Episode 38: The Big Little Update

In this episode of Pints with Chesterton, Marie and Grace give life updates and share the plan for the podcast. While they have the greatest aspirations and wish PWC was a full time job, it is, alas, a mere hobby. Hobby or no, it will continue, but these ladies will be continuing with shorter works and mixing it up with some different guests.

Next Episode
Grace and Marie will be releasing another episode on The Everlasting Man, then a shorter work.

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Episode 36: The Everlasting Man: The Plan for This Book & Ch. 1

In this episode of PWC, Marie and Grace dive into one of Chesterton’s best known and studied works, The Everlasting Man. In Orthodoxy, Chesterton tells the personal story of how he came to believe in Christianity. In this much later book, he tells the story of how the world came to faith. He has converted to the Catholic faith by the time of TEM. In the Plan of This Book and Ch 1, Chesterton sets the world scene for the man called Jesus by going all the way back to cavemen.

Next Episode
Grace and Marie will be continuing Ch. 2 of The Everlasting Man.

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Episode 32: Surprised By Chesterton

Here is the audio of the panel hosted by Grace and Marie at the Chesterton Conference, together with Marie’s husband, David, from Pints With Jack.

Next Episode
We’ll be begin discussing Chesterton’s book, St. Francis of Assisi.

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Episode 28: What’s Wrong with the World?

What’s wrong with the world? GK Chesterton is practically prophetic in his 46 essay collection, “What’s Wrong with the World,” recently republished by Sophia Institute Press. Marie and Kristen discuss marriage, feminism, and education in light of GKC’s valuable and hopeful words.

Order your copy of the book here: https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/whats-wrong-with-the-world

Next Episode
The Man Who Was Thursday

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Episode 26: The Advantages of Standing on One Leg feat. Thomas Graf

Marie and Thomas take a closer look at GKC’s essay, The Advantages of Standing on One Leg, from Tremendous Trifles.

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Episode 25: Orthodoxy (Ch. 9) – Authority and the Adventurer

Chesterton gives his final reasons to believe in Christianity.

Next Episode
Next episode we might be doing an essay or two, but after that we’ll be beginning The Man Who Was Thursday!

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Episode 24: Orthodoxy (Ch. 8) – The Romance of Orthodoxy

Christianity is the greatest romantic adventure!

Next Episode
Next episode we’ll be continuing with Chapter 9 of Orthodoxy, Authority and the Adventurer.

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Episode 23: Orthodoxy (Ch. 7) – The Eternal Revolution

G.K.C. discusses the importance of Christ always making things new and Christians not becoming complacent. It is a revolution in the soul of the Christian every day in the journey toward our heavenly home.

Next Episode
Next episode we’ll be continuing with Chapter 8 of Orthodoxy, The Romance of Orthodoxy!

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Episode 22: Orthodoxy (Ch. 6) – The Paradoxes of Christianity

G.K.C. explains how the critics and skeptics of Christianity did more to convert him than Christian apologists!

Next Episode
Next episode we’ll be continuing with Chapter 7 of OrthodoxyThe Eternal Revolution!

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Episode 21: Orthodoxy (Ch.5) – The Flag of the World

Chesterton claims that both optimists and pessimists are completely wrong in how they think about the world. How can this be? How does belonging to the world and being a citizen of it change us and where should it guide us?

Next Episode
Next episode we’ll be continuing with Chapter 6 of Orthodoxy, The Paradoxes of Christianity!

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Episode 19: Orthodoxy (Ch. 3)

This week we’re continuing Orthodoxy! We are discussing chapter 3, The Suicide of Thought. Can faith and reason be separated? What is the problem with modern systems of thought? Can we know objective truth?

Next Episode
Next episode we’ll be continuing with Chapter 3 of Orthodoxy, The Ethics of Elfland!

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Monday Musings: On Lying in Bed

girl lying down on bed

I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite (so far) of Gilbert Chesterton’s essays, On Lying in Bed.

We live in a world which loves to note and take record of progress being made. Whether we like it or not, many of us are swept up daily into the model of efficiency that modern society has deemed the appropriate and best way to live.

It is not unusual to hear the question, “What did you do today?” or, in response to, “How was your day?” to hear, “I was able to get quite a lot done today…” followed by a list of tasks and projects accomplished.

Work is not bad, far from it. St. Paul says, “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12)

It is a truth universally acknowledged (forgive me for stealing that, Jane) that work and working hard are good and necessary aspects of life.

What Gilbert is presenting in “On Lying in Bed” is utterly delightful. He is not saying that work is bad or should not be done, however, he is saying that there is benefit in leisure and, even more so, in giving no defense or explanation of it. God works in us in many ways, not only when we are working, but also when we are lying in bed.

In this essay, Gilbert hilariously discusses his thoughts on the travesty of home decor that has no meaning and leaves no blank space for him to indulge his imagination or to create something meaningful. He sees the patterned wallpaper and the ornate rugs as a tragedy and a missed opportunity to say something with “religious or philosophical significance.”

Gilbert says that in spending time lying in bed, he made the discovery that the ceiling above was the perfect blank canvas for which he had searched. He tells us how much he would love to have a colored pencil long enough to draw on the stark whiteness of his ceiling, though he was discouraged to do so by an unnamed personage. I sincerely hope it was Frances and that she had a great laugh when he mentioned his idea.

At the end of this very brief essay, he says the following:
“The caution is this: if you do lie in bed, be sure you do it without any reason or justification at all. I do not speak, of course, of the seriously sick. But if a healthy man lies in bed, let him do it without a rag of excuse; then he will get up a healthy man. If he does it for some secondary hygienic reason, if he has some scientific explanation, he may get up a hypochondriac.”

He claims that he wouldn’t have made this wonderful discovery of the ceiling had he not taken the time to lie quietly in bed– that Michelangelo would not have realized the necessity of attempting the heavens on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, had he not reposed in bed.


Gilbert perfectly mixes silliness with important truth as he tells us of the importance of allowing time for creativity and a lack of outside stimulation.

In an age overwhelmed by technology, screens, constant content and media in our eyes and ears, do we take the time to lie in bed and imagine? Do we take the time to notice those blank spaces around us?

We are not automatons of efficiency, we are flesh and spirit, human beings with much deeper needs and abilities than the modern world preaches in its secular ideologies. We have been given the gift of being adopted sons and daughters of an infinite God. He invites us into his Creativity and imagination. Will we accept his invitation and draw on the white ceilings of our lives?

Marie

Episode 18: Orthodoxy (Ch. 2)

This week we’re continuing Orthodoxy! We are discussing chapter 2, The Maniac. What happens when you become the center of your universe, not God?

Next Episode
Next episode we’ll be continuing with Chapter 3 of Orthodoxy, The Suicide of Thought!

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Episode 16: Manalive (Bk. 2, Ch. 4-5)

This week we’re finishing through Book II of Manalive , reading the final chapters, The Wild Weddings; or, the Polygamy Charge” and “How the Great Wind Went from Beacon House”.

Next Episode
Next episode we’ll be starting another book, Orthodoxy.

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Episode 15: Manalive (Bk. 2, Ch. 3)

Today we resume working through Manalive… This week we’re continuing through Book II, reading “The Round Road; or, the Desertion Charge”.

Next Episode
Next episode we’ll be reading the next chapter, The Wild Weddings; or, the Polygamy Charge”.

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Episode 14: Gilbert & Jack

A few months ago, Marie and her husband, David, were sent an audiobook about the influence on C.S. Lewis by G.K Chesterton and thought it was the perfect opportunity for a cross-over episode with the author, Alan C. Duncan!

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing Book II, Chapter Two entitled “The Two Curates”.

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Episode 13: Manalive (Bk. 2, Ch. 2)

We’re continuing through Manalive… This week we’re reading â€śThe Two Curates, or The Burglary Charge”.

Next Episode
Next episode will be a cross-over episode with Pints With Jack, talking about a new audiobook called “Gilbert & Jack”!

