In Europe, we're accustomed to thinking of America as modern and new. But New York is not a modern city, Boston, not modern cities. I would guess that it would be easier to import wholesale technology into a house on the outskirts of Houston than it would be in downtown Manhattan. It's much easier just to kind of rip everything out and put it back in again. And I think that that is the kind of attitude that people in America tend to have. No, I'm not a Gnostic in any way at all.
Historian Tom Holland joined Tyler to discuss in what ways his Christianity is influenced by Lord Byron, how the Book of Revelation precipitated a revolutionary tradition, which book of the Bible is most foundational for Western liberalism, the political differences between Paul and Jesus, why America is more pro-technology than Europe, why Herodotus is his favorite writer, why the Greeks and Persians didn’t industrialize despite having advanced technology, how he feels about devolution in the United Kingdom and the potential of Irish unification, what existential problem the Church of England faces, how the music of Ennio Morricone helps him write for a popular audience, why Jurassic Park is his favorite movie, and more.
Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.
Recorded February 1st, 2023
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Photo credit: Sadie Holland