Mere Fidelity

From the Mere Orthodoxy Podcast Network: The Podcast reflecting on God's Word and our world. Thoughtful weekly conversations about theology, the culture, and the church, hosted by Derek Rishmawy and Alastair Roberts. Featuring Andrew Wilson, Brad East, James Wood, and Joseph Minich.

The Deep Weird of the Book of Daniel 07/02/2025

The Deep Weird of the Book of Daniel 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 /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/37225175

After 'After Virtue' with Jason Blakely 06/25/2025

After 'After Virtue' with Jason Blakely 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 Benedict Option 51:03 How to Get Started /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/37134150

This Is Bavinck's Moment with Dr. John Bolt 06/18/2025

This Is Bavinck's Moment with Dr. John Bolt 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 /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/37026345

The Counterculture That Became The Culture 06/11/2025

The Counterculture That Became The Culture 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 Culture Wars /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36921675

Your Vocation Isn't Radical Enough 06/04/2025

Your Vocation Isn't Radical Enough 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 Podcast Sponsor This episode is brought to you by , 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 . 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 becomes careerism 6:30 Community and the biblical view of calling 8:30 The myth of the perfect job 11:00 Deep gladness and daily responsibility 13:00 The idol of work and career fulfillment 16:00 Gifts for the good of others 18:30 The human calling in Genesis 21:00 Male and female in shared vocation 24:00 Why we need a deflated view of calling 26:30 Dignity in ordinary work 29:00 Vocation for all kinds of people Resources Mentioned Frederick Buechner: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36819450

Hath Pope Leo XIV Jurisdiction Here? 05/28/2025

Hath Pope Leo XIV Jurisdiction Here? 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 Middle 32:46 Visible and Invisible 33:48 Encyclical Teaching 41:05 Extra Cautions 46:24 Future Ecumenical Councils 51:20 New Chapter /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36728275

The One Thing Necessary 12/19/2024

The One Thing Necessary 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156080

Mere Christian Hermeneutics with Kevin Vanhoozer 12/10/2024

Mere Christian Hermeneutics with Kevin Vanhoozer 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! /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156085

Widening Gap 12/06/2024

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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156090

Broken Bonds, with Amy Mantravadi 11/14/2024

Broken Bonds, with Amy Mantravadi 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156095

The Last Roman Philosopher, with Dr. Tom Ward 10/23/2024

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 cert /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156100

When Politics Becomes Heresy, with Dr. Tim Perry 10/13/2024

When Politics Becomes Heresy, with Dr. Tim Perry 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156105

Mortal Goods, with Dr. Ephraim Radner 10/03/2024

Mortal Goods, with Dr. Ephraim Radner 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156110

Hot Takes Taken Cold 09/24/2024

Hot Takes Taken Cold 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156115

Fishy Numbers in the Bible 09/18/2024

Fishy Numbers in the Bible 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156120

Spiritual-Not-Religious: Orphic Mysteries and Modern Attitudes, with Dr. Michael Horton 09/10/2024

Spiritual-Not-Religious: Orphic Mysteries and Modern Attitudes, with Dr. Michael Horton 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156125

Put Social Media in Its Place, with Andy Crouch 08/28/2024

Put Social Media in Its Place, with Andy Crouch 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156130

The Tribe of Levi and Women’s Ordination 08/21/2024

The Tribe of Levi and Women’s Ordination 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? /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156135

What Difference Does a Doctrine of Creation Make? 08/17/2024

What Difference Does a Doctrine of Creation Make? 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156140

Identity in Christ 08/02/2024

Identity in Christ 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. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156150

Summer Reading 07/22/2024

Summer Reading What makes good summer reading? If anyone would know, it’s the Mere Fi bookworms. This isn’t a book recommendation episode. Matt, Andrew, and Alastair ask the questions to figure out what actually drives each of them to read the books they do, and why they are so different. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156155

How Should We Then Die? with Ewan Goligher 05/28/2024

How Should We Then Die? with Ewan Goligher Ewan Goligher has written a book making a clear and strong argument against euthanasia and for the intrinsic value of human life. He joins Matt and Alastair to discuss many fine points of this complex and knotty issue, including the history of the legality of euthanasia in Canada, the ethical implications of suicide, the good of death, and the intrinsic value of a human’s existence. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156160

Christian Politics with Oliver O’Donovan 05/21/2024

Christian Politics with Oliver O’Donovan Professor Oliver O’Donovan joins Matt and Derek once more. This time they discuss the relationship of Christian belief and practice to the contemporary political realities of our world. Do we need a new constitution? What’s to be done about the current wars? How can we properly utilize passion and reason in elections? /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156165

Christian Ethics with Oliver O’Donovan 05/14/2024

Christian Ethics with Oliver O’Donovan The renowned Professor Oliver O’Donovan joins Matt and Alastair to discuss the relationship between the practice of the Christian faith and the philosophical field of ethics. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156170

Casuistry 05/07/2024

Casuistry Casuistry is a technical term for a way of reasoning about ethical principles in specific situations. It fell into disuse historically in favor of a more narrative-based view of the world. But some of the Mere Fidelity cast are sensing that there is a felt lack of organized principle application to pastoral situations in the church. Do you agree that casuistry needs to make a comeback? /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156175

The Deception of Isaac 05/01/2024

The Deception of Isaac Taking up a difficult passage of Scripture, Alastair, Andrew, and Matt consider the incident in which Jacob deceives Isaac into giving him the blessing. Multiple respected theologians bring solid principles to bear on the interpretation of this reading, and come to very different conclusions. What is to be done? Is lying always and everywhere wrong? Was Jacob justified in his ruse? And in the process Alastair reveals some striking parallels between this story and that of King David. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156180

Thinking For Yourself 04/23/2024

Thinking For Yourself When dealing with delicate, nuanced, disputed, or important issues, should Christians primarily rely on their own judgment or the authority of church leaders in their lives? Derek, Alastair, and Matt bring their own experience to bear, as well as a reliance on Scripture and authority, to answer this listener-submitted question. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156185

Men and Women in I Timothy 04/17/2024

Men and Women in I Timothy Andrew, Matt, and Alastair take up the oft-disputed passage from First Timothy that seems to restrict the authority of women in the church. What’s the best way to handle this in the twenty-first century? /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156190

The Resurrection in John 04/02/2024

The Resurrection in John Christ is risen indeed, alleluia! The Easter season is upon us, and the regular cast and crew have the Resurrection on their minds. This year Matt, Alastair, and Derek dive into the Gospel of John to discuss what makes this account different than the other gospels, including, but not limited to: why Jesus told Mary Magdalene not to touch him but invited Thomas to touch him, why John waited for Peter before entering the tomb, and what is going on with those 153 fish. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156195

The Cross and the Empty Tomb 03/19/2024

The Cross and the Empty Tomb As we approach Palm Sunday, Alastair, Matt, and Derek meditate—and ask incisive questions—upon the Cross, the Resurrection, the Triumphal Entry, the Transfiguration, and the true center of our faith. /episode/index/show/0a77e39c-abbc-4e9d-b40d-71828ebcb153/id/36156200

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