Ex Umbris

This video explores the biblical story of Noah's Ark, drawing parallels between the flood and personal transformation. Dr. Brett Fawcett discusses how God's "punishments" can be viewed as gifts, using his own experience in seminary as an example. He delves into the symbolism of the ark, the flood, and the rainbow, connecting these to themes of spiritual growth, new creation, and God's promises.#NoahsArk #Bibli...

This video features a lecture on March 13/25 on the biblical story of Noah's Ark, exploring its deeper spiritual meanings and connections to Christian theology. The Dr. Gerard Mclarney discusses:- The symbolism of the Ark as a place of salvation and intimacy with God- The significance of God "remembering" Noah and what this means for believers- Parallels between the Ark and Christian places of worship- Connections bet...

Introducing our "Keith Sessions" named after Gilbert Keith Chesterton. This one was recorded March 11/25 as a Reflection for our SILC Chesterton Academy students. Dive into the profound symbolism of Noah's Ark and the Great Flood in this insightful lecture by Dr. Fawcett. Discover how the story represents both God's judgment and His mercy, exploring themes of rest, new creation, and salvation. Learn about the sign...

Introducing our "Keith Sessions" named after Gilbert Keith Chesterton. This one was recorded February 27/25 as a Reflection for our SILC Chesterton Academy students.

Let's explore the profound connection between daily rituals and spiritual meaning, using Noah's Ark as a central metaphor. Dr. Mclarney discusses how morning routines bring order to chaos, much like Noah's obedience brought order during the flood....

Introducing our "Keith Sessions" named after Gilbert Keith Chesterton. This one was recorded February 20/25 as a Reflection for our SILC Chesterton Academy students.

In this insightful talk, we explore the deeper spiritual symbolism of Noah's Ark beyond just a boat carrying animals. Dr. Brett Fawcett reveals how the Ark's three-tiered design mirrors other sacred spaces in scripture, like Eden and the Temple. Throu...

Introducing our "Keith Sessions" named after Gilbert Keith Chesterton. This one was recorded February 13/25 as a Reflection for our SILC Chesterton Academy students. In this theological exploration, we delve into Genesis 6 and its mysterious account of the Nephilim, examining three different interpretations of this fascinating biblical passage. The speaker discusses how this text relates to God's incredible patience w...

Drawing from figures like Pythagoras and Platinus, Dr. Mclarney and Dr. Fawcett discuss the philosophical and theological underpinnings of these subjects, emphasizing the concept of unity as a foundational principle. They explain how arithmetic begins with the monad and multiplicity, geometry with the point, music with ratios, and astronomy with shapes in motion, all ultimately connected to a divine order represented by the Logos. ...

In this episode of the Ex Umbris podcast, Scholar McLarney (Dr. Gerard Mclarney) and Schoolman Fawcett (Dr. Brett Fawcett), teachers at the Chesterton Academy of St. Isidore Learning Centre, dive deep into the symbolic meaning of Noah's Ark. They explore the dimensions and materials of the ark as described in Genesis 6:14-16, discussing how these details point to Christ, the Church, and our relationship with God. The hosts examine ...

Scholarch McLarney and Schoolman Fawcett from St. Isidore Chesterton Academy explore Genesis 5, a genealogy from Adam to Noah. They analyze the meanings of the names and their sequence to uncover a hidden narrative of faith and decline. The speakers discuss how the choices of individuals in Seth's lineage contrast with those of Cain's, highlighting the importance of choosing to follow God. Ultimately, they suggest Genesis 5...

The classical model of education required students to read Ptolemy's work on astronomy. Does Ptolemy have anything to teach us in a post-Copernican world? Schoolman Fawcett says "yes!" In this episode, he will discuss Ptolemy's understanding of physical science with Scholarch McLarney and how this perspective--which recognizes our limited knowledge and the importance of mathematical models--remains valid, and how ...

In this episode of “Ex Umbris” podcast we are discussing the allegorical interpretation of a song, 

“Luskentyre," by the band Lapwing. The discussion explores how classical Catholic education approaches literary analysis, emphasizing the inherent meaning in creation reflecting God's logos. Let's connect the song's imagery of building a kite—a stick representing the cross, a rag symbolizing resurrection, and a string signifying co...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett discuss a classical approach to interpreting the world, including scripture, art, and nature. They emphasize exegesis, drawing meaning out of a text, rather than isogesis, reading meaning into it. They explore the concept of the Logos, the divine word and underlying reason of the universe, arguing that it is reflected in creation. The hosts contrast realism, where w...

Are you struggling to hear God's voice in your life? Do you ever feel like you're speaking when you should be silent, or staying silent when you should be speaking up?This episode of the ExUmbris Podcast explores the theme of silence and speech in the Gospel of Mark. Join us as we examine the disciples' struggles with fear, doubt, and failure, and discover how Jesus calls us to overcome our spiritual muteness and boldly proclaim t...

In this episode of the Ex Umbris podcast, Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Fawcett delve into the ontological argument for the existence of God, tracing its development from Anselm through to Kant, Hegel, and modern interpretations. They discuss its philosophical implications, its challenges, and the ways it has shaped theological and philosophical thought over centuries.

Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. I...

Explore an intriguing aspect of Jesus' behavior in the Gospel of Mark - his moments of silence during crucial events. This podcast examines instances where Jesus remains quiet when we might expect him to speak, particularly during his trial before crucifixion. We'll discuss possible interpretations of this silence, including theological significance, literary device, and even a comparison to the modern concept of selective mutism. ...

Welcome back, listeners! Today we're continuing our exploration of Psalm 51, one of the most powerful and moving psalms in the Bible. In our last episode, we began unpacking the rich layers of meaning in this ancient prayer of repentance attributed to King David. 

In this episode, we'll be diving deeper into:

1. The concept of renewal and rebirth in Psalm 51

2. The imagery of bones, hearts, and spirits

3. The role of sacrifice and ...

We are back...finally... Season 3 launch. Start up for teachers is NO JOKE!

This podcast explores the rich symbolism and theological depth of Psalm 51, a powerful prayer of repentance attributed to King David. Our esteemed Dr. Duo discuss how Psalm 51 connects to Old Testament rituals like the red heifer sacrifice and the use of hyssop for purification, while also foreshadowing Christian themes of baptism and Christ's sacrifice. D...

Part 2! Can the riddle of the universe be solved? The mystery genre holds out hope that it can be. Dr. Christopher Chan, international goodwill ambassador for Agathachristie.com and contributing editor to Gilbert Magazine, joins Scholarch McLarney and Schoolman Fawcett to discuss the Biblical and civilizational origins of the detective story and what its continued popularity tells us about people's need for answers today. Dr...

Part 1 here first! Can the riddle of the universe be solved? The mystery genre holds out hope that it can be. Dr. Christopher Chan, international goodwill ambassador for Agathachristie.com and contributing editor to Gilbert Magazine, joins Scholarch McLarney and Schoolman Fawcett to discuss the Biblical and civilizational origins of the detective story and what its continued popularity tells us about people's need for answers t...