The Sower

Cicero's influence on Coriolanus & Liberal Education in The Tempest

Presentations by Katherine Bradshaw (Ancient Language Institute) and Ted Richards (University of Mississippi).

Video recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 13, 2026.

0:00 The Sower Episode 109 Introduction by Christopher Anadale
2:18 Katherine Bradshaw, The Ciceronian Tragedy of Shakespeare's Coriolanus
22:13 Ted Richards, For the Liberal Arts Without Parallel: Prospero's Practical Reason

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2027 Colloquium on Uncivil Discourse, January 23-24 in Scottsdale, AZ: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conferences/colloquium2027/

2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13, Registration is now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/2027-conference-registration/

Apply to enroll in Logres Institute courses: https://www.logresinstitute.org/enroll-populi

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

In this episode Josh Bowman welcomes Ciceronian Society President James Patterson, and his co-author Thomas Howes, to discuss their recent book, Why Postliberalism Failed, published by the Acton Institute.

Why Postliberalism Failed: https://shop.acton.org/collections/featured-products/products/why-postliberalism-failed

James M. Patterson is an Associate Professor in the Baker School of Public Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He is also a research fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, and contributing editor and podcast host at Law & Liberty. He is the author of Religion in the Public Square: Sheen, King, Falwell, oh yeah…he’s also President of the Ciceronian Society.

Thomas D. Howes is Editor-in-Chief of The Vital Center, founder of the Reagan Caucus and Reagan Caucus Action, and a Lecturer in Politics at Princeton University.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

2026 Fall Symposium: "Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World." October 22-24, 2026 in Holland, Michigan. Registration is now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

2027 Colloquium on Uncivil Discourse, January 23-24, 2027 in Scottsdale, Arizona: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conferences/colloquium2027/

2027 Spring Conference, March 11-13, 2027 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Registration is now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/2027-conference-registration/

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Apply to enroll in Logres Institute courses: https://www.logresinstitute.org/enroll-populi

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

Is artificial intelligence a threat to human(e) culture? In this episode of The Sower, Ethan Alexander-Davey presents his critique of the AI juggernaut and suggests steps to mitigate the damage it is doing. Based on his June 2026 presentation to the Academy of Philosophy and Letters.

Ethan Alexander-Davey is associate professor of political science at Campbell University, where he teaches all the courses on political theory and constitutional law. He is co-editor, with Richard Avramenko, of Aristocratic Souls in Democratic Times, and Aristocratic Voices: Forgotten Arguments about Virtue Authority and Inequality, both published by Lexington Books.

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

In this episode, Josh Bowman interviews Dr. Sean Keilen, Professor of Literature at UC Santa Cruz and the founder of Shakespeare Workshop. Professor Keilen is the Head of Dramaturgy at Santa Cruz Shakespeare as well, and his most recent book is Shakespeare’s Scholars: Three Lessons from the Liberal Arts, published by Princeton University Press. We focus on that particular work, as well as Shakespeare’s plays, Love’s Labors Lost and The Tempest. We also talk about the liberal arts, the study of literature, and the life of scholars generally.

Sean’s book, Shakespeare’s Scholars: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691272634/shakespeares-scholars

More about Sean: https://campusdirectory.ucsc.edu/cd_detail?uid=keilen

Santa Cruz Shakespeare: https://santacruzshakespeare.org/

Shakespeare Workshop at UC Santa Cruz: https://thi.ucsc.edu/centers/shakespeare-workshop/

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

On the value of place and the future of localism in American politics.

Presentations by Tyler Moore (University of South Dakota), Wayne Braudrick (Frisco Bible Church), George Harrell (The George Buchanan Forum), and Luke Sheahan (Duquesne University).

Video recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 13, 2026.

0:00 The Sower Episode 105 Introduction by Christopher Anadale
0:45 Panel introduction by William Batchelder
4:04 Tyler Moore, What is Localism and Why Do We Need It?
20:43 Wayne Braudrick, A Biblical Place Study from John 1-2
35:57 George Harrell, From Nomads to Natives -- Recovering a Sacramental Vision of Place
51:41 Luke Sheahan, A Right to Community: Green v. Miss USA, the Assembly Clause, and Associated Self-Government

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2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration open through October 5, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

2027 Colloquium on Uncivil Discourse, January 23-24 in Scottsdale, AZ: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conferences/colloquium2027/

2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13, Registration is now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/2027-conference-registration/

Apply to enroll in Logres Institute courses: https://www.logresinstitute.org/enroll-populi

About the Logres Institute: https://www.logresinstitute.org/

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

In this episode, Josh Bowman welcomes Dr. Jared Ortiz, professor of Religion at Hope College and Founder of the Saint Benedict Institute. We discuss the Institute as well as a new project of Jared’s, reflecting on sacramental and liturgical metaphors of baseball.

