The Reluctant Theologian Podcast

If you saw my recent debate with the one and only Gavin Ortlund on divine simplicity, you might have some remaining questions. In today's episode, I sit down with Andrew Hollingsworth and Chad McIntosh to discuss various topics that came up in the debate related to simplicity, history, metaphysical dependency, the Trinity, and more. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: Andrew Hollingsworth (PhD, New Orleans Southern Baptist Seminary). Guest: Chad McIntosh (PhD, Cornell University). Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

Are you of two minds about which model of the incarnation to adopt? Perhaps you are looking for someone who can offer an account of the incarnation that will fix it, not mix it. You might be in luck. Today my Palm Beach interns and I interview Dr. Tim Pawl on the metaphysics of the incarnation. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: Tim Pawl⁠ (PhD, St Louis University) is a professor of philosophy the University of St Thomas. Editing: Drew Mercantini Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

In October, I released an episode called “Deconstructing Hell.” I presented a way of critiquing different theories of Hell in light of God’s love and ultimate defeat of evil. I received a lot of feedback from listeners trying to figure out how to escape the argument. Today, I have with me David Anzalone to discuss how he thinks we should respond to the argument. We also have Constantine weighing in on the debate. So get ready for that. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews, Dr. Habil. University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: David Anzalone⁠ (PhD candidate, University of Lucerne) is a tutor for the Lucerne MA program in philosophy, theology, and religions. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

In today’s episode, I want to give you a version of my presentation at the Evangelical Philosophical Society meeting in Georgia. “Why Would God Create Anything at All? A Question that Classical Theism Cannot Answer.” Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

Do you have doubts about classical theism? Are you one of those people who finds yourself uncertain if classical theism is true? If you have answered yes, you might be suffering from a multitude of pathologies. At least, that is what Carl Trueman says in a recent podcast lecture. Buckle up for a wild ride today. I will be giving you a sarcastic examination of Credo Magazine’s recent podcast episode. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

Today we sit down with Trenton Merricks to discuss personal identity over time and life after death. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: Trenton Merricks (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is a professor of philosophy the University of Virginia. Editing: Drew Mercantini Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

I have quite the episode for you today. I will talk about how the internet Thomists lost their minds over the previous episode. I will explain why the doctrine of divine simplicity is not merely unbiblical, but rather anti-biblical. Also, I will read you a newly translated letter from Aquinas where he doubts immutability. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, a docent of dogmatics at the University of Helsinki, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

A lot of people loved my episode covering the YouTube Channel, Clearly Reformed, and their video on divine infinity. I had several requests to do an episode on their video on divine simplicity. I realized that there is still a lot of propaganda online surrounding this doctrine. So you know what, let’s do it! Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

I want to offer you a reading of Luke 2, followed by a short Christmas meditation and prayer. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

I’ve got a lot for you today. Jared Michelson tells me that I do not understand Aquinas. Ben Page tells me that I need to reimagine creation ex nihilo. And Tom Oord tells me that I need to completely reject creation out of nothing. I also have an exciting announcement about a summer school in Spain! All this and more on today’s episode. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠⁠rtmullins.com⁠⁠ Support the Show: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

My Palm Beach summer interns and I recorded a bunch of interviews that we are still editing. Today, I have our interview with Adam Johnson. We are talking about his book on Divine Love where he lays out his approach to God and morality. A bit of moral philosophy and metaethics for you today! Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: Adam Lloyd Johnson⁠ (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary). Editing: Drew Mercantini Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠rtmullins.com⁠ Support the Show: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠ ⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

Today I give you a sneak peek into the exciting debates we are having at the University of Lucerne. Here is one hot topic. Does God create the universe out of nothing or does He eternally create an eternal universe? Listen to Peter Adamson and I debate this question. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil, University of Helsinki) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and visiting professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: Peter Adamson is professor of philosophy at King's College London, University of Munich, and the University of Lucerne. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠rtmullins.com⁠ Support the Show: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠ ⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

It is common place to hear people say that God is infinite. But what on earth does that mean? The YouTube Channel, Clearly Reformed, just put out a video on the topic. In the video, Pastor Kevin DeYoung offers his reflections on the topic of divine infinity. Are his musings clearly Reformed, or clearly confused? Let’s find out! Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews; Dr. Habil, University of Helsinki ) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. ⁠rtmullins.com⁠ Support the Show: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474⁠ ⁠https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

With Halloween coming up, I wanted to create an episode of scary stories that are spectacularly spooky. Tales that will chill your spine, and freeze your soul. I have a mixture of scary stories from my own life. Stories from family and friends. And stories that listeners have directed my attention to. Fact or fiction, fantasy or reality, I will let you decide. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. rtmullins.com Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

Do you trust your leaders? What does a trustworthy leader even look like? Do you feel confident that you can ask your leaders critical questions? These are important questions to consider. In today’s episode, I want to consider questions like this as they pertain to an alleged scandal surrounding a church planting organization called Acts 29. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne. Guest: Chase Davis is a lead pastor at The Well. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. rtmullins.com Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

With Halloween coming up, I thought it would be good to do an episode on the doctrine of Hell. I have published two papers on this topic, one of which is in a new book called Deconstructing Hell. In today’s episode, I want to talk about what exactly deconstruction is. Next, I will discuss the love and justice of God. Then I will consider different theories on Hell and see if they are consistent with the love and justice of God. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. rtmullins.com Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

Everything that is born is destined to die. Human existence is filled with tragedy. Should we continue having children? Should we bring life into existence knowing full well that it will come to an end? Today I have Dr. Lari Launonen on to discuss his personal experience with having a child with a disability, the grief of losing that child, and his reflections on anti-natalism. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: Lari Launonen (PhD, University of Helsinki) is postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki. A Short Life Worth Living (video link). Editing: Drew Mercantini Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. rtmullins.com Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

Did God create the number 2? Is the number 2 the sort of thing that could be created? Perhaps numbers and other abstracta are necessarily existent entities. If numbers necessarily exist, does that somehow undermine God’s sovereignty? These are difficult questions, but don’t worry. I have Dr. Paul Gould on to explain everything to us. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: Paul Gould (PhD, Purdue University) is associate professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Editing: Drew Mercantini Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. rtmullins.com Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Vallier to discuss his new book, All the Kingdoms of the World. This is a full-scale investigation into a theological and political movement called Catholic Integralism. At the moment, you can order the book through Kevin’s website at a discount. The website is www.kevinvallier.com. I’ll have a link in the show notes. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne, and a visiting professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Guest: Kevin Vallier (PhD, University of Arizona) is associate professor of philosophy at Bowling Green State University. Editing: Drew Mercantini Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. rtmullins.com Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support

Today I open up the mailbag to address some listener questions and comments. Many of you send messages through the website. I read all of them. I don’t always know what to say. But every now and then I feel a bit of inspiration to respond sincerely or sarcastically. It could go either way. So today I have some listener questions about Barbie, the abuse of power in Churches, Catholic theology, and the existence of God. Credits Host: R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Lucerne. Music by Rockandmetal_domination – Raising-questions. rtmullins.com Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=66431474 https://ko-fi.com/rtmullins --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-mullins/support