Following up on Severe Mercy Month, Matt interviews Vincent Phillip Muñoz, Soren Grefenstette, and Natalie Schmidt about their love for Sheldon Vanauken’s book.
S5E65: “The Notre Van Gang”, After Hours with Phillip, Soren, and Natalie (Download)
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Show Notes
Introduction
Quote-of-the-week
“…though I wouldn’t have admitted it, even to myself, I didn’t want God aboard. He was too heavy. I wanted Him approving from a considerable distance. I didn’t want to be thinking of Him. I wanted to be free—like Gypsy. I wanted life itself, the color and fire and loveliness of life. And Christ now and then, like a loved poem I could read when I wanted to. I didn’t want us to be swallowed up in God. I wanted holidays from the school of Christ.”
Biographical Information
Phillip is the Tocqueville Associate Professor of Political Science and Concurrent Associate Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame. Furthermore, he is the Founding Director of Notre Dame’s Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.
Soren is the associate program director for the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government. A 2019 Notre Dame Grad, she and her husband live in Indiana with their 6-month old daughter. Soren was originally encouraged to read A Severe Mercy by Prof. Muñoz, which she then gifted to her childhood friend, Natalie.
Natalie graduated from Columbia University in 2019 and just graduated from Harvard Law School. She is currently deep into studying for the bar and afterwards will be clerking for a judge in Pittsburgh.
Guest Biographical Information
Chit-Chat
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Beverage and Toast
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Discussion
1. “Encountering Vanauken”
How did everyone first come across ASM and what impact did it have on you?
2. “The mini-series”
Phillip, you teach a mini-series on this, how did that get started?
3. “Primary themes”
What are some of the main themes from the class?
4. “Reception”
How do students receive it? Do any of them dislike it? How did each of you receive the book?
5. “Favourites”
What’s everyone’s favorite part of the book?
6. “A Severe Mercy?”
Do you guys agree with Lewis that Davy’s death was A Severe Mercy? Do you think God took her away intentionally or simply used her death?
7. “Timeless”
What do you make of the timeless theme in the book?
8. “Openness to life”
What do you think is the significance of Van and Davey choosing to not have children?
9. “Final Thoughts”
Is there anything you want to talk about before we wrap-up?
More Information
- Severe Mercy Month
- Center for Citzenship and Constitutional government
- Religious Liberty and the American Founding
- Vincent Phillip Muñoz
- Soren Grefenstette
- Natalie Schmidt
