Did you know that the Mere Fidelity cast & crew host live Q&A shows where you can ask your questions about theology, the church, and the culture? To hear the latest Q&A show, and to get to ask your question on the next one, become a Patreon supporter at the appropriate level at www.patreon.com/merefidelity.

Announcing "Passages," a new podcast from the Mere Orthodoxy Podcast Network. www.mereorthodoxy.com/passages

Matt claims that the Mere Fidelity team won’t read fiction with him (though they counter that this is merely due to lack of a suitable reading companion). Karen Swallow Prior joins the conversation to set the record straight about the value of fiction and literature, along the way clearing up misconceptions about moral formation, church community, and the values and dangers of empathy. Karen is the author of the new book, On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity. Please visit the Mere Fidelity Patreon page for more information about the Live Q&A show for supporters this Friday, March 19th, 2021.

Mere Fidelity’s own Andrew Wilson (teaching pastor at King’s Church London) has written a stunning book, devotional in nature, but premised on examining things as Things, theologically. So in this episode Andrew gets to be both guest and host as he converses with the other hosts, Alastair, Derek, and Matt. Since you deal with things every day, you will definitely get something valuable out of this conversation. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Hannah Anderson is captivated by Genesis chapters 1 and 2. Her writing comes from that deep wonder at God’s creation, and she approaches practical-theological issues in a poetic-devotional mode. This is a delightful conversation with the entire Mere Fidelity team. They talk about being formed in the school of nature, why we have lost the ability to read natural revelation, and so much more. There is also a new benefit for the Merrie Band™ of Patreon supporters: Exclusive Confessions wall prints from Scale House Print Shop. Listen for details. https://www.patreon.com/merefidelity Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

In the second part of the Mere Fidelity discussion of the Beatitudes, Matt, Alastair, and Derek tackle the first bombshell that Jesus drops: Blessed are the poor in spirit. There’s a strong urge in most of us to spiritualize the “poor in spirit” part of that phrase. But it seems as if Jesus is talking about people who are literally lacking in money. How do we reconcile that with our Christian faith and trust in God? Listen. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Dr. James Eglinton from the University of Edinburgh joins us to discuss the great theologian Herman Bavinck. Dr. Eglinton just released Bavinck: A Critical Biography. The conversation ranges from a deep exploration of Bavinck’s polymathic tendencies to the very basics of where to begin learning about him. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

With all four of the Mere Fidelity crew on mic, the theological insights fly fast and furious as they take up the discussion of the Beatitudes. Highlights of this episode include: What is a blessing? What are the two kinds of blessings in the Bible? Why the Beatitudes are different in Matthew and Luke? Do the Beatitudes replace the 10 Commandments? And which authors should you skip to listen to Mere Fidelity instead? The answer to that last one will not surprise you. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

There are so many questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Are they safe? Are they ethical? Do they work? In this episode, Matt, Derek, and Alastair ask the really burning questions really well, and the guest give really good and insightful answers. Dr. C. Ben Mitchell was a long-time professor at Union University and is now a fellow at the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Bioethicist Dr. Gilbert Meilaender published a short article in the Hastings Report questioning whether bioethicists should be making expert pronouncements about public policy. But if we can’t turn to bioethicists for answers, where do we turn? Our local pastors? Dr. Meilaender helps Matt, Alastain, and Derek think through the hard questions about masks, vaccines, and church. You will be interested to hear where they end up. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.