Thinking Christianly
Thinking Christianly is a podcast hosted by J.P. Moreland and Stan W. Wallace that explores Christian thought, philosophy, and worldview from an intellectual perspective. The show aims to help listeners think deeply about their faith and engage with contemporary issues from a Christian standpoint. Each episode features discussions on theology, apologetics, and practical Christian living.
Episodes
#50: Application of the Realism/Nominalism Debate, Part 6: Nominalism’s Role in the Collapse of the Good, True, and Beautiful
In this episode, we discuss more ways the realism/nominalism debate is having a dramatic impact on all we think and do as we wrap up our series on this important topic.
In these episodes, we discuss:
Our culture’s confusion over what art is due to implicit nominalism
How nominalism undercuts our knowledge of chemistry, biology, and ethics
Ways in which nominalistic thinking seeps into our lang
#49: Application of the Realism/Nominalism Debate, Part 5: The Hidden Battle Shaping Our Lives and Culture
In this and the next podcast, we turn our conversation to points of application, discussing some of the ways the Realism/Nominalism debate is having a dramatic impact on all we think and do.
In these episodes we discuss:
If beauty is really in the eye of the beholder
Can there be justice for all if we are nominalists
How these ideas shape the work of physicians and therapists
The nominalistic as
#48: God, Universals, and the Nature of Reality: The Realism/Nominalism Debate, Part 4 (with special guest Paul Gould, Ph.D)
In this episode, we drill down further into how the Realist/Nominalist debate shapes our understanding of God with special guest and expert, Dr. Paul Gould.
In this podcast, we discuss:
What is “Divine Conceptualism” and how does it relate to Moderate Realism?
What are some of the intellectual resources we gain when we hold Platonist ideas about abstract objects and traditional theist understand
#47: The Beliefs, Distinctions, and Cultural Impact of Nominalism: The Realism/Nominalism Debate, Part 3
In this episode, we continue exploring realism and nominalism by taking a deeper look into Nominalist beliefs.
In this podcast, we discuss:
What does a person mean when they say they are a nominalist?
How is nominalism a contributing factor to current cultural beliefs?
What are the major distinctions within nominalism?
How do moderate and extreme nominalists understand properties? What are the c
#46 – Good Reasons to Believe in Things We Can’t See: The Realism/Nominalism Debate, Part 2
In this episode, we continue exploring the differences between Realism and Nominalism by discussing good reasons to hold a Realist perspective.
In this podcast, we discuss:
What good reasons do we have to believe in abstract objects that we cannot see?
How is it that we are intuitively aware of things we cannot see?
Why do we naturally group things together? Is this “seeing” the universal they a
#45 – What Makes Things What They Are? The Realist/Nominalist Debate
#45 – What Makes Things What They Are? The Realist/Nominalist Debate
In this episode, we kick off a series discussing the most fundamental issue underlying all other questions: what makes things what they are? How does a proper understanding help us live well and flourish in our world?
In this podcast, we discuss:
Defining the two options: realism (universals exist) and nominalism (universa
#44 – Soul, Body, and Loving Others: Chapter 10 of Have We Lost Our Minds
In this episode, we continue our series by discussing the final chapter of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this podcast, we discuss:
How does understanding what people are help us in proclaiming the Good News?
How can we avoid the two extremes of only caring for the body or only caring for the soul in missional contexts?
#43 – Soul, Body, and Loving God: Chapter 9 of Have We Lost Our Minds
In this episode, we continue our series by discussing Chapter 9 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
What problems arise when we reduce spiritual formation to just the physical
What problems arise when we reduce spiritual formation to just the immaterial
How we should understand the unity of the bo
#42 – Defenses of Neurotheology and Objections to Holistic Dualism: Chapters 7 and 8 of Have We Lost Our Minds
In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapters 7 and 8 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
What is the difference between valuing science and scientism?
Was Dallas Willard a neurotheologian?
Does neurotheology help people grow in Christlikeness?
For the sake of simplicity, why not
#41 – A Cambridge-Trained Neuroscientist’s Perspective: Dr Sharon Dirckx Discusses our Minds, our Brains, and Have We Lost Our Minds?
In this episode we continue our series discussing Stan’s recent book Have We Lost Our Minds?, exploring the book’s themes with neuroscientist and apologist Sharon Dirckx, Ph.D.
In this episode, we discuss:
In what ways do we talk about the brain doing what persons do?
How did Sharon’s experience in brain imaging research help her conclude that we are more than just our brains?
What is the role o
#40 – “The Unity of the Soul and Body”: Chapter 6 of Have We Lost Our Minds?
