The Theology Pugcast

Latest Episodes:

Goldberry & the Art of Redeeming Faerie May 18, 2020

Show notes

Who is the mysterious River-daughter, and how did Tom Bombadil make such a catch? Chris once thought that Goldberry was an afterthought in the story of Tom Bombadil, but after writing a chapter on her for his book on Bombadil, he’s pretty sure that she’s at the heart of his story in more ways than one. Join the conversation as Chris, Glenn, and Tom delve into philosophy of language, metaphysics, and the value of pagan stories.

Origen’s Revenge: Contempt for Sex Differences Returns to the Church May 11, 2020

Show notes

This week the Pugsters interview Brian Patrick Mitchell, Eastern Orthodox theologian, and friend of C. R. Wiley. Dr. Mitchell discusses the role of a peculiar strand of Platonism championed by Origen and later by Maximus the Confessor, and how it contradicted the Hebraic understanding of Male and Female within the Alexandrian school of Christianity. Dr. Mitchell believes that this particularly pernicious strand of Platonism is back, and is growing more influential in all branches of the Church.

The Last Closet: An Interview with Moira Greyland Peat May 04, 2020

Show notes

Moira Greyland Peat is the author of THE LAST CLOSET, a story of survival. She was the only daughter of Marion Zimmer Bradley and convicted child molester Walter Breen.

Her mother was a bestselling science fiction author, a feminist icon, and the winner of the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement. She was best known for the Arthurian fiction novel THE MISTS OF AVALON and for her very popular Darkover series. She was also a monster.
In this episode of the Pugcast the crew talk freely with Moira about growing up in the home of famous, high-minded, liberal, child abusers. She shares her memories of pagan rituals, the pressure she felt to become a lesbian, and horrors of child-molestation. She also shares how she came to Christ and the difference that he made in her life.

Moira has three grown sons, and she is an accomplished opera vocalist and harpist.

Find Moira's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Closet-Moira-Greyland/dp/9527065208/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588445563&sr=1-1

Good and Bad Kinds of Reality Splitting Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

Join the Pugcast crew today as they discuss how Christians should think about the relationship between various kinds of reality.

NeoPagan and Heathen Movements Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

In today's show, Glenn raises the subject of neopagan and heathen movements in the western world. Just what is going on with these movements, are they genuine revivals, or are they merely role-playing diversions? And what does any of this have to do with the alt-right, and Norse-myths in particular? Tune in for a lively discussion as usual!

The Green Tolkien (and C. S. Lewis, too!) The Inklings and Environmentalism Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Today the Pug is joined by Dr. Matthew T. Dickerson, professor at Middlebury College, in Vermont, and author of many books, among them: Ents, Elves, and Eriador: The Environmental Vision of J. R. R. Tolkien. The conversation did get around to Ents (a fascinating part of the discussion), and it even included the environment, but it also wandered into many other matters--some far afield. (Surprise, surprise.) If you like the Inklings, you'll enjoy this episode.

Whistling in the Dark: Christian Hope as God's Creature Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

In today's show Tom talks about how God's saving presence enters into the full range of our creaturely reality (finite, limited, fallen, with even death) and creates life and hope, not by denying or escaping reality, but by transcending it, in a way only the Christian God is able to.

As usual Glenn and Chris chime in from time to time.

If you'd like to see the Pugsters, a Zoom edition of the show has been posted to the Facebook Pugcast fanpage!

Christianity & How to Live through Plague Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

In today's show the Pugsters are in lock-down, like the rest of the world. But because of the wonders of modern technology that's not held them back from recording a show! They've dialed in remotely from various undisclosed locations in North America to discuss the history of Christian witness during times of plague.

Glenn leads the discussion, making sure that Tom and Chris keep the historical facts in mind during the discussion. They discuss the Christian origin of hospitals, the advances in medicine that we now enjoy, the martyrdom of early Christians who ministered to the dying, and they even reflect on the good uses of technology that we ought to be grateful for.

As an added bonus we actually have video available of the three mugs of the pugs. That video will be posted to the Theology Pugcast Facebook page.

Adiaphora: What's Indifferent? Less Than You May Suppose Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

Today Chris introduces the subject of "Adiaphora"--a term which means "things indifferent". He notes that it is a fine term, so long as you use it correctly. He addresses its use by the Cynics, and then Glenn discusses briefly how it was used by some of the Reformers in a very narrow sense.

The trouble with it according to the gang is it has become a catchall for anyone who wants to shut down discussion on the meaning of certain things--reducing them to matters of taste. It is a favorite category for the Utilitarians in the church who wish to dismiss the promotion of Beauty entirely, and even narrow the application of Truth and Goodness to a very small set of concerns.

If, as Abraham Kuyper said, ‘There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!’--then how can we say something is indifferent? Everything matters to the Christian because everything belongs to Christ.

It's the Magic Episode! Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

Feeling the need for some magic in your life now that you're stuck at home because of COVID-19? Well, we've got the show for you!

Today Glenn (aka "The Magic Man") provides a little history lesson on magic. One of the things that you'll learn is that magic as it was practiced in the antiquity--and the Renaissance (yes, the Renaissance)--wasn't as irrational as is often supposed. There were reasons it was believed to work. Understanding those reasons won't make you a practitioner of magic--but it will help you see that our ancestors could be wrong about certain things without being unintelligent. By the way, the same is true for other things in our time.

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