Andrew Klavan's 2019 writings and speeches come together to make a powerful argument for living a joyful and reasonable life of faith rather than following the culture's default secular path into moral madness. In "Can We Believe?" Klavan takes on the 'Enlightenment Narrative,' which claims science and reason have made faith impossible for the thinking person. In "Can We Be Silent in A World Gone Mad?" he examines the way mistaken ideas lead to insane moral conclusions. In his powerful and eloquent discussion of abortion, “The Art of Making Sense,” he examines the deep importance of a cogent moral worldview. And in “Speaking Across the Abyss,” he lays out his ideas on speaking faith into an unbelieving world. Taken as a whole, these writings suggest a fresh and original approach to redirecting a culture that has lost its way.
Andrew Klavan is a quiet genius. Not only is he smart and funny, he's philosophically and logically consistent in explaining the moral truths of Christianity and how they relate to our divisive age. The secular Left believes in science and the power of reason, a shared philosophy that brooks no opposition and demonizes those who dare to question its obvious deviation from common sense and objective morality, not to mention the U. S. Constitution. To the Left, the taking of non-threatening human life through abortion is sold as woman's rights even though it is anti-science, anti-reason, and morally abhorrent. Likewise, there is the non-sense of personal gender selection with its physical mutilation. In the end, Klavan pull no punches: if we are to attack and overcome the elitism of the Left -- fed by the Democratic Party, Hollywood, and a complicit media -- we need to begin confronting them with the important Socratic and Christian questions that reveal the swallowness of their moral reasoning, and we need to be ready to suffer the consequences of that assault.
You know the mental image you get when you think of a man sitting in his private library reading, studying, perhaps you see a pipe in his mouth? It’s an image that speaks of a time when men sought to learn, sharpen their intellect, and refine their philosophical musings. If that speaks to you in any way, get this book.
Andrew Klavan covers topics such as the myth that faith and reason are incompatible, the inconsistencies of a materialistic worldview, why he could no longer accept the pro-choice arguments, and how to speak of our faith in a culture that despises it.
Running at only 54 pages long, this is a light read that’s broken up into four of his speeches he gave in 2019, so its an easy read that can be done a day at a time. But have your pen/highlighter/notepad ready because you’re going to want to take notes as this is rich and witty Klavan material.
You only have to log on Facebook to see a world of hate and division... and every year it seems to get worse. This past year I have been searching for voices that tell the truth... not just to the mind, but the soul too. I have been reading a lot by C.S. Lewis and Madeline L'Engle and I've been listening to Andrew Klavan. This book has so many good nuggets that I had to employ my kindle highlighter... something I never do. I'm probably going to buy a physical copy of this book so I can pass it to my friends and family. Starting with my husband.
Klavan is a model for thinking well and speaking well. Marshaling personal stories, the teachings of important philosophers, and pop culture, he persuades with humor rather than bludgeons with anger. A quick and helpful read.
He's expressive but I prefer his book on finding God.
These are pretty much presentations to a group so it is denser and requires thoughtful reading. I'll come back and review next month because I need to let things percolate just a bit.