Saint Benedict Institute: https://www.saintbenedictinstitute.org/

More about Jared: https://hope.edu/directory/people/ortiz-jared/index.html

Hope College: https://hope.edu/

Constructing the Universe: https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Constructing-Universe-Mathematical/dp/0060926716

The Chosen: https://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Novel-Chaim-Potok/dp/0449213447

Art Can Help: https://artcanhelp.substack.com/

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

In this episode Josh Bowman welcomes Dr. Andrew Mitchell of Grove City College, and his student Hannah, to discuss the Lux Mea Intercollegiate Colloquium held in October.

This is a great opportunity for faculty and staff from various honors colleges to read and think together, and to experience a taste of the life of the mind. The Ciceronian Society is proud to sponsor this event.

Register for the Lux Mea Colloquium: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1472/17/interior.aspx?sid=1472&gid=1&pgid=5021&cid=17222&fid=17222

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2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration open through October 5, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

2027 Colloquium on Uncivil Discourse, January 23-24 in Scottsdale, AZ: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conferences/colloquium2027/

2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13, Registration is now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/2027-conference-registration/

Apply to enroll in Logres Institute courses: https://www.logresinstitute.org/enroll-populi

About the Logres Institute: https://www.logresinstitute.org/

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

In this episode Josh Bowman welcomes a selection of the instructors serving in the Ciceronian Society’s new Logres Institute for Classical Liberal Studies. We talk about our seminar style, the opportunities and challenges of teaching online, and kinds of readings and courses that excite us, and what it means to be a good student. Joining this particular episode we have Josh Herring, Annie Crawford, Sean Hadley, and Tracey Leary.

About the Logres Institute: https://www.logresinstitute.org/

Apply to enroll in Logres Institute courses: https://www.logresinstitute.org/enroll-populi

The Sower Episode 87, introducing the Logres Institute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzgJ_YLCCHs

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The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

Also, our 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13, 2027

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

The continuing relevance of C.S. Lewis to our own time and place.

Presentations by Rod Miller (Hendrix College) and Clayton Carver (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary).

Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 14, 2026.

0:00 The Sower Episode 101 Introduction by Christopher Anadale
0:35 Rod Miller: That Hideous Job
16:21 Clayton Carver: The Pursuit of Happiness: A Lewisian Perspective on the American Dream

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The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

The 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13. https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

In this episode Josh Bowman welcomes a group of fellow Ciceronians to celebrate the 100th episode of the Sower podcast, reflecting on where we’ve been and where we’re going. We specifically hear from Rachel Ferguson, Claire Aguda-Baker, William Batchelder IV, and Chris Anadale.

Support the Ciceronian Society: https://ciceroniansociety.org/give/

Links and Images:

Episode 1 - https://youtu.be/wCt4d8ZR8JI

Episode 2 - https://youtu.be/aRQ2Z4LAJqY

Fragile Neighborhoods - https://www.amazon.com/Fragile-Neighborhoods-Repairing-American-Society/dp/0316521396/

Sir Toast (Albert Norton) - https://albertnorton.substack.com/p/notes-from-omaha

Intellectual Discipleship - https://circeinstitute.org/blog/intellectual-discipleship/

Bleep Sound Effect - Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-censor-beep-88052/

On Duties podcast - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

Pietas journal - https://ciceroniansociety.org/journal/

Logres Institute - https://www.logresinstitute.org/

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To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

Perspectives on Adam Smith's 1776 Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.

Presentations by Erik Matson (CUA), Paul Mueller (AEIR), Jordan Ballor (CRCD), and John Robinson (JMU).

Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026.

0:00 The Sower Episode 99 Introduction by Christopher Anadale
1:00 Panel introduction by Erik Matson
2:58 Erik Matson: Theory, Reality, and Public Policy in The Wealth of Nations
18:41 Paul Mueller: The Continuing Relevance of Wealth of Nations to Public Policy 250 Years Later
34:32 Jordan Ballor: A Biblical Myth at the Origins of Smith's Wealth of Nations
49:43 John Robinson: Adam Smith and Pope(s) Leo on the Origin and Significance of Private Property

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The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

The 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13. Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

In this episode, Josh Bowman welcomes Ben Peterson, assistant professor in the Department of Government and Criminal Justice at Abilene Christian University. We discuss his new book, Community, Character, and the Governance of the Social Commons: Sanctuaries of Order, published by Bloomsbury Press.

We specifically address notions of social poverty, the “social commons,” and how the church might play a role in renewing the social order.

