Mere Fidelity

Andrew Wilson and Alastair Roberts explore the Book of Daniel, moving from familiar stories to complex apocalyptic visions. They discuss interpretive keys including Babel connections, chiastic structure, and Christological fulfillment, helping you understand this unique prophetic book's unity and contemporary relevance. Chapters [00:00 - 03:00] Introduction & topic pivot to Daniel [03:00 - 07:00] How understanding of Daniel evolved over time [07:00 - 12:00] Key #1: Babel connection and empire themes [12:00 - 16:00] Key #2: Chiastic structure of chapters 2-7 [16:00 - 20:00] Key #3: Joseph parallels and typology [20:00 - 28:00] Four empires framework across chapters [28:00 - 34:00] Symbolic interpretation and multiple fulfillments [34:00 - 40:00] Three perspectives on empire; Christological reading [40:00 - 45:00] Daniel 11 and the Herod theory [45:00 - 46:00] Connections to Revelation; conclusion

In this episode, Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, and Brad East are joined by political theorist Jason Blakely to explore the life, work, and legacy of Alasdair MacIntyre. Best known for After Virtue, MacIntyre diagnosed the deep moral confusion of modernity and called for a return to virtue, tradition, and narrative. The conversation traces his journey from Marxism to Thomism, unpacks his critique of Enlightenment liberalism, and considers how his thought challenges both the postliberal right and progressive deconstruction. Along the way, the hosts reflect on what it means to form moral communities in a world of fragmented ethics. Chapters: 00:00 Beyond Mere Technocratic Pragmatism 02:01 Life, Work, and Legacy of Alisdair MacIntyre 07:00 After Virtue 09:53 Nuking the Enlightenment 14:20 Practice vs. Theory 16:55 In the Aristotelian Weeds 19:47 Objectivity 24:26 Where Is Sin? 28:44 Public Religion 32:51 Narrate Like the Wind! 37:50 The Religious Option 39:25 Competing Narratives 44:45 Post-Liberalism and the

Mere Fidelity hosts Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, and James Wood interview Professor John Bolt about completing Herman Bavinck's Reformed Ethics translation project. Discussion covers Bavinck's methodology combining creation order and union with Christ, his engagement with contemporary scholarship, controversial applications on marriage/sexuality, and why Bavinck appeals across denominational boundaries. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome 01:05 Monumental Translation 04:49 The Bavinck Moment 07:53 Bavinck's Approach to Ethics 11:01 Union With and Imitation Of Christ 15:30 Anthropology 18:33 Topics Strange and Controversial 24:13 Casuistry 27:33 Extrabiblical Science 31:01 Divisions

Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, and Joseph Minich explore the Jesus People movement of the 1970s—from hippie communes to Calvary Chapel—and its lasting impact on American evangelicalism. They discuss the tension between Spirit-led revival and institutional church structure, examining how countercultural seekers became conservative evangelicals and what today's church can learn from this transformative era. Key Takeaway: The Jesus People movement reveals how the church's greatest evangelistic strength—meeting spiritual hunger with radical acceptance—can also become its greatest weakness without proper institutional structure and long-term discipleship. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Joseph Minich 01:27 The Jesus People Movement 04:23 Trippin' on Jesus 06:55 Undiscovered Heritage 08:55 It's Just a Phase? 12:19 Broader Influences 16:07 Spirit vs. Form 21:47 Apocalyptic Flavour 24:35 How to Win Hippies and Influence Institutions 31:34 Vibes 37:29 Political Antagonism Masking Spiritual Hunger 40:16 Transcending the Cul

Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, and Brad East discuss why so many Christians today feel stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed by the idea of “calling.” They examine how the biblical and Reformation doctrine of vocation has been reshaped by modern expectations of career, identity, and fulfillment—and how to recover a clearer, more grounded view of vocation rooted in community, providence, and everyday faithfulness. A Mere Orthodoxy Podcast Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Lexham Press, featuring The Foremost Problems in Contemporary Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck. These newly translated lectures explore faith in the modern world with Bavinck’s signature depth and clarity. Mere Fidelity listeners receive 40% off at lexhampress.com/merefidelity. Key Idea Vocation isn’t about finding the perfect, fulfilling job. It’s about using your gifts to serve others and glorify God in the ordinary responsibilities of life. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and sponsor 2:00 Why calling feels confusing today 4:30 When vocation beco

