<![CDATA[Between Paris and Heaven]]>Byzantine Thomist translator, editor, and author Dr. Matthew Minerd hosts a wide array of friends and colleagues - theologians, priests, scholars, laypersons - for unhurried conversations on a variety of topics both interesting and edifying, ranging from Eastern Catholic identity to the scholastic tradition, politics, and much more.

]]>matthewminerd.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Fri, 16 Oct 2026 03:11:43 GMTSun, 06 Sep 2026 20:08:49 GMT60Matthew K. Minerd<p>Byzantine Thomist translator, editor, and author Dr. Matthew Minerd hosts a wide array of friends and colleagues - theologians, priests, scholars, laypersons - for unhurried conversations on a variety of topics both interesting and edifying, ranging from Eastern Catholic identity to the scholastic tradition, politics, and much more.</p>episodicMatthew K. Minerdmatthew@philosophicalcatholic.comno<![CDATA[Dr. Patrick Jones on Pierre Manent]]>In this conversation, Matthew Minerd and Dr. Patrick Jones delve into the intellectual contributions of Pierre Manent, focusing on his understanding of democracy, political forms, and the relationship between the Church and the state. They explore Manent's critiques of modernity and the implications of his thought for contemporary political discourse. The conversation explores the nuances of political structures, particularly the quasi-political nature of feudal systems and the importance of patriotism in modern governance. It delves into Aristotle's views on political virtue, the role of honor in aristocracy, and the challenges of contemporary political action.


Takeaways

  • Engagement with political forms
  • Understanding democracy's foundations Quasi-political structures discussed
  • Importance of patriotism in governance


Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Patrick Jones and Pierre Manent
  • 02:05 Pierre Manent's Intellectual Journey
  • 08:56 Democracy and Political Forms
  • 12:35 The Nation State and Modernity
  • 18:44 Theological Political Problem and the Church
  • 24:08 Menant's Observations on Modernity
  • 37:46 The Quasi-Political Landscape
  • 40:05 Aristotle and Political Virtue
  • 42:56 Honor and Aristocracy
  • 47:02 Patriotism and National Identity
  • 51:01 Action and Risk in Politics
  • 56:55 Contemporary Political Challenges
]]>8246c9c8-5746-4ab0-9480-b9677f70b77eMon, 05 Oct 2026 02:29:43 GMT<p>In this conversation, Matthew Minerd and Dr. Patrick Jones delve into the intellectual contributions of Pierre Manent, focusing on his understanding of democracy, political forms, and the relationship between the Church and the state. They explore Manent's critiques of modernity and the implications of his thought for contemporary political discourse. The conversation explores the nuances of political structures, particularly the quasi-political nature of feudal systems and the importance of patriotism in modern governance. It delves into Aristotle's views on political virtue, the role of honor in aristocracy, and the challenges of contemporary political action.</p><p><br /></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Engagement with political forms</li><li>Understanding democracy's foundations Quasi-political structures discussed</li><li>Importance of patriotism in governance</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Patrick Jones and Pierre Manent</li><li>02:05 Pierre Manent's Intellectual Journey</li><li>08:56 Democracy and Political Forms</li><li>12:35 The Nation State and Modernity</li><li>18:44 Theological Political Problem and the Church</li><li>24:08 Menant's Observations on Modernity</li><li>37:46 The Quasi-Political Landscape</li><li>40:05 Aristotle and Political Virtue</li><li>42:56 Honor and Aristocracy</li><li>47:02 Patriotism and National Identity</li><li>51:01 Action and Risk in Politics</li><li>56:55 Contemporary Political Challenges</li></ul>no01:07:29Dr. Patrick Jones on Pierre Manentfull<![CDATA[Dr. Ryan Hurd on Ratio and Auctoritas]]>In this episode, Matthew Minerd and Ryan Hurd explore the development of authority and reasoned discourse in theology, focusing on the transition from auctoritas-based to ratio-based argumentation in Scholasticism. They discuss how these methods influence theological understanding and the importance of docility to authority, especially in the context of Thomism and Catholic tradition.

]]>cc08f3b6-d368-4107-b40a-4ae7321adbfcThu, 17 Sep 2026 04:28:56 GMT<p>In this episode, Matthew Minerd and Ryan Hurd explore the development of authority and reasoned discourse in theology, focusing on the transition from auctoritas-based to ratio-based argumentation in Scholasticism. They discuss how these methods influence theological understanding and the importance of docility to authority, especially in the context of Thomism and Catholic tradition.</p><p></p>no01:19:19Dr. Ryan Hurd on Ratio and Auctoritasfull<![CDATA[Dr. Alex Harb on the Theology of the Heart]]>In this episode of Between Paris and Heaven, Dr. Alex Harb joins us to discuss the relationship between liturgy and interior prayer in Eastern Christian spirituality. Drawing on the Philokalia, hesychasm, and the Desert Fathers, we explore the importance of silence, solitude, and creating a dedicated space for prayer.

The conversation considers whether liturgy and silent prayer compete with one another or work together and examines how practices such as using an icon corner, spending time in stillness, and following a simple prayer rule can support a deeper spiritual life.

Dr. Harb also address the relationship between grace and human effort, including the concern some might feel that Eastern Christian spirituality may place too much emphasis on ascetic practice. Together we explain why discipline and surrender are not opposites, but connected parts of Christian prayer and spiritual growth.

]]>94f982f2-e9aa-4756-9503-7a85fcf25a0fSun, 06 Sep 2026 20:25:02 GMT<p>In this episode of Between Paris and Heaven, Dr. Alex Harb joins us to<b> </b>discuss the relationship between liturgy and interior prayer in Eastern Christian spirituality. Drawing on the Philokalia, hesychasm, and the Desert Fathers, we explore the importance of silence, solitude, and creating a dedicated space for prayer.</p><p></p><p>The conversation considers whether liturgy and silent prayer compete with one another or work together and examines how practices such as using an icon corner, spending time in stillness, and following a simple prayer rule can support a deeper spiritual life.</p><p></p><p>Dr. Harb also address the relationship between grace and human effort, including the concern some might feel that Eastern Christian spirituality may place too much emphasis on ascetic practice. Together we explain why discipline and surrender are not opposites, but connected parts of Christian prayer and spiritual growth.</p>no01:11:39Dr. Alex Harb on the Theology of the Heartfull