One of my friends tells me that he is much more interested in reading history than he is in reading fiction. I think he feels that there is more truth in history than there is in fiction.

Arts and Culture
Fr. Robert Lauder is a philosophy professor at St. John’s University and the author of “Pope Francis’ Spirituality and Our Story” (Resurrection Press).
The Power of O’Connor’s Fiction and Her Faith
Re-reading Flannery O’Connor’s Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose, selected and edited by Sally and Robert Fitzgerald (New York: Farrar, Straus &Giroux, 1961, pp. 237), I have been reminded how insightful and stimulating are Flannery’s insights into the nature of fiction.
Flannery O’Connor’s Insights Into Literature
A few months ago in one of the daily newspapers there was a discussion about whether reading literary masterpieces could influence a reader morally. I regret that I did not follow the discussion closely because I find the topic fascinating.
Author’s Spiritual Journey Towards His Conversion
Topics that I write about in this weekly column are often chosen from some book or article that I have read. I read something that interests me and hope it might interest readers of this column.
Stories Filled with Faith, Hope and Charity
While writing this series of columns about how persons freely create their own stories, I have tried to emphasize the presence of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives.
The Beauty of a Heroic Story Offers Redemption
During the last few weeks, writing this series of columns about how we, along with God, freely create our life stories, has helped me understand my own history better.
The Special Choices in Our Personal Stories
In the last two columns I have been stressing that we create our personal stories, especially through our free choices and God’s free choices.
Helping Me to Reflect Deeply On the Mystery of God
For several years I have been teaching a philosophy course at St John’s University entitled “The Problem of God.”
We’re the Product of God’s Choices and Our Choices
Each of us is writing his or her own story with God. Each of our stories has been influenced by many factors.
God as Our Absolute Future Can Truly Fulfill All of Us
All my friends are talking about the pandemic. That is not all that they are talking about, but whatever else a conversation is about, somehow the pandemic enters the conversation.