In this episode we discuss Cormac McCarthy’s brutally violent novel *Blood Meridian* with guest Dr. Brian Brock, Chair of Moral and Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Among many other things, we talk about the silence and absence of God, the dark side of Christian traditions and spaces, the interrelationship of violence and deception, and paternalistic forms compassion (touching on 1 Corinthians 1, Psalm 137, 2 Thessalonians 2, and Exodus 3 along the way).

Up Next: *A Wizard of Earthsea* by Ursula K. Le Guin

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• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
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In this episode, we turn to Trenton Lee Stewart's novel *The Mysterious Benedict Society,* a story that follows four gifted children brought together for a secret assignment. Reading it in conversation with Matthew 18 and Proverbs 7–8, we explore the meaning of childlikeness, the relationship between play and mission, and the challenge of recognizing wisdom in a world of competing voices.

Timestamps:

• 1:19 – Experiencing *The Mysterious Benedict Society*
• 29:24 – Tommy on Matthew 18
• 1:03:48 – Emily on Proverbs 7-8
• 1:35:12 – Next month’s book

Up Next: *Blood Meridian* by Cormac McCarthy with guest Dr. Brian Brock

Connect with Us:

• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
• Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/
• Instagram: @holywritpodcast
• TikTok: @holywritpodcast
• YouTube: @HolyWritPodcast

In this episode, we turn to Herman Melville’s infamous novel *Moby-Dick.* Reading it in conversation with Numbers 9 and Matthew 12, we reflect on how Scripture forms and directs our attention, the presence of God both in and beyond the material world, and how distorting demonic powers relate to our habits of perception.

Timestamps:

• 1:26 – Experiencing *Moby-Dick*
• 29:53 – Emily on Numbers 9
• 56:09 – Tommy on Matthew 12
• 1:31:03 – Next month’s book

Up Next: *The Mysterious Benedict Society* by Trenton Lee Stewart

Connect with Us:

• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
• Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/
• Instagram: @holywritpodcast
• TikTok: @holywritpodcast
• YouTube: @HolyWritPodcast