Immortal Combat

Confronting the Heart of Darkness

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Today, far too many leading Christians water down the robust teachings of our Faith. Ignoring Christ’s clear example and constant demand that we boldly confront evils, they preach an amicable, nonconfrontational, feel-good gospel. Instead of teaching the faithful to edify and enjoin the wayward, they urge them to pacify and submit . . . with catastrophic results personally, for the Church, and for society at large.

Now comes Fr. Dwight Longenecker with this potent book that shows how, by engaging in the lost art of spiritual warfare, good Christians can cure this trend and repair the extensive damage it has caused.

Here, without fear or favor, Longenecker maps out the myriad places where evil lurks in our world, shines a light on its many faces, and details the countless clever tricks it uses to hide. He delineates ten sturdy principles that must motivate all Christian warriors who hope to expunge evil and stop it from returning. And finally, he explains in fascinating detail the art of immortal combat, showing how self-sacrifice and contemplation of the Cross can bring victory over any evil, no matter how hidden or how grave.

Be forewarned: this book calls you to sanctity and is not for wimps. For sanctity is impossible apart from heroic virtue, and heroic virtue is impossible apart from spiritual warfare. As Fr. Longenecker puts it, “Find a saint, and you’ll find a warrior.”

These pages are a mighty guidebook for souls hungry to follow the way of the Christian warrior by taking up their crosses and following into immortal combat the King of the Universe, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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"As a bishop in this devastating time I encourage you to read and ponder Fr. Longenecker’s book, 'Immortal Combat.' The two words of the title artfully bring together the challenge of our era. May his work and the work of so many other faithful soldiers inspire us to seek the salvation of our immortal souls and be willing to go into battle for them and for our brothers and sisters."

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland
Diocese of Tyler

"In 'Immortal Combat' Fr Dwight Longenecker brings us face to face with the depth of everyday evil only to show how the cross of Christ breaks the ancient curse of sin. There is mysterious and troubling darkness here, but at the end the triumph of light. This is a powerful book that will deepen the spiritual lives of many."

Dan Burke
President of the Avila Institute

"In his “no-holds-barred” style, Father Dwight Longenecker leads you from the dregs of sin and its devastating consequences to the abundant joy of redemptive grace and life in Christ Jesus. Immortal Combat' grabs you by the scruff of the neck, holds you up to the mirror of Truth, and dares you to become the warrior for Christ you are called to be. Riveting, compelling, and not-soon-forgotten, a life-changing read."

Johnnette Benkovic Williams
Host and Founder of EWTN's "Women of Grace"

"'Immortal Combat' takes the reader on an incredible faith journey that is sure to challenge and inspire! Fr. Longenecker takes a fresh look at the nature of sin as he seamlessly integrates themes from literature, history and scripture to focus our gaze on the inner struggle to live virtuously and courageously as Catholics. 'Immortal Combat' helps us understand—in clear and unambiguous language—how we live, what we live for, and what we would die for."

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
Author, "Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African American Priest"

"Saint Paul’s exhortation to ‘Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called’ (1 Tim. 6:12) applies to everyone old enough to ‘put on the full armor of God’ (Eph. 6:11) and wield the weapons of the spirit (2 Cor. 10:4). 'Immortal Combat' will help equip you to triumph in the battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, as well as laziness, compromise, and error."

Patrick Madrid
Host of the “Patrick Madrid Show” on Relevant Radio

This tells the Truth as only myth could - something clearer, something deeper than words.

This book is a magnificent work of beauty, goodness, art and truth. It touched my very soul.

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Epic and timely

What an epic book. At times, Fr Longenecker uses imagery from classic mythology, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars to describe Satan’s influence on humanity, and Jesus Christ’s mission to save us. There’s no ponderous or confusing theological verbiage to wade through here. There are passages which—if you’re honest—will smack you in the face, as you will recognize yourself in some of the sins Fr Longenecker describes. You will certainly recognize our decadent modern society as well. A quick read; I will read it again very soon and highlight some sections that are particularly relevant to my life. I also plan to buy copies to give to family and friends. Thank you, Fr Longenecker, for a timely, fascinating and Spirit-filled book.

Tips for Becoming a Christian Warrior

https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/immortal-combat# This little gem of a book by Father Dwight Longenecker is both a quick read and a profound commentary on our fallen state -- ending with a pithy "to-do" list of steps we can take to wage spiritual warfare aimed at counteracting our sinful condition. Part I of the book draws upon the creation story in genesis, ancient mythology, and Dante's Inferno in demonstrating how a deadly combination of human vices has spawned "the Sin of the World . . . the dark energy force that motivates the bitter heart of man. Not only is this twisted system of persecution, exclusion and murder at the heart of human behavior, but we are blind to it." Father pulls no punches in describing how "leaders of society," playing the role of modern day Pharisees and Sadducees, are often among the most spiritually blind and thus a big part of the problem. Part II of the book presents as a solution "the Way of the Lamb," rooted in Our Lord's perfect sacrifice on the cross, a form of spiritual combat designed to overcome the Sin of the World. Father offers ten "swords of the spirit" to enable us to walk in the Way of the Lamb. As Father explains, "[w]e wield these Swords of the Spirit knowing that, as we do, we are sharing in Christ's Cross so that we might also share in his eternal glory." In short, this book will hit you in the gut and then give you hope -- a must read for people of faith who are concerned with the state of our society.