Best Pub Theology Podcasts (2024)

1
Oxford and Architecture 37:39

2h ago37:39

37:39

After a week at Oxford, surrounded by some of the best buildings to be found anywhere in the world when it comes to higher education, the Pugs discuss architecture on today's brief episode. "Why does beauty matter?" and “Why are all the science buildings ugly?” are among a host of questions addressed. Tune in as the guys long for a world that build…

1
C. S. Lewis, Oxford Don: An Interview with Dr. Simon Horobin 59:32

3h ago59:32

59:32

The Pugs continue their adventure in Oxford with an interview with Dr. Simon Horobin, the man behind the recently released book ‘C. S. Lewis's Oxford’. Dr. Horobin is an authority in medieval literature and teaches at Magdalen College. The Pugs joined Dr. Horobin in his room at Magdalen, not for from the rooms where Lewis taught and met with the In…

1
Post-Mortem for Christian Colleges? An Interview with Dr. Phil LaFountain 1:06:29

19m ago1:06:29

1:06:29

Another Christian college has closed its doors. This time, one of Chris's alma maters, Eastern Nazarene College, aka, ENC. ENC was a small Christian college on the south shore of Massachusetts, not far from Boston. The usual things were cited by the Trustees of the college as reasons for its demise--declining enrollment, financial challenges, etc. …

1
Science and Beauty: A Conversation with Ken Boa 1:01:46

7d ago1:01:46

1:01:46

The Pugsters welcome back Dr. Ken Boa to talk about the importance of beauty for the Christian. Ken talks about seeing the beauty of the natural world and how we can use it as a force multiplier for our faith. This connects into a discussion of science and how it reveals the beauty in the world. The guys also talk with Ken about his upcoming events…

1
C. S. Lewis, Writer and Philosopher: An Interview with Dr. Michael Ward 55:28

13d ago55:28

55:28

The Pugs are still in Oxford, and today they're at the Kilns (Lewis's home) with their friend, Dr. Michael Ward, author of Planet Narnia and After Humanity: A Guide to C. S. Lewis's Abolition of Man. The conversation naturally cover's Dr. Ward's books. Join us for a conversation over tea at the Kilns as the Pugs speak with him about Narnia and the …

1
Bonus Q&A with Dr. Alister McGrath 20:36

19d ago20:36

20:36

Listen in for a short Q&A session at the Lamb and Flag pub in Oxford following the full episode ‘C. S. Lewis Apologist: An Interview with Dr. Alister McGrath.’ Order Christian Apologetics: An Introduction by Dr. McGrath: https://a.co/d/05lejP2B Order C. S. Lewis -- A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet by Dr. McGrath: https://a.co/d/0g8DyDzG …

1
C. S. Lewis Apologist: An Interview with Dr. Alister McGrath 1:07:26

1M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

The Pugs are still enjoying themselves at Oxford, and today they are joined by the venerable Alister McGrath at the Lamb and Flag, a pub known to have been frequented by C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and the other Inklings. (The famed Eagle and Child pub is just across the street and hopefully soon to reopen follow a Covid shutdown and change in o…

1
At the Bodleian Library 55:45

28d ago55:45

55:45

While in Oxford, the guys had the opportunity to visit the Duke Humfrey's Room at the Bodleian Library. This houses part of the library’s collection of rare books as well as some more recent sets. The conversation ranges over volumes in the collection that caught the attention of one or the other of the Pugsters, the architecture and decorations of…

1
Ben Merkle, Tom Price, and What They Learned about Learning at Oxford 58:04

1M ago58:04

58:04

Today begins the first of the shows recorded in Oxford! Tom and Chris are joined by Dr. Ben Merkle, President of New Saint Andrews College. Ben was visiting Oxford at the same time as the Pugs, and this afforded an opportunity to discuss with Tom and Chris what Ben learned at Oxford about post-secondary education and how those lessons are being app…

