The Theology Pugcast

Aaron Renn joins the show once again, this time to discuss an article he wrote for First Things entitled, The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism. It’s hard to miss that the social climate in which Christian ministry is conducted in the western world has become more antagonistic towards the Christian faith. What social and political developments have contributed to that, and how should Christians respond? Tune in and see what Aaron and the Pugsters think! Find more from Aaron at aaronrenn.substack.com

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Glenn thought it a good time for a history lesson on Ukraine and Russia. As you might expect, he started over 1000 years ago, but noted especially more recent history and why the Ukrainians want to get out from under Russian domination. Along the way, he noted some genuine problems with Ukraine and their treatment of Russian minorities, part and parcel of the messy way borders work in Central and Eastern Europe. The guys finish with a discussion of the theological significance of nations, noting that they seem to survive in a purified form into eternity.

Philip Rieff was one of the most incisive critics of the postmodern turn in western culture of the last 50 years. A secular Jew, he longed for a world that reflected a sacred order. His insights were as penetrating as those of Charles Taylor, but with this important difference—while Taylor described our secular age, Rieff wanted to destroy it. Tune in as Chris describes his own process of incorporating Rieff’s insights into his own thinking and writing. Naturally, Tom and Glenn have plenty to add.

What does it take to make it in the highly competitive world of New York City art? Arthur Kwon Lee knows, he’s a young painter who won awards and was featured in prestigious galleries. He worked hard and developed his skills, but led a secret life as a conservative and a Christian. Then, everything changed when he came out of the closet. Soon he was blacklisted. Join the Pugcast today as we talk about the creative process, aesthetics, and beauty—as well as what sticking to what you know to be true can cost you. Find more about Arthur Kwon Lee at arthurkwonlee.com Find more about the Genesis Council at genesiscouncil.com

Tom adds to his previous topic of speaking properly about God and takes it into the other direction. He notes that shifts in ideas of God led to shifts in ideas about Creation, the Human, and language in particular. By making God part of the same chain of 'being', language become 'capable' of referencing God without radical qualification. This leads to two idolatrous ways of referencing God: Univocally and Equivocally. The guys introduce what this means and add many insights into the significance of such a change in language for our reference to God and all else.

Today the Pugcast is joined by David Stocker, architect, and one of the principals of SHM Architects in Dallas, Texas. David is a great friend of the show, and a long-time friend of Chris. Today David will help the Pugsters reflect on the ways in which architecture speaks to us theologically--especially sacred architecture and the larger lived-in spaces known as neighborhoods, towns, and even cities.

What about science fiction? Why do many cultures share similar myths? Listen in for a question and answer session following yesterday's episode on The Fairy Tale Wars.

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.