Mere Fidelity is back! Welcome to Mere Fidelity 2.0: A Mere Orthodoxy Podcast. Hosts Derek Rishmawy, Alastair Roberts, Brad East, and James Wood dive into the major news of Pope Francis's passing and Cardinal Robert Prevost's election as Pope Leo XIV. As Protestant theologians, they grapple with what this papal transition means for the broader Christian landscape. They discuss how evangelicals should approach papal authority, explore the potential for greater Christian unity under the new papacy, and examine the ongoing influence of Catholic social teaching. They also reflect on the challenges and opportunities of engaging with Catholic tradition while remaining committed to Protestant principles. — Chapters: 00:00 Mere Fidelity 2.0: A New Era 03:25 Protestant Perspectives on the Papacy 09:21 Toward a Unified Church 12:30 Papal "Authority" 15:25 The Role of the Pope in a Divided Church 18:23 Visions for Unity in the Church 23:53 Pope Not King 25:02 Protestant Perspectives on Tradition 27:55 Calvin in the Midd

A lot can happen in ten years. A lot has happened in ten years. In this, Matt’s final episode as a Mere Fi co-host, the guys reflect on the changes, crises, developments, growth, learning, cursings, and blessings that have occurred since the podcast started. Each of them offers their younger selves what wisdom they can. May you profit from their experience. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: The OG Mere Fi Cast & Crew [0:00] Decade Retrospective [2:55] Andrew Now Knows What a Podcast Is [3:30] Alastair Values Committed Conversation Partners [7:06] Derek Still Doesn’t Know [11:25] Focus on What Matters [17:06] The Theology Underneath [23:48] Matt Gives a Warning [29:23] The Stillness Outside the Crisis [39:51] Evangelicalism’s Hour [44:29] Physical Relationships [47:56] Links Mentioned: Lexham Press Book of the Month Merrie Band “Twenty-Five Bloggers in One Sentence Each,” by Andrew Wilson, c. 2014 Credits: To support Mere Fidelity financially, visit our Patreon here. Follow Derek, Andrew

Is it literally possible to read the Bible literally? Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer joins Derek, Alastair, and Matt as the penultimate guest of 2024 to talk about frames of reference, transfigural reading, how the New Testament uses the Old Testament, and how to create a culture of reading at your church. You will literally love it! Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: The Alastair Roberts Endorsement [0:00] Penultimage Delight [1:27] Literally Reading the Bible [2:44] Figural Reading [8:04] Frames of Reference [10:35] Literary Tropes [14:42] Covenant [17:07] Eschatological Meaning [20:48] Lifting the Veil [29:11] The Transfiguration [33:15] The New Testament Model of Reading [38:44] Creating a Reading Culture [44:41]

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]

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]

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]

Dr. Tim Perry returns to Mere Fidelity with a (as Matt calls it) “spicy” book about how ancient heresies have structured the political witness of modern evangelicalism. This is bad. Maybe even very bad. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: One Correction [0:00] Speaking of Politics (again) [2:04] The Challenge of Critiquing Self-Loathing [5:59] Straddling Worlds [8:14] Sourcing Heresy [10:58] Balancing Two Kingdoms [14:40] Slow Down [18:02] Presupposed Politics [22:00] Patchwork Theology [25:25] Gnostic Relevance [29:31] Settle Down [36:57] Idolatrously High Stakes [38:35]

Politics has inflated beyond the realm where it can order our finite, common, physical lives. What is the natural realm of politics? How is it delimited by human mortality? Theologian Dr. Ephraim Radner joins Matt and Alastair to discuss the theme of his fascinating new book, Mortal Goods: Reimagining Christian Political Duty. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: Discount for All!! [0:00] Speaking of Politics [1:48] Defining Mortality and Politics [2:28] Indifferentism [9:17] Catastrophes Waiting to Happen [17:03] Providence in Control [20:19] Utter Grace [25:50] Normal and Abnormal Politics [29:34] The Monarchy [39:27] Personal Sovereignty [46:02]

In a recent podcast appearance (not here, thank God), N.T. Wright made some, shall we say, controversial remarks that caused quite a stir in the Evangelical world in England and the UK. Seeing as his theological work is so good, Derek, Matt, and Alastair are taking this as a chance to explore how we ought to respond when good theologians say bad things in public. They address not only the substance of Wright’s comments but also their context and effects. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: Strong Recommendation [0:00] Ungaurded Remarks [1:27] Interestingly Stupid? [4:17] Culture Shock Across the Pond [10:07] The Real Issue [12:14] Guns and Nuance [15:52] New World Sensibilities [20:31] Partisan Bundling [23:31] Perceptual Problems [25:36] Whither Prolife Politics? [27:13] “Americans are foreign to each other.” [32:18] Paving with Good Intentions [38:28] New Game Plan [43:46]

