Rev. Derek's Ruminations

Derek McClean
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Ever since I became a Christian in the 80s, one thing that has always fascinated me is the interaction between Theology and Literature. In these podcasts, I share with you some of my thoughts on books that I have read, or that I am reading. Join me on my journey as I continue to explore how Theology and Literature interact.

Episodes

  1. 03/26/2021

    'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley

    Frankenstein is a book which has come to dominate the popular imagination like few others. Thanks, largely, to the movies and TV series, serious and comedic, that have been inspired by it. In this episode I look at some of the themes of this book, including: Are there limits to Science? What does it have to say about the Nature/Nurture debate? Perhaps, together, we can learn more about what it means to be human. Unless otherwise indicated, below, sounds and music from Zapsplat: https://www.zapsplat.com 'Alive' sampled from the movie, 'Frankenstein' (1931) 'De Niro' and 'De Niro 2' sampled from the movie 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein' (1994) 'I am your god' sampled from Red Dwarf Season 1 episode, 'Waiting for God' (1988) 'Blind Faith' from Amazon, here or from Abe Books, here Books mentioned in the episode: 'Nightmare: the birth of Horror' by Christopher Frayling, here Doctor Who Comic story, The Life Bringer!, entry, here 'The Jews: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices' by Alan Unterman, here 'Galileo Goes to Jail: And other Myths about Science and Religion', here

    39 min

  2. 02/26/2021

    'Small gods' by Terry Pratchett

    In this episode I explore this work by the late, great Terry Pratchett. It is a book full of the usual fun and mischief of Pratchett, and he focuses his sights on Religion and Philosophy. As with the best of his books, Pratchett has a 'punt' at Religion and Philosophy but leaves us with a respectful wondering at what it means to be human.  Additional sounds and music from Zapsplat: https://www.zapsplat.com 'Mirror' is from the audiobook, 'Guards! Guards!' by Terry Pratchett, read by Nigel Planer 'Bring out your dead' and 'Flagellants' both sourced from YouTube clips of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' 'Socrates' sourced from 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure' on You Tube, here Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' from Amazon, here or from Abe Books, here Pratchett's 'The Light Fantastic', from Amazon, here Pratchett's 'The Thief of Time', from Amazon, here Pratchett's 'Eric', from Amazon, here Pratchett's article, 'The God Moment' is found in 'A Slip of the Keyboard', from Amazon, here Aesop's Fables, from Amazon, here Machiavelli, 'The Prince', from Amazon, here Max Wright, 'Told in Gath', from Amazon, here Luther (biopic, very cheap on DVD), from Amazon, here

    40 min

  3. 01/31/2021

    'Horns' by Joe Hill (Part 1)

    With apologies for the technical glitch meaning a restriction in platform availability, now, sorted - In this episode I begin to explore themes in 'Horns' by Joe Hill, and I look at key theme's such as the Horns, themselves, alongside some reflections on Ig's Hell, and the Fire Sermon. Part 2 will finish the exploration of this novel. Additional sounds from Zapsplat: https://www.zapsplat.com Paradise Lost by John Milton: here The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe: here Horns by Joe Hill: here

    29 min

  4. 01/30/2021

    'Horns' by Joe Hill (Part 2)

    In this episode I finish my brief exploration of the themes in 'Horns' by Joe Hill, and I look at key theme's such as the relationships between Ig, Lee and Merrin, the significance of a cross, and the key point of the Treehouse of the Mind. Additional sounds and music from Zapsplat: https://www.zapsplat.com Terry Pratchett's 'Small gods' from Amazon, here or from Abe Books, here

    32 min

  5. 12/27/2020

    'Catholics' by Brian Moore

    In this episode I explore the wonderful novella, 'Catholics' by Brian Moore. I explore some of the issues around why Moore focused on a potential unification between Roman Catholic Christianity, and Buddhism, and suggest some of the literary allusions that he uses to heighten his themes. Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-Tolkien-Selection-Humphrey-Carpenter/dp/0261102656/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Letters+of+JRR+Tolkien&qid=1605871618&sr=8-1 Biography of Brian Moore: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-Moore-Biography-Patricia-Craig/dp/0747568448/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Biography+of+Brian+Moore&qid=1605871703&sr=8-2 'Horns' by Joe Hill:  On Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horns-Joe-Hill/dp/0575099992/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Horns+joe+hill&qid=1605871794&sr=8-1 or on Abe Books: https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-home-_-Results&an=Joe+Hill&tn=Horns&kn=&isbn= Additional noises by www.zapsplat.com Audio segment of grasshopper noises sourced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsbYThkAppg Audio segment, entitled 'Newton', from the movie, 'Leap of Faith', sourced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bq7xrmNEeI Audio segment, entitled 'Leap of Faith', from the movie, 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', sourced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-JIfjNnnMA

    39 min

  6. 11/27/2020

    'Morality' by Stephen King

    In this episode, I share my thoughts on 'Morality' a short story in the anthology, "The Bazaar of Bad Dreams" (2015) by Stephen King. Biography of Stephen King: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1906779716/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 "Catholics" by Brian Moore:   From Amazon:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catholics-Brian-Moore/dp/009985760X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Brian+Moore+Catholics&qid=1604663550&sr=8-1 or from Abe Books:  https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-home-_-Results&an=Brian+Moore&tn=Catholics&kn=&isbn= Che Webster's awesome Roleplay Rescue podcast: https://anchor.fm/s/7dc2f24/podcast/rss Additional noises by www.zapsplat.com; audio segment from Monty Python recorded from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAn7baRbhx4

    26 min

  7. Trailer

    Why am I doing this? What's it all about?

    I tell you about me, my interest in reading books and my love of how Literature and Theology interact.

    5 min

Trailer

About

Ever since I became a Christian in the 80s, one thing that has always fascinated me is the interaction between Theology and Literature. In these podcasts, I share with you some of my thoughts on books that I have read, or that I am reading. Join me on my journey as I continue to explore how Theology and Literature interact.

Information

  • Creator
    Derek McClean
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Derek McClean
  • Show Website
    Rev. Derek's Ruminations