In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 6 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
What is the nature of the relationship between the body and soul?
Do ears hear? How can we understand the way souls and bodies interact?
What are the key differences between the various kinds of duali
#39 – “The True Nature of the Soul”: Chapter 5 of Have We Lost Our Minds?
In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 5 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
We discuss:
What is an “individuated human nature,” and why is each of these words important?
Natures have capacities; the ability to manifest a capacity is a faculty. What kinds of faculties do humans have?
What makes human consc
#38 – “Neurotheology’s Wrong Conclusion About What We Are”: Chapter 4 of Have We Lost Our Minds?
In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 4 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
We discuss:
Why neurotheologians are mistaken about our true nature.
Why it isn’t possible to reduce mental properties to physical events.
How we should understand our unity through time.
How the modal argument helps us understand
#37 – J.P.’s Return and Reflections on His Foreword to Have We Lost Our Minds?
J.P. rejoins the podcast! In this episode, he shares good news about his health and reflects on why he was eager to write the Foreword to Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
We discuss:
J.P.’s health journey over the last few months
How Christians have contributed to the secularization of culture
The importance of the conversation about what it m
#36 – “Neurotheology’s Wrong Assumption About our Mental Life”: Chapter 3 of Have We Lost Our Minds?
In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 3 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
What do neurotheologians get wrong about identity?
How can understanding identity help us understand neural events and mental events?
What properties belong to the mind that do not belong to the brain?
#35 – “The Bible and the Soul”: Chapter 2 of Have We Lost Our Minds?
In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 2 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
What are the key passages related to the topic of Biblical anthropology?
What is the difference between an ontological unity and a functional unity of body and soul?
What witness does church history gi
#34 – “Neuroscience, Neurotheology, and the Soul”: Chapter 1 of Have We Lost Our Minds?
In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 1 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why is it critical that Christians acknowledge well-done science?
What are some implications of the assertion that the brain is fundamentally what we are?
The difference between Dallas Willard’s “VIM”
#33 – An Introduction to Have We Lost Our Minds?
In this episode, we kick off a new series by engaging the introduction of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why did Stan write this book?
What is “neurotheology”? Is it helpful for Christians?
How can we think well about the central question, “What are we?”
What motivated the departure from traditio
#32 – Having Better Conversations by Avoiding Logical Fallacies
J.P, Stan, and Jordan discuss how to have better conversations. They discuss how three informal fallacies (the Red Herring Fallacy, the Genetic Fallacy, and the Ad Hominem Fallacy) can shut down healthy dialogue and how to develop habits that help us avoid using them.
In this episode, we discuss:
What is an informal logical fallacy?
What does the Red Herring Fallacy sound like in a conversation?
#31 – Understanding Free Will and Living Well
Stan, JP, and Jordan delved deeper into the concepts of libertarian free will, compatibilism, and determinism, extending their discussion beyond theological topics to many other important issues.
In this episode, we discuss:
Implications of our understanding of freedom related to law and politics
The difference between freedom and determinism in the social sciences
Understanding counseling in l
#30 – How is One Saved? Calvinist and Arminian Answers
In a gracious spirit J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss the points of agreement and disagreement between the Calvinist and Arminian views of salvation (summarized in Calvinist theology by the acronym TULIP). This good-faith conversation will help listeners consider the implications of these beliefs, especially as they relate to our understanding of God’s nature, our nature, and the gospel message.*
#29 – What Does It Mean To Be Free?
This is our first episode in a series about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism. Stan, JP, and Jordan start by clearing up some of the major confusions that plague this conversation. They share how to have this discussion with clarity and keep the focus on the claims and avoid confusion. They also spot some ideas about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism “in the wild.”
In this podca
#28 – Christmas, Advent, and Living in Light of the Incarnation
J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss engaging the Christmas story as thinking Christians and ways to live in light of the hope that the Incarnation brings.
In this podcast we discuss:
How does the humility of God bring wonder and awe to this season?
What does the quiet nature of Christ’s coming reveal about God’s character?
In what ways can we attempt to reclaim the season from consumer culture?
How sh
#27 – What is God’s and Our Relation to Time?
In this episode, JP and Stan talk about different views of time and how they integrate with a Christian way of thinking about God and His relationship to time, the relationship of time to salvation, and the overall understanding of time and the nature of reality. They tackle common pitfalls in conversations about time and make distinctions that clear up the broader discussion.
In this podcast, we
#26 – What is a Worldview?
In this episode, J.P. and Stan discuss worldview and life-view and why evaluating the contents of these thoughts deserves our attention and reflection. How do we go about that process? They discuss the ways we can notice what we attend to and examine how our attention can shape our worldview. This episode is for anyone who needs resources and strategies to help with developing and sustaining a Chr
#25 – Considering Graduate School?
