The Theology Pugcast

Today’s Pugcast is a discussion of Naomi Wolfe’s Substack piece, “Have the Old Gods Returned?” which is a reflection and development of the ideas in Jonathan Cahn’s The Return of the Gods. The premise is that with the rejection of Christianity, God’s protection over the Western world has been withdrawn and the old gods—demonic entities that were pushed to the margins by Christianity—have now returned. The guys discuss some specifics of the pieces and reflect on the biblical and historic Christian ideas of the demonic and its influence on culture. A resurgence of demonic activity may be the best explanation for the unprecedentedly rapid spread of cultural and social chaos and the way governments, education, media, and big tech are marching in lockstep across the globe to promote these destructive ideologies and practices. Naomi Wolfe's Substack article: https://naomiwolf.substack.com/p/have-the-ancient-gods-returned Traditional Fatherhood Intensive in Vancouver WA: https://www.solochristo.org/fatherhood-conf Thank God For Bitcoin Conference in Miami FL: https://tgfb2022.com/ Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order Jason Cherry’s The Making of Evangelical Spirituality: https://a.co/d/5LdNXiu

Today Chris interviews another speaker from The Traditional Fatherhood Intensive--Nathan Spearing, retired Army Ranger and host of The Life on Target Podcast. Nate shares briefly on a theology of violence, as well as on how to become more dangerous. If you'd like to hear more, sign up for the Traditional Fatherhood Intensive which will be May 5-6 in Vancouver, Washington. Here's a link to the Eventbright page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/traditional-fatherhood-intensive-purpose-provision-protection-tickets-559053583317?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete And here's a link to The Life on Target Podcast: https://www.spearing.co/content_type/podcasts/life-on-target

The Pugsters welcome apologist and philosopher Doug Groothuis to the show this week to talk about neither apologetics nor philosophy but music. Doug is a jazz fan who has published articles and concert reviews for “All About Jazz.” We talk about the elements that make jazz what it is, jazz performers and standards, and how jazz points to an approach to other activities beside music, including Pugcasts and teaching. Find more from Doug: https://www.douglasgroothuis.com/ https://www.lifeaudio.com/truth-tribe-with-douglas-groothuis/ https://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles-by-douglas-groothuis Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order Jason Cherry’s The Making of Evangelical Spirituality: https://a.co/d/5LdNXiu

In this brief bonus show C. R. Wiley interviews Rory Groves, author of Durable Trades, about what he will be speaking about at The Traditional Fatherhood Intensive. TFI is a two-day conference being held in Vancouver, Washington, May 5-6, 2023 and will feature C. R. Wiley, Rory Groves, and Nate Spearing. To learn more and to register simply follow this link-- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/traditional-fatherhood-intensive-purpose-provision-protection-tickets-559053583317?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete BTW, he's a link to Rory's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Durable-Trades-Family-Centered-Economies-Stood/dp/1725274140/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rory+groves+durable+trades&qid=1678921876&sprefix=rory+gr%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1

Today the Pugs reflect on a remarkable essay by Jon Haidt in which he correlates the mental health of young people since 2013 and their sex and political outlook. The mental health of all young people has been getting worse, but it is worst for liberal girls and it is best for conservative boys. Why 2013? And why does sex and political outlook make a difference? These are the questions that the Pugs ponder. Please join us for the conversation. Here's a link to the article if you'd like to read it yourself: https://www.thefp.com/p/why-the-mental-health-of-liberal Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order Jason Cherry’s The Making of Evangelical Spirituality: https://a.co/d/5LdNXiu

Today's show looks at Jacques Ellul's 'Those whom God wishes to destroy He first Makes Mad' from his book The Betrayal of the West. Tom introduces the topic by looking at how civilizational self-contempt became a defining orientation of Western cultures once it took a nihilistic and idolatrous turn from the Christian vision. Once culture lost its ground and aims in true transcendence the meaning and purpose at the heart of things was eclipsed and everything become seen as limiting and oppressing the only cultural value left: absolute autonomy. The guys join the discussion with fascinating insights into how irrationality and madness now largely define the times. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order Jason Cherry’s The Making of Evangelical Spirituality: https://a.co/d/5LdNXiu

The Man Who Was Thursday is considered by many critics to be G.K. Chesterton’s masterpiece. Published in 1908, it has never gone out of print. It’s simultaneously a comedy, a mystery, a philosophical action-thriller, a spoof on anarchism and German philosophy, and a serial romp from the real into the surreal and back. The guys talk about the book, its themes, and its relevance for today. Spoiler alert: you can’t deal with the book without giving away some of the plot, but hopefully not too much. And even with the spoilers, the book has a lot more going on than just the plotline. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order Jason Cherry’s The Making of Evangelical Spirituality: https://a.co/d/5LdNXiu

Today the Pugsters take up the notorious Klaus Schawb's prediction for an ideal future: "You will own nothing and you will be happy." Just what sort of human being would you need to be in order for this to be appealing, or even make sense. Chris proposes--you would need to be a plastic pleasure monkey. But is that so? Or are there other truer ways to think about human beings? If so, what are they? On today's show the guys turn to Christian metaphysics, Aristotle, and the US Declaration of Independence to find out! Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order Jason Cherry’s The Making of Evangelical Spirituality: https://a.co/d/5LdNXiu

This week’s show engages one dimension of our current identity crisis in the West by attending the increasing loss of our ability to discern, define, and acknowledge the distinction between created natures and purposes and the artificial and constructed. Tom, Chris and Glenn unpack the topic by looking at the history of this loss and some of its core ingredients: theological and philosophical errors about divinity, creation, humanity and the increased use of scientific technique in bending nature to our will and wishes. In looking at the character and consequences of this shift in Western thought and culture, the guys discuss some of the rich analysis of Oliver O’Donovan in his classic work: Begotten or Made? and Mathias Desmit’s work: The Psychology of Totalitarianism. Order Begotten of Made? from the Davenant Institute: https://davenantinstitute.org/begotten-or-made Order The Psychology of Totalitarianism: https://a.co/d/5m2mK54 Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order Jason Cherry’s The Making of Evangelical Spirituality: https://a.co/d/5LdNXiu

This week’s Pugcast has another special guest. While Glenn is still away, Tom and Chris are joined by Labin Duke, the Executive Director of the Blake Center for Faith and Freedom of Hillsdale College in Somers, Connecticut. Labin introduces our audience to the fascinating history, mission, and vision of the Center. Extending the reach of the Hillsdale vision of faith and freedom into the spiritual and political barrenness of New England is bold yet opportune. The gentleman unpack the challenges as well as opportunities of such a venture as Mr. Duke further gives details about the upcoming programs offered by the Center. You’ll not want to miss this rich interview. Learn more about the Blake Center at https://blakecenter.hillsdale.edu/ Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Like The Theology Pugcast? Check out another show sponsored by Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville AL: ‘Got a Minute?’ Theology, Philosophy, Economics, Politics (and more) for normal people. Featuring Rich Lusk, Larson Hicks, and the occasional special guest! https://open.spotify.com/show/4fswVZmNEfSXA1JLZzgPhj