The Theology Pugcast

This week, the Pugs discuss an article by our friend Aaron Renn dealing with the loss of literacy and the decline of Protestantism in America. Is there a connection between the two? If so, which causes the other? What is the historic connection between literacy and Protestantism? The guys discuss these and other related subjects in this episode.Article: https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/post-protestant-post-literate?triedRedirect=trueSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

The pugs engage the recent trends of AI companions, from AI friendships to AI Therapists and Soul-Care. Most disturbing are the developments of Grieftech and Religioustech. On the one side, we have virtual reanimations of loved ones who have died but are now continuing with us as AI versions of themselves; on the other side, we have AI Jesus, who we can enter into a online relationship with and receive spiritual guidance and care. The pugs have a lot to ‘bark’ about in this episode.Article: https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatgpt-jesus-buddhabot-muslim-b2955282.htmlSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Tom and Glenn welcome J.P. Sanchez to the show today. J.P. is a Mexican lawyer currently studying international human rights law at the University of Notre Dame. In this conversation, they explore the practical challenges of human rights work, examine the often shaky philosophical foundations of modern human rights theory, and discuss what a thoughtful Christian response should look like in today’s world.Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

They debate whether one must reject beloved creators after learning of their moral failings. They trace the rise of the artist-as-genius and weigh creative gifts against personal sin. They discuss darker children’s stories, Mozart’s scandalous life, and how suffering shapes artistic vision. They consider parental discretion, separating work from creator, and why troubling art can still comfort and instruct.

Stephen Crotts, an illustrator and graphic designer known for book covers and wood engraving, discusses his work on Malcolm Guite’s Arthuriad. He talks about relief print techniques, field research in England, collaboration with Guite, balancing historicity and symbolism, concerns about AI, and a growing cross‑tradition appreciation for beauty in art.

They debate panpsychism and animism, asking whether consciousness pervades nature or emerges in brains. They explore tree and fungal communication, animal intelligence, and how artifacts can seem ensouled. They contrast panentheism with classical theism and discuss Orthodox essence-energies, tackling theology, philosophy of mind, and why re-enchantment matters today.

Bradley G. Green, longtime theology professor and author of What Is Critical Theory?, joins to discuss theology’s response to critical theory. He traces Frankfurt School thinkers, historicism, culture industry critiques, and why critical theory fails to reconstruct society. The conversation explores 2020’s institutional shifts, ‘wokeness’ as a secularized moral language, and a call for Biblically informed engagement.

The Pugs engage a fun piece by Malcolm Guite entitled: In Defense of Pints and Pipes. Here they delve into the fashionable cultural obsession with physical health and wellness which has led ironically to all sorts of psychological unhealthiness. Could the issue be a loss of a proper view of the human, especially a view that has no place for the human soul?Article: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/life/health/in-defense-of-pint-and-pipeSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

There is a new biopic about the founder of the Shakers entitled, The Testament of Ann Lee. If you've heard of the Shakers it is probably because of their furniture. This week the Pugs respond to a critical review of the new film in The Spectator World by Damian Thompson, entitled, Testament to Ignorance. Chris is quoted in the review because of an article he wrote on the Shakers. He has mixed feelings about them, as he explains in the show. But he suspects there is something going on with liberalism in the US and an attempt by liberals to recover their own version of American Christianity and that the biopic is part of a larger effort. Tune in to see if you agree.Spectator Article: https://spectator.com/article/the-problem-with-the-new-shakers-biopic/?edition=us&fbclid=IwY2xjawQVh6FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAEwAAEeqwHZmAt6XJKBJkvbQdfROjImhSiQ2wHHwAmsHTqWX2Lq3wToNKoL8jkb4GY_aem_QRjZgbJghxePthAtHKkYewC.R. Wiley Article: https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=24-04-017-v&fbclid=IwY2xjawQVh65leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAEwAAEeSZAAqidPifGEMM67DdHsMUyHSX1J3lmxe6U6qezgNCwHCBs_meovZETbduE_aem_H1EU9hYLJVYqfkOVEJDhgwKen Burn’s Shakers Documentary: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-shakers/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQViLRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAEwAAEe4iQ0JzupT0tqAEgJW7Rwrw4D7P2ut1bHCDS6nHbdEjYmdGsDxT5NdWvjsp8_aem_fZUmGSCxslbsxJAMUZUIKQSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Glenn introduces the Pugsters to David Engels, a conservative Belgian historian and philosopher who focuses on a revival of Western civilization. Using one of his articles as a jumping off point, the guys discuss the marriage of ancient pagan virtues with Christian ideas of the Good, a combination which produced the chivalric ideal embraced by Tolkien in Middle Earth. But as usual, they cover a wide range of topics ranging from history to philosophy, to theology, to story, and others besides. It’s a fascinating discussion of the good in ancient paganism and the failure of neo-paganism to uncover what they think they are looking for.Article:https://davidengels.substack.com/p/jrr-tolkien-the-christian-west-andSupport the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/