Occasionally on Mere Fidelity we have taken up difficult passages of Scripture. On this episode we take up an entire book that feels quite difficult: the book of the prophet Zechariah. What do all those oddly specific visions mean? Is Alexander the Great an actual Christ figure? How can you tell the difference between prophetic horizons? With Matt acting as everyman, Andrew asks the sharp questions, and Alastair sorts out the answers. 
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. 

Timestamps:
Anno Biden [0:00]
Free Sermon Prep? [1:38]
Weird Form… or Weird Content [4:07]
Night Vision Context [6:22]
Problem Solved? [14:35]
More Complicated: Hooray! [18:08]
Wait, Which Horizon? 27:48]
The Meaning of Prophecy [37:03]
Of Normative Accounts of Providence in History [43:02]

The Perplexing Book of Zechariah

From the Mere Orthodoxy Podcast Network: thoughtful weekly conversations about theology, the culture, and the church, hosted by Matthew Lee Anderson, Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, and Andrew Wilson.

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

The renowned Professor Oliver O’Donovan joins Matt and Alastair to discuss the relationship between the practice of the Christian faith and the philosophical field of ethics. 
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. 
Timestamps:
A Warm Welcome [0:00]
How can ethics be Christian? [1:44]
Creation vs. Nature [5:27]
Family Duty [11:28]
Jewish Tradition [19:10]
Novelty [23:19]
Variety [27:52]
The Closure of the Canon [34:37]
Moral Formation [38:55]

Christian Ethics with Oliver O’Donovan

Casuistry is a technical term for a way of reasoning about ethical principles in specific situations. It fell into disuse historically in favor of a more narrative-based view of the world. But some of the Mere Fidelity cast are sensing that there is a felt lack of organized principle application to pastoral situations in the church. Do you agree that casuistry needs to make a comeback?
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. 

Timestamps:
The Kazooists North American Tour 2024 [0:00]
What is casuistry? [2:53]
History, Both Catholic and Protestant [5:30]
Conflicting Principles [7:46]
Proper Context, Lacking Confession [13:58]
Practical Application of Practical Application [20:40]
Narrative & Principle United [22:08]
Moral Reasoning in Paul’s Epistles [28:44]
Legalism [30:38]
First Steps for Pastors [37:05]

Casuistry

Taking up a difficult passage of Scripture, Alastair, Andrew, and Matt consider the incident in which Jacob deceives Isaac into giving him the blessing. Multiple respected theologians bring solid principles to bear on the interpretation of this reading, and come to very different conclusions. What is to be done? Is lying always and everywhere wrong? Was Jacob justified in his ruse? And in the process Alastair reveals some striking parallels between this story and that of King David. 
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. 

Timestamps:
Tempus Fugit [0:00]
Misreading the Preposition [2:12]
The Setup [3:34]
The Dispute [7:16]
The Anderson School [14:43]
Davidic Parallels [23:38]
Urgency in Lying [30:09]
“I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” [36:19]
Rogues Gallery or Rogues Mirror? [38:35]

The Deception of Isaac

When dealing with delicate, nuanced, disputed, or important issues, should Christians primarily rely on their own judgment or the authority of church leaders in their lives? Derek, Alastair, and Matt bring their own experience to bear, as well as a reliance on Scripture and authority, to answer this listener-submitted question. 
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. 
Timestamps:
Hot Deal [0:00]
A Better Question Than It Sounds [2:21]
Be Like Alastair [4:14]
Clarification of Roles [8:55]
Avoiding Individualism [13:30]
Submission to Commands [22:24]
Casuistry [26:18]
Rebellion [30:18]
Confessions [35:52]

Thinking For Yourself

Andrew, Matt, and Alastair take up the oft-disputed passage from First Timothy that seems to restrict the authority of women in the church. What’s the best way to handle this in the twenty-first century?
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. 

Timestamps:
Zwingli the Pastor [0:00]
Old Conundrum, New Energy [1:39]
One Weird Question [3:18]
One Further Question [6:35]
Ecclesiastical Evolution [11:22]
vv. 11-15 [16:25]
Load-Bearing Details [22:12]
Autheneo and Didasko [27:27]
Restricting Teaching [29:26]
Saved Through Childbearing [35:00]

The Perplexing Book of Zechariah

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