The Good Fight: Where Campus Meets Christ

It has been a great semester as The Good Fight discussed the spring readings on the Literature Humanities syllabus. From Augustine to Morrison, this spring has been a wild ride, but this week The Good Fight takes a step back to tie this whole semester together. Tune in to the last episode of the 2021-2022 academic year for an all-star discussion covering all your favorite major texts. The Good Fight will also come back to a question asked at the start of the academic year and ask why Christians can continue to read these texts.

Columbia's LitHum syllabus has changed significantly in the last couple decades, largely in response to contemporary political and social trends. The course recently added Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison to address what some considered a lack of diversity in the syllabus. The work is hailed as a landmark in African-American literature and its biblical themes tie nicely with the LitHum syllabus. This week, The Good Fight will be thinking about some of the novel's themes and tying them to Christian principles. Resources for this episode: The novel

Modernity brought many changes to society, and with those came a change in literature. This week The Good Fight dives into 20th century literature with Virginia Woolf's To The Lighthouse, a book where the characters are far more alive than the story. As these characters experience life, our hosts will discuss how the novel's portrayal of time and relationship can inform a Christian life. Resources for this episode: The text

It's a long episode this week, and perhaps you'll say it doesn't have a conclusion. As much has been said of the writing of Franz Kafka, an early 20th century Bohemian novelist. As The Good Fight looks at his short work The Metamorphosis this week, they'll discuss what metamorphosis the novella depicts and how metamorphosis fits in the Christian life. Resources for this episode: The text from Project Gutenberg

Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment does not end with last week's discussion of guilt but with an apparent change in Raskolnikov's heart. But what exactly is going on with this apparent "resurrection"? The Good Fight brings back Crime and Punishment for the second episode of this two week exploration, this time focusing on the novel's epilogue and Sonya's recitation of John 11. Resources for this episode: The text from Project Gutenberg "Hosting the Divine Logos" by Valentina Izmirlieva

Any discussion of Western literature would be incomplete without at least one Russian classic. While choosing between Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky is no easy matter, LitHum opts for Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. The novel follows a young former student as he attempts to transcend his moral conscience and ultimately finds it much harder than he thought. In this episode, The Good Fight is starting a two-week dive into the book, focusing this week on guilt and conscience. Resources for this episode: The text from Project Gutenberg

What makes a good romance? Lovable characters, and a heart-wrenching plot. Jane Austen nails both in her most popular novel, Pride and Prejudice. Along the way, she manages to include a healthy dose of criticism for the society she finds herself in. Why Pride and Prejudice has proved such a loved book over the last 200 years is only a mystery to those who have yet to read it. Join The Good Fight this week as they discuss the love in Pride and Prejudice and compare it to a biblical conception of love. Resources for this episode: The text from Project Gutenberg "6 Lessons From Pride and Prejudice" by Crossway

With Miguel de Cervantes, the modern novel enters the LitHum syllabus. Noted for its hilarious parody of popular chivalric stories, Don Quixote is sure to put a laugh in any reader. The storyline is so famous that we've created an adjective from the main character's name (check the title)! This week, The Good Fight explores what this crazed(?), wannabe-knight errant can tell us about storytelling, even the storytelling we find in the Bible. Resources for this episode: The text from Project Gutenberg

Who hasn't heard of Shakespeare? Acclaimed as the most influential playwright in English history, William Shakespeare wrote so many of the classics whose names we all remember from High School literature: Hamlet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, The Tempest, etc. Fittingly, Columbia does not leave him off the syllabus, so this week The Good Fight is taking a look at Shakespeare's perhaps most race-conscious play, Othello, and the role that jealousy plays in it. Resources for this episode: The text from MIT The Jealousy of God, by Kirk Wellum (The Gospel Coalition)

Michel de Montaigne was a 16th-century French Renaissance philosopher and aristocrat. His famous work Essays is a collection of writings exploring humanity, and especial one human in particular - Montaigne himself. The work, though criticized for its style at the time, was influential in making the essay (lit. "trial") a popular form of writing. This week, The Good Fight will explore Montaigne's sense of self, as well as the skepticism he has and its relationship to words. Resources for this episode: The text from Project Gutenberg Wikipedia page

Dante Alighieri gained a lot of attention last year as we marked 700 years since his death. In the middle ages, the Italian poet composed his Divine Comedy, an epic poem depicting an imagined journey through the three spiritual realms of Catholic teaching. Accordingly, his Inferno depicts Hell, the place where the souls of the condemned are placed in eternal punishment. This week, The Good Fight questions what misconceptions might arise from Dante's work and examine the Biblical theology of Hell. Resources used in this episode: The text from Project Gutenberg "Hell as Endless Punishment" by Denny Burk on The Gospel Coalition

