The Aaron Renn Show Is Evangelicalism Afraid of Hard Questions? | Joel Carini
Sep 8, 2025
In this thought-provoking conversation, Joel Carini, a PhD student and writer known as The Natural Theologian, dives deep into the challenges of truth-seeking within evangelicalism. He contrasts the insular nature of seminary education with the open inquiry at the University of Chicago. Topics include presuppositionalism, the fear among evangelicals of engaging with differing views, and the importance of finding common ground with non-believers. Joel advocates for learning from diverse perspectives to strengthen faith and navigate complex questions.
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Seminary Bubble Of Agreement
- Joel describes seminary reading as 95% agreement and 5% critique, focused on reinforcing in-group beliefs.
- He says this bubble prevents testing foundational beliefs against outside challenges.
Limits Of Presuppositional Thinking
- Presuppositionalism starts thinking from Christian premises and rejects secular sources as valid starting points.
- Joel argues this can close inquiry because believers only re-appeal to scripture when challenged.
Chicago's Truth-Seeking Ethos
- Joel recounts the University of Chicago motto: "read, neither to contradict nor to believe, but to weigh and consider."
- He contrasts that truth-seeking culture with seminary's confessional selection of professors.
