The Theology Pugcast

Today the Pugs reflect on an essay by Matthew B. Crawford (author of Shop Class as Soulcraft) from his Substack entitled: Craftsmanship in the culture industry. The event that prompted the essay is the bid by Netflix to buy Warner Brothers (the film studio). What particularly interests Crawford is something broader, the decay of craftsmanship in our world, and what "managerialism" has to do with that. If you care about film, or just craftsmanship generally speaking we think you will enjoy the conversation.Article: https://open.substack.com/pub/mcrawford/p/craftsmanship-in-the-culture-industry?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=webSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

C.S. Lewis came to faith once he realized that the Gospel was both myth, appealing to his heart, and fact, appealing to his mind. The Pugs discuss what he meant by myth and apply the idea to the Christmas story—how it embodies archetypes found in myth and legend throughout history.Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

The hosts dive into the rising trend of AI chatbots for teen mental health, discussing who uses them and why. They explore the dangers of poor advice and the illusion of empathy that chatbots offer without true connection. The conversation highlights the church's vital role in addressing these issues and fostering authentic relationships. They critique government regulation challenges and emphasize the need for community-focused care. Personal testimonies reveal the profound impact of small churches in overcoming isolation and building genuine connections.

In today's Pugcast Chris shares a little from his experience attending Peter Thiel's Antichrist lectures. Those in attendance promised not to divulge what they heard, but the contents of the lectures are now widely known since the contents have either been leaked to the press, or discussed in interviews Thiel has given. With those things in mind, Chris limits his reflections to what can be learned in a simple Google search: "Peter Thiel and Antichrist." Even with those limitations there is a lot to talk about, for instance, which should we fear more: Armageddon or the Antichrist? Thiel's answer is "Antichrist!"--tune in and find out why.Related Links:https://firstthings.com/voyages-to-the-end-of-the-world/https://firstthings.com/where-is-the-antichrist-ft-peter-thiel/https://unherd.com/2025/07/who-is-peter-thiels-antichrist/Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

In this episode, Tom and Glenn welcome Eugene Terekhin, a Russian translator and the man behind the Substack “The Philosophy of Language.” The conversation ranges over Heideger’s ideas about language and their connection to the Inklings, the idea of primordial language and its connection to poetry, and a variety of other nerdy language-related topics.The Philosophy of Language Substack: https://substack.com/@eugeneterekhinSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

When we look at the conditions in Weimar Germany, we see a lot of economic turmoil, hyperinflation, and declining expectations. Zoomers today are facing similar challenges, though not as extreme, which helps explain the appeal of white nationalism, antisemitism, and the “woke right.” The Pugsters discuss the parallels between America today and Weimar Germany and talk about how to respond to the problems facing young white men.Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Join Josh Herring, a classical education professor and author, as he dives into C.S. Lewis's surprising insights on sex and gender. He discusses how Lewis's works, particularly *Perelandra*, challenge modern misconceptions about gender roles. Josh connects Lewis’s ideas to John Paul II's Theology of the Body and critiques contemporary myths about gender. There's also a fascinating look at how language has shifted from 'sex' to 'gender,' and how film adaptations often misinterpret Lewis's original intentions. Perfect for fans of literature and philosophy!

The hosts delve into how modern culture and technology shape our understanding of reality. They discuss the implications of shifting from older concepts of intelligence to contemporary views, highlighting the effects of Baconian science on our perception of dominion. Attention spans are shrinking, making discernment crucial. The conversation touches on the decline of elder wisdom and the need for deeper intellectual retrieval in academia. Ultimately, they argue that theological formation and practices can aid in recovering our perception of truth, beauty, and goodness.

John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity and Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy both look at problems in American Christianity today. In this episode recorded at the Equipping the Saints Conference in Tacoma, Washington, Glenn interviews them about their books and how we can avoid some of the problems they address.Order John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: https://stockholmsyndromechristianity.com/Order Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy: https://canonpress.com/products/the-sin-of-empathy?srsltid=AfmBOooIuCv1xXIHvui4dPKjiWuwE2npYqnW12J1uC9bb86VBOyEQegmSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

The tech savants of Silicon Valley have issued dire warnings about an impending wave of unemployment due to advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. Essentially we're told humans are too slow, too unintelligent, and too expensive to be relied upon for economic productivity. We're obsolete and will soon be replaced. Don't worry we're told, universal basic income will feed and house us. But is this a good thing? What would UBI likely mean for the meaning of our lives? Today the Pugs conduct a thought-experiment: what will become of meaning in a world without work?Mo Gawdat Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHo94jTiZgSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Register for the Life After Secularism Conference: https://solochristo.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3172138Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/