Mythic Mission

A former atheist who came to faith, Professor Mary Jo Sharp has  experienced two worlds of American culture: the post- Christian culture  of the Pacific Northwest and the evangelical culture of the Bible Belt.  She first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while  seeking answers. Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at  Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident  Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She has been featured in Christianity  Today’s cover story “The Unexpected Defenders” and is an international  speaker on apologetics, focusing on love and logic to uncover truth. She  lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon. You can connect with MaryJo on social media and on her website, which will all be in the  show notes below. 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Why-I-Still-Believe-Mary-Jo-Sharp-audiobook/dp/B07Q22RBD7  

 Web Site: www.maryjosharp.com   

 Facebook: @confidentchristianity  

Twitter: @MaryJoSharp  

Instagram: @maryjosharp

This episode was streamed on Facebook LIVE as well. Today, I talk with  Dr. Brad Birzer about the "central explanatory text" of Tolkien's mythology, "The Debate of Finrod and Andreth," which you can find in Volume X, Morgoth's Ring, of the History of Middle earth series edited by Christopher Tolkien. We also discuss Tolkien's views on monarchy, how it intersects with his theology, and how the theme of God as king--a  very prominent theme in the Bible-- permeates his mythology. 

You can learn more about Dr. Birzer here: https://bradbirzer.com/ 

His book, which we also discuss in today's episode, J.R.R. Tolkien's  Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle earth can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5EBJ2O/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

In this episode, I interview one of my favorite authors, Donald Robertson, who is a Cognitive Behavioral Psychologist and a student of Greco-Roman Philosophy, especially Stoicism. This is a topic special to me because I spent 6 weeks in Rome for a study abroad program where I  not only crystalized my decision to study Greco-Roman and Biblical history, philosophy, religion, and the arts, but met my best friend and future wife (and the co-host of Mythic Mission!), Sarah. Marcus Aurelius's Meditations has always been a part of my life, and today we discuss, among other things, what the Cross has to do with the Purple (a  reference to the robe of the Roman emperor). How are these traditions  similar and dissimilar? Can Christians learn anything of value from  non-Christian worldviews (yes!)? In earlier episodes of Mythic Mission, I  discuss (Episode #13 on Anchor, for example) how Christians can  practice discernment wisely. Don and I also discuss Marcus Aurelius's  alleged persecution of Christians, the 12th Legion miracle, and other  fascinating topics. Enjoy!   

Mythic Mission Main Page/Donations: https://anchor.fm/michael-t-jahosky *Please consider supporting our show by clicking "Support" at this above link!*  

Donald's Website:  https://donaldrobertson.name/   

Book of the Show Link: https://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Like-Roman-Emperor-ebook/dp/B07D2C5NNV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=how+to+think+like+a+roman+emperor&qid=1621011853&sr=8-1

MYTH, epistemology, faith, indirect communication, apologetics, and Kierkegaard oh my! All of these subjects and more come up in today's AWESOME episode with my new friend, Dr. Aaron Simmons. There's a lot to love from today's show, so be sure to take notes. 

*I hope you'll consider going to the main page of Mythic Mission today and click the "Support" button to help support the release of more great episodes that we have been offering for free. I will continue to offer these for free, but we are asking for you to consider supporting our lay ministry here and, if we get enough support, to help us support the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Your support will help us with the costs incurred to keep great content coming and get some new equipment, which is sorely needed. Lastly, if we get enough support, we will be starting a monthly giving to the Make a Wish Foundation.*

*ALSO...look forward to May 14's interview with Donald Robertson on Stoicism and Christianity, June 4, Dr. Brad Birzer on Tolkien, and sometime in July, an interview with Dr. MaryJo Sharp!

BUT WAIT, there's more! I've also registered mythicmission.com as a domain for our website! Please don't forget to subscribe to alerts from our site, where I occasionally blog and send updates out. All of my professional work, interviews, and information on MY book are on this website!*

On today's 19th episode, I speak with Dr. Holly Ordway about her new  book, "Tolkien's Modern Reading: Middle earth Beyond the Middle Ages"  and the diverse array of literary influences which helped fertilize  Tolkien's rich and deep imagination, and which ultimately had an impact  on the writing of his Middle earth legendarium. Not all the influences  had an equal impact, and none of them invite "this equals that"  correspondences between the works which influenced Tolkien and his legendarium. Nevertheless, Tolkien was influenced by modern literature  and did read beyond the Middle Ages, and these modern authors' works did  exert an influence upon the creation of his hobbits, geography of  Middle earth, and major characters such as Galadriel and Eowyn, just to  name a few examples. Tolkien was NOT just a Medievalist, and he was not  out of touch with modernity. Follow Holly at the links below, where you  can also buy her new book:   

http://www.hollyordway.com/   

https://www.wordonfire.org/author/dr-holly-ordway/   

https://store.wordonfire.org/collections/books/products/tmr

On the 18th episode of Mythic Mission, Sarah and I interview Dr. David  and Crystal Downing who are co-chairs and co-directors of the Marion E.  Wade Center at Wheaton College in Illinois. Join us as we discuss the  writings of C.S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers and J.R.R. Tolkien and the impact  that their Christian faith had on their fictional writings! Enjoy the  show, and if you want to learn more about the Downings or the Wade  Center, go here:   

David Downing: https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/wadecenter/about/staff/david-c-downing/   

Crystal Downing: https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/wadecenter/about/staff/crystal-downing/   

Marion E. Wade Center: https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/wadecenter/about/history/biographies/marion-e-wade/

A special Holy Saturday podcast episode covering the topic of Holy Saturday, different conceptions of Purgatory, and an exploration of the ideas of Matthew Emerson and Jerry Walls in their respective books, "He Descended to the Dead": An Evangelical Theology of Holy Saturday and "Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory."

In this episode, I give an argument that appeals to the mind and the heart for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And yes, there are Tolkien references, of course.

For Mythic Mission's 15th episode, I interview Joseph Pearce, author of Frodo's Journey: Discovering the Hidden Meaning of the Lord of the Rings (among many other excellent books) about G.K. Chesterton's philosophy of myth, why the Christian story--and the Incarnation--is the "master key" to understanding reality, and Chesterton's influence on both Tolkien and Lewis. To learn more about Joseph Pearce, please visit his website here:

https://jpearce.co/about/

On today's 14th episode of Mythic Mission, I am very grateful for my friend David Bates @ Pints with Jack (https://www.pintswithjack.com/) who has graciously allowed me to share his interview with me about my book, "The Good News of the Return of the King: The Gospel in Middle earth" that I did on his show in early March 2021. This was one of my favorite interviews! Enjoy!