The Theology Pugcast

Latest Episodes:

Divine Simplicity Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

In today's show Tom introduces the doctrine of "divine simplicity". The doctrine itself is simple enough, understanding its implications for theology and the work of the Church and salvation takes a bit of work.

Contemporary theologies have turned away from this classical doctrine and it is beginning to show--everything is devolving down to imminent-frame. Relevance, pragmatism, church-growth guruism--you name it--all in a breathless race to keep up with God the moving target. Whatever became of the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever?

This show is a call back to the God in whom we live and move and have our being.

The Intersectionality Episode Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

You've probably heard of "Intersectionality". How could you miss it? It is the new magical formula for social justice that promises to make the world a better place.

The Pugcast crew are doubtful. In fact, they're more than doubtful, they don't like it at all. Today on the show they discuss its premise and the deleterious consequences for those institutions that try to enforce it.

The Black Death! Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

Drawing inspiration from the Coronavirus, Glenn decided to talk about one of his favorite subjects: The Black Death.

He even brought some things for show and tell. There's a map that looks remarkably like Tolkien's map of Middle Earth, but the one Glenn brought is covered with arrows and dates which tell the tale of the spread of Plague throughout Europe. He also brought a cute little plush-toy of the deadly germ. If you'd like to see those just visit the Theology Pugcast Facebook page. And while you're there, like the page so that you can stay in touch!

Ken Boa: Life in the Presence of God Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

The Pug-crew continue their conversation with Ken Boa. In today's show the discussion surrounds the theme of Ken's book, Life in the Presence of God.

Talking to Ken is like trying to take a sip from a fire hydrant--you may need to listen to the interview a couple of times to get the gist of what Ken is getting at--but it will be worth the effort. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Here's a link to Ken's book.

Ken Boa: Shaped by Suffering Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

The Pugsters are pleased to be joined by Ken Boa for today's show.

Ken is the author of many books, and his most recent book is published by IVP. He's also a long-time friend of Glenn. Ken was in town for Glenn's ordination service at First Church of Christ Wethersfield, (a historic congregational church that was once attended by Jonathan Edwards). Ken also earned one of his doctorates at Oxford University--which gives him something to talk about with Tom. (Not that they needed any help talking.)

The conversation with Ken took place with a "live audience" and while it centered on the theme of Ken's new book, it was a free ranging one.

Here's a link to First Church in Wethersfield (https://www.firstchurch.org/) and here's a link to Ken's latest book at Amazon: Shaped by Suffering Finally, here is a link to Ken's webpage. kenboa.org

Vampires of New England! Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

In today's show Glenn takes the Pugcast gang into the folklore and reported sightings of vampires in New England! As Glenn shows, you don't need to visit Transylvania for vampire legends--we have plenty of material to work with in the good ol' USA.

Tom and Chris reflect on the vampire stories from both theological and pastoral perspectives. Glenn informs them that he also has werewolf and witch sightings to share in future episodes of the Pugcast!

An Introduction to Robert Nisbet and Paleo-conservatism Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

In today's show Chris introduces Glenn and Tom to the work of sociologist and paleo-conservative Robert Nisbet.

Nisbet was a sociologist and professor at Columbia, and his work reflects a time when sociologists were liberally educated and could draw on the thinking of the likes of Alexis de Tocqueville and Edmund Burke as well as classical philosophy and theology. Nisbet's best known work, The Quest for Community had a strong influence on Chris's thinking. It is particularly evident in Chris's book, Man of the House.

During the course of the conversation the Pugsters discuss the various schools of thought that are often thrown together under the label "conservatism": libertarianism, classical liberalism, and paleo-conservatism. Seeing as most listeners are unfamiliar with the last of these labels, and that it is also the school of thought Chris, Tom, and Glenn most strongly identify with, they spend some time defining each while explaining why paleo-conservatism is actually genuine conservatism.

Here are some helpful links for further study: https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Community-Background-Essential-Conservative/dp/1935191500 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoconservatism

Roger Scruton and Beauty Jan 20, 2020

Show notes

In today's show the guys join in the lament for the passing of conservative philosopher Sir Roger Scruton.

Tom selects a few passages on the nature of beauty from the voluminous body of work that Scruton left with us and the guys spend time reflecting not only on them, but also upon the sorry state of the world we find ourselves in. It's clear that the world needs a phalanx of Scrutons to replace him.

Tolkien the Realist Jan 13, 2020

Show notes

Glenn is back! And today he brings us the topic of the day--Tolkien and literary realism.

Literary realism is one of those question begging movements which advance an argument by assuming the correctness of a particular answer to an unspoken question. Literary realism assumes that the level of the mundane, the prosaic, is what is truly Real, and everything else is just fancy which exists solely in our heads.

If that's your understanding of Reality then you are a modern person--and you're also a rather flat and wooden person too. You probably don't get Tolkien, or you think he's just a teller of adventure stories.

But is that what's truly Real? If Reality is something more--what is it, and how can Tolkien help us see it? Those are the questions addressed in today's show.

The Movies and Transcendence Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

Glenn is still on the road, so Tom and Chris invited their friend Tom Plotkin to talk with them about cinema, or film, or the movies--or whatever you want to call the art form.

Tom is a former screen-writer and he worked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as other Hollywood productions. Today Tom is a lawyer and a novelist living and working in Hartford, Connecticut.

Join a freewheeling conversation that takes us into Tom's childhood in Manhattan as a child a Jewish atheists to his conversion to Christianity through a remarkable supernatural event in his life. Along the way you'll learn a lot about the rarified world of "art-films"--we know that we did. Enjoy!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected