Plough Quarterly No. 45 – The Supernatural

Gone are the flat-earth days of scientific rationalism. Humans, it turns out, are naturally hungry for mystery, magic, faith. There have been laments about disenchantment and calls for re-enchantment. Many who forsake traditional religion are drawn to spiritualism and pagan beliefs and practices. Christians, meanwhile, have always affirmed that there is more than meets our eyes, that our world is teeming with angels and demons, powers and principalities, signs and wonders. The “supernatural” is real; in fact, it’s entirely natural. Whether you believe it or not, there are powers you should rightly fear, and one you should serve.On this theme: Joy Marie Clarkson debunks the idea that our world needs re-enchantment.Andrew Davison surveys the unseen world’s place in our cosmology.Alison Milbank considers the matter of angels as creatures like and unlike us.Carlos Eire talks about what drew him to accounts of flying saints.Fleming Rutledge says true preaching is letting the Holy Spirit speak through you.Rachel Pieh Jones recounts dreams of Jesus that changed two lives continents apart.Charles E. Moore tells a story of demon possession, revival, and miraculous healings that weren’t coincidental.Benjamin Crosby asks what “gifts of the spirit” should mark the follower of Jesus.Also in this issue:André Trocmé tells how his town offered sanctuary to thousands of Jews facing deportation.Anti-Nazi theologian Henri de Lubac has a message for today’s Christian nationalists.Mary Townsend gives up her smartphone and starts noticing things.Hannah Rose Thomas paints portraits of mothers who survived the Srebrenica massacre.The winning poems in Plough’s fifth annual Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award.Plough Quarterly features stories, ideas, and culture for people eager to apply their faith to the challenges we face. Each issue includes in-depth articles, interviews, poetry, book reviews, and art.