That Hideous Strength: How the West was Lost: An Expanded Edition (Tinker)

In 2018 EP published the original That Hideous Strength: how the West was lost; the book originated as lecture notes author Melvin Tinker prepared for a conference in Jerusalem that year. That edition deliberately had no footnotes and was as compact as possible to appeal to a wide audience. There have been many requests for a footnoted and expanded edition here it is, a third larger than the original. The first edition as a 'primer' and 'wakeup call' to enable Christians especially to try and understand what has been happening in our Western culture for the last few decades due to the influence of what is identified as 'cultural Marxism' or 'Critical Theory'. Many commented that it helped them make connections not seen before; for others, it was an 'aha moment', with the light suddenly being switched on as to why much of the Judeo-Christian foundations of the West have been eroded while the Church sleeps. As well as unpacking in more detail some of the ideas of cultural Marxists and the way their strategies are being worked out in our society, the author has also sought to put more flesh on what the Church's response might look like by drawing attention to what has been called 'the Benedict Option' and developing the concept proposed by Charles Taylor - the 'social imaginary.' Another significant addition is an outline of the ideas of classical Marxism which places the current concern for cultural Marxism in its proper historical and philosophical context It also serves to underscore that in many ways the new Marxism is a revamping of the old Marxism with consequences no less disastrous. This version includes a Postscript on the rise of 'Black Lives Matter' following the death of George Floyd.

Author

Endorsements 

"We live in interesting times, times of rapid change where all that is solid seems truly to be melting into air. And, rather than be appalled by this, many in the West greet it as something great and good, even as the magnificent end of history. Melvin Tinker disagrees, and is right to do so. In this brief but pungent critique of our current cultural pathologies, he exposes how stories—the wrong stories— have come to grip our imaginations, how cultural politics has redrawn the map of perceived reality, and how only the story of Jesus Christ and his church can truly satisfy humanity's deepest longings, intellectual and spiritual. - Carl R Trueman, Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Grove City College

"A very brave, fine book written with keen insight. It explains how an older worldview that once shaped the West and in which many Judeo-Christian ideas were embedded has been superseded by one in which those ideas have been uprooted. The brave new world which is dawning is one in which people liberate themselves, dominate the meaning of reality, and subject God—if he is still there—to their own ends. In this context, the church is in a decidedly countercultural position. It is here, though, that it really finds its voice. Here it is able to speak into our fragile and corrupting world and speak of the goodness, greatness and grace of God." - David F. Wells, Distinguished Research Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"Here are very few books I buy multiple copies of—this is one of them. That Hideous Strength is an essential primer for any Christian in seeking to understand what is going on in society today. The first edition was outstanding but limited because of its size. This new expanded edition overcomes those limitations, without becoming unwieldy or too heavy. This book should be on every church bookstall, and every Christian’s bookshelf. And now I have to go and buy more of the revised edition!" - Fred G. Zaspel, Pastor, Reformed Baptist Church, Franconia, PA, Adjunct Professor of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary says:

"Our culture has undergone a dramatic shift in recent generations, and Christians need to see it for what it is. If you suspect a sinister underlying agenda, Melvin Tinker agrees and wants to expose it for you. Informed, insightful, and yet easily accessible, this is an important and most helpful book that will sharpen your understanding of the world you live in. I hope it will receive wide attention!" - Melvin Tinker is Vicar of St John Newland, Hull, England, where he has served since 1994. He is the author of numerous books and articles.