The Theology Pugcast is three over-educated Reformed guys grumbling about what bugs them, and sometimes even barking about what they like. The show usually is recorded in a pub--that's why there is some background noise on occasion. The topics can vary widely seeing as the Pugsters have different spheres of knowledge and interest, but common themes which appear regularly include the transcendence of God and the meaningfulness of His creation.
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Sep 28, 2026 · 1:00:39
In this episode, the Pugs welcome back Dr. Natalie Atwell to discuss her new book, Humanity Under Siege. After more than twenty years as a licensed clinical mental health…
Sep 21, 2026 · 1:03:26
This week’s podcast looks at the important book by Tobias Rose-Stockwell: Outrage Machine: how tech amplifies discontent, disrupts democracy, and what we can do about it. The…
Sep 14, 2026 · 1:00:12
In this episode, Glenn leads off the discussion by citing recent claims by scientists that we need to reduce global population by more than half by 2200 for the sake of the…
Sep 7, 2026 · 1:01:06
Today the Pugs reflect on an essay from Matthew B. Crawford’s Substack entitled, The Fate of Liberty in the American Experiment. One feature of the essay is a reflection on the…
Aug 31, 2026 · 59:29
This week’s episode looks at a variety of social and ethical visions that aim for the perfect society or state of being through, especially in the West. These visions, some of…
Aug 24, 2026 · 1:03:17
On today's show the Pugs respond to a variety of questions submitted by Patreon patrons. Tune in for a wide ranging conversation! Support the Theology Pugcast on Patreon:…
Aug 17, 2026 · 58:31
The Pugsters welcome Fr. Dwight Longenecker to the show to discuss his new book, Bloodshed and Blessing. The book discusses blood sacrifice as a component of all traditional…
Aug 10, 2026 · 1:02:26
Today the Pugs come down to earth to talk about the writing life. What time of day do they write? What tools do they use? Eating first or writing on an empty stomach; does it…
Aug 3, 2026 · 1:02:26
In this episode, the Pugsters look at the role of imagination in finding truth. Starting with Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s definition of imagination, the conversation explores the…
Jul 27, 2026 · 57:51
This week the pugs discuss the theologically profound and philosophically astute nineteenth century fiction writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Interacting with key aspects of this…
Jul 20, 2026 · 30:25
By What Authority: https://firstthings.com/by-what-authority-2/ Experimental Sermons Substack: https://jwdell.substack.com/ Pre-Order Exile and Return: https://payhip.com/b/Hc6up…
Jul 13, 2026 · 31:34
Today’s show is a short one. Tom and Glenn are out of the country, but Chris is joined by repeat guest, Dr. George Grant to discuss a recent article he published with Ligonier…
Jul 6, 2026 · 1:02:34
With Tom on vacation, Chris and Glenn welcome back Kemper Crabb to talk about his father, who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times, along with Kemper’s…
Jun 29, 2026 · 1:03:31
Today the Pugs welcome Hillsdale Professor and historian, Brad Birzer to the Pugcast to discuss his forthcoming book on the Inklings 'Tolkien and the Inklings: Men of the West'.…
Jun 22, 2026 · 40:31
In this episode, the Pugsters welcome Megan Basham to the show. Megan is a former culture correspondent for World magazine and host of their popular podcast “The World and…
Jun 15, 2026 · 57:16
Today’s show engages the recent encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas. The encyclical offers wise guidance from a Christian set of resources to help human beings…
Jun 8, 2026 · 1:02:18
“Knowledge is Power, Francis Bacon”—we’ve all heard it over and over. But what did he mean? And was he right, or did he intentionally leave important things to know out of his…
Jun 1, 2026 · 1:05:29
In lieu of a new episode this week, we're revisiting last year's conversation Malcolm Guite: poet, priest, and theologian. Chris leads off the conversation with Mariner, Guite’s…
May 25, 2026 · 1:00:12
Inspired by Malcolm Guite’s Galahad and the Grail, Glenn walks the other Pugs through the evolution of the story of Arthur from his historical roots as a warlord through his…
May 18, 2026 · 1:00:53
Today the Pugs dip their paws into the recent file dump from the Federal Government re: UFO and UAPs. So far it seems like nothing new has been revealed, but there is a whole lot…
May 11, 2026 · 1:03:08
This week, the Pugs discuss an article by our friend Aaron Renn dealing with the loss of literacy and the decline of Protestantism in America. Is there a connection between the…
May 4, 2026 · 1:02:43