Augustine's Confessions is perhaps the most well-known literary work by an early Church father, except maybe Augustine's more philosophical work City of God. In this episode, The Good Fight explores the doctrine of original sin, which Augustine is famous for formalizing and popularizing, especially as it relates to Augustine's comments about infancy in book I. Are infants guilty? If so, of what? If not, why do some die? See below for resources used in this episode: Project Gutenberg copy of the text The Origins of Original Sin for St. Augustine, by Anthony Smith Original Sin, by Richard Phillips (The Gospel Coalition) What is Original Sin?, by St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral

It has been a long semester, and The Good Fight has looked at numerous texts from the foundations of Western literature. From Homer, to Vergil, to Moses and the Gospel writers, we've seen it all. This week, we return to ask, what is it all for? Why read these books, or why read at all?

Perhaps no books have been more influential in world history than those contained in the Christian New Testament. At the heart of this influence is a story about a man, Jesus. Four authors write about the 'good news' he brings, or his Gospel. This week, The Good Fight takes a look at two of these Gospel stories, perhaps the two more unique among the four: Luke and John. These two are particularly unique in how they relate to Gentile (non-Jewish) culture, as Luke adopts a methodology akin to history and John dives into Hellenistic philosophy.

Job had what everyone wants: 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. And then he lost it all. The book of Job is one of the most direct theological responses in the Bible against the problem of theodicy: Why do bad things happen to good people? This week, The Good Fight breaks down the argument of the book and discusses its answer(s?) to that question.

There is much to be thankful for this year, so let's give thanks!

"In the beginning..." Those words start a canon of theological writings that, in many ways, have defined the Western literary tradition since the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Genesis, the first book of the Torah and Bible, presents the story of beginning, both of the universe by the creative words of God, and of the Israelites as the book follows the lineage from Adam to Jacob (Israel) and his sons. For Christians, it can seem unsettling to read Scripture in the secular context of the university. This week, tune in to hear a discussion of how others have viewed that problem. (Note: Genesis can be found easily on the web. Here is one great website, BibleGateway, that offers numerous translations.) Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Arma virumque cano - thus begins the greatest work of Latin literature, Vergil's Aeneid. The story follows a survivor of Troy, Aeneas, as he escapes the city at its fall and travels the Mediterranean to fulfill his destiny: to lay the foundations of what would become Rome. The epic poem plays on Homeric plots and themes, but also comes across as distinctly Roman. This week, Ardaschir and Timothy demonstrate their piety to the podcast (Aeneas would approve) as they discuss some of their questions and insights on the text. (Note: Here is a copy of the text translated by John Dryden, and here is a more contemporary translation by Robert Fagles.) Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Plato is the most influential philosopher of all time, bar none. But, perhaps contrary to what one expects, all of his writings are in the form of dialogue. One of those dialogues recounts a symposium - an Athenian drinking party - in which Socrates and some of Athens' most famous men give speeches on eros, love. Why is this work on the LitHum syllabus, and what can we extrapolate from its often disagreeable comments? (Note: A PDF of the text translated by M.C. Howatson can be found here, courtesy of PhilArchive.) Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Greek tragedy is one of the earliest and most influential forms of theatre, and no discussion of Western classics could be complete without looking at one (at least!) of the extant plays from the 3 great Athenian playwrights - Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. This week, listen to a discussion of the Oresteia, by Aeschylus, which depicts the demise of Agamemnon when he returns from the Trojan War and the conflict brought about for his son, Orestes. (Note: you can read the full play here, on Project Gutenberg, translated by E.D.A. Morshead.) Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

It's a story so tied to adventure that its name means journey in English: Homer's Odyssey. The story follows on the heels of the Iliad as Odysseus, the cleverest of the Achaean generals, finds his way home. Along the way are some of the most famous encounters in literary history with monsters, deities, and men. But for all that the story lives on in our culture, why does it? What can we still learn from the man of many turns? (Note: a free copy of the Odyssey translated by Samuel Butler can be found here from Project Gutenberg.) Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Homer's Iliad is one of the oldest works of literature from the Western world. It has been a staple in education among the Greeks and Romans, in the Medieval ages, the Renaissance, and Enlightenment, and in modern liberal education. What has made this story so captivating for so long? Moreover, what can we learn from it across the ages and cultures? (Note: a free PDF translated by Alexander Pope can be found here from Project Gutenberg. The hosts read the first book from Robert Fagles' translation.) Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

