Among the Vesper Spires

Book excerpt: Philosophy professor Dante awakens in a dream he cannot escape. An angel engages him regarding the things of God, his abandonment of the faith, his griefs, his hopes, his aspirations—all against the backdrop of the darkening of Western civilization. It is evening in the West, but even so, the angel is named Happy (Felix). Why? Felix confronts Dante: Who is Jesus Christ? What is the purpose of your life? Dante doesn’t care. He just wants out. Will he find the way? Moment by moment, Dante’s dream is all chaotic experience. But gradually, patterns emerge. Scene by scene, the Westminster Larger Catechism’s teachings on salvation (questions 1–90) shape a story much larger than one man’s prodigal flight. Is it too late for the rebel against God? What if a whole civilization embraces the darkness? Can these bones live? O Lord, you know.