New Oxford Review et al

[awfulthings9]

I received a solicitation from the New Oxford Review and am thinking of ordering it, but I haven’t actually seen a copy of the magazine itself. Looking for some feedback from those who subscribe or are familiar (or who don’t like it, for that matter) before dropping them a check. On that note, I’d also like to open this thread to allow posters to mention their favorite Catholic apologetics magazine (as opposed to the Catholic Living genre). If you want to mention a title, as well as a reason you prefer it. I’m pretty familiar with about four different publications, but will post on those later. Thanks.

 

[Sirach14]

I have subscribed to the NOR on and off for the past few years. I have grown very fond of the magazine. It’s very orthodox. The price has been 19.95 as long as I can remember.

You can read back issues on line.newoxfordreview.org

 

[Chickamauga]

I subscribed to the New Oxford Review a few months ago on the basis of one of their rather amusing ads. When I got my first issue I began to wonder if I made a mistake. Wanting to give them a second chance I waited for the next issue to come out before I cancelled my subscription. While NOR does indeed promote Catholic orthodoxy many of their articles and editorials can’t seem to get a point across without resorting to purile ridicule. Many editorials and articles have a cynical, harsh, intemperate tone that stands in great contrast to the humorous skewering promoted in their ads and sample articles on their web site.

If you are looking for a good orthodox Catholic periodical that has intellectual merit along with decent Christian dignity, then I would suggest latinmassmagazine.com/

 

[awfulthings9]

Thanks, guys. I’m reviewing the online stuff right now.

 

[stanley123]

Chickamauga:

If you are looking for a good orthodox Catholic periodical that has intellectual merit along with decent Christian dignity, then I would suggest latinmassmagazine.com/

Latin Mass magazine is pretty good, and there are other good magazines promoting the Latin Mass but unlike the Latin Mass they might be classified as quasi-schismatic such as the Remnant and the Angelus. As far as New Oxford Review, it is a bit shrill, but has some informative articles. For some reason, the New Oxford Review seems to have some off beat issue against Father Fessio and Ave Maria University, which adds to its being a bit overly harsh and off balance. Catholic World Report is good and Homiletic and Pastoral Review is good.

 

[puzzleannie]

I made it a practice many years ago, under the advice of a good spiritual director, to avoid magazines, news programs, talk shows etc. which specialize in making their point editorially by harsh criticism, sarcasm, satire, unfair reporting, and promoting their biases as fact (even when they also happen to be my biases). I also avoid media that treat every issue as a crisis and are constantly urging Christians to man the barricades and cannot differentiate between the damage done by abusive priests from that caused by wearing blue intead of purple vestments in Advent. It goes without saying I also avoid media which are editorially disposed to dissent from the magesterial authority of the Church on either end of the ideological spectrum.

I stopped reading NOR, Crisis, Latin Mass, National Catholic Reporter, US Catholic, America, Commonweal, as well as those that criticize Vatican response to Fatima, promote Medgugorie as a new gospel etc. In the secular are I avoid news and talk shows on the same basis. for example, while Rush may be accurate (at times) in his reporting, and may support a stance I agree with, his methods to my mind are harsh and ultimately destructive.

 

[Phaedrus]

puzzleannie:

I made it a practice many years ago, under the advice of a good spiritual director, to avoid magazines, news programs, talk shows etc. which specialize in making their point editorially by harsh criticism, sarcasm, satire, unfair reporting, and promoting their biases as fact (even when they also happen to be my biases)…
I stopped reading NOR, Crisis, Latin Mass, National Catholic Reporter, US Catholic, America, Commonweal, as well as those that criticize Vatican response to Fatima, promote Medgugorie as a new gospel etc.

Annie, I think your position is a little extreme. After all, we ARE living in dire times and the situation IS desperate. To quote Christopher Derrick: "Nobody can hope to understand the characteristic behavior of the Church, or the point of ‘being a Catholic’, unless he habitually sees the human condition in terms of desperate urgency.” (That Strange Divine Sea, p. 97)

That said, I used to subscribe to NOR in the 80’s and early 90’s, but let my subscription lapse and have not renewed. They have many fine writers, and generally excellent articles (the late Sheldon Vanauken was a regular contributor). I don’t have a problem with their rather aggressive approach in confronting heterodoxy. But lately Dale Vree, the editor, seems to be picking pointless fights with Father Fessio, Ignatius Press, and Crisis magazine. They also seem to resort to ridicule before reason when responding to correspondents.

I personally enjoy Crisis magazine, because I think they have a good mix of apologetics, devotional and informational articles, and fantastic arts reviews. Robert R. Reilly is their music critic, and he will introduce you to some excellent music. I see Crisis as a great all-round Catholic periodical.

For news I would recommend the National Catholic Register. It’s like the National Catholic Reporter, but the Register actually supports the Magisterium.

Under the Mercy,
Phaedrus