Think Theism: Recent Episodes
The Apologists at Texas A&M University
Belief in God does not have to be based on blind faith. Think Theism explores the rational basis for Christianity as well as the intellectual life of Christian students and faculty at Texas A&M University. For more information, check out thinktheism.org
Veritas Forum 4/15/2024
Video: https://youtube.com/live/Fob0Jj7jL_k
How can we tell when we should change our mind? Join professors Molly Worthen and Lorien Foote for a discussion about how we negotiate the tension between skepticism and belief. Professor Worthen will describe the factors that led her to embrace faith after researching the good, the bad and the ugly of Christian history.
Molly Worthen’s research focuses on North American religious and intellectual history. Her most recent book examines American evangelical intellectual life since 1945. Worthen teaches courses in global Christianity, North American religious and intellectual culture, and the history of politics and ideology. In 2017 she received the Manekin Family Award for Teaching Excellence in Honors Carolina. She writes regularly about religion, politics and higher education for the New York Times and has also contributed to Politico, the New Yorker, Slate, the American Prospect, Foreign Policy, and other publications. She has also created courses for Audible and the Teaching Company on the history of charismatic leadership as well as the history of global Christianity since the Reformation. Worthen is currently working on a book about the history of charisma in America since 1600.
Lorien Foote is the Patricia & Bookman Peters Professor in History. She is the author of four books. Her most recent, Rites of Retaliation: Civilization, Soldiers, and Campaigns in the American Civil War, was awarded the 2022 Organization of American Historians Civil War and Reconstruction Book Award. The Yankee Plague: Escaped Union Prisoners of War (2016), was a Choice Outstanding Academic Title, and The Gentlemen and the Roughs: Manhood, Honor, and Violence in the Union Army (2010), was a finalist and honorable mention for the 2011 Lincoln Prize. She is the co-editor of three volumes, including The Oxford Handbook of the American Civil War (2021). Dr. Foote is the creator and principal investigator of the Digital Humanities Project “Fugitive Federals,” which visualizes the escape and movement of 3000 Federal prisoners of war during the American Civil War: https://sites.google.com/tamu.edu/fugitive-federals/the-project.
Weekly Meeting 4/18/2024
Video: https://youtu.be/LlMdjbkqTWU
This lecture is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to https://tx.ag/RatioChristi
Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
DISCLAIMER
Think Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly Meeting 4/11/2024
Video: https://youtu.be/OmRR4Sqzd14
It seems as if small changes in this universe’s basic features would have made life impossible. Does this point to divine design?
This lecture is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to https://tx.ag/RatioChristi
Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
DISCLAIMER
Think Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 4/4/2024
Video: https://youtu.be/C1TZ_wgVkLk
The fact that there is something rather than nothing poses an interesting challenge to
any worldview, but Theism is able to give a compelling answer.
This lecture is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to https://tx.ag/RatioChristi
Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
DISCLAIMER
Think Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 3/21/2024
Video: https://youtube.com/live/Ddzc82C19kM?feature=share
This lecture is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
——————– DISCLAIMER ———————
Think Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 2/29/2024
Video: https://youtu.be/MuARt2Y6BxY
Check out our previous episode on hell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_6DWPxP0pA
This episode is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 2/22/2024
Video: https://youtu.be/aTrdcdPJvmo
This episode is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 2/9/2024. Video: https://youtu.be/HsspQRglpPY
This video is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly Meeting 2/1/2024. Video here: https://youtu.be/g8A70Qw0kac
The Bible, like all works of written communication, leaves many elements implicit to be filled in by the audience’s assumptions. To cooperate with the author, we need to reconstruct, as best as possible, the shared world (or cognitive environment) of the original author and audience. One important tool is comparing literature from the same cognitive environment.
This episode is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This was the topic of our meeting on 10/5/2023. Unfortunately, the original recording was corrupted; thanks to our speaker who recorded this backup! Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/u_6DWPxP0pA
This video is from our 2023 Fall lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Fall 2023 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Tjz1EcTD7Wbmc3R2IjE8X48I6FzpatK0
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 1/25/2024
Video: https://youtube.com/live/z834RsS8gHM
This episode is from our 2024 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Spring 2024 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B8Z4KtRud-cxTKGYx5hunvt88iwviUXD
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly Meeting 10/19/2023
This episode is from our 2023 Fall lecture series. Watch video here: https://youtu.be/ldRNurwKRNI
For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Fall 2023 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Tjz1EcTD7Wbmc3R2IjE8X48I6FzpatK0
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly Meeting 4/13/2023
Video: https://youtube.com/live/_UYFywxa8Dc
This episode is from our 2023 Spring lecture series. For more information and resources go to thinktheism.org
NOTE: Tech difficulties cut out the audio for the last 5 mins.
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly Meeting 9/28/2023
This episode is from our 2023 Fall lecture series. Watch video here: https://youtu.be/eMlHY_jDUq0
Fall 2023 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Tjz1EcTD7Wbmc3R2IjE8X48I6FzpatK0
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 10/26/2023
Video: https://youtube.com/live/dICLZPVW1_k
This episode is from our 2023 Fall lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Fall 2023 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Tjz1EcTD7Wbmc3R2IjE8X48I6FzpatK0
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This episode is from our 2023 Spring lecture series. Watch video here: https://youtu.be/_IKsWuRB8W4
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 10/12/2023
Video: https://youtube.com/live/4FHHPuHEsSE
This episode is from our 2023 Fall lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Fall 2023 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Tjz1EcTD7Wbmc3R2IjE8X48I6FzpatK0
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
NOTE: audio is rough at the beginning but clears up at 6:00
Handout: https://ia601604.us.archive.org/6/items/the-compatibility-of-christianity-and-evolution.docx/The%20Compatibility%20of%20Christianity%20and%20Evolution.docx.pdf
Video: https://youtu.be/_fE4Vlh9gVc
Prof. Madden refers to a previous lecture he gave on a similar topic. You can listen to it here: https://soundcloud.com/thomisticinstitute/does-evolution-undermine-christianity-prof-james-madden
The Thomistic Institute at Texas A&M University presents a lecture by Prof. James Madden of Benedictine College titled “Does Evolution Undermine Christianity?”.
