Refusing Despair Amidst Cultural Darkness
What does it look like to cheerfully refuse a collapsing culture without giving in to cynicism, fear, or despair? Host Curtis Chang and Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson—Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University— dive into Leif Enger's I Cheerfully Refuse, exploring why great novels still matter, how Christians can resist ideations of apocalypse with joy, and what faith-filled fiction reveals about beauty, truth, and survival in dark times. This conversation is for listeners hungry for cultural commentary,hopeful resistance, and deeper ways of reading the world through faith.
01:28 - Challenges of Reading Contemporary Novels
06:03 - The Meaning Behind the Title "I Cheerfully Refuse"
07:47 - Lessons for Dark Times
10:02 - The Enduring Power of Books vs. New Media
12:16 - Cultivating Fruitful Practices in Dark Times
14:36 - Living as a Cheerful Refuser Today
15:02 - Is the Christian Worldview True Reality Or A Bubble?
17:04 - What Is Enger's Idea of True humanity?
18:19 - Recommendations for Similar Books and Authors
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Mentioned In This Episode:
Leif Enger's I Cheerfully Refuse
Leif Enger's Peace Like a River
Leif Enger's Virgil Wander
Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451
Claude Acho's Reading Black Books
Eugene Vodolazkin's Laurus
Rumor Godden's In This House of Brede
Dylan Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
More About Christopher Beha
Jessica Hooton Wilson's The Scandal of Holiness
More From Jessica Hooten Wilson:
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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.
