The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

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

In today's episode, I continue my conversation with Thomas Jay Oord. In the last episode we discussed Tom's provocative account of God's essential kenosis, and the implications it has for the problem of evil, divine providence, and human freedom. In today's episode, I ask Tom to consider objections to his views. This episode also has the ever popular popcorn round.  Credits: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Thomas Jay Oord (PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is a professor of philosophy and religion at Northwest Nazarene University.  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 Dr. Love--Thomas Jay Oord. We discuss Tom's provocative account of God's uncontrolling love, and the implications it has for the problem of evil, divine providence, and human freedom. I ask Tom about the role of philosophy, scripture, and science within theology. We also discuss whether or not God knows the future. This episode will give you a deeper insight into some of the underlying metaphysical claims within Tom's theology, as well as his method for doing theology. Stay tuned for the next episode when I ask Tom to consider objections to his views.  Credits: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Thomas Jay Oord (PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is a professor of philosophy and religion at Northwest Nazarene University.  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

Does God have empathy, or emotions? If God lacks empathy, then it might seem like God is a psychopath, and the love of a psychopathic God seems less than desirable. However, if God has empathy, then God feels everything that you feel. But wouldn't that mean that God feels horny? That makes God kind of creepy.  In today's episode, R.T. Mullins sits down with the Uke of Edinburgh, Ms. Lins McRobie. They discuss different conceptions of God called impassibility and passibility, and consider objections to each view. And if you are lucky, Lins might just play a song for us on her ukulele.  Credits: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. Lins McRobie is the Uke of Edinburgh and queen of the Edinburgh folk scene.  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

Have you ever wanted to know more about cloning?  R.T. Mullins sits down with biologist David Barrass, who worked with the team who created Dolly the sheep. In this episode, David explains some of the benefits and downsides of cloning. Ryan and David also discuss some of the philosophical implications of cloning for personal identity. This episode also has the ever popular popcorn round.  Credits: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a research and teaching fellow in analytic theology at the University of St Andrews. David Barrass is a researcher in the school of biology at the University of Edinburgh.  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