Imagine walking through a field of the most abundant and varied wildflowers; imagine gathering them in your arms; imagine carrying them with you.  This is how it is to read Anthony Esolen’s latest work, Reflections on the Christian Life. Esolen has walked through that field and gathered flowers that come in the form of scriptural and personal anecdotes as well as through the wisdom of the great minds of Western Civilization: Tolkien, Chesterton, Cicero, Dickens, Dostoevsky, Shakespeare. These are indeed the most powerful weapons against the secular world in which we live today. In one anecdote, Esolen relates how a young skeptic student came to him and said, “You guys have all the ammunition! Dante and Shakespeare and Cervantes and Milton! We don’t have any defense against them!” Esolen presents them in a bouquet to his readers as an invitation to journey with him and embrace these various treasures as old familiar friends. Indeed, somewhere in the middle of this book I began to smile each time I came across a quote or example from an author. I was unexpectedly re-visiting old friends.

I thought it a little funny the day I was asked to write about Mr. Esolen’s new book because he has been involved in my life indirectly in a number of ways.  I grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, two blocks away from the formidable entrance to Providence College where he teaches.  His daughter and I were part of the same homeschooling group for a time, and I probably met him during those years, though I have no memory of it.  During home-High School I read his translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Volumes I would eventually take with me to Thomas More College and revisit.  The year I entered my life-changing undergrad years was the very same year a new president was chosen for Thomas More College.  I later discovered, oddly enough, that the position was very nearly filled by Anthony Esolen.  Six years later, I am now sitting at my desk with his new book published by Sophia Press—Thomas More College’s publishing arm.

In the middle of enjoying and reflecting on the work, two explosions went off in Boston.  Many of us on campus immediately thought of friends, family members and acquaintances that were down in the city, 45 minutes south of us.  After I had gathered my mind around the shock and worry, I tried to continue writing. I realized that I could only think of what is written on the back cover of Esolen’s book,

Indeed, this book will finally awaken in you the unshakable confidence that despite even the tragic stories of this life, the good things you’ve known and loved are not gone forever: all that is lost will be found; all will be restored; all will be perfected. Truly there will be “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1).

This captures Mr. Esolen’s work.  How full of hope. How fitting for this moment.

Reflections on the Christian Life is a bouquet of anecdotal stories and “good news” on the nature of living sorrows and joys, education, baptism, mercy and faith. It certainly has a different feel from his previous works, but it is a book to re-visit and to share.  In fact, I already have a waiting list for my copy, and while I would love to share with you all, you can best find out more for yourself.

http://shop.sophiainstitute.com/Reflections-on-the-Christian-Life-P370.aspx