Jousting with the Devil: Chesterton's Battle with the Father of Lies

by Robert Wild

G.K. Chesterton believed in the Devil before he believed in God.

Jousting with the Devil: Chesterton’s Battle with the Father of Lies explores G.K. Chesterton’s encounter with the reality that is Satan. Whether or not you are familiar with Chesterton, you will be surprised at how familiar Chesterton is with this subject. Though he seems to have an intuitive sense of truth whatever his subject matter, when Chesterton writes about the Devil, he knows what he is talking about for more than intuitive reasons because his wisdom is supplemented by personal experience.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[kesseljunkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's not that much here for anyone who isn't already sold on Chesterton, but it is an interesting diversion into his influences.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Wild captures the persona and attitude of Catholic scholar, G. K. Chesterton in reference to the devil. Chesterton wrote about the Devil/Satan as the focus of his research and his lifelong ministry. This book features excerpts ofcritiques about G. K. Chesterton and his spiritual research and battle. Acknowledged as a Gnostic, Chesterton's lifework was divided into the practical and theoretical. While he saw the world as good, he knew evil had been introduced by the devil. He also said that evil cannot be dismissed if one believes in God. His criticized those people who took the devil lightly. He often referred to his own experiences in battling the devil and conducting intimate studies of the devil and evil. Chesterton was chastised by some for calling out believers in Christ who did not take up the gauntlet of faith against evil. Chesyetton's critics also charged that Chesterton may gotten to close to evil thus laying down his spiritual guard. One of the 'hot' topics' covered in detail is Chesterton's statement that his belief in the threat and existenc eof the devil made him a 'better' Christian and his advocacy that being educated in "Catholic demonology" is the foudnation of a 'sound' Catholic faith. Chesterton's argument that acknowledging evil will cause one to veer into a faith in Jesus Christ. The author lays out the simplistic and flawed arguments against Chesterton, defending him and touting the numerous faith works of Chesterton. By the level of his defense of his ideology, Wild is clearly a Chesterton disciple. The author also spends time on Chesterton's critiques of thinkers, authors, writers, and other scholars. This was quite enlightening to read about his views of Byron, St. Ignatiius, Bishop Newman, Robert Benson, Origen, Nietzche, and Soloviov, et al. In the end, there's no arguing Chesterton was a mystic, a disciple of Christ, and a modern day apostle. His life's work of study and confronting the devil stand up to tests and critics. This was a very revealing read about Chesterton and Catholic demonology.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Wild has authored another book that compliments his book about Chesterton called, The Tumbler of God, in which he presented the case for Chesterton being a true mystic. His new book, Jousting With the Devil, presents a side of Chesterton that some people have said was lacking in Chesterton ... a true understanding of the nature and source of evil in the world. Robert Wild clearly demonstrates from Chesterton's writings and the writings of others on Chesterton that Chesterton did indeed struggle with the reality of evil in the world, and he argues, this was one of the reasons Chesterton could live a life that was so incredibly joyous and appreciative of the goodness of God and His works. Wild states that because Chesterton understood the depth and depravity of evil, he could compare it up against the pure goodness of God and find the radiant joy that so personified his life.

[Wayne E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a book more analytical and with a broader scope of Chesterton's work. Instead, Wild focused on detailed descriptions of several of Chesterton's novels with liberal, space filling quotes from said books. He also spends a significant amount of book space discussing Vladimir Soloviov's THE STORY OF THE ANTI-CHRIST and Robert H. Benson's THE LORD OF THE WORLD with Wild's conclusion that no one understands the latter book, at least not it's end. For all of JWTD's flaws I did highlight a lot of material but I came away from the book with a sense of disappointment that I did not further my understanding of Chesterton, or his personal battle with the devil.

[Chels S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book that comes close to doing justice to that great man and his vocation. Brilliant and essential.