The Theology Pugcast

Today's episode delves into how the mystery of God assuming human flesh has continued to upturn paradigms of what it means to be a human creature, of what it means to be divine, and how the two are related. The pug’s engage this rich and timely topic by delving into the history of the scandal such teaching has evoked and ways we can draw upon this most profound mystery to challenge the fashionable distortions of our age and be led into a deeper appreciation of this amazing revelation in history. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 Catch our new documentary ‘A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Lewis, Oxford, and Our Postmodern Age’ on Canon+: https://canonplus.com/tabs/discover/videos/34865?fbclid=IwY2xjawF-J-9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXqj6CIhUs6mTwkMc-AHhKiP1E4dPAtOm60rgu69RZ2LfhqYLJg2JHx4uQ_aem_LV-nOWc1vnhV6scW9cGZpA The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/media-podcasts

Paul Kingsnorth, the award winning novelist and essayist has a new nonfiction book coming out and Chris got an advance review copy. Ostensibly it's about artificial intelligence, but what Kingsnorth is really aiming as is modernity itself, aka the post-enlightenment West. And he's got a good point. There are two Wests--the old West of Christendom, and the new West--what Kingsnorth refers to as The Machine. Paul would like to go home, but where can you call home when the machine has colonized the world? The guys find themselves largely in agreement with Paul's take on things. There are quibbles here and there, but over all the Pugs give it 5 stars. Tune in to find out why.Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Connect with Glenn and Every Square Inch Ministries at https://www.esquareinch.com/Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

C.S. Lewis said that “reason is the natural organ of truth, but imagination is the natural organ of meaning.” In this episode, the Pugsters explore his ideas on this, noting that he is using the word “truth” in a very specific way and making a case that imagination is a vehicle to discover truth just like reason is. Not convinced? Tune in and hear the conversation.Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Connect with Glenn and Every Square Inch Ministries at https://www.esquareinch.com/Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

It’s nearly possible. Is it a good thing? The Pugs engage the topic of ‘ectogestation’ and ‘ectogenesis’ in this episode, and ponder the spiritual and moral implications of such advancing technologies.Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Connect with Glenn and Every Square Inch Ministries at https://www.esquareinch.com/Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

The Pugsters welcome Annie Crawford back, this time for a discussion based on the Midwestuary conference held in August. Annie explained the history and concept behind the Estuary movement started by Paul Vanderklay. The guys discussed a range of ideas jumping off of that with Annie. Not sure what the Estuary is? Join us and find out!Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Connect with Glenn and Every Square Inch Ministries at https://www.esquareinch.com/Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Today Chris raises the question expressed in the title of this episode. Enthusiasts for Artificial Intelligence promise that chatbots will make everyone more efficient and productive--even novelists and scholars. But is that really possible considering what history's most famous creatives tell us about how they went about their work? People who've looked into their daily routines such as Oliver Burkeman (author of, Four Thousand Weeks, Time Management for Mortals) and Mason Currey (author of, Daily Rituals) inform us that people like Charles Darwin and Flannery O'Connor only worked 3 to 4 hours a day on the things we remember them for. The rest of the time they did other things--mostly unrelated. So, would they have gotten more done with the help of artificial intelligence? The Pugs have their doubts. Tune in and find out why.Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Connect with Glenn and Every Square Inch Ministries at https://www.esquareinch.com/Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Jumping off an article by Bradley Birzer, the Pugs discuss the idea of Christian humanism. After Glenn summarizes the history of humanism dating back to the Renaissance, the guys discuss the difference between Renaissance and Christian humanism with secular humanism, Christian humanism in the 20th century (including the Inklings), the contributions humanism has made to culture, and the need for a recovery of Christian humanism today.Article Referenced: https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2025/08/seeking-christendom-christian-humanism-twentieth-century-bradley-birzer.htmlSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Connect with Glenn and Every Square Inch Ministries at https://www.esquareinch.com/Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

