Beheading Hydra

A Radical Plan for Christians in an Atheistic Age

By: Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Narrated by: Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Never before has humanity existed in a culture that rejects belief in a transcendent power. Previous cultures - even when rent by bitter disagreements - shared a common belief that a greater force stood above the material realm. But when one side acknowledges an ultimate source of truth while the other side denies it, debate is dead and mutual understanding is impossible.

So claims Fr. Dwight Longenecker in his most captivating book yet, Beheading Hydra. Longenecker shows how, like the mythical serpentine beast with myriad writhing and venomous heads, atheism manifests itself today through 16 “isms” that cloak the actions of the Antichrist, who seethes with pure hatred of God and his truth. Because any good battle plan calls for a thorough knowledge of the enemy, Fr. Longenecker boldly exposes the philosophies behind scientism, materialism, utilitarianism, sentimental humanitarianism, and more, explaining how they became the core assumptions of our culture and how they are, in turn, corrupting the politics and power structures of the world.

Beheading Hydra brilliantly catalogs the alluring and seductive deceptions of each ism to help you see how they are corroding the very foundations of Western civilization and entrapping countless faithful Christians. Best of all, the book lays out a plan of action to behead the Hydra that calls for neither direct conflict nor even dialogue, but creative subversion. You’ll discover what this means, along with the powerful and practical actions you and your friends can take now. You’ll also learn how to acquire the grace needed to see clearly the problem - and the solutions.

It is ordinary men and women who become extraordinary heroes in this battle against Satan, explains Fr. Longenecker. Only by the light of our lives will we defeat this darkness. Debate and dialogue are now pointless. Our lives are our only remaining argument.

©2021 Crisis Publications (P)2021 Crisis Publications

We are at WAR with the .....isms!

Fr. Longenecker challenges all of us to fight evil and stop acquiescing or trying to compromise with it.

Great substance, but read too fast.

Fr. Longenecker is obviously "the bomb" on the topics covered here! Both his diagnoses and his proffered cures are total bullseyes! But the speed in which he articulates these things leaves me reeling. Normally, it's great when authors read their own books because they can emphasize the things they WANT to receive emphasis. But here, for whatever reason, the delivery is so quick that there's no time to savor points that ARE worth savoring. No, the listener has to be ready for the next point, and the next, and the next. I mean, whereas some people speed up the delivery of an audiobook (I never do), when I DO go back and relisten (and I will), I'll be tempted to slow it down!

A Blueprint for Christian Resistance

Fr. Dwight Longenecker’s "Beheading Hydra: A Radical Plan for Christians in an Atheistic Age" offers a profound strategy for living a holy life amidst the challenges of a secular world. Rather than engaging in futile debates, the book advocates for creative subversion through holy living and evangelism.

Key points include:

- Combatting Materialism: Tithe to counteract materialism and pray to affirm the transcendent world.
- Subverting Scientism: Embrace and promote the sacraments, recognizing their transcendental nature.
- Opposing Historicism: Read the Bible to understand history's divine culmination.
- Challenging Utilitarianism and Pragmatism: Prioritize evangelism, radical trust in God, and living the Gospel.
- Embracing Traditionalism: Uphold traditional values through liturgy, the lives of saints, and moral choices.
- Advocating Subsidiarianism: Support local communities over large central governments to combat utopianism.
- Countering Relativism: Encourage personal encounters with Christ and respect the Church’s authority.
- Rejecting Tribalism: Foster obedience to Christ, repentance, and service to others, especially within family and parish.
- Real Education: Promote classical education rooted in logic and philosophy to combat sentimentalism and romanticism.
- True Love: Love your neighbor genuinely, valuing others’ needs, promoting marriage, and practicing chastity.

Fr. Longenecker’s work is a vital guide for Christians seeking to navigate and transform an atheistic society by living out their faith authentically and courageously.

Excellent

Excellent summary of the world we face and how you can combat it. This is the 3rd book by the author I have read, and the best

Excellent personal plan to make a difference today

Disclaimer: I am a big fan of Fr. Longenecker. That said, the book carefully and clearly defines the beginnings, unintended or as expected consequences of a misguided separation of faith and reason. In the 16 "ism" Fr. Longenecker describes you can see how in the end, these destroy any sense of either, faith or reason. For that reason, as he states, a radical (from the root) call to action comes to every person to get back to the roots of the faith and reason for them to work together into restoring modern society back to where it should be, not where we (by action or omission) are leading it to. As youth minister in our parish, I live the consequences of the current state of affairs and feel in constant battle against it. However, Fr. Longenecker's book gave me a clear view of where my focus needs to be...within my own family...within my own parish...change the local world and see how it impacts the global.