Stuck in the Present

PARIS IN RUINS: LOVE, WAR, AND THE BIRTH OF IMPRESSIONISM

First, I must say that this is a beautifully designed book. Reading a physical copy of a book of such beauty does not compare to reading on a Kindle, though this book is available on Kindle.

Both my wife and I love Impressionism. I well remember a recent visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. We have been there on many occasions. We went in different directions for a bit. When we reconnected, I found my wife enthralled before a Pissarro painting. Impressionism has many strange, but wonderful qualities that draw you in.

At the outset Smee clearly lays out his goals with the book: “The story focuses on the events of 1870-71 (famously dubbed ‘The Terrible Year’ by Victor Hugo). It’s premised on the conviction that we cannot see Impressionism clearly without grasping the impact of the tumultuous time on the movement’s leading artists.”

Smee has done yeomen’s work in giving a detailed and fascinating account of worn-torn France and the emergence of Impressionism. 

For both history and art lovers, this is a terrific read!

 

TERRIFIC INTERVIEW

When people ask John Mark Reynolds why we should read books other than the Bible, his response is brilliant: “Why are you talking to me when you could be talking to God?” He goes on to mention how it is obviously better for humans to talk to God, but we humans crave human interaction…something God has instilled in us.

And this: “Reading is a kind of licit necromancy.” We get to talk to those who are long dead. 

And my suggestion is to look for an opportunity at your next dinner party to blithely mention the glories of “licit necromancy!”

The rest of the interview is here:

COMPLEXITY AND OBFUSCATION ARE DIFFERENT ANIMALS

The complexity that a careful thinker appreciates shows how much there is to pay attention to with various matters. And it is heightened with matters of controversy. Obfuscation is a perennial temptation, even for those who want to do the right thing. However, underscoring how many truths there are to keep in mind is a hallmark of thinking Christianly.

DISCIPLESHIP AND THE DODO BIRD

Discipleship is almost non-existent in American churches. It may be “offered” as an optional course in a church, but that massively misses the point. J.I. Packer used the word “catechesis” and Dallas Willard used formation, apprenticeship, and discipleship, but both were highlighting the same problem. Long-term, intentional, slow, holistic, spiritual formation has pretty much gone the way of the dodo bird.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS…A DEFINITE BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR 2025!

I made over 360 marginal notes in my copy of The Pursuit of Happiness.

Rosen’s book is comprehensive without being pedantic, lucid without losing style, and makes many wonderful connections throughout.

My only quibble is how far reason can take us mortals. Rosen is more sanguine than me about reason’s power to form good citizens. The promotion of education for all is terrific and one I agree with, but I don’t believe it answers the deepest needs of individuals or societies.

If you are looking for a great book about the Founders, look no further. Rosen has you covered.

An early video about the book:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JgFaYYj6Ehw

CHARLES DARWIN MOTIVATES ME TO BE A BETTER CHRISTIAN

FIVE VALUABLE THINGS THAT I LEARNED FROM READING CHARLES DARWIN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY

David George Moore

Darwin’s autobiography is short (about 125 pages). It offers a good way to better understand what motivated one of the most consequential thinkers of the modern age.

Though Darwin’s autobiography is short, I still made over one hundred notes in the margins. It’s the type of book that invites that kind of engagement.

Following Augustine’s counsel to read with charity, here then are five beneficial things that I gained by reading and pondering Darwin’s autobiography.

*Love for a subject may get you further than raw talent

I am grateful for this truth! I know people with extraordinary talent or intellectual aptitude who have squandered it. I also know many with lesser abilities who get much out of what they have.

Darwin talked about his poor memory, but he had some strengths that separated him from many others:

“Therefore, my success as a man of science, whatever this may have amounted to, has been determined, as far as I can judge, by complex and diversified mental qualities and conditions. Of these the most important have been—the love of science—unbounded patience in long reflecting over any subject—industry in observing and collecting facts…With such moderate abilities as I possess, it is truly surprising that thus I should have influenced to a considerable extent the beliefs of scientific men on some important points.”

