The Theology Pugcast

The Theology Pugcast

The Pugcast is produced by The Logos Center and features Dr. Thomas Price, Dr. Glenn Sunshine, and Pr. C. R. Wiley. The Pugcast is recorded at The Corner Pug--a well-known watering hole in tony West Hartford, Connecticut. (Hence the name, "pugcast"--also the reason there is so much background noise.) The show could be described as "3 over-educated Reformed guys riffing on philosophy, theology, and stuff that bugs them." Each episode they invite you to take a seat in their booth and listen in on their conversation. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-theology-pugcast/support

  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    The Strong Gods Are Back!

    Today Chris presents Rusty Reno's thesis from his book, Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West. Reno's thesis is that since WW2 western leaders and intellectuals have worked to weaken natural affections that call for loyalty and sacrifice. The weak gods used to promote the program have been weakening and we now live in a world in which the old affections are growing stronger. The Pugs reflect on this development--both in hope, but also with a little caution.


    Order Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West:  https://www.regnery.com/9781684512690/return-of-the-strong-gods/


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

    31 March 2025, 7:57 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Emerging Technopaganism

    The Pugsters take a walk on the weird side with a conversation on UFOs (or, as they are now called, UAPs), AI, and quantum computing as interrelated parts of a new, emerging religion that Glenn calls Technopaganism. There's a whole lot going on in these areas and a lot of it is very strange. Join us as Glenn takes us through a survey of some of the terrain using the work of professor of religion Diana Pasulka as a jumping off point. But be prepared for a lot of things that don't fit the way we've been taught to see the world!


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

    24 March 2025, 8:08 am
  • 1 hour 38 seconds
    Moral Wisdom and Natural Law

    On today's show Tom, Glenn, and Chris trace the theological heritage of historic Christian and Reformed moral theology as it drew upon and developed natural law thinking as one resource for moral wisdom and engagement with culture. As we address moral challenges of our age, we have a rich heritage in our faith, from the early Church through various Protestant and Reformed lines, to draw upon as we aim to unpack biblical ethical wisdom in our time. The natural law tradition is one such line which the Reformed line classically embraced and developed in light of its core theological insights. The pugs enjoy a lively conversation around this important contribution to moral theology.


    The Right Use of Moral Philosophy by Pierre de La Place: https://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Sources-Modern-Economics-Ethics/dp/1949011062


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

    17 March 2025, 7:22 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Haunted Cosmos--The Interview and the Book!

    Today the Pugs are pleased to interview Brian Suave' and Benjamin Garrett about their new book, Haunted Cosmos. It's a fun and free-ranging interview about a cosmos that is more than just "stuff." During the conversation the question, "Why are Reformed believers seemingly less willing to entertain the ongoing activity of angels and demons in our world?" is considered, along with many other fascinating questions. Tune in and prepare to hear a discussion that discusses fairies, cryptids, and aliens and what we should make of them. Fun!


    Order Haunted Cosomo: Doing Your Duty in a World that’s Not Just Stuff: https://www.newchristendompress.com/cosmos


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

    10 March 2025, 8:13 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Apple Pie and Rocket Ships, Is a Wholesome Technological Future Possible?

    Today Chris shares some of his work on artificial intelligence and the prospects for a wholesome humanism. The question he's attempting to answer is, "Is it possible to preserve permanent things such as traditional family life when the technology we have developed can easily tears wholesome life to shreds?" In other words, is dystopia inevitable, or can we have an apple pie American wholesomeness and still have rocket ships? Join us for a little science fiction fun!


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


    Catch our documentary ‘A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Lewis, Oxford, and Our Postmodern Age’ at https://youtu.be/7OYYuK2Y7d0

    3 March 2025, 8:03 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Family Law & Manufactured Babies: An Interview of Jeff Shafer of the Hale Institute

    Today the Pugs interview Jeff Shafer about the brave new world of children without biological parents. What happens when children become products that we assemble from the gene pool and sell to the highest bidder? We don't have to wonder, it's already here. Jeff is a lawyer and the director of the Hale Institute. His recent lecture, "Machine Anithumanism and the Inversion of Family Law" was published on a couple of prominent Substacks and came to the attention of Tom and Chris at a recent Hale Institute event they both participated in. Tune in a learn about the talk that has Matthew B. Crawford and N. S. Lyons buzzing. Our scientists are up to some disturbing antihuman stuff.


