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Rating: 
Summary: Highly Illuminating
Review: Father Seraphim (Eugene Rose) could write about this pernicious spirit, the spirit of nihilism, because he lived intoxicated by it himself. This brief expose describes that which drives modernity and is really a sign post for those genuinely searching for Truth from a philosophical angle. It will really only be interesting for those with a philosophical bent as it is rather 'brainy' in its whole premise. The author describes the philosophy from his Orthodox Christian worldview, he describes a modern, worldwide, cultural, philosophical, spiritual formation that can only be understood as a clear indicator of the world's place in history now, a time refered to in the Holy Scriptures as the Apostasy. Something I found interesting was Father Seraphim's reference to Hitler as simply a 'magician.' Nazi Germany (as well as the communist experiments) for Father Seraphim, was a massive and shocking manifestation of the spirit of nihilistic praxis, a manifestation that will culminate at the end of time in the person of the antichrist, who will also have magical, demonic powers to manipulate his following. Father Seraphim's book teaches us of the present to remind us of Truth, and warns us of the future, a darker, and more malignant image of today. It's worth the read, if you are inclined.
Rating:
Summary: Nihilism, the cancer of modernity
Review: Friedrich Nietzsche, the mad prophet of Nihilism once boldly declared that God is dead and we killed him. In modern times, de facto adherence to nihilism by the masses has been the catalyst for tumultuous social upheavals and an utter spiritual void which plagues modernity. Nihilism declares Rose is the root of the revolution of the modern age. It is in essence the philosophy of nothingness, relativism and despair. It eschews truth and rejects objective morality. Often the reactions to those who embrace a nihilistic outlook are different: some seek to obtain heaven on earth through some totalist millenarian religion; others lament and seek death for themselves and the rest of humanity; and still others opt for some materialist, hedonist or epicurean lifestyle of sinful gratification since they live for the here and now believing that is all there is. Also, a chapter is devoted to what Rose characterizes as the nihilist program. In essence, this represents a concerted effort by nihilists to bring about the destruction of the old order-Christianity and tradition being the chief targets-and the creation of a new man and a new order. Rose sheds light on the 19th century Russian nihilist writers like Bakunin who were a precursor to the turbulent Bolshevism. Moreover, the depravations of atheistic Bolshevism and the spiritual void it created for much of humanity is scrutinized. Likewise, Rose denounces national socialism and fascism. These totalitarian millenarian religions are essentially nihilist creeds that seek to supplant and run roughshod over the old order while creating a new man and a new morality. Now, with regards to politics, in a rather politically incorrect and witty manner, Rose denounces egalitarian and democratic philosophies that deify the masses while he laments the dissolution of hierarchical social structures whose authority proceeds from God. In précis, nihilism wherever its expression is felt-art, culture, politics or spirituality-represents rebellion against God and brings death. Perhaps, my chief point of contention with Rose simply stints from his blanket condemnation of Protestantism and no dichotomy between liberal and conservative Protestants. Liberal Protestant theology, of course, like liberal Catholic theology simply represents unbelief dressed in Christian clothing. Poignant and at other times parched, the late Eugene Rose manages to nonetheless give a captivating and succinct rundown on a worldview of nothingness-nihilism which is the great plague of modernity. Eugene Rose ironically is an Orthodox Christian iconoclast, but an iconoclast of a different sort. For the icons Rose is smashing aren't sacrosanct depictions of Christ, but rather the icons of nihilism and its nebulous offspring: modern permissive liberalism, naturalism, positivism, rationalism and realism. Ideas have consequences, and Eugene Rose chronicles and critiques the philosophies arising from nihilism with a trenchant pen.
