Jumping off another suggested topic from our faithful listeners, the Pugsters talk about the medieval guild system. The guilds were a way to protect customers and, with export goods, the reputation of the city by guaranteeing the quality of products. They also guaranteed a level playing field for producers. Along with their economic role, the guilds performed social and spiritual functions, with the process of mastering your craft seen as a metaphor for the process of spiritual growth. Glenn clears up a lot of misconceptions about the guilds and the Middle Ages in general, and the guys talk about the quality of medieval craftsmanship vs. the disposable world created by industrialization and consumerism.

In today's show, Glenn raises the subject of neopagan and heathen movements in the western world. Just what is going on with these movements, are they genuine revivals, or are they merely role-playing diversions? And what does any of this have to do with the alt-right, and Norse-myths in particular? Tune in for a lively discussion as usual!

Today the Pug is joined by Dr. Matthew T. Dickerson, professor at Middlebury College, in Vermont, and author of many books, among them: Ents, Elves, and Eriador: The Environmental Vision of J. R. R. Tolkien. The conversation did get around to Ents (a fascinating part of the discussion), and it even included the environment, but it also wandered into many other matters--some far afield. (Surprise, surprise.) If you like the Inklings, you'll enjoy this episode.

In this episode the Pugsters return to Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy Stories,” focusing particularly on the legitimacy of escape as a function of fantasy literature. Tolkien pointed out that “escape” is a positive term in all contexts except literary criticism, which points to a problem with the critics’ use of the word. The guys also get into discussions of the metaphysics of fantasy building off of Tolkien’s comments in the essay.

With Halloween merch already showing up in stores, it’s a good time to do a Pug take on vampires, so this week, the Pugsters riff off an article by John Schuler looking at the implicit philosophical ideas in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. They start off with a discussion of the difference between modernity and the “old centuries” before moving on to scientism, the nature of evil, natural and artificial symbols (in Schuler’s terms), meaning, natural law and the supernatural, and a bunch of other rabbit trails suggested by the article.

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In today's show Tom returns to the theme on technology but this time with an eye toward responding to Glenn's thoughts on Enchantment. Is it possible to have the best of both--or must we choose between a world of creature comforts made possible by technology, or an uncomfortable but meaningful one? Fittingly, the guys had to choose between air-conditioning and optimal conditions for recording the show. (Sounds like the wrong choice was made--when you listen to the show you'll know what that means. Sorry.)

But there is some good news to share: this is our last episode with our old recording equipment. When the show was recorded the new equipment had been ordered. By the time the show was uploaded on the internet--the equipment had arrived! So, if all goes well, you'll never have to endure another poorly recored episode of The Pug!)

Content correction: Chris calls "the Death Star" from Star Wars "the Battle Star" (Heresy! He mixed up his franchises)--but at least he got the Marshwiggle's name from The Silver Chair right. It's "Puddleglum".

Chris is in Dallas, and Glenn is on the road, and Tom feels too lonely to record a show. So, we dig into Chris's personal vault of recorded stuff this week for a conversation with Aaron Renn, publisher of the Masculinist.

Chris and Aaron are joined by David Talcott, professor of philosophy at King's College in New York City, Sam Perez, a pastor in Jersey City, and Nate Towers of Fellowship Deaconry.

This is a free-range conversation about men, masculinity, the church, women, Jason Peterson, and a host of other things. Enjoy!

The Pugcast guys will be back next week.

In today’s show the Pugsters explore Christianity’s relationship with Classical Culture and Tom explains the impact of von Harnack’s incorrect thesis, which placed the two in opposition. The guys then explore contemporary examples of the problematic application of von Harnack in theology and the Christian life.

This week, the guys discuss pilgrimage. Glenn summarizes the early history of pilgrimage, noting both the practice and the arguments against it even in the early church. From there, the guys discuss more of the history of pilgrimage and talk about whether there are “thin places” made somehow holy by long centuries of prayer, or alternatively, made evil by great evil done in them in the past.

Today Chris introduces the guys to Christopher Lasch and a chapter in his book, The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy. The chapter is, The Soul of Man Under Secularism. In the chapter Lasch riffs on Oscar Wilde’s, The Soul of Man Under Socialism. Wilde believed that Socialism would free people from the responsibilities of property and manual labor so that they could pursue the development of “personality”. If that sounds self-indulgent and unrealistic, that’s because it is. But that is remarkably similar to the way so many young people and tech gurus think in our time. The pugsters use Lasch and Wilde as a basis for reflection on the loony character of our time. Tune in and join the conversation!