By What Authority? Part II by Robert Hugh Benson continues the exploration of Catholicism and church authority initiated in the first volume. Set within a historical context, this installment delves deeper into theological debates and the nature of faith. The narrative further investigates the complexities of religious conflict and doctrine, focusing on the spiritual journeys of its characters as they confront moral and institutional challenges. The book examines issues of conversion and apologetics, highlighting the struggles of individuals grappling with their beliefs and the authority of religious institutions. Through its detailed portrayal of clergy and the impact of belief systems, Benson’s work offers a profound analysis of the principles governing church authority and personal faith. By What Authority? Part II builds on the themes established in the first part, providing readers with a comprehensive and thoughtful examination of Catholic doctrine and the intricacies of religious practice.
Robert Hugh Benson was an English Catholic priest and author who lived from 18 November 1871 to 19 October 1914. He began his ministry as an Anglican priest before being welcomed and ordained in the Catholic Church in 1903. He also wrote a lot of fiction, including Come Rack! Come to Rope! and the well-known dystopian novel Lord of the World. His works include current fiction, children's stories, plays, apologetics, devotional writings, and historical, horror, and science fiction. In parallel with rising through the ranks to serve as a Chamberlain to Pope Pius X in 1911 and earning the title of Monsignor before passing away a few years later, he continued his writing career. Benson, the younger brother of E. F., A. C., and Margaret Benson, was the youngest child of Edward White Benson, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and his wife, Mary. Robert Hugh Benson attended Eton College for his education before attending Trinity College in Cambridge from 1890 to 1893 to study classics and religion. Benson's father, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time, gave him his ordination as a priest in the Church of England in 1895.
