The Theology Pugcast

Ken Boa discusses the importance of beauty for Christians, connecting it to faith and science. They talk about seeing beauty in the natural world, using it to strengthen faith. They also discuss upcoming events at the Museum of the Bible and the Museum of Created Beauty app to help Christians appreciate creation.

The Pugs are still in Oxford, and today they're at the Kilns (Lewis's home) with their friend, Dr. Michael Ward, author of Planet Narnia and After Humanity: A Guide to C. S. Lewis's Abolition of Man. The conversation naturally cover's Dr. Ward's books. Join us for a conversation over tea at the Kilns as the Pugs speak with him about Narnia and the post-human dystopia Lewis predicted would follow a loss of objective value. Connect with Dr. Ward and find his books at michaelward.net 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/

Listen in for a short Q&A session at the Lamb and Flag pub in Oxford following the full episode ‘C. S. Lewis Apologist: An Interview with Dr. Alister McGrath.’ Order Christian Apologetics: An Introduction by Dr. McGrath: https://a.co/d/05lejP2B Order C. S. Lewis -- A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet by Dr. McGrath: https://a.co/d/0g8DyDzG 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/

The Pugs are still enjoying themselves at Oxford, and today they are joined by the venerable Alister McGrath at the Lamb and Flag, a pub known to have been frequented by C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and the other Inklings. (The famed Eagle and Child pub is just across the street and hopefully soon to reopen follow a Covid shutdown and change in ownership.) The crew is also joined by a live audience of loyal Pugcast fans at the end of an entertaining pub crawl across the city! The conversation with Dr. McGrath is rich, ranging widely over both Lewis's work in apologetics and Dr. McGrath's.  Order Christian Apologetics: An Introduction by Dr. McGrath: https://a.co/d/05lejP2B Order C. S. Lewis -- A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet by Dr. McGrath: https://a.co/d/0g8DyDzG 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/

The hosts explore the historical significance of the Bodleian Library, discussing valuable ancient texts, preservation challenges, and contributions of historical figures like Henry VIII and C.S. Lewis. They delve into the ambiance of a library, the realism in medieval artwork, preservation methods of manuscripts, and the concept of via negativa in a sacred space like the Bodleian Library.

Ben Merkle, President of New Saint Andrews College, joins the hosts to discuss his time at Oxford and how those lessons are applied at NSA. They explore contrasts in educational systems, the influence of Oxford on students, navigating competition in academia, and challenges faced by educational institutions in the modern world.

The Pugsters discuss the definitions of sacraments vs. ordinances and delve into baptism and the Lord's Supper. They explore the less discussed images of baptism in the New Testament and the Greek word baptizo in the Septuagint. The vertical and horizontal dimensions of the Lord's Supper are also examined.

The Pugs interview Steve Jeffery, a pastor, about the Works Based Conference. They discuss theology of work, vocation in this creation and the next, and the enduring character of our works. They delve into the importance of acknowledging service in church settings and navigating challenges in the workplace, including DEI initiatives and critical theory impact.

Today the Pugs react to an article in New Oxford Review entitled, "How Cowardice, the Herd Mind & Twitter Mobs Threaten Academia by Jason M. Morgan and Mark Ramseyer. If you're still under the impression that higher education is a disinterested pursuit of truth, think again. It has been reduced to political advocacy and ressentiment. (Yes, that's spelled correctly--https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ressentiment.) Morgan and Ramseyer had the temerity to correct conventional wisdom on something known as "the Comfort Women" of World War 2. There's no space here to treat this fully, but suffice it to say their scholarship was not received warmly by academic feminists. This resulted in a campaign to get them both cancelled. We're happy to report the cancelation failed. But the whole sorry episode has at least given the Pugs something to reflect upon. Article Referenced: https://www.newoxfordreview.org/documents/how-cowardice-the-herd-mind-twitter-mobs-threaten-academia/ 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/

The hosts discuss boredom's historical roots and impact on the modern church. They explore sloth, Roman entertainment, human fascination, and asceticism as remedies. Delving into real connections, virtue cultivation, and finding purpose in work to combat the pervasive issue of boredom.