Mere Fidelity Mere Fidelity
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- Religion & Spirituality
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From the Mere Orthodoxy Podcast Network: thoughtful weekly conversations about theology, the culture, and the church, hosted by Matthew Lee Anderson, Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, and Andrew Wilson.
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Casuistry
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] -
The Deception of Isaac
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] -
Thinking For Yourself
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] -
Men and Women in I Timothy
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] -
The Resurrection in John
Christ is risen indeed, alleluia! The Easter season is upon us, and the regular cast and crew have the Resurrection on their minds. This year Matt, Alastair, and Derek dive into the Gospel of John to discuss what makes this account different than the other gospels, including, but not limited to: why Jesus told Mary Magdalene not to touch him but invited Thomas to touch him, why John waited for Peter before entering the tomb, and what is going on with those 153 fish.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
Which Gospel Is Best? [0:00]
Johannine Distinctives [3:38]
Resurrection All Over [7:13]
Ezekiel [13:04]
Characters [14:52]
The Footrace [18:08]
153 Fish [26:29]
Touch Me, Touch Me Not [31:48]
The Ending [44:57] -
The Cross and the Empty Tomb
As we approach Palm Sunday, Alastair, Matt, and Derek meditate—and ask incisive questions—upon the Cross, the Resurrection, the Triumphal Entry, the Transfiguration, and the true center of our faith.
Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com.
Timestamps:
All Glory, Laud, and Honor [1:09]
The Bible’s Third Day Problem [2:14]
The Crucial Tension [3:12]
Holy Saturday [6:13]
Resurrection Art [8:42]
Satellite Events [13:59]
Watershed [17:05]
Crossbearing [19:43]
Triumphal Entry [22:08]
Glorious Defeat [28:25]
Customer Reviews
153
The Divine Council Worldview Pod also did the numerology on 153 this week!
Engaging, informative, and humorous!
Great way to keep up with what’s going on in American Christianity! The hosts have great personalities, and quality guest speakers!
Most Engaging Podcast
I really enjoy this podcast. I love both the depth and lightheartedness with which they address theological and cultural questions, and they consistently choose such worthwhile questions to discuss and authors to host. I invariably come away having learned a lot and been highly entertained while doing it. I especially love that they give air time to genuine disagreements, among themselves or between themselves and their guests in a very cordial yet sharpened and purposeful way. This is a skill nearly everyone could probably get better at in our current culture. In addition, I love that they honor the contributions of thoughtful feminine authors on culture and theology. I can happily listen to more episodes of this podcast consecutively than any other show.