The Everlasting Man In "The Everlasting Man," G. K. Chesterton paints the full panorama of human history in the light of Christian tradition. Writing in response to H. G. Wells's popular "Outline of History," Chesterton argues for the uniqueness of man among all creatures, and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ among all men. Highly influential in C. S. Lewis's conversion from atheism to Christianity, this book continues to inspire new generations of readers. "The Everlasting Man" addresses the question: What, if anything, is it that makes the human uniquely human? Responding to the evolutionary materialism of his contemporary (and antagonist) H.G. Wells, "The Everlasting Man" affirms human uniqueness and the unique message of the Christian faith. In a time when social Darwinism was rampant, G. K. Chesterton argued in "The Everlasting Man" that the idea that society has been steadily progressing from a state of primitivism and barbarity towards civilization is simply and flatly inaccurate. As always with Chesterton, there is in this analysis something (as he said of Blake) "very plain and emphatic." He sees in Christianity a rare blending of philosophy and mythology, or reason and story, which satisfies both the mind and the heart. On both levels it rings true. As he puts it, "in answer to the historical query of why it was accepted, and is accepted, I answer for millions of others in my reply; because it fits the lock; because it is like life." Here, as so often in Chesterton, we sense a lived, awakened faith. All that he writes derives from a keen intellect guided by the heart's own knowledge. |
