Masters of Divinity

This week, JP, Father Chuck and Matt have a good ol' fashion RIFF-SESH. If you're not familiar, a riff-sesh is when the gang doesn't have a specific topic in mind but would rather share what's been digging in their craws and speak candidly and off-the-cuff. This week JP is feeling a little down about not being able to find the motivation to follow through on creative projects, something a lot of creatives struggle with, right? Listen in to see how the Masters of Divinity endeavor to follow through on artistic pursuits! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

We did it! 200 episodes, baby! In this episode, we celebrate our 200th episode by covering Peter Jackson's latest opus, the hit Disney+ documentary THE BEATLES: GET BACK. Jackson's documentary is an exhaustive, fly-on-the-wall look at The Beatles during the recording of their album LET IT BE. As some of you know, all three of us here are big Beatles fans, and the documentary is not just an ode to their latest process, but also lays bare the bands experiences during the stressful recording session, which brings to light all kinds of new discoveries that challenges many notions that fans have had for decades. Join us as we explore these notions, and celebrate THE BEATLES and their creative process in our 200th episode extravaganza. Also, Matt's here! Rejoice! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

And we're BACK, BABY! After a lengthy hiatus, Father Chuck and JP have returned to talk about translating and interpreting the Bible. They not only go into the history of translating scripture, but also talk about their own experiences and frustrations with translations, as well as with people who are die-hard devoted to one translation over the other. Father Chuck also gives his advice on how to find the right translation for you, if you're curious about that kind of thing. LISTEN UNTIL THE END!!! We've got somethin' for ya! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

This week, with an increasing interest in exploring the more fantastical and mystical side of the Christian faith, Father Chuck and JP talk about angels. They go over the hierarchy of angels, dispel some myths about their depiction (thanks in large part to Renaissance art), and develop a new class in the heirarchy: The Shoulderheim. What exactly is the Shoulderheim? You'll have to listen to find out! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

Well, it's been a minute, hasn't it? Fear not, because we're back, and unlike most media outlets, JP and Father Chuck have some thoughts on DUNE! Dune is the latest iteration of the Frank Herbert sci-fi classic, directed by Denis Villeneuve. It's taken a LONG time, but we think that we finally have an adaptation of the novel that's worthy of praise! Even though JP really likes Lynch's Dune. Anyway, sorry for the little unannounced break, we hope you enjoy our in-depth discussion of DUNE! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

So for the last couple of months we've talked about every Jaws movie, tackled Christian Hedonism, recounted our favorite Seinfeld episodes about religion, defeated Capitalism, and brought you one spooky-ass playlist for your Halloween parties. So, we're a little pooped, and we thought this week we'd take 'er easy and have ourselves a good ol' fashion riff-sesh. You remember these, right? No planned topic, just us speaking our minds on whatever we feel like. One thing we focus on a lot in this particular riff-sesh is the fascination with the 60s, a thing that we are very annoyed with. So hit play, and let it riff. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

Whether you've got a Halloween party around the corner to host/attend, or you're just looking for some All Hallow's Eve vibes, you're gonna need some spooky tunes. So this week, Father Chuck and JP have curated their own playlists filled with all kinds of Halloween music goodness. Whether you're looking for a vibe like Planet Claire by the B-52s, or something more on the nose like Wolf Like Me by TV On the Radio, or classics like Thriller, you've come to the right place! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

This week, JP and Father Chuck go in on that mode of production based on private ownership of the means of production: CAPITALISM. We give our thoughts, our critiques, our experiences, and also take the time to highlight the current struggle over wages in Hollywood. We don't normally get political on this podcast, mainly because we're not super interested in being one of those divisive, hot-topic, firebrand shows that serve just to outrage our audience and drive them to yell at family members on Thanksgiving. Personally, this might be one of the more gentler critiques of Capitalism you'll find on the web. We hope you'll listen, we hope you'll like, we hope you'll think long and hard about the ideas that we present, and join us in pondering whether or not Capitalism is absolutely necessary for a society to thrive (spoiler: it isn't, it's evil, it sucks). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