Thursday, October 13, 2022
About the Speaker
James Madden is Professor of Philosophy at Benedictine College. He lives in Atchison, Kansas with his wife (Jennifer) and their six children; William, Martha, J. Patrick, Brendan, Jack, and Cormac. He is originally from Wisconsin, where he received a B.A. from St. Norbert College, and did his graduate work at Kent State (MA, 1998) and Purdue (Ph.D., 2002). He was awarded the Benedictine College Distinguished Educator of the Year Award in 2006.
About the Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone. The TI is an academic institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to thomisticinstitute.org/campus-chapters/texasam
Dr. Sean McDowell (Biola University) & Dr. Matthew Vess (Texas A&M University) in dialogue about martyrdom and if anything is really worth dying for.
Video: https://youtube.com/live/jMmsPWb6wZo
Dr. Sean McDowell is Associate Professor in the Talbot School of Theology at BIOLA University. He is a communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. Dr. McDowell is the author, co-author, or editor of over twenty books including The Fate of the Apostles: Examining the Martyrdom Accounts of the Closest Followers of Jesus (Routledge, 2018) in which he offers a comprehensive, reasoned, historical analysis of the fate of the twelve disciples of Jesus along with the apostles Paul, and James. The willingness of the apostles to die for their faith is a popular argument in resurrection studies and McDowell offers insightful scholarly analysis of this argument to break new ground within the spheres of New Testament studies, Church History, and apologetics. To learn more about Dr. McDowell, visit seanmcdowell.org
Dr. Matthew Vess is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University. His research broadly focuses on the psychological processes and consequences associated with people’s efforts to manage existential concerns, including concerns about personal identity, meaning, and mortality. Dr. Vess is a Principal Investigator of the Existential Psychology Collaboratory at Texas A&M University. This research aims to understand how people answer the “big” questions in life and how people’s answers to those questions influence their attitudes and behavior. This includes formulating and testing a wide range of hypotheses related to many types of existential concerns focusing on the antecedents and consequences of the experience of meaning in life, authenticity, self-alienation, perceptions of free-will, and mortality awareness. To learn more about Dr. Vess and the Existential Psychology Collaboratory, visit existentialpsych.sites.tamu.edu
This video is from our 2022 Fall lecture series. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/zsqHrL0nBnc
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Video: https://youtube.com/live/9Zvh_taZkCY
College students can and should examine their core beliefs about meaning and purpose to see if it’s more than just an inherited belief system. Students frequently take their beliefs apart (“deconstruction”), but struggle to put those beliefs back together. This is especially true in the context of American Christianity, where the lines between the historic Christian faith and our cultural, religious expressions can be blurry and frustrating. Dr. Prior will walk us through the process of navigating doubt and deconstruction in a healthy way, so that our core beliefs can handle the hard questions.
About the Speaker: Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me (T. S. Poetry Press, 2012), Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist (Thomas Nelson, 2014), and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Brazos, 2018). She is co-editor of Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues (Zondervan 2019) and has contributed to numerous other books. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Relevant, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, Religion News Service, Books and Culture and other places.
This video is from our 2022 Fall lecture series. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/FRJRWLaqfME
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Dr. J.P. Moreland (Biola University) and Dr. Robert Garcia (Baylor University) in conversation on whether humans are merely brains or if there is an immaterial soul.
Video: https://youtube.com/live/-8UvxQWQHtE
Timestamps
0:00 MC Introduction
2:45 Dr. J.P. Moreland’s talk
38:50 Dr. Garcia & Dr. Moreland Discussion
1:10:10 Audience Q&A
Handout: tx.ag/beyondbrains
About the talk
In a culture in which science is believed to hold the answers to every question, spiritual realities like the soul are often ignored or ridiculed. We are told that neuroscience holds the key to explaining every aspect of human behavior. Yet Christian philosopher J. P. Moreland argues that Scripture, sound philosophical reasoning, and everyday experience all point to the reality of an immaterial soul. Countering a material-only view of humanity, Moreland demonstrates why it is both biblical and reasonable to believe humans are essentially spiritual beings.
Dr. Moreland will be in conversation with Dr. Robert Garcia of Baylor University about how neuroscience and the soul are not competing explanations of human activity, but that both coexist and influence one another.
This video is from our 2022 Fall lecture series. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/bzqcN1uAH2A
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Our end of semester debate with the Secular Student Alliance on evolution.
Video: https://youtube.com/live/8ogchMBDgd8
DISCLAIMERThis debate is cosponsored by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M and Secular Student Alliance TAMU, but the opinions represented herein are of the speakers only and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This video is from our 2022 Fall lecture series. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/jNjUIVDhZUs
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Weekly meeting 9/14/2023
Video: https://youtube.com/live/E5XllcgQlys
This episode is from our 2023 Fall lecture series. For more information and resources go to tx.ag/RatioChristi
Fall 2023 slides and handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Tjz1EcTD7Wbmc3R2IjE8X48I6FzpatK0
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
The Thomistic Institute at Texas A&M University presents a lecture by Prof. Francis Beckwith of Baylor University titled “Law Without a Lawgiver? Why Natural Rights Require a Divine Source.” Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/Is-cMWNam3Y
NOTE: There are a few glitches in the camera feed near the middle of the talk. The audio and slides are unaffected.
About the Speaker:
Francis J. Beckwith is Professor of Philosophy & Church-State Studies at Baylor University, where he also serves as Associate Director of the Graduate Program in Philosophy. Among his over one dozen books are Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice (Cambridge University Press, 2007), Politics For Christians: Statecraft As Soulcraft (IVP, 2010), and Taking Rites Seriously: Law, Politics, and the Reasonableness of Faith (Cambridge University Press, 2015), winner of the American Academy of Religion’s prestigious 2016 Book Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion in Constructive-Reflective Studies. He is a graduate of the Washington University School of Law, St. Louis (MJS) as well as Fordham University (PhD, MA, philosophy).
