The Remaking of a Modern Mind: A Conversation with Thomas Oden

Written between 413-426 CE, 'The City of God' is a response to pagan claims that the sack of Rome by barbarians was a consequence of the abolition of pagan worship by Christian emperors. Augustine argues that Christianity saved the city from complete destruction and that Rome’s fall was due to internal moral decay. The book divides humanity into two metaphorical cities: the City of God, characterized by devotion to God, and the City of Man, characterized by self-love. It also outlines Augustine’s theological interpretation of human history, from the Creation to the Second Coming of Christ, and critiques paganism and pagan philosophy while presenting the true history of the City of God.

The Pilgrim's Progress is a Christian allegory that follows the journey of Christian, a man burdened by his sin, as he travels from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Along the way, he encounters various characters and obstacles that symbolize spiritual realities. The book is presented as a dream sequence and is divided into two parts, the second part following Christian's wife, Christiana, and her children on a similar journey. The narrative is rich in biblical references and explores themes of redemption, faith, and perseverance.

In this book, Machen presents a robust defense of Christian orthodoxy and a strong critique of theological liberalism. He argues that liberalism, grounded in naturalism, rejects the supernatural elements of Christianity and reinterprets traditional doctrinal beliefs in metaphorical categories. Machen examines key doctrines such as the Bible, Christ, salvation, and the church, highlighting the antithetical nature of liberalism to historic Christianity. He emphasizes that liberalism is not merely a different interpretation of Christianity but a distinct and non-Christian system of thought.

The Heart of Change emphasizes the importance of appealing to people's emotions to drive organizational change. It builds on John Kotter's eight-step process for change, using real-life stories to illustrate how teams can overcome obstacles and achieve success. The book highlights the 'see-feel-change' dynamic as crucial for successful transformation.