On today's show the pugs engage an article by Oxford historian Andrew Moeller on the complicated aims and compromises of the 1930 Lambeth Conference, a watershed moment in Christianity in the West. The pugs discuss the 'gamble with the devil' that  the Church of England made, with its embrace of a modern technological understanding of reality even as it sought to remain Christian by accommodating and compromising with it. The pugs note how much of Protestantism followed suit, especially Evangelical Christianity of late.Article Referenced: https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/03F1600B83A0FB3EE62F81EE31A36111/S002204692300060Xa.pdf/eugenics-and-the-approval-of-birth-control-at-the-1930-lambeth-conference.pdfSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Connect with Glenn and Every Square Inch Ministries at https://www.esquareinch.com/Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

The Pugs conclude their interviews at the PCA General Assembly in Chattanooga, TN as they welcome Timon Cline back onto the show. Timon is a good friend, and Chris serves on the Advisory Board of the magazine. Today the pugs discuss the work of the publication as well as the state of the world and the church. It's a free-wheeling conversation, as normal. We hope you enjoy itLearn more about American Reformer: https://americanreformer.org/Connect with SHM Architects: https://www.shmarchitects.com/Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

The Pugs continue their time at the PCA General Assembly with a conversation with first time guests, Michael Foster and William Wolfe. Michael is a well known pastor from Ohio and is the co-author of, It's Good to be a Man, and William worked in the first Trump Administration. Both of them have a lot to say about why we should fight for the institutions that make up our society, especially ecclesial ones such as the PCA and the SBC. Enjoy!The Center for Baptist Leadership: https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/Connect with SHM Architects: https://www.shmarchitects.com/Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

The Pugs continue their interviews at the PCA General Assembly in Chattanooga, TN with a conversation with Matthew Everhard, the editor of The Jonathan Edwards Study Bible; soon to be released by Thomas Nelson Publishing. The towering influence of Edwards casts a long shadow over American evangelicalism, and even more broadly into the national memory. It's a fun and free-wheeling conversation which will give you an even greater appreciation for the man even secular liberals consider the greatest mind our nation has produced. Enjoy!Find Matthew Everhard on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewEverhardConnect with SHM Architects: https://www.shmarchitects.com/Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

What if everything you've heard about Christopher Columbus is wrong? Well, the Pug's good friend, George Grant comes onto the show to explain why. By the time he's done, you'll not only have a better understanding of Christopher Columbus, you'll se why he's still very relevant to the crises of our time. As usually, George is a fountain of information and we really enjoyed the conversation. We think you will too.Order ‘The Last Crusader: The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus’ by George Grant at https://canonpress.com/products/the-last-crusader-the-untold-story-of-christopher-columbus?srsltid=AfmBOoqXCOuSbPAIOfv4LYCSqfdm316gztUVD4zB7xSnSwdPkGEti9pSConnect with SHM Architects at https://www.shmarchitects.com/Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

The Pugs continue their podcasts from the 2025 PCA General Assembly and welcome Zach Garris onto the show! Zach is well known in Reformed circles for his writing on masculinity and Christianity. Today the Pugs discuss two of his books, Masculine Christianity and Honor Thy Fathers. The focus of the conversation is the teaching of the Reformers on the roles of men and women, not only in households and in the church, but in broader society as well. We hope you enjoy the conversation!Order Honor Thy Fathers from New Christendom Press at https://www.newchristendompress.com/fathersConnect with SHM Architects at https://www.shmarchitects.com/Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

