Mere Fidelity Mere Fidelity

Professor Oliver O’Donovan joins Matt and Derek once more. This time they discuss the relationship of Christian belief and practice to the contemporary political realities of our world. Do we need a new constitution? What’s to be done about the current wars? How can we properly utilize passion and reason in elections?
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
The O’Donovan Inception [0:00]
The Role of Scripture in Political Judgment [2:46]
How do we read Genesis? [7:31]
Carl Schmitt: Friend-Enemy Polarity [10:26]
Augustine: Objects of Common Love [16:24]
Rene Girard: Rivalry [21:42]
Pro- and Post-Liberalism [24:45]
New Beginnings [31:18]
The Role of Reason in Politics [36:22]
Remember the Rest of the World [40:31]

The renowned Professor Oliver O’Donovan joins Matt and Alastair to discuss the relationship between the practice of the Christian faith and the philosophical field of ethics.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
A Warm Welcome [0:00]
How can ethics be Christian? [1:44]
Creation vs. Nature [5:27]
Family Duty [11:28]
Jewish Tradition [19:10]
Novelty [23:19]
Variety [27:52]
The Closure of the Canon [34:37]
Moral Formation [38:55]

Casuistry is a technical term for a way of reasoning about ethical principles in specific situations. It fell into disuse historically in favor of a more narrative-based view of the world. But some of the Mere Fidelity cast are sensing that there is a felt lack of organized principle application to pastoral situations in the church. Do you agree that casuistry needs to make a comeback?
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
The Kazooists North American Tour 2024 [0:00]
What is casuistry? [2:53]
History, Both Catholic and Protestant [5:30]
Conflicting Principles [7:46]
Proper Context, Lacking Confession [13:58]
Practical Application of Practical Application [20:40]
Narrative & Principle United [22:08]
Moral Reasoning in Paul’s Epistles [28:44]
Legalism [30:38]
First Steps for Pastors [37:05]

Taking up a difficult passage of Scripture, Alastair, Andrew, and Matt consider the incident in which Jacob deceives Isaac into giving him the blessing. Multiple respected theologians bring solid principles to bear on the interpretation of this reading, and come to very different conclusions. What is to be done? Is lying always and everywhere wrong? Was Jacob justified in his ruse? And in the process Alastair reveals some striking parallels between this story and that of King David.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
Tempus Fugit [0:00]
Misreading the Preposition [2:12]
The Setup [3:34]
The Dispute [7:16]
The Anderson School [14:43]
Davidic Parallels [23:38]
Urgency in Lying [30:09]
“I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” [36:19]
Rogues Gallery or Rogues Mirror? [38:35]

When dealing with delicate, nuanced, disputed, or important issues, should Christians primarily rely on their own judgment or the authority of church leaders in their lives? Derek, Alastair, and Matt bring their own experience to bear, as well as a reliance on Scripture and authority, to answer this listener-submitted question.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
Hot Deal [0:00]
A Better Question Than It Sounds [2:21]
Be Like Alastair [4:14]
Clarification of Roles [8:55]
Avoiding Individualism [13:30]
Submission to Commands [22:24]
Casuistry [26:18]
Rebellion [30:18]
Confessions [35:52]

Andrew, Matt, and Alastair take up the oft-disputed passage from First Timothy that seems to restrict the authority of women in the church. What’s the best way to handle this in the twenty-first century?
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.

Timestamps:
Zwingli the Pastor [0:00]
Old Conundrum, New Energy [1:39]
One Weird Question [3:18]
One Further Question [6:35]
Ecclesiastical Evolution [11:22]
vv. 11-15 [16:25]
Load-Bearing Details [22:12]
Autheneo and Didasko [27:27]
Restricting Teaching [29:26]
Saved Through Childbearing [35:00]