The Christian Humanist Podcast

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Episode 42: Asceticism Mar 15, 2011

Show notes

David Grubbs moderates a conversation about various forms of Biblical and Christian asceticism, including but not limited to monasticism and mendicant orders. As the topics move from historical era to historical era, our focus returns to the possibility of genuine difference from the world that serves the world in its difference. Among the historical figures and texts discussed are Genesis, Leviticus, Saint Anthony, Saint Francis, Chaucer, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Jr., Saint Jerome, and Freud.

Episode 41.01: The Christian Humanist Blues Mar 08, 2011

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Nathan Gilmour apologizes for another missed episode and encourages listeners to spread the word about the episodes they have enjoyed.

Episode 41: Carpe Diem Mar 01, 2011

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Michial Farmer moderates a discussion with Nathan Gilmour and David Grubbs about the long legacy of Carpe Diem. We get into the history, ideology, and human condition that makes sense of it, and we offer criticisms along the way. Among the texts, authors, and other artifacts discussed are Horace, Epicurus, Ecclesiastes, Thoreau, Herrick, Marvell, Carmina Burana, Bede, Dead Poets' Society, and Glee! (Yes, Gilmour watches Glee.)

Episode 40.01: Neil Postman Was Right Feb 22, 2011

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Michial Farmer offers an apology for a podcast that never happens. Really the only relevant topic is the widespread Internet outages at UGA last week.

Episode 40: The King James Bible Feb 15, 2011

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Nathan Gilmour moderates a conversation with David Grubbs and Michial Farmer about the King James Bible, which has its 400th anniversary this year. From its literary influence to its translation philosophy, our discussion pays homage to one of the true literary monuments of the English language. Among the texts, authors, and topics discussed are the King James Bible (of course), Lord Byron, The Book of Mormon, Walt Whitman, dynamic equivalence, formal equivalence, metaphors in poetry, and 19th-century American religions.

Episode 39: Town and Country Feb 08, 2011

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David Grubbs moderates a conversation with Michial Farmer and Nathan Gilmour about the ways that people in different places and moments have distinguished between rural and urban life. The strange relationship between city and countryside has always involved both idealization and demonization, and those dynamics make for some fascinating developments as imperial cities give way to the City of God and eventually become suburbs. Among the texts and authors we discuss are Gilgamesh, Genesis, the Gospels, City of God, the Canterbury Tales, Paradise Lost, Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, The Return of the King, and Rabbit, Run.

Episode 38: Nationalism Feb 01, 2011

Show notes

Michial Farmer moderates a lively discussion with David Grubbs and Nathan Gilmour about the history of national identity, beginning with the Greeks and Romans and finishing up with a discussion of post-9/11 American nationalism. Along the way we talk about the Old Testament's and the New Testament's treatments of nation, some legends and propaganda techniques that grow up around the middle ages and Renaissance, and even a bit about Egypt. Among the authors, texts, and historical moments we discuss are William T. Cavanaugh, C.S. Lewis, Philippians, Geoffrey of Monmouth, the Persian Empire, the Tea Party, and the U.S. Constitution (the document, not the sailing vessel).

Episode 37: The Italian Renaissance Jan 25, 2011

Show notes

Nathan Gilmour moderates a discussion with David Grubbs and Michial Farmer about the Italian Renaissance and the broad spectrum of intellectual and artistic activity that emerges from that period. On the way we focus on the strong continuities between the concrete continuities between this fascinating time and what people in that moment called "the Dark Ages," and that discussion takes us into the realms of sculpture and politics and philosophy as well as poetry. Among the authors, artists, and others discussed are Dante, Petrarch, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Castiglione, Pico de Mirandola, and the Medicis.

Episode 36.01: Top Songs of 2010 Dec 31, 2010

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Michial Farmer discusses the best music releases of 2010 in a solo podcast.

Episode 36: The Incarnation Dec 14, 2010

Show notes

David Grubbs moderates a conversation with Michial Farmer and Nathan Gilmour about the doctrine of the incarnation and its relationship with Christmas. Although we just scratch the surface of this complex doctrine, it's a surface well worth scratching. Among the artifacts and artificers we discuss are Arius, St. Nicholas, Isaiah, Zeus myths, the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Christmas carols, John Milton, and Stevie Wonder.

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