The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

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 providence, and human free will. Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. 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, 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. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Guest: Chris Woznicki is a PhD candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary. 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 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 more.  Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Guest: James T. Turner (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is assistant professor of Philosophy at Anderson 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

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 reasons for rejecting the intermediate state between death and resurrection.  Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Guest: James T. Turner (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is assistant professor of Philosophy at Anderson 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 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 theological objections to dualism. Today’s episode also has the ever popular popcorn round.  Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Guest: Thom Atkinson (PhD, University of Liverpool) is a research fellow in philosophy.   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

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 resurrection of the dead. In the next episode, Thom and I will continue the conversation on human nature and immortality.  Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Guest: Thom Atkinson (PhD, University of Liverpool) is a research fellow in philosophy.   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

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 achieve immortality.    Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Guest: Jamie Carrington (PhD, University of Dundee) is a research fellow at the University of Oxford, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology.  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

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. Today’s episode also has the ever popular popcorn round.  Credits: Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Guest: Wiebke Nahrendorf (PhD, University of Nijmegen) is a researcher at the University of Edinburgh Institute of Immunology and Infection Research.  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, 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: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. John Limanto.   Scientific Advisor 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

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.  Credits: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. John Limanto.   Scientific Advisor 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