Kupelian's 'How Evil Works' shines bright

By J. Matt Barber

I'm a tremendous fan of author and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis. Rarely does one find a writer who can elucidate so profoundly, as could he, the stark contrast between secular humanism — "materialism" as Lewis called it — and the Judeo-Christian worldview. Seldom does one come across a wordsmith capable of so effectively, objectively and concisely distinguishing between good and evil.

I've found that wordsmith.

My wife Sarah and I were listening to the radio a few months back as Sean Hannity interviewed an author about his latest publication. The book was "How Evil Works," but we were unable to ascertain, for some time, its author's identity. We were immediately drawn into the discussion as this mystery guest waxed wise about what he called man's "millennia-old blind spot" — namely, the existence of evil, how it works and why it destroys us.

I was amazed by the speaker's insights into this "radioactive topic." "Wow, this guy really get's it," I told Sarah. She nodded in agreement either unwilling or unable to take her attention away from the show long enough to answer. Finally — and for the benefit of us late arrivals — Sean divulged the identity of his guest: It was best-selling author and award-winning journalist David Kupelian.

I was no longer surprised.

David continued. He spoke of how America — once the moral guidepost to the world — had, "over time...abandoned its original principles," only to now suffer from great "moral confusion."

He spoke of a president, "wearing a mask," who is "deceptive from morning 'till night." A president who, "taking us where we don't want to go — has to lie about where he's taking us."

"Those in power talk an awful lot like those we used to fight," he said.

That was it. "We've got to get this book," I insisted. Sarah agreed.

I don't often do book reviews (this is my first in fact), but after reading "How Evil Works," I felt compelled to put pen to paper. Whereas Kupelian's conversation with Hannity stopped me in my tracks, his book took it to the next level. It was simply outstanding.

I guess the best way to describe it is to say that "How Evil Works" has the same effect on your brain that yawning has on your ears at high altitude. Things just suddenly pop with crystal clarity.

Throughout "Evil's" pages David meticulously unpacks today's most pressing issues providing unassailable answers to some of our most critical questions. For instance:

• Where have all the statesmen gone and why do politicians lie?
  
  
• Why are so many Americans abandoning their Christian roots and embracing atheism and the occult?
  
  
• What drives terrorists to kill?
  
  
• How are psychological and spiritual problems linked, and why do we medicate ourselves into zombies?
  
  
• Why do people who seem to have everything so often self destruct and end up with nothing?
  
  
• How can we turn it all around and return this great nation to her God fearing ways?
  
  

And many more...

In recent days I was on a flight to Oklahoma City, OK. As I read the last page of "Evil" and placed it in the seat flap in front of me, a 15 year-old girl sitting to my side asked: "So how does evil work?" What an opening! "Well, this book explains it a lot better than I can," I replied.

For several minutes we discussed worldview and our horribly failing culture. Turns out she was on her way to a missions trip in Jamaica. She mentioned that, like me, C.S. Lewis was one of her favorite authors. I chuckled and asked: "You're homeschooled, aren't you?"

Indeed she was, but explained that in the fall she was attending public school for the first time. "I want to get in there and be salt and light," she said.

"Well then," I replied, "take this with you. If you love C.S. Lewis, you won't be able to put it down." I handed her "How Evil Works." She smiled ear-to-ear, thanked me and we went our separate ways. I'm quite certain that for it, her salt will be that much saltier and her light just a bit brighter.

© J. Matt Barber