JP and Father Chuck are massive, devoted fans of the hit sitcom Seinfeld. And if you haven't heard the news, that joint's on Netflix as we speak. So we went ahead and watched some episodes centered on religion, yadda yadda yadda, you got this episode to listen to. Enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

So we all know that Father Chuck's the Sci-Fi Guy and JP is the Horror Guy. But what happens the two are combined for Halloween? You get an in-depth look at the Atomic Age Sci-Fi & Horror of the 1950s, baby! While people are planning their lists of horror movies to watch during October, people tend to lean toward the gothic, the spooky, and the straight-up uncanny. But most people seem to forget that there's a place in the Halloween Canon of Movies for films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, War of the Worlds, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and so much more. Listen to JP and Father Chuck talk about some of their favorites, the historical context and meaning behind these films, and they even wander into "comeuppance horror" that was popularized by EC Comic titles like Tales From the Crypt, which was running concurrently with the Atomic Age. So let the Masters of Divinity guide you through some must-watch movies you'll want to add to your Halloween movie marathon this year. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

If you've ever heard the phrase, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him," then you're probably familiar with Christian Hedonism, which is one provocative title! It probably conjures images that don't belong together, like Jesus and Hedonism Bot from FUTURAMA. But it's a real thing; a theology conceived by famous modern theologian John Piper, a Neo-Calvinist and Reformed Christian. In this week's episode, we're categorizing Piper's theology as a Christian Curiosity, and will be exploring its concepts as such. But don't worry, we're still gonna be funny. Check out our site for more! https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

In the previous episode, we talked about the Brothers Brody and Their Many Shark Adventures, and since you were all good sports to let us indulge in our love of these bonkers sequels, we figured why not go ahead and talk about the famed original: the 1975 Steven Spielberg classic, JAWS. There's so much to love about Jaws: the music, the performances, the gruesome kills, the high seas adventure, and so much more, which is why JP and Father Chuck hold JAWS in a special place in their hearts. We can laugh our way through the sequels, but JAWS is truly a cinematic masterpiece as a monster movie, an oceanic adventure, or as just a movie about three guys being dudes. JP and Father Chuck go into immense detail as to why JAWS means so much to them and why it's such a great film. You can check it out in the Spotify player above, or literally ANYWHERE podcasts are available. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

When it was released in theaters in 1975, JAWS was a major hit, terrifying audiences and creating an entire generation of aquaphobes, thalassophobes, and submechaniphobes. Steven Spielberg's debut in cinemas was studded with a terrific cast, a chilling story, and horrifying special effects. The sequels? Eh...not so much. But one of them takes place in Sea World! Listen, we know these movies don't even begin to add up to the greatness of the Spielberg classic, but JP and Father Chuck have a special place in their hearts for JAWS 2 and even the unfortunate JAWS 3-D and JAWS 4: How Ellen Brody Got Her Groove Back. What I'm saying is that you won't find another podcasting duo who would talk so fondly of timeless characters like Helicopter Pilot, Cindy & Sandy, and of course Hoagie. So press play and let us tell you why these sequels are fun to watch despite the bad press, and why JP's biggest regret in life was not being the skipper on the ill-fated Jaws ride. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

We're finally in the middle of the wet, hot, American summer and JP & Father Chuck couldn't help but to reminisce about their summer days spent at various summer camps growing up. They talk about their shared experiences from Space Camp in Florida, while JP also tells us a few tales from his time spent at rich kid military camp. You'll hear this and so much more when you press play on that podcast machine, and listen to this week's edition of MASTERS OF DIVINITY. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity/ Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

An unofficial but ongoing series on this podcast is "Christian Curiosities," where we reflect and examine Christian trends from the days of yor. These trends permeated Christian communities and usually across denominations, and it was the Christian Bookstore that enabled these curiosities to spread and thrive. If one wanted to put their thumb on the pulse of Christianity in America, all one had to do was visit a Christian Bookstore. But since the advent of the internet, and shopping online, as well as downward trends in Church attendance, the Christian Bookstore is beginning to go extinct (not unlike other brick and mortar companies -- It's a new world out there). Before the Christian Bookstore goes the way of the Dodo, JP and Father Chuck reflect on the Christian Curiosities they themselves used to buy, examine why the Christian Bookstore was such a phenomenon, and how, in the end, they may have served as more of a detriment to Christianity in America. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity/ Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

