The Brothers Zahl

Episode 19: Parenting

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.
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Recommended and referenced resources include:
Books: Grace in Practice by Paul Zahl, Listening by Anne Long, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist, Augustine's Confessions
Articles: "Me, My Father, and Russell Wilson" by Mina Kimes
Television: Bluey, Parenthood (2010-2015), Love on the Spectrum, Lonesome Dove
Movies: Parenthood (1989), The Ice Storm (1997), Forrest Gump (1994), Friendly Persuasion (1956)
Talks: Grace in Family Relationships by Mary Zahl
Songs: "Mr. T's Commandment" by Mr T, "Mama Say" by Kwame, "Son of Your Father" by Elton John, "Problem Child" by The Beach Boys, "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" by The Breeders, "Rebel Without a Clue" by Bonnie Tyler, "Shine Jesus Shine" by Graham Kendrick, "Rubberneckin" by Elvis Presley, "Listen to the Band" by The Monkees, "Phone Home" by Johnny Chingas, "God's Children" by The Kinks, "Save Me" by Nanette Workman, "Suedehead" by Morrissey, "Come Back Home" by Tom Hooker, "No Matter What" by Badfinger, "Love Will Never Die" by Paul Lowe featuring Peace Train

Episode 18: Easter

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" by George Herbert
Art: "Resurrection" by Piero della Francesca (1463), "The Resurrection" by Otto Dix (1949), "Easter Morning" by Caspar David Friedrich (1835), "The Resurrection, Cookham" by Stanley Spencer (1924-7), "Travoys Arriving with Wounded at a Dressing-Station at Smol, Macedonia, September, 1916" by Stanley Spencer (1919), "Risen Christ and Soldiers" by Germain Pilon (1572), "Isenheim Altarpiece" by Matthias Gruenewald (1516)
Television and Movies: Rev Season 3 Episodes 5&6, The Passion of the Christ
Articles: "Finitude and Death" by Katherine Sonderegger in The T&T Clark Companion to the Doctrine of Sin
Songs: "Love Is Stronger Than Death" by The The, "Sunrise" by Pulp, "How a Resurrection Really Feels" by The Hold Steady, "He's Alive" by Dolly Parton, "Resurrection Shuffle" by Tom Jones, "Photograph" by Ringo Starr, "Candy" by 1910 Fruitgum Company, "Don't Worry About Death" by Melon, "Back to Heaven" by Number One Ensemble, "I Don't Wanna Be a Solider Mama" by John Lennon, "I Am the Resurrection" by The Stone Roses, "Dance or Die" by Kool Rock Steady, "Get Up and Boogie" by Silver Convention, "Revenge" by The Eurythmics, "Death Is Not the End" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "Sing Hallelujah" by Bob & Karin

Episode 17: The Holy Spirit

John, Dave, 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 Blumhardt, Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Poetry: "Whitsunday" by George Herbert
Paintings: "The Pentecost" by El Greco, "Pentecost" by Jean Restout, Duccio's Maesta
Music: A Love Supreme by John Coltrane, "Let the Wind Blow" by The Beach Boys, "Wind Chimes" by The Beach Boys, "Cool, Cool Water" by The Beach Boys, "Feel Flows" by The Beach Boys, "Tears in the Morning" by The Beach Boys, "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys, "Handle with Care" by The Traveling Wilburys, "Holy Ghost" by The Bar-Kays, "Faith and Fire" by Vivian Reed, "Strange Changes" by Lyndsey Paul, "Revival Day" by Savage Rose, "Yahweh" by U2, "Somebody Tell Me Where's the Beef?" by Britten, "Unchained" by Van Halen, "Touched by the Hand of God" by New Order, "Full of Fire" by Al Green, "Holy Spirit" by Limousine

Episode 16: Imputation

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, Grace in Practice by Paul Zahl, Justitia Dei by Alister McGrath, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Articles 4 and 21 of The Augsburg Confession, Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder
TV: Season 2 finale of Stranger Things
Podcasts: "Don't be Good -- Be Great" episode of Against the Rules
Songs: "No Matter" by Lowell, "Crazy the Lord" by Nick the Record, "Gettin' Back on the Good Side of Love" by Don Black and the Breakaways, "Brass in Pocket" by The Pretenders, "Strange Currencies" by REM, "Why Do I Keep Counting?" by The Killers, "Transformer Man" by Neil Young, "Superbowl Shuffle" by the 1985 Chicago Bears, "I Just Started" by Jackie Moore, "Automatic Amore" by Patrizia Pellegrino, "Love Is a Natural Magical Thing" by Laurie Miller, "The Old Account" by Johnny Cash, "I've Been Surprised" by Josh White

Episode 15: Free Will?

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 Anthropology by David Zahl, On the Spirit and the Letter by Augustine, On Nature and Grace by Augustine, Confessions by Augustine, City of God _(Books 11-14) by Augustine, _The Emperor’s New Clothes (“The Brahmin in the Bahamas”) by William Kilpatrick, The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Grace in Addiction by John Z
Movies: Walk the Line, Unguarded (30 for 30), and Dave Chappelle on The Secret
Songs: “Can’t Let Go” by Bryan Ferry, “Do It All Over Again” by Spiritualized, “Free Will” by Rush, “I Can’t Let Maggie Go” by Honeybus, “Wise Up” by Aimee Mann, “Last Train to London” by ELO, “Left to My Own Devices” by The Pet Shop Boys, “I Can’t Stop” by The Honeycombs, “Set Me Free” by Karen Silver, “Right Where You Left Me” by Taylor Swift, “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, “None of Us Are Free” by Solomon Burke, “Set Me Free” by Kinks, “Truth Will Come Out” by Honey Cone, “Cry Freedom” by Romie Singh, “Play in the Sunshine” by Prince, “I Need Thee Every Hour” by Ella Fitzgerald, “Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan, “Mercy” by Ohio Express, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by UB40

