Deathbed Conversions: Finding Faith at the Finish Line

Karen Edmisten’s Deathbed Conversions: Finding Faith at the Finish Line was one of the most beautiful and unique books on conversions that I’ve come across. By detailing the faith struggles and dynamics (or lack thereof) of eminent figures in cinema (John Wayne, Patricia Neal, Gary Cooper), literature (Oscar Wilde and Wallace Stevens), journalism (Heywood Broun), art (Kenneth Clark and Aubrey Beardsley), crime (Arthur Flegenheimer aka Dutch Schultz), royalty ( King Charles II), showmanship (William Frederick Cody aka Buffalo Bill), medicine (Alexis Carrel) and science (John von Neumann), Edmisten, gives a tight and cohesive summary of how all the famous figures she profiled were, not searching for God exactly, but were-by varying degrees-inwardly empty and substituting God with other things, things that could not quell the unexplainable deep-seated hunger that they had (despite their success) which was not being met by worldly offerings, unless one had faith. Their hardness of heart and indifference to faith made them cold. Actions speak louder than words. And some of their actions were real doozies (read about Patricia Neal). Read also the case of Dr. Alexis Carrel who witnessed not one but two certified miracles at Lourdes and who STILL could not bring himself to belief! They could not ground themselves in any specific doctrine of faith-never mind the Catholic faith-unless it was a personal philosophy or work ethic or love interest of their own making and choosing. To that point, read about Wallace Stevens and the beauty through poetry; for him poetry was an example of uncontaminated graspable transcendence which did not reflect in any way, shape, manner or form of the theological God. And yet, it did, much to his initial intellectual chagrin; these people simply couldn’t take the leery plunge into the belief of God. Despite being atheistic (which was almost all of them with perhaps the exception of John Wayne who seemed more agnostic), each person profiled in Deathbed Conversions, was, primarily, a good person and a good soul. But, it was the latter aspect of ‘soul‘ which they were dubious about. By accepting faith, one does not lose intellect or reason, one does not become silly putty in the hands of a grand human manipulator (although that has happened). But that seemed (to me at least) an underlying and unspoken concern, for there have indeed been hypocritical charlatans of the cloth of all religious denominations who have been only too eager to feed off the vulnerability and gullibility of the innocent. However, to have faith, one must always question and have reason and intellect. Look at the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary in Luke 1:32- 38. She doesn’t hesitate to question: Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' But in her humility, she takes the answer at face value whereas Edmisten’s profiled folks struggle at and against the glaring truth. If for no other reason to accept faith, I did like the mentioning of Pascal’s Wager whereby it would be wise to live as if there is a God, because if there is not, one hasn’t lost anything. But if God exists, one has gained Heaven and skirted hell, as mentioned in the case of John von Neumann on page 94. This was a wonderful read, so different from the usual plate offerings of holy people. I could relate to the people in Edmisten’s book. I was rooting for them, wanting them to have this gift of faith, despite their reservations and struggles. In the end, suffering illness and close to death, they did, ultimately accept faith, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (in all stages of life): Psalm 111:10. Better late than never. I’m sure God lovingly rejoiced with them and for them when they opened themselves to truth, warmly embracing his prodigal children. A wonderful read!

My confessor recommended this book to me. No, no, not as a penance! But as a terrific favor. I ordered it last Monday, received it on Friday, and finished it on Saturday. Although I'm not sure I'm finished with it yet...it's one of those books one wants to keep going back to.Subtitled "Finding Faith at the Finish Line," Karen Edmisten's book made me want to throw a party. Perhaps an odd reaction to a book with the word "deathbed" in the title, but all the same.It's a little book...you can read it in a few hours...But if you're like me (yikes! If you are, say an Ave, and quickly!)......Ahem. If you and I share similar traits? You will want to put this book down. Why? Because you don't want it to end!Despite Edmisten's claim (and of course I believe her) that the book was not as easy to write as she'd expected, I get the distinct impression that she had an absolute blast during the undertaking. I know I had a ball reading it!Dutch Schultz. John Wayne. Gary Cooper. Oscar Wilde, for Heaven's sake!Yep. All of 'em converted to Catholicism...just before entering their final reward.How bleeping cool is that!Want to know how cool it is? Read the book!You'll discover a healthily brief bit about the lives of "finish line converts" but you'll learn even something more valuable...how to be really and effectively be a soldier for Christ. How to be one of those people who helps bring that atheist you love so much...that spouse or niece or child or friend who hates religion...that stranger you pass in the street...how to help do for them what we're supposed to do for each other: make the path into the Kingdom of God bright and well-lit.Edmisten's own conversion story, tucked into the forward titled "Don't Ever Give Up," should be required reading for any aspiring evangelist. Part of her dedication says so much, in so few words:"With deepest gratitude to everyone who ever uttered a prayer for me..."I could go on but I'd be sorely tempted to add spoilers and I don't want to do that. I want you to read the book. And I pray that you and I do what the people associated with the converts in this book do: help each other into Heaven.Thank you, Karen Edmisten, for a really, really good read! Well played. Very well played.

Very interesting. Enjoyed it a lot.