Nadya Williams and Katelyn Walls Shelton discuss Aldous Huxley's Brave New World — its haunting parallels to embryo selection, reproductive biotechnology, and pleasure-maximizing culture — and what Christians should make of a novel that reads less like dystopian fiction and more like this morning's news.

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Christians Reading Classics is a podcast from Mere Orthodoxy and is listener-supported. If you would like to support this work, become a Mere Orthodoxy Member today at http://mereorthodoxy.com/membership.

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Chapters

• 00:00 — Introduction & what makes a classic
• 05:00 — Brave New World mirrors our world: embryo selection, Orchid, Gattaca
• 07:16 — Why Christians in America should read this book
• 14:19 — Plot overview: hatcheries, Bernard, Lenina, John the Savage
• 23:40 — Life in the World State: conditioning, sexuality, soma, death
• 35:40 — Huxley's own contradictions: Doors of Perception and his LSD death
• 39:17 — Current reproductive biotechnologies: embryo grading, gene editing, artificial wombs
• 49:43 — Closing: The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula Le Guin

Nadya Williams, Books Editor for Mere Orthodoxy, talks with Leah Libresco Sargeant, author of The Dignity of Dependence, about Henry Adams's The Education of Henry Adams—specifically the chapter "The Dynamo and the Virgin." They explore Adams's experience of the sublime at the 1900 Paris World Fair, his unresolved spiritual longings, what his Unitarian background reveals about American Christianity, and how Leah's work on embodiment and dependence offers a striking counterpoint to Adams's life of the mind. Plus: Leah's classic pick, Flatland.

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Mere Fidelity is a podcast from Mere Orthodoxy and is listener-supported. If you would like to support this work, become a Mere Orthodoxy Member today at http://mereorthodoxy.com/membership.

Get 30% of the Baker Book of the Month, 30 Key Moments In Church History: Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World by Mark W. Graham, by going to: http://bakerbookhouse.com/pages/mere-fidelity

Apply for a full-tuition scholarship for Beeson Divinity School's M.Div program that begins Fall 2026 here: https://bit.ly/beesonscholarships

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction & Background on Henry Adams
• 03:44 – Memoir as a Genre
• 06:27 – Why Read Adams for America's 250th
• 09:21 – The Dynamo and the Virgin Explained
• 13:18 – Adams's Faith and Spiritual Longings
• 20:34 – Technology, Awe, and False Worship
• 26:45 – Tips for First-Time Readers
• 28:24 – The Dignity of Dependence
• 37:31 – Classic You Wish You'd Written

Dr. Shilo Brooks joins Nadia Williams to explore Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845), examining how this 60-page masterwork remains profoundly relevant for understanding liberty, education, and authentic Christianity. Brooks illuminates how Douglass's self-taught literacy became an act of spiritual and intellectual liberation—proving that "education and slavery are incompatible." The conversation traces Douglass's journey from Maryland plantation to becoming America's greatest orator, while addressing his critique of slaveholding Christianity versus genuine faith and the enduring lessons on what liberal education requires for sustaining free citizenship.

Chapters:

• 00:05 Opening: Douglass's Unknown Birthday
• 04:14 Why This Book Is a Classic
• 09:49 Target Audiences: Then and Now
• 13:47 Adjusting to Freedom
• 16:32 Teaching Himself to Read (Illegally)
• 19:51 Education and Slavery Are Incompatible
• 23:04 Convincing Students That Reading Changes Lives
• 27:36 The Cast of Characters: Slaveholders and Fellow Slaves
• 33:11 The Wrestling Match with Covey
• 37:15 Teaching Bible School to Fellow Slaves
• 40:18 How Did He Become Such a Beautiful Writer?
• 42:21 Douglass's Theology and Providence
• 45:48 Noble Ambition: Brooks's Forthcoming Book
• 50:25 Classic Books I Wish I'd Written

In this preview episode for Season 2 of Christians Reading Classics, host Nadya Williams sets the stage for an ambitious exploration of books that American Christians should read in honor of America's 250th birthday in 2026.

Opening with Thomas Jefferson's 1771 letter to Robert Skipwith about building his Monticello library, Williams frames the season around a central question: What role do books play in forming the American Christian imagination? Jefferson argued that fiction and classical works are "useful" because they "fix us in the principles and practice of virtue"—exercising our moral dispositions like muscles until they become habits.

This season examines how classic books—both American and those that shaped American thought—enrich our imagination while alleviating modern anxiety. As Williams puts it, "reading classic books really is the intellectual equivalent of touching grass."

Upcoming episodes include:

• Frederick Douglass's Narrative with Dr. Shiloh Brooks
• Henry Adams's The Education of Henry Adams with Leah Libresco Sargent
• Aldous Huxley's Brave New World with Caitlin Walls Shelton
• Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin with Obie Tyler Todd
• Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics with ultra-marathoner and virtue philosopher Sabrina B. Little (including discussion on teaching virtues to children)

• How classic books form a "library of the mind" that shapes souls and affections
• The timeless, good, true, and beautiful qualities that define a classic
• How books grow with us, revealing new insights with each reading
• The relationship between reading and virtue formation

Nadya Williams is Books Editor at Mere Orthodoxy and author of Christians Reading Classics (Zondervan Academic).

Nadya Williams explores the myth of Tantalus and its implications on the nature of success and temptation. She delves into how Tantalus' horrific actions reflect the seductive nature of victory and the potential consequences of testing divine powers. Nadya highlights the duality of success as both a reward and a burden, emphasizing the need for caution in the pursuit of greatness.

As we wrap up season 1 of Christians Reading Classics, Nadya reflects on the scandal of the Christian imagination and the role of reading classic books in forming a nourished imagination.

Nadya Williams and Eric Hutchinson delve into T.S. Eliot's poem 'The Hollow Men', exploring its themes, complexities, and the nature of classic literature. They discuss what defines a classic, the challenges of appreciating poetry today, and how to cultivate an appreciation for it. The conversation also touches on the role of poets in society and the importance of art and poetry in the human experience, concluding with reflections on the necessity of literature and the interconnectedness of past and present works.

Chapters

Nadya Williams and Dr. Leslie Baynes explore the works of C.S. Lewis, particularly focusing on 'The Great Divorce.' They discuss the definition of a classic, the significance of free will, and the themes of choice and divine grace in Lewis's writing. The conversation also touches on Lewis's influences, his relationships with women, and the timeless messages found in his works that resonate with modern readers. Additionally, Dr. Baynes shares insights about her upcoming book on Lewis and the Bible.

Chapters

Nadya Williams and Carolyn Weber explore the literary significance of Dorothy L. Sayers' 'Gaudy Night', discussing its themes of women's roles in academia, the intersection of murder mysteries and theology, and the nature of what constitutes a classic. They look into Sayers' complex character, her contributions to literature, and the broader implications of her work in the context of 20th-century society.

Chapters

Nadya Williams and Jon Parrish Peede discuss the literary legacy of Flannery O'Connor, exploring her impact on American literature and the theological themes present in her work. They highlight the Southern Gothic genre, O'Connor's unique storytelling style, and the reader's engagement with her stories. It also touches on her reception over the years and personal reflections on her most significant works.