Catholic Republic: Why America Will Perish Without Rome

by Timothy J. Gordon

The symptoms of America’s decline are all around us: abortion on demand, the shrinking of liberty and the growth of the state, a pagan popular culture, the destruction of families and free markets, and the reduction of science to petty pop-technology. Few, if any, have sought to explain the origin of all of these problems at once. In Catholic Republic, Timothy Gordon argues that America’s premature withering could have been avoided if only the founders had fully incorporated into the new republic the Catholic natural law.

The anti-Catholic bias of 18th Century America kept our Protestant and Enlightenment forefathers from admitting their dependence upon the ideas of Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the early Jesuits. In Catholic Republic, Gordon unpacks our nation’s complicated history of repudiating, yet borrowing, the Catholic ideas about politics and nature, which turn out to be indispensable to our—and all—republics.

Indeed, America still can be saved. It is not too late.

Genres: Catholic, Politics, Philosophy, History, Nonfiction, Religion, American History

256 pages, Unknown Binding

First published February 19, 2018

About the author

Studied philosophy in Pontifical graduate universities in Europe, taught it at Southern Californian community colleges, and then went on to law school. He holds degrees in literature, history, philosophy, and law. Currently, he resides in central California with his wife and six children, where he writes and teaches philosophy and theology. Gordon is considered one of the Godfathers of “Bro-Man” Catholicism. He does a popular biweekly podcast and is the author of Catholic Republic: Why America Will Perish without Rome. Two forthcoming Gordon books are due in early 2020, each co-authored with his brother David: No Christian Feminism (Sophia Institute) and Rules for Retrogrades (Tan Books).

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing style is not optimal; had to kind of plod through some of it. But I'm giving it 4 stars because the content is so mind-blowing and important.

[Ray Boshers · Rating 5 out of 5]

See why America is failing

First off, I'm not Catholic and the author is. This does not change the truth. When you read this book you will begin to understand why America has been on the path that it is. Between the Enlightenment camp and the Reformed Protestant movement the very basics that a republic needs to succeed were never put in place. Timothy Gordon does an excellent job of bringing the historical record to bear and shows where and why it has all gone wrong. This is one book that, whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Atheist, or Agnostic you need to read. Once you do, you'll know what needs to be done to change America's declining situation.

[BoB Lever · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish the book. The premise of the book was very intriguing and I was excited for it. First the writing style of the author didn’t work for me. He was constantly referencing “the reader”. The book read closer to an academic paper than a book. The volume of footnotes was unbearable. I can’t imagine reading a non-electronic version. In my mind if this many footnotes (and they were necessary) are needed, there is something wrong.

With the limited amount that I read I was convinced that there maybe some validity to the book’s mantra that America is wired Catholic, labeled Protestant, and operating secular. I wish I could’ve finished the book to be fully convinced.

[Theresa Stiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before writing my review I looked at the other reviews. Glad to see that my criticism of the writing style was not just mine. I did get lost in the weeds at times. I agree with some of the other reviewers that this is a worth while book to read. It gives the documentation that supports another book, Strangers in a Strange Land by Arch Bishop Chaput, that our country needs moral citizens to work.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-opening

Very clear and concise revelation of the similarity of urbanite and suburbanite living, and how rejection of Natural Law is destroying our culture.

[Joseph Raborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating philosophical treatise on the importance of Natural Law to American society and government. It argues that America has Thomistic roots but has slowly gone off the rails. If we want to save our republican form of government, we need to return to the truths of Natural Law and even to the Catholic Church.

This is a great short work, which everyone interested in the philosophy behind America's founding and our current state should read. The writing can be clunky at times, but it's well worth reading to the end.

[Anne-Marie Woloszyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new understanding of our republic

This book presents some key aspects of American differently. It presents Catholic Natural Law in juxtaposition to Prot-Enlightenment philosophy. Very interesting. A good read.

[Frederick Hammill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slow, dry, dull, and inaccurate.

[Kingsley C. Eze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illuminating!

Interesting theses on the genesis and metastasis of the current US (and global) public attitudes, beliefs and culture. Prior to reading this book, I had heard of natural rights and even natural law, but never properly understood their effects and use--let alone Catholic Natural Law! The author explains and illustrates concepts, nearly too repetitively sometimes, but clearly enough to make his intricately woven and cogent argument. I will recur to this book for primers on the roots, multifarious aspects and evolving facades of today's global techno-socio-political movement. Mostly, I appreciate and applaud the demonstration of how Catholic Natural Law applies permeantly. Of course, read this book if you want an ether-tight exposition of the interrelationships of humanity, liberty and republic, interalia. It's not for wonks or nerds; it just flows!

[Galen Rohr · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know for someone who has an image of the Blessed Virgin overseeing the capital on the front cover, you spend an awful little time (none) discussing Marian devotion, the Rosary, Magnificat, or the Memorare.

Timothy Gordon is an absolute narcissist. If I had a nickel for every time he references his own book as a source of authority, or invents his own terms for preexisting words bearing the selfsame signification, or repeats the phrase "wired Catholic, labeled Protestant, and currently functioning as secular" ...

What a waste of time.

Lastly, just because America holds some truths which Catholic Dogma also upholds does not then make it Catholic. A thief always retains something good from whence he stole.

[John Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this work has some flaws, it concisely defends and explains Catholic natural law and its relevance to an upright republic. It traces the social and intellectual decay of today back to America’s Founding Fathers ans their partial and incomplete usage of critical Catholic principles. “America is wired Catholic, labeled Protestant, and functions secularly.” Such a work inevitably overgeneralized, but it makes a strong case that only Catholic natural law can properly diagnose and treat the ailments that the USA is now experiencing.

[Ulyana Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it in a day….a year or so later, things began to surface more in the church …I’d say the research is fair. Covering all the possibilities and what if’s, the tone came off neutral, even though the author attempted to defend his side (in which he succeeded) I do recommend the book as it is an easy read and a eye opener to the wicked and slow infiltration of anti religious ideologies in the Church. Now with several books on this topic, this piece of work comes off as a gateway read for anyone who is looking for a starter reading material about infiltration within the Church.

[James Sesame · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading it a year ago & had to stop half way through. I was not understanding it at all. My Catholicism consisted only of the Catechism (1958) of the Theology; but this book was mainly political. I had no idea there was any politics in Catholicism. I knew very little of Thomas Aquinas, the main source in this book.
I am only now finishing it after starting from the beginning again. I had to go back to the Introduction & memorize a few things. Then I was able to read it & understand it. It was still hard going but very much worth it.

[Imperator Zombie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While informative, this tome reports to connect the roots of America to the Catholic Church. While that can be true to an extent, it's not addressing the reality of the US as a nation which epitimises the Protestant Reformation, meaning that it rejects the Church at its core. Any restoration of the souls of the nation requires the acknolodgement of the Kignship of Christ and Mary, meaning a recentering of life around the liturgy and the Holy Institution.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely good read about how our republic requires the existence of natural law (as espoused by the Church), but the war against natural law brought about by the Enlightenment kinda dooms the American experiment

[Thomas G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

This is a fantastic, well written book by Mr. Gordon. A must read for serious practicing Catholics. Informative, impeccably researched and easy to understand.

[Zane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Don't listen to it.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally like Tim Gordon but am going to have to disagree with the majority of his views throughout this book. The last chapter, though, was one of common agreement and very much appreciated.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote notes on the last page.

[Suzanne Petrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that makes you dive deeper into Catholic thought and principles. I love Tim and follow him on uTube with Dr. Taylor Marshall. Highly recommend this book!!