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 all share?
• What are relations? Are they real? Can we see them?
• What were some of the ideas that early modern empiricists got right?
• What kinds of theological problems do we bump into when we reject realism?

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Stan Wallace, “Three Reasons to Believe in Things You Can’t See,” (four-part series)
• The first episode in this series: #45 – What Makes Things What They Are? The Realist/Nominalist Debate

Recommended resources:

• J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview, chapter on Properties
• Garrett J. DeWeese and J. P. Moreland, Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions, chapter on Properties
• Scott Smith, The The Dangers of Nominalism, on The Kirkwood Center Podcast

#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 (universals don’t exist)
• What is God’s relationship to universals? Is this a threat to His uniqueness?
• How does thinking well about this issue help us grow in the knowledge and love of God?

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Stan Wallace, Have We Lost Our Minds?
• Pitirim Sorokin, The Crisis of Our Age (archive edition)
• Paul Gould, Beyond the Control of God? Six Views on The Problem of God and Abstract Objects

Recommended resources:

• J. P. Moreland and William Lane Craig, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview
• Garrett J. DeWeese and J. P. Moreland, Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions
• Scott Smith, Dangers of Nominalism: An Interview

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 body and soul as it relates to spiritual formation
• What it looks like to take a both/and approach to spiritual formation in our lives
• How this topic has impacted our churches
• How Dallas Willard’s model of growth in Christ differs from what neurotheologians offer
• God’s role and our role in spiritual formation

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds?
• Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website.
• A printable group discussion guide to Stan’s book can be found here.

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 just understand persons as material beings?
• How can the body and soul interact if they are such different types of things?
• Wait, does this mean animals also have souls? Is that Biblical?

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds?
• Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website.
• A printable group discussion guide to Stan’s book can be found here.
• Thinking Christianly Episode #32: Having Better Conversations by Avoiding Logical Fallacies
• Thinking Christianly Episode #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 dualism?
• What is traducianism, and how is it different from creationism?
• What are some of the implications of holistic dualism in how we understand health?
• How should we understand the context of the conversations about the relationship of the body and the soul?
• What can Christian thinkers do to engage this topic well?
• Why do theologically trained scholars tend to have a difficult time with substance dualism?

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds?
• Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website.
• A printable group discussion guide can be found here.
• Thinking Christianly Episode #7: What is the Soul, and Why Should We Care? (Part 1)
• Thinking Christianly Episode #8: What is the Soul, and Why Should We Care? (Part 2)
• P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Struggle of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace
• Lesslie Newbigin, Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel in Western Culture