372 - Christmas: The Anchor of Reality (Repost)

In this conversation I interview Peter Leithart, an American author, minister, and theologian, who serves as president of Theopolis Institute for Biblical, Liturgical, & Cultural Studies in Birmingham, Alabama. We discuss the origins, mission, and theological insights of Theopolis Institute and the influence of James B. Jordan, who wrote the influential book titled “Through New Eyes”. We further discuss the significance of biblical typology, and the transformative power of liturgy and sacraments in understanding scripture and shaping Christian life. We explore the interconnectedness of biblical narratives, the cultural shifts towards a deeper understanding of scripture, and the importance of sacramental life in recognizing Christ. YouTuber version: https://youtu.be/Ug_ZGvfBcuEFollow Peter Leithart: https://x.com/PLeithart-Through New Eyes: Developing a Biblical View of the World, by James B. Jordan: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Through-New-Eyes-Developing-Biblical/dp/157910259X -The End of Protestantism: Pursuing Unity in a Fragmented Church, by Peter J. Leithart: https://www.amazon.com/End-Protestantism-Pursuing-Fragmented-Church/dp/158743377X -Revelation Explained: An Interpretation by James B. Jordan: Volume One: Dragon, by James B. Jordan (Author), Dean W. Arnold (Editor): https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Explained-Interpretation-Jordan-Dragon/dp/1733335633 Timestamps:00:00 - Coming up00:50 - Intro music01:15 - Introduction02:19 - Theopolis Institute05:28 - Initial influences07:23 - Themes in Scripture17:47 - Reality/history rhymes20:33 - The Bible as a way of seeing23:36 - Sacraments31:53 - Creation34:23 - How is this being received?37:35 - Critical Biblical scholarship and references46:15 - Fundamentalism49:39 - Typology is the key51:53 - Bringing it to experience54:20 - The Fathers01:00:56 - Hopes for the future💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageauOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

22 Maalis 1h 6min

I recently had the privilege to visit Ralston College where I had a wonderful discussion with Gregg Hurwitz about meaning, art, and the future of culture. We also gave advice to the young students at Ralston College about navigating the life of an artist.RALSTON COLLEGE: A revival and reinvention of the traditional university. A fellowship for anyone, anywhere who seeks the truth with courage.While the review of applications for the 2025-26 year of their fully-funded Master's in the Humanities program has already begun, a small number of spaces remain for extraordinary candidates. Apply now: https://www.ralston.ac/humanities-maYouTube version: https://youtu.be/5Zyv3z4VT_Y=====================NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-EarthJoin us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling.- Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025- Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures- Cost: $150- 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout- Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio- You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing!- The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase. Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history =====================💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageauOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/Timestamps:00:00 - Coming up00:41 - Intro music01:06 - Introduction06:40 - What they like about each other13:03 - Dramatizing Genesis17:01 - On writing and being an artist22:41 - Ralston College students25:37 - Advice to artists28:09 - Why are you compelled to tell stories?33:09 - Form and function42:32 - Looking back on your 20s, what did you do well, and what did you learn from?49:19 - What's been your experience being public figures?59:03 - Do you ever wish you hadn't entered the public eye?01:04:39 - How to keep the fire going without desperation?01:09:30 - How to navigate the political?01:19:22 - How to choose your priorities and commitments?01:23:11 - How to go from an idea to a larger project?01:26:36 - Should an artist cater to an audience?01:34:43 - What does Ralston mean to you?

15 Maalis 1h 40min

In this conversation with John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro we discuss their collaborative work on the 'Awakening from the Meaning Crisis' project, exploring the dynamics of their partnership, the impact of their ideas on contemporary discourse, and the challenges of making complex concepts accessible. They delve into the importance of narrative in understanding philosophical ideas, the role of dialogical reasoning in writing, and the surprising effects of their video series on academic engagement. Buy their book: Awakening From the Meaning Crisis: Part One: Origins: https://www.amazon.co.za/Awakening-Meaning-Crisis-Part-Origins/dp/1645011003 John Vervaeke's course on The Symbolic World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/the-cognitive-science-of-ritualDaily Wire Plus: The Gospels seminar: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels=====================NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-EarthJoin us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling.- Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025- Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures- Cost: $150- 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout- Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio- You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing!- The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase. Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history =====================Timestamps:00:00 - Coming up00:39 - Intro music01:03 - Introduction01:42 - Working together06:23 - Coming to terms with John's vocabulary11:26 - Getting feedback14:27 - Telling a story18:36 - A dialogical process22:25 - Change in academia26:48 - John Vervaeke and Jordan Peterson at UofT29:21 - Cross-disciplinary36:01 - Cognitive science40:14 - Making woo acceptable45:06 - John and John teaching52:33 - What was the Gospels seminar like for Jonathan00:15 - John's experience03:23 - The strangeness of Christianity08:19 - Hope for the book's reception💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageauOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

9 Maalis 1h 14min

The world is changing rapidly, and the transformation we’re witnessing—especially within the Church—has been astonishing. Across America, Orthodox churches are growing at an unprecedented rate, and cultural shifts that once seemed impossible are now unfolding before our eyes.  For this week's video, we revisit my very first public event with Jordan Peterson, at The Resurrection of Logos event, which took place at the University of Toronto in March 2017. At the time, many of the ideas we now take for granted were just beginning to emerge. It was a moment when culture seemed to be collapsing under the weight of ideology, yet seeds of renewal were being planted.  Looking back, we can see both the opportunities and the dangers that have since taken shape. On one hand, faith is more openly discussed, and the roots of Christian civilization are being rediscovered. On the other, we face the risk of faith becoming overly weaponized. The balance between these forces is more crucial than ever.  This talk, which didn’t gain much attention at the time, now serves as a fascinating snapshot of what was happening in that critical moment. Watch it with fresh eyes and see how far we’ve come.Youtube version: https://youtu.be/hWVsvSatJsk =====================NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-EarthJoin us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling.- Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025- Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures- Cost: $150- 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout- Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio- You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing!- The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase. Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history =====================💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageauOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