The pugs engage the recent trends of AI companions, from AI friendships to AI Therapists and Soul-Care. Most disturbing are the developments of Grieftech and Religioustech. On…
Apr 27, 2026 · 1:01:41
Tom and Glenn welcome J.P. Sanchez to the show today. J.P. is a Mexican lawyer currently studying international human rights law at the University of Notre Dame. In this…
Apr 20, 2026 · 1:02:19
Today Chris reflects on artists whose art he admires, but he would never want to be like. When you think of Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, or even Mozart, must you boycott them…
Apr 13, 2026 · 1:02:29
Stephen Crotts is an artist and graphic designer who is doing the illustrations for Malcolm Guite’s soon to be released Arthuriad. In this episode, the Pugs talk with him about…
Apr 6, 2026 · 1:02:44
In this episode, the Pugsters begin with a discussion of panpsychism, the idea that everything has a form of consciousness. In a world where even trees communicate with each…
Mar 30, 2026 · 1:00:10
Today Chris and Glenn welcome an old friend of Chris’s, Bradley G. Green, faculty of Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, soon to be faculty of Southern Baptist Theological…
Mar 23, 2026 · 1:01:43
The Pugs engage a fun piece by Malcolm Guite entitled: In Defense of Pints and Pipes. Here they delve into the fashionable cultural obsession with physical health and wellness…
Mar 16, 2026 · 1:02:55
There is a new biopic about the founder of the Shakers entitled, The Testament of Ann Lee. If you've heard of the Shakers it is probably because of their furniture. This week the…
Mar 9, 2026 · 59:58
Glenn introduces the Pugsters to David Engels, a conservative Belgian historian and philosopher who focuses on a revival of Western civilization. Using one of his articles as a…
Mar 2, 2026 · 1:02:20
In this episode, the pugs discuss a recent article by Christian Bioethicist and Psychiatrist Aaron Kheriaty in First Things concerning disturbing trends in the field of medicine…
Feb 23, 2026 · 1:02:21
The Pugsters welcome Dr. Timothy Padgett, Theologian in Residence and Glenn’s colleague at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, for a conversation on constructive…
Feb 16, 2026 · 1:00:44
Today the guys reflect on an essay in the February 2026 edition of First Things by Liel Leibovitz entitled, AI as Liberation. Mr. Leibovitz strikes an optimistic note in the…
Feb 9, 2026 · 1:01:50
In this episode, the Pugsters discuss the relationship between nature and grace. In theology, this usually deals with how the two work in human life, and that’s where the guys…
Feb 2, 2026 · 1:02:36
Today the pugs look at recent events in culture where the 'woke warriors' appear to be at it again, especially in the recent march by immigration activists into an evangelical…
Jan 26, 2026 · 1:02:17
Today the Pugs discuss whether it matters or not if Francis Bacon was a sincere Christian. His ideas had consequences. In scholarly circles it is a matter of intense debate, but…
Jan 19, 2026 · 1:01:50
An article in Tablet magazine discussing the segment of the Gen Z population that is turning to conservative and demanding forms of religious practice provides the jumping off…
Jan 12, 2026 · 1:00:51
Today the Pugs welcome Dr. Scott Masson of Tyndale University onto the show. Scott is an Associate Professor of English and an authority on Romanticism. He also is known for his…
Jan 5, 2026 · 1:01:46
In this episode the Pugs engage some of the theological roots that gave rise and shape to Western empiricism, especially in the Scottish Tradition of David Hume. In particular,…
Dec 29, 2025 · 1:03:38
Today the Pugs reflect on an essay by Matthew B. Crawford (author of Shop Class as Soulcraft) from his Substack entitled: Craftsmanship in the culture industry. The event that…
Dec 22, 2025 · 1:03:50
C.S. Lewis came to faith once he realized that the Gospel was both myth, appealing to his heart, and fact, appealing to his mind. The Pugs discuss what he meant by myth and apply…
Dec 15, 2025 · 1:02:19
On today's show the Pugs engage the rapidly growing turn to AI chatbots for mental health needs by teenagers. In what realistic ways can the church step into the situation? What…
Dec 8, 2025 · 1:04:27
In today's Pugcast Chris shares a little from his experience attending Peter Thiel's Antichrist lectures. Those in attendance promised not to divulge what they heard, but the…
Dec 1, 2025 · 1:02:36
In this episode, Tom and Glenn welcome Eugene Terekhin, a Russian translator and the man behind the Substack “The Philosophy of Language.” The conversation ranges over Heideger’s…
Nov 24, 2025 · 1:02:32
When we look at the conditions in Weimar Germany, we see a lot of economic turmoil, hyperinflation, and declining expectations. Zoomers today are facing similar challenges,…
Nov 17, 2025 · 1:02:40