For those of us not currently connected to the academic world, the idea of furthering our education as Christians can be daunting. Where do you start? What should you consider before taking on this experience? Is it worth it even if it doesn’t increase your earning potential? In this episode, JP and Stan share practical advice and wisdom for evaluating the costs and benefits of going beyond learn
#24 – “Can You Prove It?” Knowledge in an Age of Skepticism
“The certainty problem has crept in and polluted the whole enterprise of knowing.” – J.P. Moreland. In this episode, J.P. and Stan have a practical discussion about how to engage with the cultural obsession with a narrow definition of certainty.
In this podcast, we discuss:
What is skepticism? How did it become a cultural “virtue”?
Why doubting everything is more dangerous than you think
Wh
#23: Dallas Willard, Husserl, and the Future of Spiritual Formation
Most of us know Dallas Willard as a brilliant and pastoral writer on spiritual formation. In his writing, you can sense a man of great thought, but the depth of his knowledge can be hidden from the reader of his more popular works. In this episode, Stan and J.P. discuss the life, scholarship, and legacy of Dallas Willard. They also share thoughts on spiritual formation gleaned from Dallas.
In thi
#22: The Importance of Legacy: More Lessons from the Life of Edmund Husserl
In this episode we conclude our case study of Edmund Husserl. We discuss other lessons we can learn from his life, and lessons to learn from the faithful men and women who risked everything to save his life’s work. We also discuss the challenging work of preserving ideas that matter in a culture that prefers to forget the past.
In this podcast, we discuss:
Why it is important to do work that does
#21: A Case Study in Thinking Christianly and Making a Difference: Edmund Husserl
In this episode we do a case study of someone who wove together a number of the themes we have talked about in earlier episodes, including the importance of a commitment to truth and the life of the mind, being a part of a vibrant faith community, dealing with challenges, and being faithful to God’s call. These lessons from the life of philosopher Edmund Husserl, as well as some of his philosophic
#20: What’s Real and Why Does it Matter?
What is real? This has been a defining question in our modern era. How should a thinking Christian answer this question? J.P. and Stan describe the foundational beliefs and distinctions necessary for addressing this central issue in grace and truth.
In this podcast, we discuss:
What is a property? What are some examples of properties? How is this question related to what truth is, the Incarnati
#19: Finding Quiet When Experiencing Anxiety and Depression
How do we “find quiet” in a noisy world? Using J.P.’s book Finding Quiet as a launch point J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss mental health; specifically, anxiety and depression. What options are available to Christians who struggle with these diseases? How can a person seek treatment in a faith-informed way?
The information in this podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat specific diseases. As we
#18: Why it Matters That Jesus Was Really and Fully Human
In this podcast we discuss why the Incarnation is so important, and how the ever-present idea of Gnosticism impacts our view of the incarnation of Christ. We discuss why Christians should reject the view that the material world is evil, and how to embrace the material world in a God-honoring way.
In this podcast we discuss:
Why does it matter that Jesus came to earth as a human person?
How can a
#17: On Dying Well Part II
In this episode, J.P. and Stan continue discussing a path toward ethical clarity through the complex conversations surrounding death and dying.
In this podcast we discuss:
Is death a process or an event?
What are the major distinctions and implications between the two views of how the body and soul are “connected”?
What is the difference between having consciousness because of the soul and bei
#16: On Dying Well (Part 1)
In this episode, J.P. and Stan discuss a path for ethical clarity through the complex conversations surrounding death and dying.
In this podcast we discuss:
The two ways to define a person: functional and ontological
What is life? How to gain clarity by asking the most fundamental question
How to avoid unhelpful definitions and category fallacies when discussing death and dying
The uniquely mo
#15: Abortion: Asking The Right Questions in the Right Order
In this episode, J.P. and Stan discuss a path for moral clarity through the complex conversations surrounding the abortion conversation.
In this podcast we discuss:
What does it mean to discuss something in the morally relevant sense?
What is “it” at the center of the controversy? How to gain clarity by asking the most fundamental question.
How to approach complex issues when value
#14: The Resurrection and Post-Resurrection Appearances of Christ
In this podcast we discuss:
What does it mean that Christianity is “verifiable” and “falsifiable”?
Minimal Facts Approach – What are the historical facts that are generally agreed upon by Christians and non-Christians alike?
Are the accounts of those who saw the resurrected Jesus likely to be accurate? What are the discontinuities between the gospel accounts and mythological writing?
