The Pugcast

Today the Pugcast is joined by Brad Littlejohn and Steven Wedgeworth of The Davenant Institute to discuss a new book entitled, Protestant Social Teaching. The Pugsters have long admired the work of the Davenant Institute and are impressed with their new book. Please join us as we think about social issues in light of the Christian faith and the contributions Protestants have made to the teachings of the Church.   Learn more about The Davenant Institute: https://davenantinstitute.org/ Order Protestant Social Teaching: https://davenantinstitute.org/protestant-social-teaching Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8  

Mere Christianity might be the most important work of apologetics in the last 100 years or more. Copies sold are in the millions. But it is not only a popular success, it is a profoundly insightful and deep work--C. S. Lewis understood the Christian faith better than any other writer in living memory, with the possible exception of G. K. Chesterton. Today the Pugsters reflect on the riches of Lewis's greatest apologetic work.   Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

On today’s ‘live’ episode Tom unpacks insights from John Rist's book: What is a Person?  After noting the rich conception of the human person which arose out of classical realist and Christian theological sources, which supplied a robust view of the unique gift and dignity of each human made in the image of God, called by the Gospel to eternal communion with God, Rist then notes the rise of philosophical and political elites who rejected the transcendent vision of Christianity, and embraced philosophies which undercut the personhood of human beings, to the point that apart from themselves, elites began to promote visions which saw the bulk of human beings as inferiors and dependent on their lies for their own safety and survival. Glenn and Chris bring into the discussion many fascinating insights, and all three recognize the elitist agenda continues today, often out in the open.   Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Listen in for a quick question and answer session following yesterday's episode: The Elites vs. Humanity.   Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Since we’re getting close to Halloween, Glenn brings the topic of witchcraft to the table today. The guys begin by discussing historic ideas of witchcraft and the witch trials of Renaissance and early modern period. Note that some of these beliefs get us into PG-13 territory. The Pugsters then turn to witchcraft in the modern world, discussing Wicca and witchcraft around the world as well as the growing belief in the supernatural among college students. Although the kinds of witches described in witch hunting manuals only existed in the minds of the people of the day, the guys agree that demonic manifestations are very real even if only obvious in some parts of the world today.   Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Dirty Harry is one of Clint Eastwood's best known films. It is also violent, full of profanity, and sprinkled with gratuitous nudity. How could anyone possibly mistake it for a Christian film? Today Chris makes a case for just that--he's not saying you should watch it as a family--or even that you should watch it. He makes the argument instead that it is a film that only makes sense within a Christian worldview--within a Christian framework of meaning. It is filled with subtle allusions to Christ--but the Jesus hinted at in Dirty Harry is not meek or mild. He's angry--and for good reason.    Today's episode was inspired by an essay published in Law and Liberty by Titus Techera--you can find it here: https://lawliberty.org/dirty-harrys-justice/   Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Today the Pugcast welcomes French Reformed theologian Yannick Imbert onto the show! Yannick is the author of a new book on J. R. R. Tolkien, "From Imagination to Faerie: Tolkien's Thomist Fantasy". The book is a scholarly treatment of Tolkien's theological outlook and how it shaped Tolkien's understanding of language, myth and imagination. The Pugsters focus in primarily on Tolkien's views on language and how those conflict with contemporary understandings which are largely based on a set of assumptions informed by materialism. Enjoy!   Purchase From Imagination to Faerie: Tolkien's Thomist Fantasy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Imagination-Faerie-Tolkiens-Thomist-Fantasy/dp/1666710458   Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Today the Pugcast is joined by Ken Myers, the man behind Mars Hill Audio. Mars Hill Audio was founded by Ken in 1993 after working for National Public Radio and serving as editor of Eternity Magazine. Among conservative Christian intellectuals Mars Hill Audio is an important resource for keeping up with the intersection of Christian thought and cultural trends in the western world. Ken is a long time friend of Chris, but all the Pugsters are big supporters of Ken's work. By the time the interview is over you'll probably want to download the Mars Hill Audio app to your phone. Unfortunately there were some technical glitches during the recording of the interview--but we think this is a pretty great episode nonetheless. We hope you enjoy it!   Visit https://marshillaudio.org/ to find Ken’s work with Mars Hill Audio.   Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

On today’s show Tom unpacks insights from Rhys Laverty's article: A Theory of Everything: Christology as a Hope for Evangelical Metaphysical Revival. The guys delve into fascinating topics of how the early theologians of the Church redefined the philosophical as they put its tools and insights into the service of unpacking the Biblical doctrines of Trinity and Christology. The guys look into the question of how Christology in particular gave a set of categories which can help us today in clarifying the biblical understanding of human nature and ethics by supplying it with resources to spell out these core claims in fuller and richer ways, helping us engage the philosophical and metaphysical claims of today's pagan alternatives with a robust Christian vision of completeness in Christ.   Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Today’s show returns to the subject of the disenchantment and reenchantment of the world. The Pugsters discuss an article arguing that technology in the form of the bots and algorithms that control so much of online life function today much like the angels and demons of the premodern world, with the tech gurus who are behind it all functioning like priest-kings with data analysts as their prophets. A lively conversation around techno-paganism, techno-gnosticism, and the implications of online life in general follows. Article: https://thesymbolicworld.com/articles/technology-and-the-return-of-the-old-gods/ Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8