Every generation faces the temptation to wander from orthodoxy and to drift with cultural currents. So every generation must be awakened again to the thrill of orthodoxy, and experience the astonishment that comes from stumbling afresh upon the electrifying paradoxes at the heart of the Christian faith. Trevin Wax wants to turn the tables on those who believe Christian teaching is narrow and outdated. In this episode, he joins Matt and Alastair to discuss how he accomplishes this in his new book, The Thrill of Orthodoxy. Until November 7, save 30% on this title (either hard copy or eBook) and get free shipping when you order it from ivpress.com with the code MERE22. 

Timestamps:
Who Blogged First [1:23]
Confidence in the Beauty of Truth [3:57]
How Orthodoxy Functions [5:47]
Jadedness & Disillusionment [8:34]
Offensive & Defensive Orthodoxy [18:10]
Full-orbed Vision [26:03]
Worship [30:12]
Baptism [35:16]
When the Thrill Is Gone [40:39]
Communal Thrill [47:38]

Find all mentioned resources linked at merefidelity.com

The Thrill of Orthodoxy, with Trevin Wax

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

Ewan Goligher has written a book making a clear and strong argument against euthanasia and for the intrinsic value of human life. He joins Matt and Alastair to discuss many fine points of this complex and knotty issue, including the history of the legality of euthanasia in Canada, the ethical implications of suicide, the good of death, and the intrinsic value of a human’s existence. 
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. 
Timestamps:
Keep Us Going [0:00]
A Sudden Change in Canada [1:48]
A Reaction from the Church [6:48]
Autonomy of Physicians [9:56]
Whose Prima Facie? [14:34]
Intrinsic Value [18:42]
Suicide qua Suicide [21:06]
Existence [27:47]
Death as a Witness [32:28]
Death as a Mercy [35:44]
Creatures in Time [44:51]

How Should We Then Die? with Ewan Goligher

Professor Oliver O’Donovan joins Matt and Derek once more. This time they discuss the relationship of Christian belief and practice to the contemporary political realities of our world. Do we need a new constitution? What’s to be done about the current wars? How can we properly utilize passion and reason in elections?
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. 
Timestamps:
The O’Donovan Inception [0:00]
The Role of Scripture in Political Judgment [2:46]
How do we read Genesis? [7:31]
Carl Schmitt: Friend-Enemy Polarity [10:26]
Augustine: Objects of Common Love [16:24]
Rene Girard: Rivalry [21:42]
Pro- and Post-Liberalism [24:45]
New Beginnings [31:18]
The Role of Reason in Politics [36:22]
Remember the Rest of the World [40:31]

Christian Politics with Oliver O’Donovan

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 Thrill of Orthodoxy, with Trevin Wax

Download our free app to listen on your phone