1
A Look at the Sacraments 1:01:06

1M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

On today's show the Pugsters consider the definitions of sacraments vs. ordinances before taking a closer look at baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They spend some time on the less discussed images of baptism in the New Testament (the Flood and the Exodus) and the use of the Greek word baptizo in the Septuagint. They then talk about the Lord’s Supper,…

1
If We're Not Saved by Our Works Why Work at All? A Conversation with Steve Jeffery 1:05:54

2M ago1:05:54

1:05:54

Today the Pugs interview Dr. Steve Jeffery, one of the minds behind The Works Based Conference being held in the Dallas/Fort Worth area June 28-29. The guys not only discuss the nature of the conference, the conversation addresses a theology of work, and even how our works will have a more enduring character than we generally appreciate. Included i…

1
Episode 293: Harrison Butker's World 1:04:14

2M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

Shannon, Ogun and Bryan discuss the controversial remarks by Kansas City Kicker Harrison Butker at a recent college commencement ceremony. Are his remarks about women understandable given the context? Are they indefensible? What is the worldview that creates and supports such a perspective? We also look at the troubling text in 1 Timothy 2 which ca…

1
Academic Herd-Minds and Twitter Mobs 1:03:42

2M ago1:03:42

1:03:42

Today the Pugs react to an article in New Oxford Review entitled, "How Cowardice, the Herd Mind & Twitter Mobs Threaten Academia by Jason M. Morgan and Mark Ramseyer. If you're still under the impression that higher education is a disinterested pursuit of truth, think again. It has been reduced to political advocacy and ressentiment. (Yes, that's s…

1
Episode 292: What Would Justin Do? 51:43

2M ago51:43

51:43

Bryan, Shannon and Ogun discuss the life and times of an AI Priest named Father Justin. How and why did things go wrong? Will there be future such attempts at integrating artificial intelligence with religion and spirituality? We also discuss the question of meeting a man or a bear in the woods, and whether pluralism is at risk in the US and beyond…

1
Boredom, Nihilism, and Endless Entertainment 1:01:23

2M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

On today's show Tom introduces the topic of boredom and its relation to a world that finds no meaning apart from the endless choices we draw from to gratify and distract ourselves. Glenn and Chris help unpack this timely topic, with its spiritual and historical roots and its impact upon the contemporary church. Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https…

1
Episode 291: Flabbergasted 1:12:43

2M ago1:12:43

1:12:43

This week Bryan and Ogun discuss the news of the move toward full inclusion of LGBTQ+ folks in the United Methodist Church: was it worth losing thousands of churches to finally arrive at this place? We also discuss media coverage of the campus protests, the slowness of justice, and co-opting praise songs.…

1
The Pugs Answer Your Questions! 59:14

3M ago59:14

59:14

Today the Pugs answer questions prosed by supporters of the show on Patreon. Listen in to learn (among other things), where the guys first met and became friends, what they think about Annihilationism, why it really might come down to choosing between Aristotle and Nietzsche, why getting dressed up for church is a good thing--even though your salva…

1
Episode 290: Covering Your Bases 1:02:56

3M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Shannon is back! We discuss the current college protests and whether teaching competition in education leads to war. We also discuss Russell Brand's baptism and conversion to Christianity, which he says will allow him to "leave the past behind." Can you ever truly leave the past behind? We also discuss the idea of Christian pluralism and the plan o…

1
The 4B Movement, Misandry, and Anti-Natalism 1:02:54

3M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

In this episode, the guys talk about the 4B movement that originated in Korea and is getting some buzz in America. The 4Bs (in Korean) are no dating, no sex, no marriage, and no children. It’s partly responsible for the collapsing birthrate in Korea. The guys discuss the roots and implications of the movement with a tangent into ecology and forest …

