New Publication Explores Augustine and Modern Idolatry

The Center for Catholic Studies has published Modern Misenchantments: St. Augustine’s Wisdom for Challenging the Idols of Consumerism and Nationalism, a 72-page conference proceeding featuring 10 essays developed by participants in Seton Hall University’s 28th annual Faculty Summer Seminar.

Drawing on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, the volume carries the seminar’s reflection into teaching, scholarship and University life. Its contributors examine questions of formation, Catholic higher education, nationalism, service, communication, artificial intelligence, leadership and human desire.

The collection includes Josephine DeVito’s “The Idolatry of Saint Augustine for College Students,” Anthony Haynor’s “Checking Idolatry Creep in Catholic Universities,” Mark Horowitz’s “Can the Universal Church Transcend the Tribal Chimp?” and Jose Lopez’s “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Under Pressure.”

Additional contributions by Richard M. Liddy, Jon Radwan, Elizabeth Brewer Redwine, Lisa Rose-Wiles, Judith Chelius Stark and Barakat Olayinka Yisa extend the inquiry into intellectual conversion, communication and sacramental encounter, service and pedagogy, artificial intelligence, Augustine’s recurring forms of idolatry and ethical leadership in a digital age.

The publication grew from the May 26–28, 2026, seminar facilitated by William T. Cavanaugh, Ph.D., professor of Catholic studies and director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology at DePaul University. Drawing on Cavanaugh’s The Uses of Idolatry, participants considered Augustine, nationalism and consumerism. The program was hosted by the Center for Center for Catholic Studies, the Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership and the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture.

Patrick Manning, Ph.D., is director of the Center for Catholic Studies. Gloria Garafulich-Grabois, director of the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture, edited the publication.

By extending the seminar’s interdisciplinary reflection into publication, Modern Misenchantments advances the Center’s longstanding mission of faculty formation and preserves the conversation as a resource for teaching, research and reflection on Seton Hall’s Catholic mission.

Related Story: Faculty Explore Augustine and Modern Idolatry

Read Modern Misenchantments in Seton Hall’s eRepository.

Categories: Arts and Culture, Faith and Service