Today the Pugs are joined by Josh Herring, author of a forthcoming book entitled, "Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve." If that title sounds familiar it is probably because you're…
Nov 10, 2025 · 1:00:36
On today's show the pugs converse and reflect upon the various ways in which modern and technological formation shape us, often in ways that counter our overall good. Reflecting…
Nov 3, 2025 · 1:00:22
John West’s Stockholm Syndrome Christianity and Joe Rigney’s The Sin of Empathy both look at problems in American Christianity today. In this episode recorded at the Equipping…
Oct 27, 2025 · 1:03:52
The tech savants of Silicon Valley have issued dire warnings about an impending wave of unemployment due to advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. Essentially we're…
Oct 22, 2025 · 8:11
Today's advertisement for the Life After Secularism Conference features Dr. Andrew Walker of World Magazine and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Secularism is in the…
Oct 20, 2025 · 1:01:08
Recently, Trad Catholics and Orthobros who are no fans of modernity have been blaming it on the Protestant Reformation. The argument takes a variety of forms, but how should we…
Oct 17, 2025 · 5:04
Welcome to this brief invitation to the Life After Secularism Conference, November 14-15 in Battle Ground, Washington. Today Chris presents the topic and aim of the conference,…
Oct 13, 2025 · 1:01:33
Jonathan Pageau of The Symbolic World joins the Pugs today to discuss fairy tales, iconography, Nominalism, why art is beside the point, and lots of other things! The guys…
Oct 7, 2025 · 5:18
Welcome to this brief preview of the Life After Secularism Conference, November 14-15 in Battle Ground, Washington. Today Chris interviews Aaron Renn to get a little sample of…
Oct 6, 2025 · 1:02:22
Regular listeners will remember our conversation with Annie Crawford about the Midwestuary conference. In this episode, the Pugs talk with Paul VanderKlay, the originator of the…
Sep 29, 2025 · 1:01:13
On today's episode the pugs talk about disturbing comments made by some medical practitioners who publicly celebrated the Kirk murder as a social good. The discussion jumps into…
Sep 22, 2025 · 1:04:20
Paul Kingsnorth, the award winning novelist and essayist has a new nonfiction book coming out and Chris got an advance review copy. Ostensibly it's about artificial intelligence,…
Sep 15, 2025 · 1:01:34
C.S. Lewis said that “reason is the natural organ of truth, but imagination is the natural organ of meaning.” In this episode, the Pugsters explore his ideas on this, noting that…
Sep 8, 2025 · 1:00:48
It’s nearly possible. Is it a good thing? The Pugs engage the topic of ‘ectogestation’ and ‘ectogenesis’ in this episode, and ponder the spiritual and moral implications of such…
Sep 1, 2025 · 1:01:49
The Pugsters welcome Annie Crawford back, this time for a discussion based on the Midwestuary conference held in August. Annie explained the history and concept behind the…
Aug 25, 2025 · 1:05:09
Today Chris raises the question expressed in the title of this episode. Enthusiasts for Artificial Intelligence promise that chatbots will make everyone more efficient and…
Aug 18, 2025 · 1:01:40
Jumping off an article by Bradley Birzer, the Pugs discuss the idea of Christian humanism. After Glenn summarizes the history of humanism dating back to the Renaissance, the guys…
Aug 11, 2025 · 1:02:41
On today's show the pugs engage an article by Oxford historian Andrew Moeller on the complicated aims and compromises of the 1930 Lambeth Conference, a watershed moment in…
Aug 4, 2025 · 56:45
The Pugs conclude their interviews at the PCA General Assembly in Chattanooga, TN as they welcome Timon Cline back onto the show. Timon is a good friend, and Chris serves on the…
Jul 28, 2025 · 56:56
The Pugs continue their time at the PCA General Assembly with a conversation with first time guests, Michael Foster and William Wolfe. Michael is a well known pastor from Ohio…
Jul 21, 2025 · 1:00:19
The Pugs continue their interviews at the PCA General Assembly in Chattanooga, TN with a conversation with Matthew Everhard, the editor of The Jonathan Edwards Study Bible; soon…
Jul 14, 2025 · 59:10
What if everything you've heard about Christopher Columbus is wrong? Well, the Pug's good friend, George Grant comes onto the show to explain why. By the time he's done, you'll…
Jul 7, 2025 · 56:38
The Pugs continue their podcasts from the 2025 PCA General Assembly and welcome Zach Garris onto the show! Zach is well known in Reformed circles for his writing on masculinity…
Jun 30, 2025 · 1:04:05
The Pugs are at the PCA General Assembly! And for their first interview from Chattanooga they welcome Aaron Renn back onto the show. After catching up with Aaron about his life…
Jun 23, 2025 · 1:00:08