1
Episode 289: Punchy Jesus 57:44

3M ago57:44

57:44

Bryan and Ogun discuss the challenge of finding work/life balance, especially when it comes to making time for one's spiritual life. A church in the UK is attempting short, 15-minute "micro services" to help people fit worship into their busy lives. We discuss whether this is an appropriate concession to our busy world, or caving to modern pressure…

1
Men & Social Status, Women & College Debt, Hypergamy, and More! 1:01:46

3M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Today Chris takes the Pugs into the dark recesses of social status and asks questions few are willing to ask. For example: Why do so many women who apply to rent Chris's apartments have so much student loan debt, and such low credit scores? Why do young men in the trades with no debt and good income still lose out to flashy guys with tons of debt w…

1
Episode 288: Be Fruitful and Multiply 1:11:28

3M ago1:11:28

1:11:28

Ogun shares about the green monkey infestation on the island of Barbados, and we wonder whether we humans are the monkeys when it comes to planet Earth. In light of Earth Day, we discuss environmental challenges, whether AI will wipe us out to solve climate change, and what we are worried about most. We also discuss tax day, and whether taxes shoul…

1
Creation, Theophany, and Transcendence 1:00:42

3M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

Today’s show builds on the conversation about imagination and C. S. Lewis last week. Tom and the guys continue the interaction with Lewis’ rich sacramental vision and its implications for how our human created natures are enriched and helped to come into their own principally by the vertical, our relation to God, but secondarily by the good gift of…

1
Episode 287: The Eclipse Episode 44:03

3M ago44:03

44:03

It's our Eclipse Episode! Shannon and Bryan share their eclipse experiences in Maryland and Michigan. We also reflect on religious views on the eclipse event, and what kind of meaning might be ascribed to such a celestial happening. We also discuss a new documentary which posits that Jesus was not just a vegetarian, he was the "OG animal activist."…

1
Imagination and Meaning 1:02:55

3M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

C.S. Lewis said, “Reason is the natural organ of understanding, but imagination is the organ of meaning.” "Working off Holly Ordway's book "Apologetics and the Christian Imagination," the guys discuss what imagination is, how it connects to meaning, and how it is foundational to reason. They also discuss the role of imagination in Lewis’s conversio…

1
Bonus Q&A: Anthony of the Desert and Defeating the Demons of Our Time 15:10

4M ago15:10

15:10

Listen in for a short Q&A session following our previous episode. Support the Pugcast in Oxford on Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-pugcast-goes-to-oxford/x/6893861#/ Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast i…

1
Anthony of the Desert and Defeating the Demons of Our Time 1:12:12

4M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

It's Chris's show today and he returns to a theme he's addressed a number of times--how can we resist the inhuman forces of the new totalitarianism? We're up against a Borg-like globalist cabal that uses artificial intelligence, surveillance technology, and psyops to manipulate us. Surprisingly, Chris suggests Saint Anthony of the Desert as a guide…

1
Immodesty and the Image of God 1:06:02

4M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

As new forms of immodesty become fashionable and impact our everyday wolds in innumerable ways, dimensions of what is broken in us often remain what is 'hidden' or ignored. Tom and the guys engage this topic, especially from the insight that as image bearers we are imitative by nature, and when this is broken in us, we imitate badly, and also want …

1
Episode 286: The Price of Betrayal [Adjusted for Inflation] 1:02:29

4M ago1:02:29

1:02:29

Should Judas have held out for more money? In our pre-Holy Week episode we discuss whether people are more interested in being affirmed in their current beliefs than discovering the truth, and the problematic theological view known as supersessionism. Plus: was Saint Patrick a hero or something more sinister, considering how he treated folks who pr…

1
How Civilizations Collapse 1:04:31

4M ago1:04:31

1:04:31

In this episode, Glenn talks about four causes of civilizational collapse: mass migration combined with corrupt and ineffectual government; sexual license; loss of belief in society and its values, and massive deficit spending. The guys talk about each of these, and, given that they are all are in place in America right now, discuss how we should b…

