The Burrowshire Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#021: Catholicism in “The Lord of the Rings” Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings ranks near the top of almost every “favorite book” or “book of the century” list. Yet few readers know that Tolkien was a devout Catholic who infused his Middle-earth stories with Catholic themes and symbolism. In fact, the author stated, “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.”

In this episode, Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss these Catholic features, including Providence, the sacramentality of Middle-earth, three Christ figures, the Marian dimension, the philosophy of evil, and the eventual victory of goodness and beauty.

LINKS

Book Recommendations
Frodo’s Journey: Discover The Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings by Joseph Pearce
The Power of the Ring: The Spiritual Vision Behind the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by Stratford Caldecott
The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind the Lord of the Rings by Peter Kreeft
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth by Bradley Birzer
The Battle for Middle-earth: Tolkien’s Divine Design in The Lord of the Rings by Fleming Rutledge
Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages by Holly Ordway
Other Links
Brandon Vogt – “8 Books on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Catholicism”
Frederic Heidemann – “I Was an Atheist Until I Read “The Lord of the Rings”
Steven Greydanus – “Faith and fantasy: Tolkien the Catholic, The Lord of the Rings, and Peter Jackson’s film trilogy”

#020: G.K. Chesterton and Pope Benedict XVI Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Let us give you fair warning ahead of time, because this is going to be quite the episode as we discuss two of our greatest heroes, G.K. Chesterton and Pope Benedict XVI. Prophets of their age who spoke truth with wisdom and clarity, these two holy men radiate a rare innocence and purity to all who read them. Discover why we love them so much and our recommendations on where to get started with each thinker.

Links + Books >> https://burrowshirepodcast.com/chesterton-pope-bxvi

#019: Theology of the Saints Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

We often hear about our vocation to become a saint. But what is a saint? And why does the Church honor saints?

In this episode, Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss the theology of saints, how that theology is rooted in the Incarnation, and, most importantly, how we can become saints ourselves.

#018: The Priesthood Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

We’re in a period of deep confusion about the priesthood. Some people wonder why the priesthood exists, others wonder why women can’t be priests. The abuse crisis and examples of bad priests have added to that confusion, causing people to misunderstand this vocation established by Christ.

In this episode, Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss the origin of the priesthood, why it exists, and its significance today. They also discuss how laypeople can help priests become better priests and what qualities define a great priest.

#017: The Art of Leisure Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

In his classic book Leisure: The Basis of Culture, philosopher Josef Pieper observed that “the original meaning of the concept of ‘leisure’ has practically been forgotten in today’s leisure-less culture of ‘total work.’” For many of us, work is the primary task, and leisure is what we do to recuperate so we can work some more. Therefore, leisure usually means relaxation, refreshment, killing time, or binging on Netflix shows.

But for Pieper, this is not leisure as it was meant to be. Leisure is not a secondary activity, but a main one. And it’s not a passive “doing nothing,” but an active participation in practices that generate calm, silence, and contemplation, activities that are pursued for their own sakes and not as means to some higher goal.

In this episode, Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss how different cultures have understood leisure, how our modern culture has prioritized work over leisure, and some specific ways we can practice authentic leisure.

#016: Faith and Politics Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

With the upcoming general election, it's good for us to reflect on the role of Catholics in the political sphere. Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss a Catholic approach to politics, why Christians should care about the common good, and how to react if your preferred candidate doesn't win in November.

Links

#015: Responding to Scandals and Doubts Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

It seems like each week, another scandal emerges in the Church: sexual abuse, cover up, financial impropriety, poor leadership, heretical teaching, or lack of faithfulness. At the same time, many Catholics have experienced increased doubt and confusion, whether about something they heard from the Pope or bishops, about the Second Vatican Council, or about questions concerning liturgy, theology, or morality. How should faithful Catholics respond to occasions of scandal and doubt? That's what Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss in this episode of “The Burrowshire Podcast.”

#014: The Blessed Virgin Mary Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

The Blessed Virgin Mary is a troubling figure for many Protestant Christians, but this is a relatively new phenomenon. In the early Church, Marian devotion was hardly debated and even the major Protestant reformers themselves, such as Martin Luther and King Henry VIII, wrote treatises defending Marian doctrines. In this episode, Brandon and Fr. Blake explore some of the key beliefs about Mary, her pivotal role in salvation history, and the revival of Marian theology during the last two centuries.

Links

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary: Unveiling the Mother of the Messiah by Brant Pitre
Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God by Scott Hahn
The World’s First Love: Mary, Mother of God by Fulton Sheen
Daughter Zion: Meditations on the Church's Marian Belief by Joseph Ratzinger
Mary: The Church at the Source by Joseph Ratzinger and Hans Urs von Balthasar
Wider Than Heaven: Eighth-century Homilies on the Mother of God by Eastern Church Fathers (St. Vladimir Press)
The Handmaid of the Lord by Adrienne von Speyr
33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration by Fr. Michael Gaitley
The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander
Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines by Tim Staples

#013: What to Watch and How to Watch It Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

Christians are often divided on questions about movies, television, and video games. Where do we draw the line between good entertainment, worthy of our attention, and bad media we should avoid? What about movies or shows with excessive violence or sexuality? How do we discern which video games to play (or allow our kids to play)? Brandon and Fr. Blake offer several general principles while also discussing specific films, TV shows, books, games, and more.

Links

The Monsters and the Critics: And Other Essays by J.R.R. Tolkien

#012: How to Raise Boys to Follow God Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

Our culture is experiencing a crisis of masculinity. We're confused about what it means to be a man and because of that, we struggle to initiate boys into authentic masculinity. In this episode, Fr. Blake and Brandon discuss how to father boys and help them to encounter God, sharing plenty of practical tips.

Episode Notes >> https://burrowshirepodcast.com/raise-boys-to-follow-god

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