The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

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

Have you ever thought about saying no to God? For some of you, the idea of saying no to God probably makes you feel uncomfortable. For others who are a bit more rebellious, you are probably quite happy to tell God what is on your mind. In today’s episode, I am joined by Matthew Korpman to discuss his recent book, Saying No to God. Matthew is a PhD student in New Testament studies at the University of Birmingham. We chat about various biblical themes related to saying no to God. We discuss the stories of Abraham and Isaac, Moses, Jesus, and we even get into to annihilationist views on hell. 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: Matthew Korpman is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham.  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

If you were listening to the last episode, you heard a conversation with Dr Josh Farris and Dr Mark Hamilton. We were talking about the Christian doctrine of the atonement. We looked at some of the basics of the doctrine, and then turned our attention to specific theories. Josh and Mark offered a critique of the penal substitution theory of atonement in the last episode. In today’s episode, we continue the conversation by looking at the Anselmian satisfaction theory of the atonement. Then we look at a view called the Reparative Substitution theory, which is a theory that Mark and Josh are developing. 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: Josh Farris (PhD, University of Bristol) is the Executive Director at the Alpine Christian School. S. Mark Hamilton (PhD, Free University of Amsterdam). 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 Josh Farris and Dr Mark Hamilton. We are talking about the Christian doctrine of the atonement. Christian theology claims that something about the death of Jesus Christ accomplished something on our behalf. But what exactly did Jesus do on our behalf? Different theories of atonement give different answers to this question. In today’s episode, Josh and Mark walk us through some of the basics for understanding any theory of the atonement. Then we look at a popular theory called penal substitution, and consider objections to the view. In the next episode, we will continue the conversation by looking at an Anselmian satisfaction view. 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: Josh Farris (PhD, University of Bristol) is the Executive Director at the Alpine Christian School. S. Mark Hamilton (PhD, Free University of Amsterdam) is  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 continue my conversation with Dr. Kimberly Kroll. We are talking about the Christian doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Christian theology claims that the Holy Spirit indwells believers, but it is not always clear what that means. In the last episode, we discussed some of the key claims of the doctrine, and explored some different models of indwelling that have been developed by William Alston. In today’s episode, Kim and I will chat about the work of Eleonor Stump on the indwelling of the Spirit. Then we take a look at Kim’s own model of indwelling. 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: Kim Kroll (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer in literature at the Stony Brook School. 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. Kimberly Kroll. We are talking about the Christian doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Christian theology claims that the Holy Spirit indwells believers, but the history of Christian thought has not made it clear what that actually means. Kim recently finished her PhD dissertation at the University of St Andrews on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In today’s episode, we will discuss some of the key claims of the doctrine, and explore some different models of indwelling that have been developed by William Alston. In the next episode, Kim and I will chat about the work of Eleonor Stump, as well as Kim’s own model of indwelling. You can find out more about Kim's work on the Holy Spirit here.  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: Kim Kroll (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer in literature at the Stony Brook School.  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. Scott Williams from the University of North Carolina. We are talking about a new book he edited called Disability in Medieval Christian Philosophy and Theology. Scott gives us an overview of the book, and some of the motivations for putting together this volume. Then we chat about a series of questions related to personhood and disability. What are some different conceptions of personhood? Do certain conceptions of personhood lead towards ablism? Can medieval understandings of personhood help us better promote the moral status of disabled individuals? 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: Scott Williams (PhD, Oxford University), is assistant professor of philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Ashville.  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 today’s episode, Dr. Ema Sani and I finish the chat about my brand new book God and Emotion through Cambridge University Press. In this episode, we discuss the final chapter of the book, which covers passibility and the problem of creepy emotions. Given omnisubjectivity, God feels everything that you feel. Do you really want God feeling absolutely everything that you feel? That might be kind of creepy. 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