About the Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone. The TI is an academic institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to thomisticinstitute.org/campus-chapters/texasam
This episode is from our 2022 Fall lecture series. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/h_cZNnGDI50
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Chapters (Auto-Generated)
0:00 Introduction
1:18 THE BRIDGE OF REASON
4:57 The Foundation Theory
10:57 How did the capacity to produce an effect (power) come to exist?
18:08 Emergentism?
23:06 How do we explain the existence of organized matter?
27:23 Mathematical and logical principles exist … where did they come from?
29:30 A quick recap…
This episode is from our 2022 Fall lecture series. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/tQrAxkDIlnk
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This episode is from our 2022 Spring lecture series Deconstruction & Reconstruction. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/MAr-UOUeGVM
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This episode is from our 2022 Spring lecture series Deconstruction & Reconstruction. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/qYcqt-cTg_8
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
The Thomistic Institute at Texas A&M University presents a lecture by Prof. J. Budziszewski of the University of Texas at Austin titled “The Revenge of Conscience: What Happens When We Lie to Ourselves.”
Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/I4_TPn9c9VI
About the Speaker:
J. Budziszewski (Ph.D. Yale, 1981) is a professor of government and philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. His main area of research is the natural moral law, and he is most well known for his work on moral self-deception, “the revenge of conscience,” what happens when we tell ourselves that we don’t know what we really do know. However, he has written about all sorts of things such as moral character, family and sexuality, religion and public life, toleration and liberty, and the unraveling of our common culture. The most recent of his thirteen books are Commentary on Thomas Aquinas’s Treatise on Law and Commentary on Thomas Aquinas’s Virtue Ethics, both from Cambridge University Press, as well as On the Meaning of Sex, from Intercollegiate Studies Institute. His book for students, How to Stay Christian in College has sold several hundred thousand copies. He also maintains a personal website and blog, The Underground Thomist. Married for more than 45 years, Dr. Budziszewski has several children and a clutch of grandchildren. Presently he is completing a book on the meaning of happiness.
About the Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone. The TI is an academic institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to thomisticinstitute.org/campus-chapters/texasam
The Thomistic Institute at Texas A&M University presents a lecture by Prof. Alexander Pruss of Baylor University titled “God, Beauty, and Mathematics.”
Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/rNRhAFakfoc
About the speaker
Alexander Pruss has doctorates both in philosophy and mathematics, and is currently Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University. His books include The Principle of Sufficient Reason: A Reassessment (Cambridge University Press), One Body: An Essay in Christian Sexual Ethics (Notre Dame University Press), and Actuality, Possibility and Worlds (Continuum). His research areas include metaphysics, philosophy of religion, Christian ethics, philosophy of mathematics and formal epistemology.
About the Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone. The TI is an academic institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to thomisticinstitute.org/campus-chapters/texasam
This episode is from our 2022 Spring lecture series Deconstruction & Reconstruction. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/H-6cPH6AHxk
Recommended ResourcesGrounding Your Faith in the Essentials
- “Warranted Christian Belief” by Alvin Plantinga: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0059EQ4DY
- “Reasonable Faith” by William Lane Craig: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G5M1BFK
- “The Resurrection of Jesus” by Michael Licona: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LUJDNE
Knowing the Landscape of Secondary Issues
- “A Flexible Faith” by Bonnie Kristian: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075CT7ZP7
- “Across the Spectrum” ed. Greg Boyd & Paul Eddy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BLTV28
- “Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical Criticism” ed. Chris Hays & Chris Ansberry: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801049385
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Dr. Mike Licona joins us to discuss the resurrection of Jesus and what we can know from history.
“The Resurrection of Jesus” by Michael Licona: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LUJDNE
This episode is from our 2022 Spring lecture series Deconstruction & Reconstruction. Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/F6wEGMon404
Note: This video has been slightly edited for length and clarity. There is a small recording glitch at the beginning and at the Q&A.
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This episode is from our 2022 Spring lecture series Deconstruction & Reconstruction. Watch here: https://youtu.be/Lb0XLRTbSRg
Note: This video has been slightly edited for length and clarity.
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This is from our 2022 Spring lecture series Deconstruction & Reconstruction. Video version here: https://youtu.be/UrairX8aTTU
Note: This video has been slightly edited for length and clarity.
Recommended ResourcesGrounding Your Faith in the Essentials
- “Warranted Christian Belief” by Alvin Plantinga: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0059EQ4DY
- “Reasonable Faith” by William Lane Craig: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G5M1BFK
- “The Resurrection of Jesus” by Michael Licona: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LUJDNE
Knowing the Landscape of Secondary Issues
- “A Flexible Faith” by Bonnie Kristian: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075CT7ZP7
- “Across the Spectrum” ed. Greg Boyd & Paul Eddy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BLTV28
- “Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical Criticism” ed. Chris Hays & Chris Ansberry: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801049385
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This episode is from our 2022 Spring lecture series Deconstruction & Reconstruction. Watch here: https://youtu.be/S3VzNd7RY3Q
Recommended ResourcesGrounding Your Faith in the Essentials
- “Warranted Christian Belief” by Alvin Plantinga: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0059EQ4DY
- “Reasonable Faith” by William Lane Craig: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G5M1BFK
- “The Resurrection of Jesus” by Michael Licona: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LUJDNE
Knowing the Landscape of Secondary Issues
- “A Flexible Faith” by Bonnie Kristian: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075CT7ZP7
- “Across the Spectrum” ed. Greg Boyd & Paul Eddy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BLTV28
- “Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical Criticism” ed. Chris Hays & Chris Ansberry: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801049385
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
This video is from our 2022 Spring lecture series Deconstruction & Reconstruction. Watch here: https://youtu.be/vhAZRHqP2T0
Note: This video has been slightly edited for length and clarity.