What we love and how much we love it makes all the difference in the world.

*Focus is a key ingredient to success

Those who knew Darwin best, like his wife, understood how absorbed he could get when conducting his research. It is not hard to imagine then why interruptions were not easy for Darwin to deal with.

Darwin’s ability to focus is probably best illustrated by the story of collecting beetles:

“I will give a proof of my zeal: one day, on tearing off some old bark, I saw two rare beetles and seized one in each hand; then I saw a third and new kind, which I could not bear to lose, so that I popped the one which I held in my right hand into my mouth. Alas it injected some intensely acrid fluid, which burnt my tongue so that I was forced to spit the beetle out, which was lost, as well as the third one.”

Shortly after describing this scene, Darwin adds, “It seems therefore that a taste for collecting beetles is some indication of future success in life.”  

Darwin’s focus is also revealed in what he was willing to give up. He loved to hunt but gave it up so he could concentrate solely on science.

Darwin ran for a perishable crown, but we Christians run for an imperishable crown. (I Cor. 9: 24-27) How much more zealous ought we to be for learning about God and His world?!

*Paying attention is a skill worth cultivating

Throughout Darwin’s book you see the value of paying close attention to the world around you. Darwin invites us to take note of what others might dismiss as unimportant or too obscure for the serious investment of one’s time.

Darwin motivates me to keep reflecting on my life and not quickly discount anything as trivial. Darwin reminds me that so-called lesser things can teach me invaluable lessons.

A great aid for me here has been the habit of writing. For forty years I have captured my thoughts, frustrations, answers to prayer, and reflections on Scripture in various journals (blogging was added later on). I regularly go back to these scribblings. It motivates me to keep paying attention, not only to the spectacular, but to the mundane as well.

*Lavish praise on your family

Darwin gladly praised his wife, Emma. She was an amazing mother and a devoted wife. He said she was his “greatest blessing.” Straining credulity is this comment by Charles:

“…I can declare that in my whole life I have never heard her utter one word which I had rather been unsaid. She has never failed in the kindest sympathy towards me, and has born with the utmost patience my frequent complaints from ill-health and discomfort.”

Darwin’s love for his children was equally intense:

“I have indeed been most happy in my family, and I must say to you my children that not one of you has ever given me one minute’s anxiety, except on the score of health. There are, I suspect, very few fathers of five sons who could say this with entire truth. When you were very young it was my delight to play with you all, and I think with a sigh that such days can never return.”

I resonate with the greatest happiness being the family and with the melancholy from no longer experiencing those days of play with our two sons. I can’t say that the health of our sons has been my only worry!

*How to address criticism

In our nasty age where snarky soundbites make us unwilling to give credence to any criticism, it is striking to see one of Darwin’s regular practices.

“I had, also, during many years, followed a golden rule, namely, that whenever a published fact, a new observation or thought came across me, which was opposed to my general results, to make a memorandum of it without fail and at once; for I had found by experience that such facts and thoughts were far more apt to escape from the memory than favorable ones.”

This kind of careful consideration of one’s critics is challenging, especially for those in the public eye. We can adapt the spirit of the Darwinian model by not quickly dismissing the criticism that comes our way. Sure, we need to be discerning. We also ought to invite trusted friends to say how much credence they would give to the criticism.

In closing, we again find help from Augustine. The African bishop reminds us that “all truth is God’s.” Augustine used the idea of “plundering the Egyptians.”  We ought to grab all the intellectual/spiritual booty that better helps us live the Christian life, no matter its source.

Perhaps it is now less surprising why some of the plunder in Darwin’s Autobiography spurs me to be a better Christian.

 

 

 

ROGER SCRUTON: THE PHILOSOPHER ON DOVER BEACH

In his famous essay, “On the Reading of Old Books,” C.S. Lewis said that instead of reading secondary sources on great thinkers, we ought to read the primary sources. Not only are the primary sources more important, but they are usually more lucid, and so easier to read! I’ve experienced the problem firsthand. One book that sought to explain a famous philosopher’s ideas was close to undecipherable. When I read the primary source, it was quite clear.