As the Fall semester starts at Columbia University, you will find many undergraduate freshmen reading works like Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, or Vergil's Aeneid. These works form the core of an education founded on 'the classics' and are popular reads for people of all ages and backgrounds. But what makes something part of 'the classics'? Moreover, what is the value in reading them, many of which were written thousands of years ago by authors and for audiences far removed from Christianity? These are the questions The Good Fight begins the new semester discussing as they prepare to take a deep look at some of the classics. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

What to expect for fall 2021. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Join Tina, Grace-Elleda, Feven, and Timothy for a discussion of the final chapters of The Magician's Nephew. As the story comes to a close, the hosts will analyze the garden, the fruit, temptation, and right and wrong. While comparing the chapters to Genesis, Timothy has a grand revelation that you will not want to miss! Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

A sad and historic episode in The Good Fight history: Mourning the absence of Grace-Elleda, Tina, Gabrielle, and Timothy muster onward with The Magician's Nephew. This week will focus on Uncle Andrew's experience in Narnia before turning to the Jackdaw and his jokes. Why is there so much humor? The team will also discuss Aslan's tears and Lewis's description of his grief. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Feven, Tina, Timothy, and Grace-Elleda dive into the most interesting (arguably) chapters of The Magician's Nephew this week! As the characters enter a new world, full of darkness and nothing, our hosts will discuss the strange thing that happens next: Music! But there is a lot more that goes on in these chapters, so much, that they aren't able to get to everything in chapter 10. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Joined by a new guest, Gabrielle, listen in as she, Tina, Timothy, and Grace-Elleda return to London with Digory, Polly, and the Witch. As they examine how the Witch interacts in our world, they discuss her reaction in the wood between worlds and try to draw from that what that wood is. They also discuss the chaos the Witch seems to bring with her. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

The adventure continues this week as Timothy, Feven, Tina, and Grace-Elleda discuss the next few chapters, "diving into" Lewis's world of Narnia. As Polly and Digory explore the strange world of Charn, our hosts will puzzle over how to pronounce it while they also spend time exploring the new (and old) characters and contexts. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

The Chronicles continue! Or do they begin? Listen in to hear Tina, Grace-Elleda, and Timothy discuss the first two chapters of C.S. Lewis's The Magician's Nephew, which recounts the creation story of Narnia. This week, the discussion revolves around the setting and characters as our hosts contemplate trivial questions that Lewis leaves unanswered, like how old Polly and Digory are. However, they decide to postpone the question of 'first' until the end of the book. Intro/Outro music by Cooper/Cannell

It is a long one, but it is also a good one. Join the team as they wrap up Lewis's The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. This time, Timothy, Tina, and Grace-Elleda are joined by a huge fan of the podcast, Chase Chumchal! The end of the book provides a lot of food for thought, and the length of this episode is a testimony to that fact. Among many other things, they return to a consistent topic of discussion, the characters of the four children. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Join the cast of Didi, Tina, Grace-Elleda and Timothy as they reach the penultimate episode in the world of Narnia. This week, we will return to chapter 11 to ask what Spring represents before turning to chapters 12 through 14. In those chapters, hear discussions about bravery, Aslan's terribleness, and the Deep Magic. With so much content, chapter 14 gets left in the dust, but stay tuned to hear about it next week! Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Another episode, and another voice! Tune in to hear Bethel, Grace-Elleda, Tina, Didi, and Timothy continue their journey through The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. As they bring literary analysis in communion with Christian thought, they discuss the Witch's house, Edmund's character (again), the Lion, and the gifts from Father Christmas. In fact, they were so excited by these topics, they didn't make it to chapter 11! Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

As we continue to read through C.S. Lewis's The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, this time joined by Tina, Grace-Elleda, Feven, Didi, and Timothy, listen in to hear some deep literary discussions. In particular, this week we answer questions like: What does the Turkish Delight represent? What commentary does C.S. Lewis give on education through the Professor? Is Edmund convicted by or does he have a natural aversion to Aslan's name? Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

As we discuss the first three chapters of C.S. Lewis's The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, we dive into a few questions. Join Grace-Elleda, Tina, Didi, and Timothy as they answer: Why shouldn't you close the door of the wardrobe? What is the right age to read fairy tales? Did Mr. Tumnus have a change of heart? What can we learn from the denial of Lucy's experience? What even is a badger?! Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

New equipment and new voices!!! Summer is here, and so are new podcast episodes. Tune in to hear Grace-Elleda, Tina, Feven, Didi, and Timothy introduce themselves and the plan for the summer. As we prepare to read and discuss some literature (listen to find out what!), the team discusses why we read fiction (hint: the first book is fiction). Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

