The latest book by Father William J. Slattery, Ph.D., published by Our Sunday Visitor, was released on March 3.
The author describes “Enchanted by Eternity: Recapturing the Wonder of the Catholic Worldview” as a “big picture” look at Catholicism for people living in the 21st century.
The book includes a foreward by Catholic actor and businessman Mark Wahlberg and an endorsement from noted scientist, Professor Michael Behe, and others.
Father Slattery, who has a doctorate in philosophy, is a priest working in the Diocese of Columbus as the chaplain at Damascus Catholic Mission Campus in Knox County. He also presents talks at the St. Thomas More Newman Center, which serves Ohio State University’s Columbus campus, and is a professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Reviewers have found the book insightful and enlightening, engaging, inspiring and relevant to young people.
Asked what provided inspiration for the book, Father Slattery said:
“We are in the middle of one of the greatest cultural revolutions in history. That is why right wingers and left wingers are talking about the need for a ‘Great Reset’” a ‘new world order.’ Why? Because both intellectuals and the masses realize that our contemporary society is not empowering us to live a fully human life. Proof of this is in the increase of numbers of people experiencing stress, psychological problems and, most tragically of all, suicide.
“Consequently, everyone is searching for the blueprints for a new type of society that will favor human flourishing.
“I argue that Catholicism alone has the blueprints for achieving a re-enchantment of life for the masses.
“But I am passionately convinced that we need to change our experience of Catholicism. I explain why the six cultural revolutions of the past 500 years have led to Christianity becoming a thing inside the mind; it is now a ‘religion,” a ‘faith,’ a ‘spirituality.’ No longer is it w’at it was once upon a time in Christendom: the source of connectedness, embeddedness, and embodiment.
“I seek to show how Catholicism can again become a source of enchantment 24/7 and I present two sets of reasons.
“In Part I, in clear language, I present the new cosmology that is gradually taking shape because of the ultramodern scientific breakthroughs. All of these discoveries support the Catholic worldview in which we exist in a universe magnificently designed by a Creator who is ever seeking to bring all to fulfillment.
“In Part II, I present the biblical vision of the ultimate goal of history as the heavenized Earth. I outline why the entire Bible starting in Genesis proclaims that God intends to bring not only us humans to fulfillment but all of Nature. The high point of this revelation of God’s ultimate goal occurs in the resurrection of Jesus, which was all about his body. The ultimate divine goal is the presence of resurrected humans in a future forever civilization that will one day exist the ‘New Jerusalem’ amid ‘the new heaven and the new earth’ (Rev. 21).
“I unpack how the biblical worldview has been given to Catholics in order for us to be the spearheading movement of world change, inaugurating the beta version of that forever civilization.
“These ideas enchant our view of life, of Nature. They give us a strong sense of the value of our ordinary everyday work in the light of our future.
“The Catholic Worldview can overcome the sense of existential boredom felt by millions in contemporary society.
“A significant consequence of modernity’s ‘failed worldview’ is the emergence of a ‘lonely and bored culture.’ I believe the emptiness of the modern worldview, lacking a strong sense of transcendent meaning and purpose, contributes to pervasive feelings of loneliness and boredom.
“When the world is perceived as ‘disenchanted,’ and the sense of the sacred is diminished, everyday life can lose its inherent wonder and significance, leading to a feeling of boredom and a constant, often futile, search for external stimulation such as on social media.
“In response to the perceived failures of modernity, I propose a return to the ‘enchanted and enchanting view of self, nature, society and the future’ offered by Catholicism.
“This ‘enchantment’ involves recognizing the inherent goodness and beauty of creation as reflections of the divine, fostering a deep sense of awe, gratitude and responsibility toward the natural world.”
Father Slattery’s first book was The Logic of Truth, presenting the arguments from St. Thomas Aquinas and a postmodern philosopher for man’s ability to really know reality – and not merely one’s own ideas about it.
Ignatius Press published his second book, Heroism and Genius: How Catholic Priests Helped Build—and Can Help Rebuild—Western Civilization, a study of the personalities who laid the foundations of Christendom, the original shape of our civilization.
This was edited and translated into French with the title Comment les catholiques ont bâti une civilisation (How Catholics Built a Civilization). To his delight, it created something of a stir in France. He was invited to Paris and interviewed on TV, radio, websites, most notably by the second largest TV news channel during a 40-minute interview.
Enchanted by Eternity: Recapturing the Wonder of the Catholic Worldview is available through the publisher, Our Sunday Visitor, or through Amazon.