Brownson's 1854 novel "The Spirit Rapper" is much more than a commentary on spiritualism. A significant aspect of the plot is to show the connection between the Occult and socialism as well as what became known as modernism, res novae, the "New Things" mentioned by Pope Gregory XVI in Singulari Nos in 1832 and alluded to by Pope Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum in 1891. Brownson depicts the anonymous narrator as instrumental in bringing about the revolutions of 1848 in Europe, with the goal of worldwide revolution to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth. This is not unique to Brownson. Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson did something similar in his 1907 apocalyptic satire, "Lord of the World," while non-fictionally G.K. Chesterton equated socialism and modernism (G.K. Chesterton, “There Was a Socialist,” G.K.’s Weekly, May 10, 1930). Currently, the work of Dr. Julian Strube of the University of Göttingen demonstrates the link between esotericism and socialism as well.
Kudos to Dr. Benson- he's very right to say that this is a cornerstone for Brownson, and holds the key for a lot of other issues like Church and State, knowledge of God in creation, etc. Lots of good sources mentioned here.
Brownson's 1854 novel "The Spirit Rapper" is much more than a commentary on spiritualism. A significant aspect of the plot is to show the connection between the Occult and socialism as well as what became known as modernism, res novae, the "New Things" mentioned by Pope Gregory XVI in Singulari Nos in 1832 and alluded to by Pope Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum in 1891. Brownson depicts the anonymous narrator as instrumental in bringing about the revolutions of 1848 in Europe, with the goal of worldwide revolution to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth. This is not unique to Brownson. Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson did something similar in his 1907 apocalyptic satire, "Lord of the World," while non-fictionally G.K. Chesterton equated socialism and modernism (G.K. Chesterton, “There Was a Socialist,” G.K.’s Weekly, May 10, 1930). Currently, the work of Dr. Julian Strube of the University of Göttingen demonstrates the link between esotericism and socialism as well.
Thank you. See my column Thursday too.
My favorite line in this essay: “The Incarnation is the key to all the Creator’s works.”
You can’t say Brownson isn’t bold.
Kudos to Dr. Benson- he's very right to say that this is a cornerstone for Brownson, and holds the key for a lot of other issues like Church and State, knowledge of God in creation, etc. Lots of good sources mentioned here.