Alex Denley and Dr. Andrew Willard Jones discuss the resurgent pagan politics, the transition from Christianity to paganism, Nietzschean critiques, vitalism, and power dynamics in modern society. They explore the clash between Christianity and paganism, analyzing ancient philosophers' influences and the impact on contemporary civilization.
The podcast explores the resurgence of old pagan political ideologies rooted in power aesthetics and might-makes-right.
Examining the integration of societal classes under Christianity, the podcast contrasts it with traditional pagan hierarchies.
It highlights the nuanced relationship between pagan and Christian ideals and Christianity's realistic view of power dynamics.
Deep dives
The Revival of Pagan Political Forms in Modernity
In exploring the politics of paganism, the podcast delves into the resurgence of old pagan political issues seen in ancient Greece and Rome. Through examining various texts, the series aims to unravel the pagan worldview before Christ, including their perspectives on humanity, nature, and political structures. It scrutinizes the challenges faced by pagan societies, shedding light on how these historical issues have echoes in contemporary reflections on modernity.
Christianity's Transformation of Medieval Society
The summary covers the evolution of medieval society under Christianity, contrasting it with traditional pagan hierarchies. It details how the integration of warrior, peasant, and clergy classes under Christianity fostered a cohesive social order, contrary to pagan systems. By dispersing warrior groups and merging societal elements, medieval Christianity birthed a distinct civilization with interconnected social strata.
Nietzschean Critique and Pagan Ethos
Examining Nietzsche's critique and the neo-Nietzschean ethos, the summary elucidates the inclination towards pagan ideals of vitalism and life affirmation. However, it critiques the modern attempt to resurrect pagan exuberance, highlighting the inherent complexities and challenges addressed by pagan civilizations themselves. The summary underscores how Christianity represents a realization of Nietzschean aspirations for power, vitality, and societal structures.
The Mischaracterization of Christianity in Modern Critiques
It delves into the misrepresentation of Christianity in modern critiques, notably Nietzschean and neo-Nietzschean perspectives. The summary explores the defensive posture towards Christianity, expressed through disproportionate disdain and critiques, bringing attention to the nuanced relationship between pagan and Christian ideals. It highlights the irony in rejecting Christianity while unknowingly relying on Christian underpinnings in societal power dynamics and ethics.
Power Dynamics and Ethical Frameworks in Christianity
Focusing on power dynamics and ethical frameworks in Christianity, the summary elucidates the innate Christian recognition of power disparities, hierarchies, and cultural complexity. It emphasizes how Christianity upholds a realistic view of power, societal organization, and hierarchies, offering a coherent foundation for addressing Nietzschean critiques and reinstating authentic power dynamics in a societal and moral context.
As the liberal order continues to collapse, rival voices have gained popularity—groups that aren’t content secularizing religion, but rejecting Christianity altogether. Old pagan arguments are resurrecting: the aesthetics of power, might-makes-right, vitalism and tyranny. Alex Denley and Dr. Andrew Willard Jones discuss their new series “The Politics of Paganism” and how Christianity can understand and defeat the pagan attacks against it.
If you’d like to read ahead for the series:
1. Selections from the City of God by St. Augustine
