Have we lost? Because a lot of people think so. Earlier this year a book came out called The Benedict Option. It's a runaway bestseller written by a famous former Evangelical named Rod Dreher. He basically says we've lost the culture war and radical change in lifestyle is needed if Christianity is going to survive in the West. And he's right...most of the time. While Dreher's call for a retreat into a kind quasi-monastic existence rings true on many levels, it misses a key ingredient that can change everything...Mary. Enter Dr. Carrie Gress. In this year of the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions, she provides a little different slant...a Marian slant. Her new book "The Marian Option: God's Solution to a Civilization in Crisis" presents what I think is Dreher's missing link. If you don't recognize the hand of Mary in our past then you can't understand her pivotal role for our future. So in this episode, Dr. Gress and I will discuss: What exactly is the Marian Option Why Mary is the "Cultivator of Culture" The fascinating connection between Islam and the apparitions at Guadalupe, Fatima, and Lourdes Why Mariology stopped developing in the East after the Great Schism Why ecumenism without Mary is false ecumenism It's a fantastic and illuminating discussion in which I'm betting you'll learn a few things and gain some deeper insight into this transitional moment in human history. But as the infomercials say, "That's not all!" Because after my conversation with Carrie, the amazing Curtis Mitch will answer a very intriguing and bothersome question on our second installment of Next Level Scripture. You don't want to miss it. God bless! Matthew P.S. If you liked this episode, you'll probably like these, too: Episode 055 - Unveiling the 3 Secrets of Fatima Episode 027 - Part 1 – The (Very) Ancient Origins of Marian Devotion Episode 028 - Part 2 - The (Very) Ancient Origins of Marian Devotion CLICK HERE to grab your FREE copy of my quick guide to the amazing, undeniable parallels between Our Lady and the Ark of the Covenant in Sacred Scripture. It's the perfect size to share with others who don't appreciate Our Lady. "And what shall we say is the Ark, but holy Mary?" St. Ambrose of Milan   Don't miss a show! Subscribe to The Art of Catholic by clicking this link and then clicking "View in iTunes" under the picture and then "Subscribe"!  (I listen to my podcasts on using Overcast. It's free and works better than the Apple Podcast player. Get it here.)   Walk in the footsteps of Jesus! Check out the new video about my Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in March 2018!  It's the trip of a lifetime! Click here for trip details.