Rating:
Summary: Nihilism, the cancer of modernity
Review: Friedrich Nietzsche, the mad prophet of Nihilism once boldly declared that God is dead and we killed him. In modern times, de facto adherence to nihilism by the masses has been the catalyst for tumultuous social upheavals and an utter spiritual void which plagues modernity. Nihilism declares Rose is the root of the revolution of the modern age. It is in essence the philosophy of nothingness, relativism and despair. It eschews truth and rejects objective morality. Often the reactions to those who embrace a nihilistic outlook are different: some seek to obtain heaven on earth through some totalist millenarian religion; others lament and seek death for themselves and the rest of humanity; and still others opt for some materialist, hedonist or epicurean lifestyle of sinful gratification since they live for the here and now believing that is all there is. Also, a chapter is devoted to what Rose characterizes as the nihilist program. In essence, this represents a concerted effort by nihilists to bring about the destruction of the old order-Christianity and tradition being the chief targets-and the creation of a new man and a new order. Rose sheds light on the 19th century Russian nihilist writers like Bakunin who were a precursor to the turbulent Bolshevism. Moreover, the depravations of atheistic Bolshevism and the spiritual void it created for much of humanity is scrutinized. Likewise, Rose denounces national socialism and fascism. These totalitarian millenarian religions are essentially nihilist creeds that seek to supplant and run roughshod over the old order while creating a new man and a new morality. Now, with regards to politics, in a rather politically incorrect and witty manner, Rose denounces egalitarian and democratic philosophies that deify the masses while he laments the dissolution of hierarchical social structures whose authority proceeds from God. In précis, nihilism wherever its expression is felt-art, culture, politics or spirituality-represents rebellion against God and brings death. Perhaps, my chief point of contention with Rose simply stints from his blanket condemnation of Protestantism and no dichotomy between liberal and conservative Protestants. Liberal Protestant theology, of course, like liberal Catholic theology simply represents unbelief dressed in Christian clothing. Poignant and at other times parched, the late Eugene Rose manages to nonetheless give a captivating and succinct rundown on a worldview of nothingness-nihilism which is the great plague of modernity. Eugene Rose ironically is an Orthodox Christian iconoclast, but an iconoclast of a different sort. For the icons Rose is smashing aren't sacrosanct depictions of Christ, but rather the icons of nihilism and its nebulous offspring: modern permissive liberalism, naturalism, positivism, rationalism and realism. Ideas have consequences, and Eugene Rose chronicles and critiques the philosophies arising from nihilism with a trenchant pen.
Rating:
Summary: A strong Christian approach to modern nihilistic thought
Review: I generally enjoyed this book. Although difficult to follow at times, Fr. Seraphim Rose does a good job of showing that Nihilism is in fact the root of modern revolutionary thought. He offers excellent Orthodox Christian responses to those who say, "There is no truth."
Rating: 
Summary: One overreactive book
Review: I picked this up on recommendation that it was an interesting response to some of nihilism's growth. Instead it was just the typical religious backhand against revolutionary thought. Nihlism and productive socialism as the sane thing? Huh? Rose doesn't seem to notice that much of nihilism's point would seem to be to rid us of antiquated philosophy and religion before paving the road for a more cohesive thought. "Absurdity" is not the end result of nihilism, it has no goals except to clear the way...perhaps for constructive philosophy, perhaps not. What that constructive philosophy will be is unknown, but it will not likely be Christianity...and that seems some of Rose's concern. Just because nihilism may slowly wipe away religion doesn't mean that there will be only 'coldness' left.
Still, to be fair, it was interesting to read Rose's discussion on the relationship between nihilism and religion. He's a very thoughtful writer (and hard to read at times) just perhaps a little to one-sided, but hey it's a book.
Rating:
Summary: One overreactive book
Review: I picked this up on recommendation that it was an interesting response to some of nihilism's growth. Instead it was just the typical religious backhand against revolutionary thought. Nihlism and productive socialism as the sane thing? Huh? Rose doesn't seem to notice that much of nihilism's point would seem to be to rid us of antiquated philosophy and religion before paving the road for a more cohesive thought. "Absurdity" is not the end result of nihilism, it has no goals except to clear the way...perhaps for constructive philosophy, perhaps not. What that constructive philosophy will be is unknown, but it will not likely be Christianity...and that seems some of Rose's concern. Just because nihilism may slowly wipe away religion doesn't mean that there will be only 'coldness' left.
Still, to be fair, it was interesting to read Rose's discussion on the relationship between nihilism and religion. He's a very thoughtful writer (and hard to read at times) just perhaps a little to one-sided, but hey it's a book.
Rating: 
Summary: Nihilism as the Cause of Modern Error.
