The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 262 — Good Mornings, Harry Potter, and Hand-Raising

Welcome to this week’s episode of The Thinklings Podcast!

We begin with our regular Books & Business discussion, and then move into a lively set of listener questions and literary reflections — from Gandalf and Bilbo’s “Good Morning” exchange in The Hobbit, to whether Harry Potter belongs in the same category as Tolkien and Lewis, to thoughtful questions about worship practices, laughter, and the Christian life.

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s conversation!

Books & Business

Current State of OT Studies — Thinkling Tim

Sir Gawain & the Green Knight — Thinkling Josh

Sackett’s Land, Louis L’Amour (Strong 6) — Thinkling Andy

A Farewell to Arms — Thinkling Charlie

Main Content

* Jeremiah Simpson’s Question (via Charlie): Why does Gandalf press Bilbo on the meaning of “good morning” in The Hobbit? What does this reveal about Tolkien’s view of language, and how should we think about Bilbo’s response?

* Bethany Snell’s Question (via Josh): How should Christians think about Harry Potter compared to Narnia or The Lord of the Rings? What value might the series have, and where do Christians differ?

* Dakota Holaday & Taylor Jarmon’s Questions (via Little): How do studies on worship apply to camp songs with actions? Is there a biblical connection between hand-raising and Sabbath observance?

* Josiah Little’s Question (via Stearns): What is the correlation between humor, laughter, and spirituality? Why do we laugh, and what does it reveal about our hearts?

Final Meditation

Thinkling Stearns closes with a meditation on prayer, reflecting on the example of Manasseh.

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