    Read Machine Antihumanism and the Inversion of Family Law at https://theupheaval.substack.com/p/machine-antihumanism-and-the-inversion


    Learn more about the Hale Institute: https://www.haleinstitute.org/


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


    Catch our documentary ‘A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Lewis, Oxford, and Our Postmodern Age’ at https://youtu.be/7OYYuK2Y7d0

    24 February 2025, 8:22 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    There’s Something about Mary

    In this episode, the Pugsters take a look at Mariology from a Protestant perspective. While they don’t agree with a number of elements of the Catholic doctrines of Mary, the guys agree that Protestants don’t pay enough attention to her and that there are many valuable things she can teach us. As usual, the conversation ranges over a variety of topics, including the term “Mother of God” vs. Theotokos, prayer to saints, what virginity meant in the ancient world, and relics.


    A correction, thanks to some of our Catholic listeners: Catholics bow when the incarnation is mentioned in the Nicene Creed. The focus of the bow is to acknowledge that miracle, not to single out Mary.


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


    Catch our documentary ‘A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Lewis, Oxford, and Our Postmodern Age’ athttps://youtu.be/7OYYuK2Y7d0

    17 February 2025, 8:51 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    What if Screwtape Were Female? An Interview with Tilly Dillehay

    Today the Pugs are pleased to welcome to the show Tilly Dillehay, author of My Dear Hemlock. Tilly has taken Lewis's ingenious book, The Screwtape Letters as inspiration for her book in which Madame Hoaxrot (a female Screwtape) instructs a junior temptress named Hemlock (her Wormwood) in the fine art of leading a young woman astray. It's a fun episode, and one with many reflections on the spiritual hazards that women find tempting. We hope you enjoy the show--if "fun" and "enjoy" can be thought of as the right words for such a diabolical subject.


    Order My Dear Hemlock at Canon Press:https://canonpress.com/products/my-dear-hemlock


    Find Tilly on the Home Fires Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/home-fires/id1530704128


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


    Catch our documentary ‘A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Lewis, Oxford, and Our Postmodern Age’ athttps://youtu.be/7OYYuK2Y7d0

    10 February 2025, 8:15 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Anthony Esolen on Artificial Intelligence and the Desecration of the Word

    Today the Pugcast is pleased to welcome Anthony Esolen on the show! Tony is a prolific author and translator. Perhaps his best known work is his translation of Dante's Divine Comedy. Today the pugs ask Tony for his thoughts on Artificial Intelligence, particularly Chatbots and Large Language Models (LLMs). As you might infer from the title of the show, he is less than impressed. The conversation is free-flowing and we think Tony's thoughts are always erudite and fascinating. We hope you agree!



    Follow Dr. Esolen on Substack: https://anthonyesolen.substack.com/


    Order his translation of Augustine’s Confession: https://a.co/d/290ikNB


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


    Catch our documentary ‘A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Lewis, Oxford, and Our Postmodern Age’ at https://youtu.be/7OYYuK2Y7d0

    3 February 2025, 8:49 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Called to Freedom—An Interview with Brad Littlejohn

    The Pugcast is pleased to welcome Brad Littlejohn back on the show to discuss his latest book, Called to Freedom. If there's one thing western culture seems to celebrate, it's freedom. But just what are we talking about when we speak of it? Does freedom mean doing anything you want, just so long as no one gets hurt? If so, is that even possible? That seems to imply freedom is either amoral or even immoral, and that can't be right. Fortunately we have rich wells to draw from in scripture and western philosophy on the matter and Brad is a faithful guide to those riches. Join the show and learn what it means to be free--spiritually, morally, politically, and even corporately.



    Order ‘Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License (Christ in Everything)’ https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/called-to-freedom-P005841102


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


    Catch our documentary ‘A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Lewis, Oxford, and Our Postmodern Age’ at https://youtu.be/7OYYuK2Y7d0

    27 January 2025, 9:06 am
  • 2 minutes 12 seconds
    A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Now on Youtube!

    While we don’t have a full podcast episode for you today, we do have something even better! A Pugcast Pilgrimage: Lewis, Oxford, and Our Postmodern Age (Our Pugcast Documentary filmed Spring 2024) is now publicly available on Youtube. Thank you again to all our Indiegogo supporters who made this possible!


    Follow this link to find it: https://youtu.be/7OYYuK2Y7d0


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

    20 January 2025, 10:47 am
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