Subversive Orthodoxy

William Blake's visionary poetry represents a revolutionary approach to spirituality, offering a third way between rigid religious dogma and cold scientific materialism through the power of imagination as a divine faculty.

• Blake's poem "The Book of Thel" processes the loss of his daughter through miscarriage by imagining conversations with short-lived creatures
• Even the smallest creatures in Blake's poetry understand they are cherished by God, revealing a profound view of divine love
• Blake's concept that "we are put on earth a little space to bear the beams of love" offers a meaningful purpose for existence
• The complementary poems "The Lamb" and "The Tiger" represent two facets of human experience - innocence and experience
• Blake's prophetic imagination anticipated modern problems, including the alienation of industrialization ("dark Satanic mills")
• The 1960s saw a revival of Blake's work through artists like Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan, and The Doors
• Blake challenges both religious literalism and scientific reductionism by elevating imagination as a spiritual necessity
• The concept that "it's easier to get to the head through the heart than to the heart through the head" captures Blake's approach
• Blake's mythological characters in his longer poems represent psychological states and cosmic forces, similar to modern Marvel characters

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Host: Travis Mullen Instagram: @manartnation

Co-Host: Robert L. Inchausti, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of English at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is the author of numerous books, including Subversive Orthodoxy, Thomas Merton's American Prophecy, The Spitwad Sutras, and Breaking the Cultural Trance. He is, among other things, a Thomas Merton authority, and editor of the Merton books Echoing Silence, Seeds, and The Pocket Thomas Merton. He's a lover of the literature of those who challenge the status quo in various ways, thus, he has had a lifelong fascination with the Beats.

Book by Robert L. Inchausti "Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and Other Christians in Disguise" Published 2005, authorization by the author.  

Intro & Outro Music by Noah Johnson & Chavez the Fisherman, all rights reserved.  

The latest conversation on Subversive Orthodoxy plunges deep into the heart of creativity and belief through the lens of two iconic figures: William Blake and Johann von Goethe. This episode invites you on a journey as we unravel the intricate relationship between imagination and faith, set against the backdrop of the dominating philosophies of the Enlightenment. In a world increasingly detached from its spiritual roots, Blake and Goethe serve as guiding lights, advocating for the embrace of the imaginative spirit in a culture often dismissive of visions and creativity.

Throughout the episode, we examine how Blake's radical views, rooted in deep mystical experiences, contest the boundaries of traditional Christian morality. His lyrical exploration in "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience" eloquently articulates the contrasting states of the human soul, advocating for a faith blossoming from personal experience and creative expression. Meanwhile, Goethe’s innovations in "Faust" reflect a profound engagement with the tension between reason and transcendence, embodying a pantheistic view that sees God within nature itself.

Listeners will find this episode not just intellectually stimulating but also emotionally resonant, as we pose challenging questions about our collective journey towards understanding the divine in the presence of rational thought. As we explore Blake and Goethe’s enduring legacies, the podcast calls upon you to reconnect with your imagination, inspiring a deeper journey into your own spirituality and the world around you.

Join us as we navigate the boundaries of art, philosophy, and faith, and discover how deeply interwoven these elements are in our quest for meaning amid the chaos of contemporary life. We would love for you to subscribe, share, and leave a review so we can continue to foster this enriching dialogue and bring transformative conversations into your life.

Show Notes: 

More on Blake Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVtLe1H6Jqs

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Contact: [email protected]

Instagram: @subversiveorthodoxy

Host: Travis Mullen Instagram: @manartnation

Co-Host: Robert L. Inchausti, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of English at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is the author of numerous books, including Subversive Orthodoxy, Thomas Merton's American Prophecy, The Spitwad Sutras, and Breaking the Cultural Trance. He is, among other things, a Thomas Merton authority, and editor of the Merton books Echoing Silence, Seeds, and The Pocket Thomas Merton. He's a lover of the literature of those who challenge the status quo in various ways, thus, he has had a lifelong fascination with the Beats.

Book by Robert L. Inchausti "Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and Other Christians in Disguise" Published 2005, authorization by the author.  

Intro & Outro Music by Noah Johnson & Chavez the Fisherman, all rights reserved.  

Boris Pasternak’s life exemplifies the struggle between art and tyranny, highlighting how literary expression can serve as an act of resistance against oppression and a journey toward spiritual rediscovery. Through his experiences, Pasternak challenges listeners to reflect on authenticity in a culture dominated by superficial fame and public expectation. 

