The Great Heresies and Survivals and New Arrivals

by Hilaire Belloc, Paul A. Böer Sr. (Editor)

Two of Belloc's works in one volume. In The Great Heresies, the great Catholic historian analyzes five of the greatest heresies of all Arianism, Mohammedanism (Islam), Albigensianism, Protestantism, and the Modern Attack, showing that the world would be vastly different today if Arianism or Albigensianism had survived--and how it is different because Protestantism survived. He predicts the re-emergence of Islam and explains how the Modern Attack is the worst threat to the Catholic Church ever.In Survivals and New Arrivals, he analyzes the position of the Catholic Church in the world today, particularly as seen vis-a-vis her enemies. It is the Church's enemies, he maintains, and the nature of their attacks upon her, that reveal what exactly is her place and influence upon the world at any given point of history-and what are her opportunities for success. The enemies of the Church, he says, always consist of three The Survivals, or those enemies whose major attacks are on the wane, though still surviving; the Main Opposition, whose attacks are presently at their peak; and the New Arrivals, or those enemies of the Church that are just coming into the battle, whose attacks against the Church are just beginning or are only in the bud.

Genres: History, Christianity

461 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2012

About the author

Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc, French-born British writer, is considered a master of light English prose and also widely known for his droll verse, especially The Bad Child's Book of Beasts in 1896.

The sharp wit of Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across a large literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Throughout his career, he prolifically wrote across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.

Cautionary Tales for Children collects humorous yet dark morals, and the historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promoted and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism, alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.

In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made him a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.

Reviews

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another informative and engaging book .