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Episode 12: Manalive (Bk. 2, Ch. 1)

We’re continuing through Manalive… This week we’re reading â€śThe Eye of death”.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing Book II, Chapter Two entitled “The Two Curates”.

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Episode 11: Manalive (Bk. 1, Ch. 5)

We’re continuing through Manalive… This week we’re reading “The Allegorical Practical Joker”.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing Book II, Chapter 1, entitled “The Eye of Death”.

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Bonus: Literature as a Practical Pathway to Prayer

It has been a crazy few weeks, so unfortunately we haven’t managed to record our discussion of the next chapter of Manalive – we will definitely be back next week though!

In the meantime, please enjoy this talk which Grace gave at Theology On Tap entitled “Literature as a Practical Pathway to Prayer”.

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Bonus: Enola Holmes Discussion

Grace is moving and Marie has been under the weather, so there isn’t a regular episode today. Instead, please enjoy an episode of Catholic Answers Focus in which Pints With Chesterton co-host, Marie, speaks to Cy Kellett about the new Netflix movie, Enola Holmes. Please note the hyperbolic nature of the phrase “most evil movie ever made.” Enjoy.

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Episode 8: Manalive (Bk. 1, Ch. 2)

Continuing on from last week, Grace and Marie discuss the second chapter of Chesterton’s comedic novel, Manalive, “The Luggage of an Optimist”.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing Chapter Three of Manalive.

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Episode 7: Manalive (Bk. 1, Ch. 1)

Today Grace and Marie begin Chesterton’s comedic novel, Manalive, discussing the first chapter which is entitled “A Great Wind Came to Beacon House”.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing Chapter Two of Manalive.

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Episode 6: The Flying Stars

Join Grace and Marie as they discuss the last Fr. Brown mystery for the season. The great criminal, Flambeau, is brought to justice after his very last crime.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing chapter one of Manalive, a comedic novel.

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Episode 5: The Queer Feet

Happy New Year! Fr. Brown solves this robbery by listening to the queer sounds of feet moving in a passage. Grace and Marie discuss the crime, the importance of confession, and the fabricated, elite clubs that human beings like to create.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing the final Fr. Brown mystery, The Flying Stars.

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Episode 4: A Very Chesterton Christmas

Frances and Gilbert Chesterton were lovers of all things Christmas. They had a special devotion to the Christ-child and to the Holy Family at Christmas. Please enjoy as Grace and Marie celebrate the birth of the Savior by recounting some of the wonderful Christmas poetry written by the Chestertons:

How far is it to Bethlehem?
XMas Day
The Wise Men
Gloria in profundis
The House of Christmas

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing another Fr. Brown mystery, The Queer Feet.

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Episode 3: The Secret Garden

Today Marie and Grace discuss another Father Brown mystery written by G.K. Chesterton which is entitled “The Secret Garden”. The text of the story is available for free online.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing some of Chesterton’s Nativity poetry.

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Episode 2: The Blue Cross

Today Marie and Grace jump into a Father Brown mystery written by G.K. Chesterton which is entitled “The Blue Cross”. The text of the story is available for free online.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing The Secret Garden, a short story which is freely available online.

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Episode 1: Womanalive!

Welcome to the very first episode of Pints with Chesterton! In this episode, Marie and Grace introduce Gilbert Keith Chesterton, themselves, and, briefly, some of the books that have fascinated and challenged the world for over 100 years.

Next Episode
Next episode we will be discussing The Blue Cross, a short story which is freely available online. It is also available on Audible and Grace recommends this version.

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Pints with Chesterton is born!

At baptism, G.K. Chesterton must have received an irregularly large outpouring of the Spirit of Wonder and Awe. Either that, or that gift of the Spirit, nurtured by his artistic upbringing, grew to fill the irregular size of the man himself. He saw very clearly that baptism isn’t intended to make one a man so much as it is intended to make one a child. For a child, he says, lives in the wonder of the given reality while a man tends to live in the small and ultimately unsatisfying fantasy world he has created for himself.

Continue reading “Pints with Chesterton is born!”