The Theology Pugcast

In today's show Tom returns to the theme on technology but this time with an eye toward responding to Glenn's thoughts on enchantment. Is it possible to have the best of both--or must we choose between a world of creature comforts made possible by technology, or an uncomfortable but meaningful world? Fittingly, the guys had to choose between air-conditioning and optimal conditions for recording the show. (Sounds like the wrong choice was made--when you listen to the show you'll know what that means. Sorry.) But there is some good news to share: this is our last episode with our old recording equipment. When the show was recorded the new equipment had been ordered. By the time the show was uploaded on the internet--the equipment had arrived! So, if all goes well, you'll never have to endure another poorly recored episode of The Pug!) Content correction: Chris calls "the Death Star" from Star Wars "the Battle Star" (Heresy! He mixed up his franchises)--but at least he got the Marshwiggle's name from The Silver Chair right. It's "Puddleglum".

In today's show Glenn begins with a marvelous series of word studies ranging all the way from "enchantment" to "cosmology". His point is that our language is full of words that reflect a time when the world was full of meaning and words were spells that drew on those meanings. Undoubtedly, the very fact that we've lost the original meanings of words like "spell" and "magic" just reinforces the point that we now live in a disenchanted world. Or do we? Tom points out in the conversation that what we actually have now is black magic. Our words now bend and twist things as we seek to dominate our world and other people. We've lost the "good magic" of Aslan and all we're left with is the "black magic" of the White Witch. In today's episode Elizabeth Sunshine joins us again. We also inform listeners about exciting developments related to the Pugcast and it's future with the Fight, Laugh, Feast Network! 

In today's show Chris raises the subject of C. S. Lewis and metaphysics. The evidence is overwhelming that C. S. Lewis was a Platonist--there are passages throughout his fiction in particular that demonstrate it. Tom and Glenn note that it shouldn't surprise us since Lewis was steeped in the classical sources, as well as Medieval and Renaissance works--think of Augustine, or Boethius--both fountainheads for the West, and both explicitly Platonist. There is an allergic reaction to Platonism is some Reformed circles today, and this is odd for no other reason than Calvin himself provides plenty of evidence in his work that he was shaped by Platonism. So today's episode may challenge the presuppositions of some listeners. Joining the Pugcast guys today is Glenn's daughter, Elizabeth, a doctoral candidate at Notre Dame. 

Tom continues his reflection on the theological implications of technology. Are there any lines here? If it can be done, must it be done? What happened at Babel? And what about Cain's sons? They're identified in the Bible as the fathers of the arts. As usual, Glenn and Chris join in and try to throw Tom an occasional curveball to see if he can hit it. (He always does.) Plus a couple of announcements are mentioned in today's show. The Kickstarter has successfully ended and the crew are waiting for the funds to be distributed so that new recording equipment can be purchased. And on top of that, The Pugcast is joining the FLF Podcast Network in June! (FLF stands for: Fight, Laugh, Feast.) This should dramatically increase our listening audience. 

The best kept secrets are the ones that you are keep from yourself. In today's show Glenn shares his thoughts on evangelical secularism--in other words, there are assumptions and biases that many evangelicals have that actually have their origins in a secular outlook. The paradox of this state of mind is evangelicals can unwittingly undermine the Christian faith even as they seek to promote it. Chris and Tom add their thoughts. And as a bonus--the show is recorded in a back room of The Corner Pug, making a marked improvement in the sound. Once the new recording equipment arrives the audio quality should be even better. 

In today's show Chris introduces two virtues that he has written about elsewhere--pietas and gravitas. These virtues are at one and the same time alien to the contemporary world, yet longed for. What's more, there is a sense of recognition when people see them in practice, yet because we've lost the old ways of thinking about them and speaking about them, we no longer know how to promote them. This show is a small attempt to change that. As always, Glenn and Tom enrich the conversation.  Although it isn't mentioned in the podcast, the Pugcast team is pleased to announce that we will be joining the CrossPolitic network of podcasts beginning on June of 2019!

In today's show Tom introduces the subject of technology and its uses and abuses. While technology is an expression of God's image in human beings, it also can be used to deconstruct that image--or at least deface it in some way. So, do we use technology to shape the world, or does technology shape us--or is it both? Glenn and Chris join in, reflecting on the "cultural mandate", the Fall, the Tower of Babel, and more!  

In this episode Glenn Sunshine shares his memories of Notre Dame from his time in Paris, as well as his thoughts on the art of interpreting the meaning embedded in the structure of a cathedral. Following the recent fire at Notre Dame there were disturbing remarks by some Protestants and secularists dismissing the significance and meaning of church buildings. (This is not a coincidence.) In today's show Tom and Chris add their "Amen" to Glenn's assertion that cathedrals matter. The title of today's show is a play on the verse drama, Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Elliot. 

Today the guys get into a little literary criticism as they discuss an article that Chris wrote for Touchstone Magazine years ago comparing C. S. Lewis and H. P Lovecraft. Most listeners to The Theology Pugcast are likely to be familiar with C. S. Lewis and his fiction--particularly the Chronicles of Narnia and the space trilogy. Fewer are likely to know about Lovecraft and his Cthulhu mythos, nevertheless it is hard to miss Lovecraft's influence on popular culture which can be felt in everything from a film like Alien to the writing of Stephen King. It is Chris's belief that Lewis may have even read Lovecraft for himself (they were near contemporaries and Lewis not only read for pulp magazines, he wrote for them.) This may seem like a far country from recent discussions on the podcast, but as Chris, Tom, and Glenn talk, you'll see that it is not.   Just a couple of corrections, first, Chris erroneously refers to Ark House as the posthumous publisher of Lovecraft's stories--the correct name is Arkham House. (Chris knew that, but you know it goes--aging and all.) And in response to Glenn's question concerning the founders of Arkham House, the publishers were: August Derleth and Donald Wandrei.  Here's a link to the article at Touchstone: https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=26-01-038-f

Tom continues his reflections on his Oxford mentor's essay on sins of speech. Glenn and Chris speak up when they have something to say, all the while hoping that they are telling the truth.