The Classical Mind

Fr. Wesley Walker and Dr. Junius Johnson dive into George MacDonald's fantasy novel, Lilith, discussing its mix of gothic elements and spiritual themes. They critique MacDonald's unique style and explore his universalist ideas, focusing on the transformative role of 'evil that is good for you.' The conversation highlights Lilith's allegorical journey and connections to C.S. Lewis, while also reflecting on the significance of sleep as prayer. The hosts examine themes of redemption, dualities, and the call for readers to embrace hope and a deeper connection to the supernatural.

In this episode of The Classical Mind, hosts Father Wesley Walker and Dr. Junius Johnson dive deep into the fascinating, complex topic of Medieval Exegesis—”specifically how the medievals read the scriptures.”Moving beyond single book analysis, this discussion traces the history of Christian exegesis from the Patristic era (Paul, Origen) to the evolution of the foundational Four Senses of Scripture (literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical).Discover the critical, often-misunderstood meaning of the Literal Sense and learn how this ancient, nuanced method of biblical interpretation offers powerful intellectual tools for solving modern-day false dichotomies.Endnotes* Junius: The Mystical Ark by Richard of Saint Victor* Wesley: The Selected Spiritual Writings of Hugh of Saint Victor Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

Hosts dive into their top five books of the year, highlighting unexpected gems like Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' and the rich themes of brotherhood in Ratzinger's work. They explore the artistry behind George MacDonald's 'Phantastes' and the epic nature of Tasso's 'Liberation of Jerusalem.' With a nod to Kierkegaard's critique of state Christianity, they recommend the imaginative 'Daevabad Trilogy' and reflect on the deep nostalgia of rereading Tolkien's classic. Personal favorites, including Nayeri's touching memoir and Edman's compelling play, add emotional depth.

In this episode of The Classical Mind, Junius and Wesley dive deep into Herman Melville’s Billy Budd, Sailor — a haunting naval novella exploring innocence, evil, law, mutiny, and biblical symbolism aboard a British warship during the Napoleonic era.Melville’s final, posthumously published work blends gripping maritime drama with profound moral and theological questions. We unpack what Makes Billy Budd a Great (and Strange) Work, Historical and Naval Context, Biblical Themes, and how memory and myth are related. Endnotes:* Junius: Bartleby, the Scrivener* Wesley: Billy Budd (1962) Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

In this episode, Junius and Wesley take on the latest film adaptation of Frankenstein, asking what makes a great adaptation of a classic work — and whether this one succeeds. From Mary Shelley’s 19th-century vision of creation and responsibility to modern cinematic retellings, they explore how filmmakers interpret, distort, and occasionally deepen the original novel’s moral and theological questions. Along the way, they consider what’s lost and what’s gained when literary imagination meets the visual power of film.Be sure to check out the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson that Junius speaks about a few times in the episode. Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

In this episode, Father Wesley and Dr. Junius dive deep into St. Anselm’s Proslogion, the short yet monumental work that introduced one of the most enduring and debated arguments in the history of philosophy and theology: the ontological argument for God’s existence.The hosts explore Anselm’s background as monk, abbot, and Archbishop of Canterbury, highlighting his tumultuous life amid royal and papal conflict, his intellectual lineage from Augustine and Boethius, and his place at the dawn of scholasticism. They also reflect on how his prayerful approach to theology—fides quaerens intellectum (“faith seeking understanding”)—blurs the line between philosophical proof and devotional meditation.Endnotes* Junius: The Prayers and Meditations of St. Anselm* Wesley:* “A Gift Exceeding Every Debt” by David Bentley Hart* “Anselmian Apocatastasis: The Fitting Necessity of Universal Salvation in St Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo” by Roberto J. De La Noval Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Classical Mind, we take on Shakespeare’s most provocative comedy, The Taming of the Shrew. Junius and Wesley dig into the play’s strange structure—from the unclosed frame of Christopher Sly to the unsettling symmetry between performance and identity. What does it mean that the “prologue” is itself a play? And how does that affect the way we read Katherina’s transformation—or her apparent submission?Along the way, we explore the tension between romantic idealism and pragmatic marriage, trace the medieval roots of love as both commerce and devotion, and consider how Shakespeare’s comedy holds the contradictions of his culture up to the mirror. We talk about mimesis, medieval “speculum” thinking, and why comedy works best when it exposes absurdity rather than preaches morality.The result is part literary diagnosis, part philosophical reflection: a conversation about performance, freedom, and what it means to find truth in the masks we wear.Endnotes Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

Let’s go back to the 19th century and talk about one of the scariest novels we’ve ever read on the Classical Mind (but maybe not for the reasons you might think) with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. On this episode, Junius and Wesley discuss the different editions of this book before getting into some of its underlying philosophy like the responsibilities a creator has to their creatures and vice-versa, romanticism’s critique of scientism, and the moral deterioration that results from sin. Join us as we dive deeply into the text and make some fun connections with other books we’ve read or will read in the Classical Mind program (we’re looking at you J.R.R. Tolkien). Endnotes: * Junius: The Bicentennial Man by Isaac Asimov * Wesley* “Show Me How to Live” by Audioslave* Grendel by John Gardner Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

The Classical Mind has officially reached 2,000 subscribers! To celebrate, Junius and Wesley unveil the Season 4 reading list! The method of selection is a little different this year to accommodate Wesley’s upcoming PhD studies. Stick around after the reading list is unveiled for a discussion about the purpose of literature, how reading helps us grow, a discussion on the dilemma of re-reading vs. new reads, the significance of intertextuality, and other reading related issues! Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Classical Mind, we take on Virgil’s Aeneid. We explore Aeneas’ journey as both refugee and empire-builder, tracing his flight from Troy, his doomed romance with Dido, his descent into the underworld, and the brutal war that led to the founding of Rome. Along the way, we wrestle with the epic’s central tensions: fate and providence, duty (pietas) and rage (furor), divine will and human cost. What kind of hero is Aeneas? Why does the poem end with vengeance and wrath? And what does Virgil want us to believe—or question—about Rome’s origins? Endnotes: * Junius: * Thebaid by Statius * "Dido's Lament" by Henry Purcell* Wesley: "White Flag" by Dido Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe