DeepSummary
In this episode, Matt Fradd interviews John Daniel Davidson, a senior editor at The Federalist, about his book 'Pagan: The Dark Age to Come.' Davidson argues that as Christianity declines in the West, a new form of paganism is emerging, characterized by moral relativism, the denial of objective truth, and the embrace of raw power and will. He contends that this neo-paganism will ultimately lead to the loss of individual rights, the rule of law, and republican self-government, ushering in a new era of slavery and tyranny.
Davidson traces the roots of this pagan worldview to the rejection of Christianity's inheritance, including the doctrine of imago dei, which underpins the concept of human rights. He cites examples such as transgenderism, environmentalism, and the worship of artificial intelligence as manifestations of this emerging paganism. He also argues that technological advancements, particularly social media and AI, are accelerating this process and disconnecting people from reality.
Throughout the discussion, Davidson advocates for a muscular, unapologetic Christianity that rejects accommodation with the modern world. He calls for Christians to form communities, reclaim public institutions, and proclaim the treasures of their tradition. While acknowledging the potential for persecution, he maintains that only a revival of lived Christianity can reverse the tide of paganism and preserve the essence of Western civilization.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The decline of Christianity in the West is leading to the rise of a new form of neo-paganism characterized by moral relativism, denial of objective truth, and the embrace of raw power and will.
- This emerging neo-paganism threatens individual rights, the rule of law, and republican self-government, potentially ushering in an era of tyranny and slavery.
- Manifestations of this neo-paganism include transgenderism, environmentalism, and the worship of artificial intelligence and technology.
- Social media and technological advancements are accelerating the process of disconnecting people from reality and preparing them for the complete shedding of Christianity's influence.
- To resist this neo-pagan worldview, Davidson calls for a revitalized, muscular, and unapologetic Christianity that reclaims public spaces, forms strong communities, and proclaims the treasures of the Christian tradition.
- While acknowledging the potential for persecution, Davidson argues that only a revival of lived Christianity can preserve the essence of Western civilization and reverse the tide of paganism.
- Christians should be prepared to reject not just contemporary secular views on issues like sex and abortion, but the entire pagan worldview that is emerging in the modern world.
- Finding and forming tight-knit Christian communities ('bubbles') is essential for resisting the pressure to conform to the pagan worldview and preserving the faith.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The purpose of that, of a lot of this technology is to isolate us, desensitize us? And I think too prepare us for something like we're being prepared by the enemy for something, for the sort of the. Again with the analogy for the skin suit to finally rot away and fall off. And we need to start thinking too, about technology. Christians, for too long, kind of accepted technology.“ by John Daniel Davidson
- “Live in a bubble and then grow the bubble, right. The bubble should be expanding outward. Everybody lives in a bubble. To your point. Everybody lives in a bubble anyway, you know, and the question is, you know, what kind of a bubble are you going gonna live in? And is it gonna be a small bubble or a growing bubble, you know?“ by John Daniel Davidson
- “We are going to have to figure out a kind of radical Christianity that walks away from a lot of modern pagan life. And it's gonna take forms that go far beyond just how we view sex or how we view marriage or being against abortion, because the world that we're up against, like the ascendant new paganism, is going to come after everything.“ by John Daniel Davidson
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Episode Information
Pints With Aquinas
Matt Fradd
5/15/24
John Daniel Davidson is a senior editor at The Federalist. Over a twenty-year career in journalism, he has written widely for national publications including the Wall Street Journal, National Review, the Guardian, the New York Post, the Claremont Review of Books, and First Things. He has also been a regular guest on many podcasts and radio and television shows, including Tucker Carlson Tonight, Glenn Beck, The Ingraham Angle, Fox and Friends, NPR, the BBC, and the Megyn Kelly Show. A Texan for many years, he now lives with his family in Alaska.
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