Customer Reviews

An American Conversion: One Man's Discovery of Beauty and Truth in Times of Crisis

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As a "cradle" Catholic I have read and heard many conversion stories. While many have come to the Church through intellectual journey, aka it makes sense, others have conveyed to the listener that it just felt right, or I knew I was home. Deal Hudson's entering into the fullness of the Faith, while not unique, joins the few souls who have come to Catholicism because it unites thought and beauty with God's creation. Hudson understands that if you deny the aesthetic sense, you really do not have a Church. The approximate 180 pages were a wonderful read, like chatting to a friend. I only have one negative about the book. Did we really need to know what happened between the writer Julian Green and his mother? As the popular jargon goes, "don't go there." Only because this is such a wonderful book it should be read by teens, college students, and adults. The story of Deal Hudson's coming to Catholicism is a wonderful and captivating story.

This is a fine book on an important subject. We all need conversion, not only of mind but also of heart, even no doubt Mr. Jim Bishop. And we must be converted not only once but every day of our lives. For we all sin; we "all fall short of the glory of God", as the apostle John says. I find the previous review by Mr. Jim Bishop appalling. The Catholic Church teaches that there is something called the sin of "detraction", namely the spreading of harmful information about others without grave reason. Perhaps Mr. Bishop felt he had a grave reason, though I cannot imagine what it was. Yes, Deal Hudson did something wrong in 1994. It is well to remember that we do not know the all details. We can presume that he was repentant, and sought and received reconciliation with God through the sacrament of confession, and that he has done and continues to do penance. He certainly also paid a price for his transgression in losing his academic position, and being subjected to the jeers of people like Mr. Bishop. We should also recall that some of the greatest Christians and converts (St. Paul, St. Augustine, Dorothy Day) had committed atrocious sins, but went on to serve God and achieve great sanctity. Nor does conversion put an end to our sinning. St. Peter, even after he had become a follower of Christ, indeed an apostle, committed the terrible sin of publicly denying Christ three times. Yet Christ received him back, and commissioned him to feed his flock. Deal Hudson is a champion of the faith, and not less a champion for the fact that he once fell. Should he have told the story of this fall in his book? Perhaps. But he may have felt that he had an obligation not to do so for the sake of the reputation of the other person involved. Deal Hudson has told the story of how he came to discover "the pearl of great price", as Jesus called it. In effect, Mr. Bishop kicks it away from Hudson with the sneer "you are not worthy of it." I have news for Mr. Bishop. None of us are worthy of it.

I know Mr. Hudson personally and was close to him during a very difficult time in his life. His faith, his ability to forgive, his repantant soul gave me courage to go on when I felt I could not. Those who want to discredit this man based on half truths and rumor and some disturbing facts are seeking a glory for themselves that can never be reconciled. This story of ones mans journey through faith - one HUMAN journey - gives all of us who live in the real world a mirror to help guide us on our own stumbling road.

M.S. Barr refers to a review by Mr. Jim Bishop. I could not find the review. Was it removed? It seems to refer to an incident at Fordham University reported on by The National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org). Was this the same issue that caused the problems at Crisis Magazine for Mr. Hudson? Please clarify.