The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

Today I review JL Schellenberg's book, "What God Would Have Known." Schellenberg offers 20 arguments against Christianity. I will go through the arguments and offer some reflections in defense of Christianity. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmati...

I get a lot of messages in from the website. I don’t always answer, but I do read them all. When I feel like I have something to say, I answer. Or I write an episode about it. In today’s episode, I want to answer the question, why am I so reluctant. Part of the answer has to do with the importance of intellectual role models in our lives. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews;...

In today's episode I consider arguments for and against open theism. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

I present arguments for and against Molinism. I explain one reason for thinking that William Lane Craig's articulation of Molinism is incoherent. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-q...

I present arguments for and against theological determinism. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support...

I introduce the basic framework for theological determinism, Molinism, and open theism. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Today's episode gives a closer look at human free will and its connection to different theories of divine providence. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In today's episode I chat about the new book, "Contemplating Divine Simplicity: 5 Views." I tell a simplicity horror story. Then I consider some questions surrounding open theism and the freedom/foreknowledge problem. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of...

Andrew Hollingsworth and I have been finishing the "Incarnation: 4 Views" debate book. Today I give you a sneak peek at the book. Some history of Christology. A little bit of metaphysical mayhem. You know the deal. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmat...

I recently gave the Swindel Lecture in Philosophy of Religion at Talbot School of Theology. While I was there I was asked to give some advice to young Christian philosophers. I thought it would be good to take a break from the providence series and give you a version of the advice I presented at Talbot. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) i...

If God's most central purpose is to enter into friendship with humanity, what kind of universe does God need to create? Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

I chat about the reasons for why God would create, and the implications for divine providence. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠...

I'm kick starting a series of episodes on divine providence. In this episode I introduce the basic concepts of God, providence, and predestination. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Rai...

In today's episode, I sit down with Ryan Shields to talk about a range of issues pertaining to divine providence. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Guest: Ryan Shields (MA, University of Lucerne). Music by Rockandmetal_d...

I was recently in Boston to present at the Sound Faith apologetics conference. I thought I would record an episode based on one of my talks there. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-...

In case you haven't noticed, people can get really angry when debating the nature of God. Why is the doctrine of God so controversial? Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠...

Yesterday I learned that William Lane Craig is an atheist. I was very saddened to learn that Craig has lost his faith. According to Time Magazine, Craig is one of the most influential living philosophers. As many of you know, Craig is also one of the most influential living evangelists. So today, unfortunately, we need to talk about Craig’s atheism. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of S...

It is the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. We have 4 big questions that we want to debate. Was the Council of Nicaea a good thing for Christianity? Is Nicene theology coherent? Is Nicene theology consistent with the Bible? Then, finally, should Nicene Theology be binding for Christians today? Naturally, we will start with the first question. Was the Council of Nicaea a good thing for...

In today's episode I reflect on monsters, the state of cultural apologetics, and why it matters for the renewed interest in Christianity among the younger generations. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki. Music by Rockandme...

Lately I have seen some apologists online run arguments against open theism's view of omniscience. Unfortunately, these arguments rest on a faulty understanding of the open future. So in today's episode I clear the record about open theism, omniscience, and the open future. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and resea...

In today’s episode I want to talk about God’s omniscience, and whether or not God learns. William Lane Craig recently released a video saying God learns, and people lost their minds over it. I’m going to explain why this is no big deal at all. Then I will explore the topic of God’s imagination and so-called transformative experiences. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr....

In today’s episode I want to talk about the curious case of Plotinus. The late ancient Greek philosopher who’s views on God and the world had a massive influence on subsequent Western thought. I want to draw out some surprising insights and neglected criticisms that can be gained by considering Plotinus’ story of God and the world. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Hab...

There is a new issue of Roczniki Filozoficzne dedicated to Linda Zagzebski's new book, Omnisubjectivity . In today's episode, I take you through my contribution to the symposium. I examine all of the different ways that classical theism is incompatible with omnisubjectivity. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and rese...

Was Jesus a time traveler? Does the Bible have an incredibly insane view on time that would render Christianity laughable from the start? What about the multiverse? Is the multiverse a cool idea or just an incoherent fantasy? I’ll answer these questions and more in today’s episode. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and resea...

I’m currently jumping around Finland and Scotland, but trying to keep up with what is going on in America. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School has announced that it will be closing its Illinois campus. I will give my thoughts on that. Also, I want to talk about meaningless American evangelical small talk and the importance of sarcasm. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr....