The Brothers Zahl

The wait is over! After a two year layoff, John, David, and Simeon open season four with a jumbo-sized episode on The Law. Thou shalt listen (or else). Recommended and referenced resources include: Books: Law & Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints) 10th Anniversary Edition by William McDavid, Ethan Richardson and David Zahl; Les Miserables by Victor Hugo; Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunya...

For the bonus-length finale of season three, the brothers delve into the monumental topic of parenting, exploring how they were raised as well as how they're trying to raise their own kids. Thankfully, a very special guest is on hand to help them. To respond to the opening appeal and support the work of Mockingbird, please click here . Recommended and referenced resources include: Books: Grace in...

Time to talk about the biggest day in the Christian year! Resurrection is the theme of this episode--physical, spiritual, metaphorical, ecclesial, musical, you name it. Note: this one was recorded live, so the sound is a little less sharp. Recommended and referenced resources include: Poetry: "Seven Stanzas at Easter" by John Updike, "Descending Theology: The Resurrection" by Mary Karr, "Easter" b...

John, David, and (mainly) Simeon do their best to bring the third person of the Trinity into view. Recommended and referenced resources include: Movies: Red Beard, Rising Son, Rize, 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, Pride and Prejudice Books: The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience by Simeon Zahl, The Holy Ghost: A Spirited Comic by John Hendrix, Make Way for the Spirit by Christoph Blu...

The brothers talk about "the how of love," also known as imputation. Recommended and referenced resources include: Movies: Toy Story, Hoosiers, The Best Years of Our Lives, Lilo and Stitch Books: The Cross and Christian Confidence by Joanna McGrath & Alister McGrath, Coach by Michael Lewis, The Freedom of a Christian by Martin Luther, The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience by Simeon Zahl, Gr...

In their most controversial episode to date, the brothers explore the nature of willpower, choice, and control--and how those factors shape our relationships above and below. Recommended and referenced resources include: Books: The Captivation of the Will by Gerhard Forde, The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther, The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt, You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney, Low Ant...

The long-awaited third season kicks off with an episode about Faith. Recommended and referenced resources include: Quotations: Philip Melanchton, Capon, and Cave Books: Faith, Hope and Carnage by Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan, Lancelot by Walker Percy, The Family Reunion by T.S. Eliot, The book of Genesis Movies: Leon Morin, Priest (1961), Prometheus (2012), The Rescue (2021), Field of Dreams (1989),...

The brothers reconvene for a special one-off on the merriest day of them all. Look for Season 3 in the new year. Recommended and referenced resources include: Poetry: "The First Coming" by Madeleine L'Engle, "Journey of the Magi" by T.S. Eliot, "For the Time Being" by W.H. Auden, "Descending Theology: The Nativity" by Mary Karr Movies: The Muppet Christmas Carol , The Holly and the Ivy , Children...

The second season kicks off with an extended episode about the Good Shepherd himself, Jesus of Nazareth. Recommended and referenced resources include: Quotations: from Charles Dickens' The Life of Our Lord , JD Salinger's Franny and Zooey , an interview with Zadie Smith , and WH Auden in The Chimera Books and Literature: The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary by David F. Ford, “The Gardener”...

What are we doing when we pray? In the second episode of the second season, John, David, and Simeon venture a few theories (and a bunch of stories). Referenced and recommended resources include: Quotations: Frank Lake's Clinical Theology , The Long Text of Julian of Norwich (Chapter 43), "Eleven Addresses to the Lord" by John Berryman Books and Literature: Help Thanks Wow by Anne Lamott, The Lord'...

This one could also be called Freedom. Or possibly Fruit. Maybe even Living. Recommended and referenced resources include: Quotations: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Calvin and Hobbes , "Ode to Failure" by Allen Ginsberg Books and Literature: Young Eliot by Robert Crawford, Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, The Space Trilogy by CS Lewis Movies and Podcasts: Get Back (2021)...

Depression isn't the only form of mental illness touched upon in this episode, which doubles as a rumination on agency and affliction more generally. Fortunately, it's lot more fun than it sounds! Referenced and recommended resources include: Quotations: "The Planet Trillaphon As It Stands In Relation to the Bad Thing" by David Foster Wallace , Frank Lake's Clinical Theology Books and Literature:...

"Jesus saves" reads the bumper sticker. But what does it mean? This one is about soteriology, past, present, and future. Referenced and recommended resources include: Quotations: Who Will Deliver Us by Paul Zahl Books and Literature: The Crucifixion by Fleming Rutledge, The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience by Simeon Zahl, “On the Incarnation of the Word” by Athanasius, Augustine’s Confessions...

For the final episode of the second season, the brothers enlist a special guest to help them make sense of getting older. Referenced and recommended resources include: Books and Literature: Peace in the Last Third of Life by Paul Zahl, The Happiness Curve by Jonathan Rauch, “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson, Churchy by Sarah Condon, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, The Genius and the Goddess...

In the final episode of the first season, the brothers talk about their all-time favorite word, what John calls "a pool that's shallow enough that babies can wade into it and deep enough that elephants can swim." Recommended and Referenced Resources include: Quotations: Mockingbird glossary entry for Grace , Dorothy Martyn on Beyond Deserving Articles: "My Priceless, Worthless Baseball Cards" by R...

The most esoteric sounding subject in the first season may also be the most gut-level. In this episode the brothers discuss the role of art, story, and humor as it relates to ministry and healing. Recommended and Referenced Resources include: Quotations: Mbird glossary definition of Abreaction , Frank Lake's definition , Josh Retterer's definition , Adam Phillips on Self-Cures and Frozen Seas , W....

In their fourth episode, the brothers try to make sense of that oh-so-loaded institution and experience called "Church." Recommended and Referenced Resources include: Books: Why Would Anyone Go to Church? by Kevin Makins, Grace in Addiction: What Everyone Can Learn from Alcoholics Anonymous by John Z, Grace in Practice by Paul Zahl, Janet's Repentance by George Eliot Quotations: Marilynne Robinson...

Could also be titled "Evil, Sin, and Suffering", in this episode the brothers delve into the various shades of darkness we experience in the world--and in ourselves. Recommended and referenced resources include: Podcasts: The Well of Sound on Marvin Gaye Movies: The Devil Rides Out , The Shining , The Exorcist , The Addiction Books: Dignity by Chris Arnade, The Haunting of Toby Jugg _by Dennis Whe...

The second episode, in which the brothers discuss that slippery yet inspiring topic known as holiness (and its opposite). Recommended and referenced resources include: Quotations: Jean-Luc Marion on Holiness , Gerhard Forde on Senility , Mark Seifrid on Christian growth , Nimi Wariboko on Play Movies: My Idiot Brother Articles: "Heaven Is a 12 Step Meeting" by Connor Gwin Books: Listening by Anne...

The first ever episode, in which the brothers introduce themselves and then jump into the sprawling subject at the center of their lives: capital-G God. Recommended and Referenced Resources include: Lectures: "On Not Being C.S. Lewis" by Francis Spufford Books: The Harrowing of Hell by Evan Daum, Dangerous Journey by John Bunyan, PZ's Panopticon by Paul Zahl Songs: "God Knows" by Donna Eyes, "Stan...