Getting Wisdom

Martin and Myron explore eschatology, the humanity of Christ, and the doctrine of predestination, while offering a grounded reminder of the hope Christians have in the bodily resurrection.

"Predestination is not anything in the predestined; but only in the person who predestines."
— Summa Theologica, Prima Pars, Q23

01:55 Opening Reflections: Eschatology & physicality
26:46 Roadside Attractions: The Great American Boat Loop
35:37 Aquinas's Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q23)
56:29 Calvin's Institutes (1.5.3)

Myron and Martin reflect on the wisdom of the past, a long walk down the Orange County coastline, and address an etiquette conundrum: the use of titles in social address. In today’s readings, Aquinas explores divine providence, and Calvin reflects on the clarity of God's creation.

"The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment."
— Psalm 104:2

02:06 Opening Reflections: Looking to the past
25:13 Roadside Attraction: Orange County coastline
34:12 Rules of Civility: Social position and titles
42:02 Aquinas's Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q22)
49:27 Calvin's Institutes (1.7.4-5)

Myron and Martin reflect on aesthetics, justice, and manners in a world shaped by novelty and transgression, grounding their conversation in classical virtues, theology, and the transcendent beauty of God.

"The work of divine justice always presupposes the work of mercy; and is founded thereupon."
—Summa Theologica, Prima Pars, Q21

00:34 Opening Reflections: Beauty in the post-Christian world
27:36 Roadside Attraction: Royal Gorge
33:40 Rules of Civility: Giving advice
1:00:50 Aquinas's Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q21)
1:08:41 Calvin's Institutes (1.7.2)

Myron and Martin explore how God leads us—challenging the popular idea that divine direction always comes through personal signs—and instead highlight wisdom, community, and Scripture as the ordinary means of discerning God’s will. They reflect on the nature of God’s justice and mercy in Aquinas and the authority of Scripture in Calvin.

“Mercy does not destroy justice, but in a sense is the fullness thereof.”
— Summa Theologica, Prima Pars, Q21

02:06 Opening Reflections: God's voice
06:23 Anglican prayer for guidance
22:18 Roadside Attraction: Revolving restaurants
27:49 Aquinas's Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q21)
41:40 Calvin's Institutes (1.7.2)

Myron and Martin reflect on hiking etiquette, the marvel of God’s image in humanity, and offer a book recommendation and the next rule of civility. In today’s readings, Aquinas teaches that love is found in God’s will, and Calvin argues that the authority of Scripture rests not on the Church, but on the Holy Spirit.

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
—Psalm 22:1

03:38 Opening Reflections: Hiking in Santa Ana
12:06 Angels and humans
20:43  The Psalm on the Cross by David Roseberry
25:28  Rules of Civility: How to criticize
37:33  Aquinas's Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q20)
48:12  Calvin's Institutes (1.7.1)

Myron and Martin take a thoughtful detour from Aquinas and Calvin to reflect on the long walk of wisdom—exploring how habit, curiosity, and introspection shape a virtuous life in a culture that idolizes ease and novelty.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
– Romans 12:2

02:44 Roadside attraction: Laguna Beach walk
20:24 Curiosity, habit, distraction
44:04 Knowing your limits

Myron and Martin reflect on Samson and temptation, a hike through Trabuco Canyon, the enduring value of wisdom over novelty, and a surprising roadside attraction: the Colorado River Inspection Tour. In today’s readings, Aquinas explores God’s will to permit evil, and Calvin turns to Psalm 19 to show how Scripture completes what creation begins.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."
—Psalm 19:7

01:17 Opening Reflections: Trabuco Canyon hike
07:36 Samson's temptations
19:35 Novelty and wisdom
31:05 Roadside Attraction: Colorado River Inspection Tour
36:12 Rules of Civility: Press on
47:03 Aquinas's Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q19)
58:14  Calvin's Institutes (1.6.4)

Myron and Martin reflect on wisdom that comes with age, the resolution to pursue excellence, and a new roadside attraction: the Frederick Douglass House in Washington, D.C. In today’s readings, Calvin urges Scripture as our reliable guide beyond nature, and Aquinas explores the will of God.

"How prone the human mind is to lapse into forgetfulness of God, how readily inclined to every kind of error, how bent every now and then on devising new and fictitious religions..."
— Institutes, 1.6.3

01:04 Opening Reflections: Wisdom with age
06:01 Joy as a virtue
11:57 Rules of Civility: pursuing excellence
20:24 Roadside Attractions: Frederick Douglass House
27:14 Aquinas's Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q19)
44:03 Calvin's Institutes (1.6.3)

Myron and Martin discuss the nature of God’s leading, St. Augustine’s Advent homilies, and Washington, D.C.’s little-known C&O Canal. In today’s reading, Calvin writes on the necessity of Scripture to ground our knowledge of God.

"It is impossible for any man to obtain even the minutest portion of right and sound doctrine without being a disciple of Scripture."
—Institutes, 1.6.2

02:09 Opening Reflections: God's leading
35:26 Augustine's Advent homilies
40:53 Roadside Attractions: C&O Canal
52:39 Calvin's Institutes (1.6.2)

Myron and Martin discuss God's leading through trials, civility rules for the dining table, and the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. In today's chapters, Calvin writes on the need for scripture to understand God while Aquinas writes on the relationship of God to life.

“All things in Him are the divine life itself.”

— Summa Theologica, Prima Pars, Q18

00:35 Opening Reflections: Discernment
24:05 Rules of Civility: Conversation at the table
35:33 Roadside Attractions: Theodore Roosevelt Memorial
40:30 Institutes (1.6)
49:09 Summa Theologica (Prima Pars, Q18)