Mark Dooley’s wonderful book on Roger Scruton does not suffer from the problem Lewis wrote about. Dooley’s book is clear and thrilling to read. Dooley’s style and content is a great tribute to the stylish and insightful Roger Scruton.

Even though I will read dozens of more books this year, this one will be one of my favorite books of 2025.

Whether you are familiar with Roger Scruton or not, this is a biography worth your time. It is not long at 180 pages, but you will want to savor it as there are wonderful insights on every page. No exaggeration there as my own copy has over 160 marginal notes, some the length of the margins.

Dooley’s book is called an “intellectual biography,” as it mainly deals with Scruton’s ideas. Don’t let that deter you as Scruton was a thinker who abhorred ideas staying in the abstract dimension. You will be inspired by Scruton’s clarity and courage in taking unpopular stands. Scruton paid dearly for telling the truth, especially when many were content with their “comfortable falsehoods.”

One of the great books I read last summer (one of my books of the year for 2024) is a biography of Edmund Burke by Jesse Norman. Burke did not appreciate activists who didn’t think very well. Burke also didn’t respect those who had lofty ideas but did not translate them into addressing real-world problems.

It is no surprise then to discover that Burke was a key influence on Scruton.

Roger Scruton: The Philosopher on Dover Beach is truly a great read!

2024/MOORE FAMILY: TOUGH TO SUMMARIZE!

How does one capture a year in a few pictures? How does one capture a year in many pictures? 

How do you capture even a fraction of inner thoughts and emotions of all kinds? 

It is impossible, but to quote G.K. Chesterton, “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” Here then is a very potted look at our year:

As mentioned in last year’s newsletter, Doreen lost her beloved father late in 2023. This year came with the death of her mother. We are grateful that Doreen had many sweet visits with both over the last several years.

The birth of our granddaughter was certainly a joyous occasion. She is deeply loved. David and Reese are (not surprisingly) already quite adept at the parenting stuff!

Our youngest son Chris, graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. Not only did he excel academically, but we think he excelled in finding a girlfriend. Yudith (or Yudi as we call her) and Chris first got to know one another during their 1L (=first year) at Harvard. This link has some pictures:

HARVARD LAW GRADUATION | Moore Engaging

While we were in Boston, we received the news (literally while sitting down to dinner in Little Italy) that our dear friend Randy Newman had died. Doreen and Randy were on Campus Crusade for Christ staff together. Randy and I became close when he and his wife moved to Austin. Here is my tribute to Randy:

RANDY NEWMAN: REMEMBERING OUR FRIEND | Moore Engaging

Chris surprised us with a trip to England. David, Reese, and Yudi all pitched in. We went to London, Cambridge (where Yudi was finishing another degree), Oxford, and the Cotswolds. All the places were amazing.

The church in the Cotswolds is where we worshipped. Though there were only about twenty-five of us in attendance, it was one of the most meaningful services we’ve ever attended. After the service, we talked to the rector, and he told us that our friend Randy Newman’s book made a significant impact on him. What an encouragement!

We also had a wonderful time staying in Philadelphia with Yudi’s parents. Though her parents have been all over the world, they had never been to Gettysburg. Both of Yudi’s parents are MDs and were born in Spain. They moved to the U.S. to practice medicine. 

We reunited for a terrific time with some old friends at a wedding.

So much is left out, but I will close with the Christmas gift we received from Yudi: tickets to Handel’s Messiah along with a wonderful picture of her and Chris in Spain.

HOW TO NOT GET STUCK IN YOUR READING

My approach to reading that I have been doing for decades is to read simultaneously. What I mean is that I tend to read at least six books at the same time. There are demanding and less demanding books in my stacks of six.

One advantage is that I never get stuck. I am always ready to read at least one of them.

I have also found that the conversation across books, even on very different subjects, brings another S: serendipities!

Here’s a typical current stack by my reading chair. Three of these (Dante’s Inferno, Stott’s Cross of Christ (first half), and Bunyan’s masterpiece are rereads.