Épisodes

  • 379 - You’re Not That Different From Your Political Opponents

    379 - You’re Not That Different From Your Political Opponents
    Feb 20 2025
    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
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    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    19 min
  • 378 - Richard Rohlin - Tolkien and Universal History

    378 - Richard Rohlin - Tolkien and Universal History
    Feb 7 2025
    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-history

    Cost: $150
    Discount: 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 - Introduction
    03:36 - What makes Tolkien unique?
    07:53 - Tolkien & universal history
    12:28 - The Arthurian legends
    22:13 - Redeeming the elves
    26:45 - Redeeming the gods
    27:40 - Medieval genres: Chronicles
    29:35 - Poetry
    31:17 - The Silmarillion
    34:10 - Retelling culture-founding narratives
    36:09 - The Lord of the Rings
    38:44 - The novel
    42:16 - Writing assignment

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
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    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    48 min
  • 377 - Annie Crawford - The Breakthrough of Myth

    377 - Annie Crawford - The Breakthrough of Myth
    Feb 7 2025
    In this conversation, Jonathan Pageau and Annie Crawford delve into C.S. Lewis's work, particularly focusing on 'Till We Have Faces.' They explore the significance of this book in understanding Lewis's thought, its mythic elements, and the interplay between paganism and Christian themes. The discussion also touches on the evolution of Lewis's writing style, the role of myth and fairy tales, and the complex themes of mimetic desire and sacrifice present in the narrative. The symbolism of the veil is highlighted as a key element in understanding the duality of truth and deception in Lewis's work.

    ==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE==========
    Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford

    💻 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
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    📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
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    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

    Keywords
    C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces, myth, paganism, Christian themes, literary analysis, mimetic desire, symbolism, re-enchantment, allegory, C.S. Lewis, myth, duality, sacrifice, modernity, paganism, rationalism, consciousness, reintegration, renewal
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    51 min
  • 376 - Fr. Stephen De Young - St. Paul the Pharisee

    376 - Fr. Stephen De Young - St. Paul the Pharisee
    Jan 19 2025
    Fr. Stephen De Young is back on the podcast to discuss his latest book, St. Paul the Pharisee. St. Paul is at the core of many modern misunderstandings about Christianity; Fr. Stephen presents how we can understand St. Paul’s writings within the context of who he was, when he lived, and who he was addressing in his epistles, ultimately bringing us closer to the vision Christ Himself gave us.

    -Buy Fr. Stephen’s book on the Ancient Faith Store - Saint Paul the Pharisee: Jewish Apostle to All Nations: https://store.ancientfaith.com/saint-paul-the-pharisee-jewish-apostle-to-all-nations/
    -On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Paul-Pharisee-Apostle-Nations/dp/1955890706

    ==========Book description==========
    The centuries after the Protestant Reformation brought about a radical reinterpretation of the epistles of St. Paul, disconnected from any historical reality. But Paul operated, during his entire life, as a faithful Pharisee within the Roman Jewish world. In Saint Paul the Pharisee: Jewish Apostle to All Nations, Fr. Stephen De Young surveys Paul’s life and writings, interpreting them within the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church. This survey is followed by De Young’s interpretive translation of St. Paul’s epistles, which deliberately avoids overly familiar terminology. By using words and ideas grounded in first-century Judaism, De Young hopes to unsettle commonly held notions and help the reader reassess St. Paul in his historical context.

    ==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE==========
    Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford

    ==========Other links==========
    Lord of Spirits podcast: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/lordofspirits/
    Fr. Stephen’s talk at the Symbolic World Summit 2024, Friedrich Nietzsche’s Guide to the Bodily Resurrection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OVbxZJ463Q
    Daily Wire The Gospels seminar: https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-gospels

    💻 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
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    📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
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    ==========Timestamps==========
    00:00 - Coming up
    01:13 - Intro music
    01:38 - Introduction to St. Paul and Contextual Understanding
    06:16 - Settling the "works vs faith" debate
    13:06 - St. Paul and the Gospels: A Unified Message
    15:37 - Scholasticism vs Mysticism
    20:17 - The Transformation of Society through St. Paul's Vision
    24:19 - Slavery and Christian Ethics in St. Paul's Writings
    32:34 - The Kingdom of Heaven is already here
    38:15 - Hierarchy bad
    39:58 - The core of St. Paul's teachings: Faithfulness
    41:34 - The Call to Individual Purpose
    46:32 - The Nature of Christian Hierarchy
    51:32 - St. Paul: Context and Misunderstandings
    56:03 - Keeping Jewish practices
    01:04:56 - The Sabbath
    01:05:50 - Tradition preserves context
    01:11:08 - Understanding St. Paul: A Personal Connection

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    1 h et 14 min
  • 375 - Paul Kingsnorth - Western Civilization Is Already Dead

    375 - Paul Kingsnorth - Western Civilization Is Already Dead
    Jan 12 2025
    Paul Kingsnorth gave a provocative talk for First Things' Erasmus Lecture of 2024, titled "Against Christian Civilization". In this episode, we discuss the essence of his argument, delving into the fundamental tensions between Christianity and civilization. How does faith interact with culture? What is the Biblical narrative around cities and governance? Are we misusing Christianity as a tool for cultural preservation over pursuing true spiritual transformation? Is Western Civilization as we know it even salvable at this point?

    -Paul Kingsnorth’s First Things talk: "Against Christian Civilization" | 2024 Erasmus Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/live/Y3hMSZqatHI?si=bmT1rqPyEF-LvR0_
    -Written article version of his talk: Against Christian Civilization, January 2025: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2025/01/against-christian-civilization

    ==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE==========
    Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford

    ==========TIMESTAMPS==========
    00:00 - Coming up
    01:31 - Intro music
    01:56 - Introduction
    03:02 - The essence of Paul's talk
    07:13 - Civilization and Revelation
    12:02 - A Christian's challenge
    16:45 - The Biblical vision
    31:13 - What about the rulers?
    37:01 - Buildings
    42:10 - Brands and idols
    47:27 - The seed and the fruit
    49:24 - Celebrating stories

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
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    📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
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    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
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    59 min
  • 374 - The Role of St. John the Baptist

    374 - The Role of St. John the Baptist
    Jan 6 2025
    In celebration of the Feast of Theophany I discuss the role of St. John the Baptist, or St. John the Forerunner, as he's known in the Orthodox tradition. Why does Christ need a forerunner? What is he actually doing, symbolically? And how does his appearance, behavior, and death participate in the pattern that's already being set up in the Old Testament?

    Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/dvUQXKdpJy0
    💻 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

    ==========NEW SYMBOLIC WORLD COURSE==========
    Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. If you register before Thursday, 8 pm EST, you can get 15% off with the discount code: LEWIS2025. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford

    ==========TIMESTAMPS==========
    00:00 - Introduction
    00:32 - Intro music
    00:57 - The role of St. John
    04:05 - Prefigurations of St. John
    04:21 - The flood of Noah
    05:15 - The Tower of Babel
    06:06 - The Exodus
    07:55 - Elijah
    09:37 - St. John in the wilderness
    12:36 - The voice in the desert
    13:51 - Wild
    15:58 - Stability in Logos
    17:55 - Elijah will return
    21:49 - Taken up before the end
    23:21 - Joseph in Egypt
    26:16 - Conclusion

    📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
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    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.
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    28 min
  • 373 - Matthew Wilkinson - Mystical Bach and the Breakdown of Music

    373 - Matthew Wilkinson - Mystical Bach and the Breakdown of Music
    Jan 5 2025
    For this interview I have a great discussion with organist, pianist, conductor, arranger, and recording artist Matthew Wilkinson, who also happened to put together the Symbolic World intro music. We delve into the symbolism of music, particularly focusing on Bach's organ works. The discussion also touches on the evolution of musical styles from the Baroque period to the Classical, modern and postmodern eras, the historical context of music, from the music of the spheres to modern dissonance, and how these concepts reflect broader ideas about hierarchy and opposites.

    Support Matthew Wilkinson's wonderful work:
    Check out his website and buy his CD: https://matthewwilkinson.net/
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/24DSGAdbVt7by0JHEqTwMh?si=ZJlpdMkcSg6SfMvz7YbkFg
    YouTube: https://youtube.com/@matthewwilkinson2276?si=m1gbZgTSpOALVdq5

    Join us for Annie Crawford's course on C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, starting live on January 17th, 2025. Learn more here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/till-we-have-faces-with-annie-crawford

    Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/d-9FRODiDKM

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Coming up
    00:56 - Intro music
    01:21 - Introduction
    02:18 - The album on Bach
    05:38 - Trinitarian symbolism
    14:49 - Meaning in structure vs outside it
    20:15 - The hero's journey
    22:05 - Signatures
    25:06 - Subject and countersubject
    26:19 - The organ
    29:25 - Going through the entrances
    32:39 - Various subjects
    35:03 - Baroque
    36:37 - Counterpoint
    37:21 - Duality in music
    40:14 - Music of the spheres
    43:54 - Hierarchy in beats
    47:15 - Glenn Gould
    49:19 - The dialectic
    51:04 - Hierarchy in music
    55:16 - Music in the modern era
    01:07:45 - Postmodernism

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
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    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.
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    1 h et 21 min
  • 372 - Christmas: The Anchor of Reality (Repost)

    372 - Christmas: The Anchor of Reality (Repost)
    Dec 24 2024
    This is a repost of a talk given at St-George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montreal, originally posted in 2018.
    The Nativity icon is not only the image of an event that happened two thousands years ago, but rather by its form and the hierarchy of its elements, shows us the inner working of how the Divine Logos creates the world and how His incarnation acts as the anchor, the fulcrum around which all manifestation holds together.

    Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/i8xow567P74
    Don’t forget to check out our Christmas Symbolism playlist of all the videos I made about Christmas over the years:
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVX4HUUPrIY9MeGP5IILeRzu62Q1NPT4C

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction
    01:10 - Intro music
    01:34 - Introducing the talk
    03:50 - The fast
    05:29 - Elements of the nativity icon
    08:04 - St. Joseph tempted by the devil
    10:44 - The bullseye
    13:24 - The ass and ox
    15:40 - Why born in a cave?
    20:31 - God with us
    25:44 - The real question
    32:44 - Q&A: The river gods
    35:20 - Q: The axe
    35:50 - Q: Early icons
    37:08 - Q: Children baptized
    38:12 - Q: Snakes under the door

    💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com
    🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau
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    📱 SOCIAL MEDIA
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    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pageaujonathan
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.pageau

    Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
    My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.
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    39 min