The Optimistic Curmudgeon

Ben Crenshaw: Christian Nationalism as a Cure for Woke Ideology

Ben Crenshaw (PhD Cand., Hillsdale College) explains his view of Christian nationalism, the importance of Christian foundations for the American political order, and why this debate matters for accurate American historical scholarship. Ben is building on his paper presented at the 2023 ISI American Politics and Government. With shout outs to Stephen Wolfe's Case for Christian Nationalism and The American Reformer, Ben makes an articulate case for his position. Is Christian nationalism a viable alternative to woke ideology? Listen, and decide!

Clifford Humphrey: Mere Classical Education (5x4)

Dr. Clifford Humphrey discusses his article in The American Reformer, "The Ends of Mere Classical Education: Which Way Western Man?" He defines classical education, and articulates the importance of classical schools clearly defining their aims if they want to remain distinct from other educational options. 

Keith Foskey: Humor in a Post-Christian Age (5x3)

Keith Foskey, @YourCalvinist,tells the origin of his denominations videos. Along the way, he explains theological liberalism, Calvinism, and progressive ideas that are creeping into the church world. Foskey sees his comedy as a form of ministry, and explains his inspiration from Dennis "The Swan" Swanberg. Foskey concludes with considering how laughter is like a medicine for the soul, and what principles of prudence should govern public comedy. Share this episode with a friend!

Daniel PItt on Roger Scruton, Russell Kirk, and Richard Weaver: Giants of Conservatism (5x2)

Daniel Pitt discusses his years studying with the late Sir Roger Scruton. Daniel is a scholar focusing on traditionalist conservatism, and his interview shares insights into the life of Roger Scruton, Russell Kirk, and Richard Weaver. Daniel is a scholar at the University of Sheffield, and brings a deep love of conservatism to the questions of piety, politics, and obligations. 

5x1 - DEI and Accreditation: Jenna Robinson of the Martin Center for Academic Excellence

Dr. Jenna Robinson discusses the Martin Center for Academic Renewal's recent articles about the connection between accreditation and DEI at UNC Chapel HIll. She explains the history of accreditations, and the way positive sounding language is used to mask a new expectation of orthodoxy. Dr. Robinson closes with specific suggestions for how UNC Chapel HIll could change its current trajectory, and in doing so set a model for American higher education. https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2023/... https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2023/...

Top Down Education is Crumbling: Audio Newsletter 3

I read my article "Top Down Education is Crumbling" about the #schoolchoice movement and the way school choice functions as an application of #federalism. This essay was published on @StatePolicy 's new website, @American_Habits on June 26, 2023.

The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory (Audio Newsletter 2)

I read my review of Abigail Favale's Genesis of Gender, published with the Acton Institute on May 2, 2023. Here is the link: https://rlo.acton.org/archives/124445-the-genesis-paradigm-vs-the-gender-paradigm.html

#gender #transgender #pronouns #Christianity #love #feminism #bible #scholarship 

Be sure to follow Abigail Favale on X at @Favaleabs

4x12 - Bob Luddy: On The Shame of Our National Debt

In this episode, I welcome back Bob Luddy to give us an update on the current state of the economy. We discuss inflation, Bob's most recent article in The American Spectator, the National Debt, the impact of debt on both an individual's finances and a government's ability to act, and the looming threat of China. Bob does not see the national debt as a partisan issue; both the GOP and DNC are equally unable to reign in fiscal spending.  By the conclusion, Bob gives an update on the growth of Thales Academy and Thales College. 

 

Optimistic Curmudgeons - this is the final episode of Season 4. We'll be back in September with more great interviews! Thank you for your support of this show! I look forward to bringing you more sound analysis to make sense of a confusing world. 

 

Bob's article on the Debt Ceiling: https://spectator.org/the-real-cost-of-the-debt-ceiling-deal/

 

Thales Academy: https://www.thalesacademy.org/

 

Thales College: https://www.thalescollege.org/

4x11 - Abigail Favale: Genesis of Gender

Abigail Favale argues in her new book The Genesis of Gender that gender ideology corrodes humanity's ability to live well. She proposes instead that a "Genesis Paradigm" that perceives creation as God's good gift enables human flourishing. Favale argues that we've gotten sex wrong as a culture by separating biological purpose from pleasure. She answers Matt Walsh's question, "What is a woman?" with attention to gamete production and an awareness of the history of modern biological study. She also discusses the nature of intersex conditions, and provides a thorough explanation of how Christians ought to respond to gender dysphoric persons with love. It's a great episode! Join us, and share it with a friend!
 
Time Markers:
2:34 - Why do we need a Christian theory of gender?


6:44 - “Woman” as a social construct / “femaleness”, the seed of gender theory


14:50 - Abigal’s personal journey in religion / feminist thought 


21:14 - The right way of thinking about sex 


25:03 - Where gamete production applies to womanhood 


37:15 - Ideals of sexual ambiguity 


38:55 - Butler’s idea to denaturalize heterosexuality


41:35 - The body as a sacred concept 


47:10 - Idolatry of the body


48:00 - C.S Lewis idea of the spiritual / physical linking in the Sacrament


54:00 - Masculinity and people that display a masculine image (Andrew Tate.. etc)

4x10 - School Choice Panel Discussion

Jeremy Adams, Auguste Meyrat, and Shane Trotter join Josh for a rousing discussion of school choice. All four are teacher-writers, and between the four they represent charter, public, and private education in Texas, California, and North Carolina. Their conversation was sparked by Daniel Buck's essay in Law and LIberty (https://lawliberty.org/forum/the-perils-of-school-choice/).

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