This is the time of year many parents say goodbye to their college freshman moving away. They also say hello to worries about whether that child will maintain his or her life of faith while gone. This new chapter in life provides many opportunities to grow in faith. It also creates new challenges. Someone who has seen many freshmen experience this is the professor and writer, Peter Kreeft.
Dr. Peter Kreeft stands tall in the world of Catholic writing and has for over 30 years. His books, like those on angels, prayer, and suffering, continue to sell.
He still teaches philosophy at Boston College, beginning his 60th year this year!
Here are five great works of his that would suit your freshman beginning college this Fall.
Because God is Real: Sixteen Questions, One Answer
This book is probably the best, distilled version of all of Kreeft’s works. In it, Kreeft provides short, readable chapters covering some of the most important questions in life. It is a great exploration for young people engaging with their deepest questions in life. One of these includes the chapter, “Why are questions good.” Kreeft also does not shy away from tough topics like “Why is sex so confusing?” They also provide a lot of practical ways of thinking for them as they navigate college. These include, “Why go to Church,” and “Why pray.” Each chapter, each question, ultimately leads to the same true answer, which because God is real.
Prayer for Beginners
Another common reason for college students losing faith is the struggle with prayer. Newfound independence, college responsibilities all contribute to this. Young people may feel lost when it comes to prayer if their experience felt repetitive and inauthentic. In this short classic, Kreeft shows the “why” of prayer, the types of prayer we have available to us, and a helpful process in growing our prayer muscles.
The Best Things in Life: A Contemporary Socrates Looks at Power, Pleasure, Truth and the Good Life
One of Kreeft’s favorite writing styles is the dialogue. This is similar to the philosopher, Plato. He wrote down the dialogues of his teacher, Socrates. Here, Kreeft imagines what Socrates would say if he were transported to a modern college campus. What questions would he ask students and teachers? How would he help them see the truth more clearly? Kreeft shows why some ideas do not really lead to happiness, and why some really do.
The Snakebite Letters: Devilishly Devious Secrets for Subverting Society as Taught in Tempter’s Training School
Along with new freedom, college life brings many temptations away from faith. Kreeft was a big fan of C.S. Lewis, who famously wrote The Screwtape Letters. This fictional correspondence imagines a senior demon giving advice to a junior tempter on how to secure the soul of his subject. Kreeft adapts this idea to a modern scenario, highlighting the ways we can be tempted in our own day and time. He also provides help in resisting those temptations as we grow in virtue.
Handbook of Christian Apologetics
Finally, the most daunting but comprehensive resource for college students who may be faced with new questions to their faith is this handbook Kreeft co-authored with Fr. Ronald Tacelli. In it they answer 100 questions that cover nearly every matter relating to the Christian faith. They also provide tools for one faced with new questions that might be asked. It is a great reference to have on a dorm room shelf when these questions come up.
Dr. Peter Kreeft is still blessing us with new books into his 80s and his writing will continue to benefit all of his students, even those of us who never attended an in-person class with him. These five, along with the many others he has written, will help greatly this next batch of freshman as they embark on their next chapter of life and faith!