Timestamps
0:00 Disclaimer
0:23 Introduction + Veritas Forum: tx.ag/Veritas22
1:43 What is “deconstruction”?
6:40 What is “Pentecostalism”?
12:03 Baby Zach
12:45 Round 1: Does me speaking in tongues prove Christianity?
15:13 Round 2: Could I be faking my tongues?
23:01 Round 3: Does tongues+interpretation prove Christianity?
29:30 Round 4: Is there evidence tongues+interpretation is non-divine?
32:55 Why didn’t I spiral into atheism?
40:37 The Road Out + Recommended Resources
44:10 Q&A: “Is your current church boring compared to the UPCI?”
46:57 Q&A: “Did you get rebaptized?”
48:05 Q&A: “What is the difference between Presbyterian and Reformed Baptist?”
49:04 Q&A: “What’s the deal with baptizing babies?”
50:30 Q&A: “Why didn’t you leave the UPCI as soon as you thought your tongues were fake?”
52:21 Q&A: “Did you have a rift with your family?”
53:00 Jesus loves all his children and will draw them home to him in time (John 6:44).
Recommended Resources
Oneness Pentecostalism
- “What Are Oneness Pentecostals?” (Ready to Harvest): https://youtu.be/3HHKwl9ZoL0
- “Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity” by Greg Boyd: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801010195
- “Oneness of God” by David K. Bernard: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00307SA0W/
Grounding Your Faith in the Essentials
- “Warranted Christian Belief” by Alvin Plantinga: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0059EQ4DY
- “Reasonable Faith” by William Lane Craig: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G5M1BFK
- “The Resurrection of Jesus” by Michael Licona: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LUJDNE
Knowing the Landscape of Secondary Issues
- “A Flexible Faith” by Bonnie Kristian: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075CT7ZP7
- “Across the Spectrum” ed. Greg Boyd & Paul Eddy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BLTV28
- “Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical Criticism” ed. Chris Hays & Chris Ansberry: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801049385
Additional Commentary from ZachIf you are currently Oneness or former Oneness or questioning Oneness, please leave a comment with your story or reach out to me privately at zacharytlawson+pentecostal [at] gmail [dot] com.
Like I said at 6:18, my goal was not to provide a decisive refutation of Oneness theology. Rather the purpose was to retrace my steps in the first part of an ongoing spiritual journey. The arguments that persuaded me back then are not going to be persuasive to everyone nor are they the strongest arguments against Oneness doctrines. In particular, introspecting on my experience speaking in tongues is a necessarily subjective process that bears no evidential weight for anyone other than me. Some Pentecostals have the opposite experience, desperately trying to speak in tongues but never succeeding.
Per request, one of the strongest lines of argument against Oneness, in my current estimation, is the evidence of divine plurality in the Hebrew Bible (aka Old Testament) that culminated in the “Two Powers in Heaven” controversy during the Second Temple period. Classic Biblical texts include the “second YHWH” of Genesis 19:24, the “Son of Man” of Daniel 7, and the equation of Jesus with the Angel of YHWH who delivered the Hebrews from Egypt (Judges 2:1-4 // Jude 5). Recent research into so-called “Jewish Binitarianism” has revealed strains of Jewish theology as early as 200 B.C./B.C.E. that interpreted these (and other) Biblical texts to be distinct persons of the one God YHWH; moreover, that this “binitarian” view may have been the dominant theology of Jesus’s time (c.f. “Two Powers in Heaven” (1977) by Segal, “Border Lines” (2006) by Boyarin). This is a strong refutation of the common retort from Oneness apologists “why didn’t the Jews think of the Trinity?”. Such a retort is predicated on equating “Judaism” with Rabbinic theology that wasn’t developed until well into the 400s A.D./C.E, centuries after the “Two Powers” language was appropriated by Christians to identify Jesus as the “second YHWH”. While this does not, on its own, demonstrate the truth of Nicene orthodoxy, it is powerful Biblical evidence against modalism. For more on this, see below
“Three Persons, Two Powers, One God” – Zachary Lawson: https://youtu.be/j3fZWNUrN20?t=1678
“Two Powers of the Godhead” – Michael Heiser: https://youtu.be/CUkhWBKCuXc
DISCLAIMERThink Theism lectures are supported by Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, but the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Dr. Mike Licona ( @MikeLiconaOfficial ) joins us to discuss the historicity of the resurrection, why there are differences in the Gospels, and biblical inerrancy. Video version here: https://youtu.be/rbspN8Fsbrw
TIMESTAMPS00:28-05:38 What is the current state of resurrection research?
05:38-07:35 What is the minimal facts approach and how has it evolved?
07:35-09:53 How does the “minimal” approach compare to the “maximalist” approach?
09:53-14:18 What are the “minimal facts” and which is the strongest attested?
14:18-16:36 What is the strangest evidence for the resurrection?
16:36-17:40 What is the strangest alternative hypothesis to the resurrection?
17:40-29:00 What’s the deal with Matthew’s zombies?
29:00-38:23 What does it mean to say the Bible is inspired and/or inerrant?
38:23-41:14 How does God’s providence of the text affect our view of God’s providence in our lives?
41:14-51:05 Why are there differences in the Gospels?
51:05-52:13 How to you respond to your critics who say you deny inerrancy?
52:13-58:25 Does the compositional device of displacement address the question of the delay of Jesus’s second coming?
58:25-1:05:52 What do you think about the latest stir over Genesis 1-11 and William Lane Craig’s new book?
1:05:52 How early is the material in the Pauline epistles?
LINKSMike Licona’s YouTube channel and interview with William Lane Craig : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc1ekr03KVA
DISCLAIMERThink Theism is produced in associate with Ratio Christi @ Texas A&M, however the opinions represented herein do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Ratio Christi, Inc. nor Texas A&M University. This content is presented to encourage discussion and critical thought about challenging questions.
