Bookshelf: Defiant Joy

Recently, I read a fantastic biography about G.K. Chesterton. I’d only known Chesterton as an author who influenced C.S. Lewis, but Defiant Joy by Kevin Belmonte introduced me to Chesterton as the author of nearly 80 books, a poet, an apologist, and more. Belmonte’s biography left me interested to read more of Chesterton’s works, and inspired to develop the joyful character that was his.

A few great quotes from Defiant Joy:

“Christianity is the “philosophy in which I have come to believe. I will not call it my philosophy, for I did not make it. God and humanity made it; and it made me.” (G.K. Chesterton)

“We could use another Chesterton today, I think. In a time when culture and faith have drifted even further apart, we could use his brilliance, his entertaining style, and above all, his generous and joyous spirit. When society becomes polarized, as ours has, it is as if the two sides stand across a great divide and shout at each other. Chesterton had another approach: He walked to the center of a swinging bridge, roared a challenge to any single combat warriors, and then made both sides laugh out loud.” (Philip Yancey)

“Chesterton was one of the deepest thinkers who ever existed; he was deep because he was right, and he could not help being right; but he could not either help being modest and charitable.” (Etienne Gilson)

For more on the life and writings of G.K. Chesterton, pick up Kevin Belmonte’s great biography, Defiant Joy.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers’ BookSneeze program.