The World, the Flesh and the Devil

Synopsis

In this small but masterly-crafted book, Richard Rohr addresses what Christianity views as the three traditional sources of evil - the world, the flesh and the devil - to encourage us to look beyond our personal moral failings and give us principles for resisting evil on a wider scale.

Exploring how Christianity has focused almost exclusively on individual evil, or the sins of the flesh, he offers a gripping interpretation of Jesus' teachings and the writings of Paul the Apostle to show how vital it is that we also understand the often subtle and well-disguised evil of the world and the devil.

This book offers no easy solutions. Yet, skilfully distilling half a century of teaching and preaching, The World, the Flesh and the Devil will leave you with a greater understanding of evil and its role in the social issues of our time, and better equipped to recognise and fight it.

With his characteristic wisdom and compassion, Rohr offers us principles for resisting the social evils pervading our lives, in which we are all complicit, through Christian contemplation and by reaching out to one another in love.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Intercessor

The novel opens with an encounter between Father Timothy Ferrar, a Catholic priest, and Ann Selby, a troubled young woman. Ann is haunted by guilt over the death of her sister and seeks Father Timothy's help in finding peace. The priest probes her soul, delving into her past and offering spiritual guidance.

Example: "Ann, I know you are struggling with guilt. But remember, God's mercy is boundless. He will forgive you if you ask for it."

Chapter 2: The Repentant Sinner

Ann's confession to Father Timothy reveals the circumstances surrounding her sister's death. She had been driving drunk when her car crashed, killing her sister instantly. Wracked with shame and remorse, Ann has been unable to move past the tragedy.

Example: "I can't live with the fact that I killed my sister. I'm a monster."

Chapter 3: The Tempter

As Ann struggles with her guilt, she encounters Julian Darral, a charming and enigmatic stranger. Julian claims to possess the power to erase her memory of the accident. Desperate for relief, Ann agrees to his plan.

Example: "Miss Selby, I can help you forget this nightmare. You will have a new life, free from pain."

Chapter 4: The Bargain

Julian and Ann enter into a pact: Julian will erase her memory, but she must never seek to reclaim it. Ann agrees, believing it is the only way to escape her past.

Example: "I promise never to try to remember. Just take it away."

Chapter 5: The Lost Soul

After the procedure, Ann awakens with no memory of the accident or her sister's death. However, she experiences a strange sense of emptiness and isolation. As she interacts with the world, she realizes that she has lost a part of herself.

Example: "I can't remember anything. I'm like a stranger to myself."

Chapter 6: The Reckoning

Ann eventually encounters Father Timothy again, who recognizes the danger she is in. He believes that forgetting her past is a sin against God and against herself. Determined to restore Ann's memory, Father Timothy confronts Julian.

Example: "You have stolen a soul, Mr. Darral. You have deprived this young woman of her redemption."

Chapter 7: The Epiphany

Through prayer and introspection, Ann comes to realize the true nature of her pact with Julian. She understands that forgetting her past is not a solution but an evasion of responsibility. With newfound resolve, she confronts Julian and demands her memory back.

Example: "I need to remember. I need to face my past and atone for my sin."

Chapter 8: The Redemption

In a climactic confrontation, Ann regains her memory and confronts her guilt. Through the support of Father Timothy and the power of redemption, she finds peace and forgiveness.

Example: "I can live with the pain now. I can live with the knowledge of what I did. I can live with God's forgiveness."