Michael Novak

IP#186 Ann Engelhart – Be Saints! on Inside the Pages

“Be Saints! An invitation from Pope Benedict XVI”, edited by Amy Welborn and illustrated by Ann Engelhart is simply wonderful, a must for every family library. Marvelous for children and adults alike, this compilation is taken from the talks given by Pope Benedict to children during his 2010 visit to England. In this conversation with Ann Engelhart, we discuss this work. We also discuss the nature of art and beauty, in particular for children, and it’s ability to evangelize.

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From the description:

In this very colorful book by acclaimed artist Ann Englehart, the Pope’s words come to life as he interacts with the children, showing all children how only God can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts.

Interspersed are prayers and quotes from various saints including Saint Francis, Saint Ignatius, Mother Teresa, St. Paul, St. Peter and more. They all emphasize that the most important thing we can become in this life is a Saint, a true friend of Jesus.

IP#184 Fr. Joe Kempf – No One Cries the Wrong Way on Inside the Pages

Fr. Joe Kempf has given us two excellent resources for both adults and kids to help us deal with loss. Fr. Joe really understands the grieving process and offers excellent advice for those at any stage of that journey.

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Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York says this about Fr. Kempf’s books: “Fr. Kempf, with grace and sensitivity, helps us learn what to say – and do – in moments when people long for a word of hope and consolation.”

You can find this book here

From the description:

When the heartaches come, these reflections, prayers, and activities will help every child find their way forward with God. In the back of the book, parents, grandparents, and teachers will find the coaching they need to love their children through the difficult times.

This wonderfully illustrated book meets the child (and the child in each of us) right where we are with just what we need. No one connects faith and real life like Fr. Joe and Big Al. Sometimes Life is Just Not Fair is the perfect book for when the difficult times come…and they visit us all.

IP#182 Dr. Christopher Kaczor – The Seven Big Myths About the Catholic Church on Inside the Pages

“The Seven Big Myths About the Catholic Church: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction about Catholicism” by Dr. Christopher Kaczor is a must have resource for Catholics!

The misconceptions about our faith are so prevalent in today’s society that is almost guaranteed that you will encounter at least one of these myths in daily conversations with friends, co-workers, and sadly to say, family members. To have the peace of mind, in order to answer the objection, is invaluable, especially when we are called to the New Evangelization. But even more than that, Dr. Kaczor helps us to give a reason for our hope…the presence of Jesus Christ and His saving grace and mercy found in our Roman Catholic faith.

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Dr. Christopher Kaczor The Seven Big Myths About the Catholic Church

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The Seven Myths:

The Church Opposes Science: The Myth of Catholic Irrationality
The Church Opposes Freedom and Happiness: The Myth of Catholic Indifference to Earthly Welfare
The Church Hates Women: The Myth of Catholic Misogyny
Indifferent to Love, the Church Banned Contraception: The Myth of Opposition between Love and Procreation
The Church Hates Gays: The Myth of Catholic “Homophobia”
The Church Opposes Same-Sex Marriage Because of Bigotry: The Myth That There Is No Rational Basis for Limiting Marriage to One Man and One Woman
Priestly Celibacy Caused the Crisis of Sexual Abuse of Minors: The Myth of Priestly Pedophilia

“All of this book is full of clarity and charity, but two chapters are masterpieces, each worth ten times the price of the whole book. The chapter on contraception is the most simple, commonsensical, winsome and persuasive I have ever seen. It could have been written only by a very good and wise husband and father. The chapter on same-sex marriage has the clearest and the completest logic I have ever read on the subject.” —Peter Kreeft, Boston College

IP#181 Fr. Mitch Pacwa – The Year of Faith on Inside the Pages

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, a leader on the front line of the New Evangelization, once again provides a tremendous resource to enter more deeply into this Year of Faith!

Steeped in the Divine Wisdom found in our Sacred Scriptures and enlightened by the teachings of the Church, and in particular the insights of Pope Benedict XVI, this is a book not to be missed. This is a great resource that can be used by individuals, as well as study groups. In this particular discussion, Fr. Pacwa also expands on the events of history that have brought us to this point in our culturally challenge era. He shares the importance of the examples found in the lives of the saints, and the call we all have to grow in holiness.

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“Dioceses and parishes will benefit from an extremely helpful guide to celebrate this important year. I heartily recommend Father Pacwa’s insightful reflections.” —Bishop Robert J. Baker, S.T.D., Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, is a Jesuit priest and popular television host of several EWTN television and radio programs, including EWTN Life and The Holy Rosary in the Holy Land.

IP#178 T. M. Doran – Terrapin on Inside the Pages

Once again, I am joined by T. M. Doran, this time discussing “Terrapin”. A mystery novel, I found, different in nature than Tom’s first book adventure-mystery “Toward the Gleam”, but still very engaging and wonderful to read. This book is more “noir” in nature, being very reflective, you almost imagine the action happening in “black and white”, like those fascinating films in the the same genre. The influence of evil, the choices we make and the possibility of conversion and transformation provide the fuel for a very good mystery. No simple answers here, but that’s what makes it fun and more than just a toss aside mystery novel. For those who love to think and be entertained You’ll enjoy this book. A knock out conclusion will have you feeling it was time worth spent.

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