The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

Dr. Ema Sani and I have been working on a paper on open theism and molecular biology. In today’s episode, we explore some questions about the relationship between different scientific disciplines and theology. When we take a closer look at the biological world we see a vast array of risk-management systems that anticipate genetic errors, and seek to correct them. Ema explains these biological phenomena for us, and then we discuss how this can help the open theist develop her understanding of the God-world relationship. Is the God of open theism too risky? Stick around and find out. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a 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

There is a vastly complex world within your body. When we look at the molecular level, and examine your DNA and RNA, we find an intricate network of gene expression and gene regulation. Biologists have identified all sorts of weird and wonderful types of RNA within your body that regulate how your genes get expressed. But what does that mean? What is gene regulation? In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Ross Cordiner from Aarhus University to explore the wild world of genetics. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh's Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities. Guest: Ross Cordiner (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is a research fellow in molecular biology and genetics at Aarhus 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

Your favourite dynamic duo is back! That’s right, in today’s episode Joe Schmid and I talk about our new paper in Religious Studies called “The Aloneness Argument Against Classical Theism.” Classical theism affirms the doctrine of creation ex nihilo, which says that there is a state of affairs where God exists without the created universe. In this state of affairs, God exists all alone. Joe and I identify some different problems that this causes for classical theism. We take you through the argument step by step, and then consider some objections to the argument. Afterwards, I bring back the ever popular popcorn round. 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: Joe Schmid is a philosophy student at Purdue University. Check out his show, The Majesty of Reason. 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 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