Zach interviews Dr. David Baggett, professor of philosophy and Director of the Center for Moral Apologetics at Houston Christian University. Video: https://youtu.be/YWrif8pvWXc
“The Morals of the Story” https://www.ivpress.com/the-morals-of-the-story
With his co-author, Jerry Walls, Dr. Baggett authored Good God: The Theistic Foundations of Morality. The book won Christianity Today’s 2012 apologetics book of the year of the award. In 2016 he published a sequel with Walls that critiques naturalistic ethics, God and Cosmos: Moral Truth and Human Meaning. A third book in the series, The Moral Argument: A History (2019), chronicles the history of moral arguments for God’s existence. They are under contract with OUP for the fourth book of their tetralogy—on the topic of moral realism, Dr. Baggett has also co-edited a collection of essays exploring the philosophy of C. S. Lewis, edited the third debate between Gary Habermas and Antony Flew on the resurrection of Jesus, and in 2018 co-wrote (with his wife Marybeth) The Morals of the Story: Good News about a Good God. Dr. Baggett currently is a professor of philosophy and Director of the Center for Moral Apologetics at Houston Christian University. For more information, go to MoralApologetics.com
Timestamps
0:00 Why moral apologetics?
4:20 Importance of personal character
7:10 Moral knowledge
12:50 Evolutionary ethics and moral knowledge
17:21 Moral Platonism and moral knowledge
19:22 Moral transformation
24:22 Secular alternatives
27:33 Does the Bible cause moral regression?
31:45 Why follow God’s commands?
33:25 Does God contradict our deepest moral intuitions?
37:05 Does Calvinism make God evil?
43:56 Is the world run by an evil God?
48:29 How God grounds the Good, the True, and the Beautiful
Would the discovery of extraterrestrial life send Christianity to the dustbin of history? This video is from our 2021 Fall lecture series responding to Gospel Objections. Each week, we evaluate a common objection to the core message of Jesus. For more information and resources go to http://rc-tamu.org/gospel-objections Note: This video has been slightly edited for […]
Jesus famously said “this generation shall not pass away until all these things come to pass”. After 2000 years, and many dead generations later, is it time to stop waiting? This video is from our 2021 Fall lecture series responding to Gospel Objections. Each week, we evaluate a common objection to the core message of […]
Recent years have seen a slew of high profile Christians publicly renouncing their faith, deconverting, and/or deconstructing. Unfortunately, many of these “Exvangelicals” have received nasty responses and even many well-meaning people have unintentionally responded offensively. What is the healthy way to approach the issue of deconstruction? What can be learned from these public figures? Do […]
The advancement of modern science has opened the door to a future where human weakness is transcended by technology. Is the promise of the gospel irrelevant in the face of the transhumanist alternative? This video is from our 2021 Fall lecture series responding to Gospel Objections. Each week, we evaluate a common objection to the […]
Contemporary science is often presented as being in massive contradiction to the Gospel message. Is Jesus irrelevant in an age of modernity? This video is from our 2021 Fall lecture series responding to Gospel Objections. Each week, we evaluate a common objection to the core message of Jesus. For more information and resources go to […]
The core message of the gospel is that Jesus died for the sins of the world. Does this make any sense at all? This video is from our 2021 Fall lecture series responding to Gospel Objections. Each week, we evaluate a common objection to the core message of Jesus. For more information and resources go […]
What about those that reject the Gospel? Is eternal punishment proper justice for finite sins? This video is from our 2021 Fall lecture series responding to Gospel Objections. Each week, we evaluate a common objection to the core message of Jesus. For more information and resources go to http://rc-tamu.org/gospel-objections Note: This video has been slightly […]
What happens to those that never hear the message of Jesus? Wouldn’t it be unfair of God to punish people for what they do not know? (Note: we had some audio difficulties with this recording. Audio from 0:00–0:59 is loud and audio at 20:00–22:00 is quiet). This video is from our 2021 Fall lecture series […]
An overview of the good news of the kingdom of God. This video is from our 2021 Fall lecture series responding to Gospel Objections. Each week, we evaluate a common objection to the core message of Jesus. For more information and resources go to http://rc-tamu.org/gospel-objections Note: This video has been slightly edited for length and […]
A review of the semester and overview of Plantinga’s account of warranted Christian belief. We’ve spent this semester discussing arguments and evidence for the truth of Christianity, but is this evidence necessary for warranted belief in God? This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each […]
An overview of the historical argument for the resurrection of Jesus. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For handouts and slides go to http://rc-tamu.org/natural-theology Note: This […]
An overview of the historical evidence for the existence of Jesus. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For slides and handouts go to http://rc-tamu.org/natural-theology Note: This […]
Guest speaker Dr. Micah Green provides an overview of the contemporary philosophical problem of miracles and “Hume’s Abject Failure”. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For […]
An overview of the probabilistic problem of evil and several influential theodicies. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For handouts and slides go to http://rc-tamu.org/natural-theology Note: […]
An overview of the logical problem of evil and Plantinga’s influential Free Will Defence. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For slides and handouts go to […]
An overview of the contemporary argument from morality for God. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For slides and handouts go to http://rc-tamu.org/natural-theology Note: This video […]
An overview of the contemporary argument from design for God. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For slides and handouts go to http://rc-tamu.org/natural-theology Note: This video […]
An overview of a classical cosmological argument for the existence of God. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For slides and handouts go to http://rc-tamu.org/natural-theology Note: […]
An introduction to apologetics and how to have conversations about faith in good faith. This video is from our 2021 Spring lecture series covering Natural Theology & the Truth of Christianity. Each week, we evaluate the classical arguments for and against the existence of God and truth of Christianity. For more information go to http://rc-tamu.org/natural-theology […]
Ben (our resident Catholic) discusses the seven books of the Deuterocanon (or Apocrypha), what they are, and why they are included in the Catholic Old Testament canon. N.B. While Ratio Christi at Texas A&M does not officially take a position on the canonical status of these books and many Protestants reject them, they nevertheless are […]
We turn to the question of ancient Israelite religion. While we usually think of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism as the big three monotheistic religions, is the historical reality more complicated than that? Psalm 82 takes centre stage in a discussion of the unseen spiritual realm. Slides and video available at http://rc-tamu.org/confronting-old-testament-controversy/
We conclude our discussion on the question of Israelite origins by tackling the ethical objection to the Hebrew invasion of Canaan. Did God command genocide? How does Jesus influence our interpretation of these unnerving accounts? Slides and video available at http://rc-tamu.org/confronting-old-testament-controversy/
The question of Israelite origins remains one of the hottest debates amongst ancient historians. Did a massive Hebrew invasion force wipe out the Canaanites in the 15th/13th century B.C.? Is the entire military career of Joshua invented from thin air? Building off of the previous discussion of the exodus, we proceed into the murky waters […]
The Hebrew exodus from Egypt is the founding event both in Israel’s history as a people and the redemptive history of Christian faith. But, is there any evidence such an event occurred? We discuss the archaeological background, the major options for dates (early, late, and more), as well as different theories about the exodus. Slides […]
We conclude our discussion on Genesis, creation, and evolution by addressing the controversy over the historical Adam & Eve. First, we outline the biblical data concerning Eve & Adam. Next, we survey the scientific data related to human origins. Lastly, we wrap up by integrating different interpretations of Eve & Adam with various theological systems. […]
Zach and Andrew casually chat about some loose threads from the Genesis and science meeting. They clear up some confusion about stellar parallax, discuss additional interpretations of the days of Genesis, and expand on the intelligent design movement.
We continue addressing the controversy on Genesis, creation, and evolution. In this episode, we focus on the scientific questions of (i) the age of the earth, (ii) common ancestry, and (iii) how life diversified. Next time, we will hone in on the question of Adam & Eve. Slides and video available at http://rc-tamu.org/confronting-old-testament-controversy/
Confronting Old Testament Controversy 2: We begin our discussion on creation, evolution, and Genesis by addressing the controversy over the genre of Genesis 1-11, aka the “Primeval History”. Andrew surveys the relevant literary categories and the debate over literalism, metaphor, and history. Slides and video available at http://rc-tamu.org/confronting-old-testament-controversy/
Confronting Old Testament Controversy 1: Zach discusses the text of the Old Testament (Tanakh) including the primary text types; the Septuagint, the Masoretic text as well as the most important manuscripts, including codex Leningradensis as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in Qumran. Next Zach discusses textual transmission and the questions of editorial activity […]
Despite being the majority of the Bible, the Old Testament remains a difficult and sometime perplexing corpus of writing. With ancient laws, long histories, and confusing prophecies, we are often left wondering…what do we do with the Old Testament? We kick off our Fall 2020 semester with guest speaker Dr. Micah Green to address the […]
In this audio from the vault, Jace leads a conversation about what St. Paul meant by justification and how that influences our view of sin and Christs’s wo Subscribe to the Think Theism podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or thinktheism.org Disclaimer: Think Theism is an independent podcast produced in association with Ratio Christi TAMU. The opinions, perspectives, and beliefs expressed in individual episodes […]
Zach and Andrew interview Dr. Joshua Swamidass about his new book The Genealogical Adam & Eve which aims to show that a literal Adam & Eve is fully compatible with the contemporary evolutionary account of human origins. Video of the interview: https://youtu.be/HKZxPXiF9rA Resources mentioned during or relevant to the episode “The Genealogical Adam & Eve” […]
Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Joshua Swamidass. We discuss some of the particulars of why neo-Darwinianism is no longer the reigning paradigm in contemporary evolutionary biology. Swamidass argues that the deficiencies intelligent design theorists point to have been acknowledged (and addressed) as early as the 1960s. In particular, “Haldane’s dilemma” which was proposed […]
Part 1 of our interview with Dr. Joshua Swamidass. We discuss Dr. Swamidass’s journey from young-earth creationism to “affirming evolutionary science”. We also address the role evolution has played in some high profile deconversions from Christianity. Stay tuned for Part 2 and Part 3 of our interview where we discuss the particulars of intelligent design […]
Zach and Andrew interview Dr. Michael J. Behe, professor of Biological Sciences at Lehigh University and Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. We discuss Dr. Behe’s work in the intelligent design movement with his book trilogy Darwin’s Black Box, Edge of Evolution, and Darwin Devolves. Next, we revisit the past with […]
Dr. Michael Behe and Dr. Joshua Swamidass debate evolution, intelligent design, and which way the evidence points.
