Classical Theism Podcast

How can an agnostic inquirer approach the question of God's existence? What role does revelation play in their quest for truth? How can miracles and the problem of evil be examined? What can we offer agnostics who find 'faith' to be a vice? Dr. Sandra Menssen joins to discuss these topics and more. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help...

What is 'natural theology'? Is it the same thing as 'natural revelation'? Does the Bible support natural theology? What Scriptures are relevant to this issue? Can fallen men really reason autonomously to God's existence? Dr. David Haines joins the show to discuss these topics. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I d...

Is John's Gospel really historically reliable? What positive evidence supports the reliability of John's Gospel? How should we think about issues in John's Gospel such as (i) the timing of the temple cleansing, (ii) the explicit indications of Christ's divinity, and (iii) the date of the crucifixion? Dr. Lydia McGrew joins the podcast to discuss these topics and her book The Eye of the Beholder ....

How is the Supreme Court supposed to function? What is "originalism" and is it a coherent theory? How should we understand Roe v. Wade as well as Dobbs v. Jackson when it comes to constitutional law? Did the 14th amendment ratifiers intend to incorporate the Bill of Rights? Prof. Kevin Gutzman joins us to discuss these questions. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas...

What are the foundations of a course on faith and reason? What are the positives that have come out of the Dobbs v. Jackson SCOTUS opinion? Are there serious problems with the SCOTUS opinion? Fr. Marcel Guarnizo joins us to discuss these topics. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catho...

What was Humani Generis about? How does the document inform faith & science discussions? What did Pope Pius XII teach about Adam & Eve and can this teaching be revised? How does Kenneth Kemp respond to objections to his view from Antoine Suarez? We discuss these topics in the latest episode with Dr. Kenneth Kemp. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation....

What is divine impassibility, and what are some reasons theists should hold to it? What are some common objections to divine impassibility, and how do we answer them as classical theists? Does a passible God know more than the God of classical theism? Does the doctrine of divine impassibility diminish the greatness of God? Dr. James Dolezal joins us to discuss these topics. The Classical Theism Po...

Why is there need for a "New" apologetics? What makes it new? How are the essays in this volume categorized? What important contributions are made on the faith & science issues? Matt Nelson joins us to discuss these topics.  /// SPECIAL OFFER: Listen to the end to find out how to obtain a free copy of the New Apologetics in July 2022. ///   The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Chri...

What is divine immutability and why is it important? Is immutability a negative or positive attribute? Where is the doctrine supported in Sacred Scripture? How can we answer some common objections to God's immutability? Dr. Ronni Kurtz joins the podcast to discuss these topics. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I...

How should we argue for the Papacy as Catholics? How have Suan Sonna's arguments for Catholic positions developed over the past couple of years? Is there good evidence for an Isaiah 22 - Matthew 16 parallel? Suan Sonna joins the podcast again to discuss these topics.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend thr...

Did the Second Vatican Council reverse Church teaching on religious liberty? Professor Michael Dunnigan joins us to discuss this important issue.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catholic Christian worldview: (1) the God of classical theism exists, (2) Jesus is our Messiah and Lord,...

What do modern gender movements get right? What do they get wrong? How can we respond if it's claimed that our arguments are merely religious in nature? How can we have better conversations on this topic? What resources should we consult to learn more about this topic?  Jason Evert joins the program to answer to engage these issues. Check out his super helpful resource page at chastity.com/gender...

What, if anything, do the modern gender movements get right? What is a woman (or a man)? How should we think philosophically and biologically about this question? How do we dialogue with naturalists regarding the concept of teleology? How do we respond to those who claim that "woman" does not need a definition? What are gendered pronouns, and as Catholics, how can we navigate this issue honestly y...

What is prayer in general? What is petitionary prayer in particular? How can we consider prayer efficacious when God is immutable? Can God truly respond to our prayers if he is impassible? Dr. Caleb Cohoe joins the podcast again to address these topics.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of...

What is consciousness? What are thoughts? How can we analyze thoughts using the tools of reason and introspection? How do thoughts and consciousness point us beyond what is purely material? Can an argument inspired by Cantor's mathematical work serve us in the philosophy of mind? What does current work in neuroscience say on these topics? Dr. Josh Rasmussen joins the show again to discuss these id...

What was the nature/grace debate of the 20th century? What is an obediential potency? What objections were leveled against the Thomist position and how do Thomists respond? Dr. Aaron Henderson joins us to discuss these topics.  Support the show on Patreon to help keep the podcast going with more quality content: www.classicaltheism.com/support

Why are Aquinas' scripture commentaries worth reading? What does Aquinas mean by the literal sense? How is Aquinas unique as a commentator? Did he believe in a literal 6 days of creation? Dr. John Boyle joins the podcast to discuss these sorts of questions and more. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three...

How can we have better conversations with atheists and skeptics about the faith? Why don't Catholics evangelize? I joined Jake Buscher on his podcast to discuss these ideas and more. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catholic Christian worldview: (1) the God of classical theism exists...

What are the different ways Catholic theologians arrive at a knowledge of God? How did the Catholic practice of thinking about the Trinity arise over time? What is The Triplex Via , and how does it relate to our analogical discourse about God? How do we know that God is triune, and can we discover that through natural reason? Fr. Thomas Joseph White O.P. joins the podcast once again to discuss the...

What is prudence? What is wisdom? How do we get more of them? How is prudence important for apologetics and evangelization? Fr. Gregory Pine joins us to discuss these questions and more. Also, check out Fr. Pine's new book on Prudence!  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catholic Chris...

What is cognitive science of religion? Do the findings of this field count against theism in general? Do they count against classical theism in particular? Dr. Tyler McNabb joins us to discuss the details.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catholic Christian worldview: (1) the God of...

Pat and John sit down for an episode of office hours to respond to 5 questions from a confirmation student.  The questions/objections are: 1) Why create an entire universe for only one planet of life and wait 13 billion years to do so? 2) Why did Jesus ask his disciples to leave their families behind; why not select people without a duty to their spouse? 3) Sure the Church isn't perfect, but they...

How did Jimmy argue for the historical reliability of the Gospels? What made the debate so cordial? How did Jimmy answer some of the main difficulties Ehrman raised? What did Jimmy want to raise in the debate that he was not able to? And is it really plausible that Joseph owned land in two places? Jimmy Akin joins us for a debate debrief to discuss these topics.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims...

What is divine simplicity? How did Josh Sommer get interested in studying it? Why is it an important doctrine for Christians? In this interview, we discuss those topics and more.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catholic Christian worldview: (1) the God of classical theism exists, (...

What is the Lord, Liar, Lunatic argument from C.S. Lewis and how has the conversation progressed since he penned it? Do the Synoptic Gospels present a very different Jesus than the Gospel of John? Can we make a plausible, historical case for the resurrection? Dr. Gavin Ortlund joins us to discuss these topics and further discuss his book Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't . The Classical...