The Good Life

Today I am interviewing Sophia Abraham, a harpist living in Cambridge. Sophia is a harpist, playing the harp since she was young. She has an MA in music therapy and is quite gifted, using her talents to help people recovering from various sorts of trauma. She and her husband have created Wisdom Harps, where they make and sell smaller, affordable harps for people who are interested in learning to play. She also offers online classes for beginners as well as in various modes of harp playing. Our discussion ranges from the role of the harp in the healing process for patients, its use in spiritual warfare, how beautiful music opens greater opportunities for evangelism, and why playing the harp is easier than most people think. She even plays a bit for us! It was a great discussion. Wisdom Harps (Sophia's Website) Wisdom Harps Facebook page Some samples of Sophia's Playing When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Harp Meditation The Lord of Sea and Sky

Today I enjoyed visiting with Dr. Gerald McDermott. Dr. McDermott is an Anglican priest as well as a church historian and scholar who specializes in the theology of Jonathan Edwards. He has written dozens of books, eight of which focus on various elements of the life and legacy of Jonathan Edwards. Today we talk about why Edwards was and still is important, and we focus on Edwards' unfinished book, A History of Redemption. After many years of research, Dr. McDermott has written a book that seeks to finish what Edwards might have written had he lived to complete it (he tragically died at age fifty-four). We discuss Edwards further legacy, as well as why "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is both the best and the worst known sermon in American history. A New History of Redemption Everyday Glory: The Revelation of God in All of Reality One Holy and Happy Society - the Public Theology of Jonathan Edwards Famous Stutterers

John Ehrett is a lawyer in Washington, D.C. He returns today to talk with me about a recent article of his entitled, "Christendom After Comcast." We talk about the desire to return to a better way of life, the paths many people suggest, and what prevents that return from happening. Specifically, we discuss how cable television was one of many elements that restrict our ability to ever go back to "the way things were" and what are steps the church can take to faithfully respond to this new era. Christendom After Comcast Ivy Envy

Today I spoke with Nathan Gill, a Hillsdale graduate, classical education teacher, and administrator. He wrote an article at The American Reformer titled, "Toward a More American Classical Education." We talk about why it's important to not only give your children an education steeped in the wisdom of the past, but for their education to be rooted in the country and regional culture where they live. We discuss what that could look like, as well as how craftsmanship and entrepreneurship make for a uniquely American education.

Have you ever taken a quiz to know where you fall on the political compass? Are you liberal, conservative, authoritarian, or libertarian? Thankfully there are more options than those. Today I talk about how we can know where we call on the spectrum and how that knowledge can better help me to love my neighbor. P.S. In this episode I said that Noah Millman's article came out on the "League of Ordinary Gentlemen" blog. That is incorrect. It was on the now defunct "American Scene" website, which is available thanks to the reliable Wayback Machine. Articles mentioned Notes Towards a New Political Taxonomy - Noah Millman Tanner Greer's Summary of Millman's article A Better Model of Political Categories - N.S. Lyons (paywalled for subscribers)

Having just celebrated Valentine's Day, here are five good books of marriage that can help any married couple, no matter how long they've been married.

What is "the West"? What is the role of Christians today in preserving our Western heritage? How does liberalism fit into the decline of Christendom? What is leading to the rise of Anti-Semitism among some on the right? I am joined today by John Ehrett to discuss these and other topics relating to our cultural history. John is a writer and attorney in Washington, D.C. who has written for multiple publications. Some of his best articles are listed below: Postliberal Gods and Monsters Tradition and Anti-Semitism Augustine Against Vitalism The Impossible Bronze-Age Mindset The End of Viking Vitalism