Fr. Robert Verrill (Baylor University) joins us to discuss the implications of contemporary quantum theory with Thomistic metaphysics. The premise may seem bizarre. St. Thomas Aquinas (i) lived 700 years before the advent of quantum theory, (ii) believed in a geocentric cosmos, and (iii) believed that earth, air, fire, and water were the only four […]
Andrew surveys a few different versions of the cosmological argument. Then, we discuss a particular version of the argument popularized by Gottfried Leibniz that tries to show that a necessary being who is the explanatory ground of being must exist. Notes can be found here: Cosmological Arguments Tickets for Veritas 2020 can be found here: tx.ag/Veritas2020 Subscribe to the […]
In this episode, we review the divine council then begin to discuss the Old Testament roots of the doctrine of the Trinity. We survey the ancient Near Eastern concept of a Divine Council and how the ancient Hebrews adapted elements of it. Next, we survey the Hebrew concept of “Two Powers in Heaven” where there are […]
In the previous episode, we discussed the material of the Old Testament (aka Tanakh or Hebrew Bible). This time, we will be moving on to discuss the higher level conceptual world of the Ancient Near East and its influence on the biblical authors. Specifically, we look at the idea of a “divine council” present in […]
We provide an overview of the material elements related to the composition & formation of the Old Testament, then discuss how this shapes our understanding of inspiration. Overall structure of the Old Testament Key events in history of Israel Important textual witnesses What JEDP means Outline: RC Old Testament Outline Veritas Forum 2020 “God and/or Evolution?” […]
Thanks for your support this year! The 2020 Veritas Forum will be on February 20, 2020 in Rudder Theatre at 7pm. Sign up for free tickets here: tx.ag/Veritas2020 Sign up for the mailinglist: tx.ag/RCEmail If you’d like to support Ratio Christi financially, consider donating at ratiochristi.org/donate Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS feed: http://rc-tamu.org/feed/podcast/think-theism
The authority of the Bible is central to Christianity. Human authors were carried along by the Holy Spirit to provide the written revelation of God. Many Christians believe that God, being Truth itself, could not inspire a collection of documents containing any error, thus, leading to the idea of biblical inerrancy. But what does this […]
What has Jerusalem to do with Yosemite? Guest Speaker Dr. Robert Garcia discusses environmental ethics and how Christian approaches may have unique insights in the often heated debate. To make the question most poignant, Dr. Garcia focuses in on the question of if/when it is acceptable to eat animals and what obligations we have to non-human members […]
Zach and Andrew interview Dr. Michael G. Strauss, professor of physics at the University of Oklahoma, about his book The Creator Revealed: A Physicist Examines the Big Bang and the Bible. In the first half of the conversation, we discuss scientific evidence for the existence of God from (i) big bang cosmology and (ii) the […]
Religion and science have been often viewed as incompatible. However, recent scientific discoveries about our universe and planet have led many to reconsider God. In this talk, Dr. Michael G. Strauss surveys three lines of scientific evidence that point towards a Creator: (i) the origin of our universe, (ii) the fine-tuning of our universe for […]
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Says the apostle Paul, if Christ has not been raised, you are dead in your sins and your faith is in vain. The historical argument for the resurrection of Jesus has played a chief role in Christian apologetics, as well. In this episode, Zach […]
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” claims Jesus. But what about those that never hear about the way, truth, and life? C.S. Lewis reflected deeply on this question and offered a few interesting perspectives. Dr. Robert K. Garcia is an Associate professor of Philosophy […]
This short bonus episode features audio from a meeting we did in 2017 on the textual reliability of the New Testament.
While there are numerous arguments for the existence of God, most believers accept theism independent of sophisticated arguments and evidence. Are these theists irrational? In this episode, Zach discusses the idea of Reformed Epistemology developed by Alvin Plantinga who argues Christian believers can be warranted independent of evidence. The core thesis is that while some beliefs require external […]
Jared Oliphint, Ph.D. student in the Texas A&M Philosophy Dept., joins us for a fun conversation about abstract objects and how it relates to theism. The problem is motivated by an inconsistent triad of propositions, formulated by Greg Welty: Abstract objects (AOs) exist. If AOs exist, they are dependent on God. If AOs exist, they are […]
In this meeting, Ben discusses the diversity of early Christians and if that poses an objection to the concept of “orthodoxy”. Resources referenced include Orthodoxy & Heresy in Earliest Christianity by Walter Bauer The Heresy of Orthodoxy by Michael Kruger Lost Christianities by Bart D. Ehrman The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine by Jaroslav Pelikan Antioch […]
A talk on the limits of artificial intelligence with Dr. Robert Marks. For more, check out evoinfo.org
This episode is a rehost of RED-C Roundup. Subscribe at https://redcroundup.podbean.com On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, host Dcn. Mike Beauvais spoke with two guests to Texas A&M University for the Veritas Forum sponsored by the Christian Faculty Network and the Catholic Faculty and Staff Network on campus. The Veritas Forum brings to American colleges and universities […]
On October 23, 2018 Matt Dillahunty debated John Ferrer on “Do We Need God for Morality?” Questions of right, wrong, good, and evil are some of the most profound. For many people, God plays the central role of Moral Lawgiver. With this comes the concern that unless God exists, ethics is in serious trouble. As […]
Dr. Green joins us again to discuss how to think clearly about the doctrine of inerrancy. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS feed: http://rc-tamu.org/feed/podcast/think-theism
Zach chats with Dr. Robin Collins (Messiah College) about fine-tuning, creationism, God-guided evolution, the problem of evil, philosophy of mind, free will, and what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Most of the papers referenced in this interview are available at Dr. Collins’s website: http://home.messiah.edu/~rcollins/ Special thanks to RED-C Radio for letting us use their recording […]
A wide ranging interview on evolution, fine-tuning, and philosophy of science with philosopher Dr. Joel Velasco of Texas Tech. Check out his website at joelvelasco.net
Dr. Gloria Frost discusses Aquinas’s response to the problem of evil. Part of the 2019 Veritas Forum at Texas A&M University. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS feed: http://rc-tamu.org/feed/podcast/think-theism
Tony Reinke (desiringgod.org) discusses how to maintain spiritual health and sanity in an age where digital devices and social media are clamoring for your attention. Part of the 2019 Veritas Forum at Texas A&M University. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS feed: http://rc-tamu.org/feed/podcast/think-theism
Robin Collins (Christian) & Joel Velasco (atheist) dialogue on whether cosmological fine-tuning is evidence for a divine designer. Part of the 2019 Veritas Forum at Texas A&M University. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS feed: http://rc-tamu.org/feed/podcast/think-theism
2018 Veritas Forum at Texas A&M University “What Do We Really Know About Right & Wrong?” – J. Budziszewski A noted thinker has warned about a ‘dictatorship of moral relativism.’ But some norms do vary according to circumstances (it would be wrong to drive on the right in England, wouldn’t it?) Besides, some moral questions are […]
In this interview, we talk with Catholic philosopher Dr. J. Budzisewski about everything from his journey out of atheism to Christianity, how to make moral political policy, and the natural laws of sex.
