Episodes

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.* In this podcast, we discuss: The TULIP acronym: where did it come from and what it does it mean? Total...

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 podcast, we discuss:What does it mean to be “free”?What are the major ideological camps in this conversation...

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 should Christians handle “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas” conversations? What is a “redemptive an...

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 discuss: Does this discussion matter? Is tense real or not? What is the difference between an A-Theo...

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 Christian worldview. In this podcast, we discuss:What is a worldview?Why should we give serious thought...

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 learning in an informal setting; specifically as it relates to masters and doctoral degrees in philosophy ...

“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 What are the different forms of skepticism? How should we engage with different kinds of skeptics? How can a ...

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 this podcast, we discuss: The work of Dallas Willard in his academic vocation as a philosopher Why metap...

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 doesn’t specifically address the cultural moment How to faithfully push back against false cultural assum...

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 philosophical insights, provide great encouragement and challenge for Christians today. In this podcast, we dis...

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 Incarnation, and so much more?Why is it not commonplace to assume properties exist? How underlying assumptions im...

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 will discuss in the podcast, we encourage you to consult with a physician or licensed mental health ...

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 shift in our understanding about the incarnation help us participate in the miraculous works of Chris...

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 being alive because of the soul?How do we evaluate issues in medicine in light of J.P. and Stan’s understandi...

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 modern problem of distance from death How J.P.’s experience facing cancer encouraged him to dig deeper int...

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 values conflict.The two ways to define a person: functional and ontological.How to parse out exceptional cases in order to ...

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 are continuities and discontinuities with Jesus’s body pre-resurrection and post-resurrection? What should w...

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: How professors influence their students to either seek Christ or reject Christ How professors influence ...

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, from the individual to the global level. In this podcast we discuss: What is Nihilism? Nihilism in t...

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 of our modern assumptions.In this podcast we discuss: The idea of “chronological snobbery”The necessity...

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 isThe relationship of prayer to God’s foreknowledgeHow we should understand unanswered prayer and disappoint...

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 day-to-day lives!In this podcast we discuss: The five types of miraclesHow to evaluate supernatural ex...

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 conversations around the question, “What are we?” Why the soul is needed to make the body valuable What ...

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 implications related to understanding of life, death, the afterlife, and the person of Christ. In this podcast...