How seriously should we take statistical numbers given in the Bible? If you need more of a prompt than that to listen to the Mere Fi cast and crew talk about ancient army sizes, genealogical ages, historical populations, and 153 fish… then you are not in our target audience! BTW, did you know that the ages given for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are in a sequence according to a formula involving square numbers? True story. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: Something of Moment [0:00] The First Domino [1:32] Fancy Accounting [6:34] Rules of Thumb [9:04] Unsatisfying Hyperbole [15:27] Literally [18:48] Hyperbole with a Point [19:36] Textual Clues [28:12] Triangular Numbers [33:15] The Bottom Line [40:48]

Do you assume that being “spiritual but not religious” is a fad of modernism? Think again. It goes way, way back into history. Dr. Michael Horton joins Derek, Matt, and Alastair to talk about this attitude from the cults of Orpheus in ancient Persia through Neo-Platonism and it’s influence on Christianity and even the language of ascent in the Reformers. Join us for a wild ride that ends with your friendly neighborhood Instagram influencer. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: A Definitely Interesting Book [0:00] Why did it have to be shamans? [3:05] Disorganized Religion [7:18] Orpheus and Natural Supernaturalism [9:38] Plato and Christianity [14:08] Ritual Creep [20:37] Irenaeus vs Origen [26:05] History of Religion [33:13] I can haz ascent? [39:10] Popular Gnosticism [48:21]

The data is in. Social media has now been studied long enough that we are able to compile reliable data, not just anecdotal evidence, about its effects on the mental health of boys, girls, young men, and young women. Algorithms, video games, porn, and more affect boys and girls very differently. And as the results become clearer, it also becomes more clear what to do about it. Andy Crouch returns to Mere Fidelity to discuss the problems and the solutions with Matt, Alastair, and Derek. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: Proper Attention [0:00] Technology Correspondent [1:42] We Have the Data [2:54] Asymmetrical Effects [10:24] Morality Is Actually Practical [14:01] Idolatry Works Short-Term [15:16] Shifting Discourse [19:20] The Algorithm [27:54] Mental Distance [32:18] No Control Group [35:01] Practical Application [36:40] Should we ban mobile phones in schools? [39:46]

Having recently been reminded of the ongoing disagreements about the ordination of women, the Mere Fi cast turn to the OG ordination, namely, the Levitical priesthood. What do the forms, narratives, and practices of the tribe of Levi in the Old Testament teach us about the role of pastor and priest now in the New Testamanet? And most importantly, should we require our pastors to wear swords? Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: It’s Raining in England [0:00] A Better Beginning [2:08] Scriptural Background [4:49] Representative Function [7:17] Vengeance [9:13] Purity [19:15] Sacrificial Genders [23:02] Pastoral Forms & Hippie Slang [24:30] The Grammar of Priesthood [27:05] Natural Law Dissenters [34:53] Narrative Reinforcements [38:15] Exceptions to the Rule [43:22] Testamental Continuity [49:22]

In response to a listener question, Derek, Matt, and Alastair go deep on the doctrine of creation. They ask and answer questions about whether creation is real, what counts as worship, what makes a doctrine of creation thick or thin, and whether we need to be thinking about God at all times. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: On the Excitement Meter [0:00] Wherein Lies the Deepness? [2:13] Reality and Goodness [10:30] Participatory vs. Intrinsic Value [14:12] A Dim Reflection [15:53] Curiositas [18:57] Not Everything Is Worship [22:39] Children of the Earth [40:44]

Is it useful to talk about finding our identity in Christ? Is that the language that the Scripture uses? How do our modern and post-modern ideas of identity thin out our understanding of self? Derek, Matt, and Alastair tackle these sticky issues with their signature tenacity and panache. Full show notes at www.merefidelity.com. Timestamps: Reunited [0:00] Effectively Vapid [1:14] Identity in Scripture [7:00] Arriving at Identity [11:16] Thick and Thin Categories [13:19] I Identify As [16:12] The Proleptic Case for Identity [22:10] Finding Yourself Here [25:12] The Language of Self [28:29] Character and Virtue [34:07] Unsettling of Identity [39:04]