• The essence of creation and self-surrender in artistic expression 
• The cultural and historical backdrop of Russia during Pasternak’s life 
• The spiritual evolution that informs "Dr. Zhivago" 
• The impact of Stalin's regime on artists and truth-tellers 
• The significance of “Dr. Zhivago” in the context of global literature 
• The tension between recognition and artistic integrity in Pasternak's life 
• A call to discover authenticity in a fame-driven culture 
• The enduring power of literary voices in times of crisis

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Contact: [email protected]

Instagram: @subversiveorthodoxy

Host: Travis Mullen Instagram: @manartnation

Co-Host: Robert L. Inchausti, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of English at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is the author of numerous books, including Subversive Orthodoxy, Thomas Merton's American Prophecy, The Spitwad Sutras, and Breaking the Cultural Trance. He is, among other things, a Thomas Merton authority, and editor of the Merton books Echoing Silence, Seeds, and The Pocket Thomas Merton. He's a lover of the literature of those who challenge the status quo in various ways, thus, he has had a lifelong fascination with the Beats.

Book by Robert L. Inchausti "Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and Other Christians in Disguise" Published 2005, authorization by the author.  

Intro & Outro Music by Noah Johnson & Chavez the Fisherman, all rights reserved.  

This episode explores Alexander Solzhenitsyn's transformative journey from a loyal communist and soldier to a profound voice against tyranny through his experiences in the Gulag. We discuss the themes of resilience, faith, and truth as vital tools for resisting oppression and the importance of living authentically in today's fragmented world. 
• Overview of Solzhenitsyn's early life and education 
• Arrest and imprisonment leading to personal transformation 
• Reflection on faith emerging from suffering 
• Impact of "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" on Soviet society 
• Significance of "The Gulag Archipelago" and its global influence 
• Examination of faith as a means to resist tyranny and foster compassion 
• Closing thoughts on Solzhenitsyn's relevance in contemporary discussions on faith and meaning


Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Contact: [email protected]

Instagram: @subversiveorthodoxy

Host: Travis Mullen Instagram: @manartnation

Co-Host: Robert L. Inchausti, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of English at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is the author of numerous books, including Subversive Orthodoxy, Thomas Merton's American Prophecy, The Spitwad Sutras, and Breaking the Cultural Trance. He is, among other things, a Thomas Merton authority, and editor of the Merton books Echoing Silence, Seeds, and The Pocket Thomas Merton. He's a lover of the literature of those who challenge the status quo in various ways, thus, he has had a lifelong fascination with the Beats.

Book by Robert L. Inchausti "Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and Other Christians in Disguise" Published 2005, authorization by the author.  

Intro & Outro Music by Noah Johnson & Chavez the Fisherman, all rights reserved.  

What do these 20 outlaws, revolutionaries, and mystics have in common? 
 
 What if timeless wisdom from unlikely figures could speak prophetically into our present day?  In this episode, we explore this question with a deep dive into "Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and Other Christians in Disguise" by Robert Larry Inchausti. 
 
 Alongside Professor Inchausti, we examine how the radical insights of thinkers like Wendell Berry, Martin Luther King Jr., and Dorothy Day challenge modern anxieties and oppressive ideologies, offering hopeful visions that remain profoundly relevant.
 
 Join us as we uncover the hidden threads connecting Christian intellectual traditions with broader cultural currents. From Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn to Chesterton and Kierkegaard, these figures disrupt conventional power dynamics while rooting their critiques in enduring faith. 
 
 We'll also draw on John Pattison's review in "Besides the Bible" to explore how these thinkers boldly question the status quo, providing a fresh perspective on the intersection of faith and culture.
 
 As we navigate the complex landscape of belief and skepticism, contrasting the approaches of figures like Joe Rogan with the introspective Russian literary tradition, we invite you to explore the quest for meaning in a fragmented world. Reflecting on the transformative power of Russian literature and the moral fortitude of Solzhenitsyn, we consider the challenges of nihilism and the search for purpose amidst chaos. This episode is an invitation to engage with profound narratives and share these insights with those seeking significance in today's disjointed reality.
 
 Reading from book, "Besides the Bible: 100 Books that have, should or will created Christian culture" by Dan Gibson, Jordan Green and John Pattison
 
 Reading from Thomas Merton, "Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander"

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Contact: [email protected]

Instagram: @subversiveorthodoxy

Host: Travis Mullen Instagram: @manartnation

Co-Host: Robert L. Inchausti, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of English at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is the author of numerous books, including Subversive Orthodoxy, Thomas Merton's American Prophecy, The Spitwad Sutras, and Breaking the Cultural Trance. He is, among other things, a Thomas Merton authority, and editor of the Merton books Echoing Silence, Seeds, and The Pocket Thomas Merton. He's a lover of the literature of those who challenge the status quo in various ways, thus, he has had a lifelong fascination with the Beats.

Book by Robert L. Inchausti "Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries, and Other Christians in Disguise" Published 2005, authorization by the author.  

Intro & Outro Music by Noah Johnson & Chavez the Fisherman, all rights reserved.