New Persuasive Words

In this episode we talk about a new study of the American electorate, inspired by a recent op-ed in the NY Times by David Brooks. New research shows that the political tribalism that characterizes American political culture is actually fueled by the elites on the right and the left. You can find the David Brooks piece here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/opinion/politics-race-white-tribalism.html. You can find the research he cites here: https://hiddentribes.us.

In this episode we reflect on America's deep political divisions and tribalism in light of the theology of the cross.

In this episode, recorded as the Senate was voting to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, we discuss the events that led up to his confirmation and what they might mean for the future of American politics and culture. We reference two articles during our discussion. They can be found below. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/10/02/brett-kavanaugh-lying-politics-220812 http://mbird.com/2018/10/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-lost-doctrine-of-sin/

In this episode, inspired by an essay that appeared in the Expository Times, we talk about the relationship between Christianity and philosophy. Specifically we consider what Christ crucified, "the foolishness of God," has to do with the philosophical enterprise. You can find the essay we discuss here: (http://www.academia.edu/36913090/Towards_a_Christian_Philosophy_of_the_Cross_page-proofs_2018_) This is the Von Balthasar quote referenced: Neither religious philosophy nor existence can provide the criterion for the genuineness of Christianity. In philosophy, man discovers what is humanly knowable about the depths of being; in existence, man lives out what is humanly livable. But Christianity disappears the moment it allows itself to be dissolved into a transcendental precondition of human self-understanding in thinking or living, knowledge or deed. It thus seems at first that the extrinsicist and historical approach of the newer apologetics is the only way forward. This approach does not altogether collap

In this episode we talk about life's most universal experience: death.

In this episode we discuss the results of a recent study that show that there is an increasing number of secular and irreligious people forming Trump's GOP base. These less religious Republicans tend to share more of Trump's views that their religious counterparts. What does this mean for the future of the Republican party and the conservative movement? We found out about the study in a recent New York Times piece by Ross Douthat (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/15/opinion/sunday/conservatism-after-christianity.html).

In this episode, drawing inspiration from a book by Stephen Westerholm, we discuss the Old and New Perspective on Paul and whether Paul's "problem" was a Gentile issue or a problem facing the entire human race. Westerholm's book is entitled Justification Reconsidered: Rethinking A Pauline Theme. (https://www.amazon.com/Justification-Reconsidered-Rethinking-Pauline-Theme/dp/0802869610) You can find a conversation with Westerholm about the book here. (https://blog.logos.com/2015/02/justification-reconsidered-an-interview-with-stephen-westerholm/)

In this episode, inspired by a piece in Commentary Magazine about the current crisis in the Catholic Church and the controversy surrounding President Trump's recent dinner with prominent evangelical leaders, we talk about how the media covers and sometimes misunderstands the church and church controversies.

In this episode, inspired by a discussion on the Commentary Magazine podcast (https://www.commentarymagazine.com/podcast/podcast-dirty-word-socialism/), we discuss the rising popularity of socialism in America today.

In this episode we talk about Roman roads, the importance of infrastructure and the nature of preservation and innovation in traditions. You can find the story about the study of Roman roads and current economic activity here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5673247/Roman-roads-contributing-spread-prosperity-scientists-claim.html.

William F. Buckley once said: "I’m as patriotic as anyone from sea to shining sea, but there’s not a molecule of nationalism in me.” Inspired by this quote, we consider whether one can be an American patriot and a nationalist at the same time.

In this episode, continuing a series on law, grace, the Christian life and the nature of the human condition, we discuss the relationship of nature and grace.

We welcomed friend of the show Geoff Holsclaw into the bunker for the first time. We went into this episode without a topic. It was a show about nothing that became something. This goes down as one of our favorite Bullgeschicte episodes. Can't wait to have Geoff back.

Inspired by a recent piece in the New York Times, we discuss new research that shows how political affiliations and commitments are shaping religious one, not the other way around. You can find the New York Times piece, written by Michele Margolis, here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/opinion/religion-republican-democrat.html.

In this episode, continuing a series on law, grace, the Christian life and the nature of the human condition, we offer a postscript to our previous episode on Calvin and predestination. We grapple with questions about providence, predestination and evil.

In this episode, continuing a series on law, grace, the Christian life and the nature of the human condition, we talk about Calvin and predestination.

In this episode, continuing a series on law, grace, the Christian life and the nature of the human condition, we talk about Luther and the Reformation reception of Augustine, in conversation with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, popularly know as "The Little Flower of Jesus."

La·od·i·ce·an adjective adjective: Laodicean 1. lukewarm or halfhearted, especially with respect to religion or politics. noun noun: Laodicean; plural noun: Laodiceans 1. a person with a halfhearted attitude toward religion or politics. In this episode, continuing a series on law, grace, the Christian life and the nature of the human condition, Bill argues for a "Laodicean" Augustinian understanding of human nature.

In this episode we begin a new series of indeterminate length. We're attempting to talk through Creation, Fall and Redemption and everything in between and how this shapes how we discuss our understanding of salvation and the human condition.

In this episode, inspired by Richard Rohr and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, we talk about what it means for creation to look forward to its fulfillment. You can find the Richard Rohr piece we reference here: https://cac.org/evolving-the-universe-2018-06-08/.