This week, in another edition of MASTERS OF DIVINITY, JP and Father Chuck revisit one of the most beloved film trilogies of all time: BACK TO THE FUTURE! JP explains the process behind developing the first Back to the Future movie, Chuck theorizes on a "Rogue Marty." This is one of those episodes where we talk about a franchise as an entity, and go into great detail about why we love Back to the Future. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

We've seen the evidence. We have some thoughts. UFO's are back baby! Seriously, it's like 1995 up in here with the UFO mania going down. In 2017 the government confirmed the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects, and just this month the Pentagon has submitted a report to congress explaining their findings. JP and Father Chuck have been preparing for this moment their whole lives, and in this episode they go over video footage and photographic evidence that has recently been made public. Are they aliens or a secret government experiment? If this does prove the existence of aliens, how would that effect someone's faith? JP and Father Chuck put their expertise to work as they attempt to get to the bottom of this UFO guff, and you don't want to miss it. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

Remember way, way, way back in the distant year of 2012? Before pandemics, Donald Trump's presidency, and NFTs? There was a movie that came out that summer called PROMETHEUS, and it was a prequel of sorts to the ALIEN franchise. People were really looking forward to it because the ALIEN franchise had fallen on hard times, and legendary director Ridley Scott was here to bring it back to its original glory. Well, turns out the movie was more divisive than people expected, and even JP and Father Chuck were disappointed. But time has passed, and the Masters of Divinity have decided to give PROMETHEUS a second chance, and it turns out...it's not that bad! Press play and listen to JP and Father Chuck talk Ridley Scott's PROMETHEUS. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

Time to smash our heads on the punk rock! In our final episode of Music Mayhem, The Wheel of Mayhem deemed Christian punk's "Prime Candidate for a Burnout" by Blenderhead worthy of closing out this year's series. Rounding out our completely unplanned series-within-a-series about the Christian recording industry, Blenderhead couldn't be further away from what dc Talk and Jars of Clay represented. Raw, uncompromising, visceral...LOUD. Blenderhead was a hardcore Christian punk band from the legendary underground label Tooth and Nail Records. Father Chuck grew up with this album, but JP didn't even know who Blenderhead was until he put it on the wheel. Press play, and get ready to experience "Prime Candidate for a Burnout" by Blenderhead. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

This week, JP and Father Chuck visit another seismic album in the 90s Contemporary Christian scene: Jars of Clay's self-titled debut album. Jars of Clay was drastically different from dc Talk in their style and approach to lyrics, embracing metaphorical lyrics and acoustic guitars, as well as a more independent sound. Do any of the songs still hold up? You might be surprised! Check out the episode today, and listen to the Masters of Divinity dive deep into JARS OF CLAY. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

Music Mayhem keeps going because Music Mayhem can't be stopped! For some reason JP and Father Chuck decided to (dc) Talk about JESUS FREAK, the seismic Christian rock album that hit the charts and even managed to get some MTV airtime, something that's very important to Christian labels. Father Chuck has a fondness for the album, and JP has never listened to the album until recently. Does it still hold up? Find out! Music Mayhem will never end! It just keeps going! I'm serious, we can't stop it, and we don't know how. How do you stop Music Mayhem. Please help us. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

Music Mayhem keeps on truckin', and this week we're truckin' to hell -- or heaven. Whichever you prefer, I guess. In 1979 Ozzy Osbourne was ousted from the legendary metal band Black Sabbath, and left a void that seemed impossible to fill. Enter one Ronnie James Dio, or as you and I know him: DIO. What should have been a recipe for disaster ended up being a massive success. The album was a hit, and featured one of the greatest metal tunes of all time, "Heaven and Hell." Dio also went on to be a major influence in the realm of heavy metal, inspiring countless bands and performers. This week, we dive deep into the 1980 album, which also happens to be Music Mayhem's first metal album! Press play, throw up the horns, and LOOK OUT! Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

