Mere Fidelity - Broken Bonds, with Amy Mantravadi

Broken Bonds, with Amy Mantravadi

11/14/24 • 65 min

Amy Mantravadi, Mere Fi’s snarkiest online critic has written a novel—a historical novel—about the heroes of the Reformation. Matt and Alastair bring her on the show to talk about it, what historical fiction can do that theology can’t, what the central issue of the Reformation was, and what it’s like inside the heads of Luther, Erasmus, and Melanchthon. Plus, Matt gets it exactly right at least once. Stick around to the end for a big announcement about the future of Mere Fidelity. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: A Big Tease [0:00] Delighted and Terrified [1:48] Psychologically Intense [4:55] Historical Fiction [10:56] Hazards [15:49] Those Particular Years [23:05] Melanchthon FTW [29:10] The Peasants Are Revolting [34:45] Ambivalence [45:13] Mythological Force [50:17]

Previous Episode

The Last Roman Philosopher, with Dr. Tom Ward

On October 23rd, 524, Boethius, the last of the Classical philosophers and the first Medieval Man, was executed. Today, 1,500 years later, his work, especially The Consolation of Philosophy, continues to influence many, including major thinkers such as C.S. Lewis. Dr. Tom Ward returns to Mere Fidelity to discuss what Boethius can teach us today. Dr. Ward has recently written a new book about Boethius: After Stoicism. With the resurgence of interest in Stoicism spreading rapidly online and off, you will certainly benefit from this conversation. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: A Very Important Book [0:00] 1,500 Years Ago Today [1:53] Stoicism [4:07] Apatheia and Ataraxia [7:07] Self-Indulgent Sadness [10:00] Joy [15:03] His Christian Bona Fides [19:01] Wisdom [25:27] Therapy [28:08] The Philosophers Who Don’t Do Anything [35:10] The End of an Era [36:25]

Next Episode

Widening Gap

When a prominent Biblical theologian changes his position on the legitimacy of same-sex marriage, it prompts numerous questions for Derek, Alastair, and Matt to tackle in this episode of Mere Fidelity. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: Against Worldview [0:00] A Change of Mind [1:41] What Kind of Change? [3:06] Hays’s Shift [6:55] “Using” Scripture [9:13] The “Right” Community [12:59] Ignoring Marriage [17:57] Different Questions Entirely [23:03] No Longer a Sin [29:57] Orthodoxy [35:22] Leadership and Esteem [38:08]