The Pugs are at the PCA General Assembly! And for their first interview from Chattanooga they welcome Aaron Renn back onto the show. After catching up with Aaron about his life following the Three Worlds of Evangelicalism phenomenon he's responsible for, the conversation shifts to evangelicalism and elites--or, why evangelicals can't seem to really develop any. By contrast, Roman Catholics have no trouble developing an elite class who go on to cultural prominence. So, why isn't that the case for evangelicals? Tune in and find out!Follow Aaron Renn on Substack at https://www.aaronrenn.com/Connect with SHM Architects at https://www.shmarchitects.com/Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Today the Pugs welcome Jake Dell onto the show. Jake is the pastor of the historic First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut (est. 1659). But he's also a man with a dream and a plan to win back to orthodox Christianity mainline congregations from liberal denominations. Join us today for a fascinating conversation concerning how this seemingly impossible task actually isn't all that quixotic. Jake's plan has potential. Listen in to see if you agree.Project Return - Mission Brief https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Em4kSK74XFjs9vqtYmsRKDKf5kolmuW5HPLMAOxqOlU/edit?usp=sharingCase Study: Reclaiming Historic Protestant Churches Through a Donor Intent Litigation Trust https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yP5cWzuC4UyrRANecKkjglY0rD-TeMfTLZfaXzcFLyU/edit?usp=sharingThe First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut http://www.firstchurchwoodbury.org/Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Unable to meet this week, the Pugcast decided to share an episode from the 2019 archives. Tune in for this blast from the past!Perhaps the most controversial character in all of Tolkien's writing is Tom Bombadil. People seem to either love him or hate him.  But regardless how you feel about him, most people can't figure out why he's even in the Lord of the Rings. What's the point of the man in the blue jacket and the yellow boots? Certainly Peter Jackson thought he was expendable. He isn't even in the film version of the story. Was he inserted to make Tolkien's children happy? Was Tolkien providing a little filler to buy time because he was still working out the plot? Chris thinks that Tolkien was up to far more than people give him credit for when it comes to Bombadil. Chris actually thinks that you don't really understand Tolkien, or the Lord of the Rings, until you receive Bombadil into your heart. Listen in as Chris, Tom, and Glenn discuss the meaning of the mysterious Tom Bombadil!Order In the House of Tom Bombadil by CR Wiley, released 2021: https://canonpress.com/products/in-the-house-of-tom-bombadil?srsltid=AfmBOooq7248sFOcSr4AN7DXIDcAH0efflvAA8EcY6WSJcm3K-Ulg-zGSupport the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Today the Pugs discuss a provocative essay in the English publication, AirMail by Tara Isabella Burton. In this article she explores a new and very self-conscious religious disposition that is taking hold among tech elites in Silicon Valley. While there has been some buzz about a revival of interest in Christianity there, this is something very different, somewhat Gnostic, and very neopagan. Join the pugs as they reflect on it.Article Referenced: https://airmail.news/issues/2025-5-24/the-view-from-herefbclid=IwY2xjawKsh8NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyVnZXc29rSGpwaEFsQjRsAR5DHSu0LY04GYS7rDcYlDWzeZXQYiZ7OxvHCNAxLWdcqmfN05x5VHG8P2U6Ww_aem_Oj0e41ftR3pRfMQGqMQrhASupport the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Today the Pugs welcome Fr. Mark Perkins of St. Dunstan's Academy in Virginia onto the show! St. Dunstan's brings together Christian formation in the Anglican tradition alongside an education in the classics, skilled trades, and agriculture. Its vision is to help boys grow into mature Christian manhood through rites of passage and through a deep engagement with embodied reality. It’s a wonderful vision for the education of boys. We hope you enjoy the show!Learn more about St. Dunstan's Academy: https://stdunstansacademy.org/Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

On today's episode the Pugsters welcome clinical mental health counselor Dr. Natalie Atwell onto the show. Dr. Atwell noticed a tremendous increase in the unusual number of rare mental health cases in her practice, many of which were in people who were engaged in occult practices. This has led her to work discerning the boundaries between mental health and spiritual warfare. Dr. Atwell’s ideas and experience generate conversation about the practical aspects of her work, the implications of Heiser’s work for mental health, and a variety of other related topics.Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

This week, Glenn brings up a dangerous idea that is growing in some Reformed circles: the idea of racial essentialism, that is, that different races have immutable characteristics that affect their worth. The guys talk about the image of God, the origins of the modern idea of race, and the challenges of working and ministering in a multicultural context.Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8