George W. Rutler

Besides the concern for generally unknown details of people and events, the book presses the theme that “the Second World War can rightly be understood and probably only fully appreciated as a holy war fought for multiple and mixed motives, but in its deepest meaning as a campaign against evil by defenders, consciously or obliviously, of the good.” While its principle focus is on the way the Catholic Church confronted enemies of humanity, a wide variety of institutions and colorful show more characters find a place.

Of particular interest, and perhaps something of a revelation, are insights into the personalities who played their parts in this titanic spiritual combat: saints and sinners, the famous as well as those who are forgotten today and who were little known even then. A message to be learned is that human nature never changes, and that the test of character in the struggles of the world’s greatest war is a litmus for how we should and should not behave in the challenges of our own generation. show less

In this timely and penetrating book, Fr. George Rutler shows how the West's decades-long cultural assault against Christianity is finally reaching its inevitable conclusion: the self-destruction of our culture and society.
Fr. Rutler sees the past thirty years as a moral cold war between Christians and those for whom personal behavior is of lesser concern than one s good intentions. He explains how relativism and its consequent dictatorship of feeling spun civilization on its head by denying show more the relevance and the very existence of God. Indeed, it seeped into the remotest corners of society and, over time, led our entire culture into a full-on rebellion against our Creator.

The good news is that Fr. Rutler believes we can emerge from the rubble of civilization, but first there must be a battle between those who are inspired by God and those who are haunted by Him. This deadly winter which has already begun descending will be followed by the peace and joy of spring, but only if we turn our hearts to the Lamb of God. show less

In these brilliant essays the renowned writer and churchman Fr. George Rutler addresses our current causes of anxiety and our never-changing, ever-new reasons for hope. His writings on the issues of our day are neither pessimistic nor optimistic, because they are infused with the confidence that God grants us his peace and no earthly circumstance can take it away.

A Crisis of Saintsis a collection of seven essays on various subjects. Rutler being Rutler, most deal in some way with the clash between faith and modern secular culture. Some are better than others, so it's probably best suited for those familiar with the author's other works.