Music Mayhem returns! And we're kicking it off with a pick by Father Chuck, "She's So Unusual" by Cyndi Lauper. This album is loaded with bangers, from the iconic 80s bop "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" to the all-timer ballad, "Time After Time," this is the album that cemented Cyndi Lauper as an 80s icon, and would influence pop music and female vocalists for years to come. But what did the Masters of Divinity think? Press play and find out today! Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

For our final episode in our unnamed series about Jesus-centric films, we watched Martin Scorsese's controversial classic, The Last Temptation of Christ. In the film, Jesus is portrayed by legendary actor Willem Dafoe, depicted as a man struggling with both the human and divine natures that dwell within Him. Martin Scorsese intended for the movie to spark discussion about Jesus, who He was, the nature of Christianity, and how it affects our daily lives, and we do our best to honor that with a deep discussion about the film, which is a true cinematic achievement, and easily the best movie we watched for the series. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

This week, Father Chuck and Moderator JP talk about the extremely underwhelming 1979 classic, JESUS, a movie that was made in an attempt to create a visual translation of the Bible, and these days the film is used by THE JESUS PROJECT in an effort to convert people to Christianity through the language of cinema. Amazingly, it doesn't seem to be very good at any of these things. Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity​ Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj​ Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity​ Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress​ Listen to our first 109 episodes of the podcast! iTunes ►https://apple.co/2Rrus4S --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

Like Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, Jesus is a figure who's graced the screen since the advent of cinema. Some of these movies are spectacular, while most of them are...well, they tried. When Mel Gibson announced that he was going to direct a film about the final hours of Jesus' life, it became one of the most anticipated films of its time, as audiences were promised one of the most accurate and dramatic portrayals of Jesus ever put to screen. To kick off our new series where we take a look at a variety of films centered on Jesus, Father Chuck and JP discuss Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. Visit our website! ►https://themastersofdivinity.wordpress Instagram ►https://www.instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter ►https://twitter.com/mastersdivinity Facebook ►https://bit.ly/2DGtIFj Become a patron via Patreon! ►https://patreon.com/mastersofdivinity --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

This week, while the Masters of Divinity are still away dealing with their offline lives, we've produced a clip show made out of a couple of outtakes from past episodes! We promise things will be back to normal soon, but at the moment, real life calls. Until then, enjoy this fun episode! Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/masters-of-divinity/message

This week, JP and Father Chuck discuss how they feel about the time-honored social media tradition of dunking on strangers. We promise this isn't just another "old men yelling about Twitter" episode, honest! SoundCloud: Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

All right, so it's more like an hour and fourty-five minutes, but "2 hours" just sounds cleaner. We round up here. Hey! There's a show out there on the Disney+ that all the kids are raving about, called WandaVision and it's apparently a big hit. WandaVision is the first show produced for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (there are other Marvel shows but this is the first one overseen by Feige and Co.), it's very unique in its presentation as it takes on the form of a sitcom every now and then, has a lot of twists and turns within its myserious plot. Naturally, the MoD were into it, and thought we should do an episode on it, so here we are. It should go without saying, this baby is RIDDLED with spoilers. So if you haven't watched WandaVision yet, proceed with extreme caution. Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

This week, we cap off our month-long series on the afterlife with a fun, light-hearted discussion of Pixar's latest hit, SOUL. Soul stars Jamie Foxx as the voice of Joe, a jazz musician who finds himself in the afterlife who desperately tries to get back to the land of the living. It's a wonderful film with a fascinating emotional journey, with themes that really resonated with the MoD crew. Obviously there are spoilers, so if you haven't seen Pixar's Soul be sure to check it out before listening/watching. Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

This week, JP and Father Chuck discuss purgatory. Having grown up a protestant, JP has no idea what the doctrine of purgatory is, and Father Chuck is here to enlighten all of us. They talk about purgatory as a doctrine, as a belief embraced by CS Lewis, and why it kind of sounds like a gym for the soul. Should Christians believe in purgatory? What's the difference between purgatory in hell? Find out today! Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

