The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

In today’s episode, I sit down with Steven Nemes. We discuss a recent debate that I had over at the Theopolis website on the doctrine of divine simplicity. Why are we discussing this? Well, because some of you theology nerds love to discuss obscure medieval doctrines that the vast majority of Christians have never heard of. Steven and I give you the break down on everything that happened with this...

Have you ever wondered why God would create anything at all? Or perhaps you have asked why God would create a universe like this one. You might think that out of all the possible universes that God could create, surely He could have created one with less evil than what we find in our universe. In today’s episode, I sit down with Max Baker-Hytch to discuss problems related to God, evil, and the mul...

Most religions affirm that God is an eternal being. But what does it mean for God to be eternal? Is God timeless or is God temporal? Why should I even care about God’s relationship to time? In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr Natalja Deng to discuss her new book God and Time . We will discuss some basic issues within the philosophy of time, and talk about the role they play in debates over God’...

In today’s episode, Dr. Ema Sani and I discuss the question ‘what is time?’ This is an important question that most philosophers, scientists, and theologians refuse to answer. Ema asks me to discuss my definition of time. Then we chat about some of the different puzzles that arise from the nature of time. We also explore some the implications of time for the nature of God, creation, divine provide...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Chris Woznicki. He recently won the IVP Early Career Philosopher of Religion prize for an essay that he wrote on human free will, determinism, and prayer. In today’s episode, Chris and I chat about theological anthropology before turning to discuss the nature of prayer, and the relationship between free will and theological determinism. Credits: Host: R.T. Mulli...

Have you ever thought about heaven? Perhaps you have wondered what resurrected existence might be like. In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. JT Turner to discuss some of the current hot topics that people are asking about heaven and the resurrection. Will people with disabilities have their disabilities forever? Will there be sex in heaven? Check out JT’s answers to these burning questions and...

Christianity claims that God has made human persons in His image, and that God plans on saving humanity from death through resurrection. But what does any of that mean? In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. JT Turner to discuss human nature and resurrection. JT explains his functional understanding of the image of God, and his hylomorphic account of human nature. We also examine some of JT’s rea...

In the last episode, I sat down with Dr. Thom Atkinson to discuss the debate between physicalists and dualists over human nature. Thom and I began to talk about the implications of this debate for understanding immortality and the resurrection of the dead. In today’s episode, Thom and I continue this conversation on physicalism, dualism, and the resurrection. We also discuss philosophical and theo...

What is a human person? Is a human person completely physical? Or does a human person have a soul? In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Thom Atkinson to discuss the debate between physicalists and dualists over human nature. Thom explains different arguments for and against the existence of the soul. We also talk about the implications of this debate for understanding immortality and the resurr...

What makes a particular individual a human? One answer might be that a human is a biological organism with a particular kind of DNA. It is the sort of thing that lives, grows old, and dies. This raises further questions. What is DNA? What is the relationship between DNA, aging, and death? In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Jamie Carrington to discuss DNA replication, and different ways to ach...

Malaria is one of the most deadly diseases in the contemporary world. It kills almost half a million people every year, and can be transmitted into humans by a single mosquito bite. In today’s episode, I sit down with the immunologist, Dr. Wiebke Nahrendorf. We discuss the immune system and the nature of malaria. We also talk about possible cures to malaria, and the discovery of Gin & Tonic. T...

In today's episode, I continue my conversation with John Limanto on a theory of divine providence called Molinism. On Molinism, God is said to know what you will freely do in any possible circumstance that you might be placed in. Molinism says that God uses this knowledge to providentially arrange the world. In today's episode, John and I discuss some common objections to Molinism.  Credits:...

In today's episode, I sit down with John Limanto to discuss a theory of divine providence called Molinism. On Molinism, God is said to know what you will freely do in any possible circumstance that you might be placed in. Molinism says that God uses this knowledge to providentially arrange the world. In today's episode, John and I discuss some of the details of Molinism and human free will. ...

In today's episode, I continue my conversation with Thomas Jay Oord. In the last episode we discussed Tom's provocative account of God's essential kenosis, and the implications it has for the problem of evil, divine providence, and human freedom. In today's episode, I ask Tom to consider objections to his views. This episode also has the ever popular popcorn round.  Credits: R.T. Mullins...

In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Love--Thomas Jay Oord. We discuss Tom's provocative account of God's uncontrolling love, and the implications it has for the problem of evil, divine providence, and human freedom. I ask Tom about the role of philosophy, scripture, and science within theology. We also discuss whether or not God knows the future. This episode will give you a deeper insight int...

Does God have empathy, or emotions? If God lacks empathy, then it might seem like God is a psychopath, and the love of a psychopathic God seems less than desirable. However, if God has empathy, then God feels everything that you feel. But wouldn't that mean that God feels horny? That makes God kind of creepy.  In today's episode, R.T. Mullins sits down with the Uke of Edinburgh, Ms. Lins McRo...

Have you ever wanted to know more about cloning?  R.T. Mullins sits down with biologist David Barrass, who worked with the team who created Dolly the sheep. In this episode, David explains some of the benefits and downsides of cloning. Ryan and David also discuss some of the philosophical implications of cloning for personal identity. This episode also has the ever popular popcorn round.&nbsp...

Have you ever wanted to know more about cloning? Do you want to clone your own dinosaur? R.T. Mullins sits down with biologist David Barrass, who worked with the team who created Dolly the sheep. David explains how Dolly was cloned. David also discusses whether or not we can clone dinosaurs, and why some chickens have teeth.  Credits: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research...

 R.T. Mullins and Joanna Leidenhag discuss objections to panpsychism, and the nature of consciousness. This episode also introduces a new segment called "The Popcorn Round," where the guests don't know the questions ahead of time. The questions can be silly, and the answers more ridiculous.  Credits: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analyt...

R.T. Mullins and Joanna Leidenhag discuss the emergence of consciousness, panpsychism, and its relation to theology.  Credits: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews.  Joanna Leidenhag (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is a research and teaching fellow in science and theology at the University of St...

Does God Exist?

Does God Exist?