The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

Today I am joined by Dr Paul Gavrilyuk from the University of St Thomas. We are looking at impassibility and the so-called Hellenization Thesis. The Hellenization thesis is often used to dismiss classical theism, but Paul argues that this thesis is not historically accurate. Paul and I chat about different schools of thought within ancient Greek philosophy in order to get a better grasp on the classical Christian understanding of divine impassibility. We consider the emotional life of the classical God, and then discuss the relevance for the doctrine of the incarnation. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Guest: Paul Gavrilyuk (PhD, Southern Methodist University) is the Aquinas Chair of theology and philosophy at the Univeristy of St Thomas. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com

We have been doing this show for two years. It doesn’t feel like two years because so much has happened in that time. Ema and I are so pleased with how the show has grown, and we are really happy with the episodes that we have created. I want to say thank you to everyone who has been listening, and I greatly appreciate all of the encouraging messages that people send in. Ema and I are both very excited to continue providing you with great content on theology, philosophy, and science. What we talk about in today’s episode is a bit of what the future of the podcast will look like. We also discuss the value of interreligious dialogue and philosophy of religion. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com

You have been sending in questions, and today Ema and I will give you some more answers. What are we talking about today? We start out with a listener question about heavy metal. Ema and I give you the gossip on the metal scene, and then chat about my pentagram shirt incident on YouTube. After that we talk about the end of spacetime, and some philosophy of physics. Finally, we consider some issues related to spacetime and panentheism. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions Intermission music by Make Them Suffer, "Widower."  rtmullins.com

You have been sending in questions, and today you will get some answers. In today’s episode, Dr Ema Sani and I answer some listener questions. We look at various issues surrounding God’s perfect rationality as it relates to God’s goodness and free will. We ask if God can perform arbitrary actions, or if God must always act for a reason. After that, Ema and I look at different issues within biology, and the projects that she is currently working on. Then we discuss the relationship between science and theology. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com

Today I am joined by Dr Richard Rice to discuss his recent book, The Future of Open Theism. In the last episode, Richard and I discussed the history of open theism. In today’s episode, we chat about what open theism is, and the contributions it makes to a Christian systematic theology. Richard and I discuss various doctrines like creation, predestination, and providence. We reflect on the nature of risk involved in God creating an open universe, and why God might take a risk like that. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Guest: Richard Rice (PhD, University of Chicago) is professor of religion at Loma Linda University. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com

Today I am joined by Dr Richard Rice to discuss his recent book, The Future of Open Theism. In today’s episode, we chat about what open theism is, and then consider some of the history of open theism. Richard gives us some of the gossip about how the 1994 book The Openness of God came together. Then we discuss the rather, shall we say, fiery criticisms of that book. Richard explains some of his experiences of going through those criticisms, and we chat a bit about theological disagreements in the contemporary world. In the next episode, I will continue my conversation with Richard about the Future of Open Theism and systematic theology. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Guest: Richard Rice (PhD, University of Chicago) is professor of religion at Loma Linda University. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com

Some of you listening might have trust issues. Perhaps you trust too easily, or perhaps you can’t trust anyone at all. Have you ever thought about whether or not God trusts other people? In today’s episode, I am joined by Dr. Curtis Holtzen to discuss his recent book, The God Who Trusts. We discuss open theism, human free will, the nature of trust, and the emotional life of God. We even consider whether or not Calvinists and Molinists can affirm the biblical theme of divine trust. I also ask Curtis to consider some objections to his view based on the doctrine of the Trinity. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Guest: Wm. Curtis Holten (PhD, University of South Africa) is professor of philosophy and theology at Hope International University. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com

Are you listening to this episode right now? That might seem like a silly question. Of course you are listening to this episode right now. But some philosophers and physicists say that there is no such thing as the now or the present. Instead, they say that all moments of time exist. But this might undermine your free will. In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Jeff Koperski to discuss physics, philosophy of time, and free will. We chat about how physics does not necessarily undermine presentism and human freedom, and we even get into a bit of the relationship between physics and theology. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Guest: Jeff Koperski (PhD, Ohio State University) is professor of philosophy at Saginaw Valley State University. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com

The Bible seems to teach that God knows everything, and that God is sovereignly in control of how history unfolds. Yet the Bible also seems to teach that God does not always get what He wants. Perhaps some of God’s desires go unfulfilled. These biblical claims gives rise to different theories of God’s omniscience, foreknowledge, and providence. In today’s episode, I am joined by Dr John Peckham to discuss something called The Problem of God’s Unfulfilled Desires. John and I talk about different views like theological determinism, open theism, and Molinism to see how they can handle these different biblical claims. Be sure to check out John's new book, The Divine Attributes.  Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Guest: John Peckham (PhD, Andrews University) is professor of theology and Christian philosophy at Andrews University. Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com

In contemporary debates, there are competing conceptions of God’s nature. But what does the Bible have to say about the doctrine of God? In today’s episode, I am joined by Dr John Peckham to discuss his new book, The Divine Attributes. We start by looking at the classical conception of God, and ask if it has any biblical warrant. John argues that classical theism conflicts the biblical portrayal of God. Then we consider John’s own conception of the covenantal God of scripture. John and I also have an exciting announcement to make! Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Collegium  for Advanced Studies. Guest: John Peckham (PhD, Andrews University) is professor of theology and Christian philosophy at Andrews University.  Scientific Adviser and Show Manager: Ema Sani (PhD, University of Glasgow) is a postdoctoral fellow in biology at the University of Edinburgh. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions rtmullins.com