Continuing our series on the Christian afterlife, Father Chuck and JP discuss HELL. We go over all of the cultural depictions of Hell and how they compare to what's described in the Bible, where these depictions originate, and how we've come to understand Hell. We also talk about how we personally understand the concept of Hell, and push back on a lot of common understandings of the underworld. Is Hell really a place where one lives out an eternity of torture and punishment, or is it a temporary state of being? Find out in this week's episode! Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65r

Hello once again MoD Squad! We've got an exciting month lined up for you, as JP and Father Chuck will be discussing the theologies behind the Christian afterlife. This week, we'll be taking a look at Heaven. What do Christians get wrong about Heaven? Turns out, a lot! Father Chuck explains the early Christian belief of Heaven and how it should affect the beliefs of today's Christians. It's a doozy. It's fascinating. You don't want to miss it. Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

The Salem Witch Trials, The Red Scare, The McMartin Preschool Trial, The War on Drugs, Netflix's Cuties...they're all vastly different events, with some based on real events, and some based on events that were completely fabricated, but they all have one thing in common: they created widespread fear and panic. This week, JP and Father Chuck take a look at the phenomenon known as "moral panic." Believe it or not, there's a formula to how a moral panic begins and spreads, and the Masters of Divinity are here to discuss that formula, how it impacts our lives and institutions, and what we can do to be more aware of a moral panic when one inevitably happens. Check out the articles we used here: "The Anatomy of a Moral Panic" by Stephen Davies https://www.aier.org/article/the-anatomy-of-a-moral-panic/ "Moral Panic and the Law" by Alyssa Greenstein https://gwjusticejournal.com/2020/05/08/moral-panic-and-the-law/ Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity Twitter: twitter.com/mastersdivinity Facebook: www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

This week, Moderator JP, Father Chuck, and Occasional Matt are all here to talk about the Netflix sensation, COBRA KAI. Cobra Kai is a kind of spin-off/legacy sequel to the Karate Kid series of movies, mostly from the perspective of famous 80s bully Johnny Lawrence. Naturally, this is perfect fodder for the Masters of Divinity: 80s nostalgia, martial arts, stories of redemption, and so much more! They touch a little bit on their love of the Karate Kid movies, their surprise at the quality of the show's writing, and go deep into the characters and direction of the narrative. You don't want to miss this, one might say this is what our podcast is all about. Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

This week, in the final episode of 2020, JP and Father Chuck are here to talk about one of their favorite subjects: conspiracy theories! This time, they discuss how conspiratorial thinking can be damaging to not just the the individual, but also society, and how it can take the place of a person's spirituality. With everything happening in the news, it felt like an appropriate topic to broach. We at Masters of Divinity recognize that it's been A Tough Year, but we hope that we were able to bring you some semblance of comfort, or provide a brief distraction. We appreciate every one of you for continuing to listen, and for all of your support. We love doing this, and we're going to be back on our game in 2021. Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

It's Halloween! Which means The Masters of Divinity get SPOOKY! And what better way to Get Spooky then watching a good old fashioned horror movie? Well, not THAT old fashioned. It's pretty post-modern, actually. This week, our very fearless trio sits down with Wes Craven's meta-horror slasher film, SCREAM. They touch on what the period was like when SCREAM was released, how it influenced modern day horror, and how it impacted them as teens. We mention SCREAM a lot on this podcast, we figured that this week would be a perfect time to actually give the movie its own episode. So press play, and let us know what YOUR favorite scary movie is.

Well, we've reached the end of MODAKU. Don't look so sad, you knew this was a test run baby, we wish we could go all out like we do with Music Mayhem, but that all depends on you! Let us know if you enjoyed MODAKU, and if we should tackle it against next year. But let's not get ahead of ourselves! We've got one more episode, and this week's it's Matt's turn to bring the anime goodness with WITCH HUNTER ROBIN. There were a ton of shows in the early 2000's that had a similar premise to ROBIN, but there are some elements that make this show unique. Did it work for the Masters of Divinity? Also, we get a little excited for the month of October, so bare with us as we have a small debate about SPOOKY SEASON. That play button isn't gonna press itself, kid!