Episode 14: Faith

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 Book of Eli (2010), Wings of Desire (1987), Friendly Persuasion (1956), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Songs: "Believe" by DMAs, "Do You Believe" by Poolside, "Faith" by The 8th Day, "I Trust" by The Byrds, "Someday" by Glass Tiger, "Faith in Something Bigger" by The Who, "It's Unbelievable (How You Control My Soul)" by Jeanne & The Darlings, "Lay All Your Love on Me" by ABBA, "Letting Go" by Wings, "No Doubt About It" by Hot Chocolate, "Happy Birthday" By Stevie Wonder, "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" by ABBA, "I Went to Sleep" by The Beach Boys, "Do You Believe?" by Swamp Dogg, "I've Got Confidence" by Elvis Presley, "I Came to Believe" by Johnny Cash, "I Believe In You" by Bob Dylan

Episode 13: Christmas

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 of Men, 8-Bit Christmas, The Holdovers, Midnight Clear (but also Joyeux Noel, some details of which John mixes into his description)
Television: Call the Midwife Christmas Special, "How We Used Christmas Lights to Fight a War" TED Talk by Jose Miguel Sokoloff, "Christmas Story" The Andy Griffith Show (S1:E11)
Artwork: "Winter Landscape" by Caspar David Friedrich
Books: The Haunted Man by Charles Dickens, Martin Luther's Christmas Book
Music: The Animals Christmas by Jimmy Webb
Songs: “Jesus Christ” by Big Star, “Christmas Was Better in the 80s” by The Futureheads, “Sock it to Me Santa” by Bob Seger & the Heard, “Christmastime Is Here Again” by The Flirtations, “Let’s Get It Together this Christmas” by the Harvey Averne Band, “Always in a Manger” by Paul Westerberg, “O Holy Night” by Duvall, “Silent Night” by Richard Hawley, “Thankful Heart” from A Muppet Christmas Carol, “Santa Claus Is Coming” by The Harmony Grits, “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Annie Lennox, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, “Once in Royal David City Bells” by Sufjan Stevens, “What Child Is This?” by Carrie Underwood, “The Decree” by Art Garfunkel, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Bob Dylan

Episode 7: Jesus

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” by Rudyard Kipling, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, The Crucifixion by Fleming Rutledge, Dominion by Tom Holland, Kingdom Grace Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon, Unapologetic by Francis Spufford, “The Dog in the Red Bandana” by Ray Bradbury, and “Inscription Under a Roadside Crucifix” by Victor Hugo
Movies: The Gospel According to St Matthew (1964), Pier Pasolini dir.
Artwork: Duccio's Maesta
Songs: “I Love You (Bollydub)” by Razor n Tape, “Gospel Rappin” by New Testament Youth Group, “Jesus is Waiting” by Al Green, “Look at What the Light Did Now” by Flo Morrissey and Matthew E White, "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars, “Simon Peter” by Sphinx, “Wonderful Savior” by Mavis Staples, “O Sacred Head Sore Wounded", “They Hung Him on the Cross”, “Crazy Boy Master” by JAZ & Bertie, “Resurrection Shuffle” by Tom Jones, “Jesus Is Here Today” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, “Jesus” by The Velvet Underground, “Way Out Jesus” by Sammy Johns, “When He Was No One” by Swamp Dogg, “I Knew Jesus (Before He Was a Star)” by Glen Campbell, “He’s Alive” by Dolly Parton
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 8: Prayer

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's Prayer by Wesley Hill, Lit by Mary Karr, Augustine's Confessions, Showings by Julian of Norwich, The Collects of Thomas Cranmer by Paul Zahl and Frederick Barbee, "Collect for the Fourth Sunday After Easter", "For the Time Being" by WH Auden
Movies: The Apostle _(1997), _Little Boy (2015)
Artwork: Das Vaterunser by Max Pechstein
Songs: “10 9 8 7” by Armand Duchies, “Dervish Chant” by African Head Charge, “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths, “Come Talk to Me” by Peter Gabriel, “Make The Woman Love Me” by Dion, “Cleopatra” (JAZ edit 2), "Acid Rain" by Galaxy II Orchestra, “Talk to the Lord” by Natalie Bergman, “Let Us Pray” by Elvis Presley, “You Are My Dream” by Kamagni, “Lords Prayer” by Marvin Gaye, “Our Prayer” by The Beach Boys, “I Pray” by Blossom Child
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 9: Creativity

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) dir. Peter Jackson, The Well of Sound
Songs: “Problem Child” by The Beach Boys, “Walking on Thin Ice” by Yoko Ono, “Underwater” by Harry Thuman, “I’m so Afraid” by Fleetwood Mac, “Tri-Tra-Trallula” by Joachim Will, “A Ist Wieder Da” by Robert Gorl, “Learn How to Fail” by The Replacements, “The Fear in My Heart” by Luc Van Acker, “Can You Picture That?” By Electric Mayhem, “Xanadu” by Olivia Newton-John, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, “Jazzburger” by Loukas Thanos, “Reader Meet Author” by Morrissey, “Deadlines and Commitments” by The Killers, “Manhattan Jungle” by Per Tjernberg, “Perfumed Garden” by Rah Band
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.