PZ's Podcast

Bishop Ryle made at least three big mistakes during his long ministry. If he were able to speak now -- he died in 1900 -- I believe he would admit them. To me they are revealing mistakes, from which there is something to learn. J.C. Ryle also had a core strength: He had been saved in his youth, when his world fell apart. He was a Christian, in other words, for the right reason. Yet like many spiritual people, there were still "unevangelized dark continents" inside him. Had these been "colonized" by the great Word that saved the young man, Ryle might have avoided the mistakes he made as an older man.

John Charles Ryle, who lived from l816 to 1900, was "a giant of a man with the heart of a child". He was a Christian warrior in the Church of England, who contended against High Churchmen and Liberals for 60 years, concluding his ministry as the first Bishop of Liverpool. J.C. Ryle is a fascinating character, a hero-type with some interesting weaknesses. This podcast tells the story of his life. It is dedicated to my friend Fred Rogers.

John Charles Ryle, who lived from l816 to 1900, was "a giant of a man with the heart of a child". He was a Christian warrior in the Church of England, who contended against High Churchmen and Liberals for 60 years, concluding his ministry as the first Bishop of Liverpool. J.C. Ryle is a fascinating character, a hero-type with some interesting weaknesses. This podcast tells the story of his life. It is dedicated to my friend Fred Rogers.

Alternate Title: I Feel Like I Lose When I Win. Also, there's a correction: It was 'Fraulein Doktor', not the actress who played her (Suzy Kendall), who died young, at age 52, in 1940.

Alternate Title: I Feel Like I Lose When I Win. Also, there's a correction: It was 'Fraulein Doktor', not the actress who played her (Suzy Kendall), who died young, at age 52, in 1940.

A meditation on defense: that's what this is. Someone wrote that the inner being of a human being is "covered by thirty or forty skins or hides, like an ox's or a bear's, so thick and hard". Too true! What's to get through? Is there an antipode, a blessed antipode, to such a coverage from hope? I honestly think there is. (Even if you've only got a toe on the Road.)

A meditation on defense: that's what this is. Someone wrote that the inner being of a human being is "covered by thirty or forty skins or hides, like an ox's or a bear's, so thick and hard". Too true! What's to get through? Is there an antipode, a blessed antipode, to such a coverage from hope? I honestly think there is. (Even if you've only got a toe on the Road.)

How does the ego actually die? Or rather, what does a person look like when their ego has died, or is dying? Can we see this -- the "seed falling into the ground"? Algernon Blackwood wrote about the dying. He wrote about it vividly and concretely, not just symbolically. This podcast quotes from two of Blackwood's "Eternity" stories: "The Centaur" (1911) and "A Descent into Egypt" (1914). The theme is healing, at the end of the day; and even, priesthood.

How does the ego actually die? Or rather, what does a person look like when their ego has died, or is dying? Can we see this -- the "seed falling into the ground"? Algernon Blackwood wrote about the dying. He wrote about it vividly and concretely, not just symbolically. This podcast quotes from two of Blackwood's "Eternity" stories: "The Centaur" (1911) and "A Descent into Egypt" (1914). The theme is healing, at the end of the day; and even, priesthood.

Algernon Blackwood (1869-1951) knew a lot. In reaction to his Sandemanian childhood, he still remained a religious person, all his life. In his "weird tales" Blackwood tried to map a religious way forward -- through an inspired imagination. I used to put Arthur Machen at the top of the list of writers of supernatural horror. Because of a change in me, Blackwood is now number one. This podcast, together with Episode 103, which comes next, follows directly from "Eternity".

Algernon Blackwood (1869-1951) knew a lot. In reaction to his Sandemanian childhood, he still remained a religious person, all his life. In his "weird tales" Blackwood tried to map a religious way forward -- through an inspired imagination. I used to put Arthur Machen at the top of the list of writers of supernatural horror. Because of a change in me, Blackwood is now number one. This podcast, together with Episode 103, which comes next, follows directly from "Eternity".

What dies when we die, and what continues to live? What should we fear in relation to physical death, and what can we affirm? Philip Larkin gives a little assist here, but so does St. Francis. This is Episode 100.

What dies when we die, and what continues to live? What should we fear in relation to physical death, and what can we affirm? Philip Larkin gives a little assist here, but so does St. Francis. This is Episode 100.

Between "Waterloo" and "Lay all your love on me", I don't see how you could achieve a purer pop moment. Or just a purer moment period! The insight within these two 45s is communicated to perfection. What is that insight? Well, two things: first, "all I've learned has overturned" (note the 'Euro' English). I thought I knew myself. Then LUV came knocking, and "everything is new and everything is you." That's the way people really are. Second, "now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight... I feel like I win when I lose." This is good religion's word to the ego. I feel like I win when I lose. This is also the 101st (Airborne) Podcast.

Between "Waterloo" and "Lay all your love on me", I don't see how you could achieve a purer pop moment. Or just a purer moment period! The insight within these two 45s is communicated to perfection. What is that insight? Well, two things: first, "all I've learned has overturned" (note the 'Euro' English). I thought I knew myself. Then LUV came knocking, and "everything is new and everything is you." That's the way people really are. Second, "now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight... I feel like I win when I lose." This is good religion's word to the ego. I feel like I win when I lose. This is also the 101st (Airborne) Podcast.