In this week's edition of MODAKU, Moderator JP brings us the cyberpunk classic AKIRA! Akira was what started it all in the U.S. It's influence is felt in not only countless anime, but also in countless science fiction films and television shows. With its technical achievements in animation, its intricate storytelling, and twisted visions of body horror, AKIRA remained a cult classic for years in the U.S. among nerds and movie buffs. It wasn't before long that its influence bubbled to the surface, inspiring countless artists and filmmakers, making a lasting impact in the mainstream. This is Father Chuck and Matt's first time watching AKIRA, but JP first watched it when he was way too young to be exposed to body horror. What did they think? Press play to find out.

This week, Father Chuck brings us MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO to officially jumpstart our new series on anime, MODAKU. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a timeless children's classic created by Hiyao Miyazaki, by way of the landmark animation studio Studio Giblhi. Father Chuck is very familiar with TOTORO, while JP and Matt only just recently watched it for the series alone. Check out their collected thoughts and opinions, and see if TOTORO is enough to bring JP and Matt in the fold as newborn anime nerds.

One of the goals of our podcast is to explore, observe, comment, and sometimes satirize the various spaces within the vast universe of fandom. Four years after the creation of the podcast, we finally feel that we have the strength and capacity to explore the wild world of anime. Even though anime has been a staple in Japanese culture for decades, in the United States it started as an underground, cultish fandom that only recently sprung into the American mainstream, along with various other fandoms. Each week one of the Masters of Divinity will choose an anime title to watch, then reconvene and discuss said title in great length and detail. It's like Music Mayhem, but with schoolgirl uniforms and giant swords. This week's episode, however, serves as a primer, as JP, Father Chuck, and Matt discuss their thoughts and feelings on anime, as well as their experience with the medium. Press play to hear their thoughts, and wait until the end to hear what the first anime Masters of Divinity dedicates an entire episode to!

This week, JP and Father Chuck have themselves a little old fashioned riff-session. You remember those, right? This episode's packed with everything. There's talk about preferring art & media that's a bit more off-beat and rough around the edges, there's some reminiscing of McGee & Me, JP rants about CGI blood and demands that Hollywood action films return to using squibs...a real grab-bag of an episode, is how I would market this episode. Smash play, and prepare yourself for...stuff.

This week, JP and Father Chuck talk about an interesting corner of the internet dedicated to what's inside your pocket. It's called "EDC" which is short for everyday carry, and you'll be surprised that there are whole communities and brands revolving around the stuff we carry with us in our day-to-day. Flashlights, knives, pens, and leathermans are all part of the "EDC" uniform. But what kind of stuff do the Masters of Divinity carry? Find out by pressing play today!

DC and Warner Bros. broke new ground by giving us the first ever virtual conference (I have no facts to back that up, but you can't accuse me of shilling, because I'm admitting that I'm not sure if that's even true). We learned about Suicide Squad 2, the long-awaited Zack Snyder Cut of Justice League, and the trailer for The Batman. In this week's episode, we talk about all of those things and bask in the glow of speculative movie punditry. Remember when movies came out, guys?!  Also, you might've heard a thing or two about Jerry Falwell Jr. recently, and we talk a little about that as well.

"Adventure has a name," said one of the many taglines used to describe the character of Indiana Jones, the brainchild of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK should be considered classic cinema by now, as well as a window into an even older form of cinema, the cliffhanger serials made famous Republic Pictures that Spielberg and Lucas grew up watching. What the auteurs created when they conjured Indy was a tradition started even further back than those cliffhangers, and that's the kind of aspirational archetypal hero that daring young people dream of becoming. The kind of guy you think you're going to embody when you face a death-defying situation, or maybe when you're just trying to build the courage to ask a girl out. As Millennials, we grew up watching the Indiana Jones Trilogy: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, THE TEMPLE OF DOOM, THE LAST CRUSADE, and eventually, for better or worse, KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. And in this episode, we're joined by listener Mike to talk about why the character had such a deep effect on us when we watched Indy not just as kids but as adults, as well. We talk about the man behind Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford, and how he embodies the character and brings him to life. We also talk about the individual films, and how they resonate with us as works of cinema. A special thank you to Mike for suggesting this week's topic, as well as for his patronage that has very much helped our podcast. If you'd like to be like Mike, be sure to visit our Patreon. You too might be able to choose a topic, and guest-host with us as well! Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

