The Theology Pugcast

This weeks Pugcast was recorded live (for Chris) at Fractal Brewing in Huntsville, Alabama, with Glenn and Tom coming in virtually. The topic, “The Fairy Tale Wars,” was based on an article from Touchstone by Vigen Guroian (see the link below). Glenn walked the guys through some of the key ideas in the article, particularly how modern scholars of fairy tales don’t like them much, and modern retellings of fairy tales twist them to support contemporary agendas and sensibilities. Chris and Tom talk about the philosophical ideas and assumptions that lead to this kind of distortion of fairy tales, including particularly the rejection of traditional wisdom in favor of current fashionable interests. https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=33-02-045-f

Analogous talk of God and its importance is the topic of the day. Christians have a reality vision that allows us to use creaturely ways of talking about God. But today many talk of God in fundamentally idolatrous ways. The guys address reality issues as they pertain to God-talk and it’s significance for worship, doctrine, and life.

Who were the philosophers that Paul addressed at Mars Hill in Acts 17? Today the Pugsters examine the outlooks of two schools of philosophy in antiquity--stoicism and epicureanism. And they look at how these schools of thought are making a come back today.

Glenn has been the subject of memes about his attitude toward Rousseau. In this episode, he explains why, focused on three areas: Rousseau as the root of Carl Trueman’s Psychological Man; his attitudes toward education and women; and his political theory, its influence on Marx, and the death toll that came from implementing it. Tom and Chris add their own observations and analysis along the way.

Tom delves into many of the often taken for granted reality implications of the Christian teaching about the Incarnation of God the Son. He explores the riches of wisdom such biblical teaching has for a true understanding of divinity, humanity, creation and its relation to God. Chris and Glenn bring into the conversation many fascinating insights, angles, and draw out further some of the deep implications of the riches we’ve been given in Christ.

Returning to a topic the Pugsters have done before, the guys discuss the annual attacks on Christmas as a rip off of pagan myths and legends. Along with discussing things like the Jesus myth and the date of Christmas, the guys turn to a lot of areas that they didn’t cover the last time around on the topic.

Welcome to a funeral for the Church Growth Movement, Pugsters! In today's show Chris explains what the Church Growth Movement was, how it changed the character of evangelicalism and helped to destroy it, and why the movement has been killed by Covid-19, and the Woke-world that has followed. Church Growth was supposed to save the church--so why is it a good thing that it is dead? Join the Pugcast crew as they reflect on what's next for Christianity in the west now that Church Growth is dead.

Listen in for a question and answer session following yesterday's episode on Plato's Revenge.

The Pugcast finishes its Pacific Northwest Tour in Moscow, Idaho at the Nuart Theater! The theme for the show is Plato--and why he just won't go away. It is something of a cottage industry in certain pockets of the Reformed world to write off one of the most important figures in the history of western thought. Paradoxically, this puts these people on the same page with many secular thinkers--like Nietzsche for example. He didn't like Plato either. But are these folks right in their blanket condemnations of the father of classical philosophy? Augustine didn't think so--and the Pugsters agree with him. Tune in and find out why!

In today's show the Pugsters continue their Pacific Northwest Tour--this time from a boatyard in Everett, Washington! The crew is being hosted by Trinitas Presbyterian Church and the guys are addressing a question put to them by the leadership of the church--"What's the difference between 'worldview' and 'culture'? How does a worldview relate to culture, and what implications does this have for Christian ministry?"