Review: NIHILISH: ROOT OF THE REVOLOUTION OF THE MODERN AGE was written by Russian Orthodox monk, Eugene Rose, (a convert to Orthodox Christianity) in a San Fransisco basement during the 1960's. It is a small part of a much larger work that was never brought to fruitition--a text on the theme of man's war against God and His revealed Truth. The form of Truth discussed here concerns what is eternal, not worldly, what will bring life beyond death. Nihilism's basic credos are "all truth is relative," and "there is no absoloute truth." This is in direct opposition to traditional Christian thought, and the two are diametrically opposed. Friedrich Nietzsche is identified as the prophet of nihilism. Nihilism, of course, has developed into different stages according to the degenerate process of modern society. Libralism is a form of nihilism (and I might add, the ascendant political theory in the US right now, either GOP or Democrat) which pretends to be Christian, but only in rhetoric and in its emotional appeals, and which at heart does not care about the truth. The second, Realism, tries to find the truth and sometimes "does," but Realism's truth-seeking automatically rejects Divine Revelation and thus goes off on hopeless philosophical and scientific tangents. Vitalism is the third form of nihilism, and in my opinion by far the most popular among average people, and the form I personally hate the most. Vitalism does not teach anything, just what the individual feels, and there is no search for truth, just "hot-tub" coziness with oneself and the mundane excitements of life. This is omnipresent in our popular culture and mentality right now: fast cars, violent movies, pseudo-worship of sex, "getting high", and complete ignorance of any higher spiritual truth or ideals. The Nihilism of Destruction is the final form, manifested in Nazism, Bolshevism, Marxism, Communism and Anarchism. They believe in open Satan-worship, and the destrution of anything that is standing in order to pave the way for a "new order." Lenin described it well, as "one factory, with one office." I disagree with Rose's assessment of Nazism, as the Third Reich might have brought a genuine reversal of modernity, and a return to traditional Western ideals. These nihilists of destrution are condemned by the less hard core (especially the liberals), but they represent rebellion against God taken to its most extreme form, without any false pretenses about "the dignity of man," and "universal brotherhood." In the end, it is the Christians who are the true Nihilists. Christians keep their sights one the Etenal, and not the petty concerns of this world which were created by God out of nothing and will return to nothing at the end of time.
Rating:
Summary: Nihilism as the Cause of Modern Error.
Review: NIHILISH: ROOT OF THE REVOLOUTION OF THE MODERN AGE was written by Russian Orthodox monk, Eugene Rose, (a convert to Orthodox Christianity) in a San Fransisco basement during the 1960's. It is a small part of a much larger work that was never brought to fruitition--a text on the theme of man's war against God and His revealed Truth. The form of Truth discussed here concerns what is eternal, not worldly, what will bring life beyond death. Nihilism's basic credos are "all truth is relative," and "there is no absoloute truth." This is in direct opposition to traditional Christian thought, and the two are diametrically opposed. Friedrich Nietzsche is identified as the prophet of nihilism. Nihilism, of course, has developed into different stages according to the degenerate process of modern society. Libralism is a form of nihilism (and I might add, the ascendant political theory in the US right now, either GOP or Democrat) which pretends to be Christian, but only in rhetoric and in its emotional appeals, and which at heart does not care about the truth. The second, Realism, tries to find the truth and sometimes "does," but Realism's truth-seeking automatically rejects Divine Revelation and thus goes off on hopeless philosophical and scientific tangents. Vitalism is the third form of nihilism, and in my opinion by far the most popular among average people, and the form I personally hate the most. Vitalism does not teach anything, just what the individual feels, and there is no search for truth, just "hot-tub" coziness with oneself and the mundane excitements of life. This is omnipresent in our popular culture and mentality right now: fast cars, violent movies, pseudo-worship of sex, "getting high", and complete ignorance of any higher spiritual truth or ideals. The Nihilism of Destruction is the final form, manifested in Nazism, Bolshevism, Marxism, Communism and Anarchism. They believe in open Satan-worship, and the destrution of anything that is standing in order to pave the way for a "new order." Lenin described it well, as "one factory, with one office." I disagree with Rose's assessment of Nazism, as the Third Reich might have brought a genuine reversal of modernity, and a return to traditional Western ideals. These nihilists of destrution are condemned by the less hard core (especially the liberals), but they represent rebellion against God taken to its most extreme form, without any false pretenses about "the dignity of man," and "universal brotherhood." In the end, it is the Christians who are the true Nihilists. Christians keep their sights one the Etenal, and not the petty concerns of this world which were created by God out of nothing and will return to nothing at the end of time.
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