What
#13: Professors Who “Think Christianly”: The Mission of Global Scholars
In this first podcast of our second year, Jordan takes time to learn more about our sponsor Global Scholars. She gets the backstory of how the mission of this podcast and that of Global Scholars complement one another by interviewing Stan, who serves as President and CEO. Along the way are many great stories of how God is at work today in higher education globally.
In this podcast we discuss:
Ho
#12: The Problem of Nihilism
As we watch the invasion of Ukraine in horror, we wonder what could possess Putin to use force so ruthlessly and indiscriminately. At least part of the answer lies in a philosophy of life that runs back through many other despots and finds it roots in the writings on Nietzsche. In this episode, Stan and JP discuss how pervasive the philosophy of Nihilism has come to be in shaping our daily lives,
#11: Is New Always Better? The Temptation to be a Chronological Snob
C.S. Lewis defined chronological snobbery as “…the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited.” In this podcast, Stan and JP talk about this idea as a danger to Christians seeking to become mature in their faith, practical tips to wisely discern the value of old ideas, and how to rethink some
#10: Why Pray?
Prayer is an important part of how we engage in relationship with God. It remains, however, a mysterious practice to many Christians. In this episode, Stan and JP discuss key beliefs about the role of prayer in the life of the believer. They investigate the purpose of prayer and why so many Christians feel frustration around the discipline of prayer.
In this podcast we discuss:
What prayer is
Th
#9: A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles
On this episode of the Thinking Christianly podcast, we have the privilege of discussing J.P.’s newly released book, A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles. Jordan, J.P., and Stan share stories from their lives and the lives of others and evaluate whether or not the experience is a miracle or merely a coincidence. You will be encouraged and challenged by this conversation about God’s work in our da
#8: What is the Soul, and Why Should We Care? (Part 2)
JP and Stan continue their conversation on the nature of the soul, the many implications of us being a soul, and objections to substance dualism.
In this podcast we discuss:
Ethical decision making in light of substance dualism
Why the soul is the only grounding for our intrinsic value
The centrality of substance dualism to ethical issues at the beginning, during, and end of life
Contemporary co
#7: What is the Soul, and Why Should We Care?
A famous hymn is titled “It Is Well With My Soul.” What is this mysterious thing we refer to often, but have a hard time defining and an even harder time understanding? How is our soul different from our body and yet interact with our body? And why is it so important to have good answers to these questions? In this episode we tackle these tough issues, and draw out some of the practical implicatio
#6: What is Human Flourishing and How Do We Achieve It?
Understanding what we are answers many other questions, including the nature and means of flourishing as a human being. In this episode, J.P. and Stan describe human flourishing and endeavour to reclaim the idea of flourishing as an aim beyond pleasure or mere happiness.
In this podcast we discuss:
What it means to be made in the “Image of God”
What types of capacities and powers we share, to a
#5: Can We Trust the Bible Completely?
In this episode we discuss what it means that the Christian Scriptures are “without error.” With appropriate nuance and caveats given, the concept of biblical inerrancy is supported with the use of reason and logical argumentation. JP and Stan also discuss some of the false and/or poorly reasoned arguments made both for and against inerrancy.
In this podcast we discuss:
What the position on Scrip
#4: Should We Return To “In-Person” Church?
As COVID restrictions are being lifted in the U.S., we are once again able to attend church in person. However, after twelve to eighteen months participating in church services online, many believers are wondering if they should return, or just continue attending online services. JP and Stan discuss some of the reasons many are asking this question, which leads them to discuss what the church is a
#3: What Does “Thinking Christianly” Mean?
In this episode, we’re defining what we mean when we say “thinking Christianly.” We discuss:
What does the faculty of “thinking” entail?
The difference between the mind and the brain and how they both relate to the soul
How to integrate faith and learning
Different kinds of knowledge and how to seek wisdom beyond the Christian worldview
Making right distinctions and how to make sense of false dic
#2: What the Bible Says About “Thinking Christianly”
In this episode, we’re making a Biblical case for the role of reason in Christianity. We discuss:
How Scripture makes a clear case for the role of reason in our spiritual lives
The way evidential reasoning is present in Scripture
How to avoid confusing total knowledge with genuine knowledge
The difference between the use and abuse of reason
Why we can trust that God doesn’t use a different kind o
#1: Have We Lost Our Minds?
Loving God with our whole person, including our minds, used to be true of most Christians. But this is no longer the case. This stunts our spiritual growth. It also severely limits our ability to influence our culture.
How did this shift occur? In this inaugural episode, Stan, J.P., and Jordan discuss some of the factors that led to this shift, the ways we see this manifest in our lives and church
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