 A Civilization of Love:
What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World
Author: Carl Anderson
Published by: Harper Collins, 2008
In the introduction, Carl Anderson's in his book "A Civilization of Love" states the main reason for writing it: "The battle today is between the culture of death (where people are judged by their social or economic value) and the culture of life.”
This is not just another text critical of today’s society or one promoting self-improvement. Carl Anderson makes this clear in the early pages of "A Civilization of Love." Anderson is the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, so it comes as no surprise that he chooses to title his book with a phrase that was often used by John Paul II. The author wants to address the lack of information from the secular press about the great vision of love and hope described by both Pope Benedict XVI and John Paul II.
Anderson says, “This book is meant to fill this gap and explore the implications of this call to build the civilization of love. This I believe is the only approach that offers an authentic solution to the current problems of meaning and the purpose in human life.” But how can we build such a civilization?
The answer only becomes fully clear when Anderson reveals three possible approaches for looking at the Christian in relation to society: 1) We can consider " Christ's message as being counterculture, and the call is then to revolt against culture, or at least be separate from society; 2) Christ becomes part of the culture, an idea of Christianity as fully compatible with society, and Christ reduced merely to a great moral teacher; and finally 3) Christ’s message transcending culture and the Christian messages can transform culture, but its ultimate meaning is beyond the world. The author believes in this last view. It’s his central argument: "The message and event of Jesus Christ," Anderson writes, "cannot be limited simply to an affirmation - or for that matter, a repudiation - of existing cultural norms." Human beings are called to love. And because they are called to love, it is only by (re)building a culture, a civilization, which loves that we can overcome the conflicts and threats we face today. And in this great task, the Catholic, the Christian, is indispensable: This is the great work we are called to.
All this may sound too difficult to do, but we do have the lives of the saints to show us the value in trying to bring this vision of love to our world. A "Civilization of Love,” is a very readable book. It’s also practical, and manages to cover a lot of territory in just over 200 pages. Every chapter ends with a short list of "Suggestions for Contemplation and Action."
Each of these sections is very useful for individual and group contemplation and action. The author’s suggestions as to how we can work to build a civilization of love begin with individual action, move to the very smallest unit of society, the family ("The Domestic Church"), and lastly to the largest, the increasingly interconnected and complex global society ("Globalization and the Gospel of Work"). Anderson clearly hopes to do more than sell books; he wants to change each one of us and through us the entire world: the only way to do this is with the salvific grace of Christ, the very embodiment of love.
This book makes a valuable contribution in bridging the gap between the Christian call to a commitment to change the world and the secular that finds very little or no practical value in religion.
It’s also a very appropriate text to be reading and living for the month of June as we begin to celebrate the year of St. Paul, 2008-09. “For me to live is Christ” was the “motto” of this great Apostle. By transforming his life through the Word of God, he left us a testament on how best to build a civilization of love.
Report written by Lou Iacobelli.
You can contact Lou at louiac@hotmail.com
Past Book reviews:
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
PUBLISHER: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Publications Service
PUBLICATION DATE: 2005
Book review for November - December 2008 ________________________________________________________________
LEFT TO TELL
Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust
By: Immaculee Ilibagiza, with Steve Erwin
Hay House, Inc. 2006
Book review for September - October 2008
________________________________________________________________
Bioethics Matters:
A Guide for Concerned Catholics
Author: Moira McQueen
Publisher: Novalis: 2008
Book review for July - August 2008
________________________________________________________________
A Civilization of Love:
What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World
Author: Carl Anderson
Published by: Harper Collins, 2008
Book review for June 2008.
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