In this engaging video, Dr. Brett Fawcett dives into Genesis 10 from the Bible, commonly known as "The Table of Nations." He reveals that this chapter is far more than just a list of names – it's actually a fascinating prequel to human history.Dr. Fawcett explains how Genesis 10 provides crucial context for many nations and peoples mentioned throughout the Bible. He connects these ancient names to modern countries and ethnic groups, showing how many of today's nations can trace their origins bac...
Jul 02, 2025•31 min
This video discusses the biblical story of Noah's drunkenness from Genesis 9- The speaker analyzes the passage and its implications for modern life- Main themes include: 1. The dangers of drunkenness 2. Family discord and its long-lasting effects 3. The importance of seeking peace through ChristThis video offers a thoughtful exploration of a challenging biblical text, making connections to modern life and encouraging viewers to reflect on their own spiritual journey. Suitable for high school stu...
Jun 25, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This reflection by Dr. Fawcett explores the story of Noah and his sons, drawing parallels between Noah's experience and Adam's in the Garden of Eden. Both narratives involve themes of sin, nakedness, and shame, highlighting humanity's ongoing struggle with temptation. The episode focuses on Ham's sin of exposing his father's drunkenness, contrasting it with Shem and Japheth's respectful response of covering their father without looking. This incident serves as a springboard to discuss the danger...
Jun 18, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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 #BiblicalSymbolism #SpiritualGrowth #DivinePunishment #NewCreation #GodsBlessings #LentenRefl...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 between the Ark narrative and other biblical stories, including Jesus' crucifixion...
Jun 04, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 significance of numbers in the Bible, particularly the symbolism of 7 and 8, and how th...
May 28, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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. The talk reveals fascinating architectural parallels between Noah's Ark and ancient te...
May 21, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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. Through mathematical and architectural analysis, we learn the Ark was likely shaped more...
May 14, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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 with humanity. Beginning with a reading about the "sons of God" and "daughters o...
May 06, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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. The hosts highlight how this ancient perspective views these math...
Apr 28, 2025•49 min•Season 3Ep. 67
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 St. Augustine's interpretations of the ark's measurements and con...
Mar 24, 2025•52 min•Season 3Ep. 66
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 teaches that the most important legacy is passing on faith in Jesus Chri...
Feb 15, 2025•40 min•Season 3Ep. 64
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 it helped various thinkers in history (from Aquinas to Bellarmine to Milton) unders...
Feb 09, 2025•52 min•Season 3Ep. 64
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 connection—to Christian theology and spirituality. We see the song as ...
Feb 02, 2025•54 min•Season 3Ep. 64
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 words correspond to real essences, with nominalism, where words ar...
Jan 22, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 62
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 the Gospel . We'll look at key episodes like Peter's denial of J...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 63
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. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC ...
Nov 20, 2024•57 min•Season 3Ep. 60
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. Join us for a fascinating look at how Jesus' selective silence ad...
Nov 14, 2024•58 min•Season 3Ep. 59
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 how it relates to praise 4. The connection between personal repent...
Nov 06, 2024•56 min•Season 3Ep. 58
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. Dr. Mclarney and Dr. Fawcett highlight how the Psalm expresses a un...
Oct 30, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 57
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. Gerard McLarney and Mr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLI...
Jun 16, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 56
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 today. Dr. Gerard McLarney and Mr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. I...
Jun 10, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Can you know that God exists just by thinking about what the word "God" means? Anselm suggests that--with the help of God's grace--perhaps you can. Scholarch McLarney and Schoolman Fawcett discuss what the "ontological argument" of the Proslogion says (and doesn't say) and how to respond to the objections to the argument raised by Gaunilo and Thomas Aquinas. Dr. Gerard McLarney and Mr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterto...
May 12, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 54
In part 1, we sketched out the context of this passage in John 4. Here we continue our discussion of Christ’s Basilikos as a type of Adam and as well a New Adam and the significance of his descent in light of Christ’s descent into this world. Dr. Gerard McLarney and Mr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the develo...
May 05, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Episode 52: The Descent of Christ's Basilikos Part 1 Perhaps the most overlooked passage in John’s Gospel (4:43-54), the story of Jesus’s second sign and the Royal Official ( basilikos ), stand as a microcosm of the drama of salvation history. Jesus’s mission of descent and ascent, mirrored by the Royal Official’s descent from Cana to Capernaum, are considered by Scholarch McLarney and Schoolman Fawcett in this two-part discussion along with its implications for St. John’s view of humanity, the ...
Apr 28, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Anselm is famous for (among other things) his ontological argument for God's existence in his book, the Proslogion, but what often gets missed is that the Proslogion isn't about Anselm coming up with a great argument: it's about God revealing who He is to Anselm. In this episode, Schoolman Fawcett makes his case to Scholarch McLarney that the Proslogion is a kind of psalm in which a poor sinner realizes he can't get to God by his own efforts and cries out to God to show Himself, and God answers ...
Apr 16, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Part 2 Residing at the center of the Psalter, which in many ways is the heart of the Bible, is Psalm 118. In this two part discussion, Scholarch McLarney and Schoolman Fawcet, delve into the mysteries contained within this compelling and dramatic call to praise. Dr. Gerard McLarney and Mr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong em...
Apr 07, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Residing at the center of the Psalter, which in many ways is the heart of the Bible, is Psalm 118. In this two part discussion, Scholarch McLarney and Schoolman Fawcet, delve into the mysteries contained within this compelling and dramatic call to praise. Dr. Gerard McLarney and Mr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis ...
Mar 31, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Hegel and St. Irenaeus: Progress and History The ideas of history and progress infuse many contemporary discussions. Commonly issued phrases such as “being on the right side of history” or “in this new era of progress” tacitly assume there is a beginning, middle, and end of history. But where does this notion come from? In Part 2 we consider Hegel’s philosophy of the self-conscious, desire, and how humans progress towards self-actualization through engagement with the other. This approach is con...
Mar 24, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 48
The ideas of history and progress infuse many contemporary discussions. Commonly issued phrases such as “being on the right side of history” or “in this new era of progress” tacitly assume there is a beginning, middle, and end of history. But where does this notion come from? A debt of gratitude is owed to 19th century German philosopher G.F.W Hegel, whose “march of reason” sets much of the stage for human and historical progress. But the Bible also speaks about history and progress as do the ea...
Mar 15, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 47
