Thinking Christianly

In this episode, we discuss more ways the realism/nominalism debate is having a dramatic impact on all we think and do as we wrap up our series on this important topic.   In these episodes, we discuss: Our culture’s confusion over what art is due to implicit nominalism How nominalism undercuts our knowledge of chemistry, biology, and ethics Ways in which nominalistic thinking seeps into our langua...

In this and the next podcast, we turn our conversation to points of application, discussing some of the ways the Realism/Nominalism debate is having a dramatic impact on all we think and do. In these episodes we discuss: If beauty is really in the eye of the beholder Can there be justice for all if we are nominalists How these ideas shape the work of physicians and therapists The nominalistic assu...

In this episode, we drill down further into how the Realist/Nominalist debate shapes our understanding of God with special guest and expert, Dr. Paul Gould. In this podcast, we discuss: What is “Divine Conceptualism” and how does it relate to Moderate Realism? What are some of the intellectual resources we gain when we hold Platonist ideas about abstract objects and traditional theist understandin...

In this episode, we continue exploring realism and nominalism by taking a deeper look into Nominalist beliefs. In this podcast, we discuss: What does a person mean when they say they are a nominalist? How is nominalism a contributing factor to current cultural beliefs? What are the major distinctions within nominalism? How do moderate and extreme nominalists understand properties? What are the cha...

In this episode, we continue exploring the differences between Realism and Nominalism by discussing good reasons to hold a Realist perspective. In this podcast, we discuss: What good reasons do we have to believe in abstract objects that we cannot see? How is it that we are intuitively aware of things we cannot see? Why do we naturally group things together? Is this “seeing” the universal they all...

#45 – What Makes Things What They Are? The Realist/Nominalist Debate In this episode, we kick off a series discussing the most fundamental issue underlying all other questions: what makes things what they are? How does a proper understanding help us live well and flourish in our world? In this podcast, we discuss: Defining the two options: realism (universals exist) and nominalism (universal...

In this episode, we continue our series by discussing the final chapter of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . In this podcast, we discuss:  How does understanding what people are help us in proclaiming the Good News? How can we avoid the two extremes of only caring for the body or only caring for the soul in missional contexts?...

In this episode, we continue our series by discussing Chapter 9 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . In this episode, we discuss: What problems arise when we reduce spiritual formation to just the physical What problems arise when we reduce spiritual formation to just the immaterial How we should understand the unity of the bod...

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapters 7 and 8 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing .   In this episode, we discuss: What is the difference between valuing science and scientism ? Was Dallas Willard a neurotheologian? Does neurotheology help people grow in Christlikeness? For the sake of simplicity, why not...

In this episode we continue our series discussing Stan’s recent book Have We Lost Our Minds? , exploring the book’s themes with neuroscientist and apologist Sharon Dirckx, Ph. D. In this episode, we discuss: In what ways do we talk about the brain doing what persons do? How did Sharon’s experience in brain imaging research help her conclude that we are more than just our brains? What is the role o...

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 6 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . In this episode, we discuss: What is the nature of the relationship between the body and soul? Do ears hear? How can we understand the way souls and bodies interact? What are the key differences between the various kinds of dualis...

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 5 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . We discuss: What is an “individuated human nature,” and why is each of these words important? Natures have capacities; the ability to manifest a capacity is a faculty. What kinds of faculties do humans have? What makes human consc...

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 4 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . We discuss: Why neurotheologians are mistaken about our true nature. Why it isn’t possible to reduce mental properties to physical events. How we should understand our unity through time. How the modal argument helps us understand...

J.P. rejoins the podcast! In this episode, he shares good news about his health and reflects on why he was eager to write the Foreword to Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . We discuss: J.P.’s health journey over the last few months How Christians have contributed to the secularization of culture The importance of the conversation about what it m...

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 3 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . In this episode, we discuss: What do neurotheologians get wrong about identity? How can understanding identity help us understand neural events and mental events? What properties belong to the mind that do not belong to the brain?...

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 2 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . In this episode, we discuss: What are the key passages related to the topic of Biblical anthropology? What is the difference between an ontological unity and a functional unity of body and soul? What witness does church history gi...

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 1 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . In this episode, we discuss: Why is it critical that Christians acknowledge well-done science? What are some implications of the assertion that the brain is fundamentally what we are? The difference between Dallas Willard’s “VIM”...

In this episode, we kick off a new series by engaging the introduction of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing . In this episode, we discuss: Why did Stan write this book? What is “neurotheology”? Is it helpful for Christians? How can we think well about the central question, “What are we?” What motivated the departure from traditio...

J.P, Stan, and Jordan discuss how to have better conversations. They discuss how three informal fallacies (the Red Herring Fallacy, the Genetic Fallacy, and the Ad Hominem Fallacy) can shut down healthy dialogue and how to develop habits that help us avoid using them. In this episode, we discuss: What is an informal logical fallacy? What does the Red Herring Fallacy sound like in a conversation? P...

Stan, JP, and Jordan delved deeper into the concepts of libertarian free will, compatibilism, and determinism, extending their discussion beyond theological topics to many other important issues.   In this episode, we discuss: Implications of our understanding of freedom related to law and politics The difference between freedom and determinism in the social sciences Understanding counseling in li...

In a gracious spirit J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss the points of agreement and disagreement between the Calvinist and Arminian views of salvation (summarized in Calvinist theology by the acronym TULIP). This good-faith conversation will help listeners consider the implications of these beliefs, especially as they relate to our understanding of God’s nature, our nature, and the gospel message.*&#1...

This is our first episode in a series about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism. Stan, JP, and Jordan start by clearing up some of the major confusions that plague this conversation. They share how to have this discussion with clarity and keep the focus on the claims and avoid confusion. They also spot some ideas about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism “in the wild.”    In this podca...

J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss engaging the Christmas story as thinking Christians and ways to live in light of the hope that the Incarnation brings. In this podcast we discuss: How does the humility of God bring wonder and awe to this season? What does the quiet nature of Christ’s coming reveal about God’s character? In what ways can we attempt to reclaim the season from consumer culture? How sho...

In this episode, JP and Stan talk about different views of time and how they integrate with a Christian way of thinking about God and His relationship to time, the relationship of time to salvation, and the overall understanding of time and the nature of reality. They tackle common pitfalls in conversations about time and make distinctions that clear up the broader discussion. In this podcast, we...

In this episode, J.P. and Stan discuss worldview and life-view and why evaluating the contents of these thoughts deserves our attention and reflection. How do we go about that process? They discuss the ways we can notice what we attend to and examine how our attention can shape our worldview. This episode is for anyone who needs resources and strategies to help with developing and sustaining a Chr...