Getting Wisdom

Myron and Martin reflect on Christian time management as an ordering of life toward worship, work, and virtue. Today’s civility discussion balances flattery and sincerity. In the readings, Aquinas turns to the procession of all creation from God, while Calvin defends Scripture’s credibility through prophecy, history, and witness.

"All beings apart from God are not their own being, but are beings by participation."
—Summa Theologica, Prima Pars, Q44

02:11 Opening Reflections: Time management
37:35 Roadside Attractions: Los Angeles
51:49 Rules of Civility: Flattery
1:03:32 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q44)
1:09:47 Institutes (1.8.8-13)

Myron and Martin return to the topic of growth in knowledge and curiosity and discuss dining etiquette. In today’s readings, Aquinas wrestles with the ineffable mystery of the Trinity, while Calvin highlights how Scripture’s long-fulfilled promises reveal its divine authorship.

"When David is anointed by Samuel, what apparent ground is there for the transference? Who could have looked for a king out of the plebeian family of a herdsman? And out of seven brothers, who could have thought that the honour was destined for the youngest?"
—Institutes, 1.8.7

01:43 Opening Reflections: The Klappvisier Principle
23:36 Roadside Attractions: The Iron Door, estd. 1852
31:12 Rules of Civility: Rules for Food & Drink
53:25 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q40–43)
59:23 Institutes (1.8.6–7)

Myron and Martin reflect on tithing time with intention. They discuss another of George Washington's Rules of Civility—this one on pointing, crossing legs, and fidgeting. In today’s readings, Aquinas offers a dense meditation on the nature of the Trinity, while Calvin affirms Scripture’s divine authority through its revelation to undistinguished observers.

"[Moses] remaining there forty days separated from human society; his countenance glistening during the promulgation of the law, as with meridian effulgence; the lightnings which flashed on every side; the voices and thunderings which echoed in the air; the clang of the trumpet blown by no human mouth; his entrance into the tabernacle, while a cloud hid him from the view of the people; the miraculous vindication of his authority..."
— Institutes, 1.8.5

04:21 Opening Reflections: Embracing adulthood

12:34 Tithing your time

27:13 The classics

34:20 Rules of Civlity: Fidgeting

39:41 Roadside Attractions: The Ark Encounter

46:08 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q39)

54:37 Institutes (1.8.1-5)

Myron and Martin reflect on honoring God through daily choices, the value of wisdom earned over time, and resisting modern distractions that erode purpose and friendship. In today’s readings, Aquinas explores the language of the Trinity, while Calvin defends the role of Holy Spirit in affirming Scripture.

"The Spirit is called an earnest and seal to confirm the faith of the godly."
– Institutes, John Calvin, 1.7.4

01:07 Opening Reflections: Generational wisdom
11:00 Fellowship and making friends
22:05 Planning your time
28:41 Assassination of Charlie Kirk
35:40 Roadside Attractions: Niagara Falls by bike
42:07 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q36)
47:41 Institutes (1.7.3–5)

Myron and Martin reflect on the freedom God gives us to choose well—or poorly. In today’s readings, Aquinas examines the name “Father” as a personal name of God, while Calvin affirms that Scripture reveals God more clearly than any other source. Today's roadside attraction is a beignet café in New Orleans, and today's civility rule addresses the subtle etiquette of accepting an invitation to stay as a houseguest.

"Scripture bears upon the face of it as clear evidence of its truth, as white and black do of their colour, sweet and bitter of their taste."
—Institutes, 1.7.2

02:33 Opening Reflections: On moral choices and modern comforts
27:19 Rules of Civility: Accept after one refusal
41:36 Roadside Attractions: Café Du Monde
46:32 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q35)
58:56 Institutes (1.6.3–1.7.2)

Myron and Martin explore the relationship between free will and divine providence, how worship can deepen through suffering, and the quiet blessings we overlook in daily life. In today's readings, Calvin urges us to begin with Scripture to know God rightly, while Aquinas reflects on Christ as the eternal Word.

"For not only does faith, full and perfect faith, but all correct knowledge of God, originate in obedience. And surely in this respect God has with singular Providence provided for mankind in all ages."
— Institutes, 1.6.2

03:50: Opening Reflections: Free will
10:13 Worship through difficulty
24:24 Roadside Attractions: Quail Trail
34:31 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q34)
41:55 Institutes (1.6.2)

Myron and Martin return with a mini episode today, reflecting on a volcanic national park and the usual readings. Aquinas explores the personal name of God as Father, while Calvin considers how Scripture illuminates Him.

"So Scripture, gathering together the impressions of Deity, which, till then, lay confused in our minds, dissipates the darkness, and shows us the true God clearly."
— Institutes, 1.6.1

00:27 Roadside Attraction: Lassen Volcanic National Park
14:41 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q33)
19:28 Institutes (1.6.1)

In this episode, Myron and Martin take a break from the Aquinas and Calvin readings to reflect on discernment and etiquette. They discuss the temptation to leave difficult decisions up to God, the social customs of sitting and standing, and how structured traditions can relieve anxiety rather than add to it.

"Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble..."
—Anglican Book of Common Prayer

02:20 Leaving it up to God

28:38 Prayer for guidance

33:03 Greeting latecomers

46:53 Cutoms and anxiety

Myron and Martin reflect on curiosity as virtue and temptation, the tension between novelty and wisdom, and the anxiety of post-Christian culture. In today’s readings Aquinas examines the procession of divine persons within the Trinity and Calvin explores the insufficiency of creation to reveal God fully.

"How few of us are there who, in lifting our eyes to the heavens, or looking abroad on the various regions of the earth, ever think of the Creator?"

— Institutes, 1.5.11

00:47 Opening Reflections: Curiosity
09:01 Sartorial wisdom
29:20 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q28)
40:24 Institutes of the Christian Religion (1.5.5-15)

Myron and Martin discuss the church’s proper relationship to politics and continue their study of Aquinas and Calvin—covering the Book of Life, the power of God, and how creation itself testifies to the divine.

"Can any thing be more detestable than this madness in man, who, finding God a hundred times both in his body and his soul, makes his excellence in this respect a pretext for denying that there is a God?"
— Institutes, 1.5.4

00:21 Opening Reflections: Church & politics
19:30 Roadside Attractions: Arlington National Cemetery
23:56  Aquinas's Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q24)
37:24 Calvin's Institutes (1.5.4)