Ben's Book. https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/community-character-and-the-governance-of-the-social-commons-9781978770683/
https://www.amazon.com/Community-Character-Governance-Social-Commons/dp/1666960640

Bluey Short. https://disneynow.com/video/fd69ceb7-679f-459c-a6df-95149b968eef

Logres Institute. https://www.logresinstitute.org/

Surgeon General Report on Loneliness. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf

Fragile Neighborhoods. https://www.amazon.com/Fragile-Neighborhoods-Repairing-American-Society/dp/0316521396

Men Without Work. https://www.amazon.com/Men-Without-Work-Post-Pandemic-Threats/dp/1599475979

Of Rule and Revenue. https://www.amazon.com/Revenue-California-Social-Political-Economy/dp/0520067509

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The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

The 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13. Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

Theological, philosophical, and humanist reactions to the challenges of A.I.

Presentations by John Moore (Walsh College), Thomas Dias (Acton Institute), and Jeff Bristol (independent scholar). Panel chaired by Rachel Ferguson (Concordia University Chicago).

Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 13, 2026.

0:00 The Sower Episode 97 Introduction by Christopher Anadale
1:00 Panel introduction by Rachel Ferguson
5:29 John Moore. Man and Machine: Catholic Thought on the Implications of Artificial Intelligence
26:55 Thomas Dias. A Maritainian Guide to Our Moment in History: the Open Society, Technology, and the New Christendom
42:18 Jeff Bristol. The Narcissist in the Machine
1:02:29 Q & A

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The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

The 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13. Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

In this episode, Josh Bowman welcomes Michael Lucchese, member of the Ciceronian Society, to talk about the work of Russell Kirk and his thoughts on the American Founding and political tradition.

Michael is Founder and CEO of Pipe Creek Consulting, as well as a contributing editor to Providence Magazine and an associate editor of Law & Liberty.

Michael is the editor of a new collection of writings by Russell Kirk, On America: How to Understand the Legacy of 1776, published by Creed and Culture.

On America (book). https://creedandculture.com/books/on-america-how-to-understand-the-legacy-of-1776/
https://www.amazon.com/America-How-Understand-Legacy-1776/dp/1967613044

Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal. https://kirkcenter.org/

Pipe Creek Consulting. https://www.pipecreekconsulting.com/

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The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

The 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13. Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

Benjamin Rush, John Jay, and the promotion of republican virtue.

Presentations by Dennis Durst (Kentucky Christian University), Jonathan Den Hartog (Samford University), and Nick Blanda (Hillsdale College).

Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026.

0:00 The Sower Episode 95 Introduction by Christopher Anadale
0:50 Panel introduction by Ethan Alexander-Davey
2:15 Dennis Durst: Founder & Physician, Benjamin Rush & the Health of the New Republic
22:09 Jonathan Den Hartog: John Jay's Prudence & Virtue in the American Revolution
46:00 Nick Blanda: "A Vigilant and Manly Spirit," Founding-Era Efforts to Promote Republican Virtue

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The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI. Registration now open: https://ciceroniansociety.org/fall-symposium/

The 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13. Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

Spring 2027 Conference at Regent University

In this episode, Josh Bowman welcomes back Simon Tarr, who is dean of both The Honors College as well as the School of Communication & the Arts at Regent University. We discuss Regent University’s Honors College and Christian identity while looking forward to the Spring 2027 conference to be held on their Virginia Beach Campus.

To learn more about the Honors College, visit: https://www.regent.edu/honors-college/

The Regent University Honors College was a Tulia Sponsor for our 2026 conference in Omaha, NE.

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2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI

2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13

Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

Tracking religious liberty legislation & policy at the state level, the 2025 Religious Liberty in the States Report from the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy.

Audio recording of a plenary panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026.

0:00 The Sower Episode 93 Introduction by Christopher Anadale
1:13 Panel Introduction, by Paul Mueller
3:12 A Theological Defense of Religious Liberty, by John Wilsey
17:02 Mark David Hall Introduction, by Paul Mueller
17:58 Why Religious Liberty in the States, by Mark David Hall
23:37 2025 Data on Religious Liberty in the States, by Paul Mueller
36:53 Concluding Remarks, by Mark David Hall

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Dr. Paul Mueller is a Senior Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, where he champions the principles of free enterprise, limited government, and individual liberty. He holds a PhD in economics from George Mason University and spent eight years teaching at The King’s College in New York City before shifting his focus to policy research and public commentary.

Dr. John Wilsey is Professor of Church History and Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Wilsey’s primary areas of teaching are in modern church history, history of Western thought, and American history. He supervises PhD dissertations in the areas of American church history and history of philosophy.

Mark David Hall joined the faculty of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University in 2023. He is one of the most outstanding scholars of early America, whose many distinguished publications have argued persuasively for the crucial importance of Christianity in the flourishing of America’s experiment in ordered liberty. He is also widely regarded as a leading student of religious liberty and church-state relations in America. Dr. Hall earned a B.A. in Political Science from Wheaton College (IL) and a Ph.D. in Government from the University of Virginia. Hall’s primary research and writing interests include American political theory, the relationship between religion and politics, and religious liberty/church-state relations.

