The Theology Pugcast

The Pugcast is pleased to welcome to the show another one of Chris's dangerous friends--John Zmirak, Senior editor of The Stream. Chris describes John as "Don Rickles meets Pope Benedict"--when you listen, you'll see why. John is a frequent contributor to the Eric Metaxas Show, and was the editor Chris's book, Man of the House. Join the gang for an at times hilarious and rambling discussion--and learn, among other things, John's nickname for David French! Article Referenced: https://stream.org/secondamendment/ John's Bio: https://stream.org/author/johnzmirak/ John on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/John-Zmirak/e/B001JS5XJU?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1602456384&sr=8-1

In today's show the Pug is proud to welcome Professor Rachel Fulton Brown! Rachel is a professor of medieval history at the University of Chicago and has begun a new video series entitled The Forge of Tolkien in which she examines Tolkien's creative process and sources of inspiration. She's also a friend of Milo Yiannopolous and has written a book about their friendship. Chris met both Rachel and Milo a couple of years ago when Rachel and Chris both spoke at the annual Touchstone conference in Chicago. The show is the typical Pugcast--it rambles all over the place, investigating all sorts of fascinating terrain. Join us! And here are some links for Rachel's work: Fencing Bear at Prayer (blog): https://fencingbearatprayer.blogspot.com/ The Forge of Tolkien (episode guide, with instructions on how to subscribe): https://fencingbearatprayer.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-forge-of-tolkien.html The Poetry Project: https://fencingbearatprayer.blogspot.com/2020/06/up-drakes-its-time-for-teaand-prosody.html Milo Chronicles: Devotions 2016-2019 (Castalia House, 2019): https://shop.aer.io/castalia/p/Milo_Chronicles_Devotions_2016__2019/9789527303573-1875 Academic homepage: http://home.uchicago.edu/~rfulton/index.html

Glenn starts this episode with an overview of the medieval understanding of the liberal arts, then focuses in on music. Music was part of the quadrivium, the mathematical arts that described objective reality. Why is that? Why is music so significant for medieval thinkers? How does music relate to the human body or to the proper functioning of the universe? Glenn explores these questions, aided and abetted by Tom and Chris. We also get into more modern ideas about music, including its role in Christian thought and practice.

"Life is short, but art is long"--so the saying goes. And anyone who has undertaken any significant task would probably say, "Amen". But when it comes to works of art there can be a sense of loneliness and futility that is singular. That was the case for J R R Tolkien. He had labored for decades on his great work--his legendarium of Middle-earth. It included histories, and languages, and mythical heroes. It was the world that The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were situated in. It's all been published now, most of it posthumously. But when Tolkien wrote Leaf by Niggle the only thing he had to show for all of his work was The Hobbit. So Tolkien wrote a little allegorical short story of great profundity--Leaf by Niggle. And in it he proffers a consoling thought--our works will follow us. Join the Pugcast guys as they attempt to plumb the depths of Leaf by Niggle.

Tom engages the theme of how technology is increasingly being used in ever advancing ways to promote propaganda and cultivate people without many being aware of it. He reflects on how theologian Karl Barth was able to resist similar forces during the rise of National Socialism because of his deep immersion in Scripture, Reformed tradition, and Classical Christian teaching. Chris and Glenn join the conversation with fascinating insights and details related to the topic at hand. Please excuse some of the bumps and rumbles as we get used to using our new mics!

In today’s show Glenn describes the way that Geneva served as a city of refuge for Protestants during the Reformation. Not only did Geneva serve as a refuge, it became a training center, and a center of influence for Protestantism throughout Europe. With the growing hostility to the faith around the world, the guys wonder aloud if something similar might emerge today. Do we have a city of refuge?

In today's show Chris introduces listeners to his favorite magazine, and to one its Senior Editors, S. M. Hutchens (Steve to his friends). The magazine is a unique project which includes contributions from Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox writers. Chris has written for the journal a few times and has spoken at one of their conferences. Tom and Glenn join in and the foursome not only discuss what makes Touchstone unique, but also why orthodox Christians (which is to say, in part, socially conservative ones) will find themselves banding together more and more as the larger culture of the West grows ever more hostile to the Christian faith. If you would like to learn more about Touchstone, or subscribe, follow this link: https://touchstonemag.com/

Tom reconnects with Thomas Hibb's book Shows About Nothing to engage topics like the Romantic alternative to Nihilism, Horror films and their critique of American Modernism, and other films- which show how the Enlightenment was too weak a framework to carry the Christian virtue system. Chris and Glenn bring fascinating reflections into the conversation, making for an illuminating conversation about the formative impact of film on contemporary life and places in which the Christian vision can speak with redemptive profundity.

Glenn reflects on the idea that the Creation is sacramental, that is, that it points beyond itself to spiritual realities. He takes his cue from passages in Scripture that point to the Creation as pictures of truths about God and humanity. As always, Chris and Tom chime in with their own insights on nature, philosophy, and theology.

In today's show Chris reads from an essay by Colin Wright the Managing Editor of Quillette, the online journal and podcast. He describes his own experience as a liberal scientist with cancel culture. The experience has alarmed him and he despairs for the future of the sciences. Chris, Tom, and Glenn then reflect on the history of science and how materialists have unwittingly set themselves up for this. They then urge the recovery of transcendent sources of meaning and authority because without them science is doomed.  Article Referenced: https://quillette.com/2020/07/30/think-cancel-culture-doesnt-exist-my-own-lived-experience-says-otherwise/?fbclid=IwAR3S_GITrSSg5owt1kVIQ1XLQ51NUu7J3NKb4u7xkbzu9leYMhTPyWojs0U&v=322b26af01d5