The Theology Pugcast

Listen in for a quick Q&A following yesterday’s episode: The New Asceticism 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

In some pockets of the Protestant world ‘asceticism’ is a dirty word. It brings works righteousness and unbiblical acts of self-abuse to mind. But is that the whole story? Jesus said, ‘When you fast’ not ‘If you fast.’ In other words, it’s expected, and there’s a right way to do it. So, perhaps it comes as a surprise that self-denial is actually growing in popularity, and it’s doing so outside the church. Why is it happening, and what should we think about it. Tune in for the conversation! Article by Matthew Crawford: https://unherd.com/2022/12/the-politics-of-masturbation/ 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

Today the Pugcast welcomes the versatile artist Jack Baumgartner. Jack is a farmer living with his wife and six children outside of Wichita, Kansas. Jack is a musician (the banjo you hear on this episode is Jack), a painter, printmaker, woodworker, furniture maker, and puppeteer. He’s also a thoughtful Christian whose faith is reflected in all of his work. Chris has collected Jack’s work for years. By the end of the show you’ll probably want to too. Find Jack at https://baumwerkshop.com/, https://theschoolofthetransferofenergy.com/, and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/baumwerkj/ Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

On today’s show Tom introduces the topic of atheism and its various types. Drawing from John Gray’s book: Seven Types of Atheism, the conversation unpacks and engages each type mentioned by Gray. Noting how not all atheisms are the same, the guys critically interact with each, showing the various kinds of challenges each bring to the cultural context. The result is a rich conversation around unbelief and it’s weaker and more challenging forms which require a more substantive theological critique. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

In this episode, the guys discuss mythology and its significance for Tolkien. Glenn presents several theories about myths and their roles in cultures as a doorway into understanding Tolkien’s goal of creating a mythology for England. In the process, the guys explore some of our current cultural mythologies and the lessons and deeper meaning of myth in general and Tolkien in particular. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Today Chris responds to the truism attributed to Francis Bacon, "Knowledge is power." The question he raises is, "If that is all there is to it, what does that imply--that forms of knowledge that don't lead to power are worthless, do they fail the test of knowledge then?" Chris warns, this is the road to totalitarianism. It isn't a fast road, necessarily--but it certainly gets you there eventually. Tune in to see what the Pugsters have to say about why the old truism isn't entirely true. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Christmas is around the corner and the guys reflect on the Incarnation and some of its implications. Reflecting upon Luke 2:8-20, Shepherds and Angels, Tom introduces the topic of what is implied by the heavens being open upon the Incarnation. The guys take the topic in many fascinating directions, including the issue of joy and beatitude, and music in light of Christ. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

As suggested by a Grumbler on Facebook, the Pugsters discuss C.S. Lewis’s ideas on the Tao from The Abolition of Man. For Lewis, the Tao is a kind of natural law that is the foundation for human knowledge, ethics, etc. The guys tease out some of the implications of the idea of the Tao in the Abolition of Man as well as pursuing some of their own thoughts on the topic. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Today the Pugcast welcomes Dr. Hans Boersma, author of Heavenly Participation and many other edifying books onto the show. In this episode Dr. Boersma reflects on a talk he gave recently at the Touchstone Conference in Chicago. In the talk he up-ended many misconceptions concerning hierarchy in the Christian understanding of God and his creation. He does this by reflecting on the work of the man who coined the term, "hierarchy"--Dionysius the Areopagite. Tune in and have your thinking turned upside down! Find Dr. Boersma’s work: https://www.hansboersma.org/ Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

This week’s Pugcast presents a rich conversation with Dr. Michael Hanby, Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy of Science at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America. Dr. Hanby has been at the forefront of cultural analysis with works critically engaging modern science and sociology, unmasking their problematic theological and philosophical underpinnings, unpacking the cultural havoc such underpinnings have resulted in. In view of his recent talk at the Touchstone Conference, The Politics of Nothingness, where Dr. Hanby digs deeply into the flood of causes which have led to the present crises in our culture, the Pugsters have a deep conversation with Dr. Hanby, especially about the important work of Augusto Del Noce on the Problem of Atheism. This conversation is a real treat! Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8