6 Maalis 35min

I had a wonderful discussion with James Orr. Dr Orr is Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. He was also one of the panel members for the Daily Wire Plus Exodus and Gospels seminars, which we discuss in this video. We also talk about our difference approaches and perspectives on Scripture, the current cultural shift and Christianity becoming more mainstream, the risk of instrumentalizing Christianity, Paul Kingsnorth's talk "Against Christian Civilization", and more. Watch the Gospel Seminar on Daily Wire Plus: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels My discussion with Paul Kingsnorth, Western Civilization Is Already Dead: https://youtu.be/FrjdaVol2TA?si=D6A3mm3WXj5f2i4WPaul Kingsnorth’s First Things talk: "Against Christian Civilization" | 2024 Erasmus Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/live/Y3hMSZqatHIJames Orr links:- https://www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr-james-orr- https://x.com/jtworr=====================NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-EarthJoin us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling. - Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025 - Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures - Cost: $150 - 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout - Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio - You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing! - The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase.Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history =====================Timestamps:00:00 - Coming up00:47 - Intro music01:11 - Introduction01:57 - James' reaction to The Gospels seminar05:04 - JBP mediating the panel discussion09:25 - Members of the panel11:55 - Approaching Scripture from different perspectives15:23 - James' scholarly approach vs Jonathan's analogical approach20:37 - A time of flux28:18 - Paul Kingsnorth's First Things address32:44 - Instrumentalizing Christianity38:52 - Self-sacrificial love41:39 - Recognize weaponized compassion43:11 - Fetishizing weakness?48:22 - The end of the story51:34 - Technology54:45 - New people coming to church💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageauOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

2 Maalis 1h 4min

This is a repost of the patron video for January 2025. Given the recent announcement about project Stargate I delved into modernity's quest for forbidden knowledge and how it relates to today's obsession with UFOs, AI, psychedelics, and even transgenderism.YouTube version: https://youtu.be/h79SINKwmjA===========NEW COURSE: The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-EarthJoin us for an in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, where we'll explore his masterful use of medieval literary genres, Christian storytelling traditions, and hidden philology. This course, presented by Richard Rohlin, will guide you through Tolkien's vision for a "Mythology for England," examining his work as a complex tapestry of Universal History. Through this journey, we’ll also examine Tolkien’s use of epic poems, chronicles, and literary devices to craft a truly legendary vision of the past, present, and future. Thereafter, we'll look at how his work has inspired later authors of fantasy, shaped the genre more generally, and continues to aid our recovery of deeper, cosmological storytelling.- Dates: Live classes are on Mondays at 1 PM Central starting March 3, 2025- Course length: 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures- Cost: $150- 10% Discount for all patrons at the Involved tier or higher, apply your discount code at checkout- Participants will be given access to lesson recordings with downloadable audio- You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to contemporary authors and your own mythopoeic writing!- The course is hosted on the Symbolic World Circle Community platform. Sign up as a free member at https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/join-community before making your purchase. Register today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history ===========💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageauOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

26 Helmi 28min

For the past few decades we have heard from the new atheists just how horrible religion is, that religion is responsible for all these terrible things like the inquisition and witch burnings - but what if I told you that there are patterns or structures behind this kind of behaviour that are simply human, and are not unique to religious people, nor to your ideological or political opponents, but exist fundamentally in all identities.YouTube version: https://youtu.be/SQSDCcFKSrQ==================The Symbolic World Goes to Middle-earth! Join Richard Rohlin for his new course on Tolkien and Universal History. As always patrons at the Involved tier or higher qualify for a 10% discount. Apply your unique discount code at checkout. Read more here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-history In his famous Letter #131 to Milton Waldman, J.R.R. Tolkien described his Legendarium as an attempt to create a vast cycle of stories. These stories would be dedicated to his home country and as such this concept has often been described by Tolkien scholars as a “Mythology for England.” This course will take this concept a step further by examining the Legendarium as an attempt at a work of Universal History, one which uses both ancient and modern storytelling genres to reconcile conflicting visions of English, European, and Western identity. We will then apply those methods to contemporary storytelling efforts, revealing how Tolkien opens the way to a return to cosmological and legendary Christian storytelling tradition.==================💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageauOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

20 Helmi 19min

In this episode Richard Rohlin goes solo to give us an introduction about JRR Tolkien's vision for Universal History. Later this month he will be teaching a course on this topic.Register now for the Tolkien and Universal History course by Richard Rohlin on The Symbolic World website: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/tolkien-and-universal-historyCost: $150Discount: 10% off for all Symbolic World patrons at the Involved tier or higher. Apply your unique discount code at checkout.Live classes: February 24 - March 24, 5 weeks, 10 hours of lectures.Lecture recordings will be made available with downloadable audio.=====Timestamps====01:07 - Introduction03:36 - What makes Tolkien unique?07:53 - Tolkien & universal history12:28 - The Arthurian legends22:13 - Redeeming the elves26:45 - Redeeming the gods27:40 - Medieval genres: Chronicles29:35 - Poetry31:17 - The Silmarillion34:10 - Retelling culture-founding narratives36:09 - The Lord of the Rings38:44 - The novel42:16 - Writing assignment💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic World Community for discussions about symbolism: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe 📱 SOCIAL MEDIA  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSymbolicWorld Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageauOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

7 Helmi 48min