Rebuilding Catholic Culture

by Ryan N.S. Topping

Rarely does a book come along that so succinctly explains the decline of modern culture, articulates a defense of the Church's teachings, and offers a hope-filled path for building a civilization grounded in Catholic truth. In these pages, Dr. Ryan Topping does all three, pulling back the curtain on the false philosophies of the secularists and showing that in the West today the most formidable threat to freedom is not failing economies or Islam, but secularism.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Christian

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2013

About the author

Dr. Topping earned an MA in Philosophy from the University of Manitoba as well as an M.Phil. and a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Oxford. He held the Pope John XXIII Chair of Studies in Catholic Theology at St. Thomas University in Canada, and is Fellow at Thomas More College of the Liberal Arts in New Hampshire.

Dr. Topping has published on a variety of Catholic themes and figures, from St. Augustine, to Dante, to G.K. Chesterton in academic and popular journals such as International Philosophical Quarterly, First Things, Crisis Magazine, and Catholic Exchange. A popular conference speaker, he has presented widely on Catholic radio and TV networks including EWTN.

Besides home-schooling their seven children, he and his wife have been teaching Natural Family Planning for a decade. They reside in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using different sections of the Catechism, Dr. Topping divides his chapters into topics such as the Creed, Sacraments, and Prayer. He then explains how these topics shaped the world once, with the hope and possibility that they will again. Each chapter also eloquently and seamlessly serves as a stepping stone to lead you to the next chapter. At first glance in the Table of Contents, one might thinks this book is just a series of essays under a common theme. Instead, it is a carefully woven tapestry that provides a fuller picture the further you read.

The book also references Vatican II heavily, which isn't shocking as the Catechism was a direct result of Vatican II. As pointed out by the author, one can see the previous influence of Catholic culture in our artwork and architecture, and even in our literature with works such as "The Lord of the Rings." However, the most interesting chapter to me concerned the family. It was both fascinating and depressing to see how far society has fallen. The traditional family is now anything but, as we have modern families with step-parents, two moms or two dads, or families where the parents aren't even married at all. Blessed John Paul II wrote and spoke openly about love and the functions of family life including service to society and, more importantly, service to the Church.

When I received this book, I thought I was getting a book which would go through the Catechism section by section and provide me with step-by step instructions on how to change the culture. Instead, I got a book that shows what the culture was like and how the Catechism and Church could shape it, if we only allow it to do so. I'm therefore having a hard time rating this book and waffled on giving it a 4 or a 5. The book is magnificently written and claims to be accessible. Yet it is a challenging read, which has the possibility to frustrate the average reader. However, I do like that the message is presented in a hopeful light, and not doom and gloom. For that reason, I am deciding upon a 5 with a caveat that the reader pace themselves while reading this book and don't try and chew it up and digest it all at once.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is spectacular, for those who BOTH already know their Faith and those who curious about the Faith and those who are just starting out in the Faith.

In light of the Post-conciliar Church there are many camps that exist within the Church today, and I consider myself more of the Traditionalist type although from the Younger Contemporary Generation, this book is something that any self-professed Catholic ought to read if they wish to know what it means to be Catholic.

The author does a spectacular job examining different aspects of Culture and Church in each of the 9 chapters (1 to Conclusion) and in each chapter the author teaches by way of definition and history, which then leads to teaching by contrast, which then leads to teaching by solution both with a new way of seeing the problem in light of Tradition and with concrete actions that affirm that new way of seeing it while not negating Tradition.

Wow, this book is a spectacular read, highly recommended, easy to read, you can complete it in a week more or less, by the time you are done you may be quite surprised how much this book helped you in understanding your Catholic Faith better via the Catechism of the Catholic Church and various pre-conciliar and post-conciliar writings. For those who are more [in the Catholic sense] "Progressive and Liberal" it will ground you and those who are more "Conservative and Reactionary" it will help you breathe a little easier and not be so stifled.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully written book that, perhaps, lacks an audience. The purpose of the book is twofold - to "present key themes in the [Catholic] Catechism" and to discuss the renewal of Catholic culture. However, there is a tension in this. On the one hand, the book intends to introduce readers to Catholic thought. And on the other, it intends to engage already well-versed Catholics in the renewal of Catholic culture. I'm not sure that one book can do both.

Despite this problem, I enjoyed the book. The author is almost Chestertonian in his wit and elegance. At times, however, I think he shows a naivete. For example, his plan for renewing Catholic culture is as follows: "Let us end abortion; have more children; teach them Latin; and build better churches." What became of catechizing the people, helping the poor, and developing a relationship with Jesus Christ? The author is at heart a traditionalist, but a lovely one nonetheless.

[Andy Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done

A good read. It brings the real issues surrounding the secular culture and the remedy needed in order to recover our long forgotten identity as Roman Catholics. I highly recommend this book, especially to priests and seminarians.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written book. As much as I agree with the author on many of his main points--especially those relating to the assault on families--I can't help but question how his good advice would sound to a gay family, or to a family where the parents are divorced and, according to the rules of the Church, are not allowed to partake in the Eucharist. For all of the author's clear thinking and illuminating examples of the excesses of Western culture, he still clings to the legalisms of the Catholic faith, and therein lies my criticism, as it always does. Catholicism, in and of itself, is perfect. It is perfectly imagined, perfectly logical, and perfectly self-contained. If you choose to swim in the deep, vast sea that is the Catholic faith, and if you accept the premises laid down over 2,000 years of tradition and philosophy, it is difficult to argue your way out of many of the Church's conclusions.

If, however, you dissent; if you pull on a strand of the marvelous tapestry of Catholicism and question some of the deep convictions held by the orthodox, the entire thing starts to unwind. There are many areas where I am in complete agreement with the world view of men like this author, but where he and I diverge, there is a vast gulf between us.

Our new Pope, Francis, seems to get this. Let us hope that the Church can grow and change and become a bit more self-aware when it comes to the treatment of those who are gay, and to those whose marriages simply did not last. Likewise, I hope and pray that women can take their place in the Church as true leaders and shepherds of the faithful.

Generally speaking, I like my life with Catholicism in it, but I accept the teachings of the Church on my own terms. The world is a better place, a more kind and gentle place, with the Catholic Church in it, but there are shadows cast by her teachings, and those shadows cover some people in my life whom I love very much.

Three stars because there was a chapter on Dante. I hate Dante.

[Ben De Bono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable and important. The book is by turns challenging, thought provoking and inspiring. Given that it was released in 2013, I'd be curious to hear Dr. Topping's thoughts on the last four years of Francis' pontificate. Much of what he discusses has turned out very prescient

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part of the book was where the author dealt with family and how to turn around the culture in the country.