The Theology Pugcast

Have you ever wondered why evangelical elites when they get a platform in The New York Times, or The Atlantic Monthly never have anything good to say about their fellow evangelicals? We have too. Turns out Andrew T. Walker, Opinions Page Editor at World Magazine is wondering why too. So, he wrote about it in National Review. Andrew is one of the editors that Chris works with regularly, and Andrew has asked him to write about it as well. So these two things led the Pugs to think aloud about it. Join them as they do. Some audio issues on this episode. Still worth a listen! National Review Article: https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/12/can-evangelical-journalists-say-anything-good-about-evangelicals/ Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/trc-media/

Today’s show looks at the topic of ‘glory’ and suffering in light of the Incarnation of Christ. Tom introduces the topic and draws upon Augustine’s early chapters of the City of God, where Augustine engages the topic of suffering and glory as he contrasts the Christian vision with Pagan (especially Roman) notions. Glenn and Chris help unpack this important topic as the gang draws out a wealth of wisdom and insight form Augustine from his encounters with various challenges to the Christian vision. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order The Making of Evangelical Spirituality by Jason Cherry: https://a.co/d/2SyDFwb

In this episode, the Pugsters talk about the Christmas sermons preached by St. Augustine, focusing particularly on his descriptions of all of the paradoxes of the Incarnation. Christ’s Incarnation combines the infinite and the finite, the transcendent and the immanent, and so provides lots of fodder for discussion and especially for wonder. Merry Christmas! Sermons referenced by Glenn: https://wesleyscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Augustine-Sermons-184-229.pdf Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order The Making of Evangelical Spirituality by Jason Cherry: https://a.co/d/2SyDFwb

The 20th century might go down as the most horrific century of them all with hundreds of millions killed by their own governments. But there were authors who predicted that things would get even worse. There was George Orwell, of course, and 1984, and Aldous Huxley, and Brave New World, and even Ray Bradbury, and Fahrenheit 451. But each of those visions has a blind spot. But the most prescient may well be C. S. Lewis's, That Hideous Strength. There was so much Lewis had right, and best of all, it has a happy ending. And Lewis saw deeply, more deeply than even Bradbury. Ironically, this is because Lewis discerned demonic activity behind the superficial materialism--and post-humanism--that was sweeping the world. But is it truly dystopian literature then? Chris believes so, and he makes the case on today's show. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order The Making of Evangelical Spirituality by Jason Cherry: https://a.co/d/2SyDFwb

On today's show Tom introduces a timely topic about the birth of Christ and some of its historical consequences. Chris and Glenn jump in with a host of insights and reflections. What exactly did the angelic announcement of 'peace on earth and goodwill towards men' mean now that the Prince of Peace has arrived? What does it mean for us? Also, how are we encouraged by the biblical imagery to revamp our reality vision and recognize that the Peace of Christ and His triumph over evil does not imply pacifism or utopia but spiritual warfare and battle until all things are brought into subjection to Him who is truly Peace itself? Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order The Making of Evangelical Spirituality by Jason Cherry: https://a.co/d/2SyDFwb

Kemper Crabb joins the Pugsters once again for a conversation about mysterious creatures mentioned in the Bible, including particularly satyrs (Hebrew sa’iyr) and dragons (Hebrew taninim or leviathan), with cameos by behemoth and Lilith. The conversation then turns to how Christians can recover a supernatural worldview and the necessity to do so, given that much of the culture is already moving in that direction. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order The Making of Evangelical Spirituality by Jason Cherry: https://a.co/d/2SyDFwb

Today Chris reflects on an OpEd he wrote for World Magazine responding to an article in the Wall Street Journal: "What if Men Could Make Their Own Egg Cells?" While the title seemed entirely speculative the article revealed that some scientists are actually making "progress" when it comes to this. Why is it that so many people--including some Christians--can't see the down side to technological developments? And if there are down sides, how can Christians help their neighbors see them? Are we heading to a future in which Christians who actually believe in intelligent design become the new Amish? Read C.R.’s article: https://wng.org/opinions/begotten-not-made-1699295019 Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order The Making of Evangelical Spirituality by Jason Cherry: https://a.co/d/2SyDFwb

Noel Gertz and Gilbert Meilaender discuss the disturbing trend of anti-humanism and its theological implications. They delve into topics such as the intersection of artificial intelligence and theology, conflicting views on human extinction and ecological transformation, preserving the environment, redefining apologetics, and the significance of love and hope amidst brokenness.

Two themes swept through evangelicalism in the 1980s and 90s--they were "Church Growth" and "Contextualization." Both were the promoted by Fuller Theological Seminary. The Church Growth faculty at Fuller drew on social science, and research on what was successful in foreign mission fields. What they failed to incorporate into their theories is the intellectual tradition of the post Christian west. Church growth turned against ecclesiology in favor of marketing, confusing that with evangelism. But there have been successful church planters who have not betrayed sound theology in the name of reaching people. One of them is Garrett Craw. Unfortunately, we had a technical issue with the audio this time around, so forgive the poor quality there. Still worth a listen! Learn more about King’s Cross in Buda, TX: https://www.kingscrossatx.org/ Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Order The Making of Evangelical Spirituality by Jason Cherry: https://a.co/d/2SyDFwb

The Pugs talk with Michael Clary about the drift into approval of sexual sin in evangelicalism. They discuss the acceptance of homosexuality in churches, the decline of mainline Protestant denominations, God's design for marriage, and the progress in reaffirming Christian teaching on sexuality in the PCA. They also touch on breaks within religious organizations and the impact of technology and social media.