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Mentioned in this Episode:

The Center for Research, Culture, and Democracy: https://crcd.net/

CRCD's Religious Liberty in the States Project:
https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/
https://crcd.net/projects/religious-liberty-in-the-states/

2025 RLS Report: https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/downloads/

Dr. Paul Mueller: https://aier.org/people/paul-mueller/

Dr. John Wilsey: https://www.sbts.edu/faculty/john-d-wilsey/

Dr. Mark David Hall: https://www.regent.edu/faculty/mark-david-hall/

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The Ciceronian Society's 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI

The Ciceronian Society's 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13

Proposals are due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

A paradigm for Christian leadership & engagement with the secular world.

Josh Bowman interviews Dr. Stephen O. Presley, the Director of Education and Engagement at the Center for Research, Culture, and Democracy (CRCD) as well as a Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Life. The CRCD was one of the Tullia Sponsors for the Ciceronian Society’s 2026 conference in Omaha, and a long time partner and friend.

Looking at two of Presley’s recent books, we specifically consider the role of the church in biblical theology, and the notion of “cultural sanctification” as a paradigm for Christian engagement in the secular world.

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The Center for Research, Culture, and Democracy: https://crcd.net/

Cultural Sanctification: Engaging the World like the Early Church (Eerdmans, 2024):
https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467468343/cultural-sanctification/

https://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Sanctification-Engaging-World-Church/dp/0802878547

Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church: Recovering an Ancient Vision (Baker, 2025):
https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781540966414_biblical-theology-in-the-life-of-the-early-church

https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Theology-Life-Early-Church/dp/1540966410/

Dr. John Wilsey: https://www.sbts.edu/faculty/john-d-wilsey/

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0:00 Introduction to The Sower Episode 92
2:02 What the CRCD Is
7:12 Why These Two Books, and Why Now
11:31 Why We Should Care About the Early Church
15:44 Today's vs the Ancient Church, Similarities & Differences
20:28 What "Ecclesial Biblical Theology" Means
25:10 What "The Church" Is
29:04 How This Method Can Be Extended to Pagan Texts
32:44 Leadership & Sanctification, Virtue & Faith
37:16 Why We Need Christian Intellectuals
47:19 "Grieving the Loss of Christendom"
54:24 Real Hope or Fool's Hope?
58:53 Stephen Presley's Next Projects

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The 2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI

The 2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13

Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

An Oakeshottian view of the Declaration of Independence. And a historial look at the Declaration's relation to the Articles of Confederation. Presentations by John Grove (Liberty Fund) and Adam Tate (Clayton State University).

Audio recording of a panel from the 2026 Ciceronian Society Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15, 2026.

0:00 The Sower Episode 91 Introduction by Christopher Anadale
0:52 Panel introduction by John Grove
2:41 John Grove: The Declaration and Rationalism
33:50 Adam Tate: The Declaration, Union, and Confederation

Mentioned in this Episode:

Willmoore Kendall, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willmoore_Kendall

George W. Carey, https://government.georgetown.edu/carey-tribute/

Basic Symbols of the American Tradition, https://archive.org/details/the-basic-symbols-of-the-americ-kendall-willmoore-1909-1967

Michael Oakeshott, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Oakeshott

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other podcast, Cicero On Duties, publishing weekly throughout 2026: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3

Are liberalism and Christianity compatible? Is the American tradition of liberty at odds with Christian teaching? What role might the church have in the civic and economic formation of citizens?

Josh Bowman interviews Dylan Pahman and John Pinheiro about a new reader they’ve edited called The Christian Roots of American Liberty.

The Christian Roots of American Liberty: A Reader
https://shop.acton.org/collections/featured-products/products/the-christian-roots-of-american-liberty

https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Roots-American-Liberty-Reader/dp/B0GR8WTJB8

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2026 Fall Symposium: “Scholars and Educators in a Brave New World”, Oct 22-24 in Holland, MI

2027 Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, March 11-13

Proposals due Sept 1, 2026: https://ciceroniansociety.org/conference-spring/call-for-conference-papers/

0:00 Introduction to The Sower Episode 90
2:12 Why Write This Book (Christian Roots of American Liberty) Now?
11:26 What Does Liberalism Mean?
25:39 Does Liberty Require Christianity?
37:00 Private Property Rights
40:52 Submission to Authority
48:38 The Church's Role in Civic and Economic Formation

To learn more about the Ciceronian Society, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and to make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

Check out our other weekly podcast, Cicero On Duties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1B7f66VCvfaF3PYETBIJG4AGMpanUNE3