In Disney • Pixar's ONWARD, elvish brothers Barley and Ian embark on a perilous journey through a fantastical realm that also happens to resemble our modern times in order to meet their father who passed away before Ian was born. Needless to say, Father Chuck and Father Fun, who themselves are dads and big fantasy nerds, have a lot to say about ONWARD. Smash that play button and listen to the Fathers talk all about what drew into ONWARD'S unique fantasy setting, the moving story, and how they relate to the characters.

You might be familiar with cyberpunk, the dystopian science fiction subgenre popularized by William Gibson's NEUROMANCER and Ridley Scott's BLADE RUNNER. You also might be familiar with steampunk, a science fiction subgenre known for its obsession with goggles. But have you heard of solarpunk? Solarpunk, unlike cyberpunk, is a much more optimistic view of the future, a concept that might be completely alien to anyone currently surviving 2020. This week, Father Chuck is joined by Father Fun as they talk about the little known subgenre, and what properties could constitute as solarpunk.

Well, here we are, at the end of all things -- not really, just Music Mayhem. We're sad to see it go, as Father Chuck, JP, Matt, and Father Fun have had a blast, as usual, surprising each other with albums and challenging our tastes and just enjoying some great music. You should all know by now how the Wheel of Mayhem works. We each select one "good" album and one "bad" album, we put them on a wheel, and fate decides what the last episode of Music Mayhem will be about. We'd like to thank Father Fun for joining us on another odyssey through music, and fortunately for all of us, the Wheel of Mayhem happened to select one of his albums, which happened to be TEENAGE DREAM by Katy Perry. Unfortunately, not all of the Masters of Divinity were able to make it to this episode, and we'll have to close out the series with Father Chuck and Father Fun. But as the saying goes, start with a bang and end with a snap. Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

For our penultimate episode of Music Mayhem 2020, Matt chose one of the most successful albums of all time, Michael Jackson's THRILLER. THRILLER has it all: Beat It, Thriller, Billie Jean, that song with Paul McCartney, that one ballad, that other ballad, a couple of other ballads, and You Wanna Be Startin' Something, a song that has yet to come to an end. Listen, we all know why everyone picked up this album, and it was because of those three singles and their classic music videos. We definitely talk about those songs and even debate on which jacket is better: the Thriller jacket or the Beat It jacket? Trust us, it's a good one, smash that play button. Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

Guest Co-Host Father Fun selects Florence + The Machine's sweeping and epic sophomore album, CEREMONIALS. If you're not familiar with Florence + The Machine, the first thing you'll notice is how powerful Florence Welch's voice is. It's the kind of voice that can overshadow the rest of your group, but thankfully, in CEREMONIALS, The Machine accompanies Florence's voice with grand, sweeping instrumentals that can only be found in ancient, gigantic churches whose halls are filled with booming choirs and organs. The album is deeply symbolic, filled with visceral imagery, and is overflowing with religious and spiritual tones. So, naturally, CEREMONIALS is kind of up our alley. Press play and join JP, Father Chuck, and Father Fun as they discuss CEREMONIALS by Florence + The Machine, and stay until the end to hear Matt's selection for next week. Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65

Father Chuck's favorite band of all-time is a little band from Boston known as Guster. Guster is known for their busker style music, their on-stage antics, and a guy who is absolutely wicked on the drums, dubbed the Thunder God. Listen to why Guster is Father Chuck's favorite band (Spoiler: It does involve a "Crow Phase"), and what the rest of the group thought of the album. There's also an aside all about why none of us are big fans of Pearl Jam, who may be a contender for the Wheel of Mayhem! Check out our site: www.themastersofdivinity.wordpress.com If you'd like to support the show, become a patron by visit our patreon! www.patreon.com/MastersOfDivinity Follow us on social media: instagram.com/mastersofdivinity twitter.com/mastersdivinity www.facebook.com/mastersofdivinity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel bit.ly/2HdvX65