In this final episode of the 2021 spring semester, Grace-Elleda and Timothy are revisiting a concept they touched on before. That is, where does our self-worth come from? Especially as students struggling with final exams, papers, and grades, and planning future careers, we can lose sight of our worth, putting it into a grade or job prospect. The truth is, Christians have a self-worth that is intransient, everlasting, and meaningful. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

In a penultimate episode of the spring 2021 semester, hear Grace-Elleda and Timothy share some thoughts about how religion should, does, and often fails to come out in their public lives. They also tackle some broader questions about evangelism in a pluralistic society and, if you stay tuned, reveal a little information about The Good Fight's summer plans! Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

New Age spirituality contains a wide range of beliefs that have gained a lot of popularity, both within the church and in general society, over the last few decades. This week, Grace-Elleda and Timothy discuss how it squares against Biblical truths and do their best to diagnose the reasons why people believe it. Also check out this article on the Columbia Witness blog about New Age beliefs from a Christian perspective! Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Transitioning from a global/cultural perspective to a doctrinal one, Grace-Elleda and Timothy spend this week's episode talking about denominations and church splits. Why do churches split apart? What should we think about the fact that they do? While they might not have all the answers, our hosts certainly have a lot to talk about! Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Taking a step out of their American-centric view of Christianity, Grace-Elleda and Timothy spend this week's episode discussing how the church in America squares within a global context. Listen as they critique the ways in which American culture can seep into the church and discuss what the future may look like for the universal church. Intro/Outro music by Cooper/Cannell

As previewed last week, this week we're taking a look at how the Christian church and the government should interact. The two main views on the table in this episode are total separation and total overlap - is one of these Biblically mandated? How else might Christians be called to interact with their civil authorities? Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Grace-Elleda and Timothy tackle Christianity's perspective on other religions this week. If Jesus is "the way and the truth and the life," (John 14:6) how should Christians think of and interact with people of other faiths? Moreover, in a precursor to next week's episode, our hosts will start to ask how Christians should interact with government with respect to a diversity of beliefs. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Equality is an incredibly important idea in contemporary society, and it's something that Grace-Elleda and Timothy have looked at the particulars of over the last couple weeks. Now, hear them assess the claims of critical theory - one of the predominant notions of equality today - against Biblical equality. Is critical theory a valid approach to equality and justice for Christians? Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Why is racism wrong? This week, Grace-Elleda and Timothy are continuing to consider equality, this time transitioning to the topic of race. The Bible is not silent on this topic, but as we'll see in coming weeks, the Bible offers an answer that differs widely from the world's answer. This episode lays the groundwork for a much closer look at the world's answer next week! Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

This week, Grace-Elleda and Timothy continue to explore egalitarianism and complementarianism by taking a deep dive into the verses and arguments each side makes concerning women's roles in marriage and in the church. Although they can only scratch the surface of these controversial topics, our hosts hope to show that both perspectives are grounded in the Bible as God's Word. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

In today's culture, we often hear of a conflict about whether men and women have different roles in society, in the church, and in marriage. This week, Grace-Elleda and Timothy discuss the different Christian perspectives on gender roles and contrast the Biblical approach with a secular approach. So what does the Bible say about men and women?

Are Christians caught in a culture war right now? What does the Bible tell us about our engagement with the world? To begin their look at contemporary controversies, Grace-Elleda and Timothy are asking whether Christianity itself is a controversy, at least in the society they're familiar with. But if Christianity is controversial, how should Christians think about the resulting culture war? Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

To launch the Spring 2021 semester, The Good Fight is taking a deep look at why Christians believe in the Bible. How do Grace-Elleda and Timothy "prove" that the Bible is the ultimate authority? What evidence is there to believe the Bible's claims? What does it mean for the Bible to be the ultimate authority? What could take its place for non-Christians? It's a deep topic that gets almost into presuppositional apologetics, but it is also one that will become critical over the next several weeks as The Good Fight explores the Bible's claims about some of today's most pressing issues. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

It hasn't felt like much of a Christmas season for Timothy and Grace-Elleda, but they're excited to celebrate Jesus' birth! Tune in for this Christmas Eve special to hear what they take from this wonderful holiday. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell

Yup. It's that time of year again: All we want to do is sit back and listen to Christmas music, but we have half a dozen exams to study for, four problem sets, two final projects, and three final papers all due in a week. Take some time out of your busy exam preparations to hear Grace-Elleda and Timothy talk about their own exam stress and the practical ways God helps them cope with it. Intro/Outro music by Cooper Cannell