The Pugcast

Today the Pugs welcome Dr. Scott Masson of Tyndale University onto the show. Scott is an Associate Professor of English and an authority on Romanticism. He also is known for his commitment to a recovery of classical learning. Today Scott reflects on the broken relationship between the humanities and theology and the disastrous consequences for higher education. He notes that this strikes right at the heart of the Christian faith because it separates the divine and human natures of the Son of God. He compares this to the broken sword Aduril from The Lord of the Rings and notes that the right ordering of our loves and the restoration of culture won't occur until the sword is reforged in the West. Join us for a great conversation.

The Anduril Moment - A Call to Return to Christian Humanism: Dr. Scott Masson’s lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2IWBJcN5kk

Dr. Masson’s Substack: https://drscottmasson.substack.com/

Paideia Today:  https://www.paideiatoday.com/

Recommended videos from Dr. Masson’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/DrScottMasson

i) How the Ideology of the French Revolution Destroyed Human Nature:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEYyIHiA0kE

ii) The History of Literary Theory (An overview):

https://youtu.be/0QsnNzFq9cs?si=yw06YOzRR1R6H0LN

iii) The Legacy of Romanticism:

https://youtu.be/2-ethRyqhzQ?si=K5KEkrlN0E77izN6

iv) The History of Cultural Marxism:  https://youtu.be/lC7q26ddu2k?si=m1R03Cu3fYdDqzDk

www.paideiatoday.com

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Learn more about First Pres. Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

In this episode the Pugs engage some of the theological roots that gave rise and shape to Western empiricism, especially in the Scottish Tradition of David Hume. In particular, they engage how the pessimistic view of fallen human reason take on a distorted shape when severed from the rich theological setting of Augustine's theology, and then lead to secular reappropriations by secular thinkers like Hume and others.

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Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Today the Pugs reflect on an essay by Matthew B. Crawford (author of Shop Class as Soulcraft) from his Substack entitled: Craftsmanship in the culture industry. The event that prompted the essay is the bid by Netflix to buy Warner Brothers (the film studio). What particularly interests Crawford is something broader, the decay of craftsmanship in our world, and what "managerialism" has to do with that. If you care about film, or just craftsmanship generally speaking we think you will enjoy the conversation.

Article: https://open.substack.com/pub/mcrawford/p/craftsmanship-in-the-culture-industry?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

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Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

C.S. Lewis came to faith once he realized that the Gospel was both myth, appealing to his heart, and fact, appealing to his mind. The Pugs discuss what he meant by myth and apply the idea to the Christmas story—how it embodies archetypes found in myth and legend throughout history.

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Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

On today's show the Pugs engage the rapidly growing turn to AI chatbots for mental health needs by teenagers. In what realistic ways can the church step into the situation? What hurdles and limits do we encounter as we set out ways to address this growing crisis, especially among the disadvantaged? The Pugs wrestle through these complex matters in this episode.

Article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/09/teenagers-ai-chatbots-mental-health-support

Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

In today's Pugcast Chris shares a little from his experience attending Peter Thiel's Antichrist lectures. Those in attendance promised not to divulge what they heard, but the contents of the lectures are now widely known since the contents have either been leaked to the press, or discussed in interviews Thiel has given. With those things in mind, Chris limits his reflections to what can be learned in a simple Google search: "Peter Thiel and Antichrist." Even with those limitations there is a lot to talk about, for instance, which should we fear more: Armageddon or the Antichrist? Thiel's answer is "Antichrist!"--tune in and find out why.

Related Links:

https://firstthings.com/voyages-to-the-end-of-the-world/

https://firstthings.com/where-is-the-antichrist-ft-peter-thiel/

https://unherd.com/2025/07/who-is-peter-thiels-antichrist/

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Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

In this episode, Tom and Glenn welcome Eugene Terekhin, a Russian translator and the man behind the Substack “The Philosophy of Language.” The conversation ranges over Heideger’s ideas about language and their connection to the Inklings, the idea of primordial language and its connection to poetry, and a variety of other nerdy language-related topics.

The Philosophy of Language Substack: https://substack.com/@eugeneterekhin

Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

When we look at the conditions in Weimar Germany, we see a lot of economic turmoil, hyperinflation, and declining expectations. Zoomers today are facing similar challenges, though not as extreme, which helps explain the appeal of white nationalism, antisemitism, and the “woke right.” The Pugsters discuss the parallels between America today and Weimar Germany and talk about how to respond to the problems facing young white men.

Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

Today the Pugs are joined by Josh Herring, author of a forthcoming book entitled, "Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve." If that title sounds familiar it is probably because you're a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia and of C. S. Lewis. In his book Josh explores Lewis's writing on sex and gender and finds a few things that might come as a surprise. Lewis was a defender of the traditional understanding of the relationship of the sexes, of course--but he dug deeper than most people who have written on the subject, and consequently he has richer insights to share. Join the Pugs as they discuss the value of Lewis's thoughts with Josh Herring!

Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/

On today's show the pugs converse and reflect upon the various ways in which modern and technological formation shape us, often in ways that counter our overall good. Reflecting on the fact that there are no ‘meaningless’ practices, the pugs reflect on ways our Christian faith, especially catechesis, help us wean from vices and dispositions that cloud our ability to see reality clearly and help us relate to it in healthy and properly ordered ways.

Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Learn more about WPC Battle Ground: https://www.solochristo.org/

Connect with WileyCraft Productions: https://wileycraftproductions.com/