Ryan Pugliese is a husband, father, and history teacher in New Jersey. Recently he wrote an article called "The Modern Home is Anti-Catechism" on his Substack site, Pugliese's Paideia. We had a great discussion on what makes a home, what influenced Ryan toward teaching history, and why busyness is a false religion. 

In our last lesson on the Torah, we look at the book of Deuteronomy, the final sermons of Moses to prepare Israel for entering the land. Moses reminds them of their past, their special calling from God, and the blessings and curses that come as a part of their covenant with Him. We even answer the question, "Which part of God's law still applies?" 

By the end of Leviticus, God had finished giving His ceremonial laws to His people. Now it was time for them to enter the Promised Land. Except they weren't ready. Instead they rebelled and had to face the consequences. The book of Numbers is the story of their rebellion and God's faithfulness in bringing them to maturity despite their sin. 

Why did God give us holidays? In this second lesson on Leviticus, we discuss the major holy days of ancient Israel. We focus especially on the Day of Atonement and what it tells us about our lives now, as well as how the holy days were a guide to the future of God's people. 

Today we look at the first part of the book of Leviticus, a book the discourages many in their Bible reading because of its complexity. We dig into the early chapters, particularly the five offerings and the purity laws, discussing how they are viewed in the New Covenant. 

Today we consider the second and lesser-known half of Exodus. We consider the purpose of the law, the building of the tabernacle, and the relevance of both to Christians today. 

We continue our study of the Torah with a look at the first half of Exodus. 

Today I am interviewing Sophia Abraham, a harpist living in Cambridge. Sophia is a harpist, playing the harp since she was young. She has an MA in music therapy and is quite gifted, using her talents to help people recovering from various sorts of trauma. She and her husband have created Wisdom Harps, where they make and sell smaller, affordable harps for people who are interested in learning to play. She also offers online classes for beginners as well as in various modes of harp playing. Our discussion ranges from the role of the harp in the healing process for patients, its use in spiritual warfare, how beautiful music opens greater opportunities for evangelism, and why playing the harp is easier than most people think. She even plays a bit for us! It was a great discussion.  Wisdom Harps (Sophia's Website) Wisdom Harps Facebook page Some samples of Sophia's Playing When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Harp Meditation The Lord of Sea and Sky

This is the latter-half of the story of Abraham, in which we see Yahweh change his name and he will face his greatest test on Mt. Moriah. 

We come now to the life of Abraham, a new Adam figure called to leave the land of his fathers and go to the land God would show him. 

What makes the first eleven chapters of Genesis so foundational for Christians? How do they form the identify of ancient Israel? These are just some of the questions we try to answer in this first Sunday School lesson on the first five books of the Bible. 

What is the difference between being liberal and postliberal? Who better to talk with than Susannah Roberts, a writer, editor, and podcaster. We talk about her life growing up in New York City (where she still lives part of the year), her conversion to Christianity from agnosticism, and why liberalism is losing its popularity.  Susannah (@suzania) is the editor of Plough Quarterly and Mere Orthodoxy.  

Today I enjoyed visiting with Dr. Gerald McDermott. Dr. McDermott is an Anglican priest as well as a church historian and scholar who specializes in the theology of Jonathan Edwards. He has written dozens of books, eight of which focus on various elements of the life and legacy of Jonathan Edwards.  Today we talk about why Edwards was and still is important, and we focus on Edwards' unfinished book,  A History of Redemption. After many years of research, Dr. McDermott has written a book that seeks to finish what Edwards might have written had he lived to complete it (he tragically died at age fifty-four). We discuss Edwards further legacy, as well as why "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is both the best and the worst known sermon in American history.  A New History of Redemption Everyday Glory: The Revelation of God in All of Reality One Holy and Happy Society - the Public Theology of Jonathan Edwards Famous Stutterers

Today I get to speak with Aaron Renn, an author and social commentator. He recently wrote a book called, Life in the Negative World about how life has changed for Christians in the last fifty years and what Christians must do in the twenty-first century to thrive.  Aaron has an excellent Substack and podcast website. He has also edited the Puritan John Owen's book, The Mortification of Sin, a helpful book for Christians on battling (and killing) sin.  Today we talk about his book, the need for Christians to do good work, and how to use your gifts well in the world. 

John Ehrett is a lawyer in Washington, D.C. He returns today to talk with me about a recent article of his entitled, "Christendom After Comcast." We talk about the desire to return to a better way of life, the paths many people suggest, and what prevents that return from happening. Specifically, we discuss how cable television was one of many elements that restrict our ability to ever go back to "the way things were" and what are steps the church can take to faithfully respond to this new era.  Christendom After Comcast Ivy Envy  

Today I interview Dr. Donald Williams, former Literature professor at Toccoa Falls College. We discuss his book, Mere humanity : G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien on the Human Condition. We discuss what those men have to say about being human and even why their writings effect us generations after they lived.  Dr. Williams has written several books as well, some of which are listed below. Mere humanity : G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien on the Human Condition Answers from Aslan Ninety-Five Theses for a New Reformation Reflections from Plato's Cave: Essays in Evangelical Philosophy

Today I spoke with Nathan Gill, a Hillsdale graduate, classical education teacher, and administrator. He wrote an article at The American Reformer titled, "Toward a More American Classical Education." We talk about why it's important to not only give your children an education steeped in the wisdom of the past, but for their education to be rooted in the country and regional culture where they live. We discuss what that could look like, as well as how craftsmanship and entrepreneurship make for a uniquely American education. 

What is eschatology and how does it affect your life? Some think your view of the millennium determines your level of social and cultural action, but is that true?  Today I talk about a Ben Dunson article at the American Reformer that provides a partial answer to that question. But I suspect there's even more to the question than we realize.  Ben Dunson - Eschatology and Politics

Have you ever taken a quiz to know where you fall on the political compass? Are you liberal, conservative, authoritarian, or libertarian? Thankfully there are more options than those. Today I talk about how we can know where we call on the spectrum and how that knowledge can better help me to love my neighbor.  P.S. In this episode I said that Noah Millman's article came out on the "League of Ordinary Gentlemen" blog. That is incorrect. It was on the now defunct "American Scene" website, which is available thanks to the reliable Wayback Machine.  Articles mentioned Notes Towards a New Political Taxonomy - Noah Millman Tanner Greer's Summary of Millman's article A Better Model of Political Categories - N.S. Lyons (paywalled for subscribers)  

Joshua Klein is a woodworker, furniture maker, author, church elder, and editor of Mortise and Tenon magazine. He has written a fascinating biography of  Jonathan Fisher, an eighteenth-century jack-of-all-trades pastor titled, Hands Employed Aright. He also works with the Greystone Theological Institute's mechanical arts program to mentor young men in intellectual, theological, and craftsmanship skills.  We discuss what drew him to woodworking, the role of beauty in craftsmanship, and what makes a working with your hands so satisfying.    Mortise and Tenon Magazine Mortise and Tenon Podcast Hands Employed Aright Greystone Institute Mechanical Arts Program