The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

Do you know what time it is? No, it is not objection time. Instead, it is time to talk about time. The philosophy of time is a difficult topic to understand, and many confusions abound. In today’s episode, I sit down with Kristie Miller from the University of Sydney to discuss her recent introduction to the philosophy of time that she co-authored with Sam Baron. We talk about dynamic and static theories of time. We also get into the so-called A-theory and B-theory of time. We even discuss the lesser known C-theory. Then we have a lengthy conversation about the arrow of time. Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior fellow at the Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki. Guest: Kristie Miller (PhD, University of Queensland) is professor of philosophy at the University of Sydney.  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

When you have theological and philosophical discussions, do things get heated? Do you sometimes struggle to have good disagreements with people? In today’s episode, I sit down with Ryan Shields to discuss theological disagreements. We get into the good, the bad, and the ugly of theological disagreements. We share stories about times where disagreements go really badly, and what we can learn from them. We also discuss stories where disagreements go really well, and how we can try to foster better conversations in the future. All for the sake of coming together to better understand truth, beauty, and goodness. Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior fellow at the Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki. Guest: Ryan Shields 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, I catch up with Steven Nemes. We chat about him completing his PhD, and the big idea of his dissertation. We discuss the method of phenomenology, and its usefulness for theology. We consider issues like, which comes first: scripture or tradition? How should we understand the New Testament's use of the Old Testament?  Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a senior fellow at the Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki. Guest: Steven Nemes now has a PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary! Checkout his webpage https://christisforeveryone.com/  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

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