A talk I delivered to the young adults at Holy Family Parish.  We discussed Filia vs. Agape, the role of Koinonia, and why it is important for Christians to befriend the downtrodden and miserable (b/c most of us are downtrodden and miserable).

For more on friendship (and Christian Friendship) I highly recommend:

Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics

Cicero: de Amicitia

C.S.Lewis: The Four Loves

In which we talk about war, man's propensity toward war, the war in our hearts, and how wonderful Gandalf (Gandr) is.

Quick observation on the translation of “miseo” and possible implications of an alternate interpretation.

In which our heroes discuss Bilbo's maturation, Thorin's insanity & whether the Arkenstone is really the last of the three Silmarils.  Could Bilbo be holding both the Ring of Power and the Last Silmaril at the same time?  Minds will be blown.

All about crows - and ravens - and crows vs. Ravens.  With a bit of Odin thrown in there and some reflections on the nature of the novel.

The killing of the dragon, Smaug (and all that that entails)! Have you ever noticed that the killing of Smaug (seen here in Tolkien's own pencil sketch) looks a heck of a lot like Led Zeppelin's iconic "Icarus" logo?  What's up with that? Here Dr. Cameron and I discuss the nature of the dragon, the cosmogonic elements of fire and water, and the difference between a Master (of Laketown) and a King (Bard) - b/c there is definitely a difference.

In which Dr. Cameron and I address the issue of the dragon again; the Fay world; and not laughing at live dragons.  Something screwy happens at some point in the video and we become a comic book.    Artwork/Myth/Imagination as central to humanity • Gorecki “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs” • Artwork as discovery not mere creation The Ring in relation to the Dragon • Gyges’ Ring • The realm of shadows (thaumatapoioi) The Dragon as a creature of despair The 6 Sins against the Holy Spirit

In which Dr. Cameron Thompson and I finally meet the dragon ... and he is us.

Dr. Thompson and I discuss the 11th chapter of Tolkien's great novel, "The Hobbit".

In which our hosts discuss songs, The Master and a city on stilts.