The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

When you write in questions to the show, I notice. I pay attention. Sometimes I try to find an expert on the topic to answer the question. Other times, I try to address the question myself. Today I open up the mail bag and address three listener questions. I’ve got questions about trauma and theology. I have some hot stuff on God, time and creation out of nothing. And finally, I have some questions about the Kalam cosmological argument and divine eternality. 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 https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins

In today’s episode we are returning to the new T&T Clark Handbook of Analytic Theology. I’m once again joined by Jonathan Thompson to discuss my chapter in the handbook, called Classical Theism. In today’s episode, we discuss the ever valid modal collapse argument against divine simplicity. Conversations over this argument have gotten heated online, and many confusions abound. So Jonathan and I clarify what the argument actually says, and consider several objections to the argument. You had been asking for the return of Objection Time, and today we deliver. 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: Jonathan Thompson. 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 https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins

In today’s episode we are digging deeper into the new T&T Clark Handbook of Analytic Theology. I’m joined by Jonathan Thompson to discuss my chapter in the handbook. I wrote the chapter called “Classical Theism.” In today’s episode we offer a systematic articulation of the classical conception of God, and clarify common confusions about classical understandings of the divine attributes. We consider different complications that arise when constructing a classical model of God. Then we examine some problems for classical theism from the doctrine of creation out of nothing. 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: Jonathan Thompson 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 https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins

Today I am joined by Dr James Arcadi and Dr JT Turner to discuss the new T&T Clark Handbook of Analytic Theology. We ask the obvious question, “What is analytic theology?” Then we consider some angry Tweets about the project analytic theology, and offer various replies. This may be the most sarcastic episode yet, but I guarantee that you will come away with a better understanding of analytic theology, and the different kinds of topics that analytic theologians are working on. In the future, I will be recording episodes with other contributors to the new Handbook, so keep an eye out for those. 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: James Arcadi (PhD, University of Bristol) is an assistant professor of theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  Guest: JT Turner (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is an 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 https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins

Open theism is a provocative model of God that has captured the attention of various philosophers and theologians from different religious traditions. The view has garnered different criticisms, such as the recent book edited by Ben Arbour called, Philosophical Essays Against Open Theism. In today’s episode, I develop some of Ben Arbour’s objections to open theism, and I have the one and only Dale Tuggy here to offer his replies. Dale and I articulate and analyse several of Arbour’s objections to open theism based on perfect being theology, omniscience, and scripture. 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: Dale Tuggy (PhD, Brown University) is a published author, active podcaster, and all around amazing scholar. Check out Dale's show at https://trinities.org/blog/.  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 https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins

Today I am joined by one of my colleagues at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, Dr. Christine Daigle. We are asking the question, “What is human nature?” What does it mean to be human? There are different views within philosophy such humanism and the more recent view called transhumanism. But Christine wants to push for a position called posthumanism. In today’s episode, we break down the differences between humanism, transhumanism, and posthumanism in order to get a better understanding of what we are as human beings. 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: Christine Daigle (PhD, University of Montreal) is director of research 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 https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins

A clinical psychologist, a philosopher, and a theologian walk into a room. There is no punchline there because I am not telling a joke. Instead, I am describing today’s episode. We get into all sorts of fascinating topics today. We look at clinical psychosis, and how to interpret various passages of the Bible that talk about demon possession. Then we consider how our interpretations of scripture impact the way the Church treats those with mental health issues. We also consider the metaphysics of demon possession, and how to tell the difference between a religious experience and a psychotic one. 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: Ragy Girgis (MD, University of Pittsburgh) is associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University. Check out his book, On Satan, Demons, and Psychiatry.  Guest: Tasia Scrutton (PhD, University of Durham) is associate professor of philosophy at the University of Leeds. Check out her book, Christianity and Depression.  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 https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins

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