Today the Pugs welcome Jake Dell onto the show. Jake is the pastor of the historic First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut (est. 1659). But he's also a man with a…
Jun 16, 2025 · 1:00:12
Unable to meet this week, the Pugcast decided to share an episode from the 2019 archives. Tune in for this blast from the past! Perhaps the most controversial character in all of…
Jun 9, 2025 · 53:39
Today the Pugs discuss a provocative essay in the English publication, AirMail by Tara Isabella Burton. In this article she explores a new and very self-conscious religious…
Jun 2, 2025 · 1:02:32
Today the Pugs welcome Fr. Mark Perkins of St. Dunstan's Academy in Virginia onto the show! St. Dunstan's brings together Christian formation in the Anglican tradition alongside…
May 26, 2025 · 58:10
On today's episode the Pugsters welcome clinical mental health counselor Dr. Natalie Atwell onto the show. Dr. Atwell noticed a tremendous increase in the unusual number of rare…
May 19, 2025 · 1:02:24
This week, Glenn brings up a dangerous idea that is growing in some Reformed circles: the idea of racial essentialism, that is, that different races have immutable…
May 12, 2025 · 1:00:52
Is the human capacity for language something that should be overcome? Some tech-gurus think so. Today’s show explores that topic by delving into the Christian understanding of…
May 5, 2025 · 1:02:55
Recently James K. A. Smith said Calvin University should sue for divorce from the denomination that sponsors it because the governing body of that denomination says the…
Apr 28, 2025 · 1:01:43
Today the Pugs are pleased to welcome Ryan Lauterio of The Maker Institute of Richmond, Virginia onto the show! Ryan is an academic and artist who taught at Virginia Commonwealth…
Apr 21, 2025 · 1:05:24
This week, the Pugsters are excited to welcome poet, priest, and theologian Malcolm Guite to the show. Chris leads off the conversation with Mariner, Guite’s biography of Samuel…
Apr 14, 2025 · 1:02:43
After the last episode on Anselm didn’t get to his theory of the atonement, our resident historian Glenn decided we needed to go back and take another look at Anselm. But along…
Apr 7, 2025 · 1:00:36
On today's episode Tom introduces Saint Anselm, one of the most influential Western theologians whose impact remains significant on Western Christianity in particular. The pugs…
Mar 31, 2025 · 1:02:53
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…
Mar 24, 2025 · 1:01:41
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…
Mar 17, 2025 · 1:00:38
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…
Mar 10, 2025 · 1:07:40
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…
Mar 3, 2025 · 1:01:44
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…
Feb 24, 2025 · 1:04:44
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…
Feb 17, 2025 · 1:02:06
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…
Feb 10, 2025 · 1:01:53
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…
Feb 3, 2025 · 1:01:32
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…
Jan 27, 2025 · 1:02:31
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…
Jan 20, 2025 · 2:12
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…
Jan 13, 2025 · 1:02:20
If men would only read more, especially more fiction, would not political nightmares, such as our current presidential turn, be avoided? The feminized cultural commentators…
Jan 6, 2025 · 1:03:15
Today the Pugs reflect on a Substack article by N. S. Lyons entitled, The Reality War. This insightful piece notes that we are living through a revival of the most pernicious of…
Dec 30, 2024 · 1:01:20
A recent post at Screen Rant complained that C.S. Lewis never explained Narnia’s magic system. This is an example of completely missing the point, as myth and legend never…
Dec 23, 2024 · 1:01:39
Today's episode delves into how the mystery of God assuming human flesh has continued to upturn paradigms of what it means to be a human creature, of what it means to be divine,…
Dec 16, 2024 · 1:01:05
Today the Pugs discuss a post by Ted Gioia on his Substack, The Honest Broker. The title of the post is, "The State of the Culture, 2024" Gioia is a well known music critic, and…
Dec 9, 2024 · 1:02:55
Today the Pugs welcome Rory Groves, author of Durable Trades, and a new book, The Family Economy: Discovering the Family as It was Designed to Work. Rory transitioned out of a…
Dec 2, 2024 · 1:03:00
Today the Pugs are joined by writer and editorialist, Bethel McGrew to discuss Paul Kingsnorth’s Erasmus Lecture for First Things. The Pugs found themselves both barking when…
Nov 25, 2024 · 1:03:08
Working off a Breakpoint article on a Montana man serving time for cloning a Central Asian bighorn sheep and crossbreeding it with American bighorns to produce 300 plus pound…
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