1
Episode 285: All God's Creatures... And All That 1:08:20

4M ago1:08:20

1:08:20

We discuss the role of animal chaplain, where someone will do pastoral care and funerals for those who lose a beloved dog, cat or goat. Is this a role the church needs to put more emphasis on? We discuss. We also compare Ramadan and Lent, talk about the Bible vs the Word of God, the emergent church, and whether cabbage is the new bacon. Plus: favor…

1
Two Verses To Not Overlook 9:05

5M ago9:05

9:05

We can see something of our savior in the smallest of verses. Matthew 14:22-23--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
The Bread Of Life 9:59

4M ago9:59

9:59

The feeding of the five thousand. Matthew 14:13-21--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
Sin Is Not On Our Side 9:31

4M ago9:31

9:31

Sin always asks for our head. Matthew 14:1-12--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
He’s Not What We Want 9:58

4M ago9:58

9:58

Our salvation rest on the shoulders of a homeless man…Matthew 13:53-58--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
The ‘C. S. Lewis Option’ for Renewing Christendom 1:03:25

4M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

Today we are joined by Annie Crawford, a cultural apologist, a classical educationalist, and home-school mom. Today we discuss the incredible C. S. Lewis, a Pugcast favorite, and the wealth of his contribution to preserving ancient wisdom as it was received and refashioned in accordance with the Christian faith, especially its sacramental vision of…

1
Have You Understood? 6:42

5M ago6:42

6:42

A true disciple listens and loves Christ’ teaching. Matthew 13:51-52--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
Episode 284: God Ordains It [When It's What I Want] 54:26

4M ago54:26

54:26

Shannon and Bryan discuss whether God appoints people to leadership positions at certain moments in history; cough—Donald Trump; we also discuss how good the church really is at forgiveness and extending grace, and whether trying to have faith over fear is a good thing. Also, we celebrate all things March, and discuss what space there is or should …

1
The Net 10:21

5M ago10:21

10:21

The reality of our churches and some urgency. Matthew 13:47-50--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
A Pearl Or A Rock 10:16

5M ago10:16

10:16

What have the people in our churches found? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
Are You Persuaded? 11:00

5M ago11:00

11:00

What do you treasure? Matthew 13:44--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
Begging the Question of Christ and Culture 1:01:51

5M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

Richard Niebuhr's classic, Christ and Culture has shaped the way we understand the relationship of the church and culture by assuming that what we mean by "Christ" when we discuss Christ and culture is Christian ethics. But is that the right place to start? Shouldn't ontology be the starting place since all things were created by Christ and for him…

1
The Unstoppable 5:29

5M ago5:29

5:29

A seed and some bread…what’s that about? Matthew 13:31-33--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
Episode 283: Hell, Where Art Thou? 1:07:23

5M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Are you someone who creates a life plan? Or do you just take it one day at a time? We discuss that, as well as the Apostle Paul's chastisement of church members who are arguing and grumbling. When is complaining OK, and when is it a sign of a deeper issue? We also discuss the first of Martin Luther's 95 Theses, and the troubling rise of Christian n…

1
How can we still pretend? 8:43

5M ago8:43

8:43

Wheat and weeds, both exposed. Matthew 13:24-30--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
Can You Hear Me? 10:30

5M ago10:30

10:30

Will you accuse Christ or embrace Him? Matthew 13:10-17--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
Ice Cream That Gives Glory 8:01

5M ago8:01

8:01

How can eating ice cream give God glory? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
The Sower And The Heart 9:34

5M ago9:34

9:34

What condition is your heart in? Matthew 13:1-9 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dave-rider5/support

1
The Diseased Defects and Effects of Popular Culture 1:02:28

5M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

On today's episode Tom introduces a theological analysis of Contemporary Popular Culture, especially its charged symbolism. After unpacking insights from church fathers like Tertullian and Augustine, in their Christian critiques of Public Spectacle Events, the gang enters into important discussion about the impact, function, and role of current Cel…