I was raised Lutheran; I’m now Presbyterian/reformed. In between I was what I would describe as a broadly American evangelical. I can see Dreher’s point about people losing the natural/supernatural connection in the west. But any Protestant who holds to the Apostles’ Creed is a thorough-going believer in the supernatural, and also the importance of the connection between our nature and our ‘supernature’. We say:"I believe … in the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting."
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, it's hard to articulate... Rod might say that of course Protestants believe in the supernatural, but the only agent we are willing to credit with supernatural acts is God (and maybe angels). We disqualify what you might call intermediate agents, and (I think he'd say) a lot of the enchantment is in the intermediate. The blessing from that priest actually does something. That relic actually has power in it, somehow. That's part of what he means by saying that "matter has meaning".
I would highly recommend again Horton’s book. I’m about 2/3 through it now, and am in Chapter 2 of Dreher’s book. Both authors cite Mircea Eliade. I am enjoying Dreher’s book, but he really seems to have a very fuzzy Creator/creature distinction. Also, it’s been awhile, but R.C. Sproul’s _The_Holiness_of_GOD_ bears on the topic as well. I think Dreher would resonate with his first chapter. I will probably have more thoughts when I finish both books.
My cousin is an evangelical Christian and most definitely believes in an enchanted world. I would bet that the majority of even regular church-goers of all denominations do not.
Returning to my Catholic faith after years of atheism exposed me to supernatural attack in my home. I most definitely believe. At times I have shared stories of some occurrences with friends. To my surprise, they would often speak about their own experiences with the supernatural, or relay one that a trusted friend disclosed to them.
Coincidentally, I just started reading "The Exorcist Files" by Fr. Carlos Martin. You might find it interesting.
I was raised Lutheran; I’m now Presbyterian/reformed. In between I was what I would describe as a broadly American evangelical. I can see Dreher’s point about people losing the natural/supernatural connection in the west. But any Protestant who holds to the Apostles’ Creed is a thorough-going believer in the supernatural, and also the importance of the connection between our nature and our ‘supernature’. We say:"I believe … in the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting."
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, it's hard to articulate... Rod might say that of course Protestants believe in the supernatural, but the only agent we are willing to credit with supernatural acts is God (and maybe angels). We disqualify what you might call intermediate agents, and (I think he'd say) a lot of the enchantment is in the intermediate. The blessing from that priest actually does something. That relic actually has power in it, somehow. That's part of what he means by saying that "matter has meaning".
I would highly recommend again Horton’s book. I’m about 2/3 through it now, and am in Chapter 2 of Dreher’s book. Both authors cite Mircea Eliade. I am enjoying Dreher’s book, but he really seems to have a very fuzzy Creator/creature distinction. Also, it’s been awhile, but R.C. Sproul’s _The_Holiness_of_GOD_ bears on the topic as well. I think Dreher would resonate with his first chapter. I will probably have more thoughts when I finish both books.
IT SHALL BE ORDERED. Thanks.
Intereshing essay.
My cousin is an evangelical Christian and most definitely believes in an enchanted world. I would bet that the majority of even regular church-goers of all denominations do not.
Returning to my Catholic faith after years of atheism exposed me to supernatural attack in my home. I most definitely believe. At times I have shared stories of some occurrences with friends. To my surprise, they would often speak about their own experiences with the supernatural, or relay one that a trusted friend disclosed to them.
Coincidentally, I just started reading "The Exorcist Files" by Fr. Carlos Martin. You might find it interesting.
After I shared the story of Stefano in class, a student hesitatingly shared a rather remarkable story of their own. You wonder how many are out there.
Lots and lots, I suspect.