Materialism posits that all of reality can be reduced to a physical description of the dynamics of matter and energy. Such reductive scientific descriptions work quite well for most things, but what about mental states and mental activity? Even atheist philosophers like Thomas Nagel have argued that the existence of mental states are fundamentally incompatible […]
We chat with Ryan Crews, founder-president of Oso Logos about apologetics at Baylor University and the argument from undesigned coincidences for the reliability of gospel narratives.
We chat with Glenn Smith of Ratio Christi National about what Ratio Christi is about and how to get involved. Also, some stuff about free will.
Husain Alshehhi is a graduate of Texas A&M and current chapter director of Ratio Christi at University of Texas. Before coming to Texas A&M, Husain was raised as a Muslim in the United Arab Emirates. In this interview, he tells his story of leaving his Islamic faith behind first in favor of atheism and then […]
RED-C Radio interviews Zach Lawson about his faith journey and work at Texas A&M with Ratio Christi.
Zach and Andrew return for the second round of Grill A Christian (Vol. 1 can be found here). The guys field open questions about topics from all over the map. As usual, things get pretty weird… subscibe: iTunes, RSS
October 2017 marks 500 years since the Protestant Reformation. We bring Catholics & Protestant Aggies to dialogue on scripture, faith, and freedom. Part 3: Free Will
October 2017 marks 500 years since the Protestant Reformation. We bring Catholics & Protestant Aggies to dialogue on scripture, faith, and freedom. Part 2: Sola Fide
October 2017 marks 500 years since the Protestant Reformation. We bring Catholics & Protestant Aggies to dialogue on scripture, faith, and freedom. Part 1: Sola Scriptura
In the Season 2 finale, Zach & Andrew sit down to talk with Dr. Neal Audenaert, Texas A&M Class of ‘01. Neal has worked on a wide range of projects in computer science and digital humanities such as the Special Divine Action Project sponsored by the Templeton Foundation. He is a founder of the Institute […]
Zach and Andrew field open questions to wrap up Spring 2017. Topics include God’s relationship to time, Old Testament weirdness, baptism, and the nature of the afterlife.
A Bahá’í and Christian dialogue on the nature of humanity’s spiritual relationship with science. About: “Here Am I” in spiritual writings, or as Christ said it: “I Am”, is our gateway to a scientific and spiritual investigation of the nature of consciousness and its significance in spiritual teachings. Simple review of Einstein’s theory of relativity will establish the relationship between consciousness […]
In this episode from the vault, noted Christian philosopher and apologist Dr. William Lane Craig is interviewed about his contributions to the field, particularly his work on the Kalam cosmological argument, as well as a variety of other topics in the Q&A. The audio is from The Veritas Forum 2013. For more from The Veritas Forum: […]
In this guest talk, Rob Reed discusses Divine Command Theory and the question of whether or not it makes morality arbitrary. He considers the way the Euthyphro dilemma is commonly posed and shows that when we take DCT to be a theory of obligation and not a general theory of goodness, the dilemma disappears. A […]
Imam Islam Mossaad guest lectures on the Islamic conception of divine attributes, comparing and contrasting with Christian concepts.
On March 30, 2017, Ratio Christi was privileged to host Dr. Paul A Nelson of the Discovery Institute. Why don’t dead cells come back to life? “Because they’re dead!” is the obvious answer, sometimes followed by “what a stupid question” – but the obvious answer conceals a remarkable fact. The material or physical components of […]
Zach and Andrew talk with Dr. Paul Nelson about creationism, intelligent design, and Illustra Media’s new movie Origin.
In this episode of Think Theism, Zach and Andrew discuss the origins of the Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Were they copied or written independently? What’s this “Q” document? Does it matter?
Zach and Andrew sit down with Dr. Luke Barnes after the A Fortunate Universe talk to discuss life, the universe, and everything Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and on Spotify
The planets, stars and galaxies that fill the night sky obey elegant mathematical patterns: the laws of nature. Why does our Universe obey these particular laws? As a clue to answering this question, scientists have asked a related question: what if the laws were slightly different? What if it had begun with more matter, had […]
On February 2, 2017 Ratio Christi was privileged to host Dr. Andra Gillespie for the 2017 Veritas Forum "Christianity & Racial Justice: Does God Care? Do We Care?"
On October 6, 2016, Ratio Christi was privileged to host Dr. Micah Green, Associate professor of Chemical engineering to discuss the common pitfalls in the science vs faith divide. From Bill Nye to Bill O’Reilly, the perennial debate between science and religious belief is plagued by shallow thinking and bad argumentation. In this lecture, Dr. […]
Zach, Andrew, and John discuss the A-theory and B-theory of time and each one’s theological and physical implications.
Zach sits down with John Monroe, Ratio Christi historian, to discuss physics, theology, time, and fine-tuning. Music: www.bensound.com
On November 18, 2015, Ratio Christi was privileged to host. Fr. Andrew Pinsent from Oxford University to discuss the intersection of Science and Divine Action. This talk is a part of a larger digital humanities project to uncover what authors of the past had to say about questions on God’s action in the world and […]
Zach and Andrew discuss the creationism controversy. In this episode, they discuss one of the objections to “old-earth” views, namely, that animal death before the Fall of Man poses a major theological problem. Music: www.bensound.com
Zach and Andrew discuss some different views of the interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis. Music: bensound.com
In this short episode, Zach looks at the question of infant universalism and being consistently pro-life Read the blog post here: rc-tamu.org/if-all-babies-go-to-heaven-is-abortion-okay/ Music: bensound.com
Zach and Micah talk about random things, mostly Calvinism, in this unstructured addendum to the main interview 0:00 – Calvinism v Molinism 15:00 – Philosophy in science fiction (Minority Report, Children of Men, Gattaca, etc) 22:44 – Does middle knowledge circumvent time travel paradoxes? 24:06 – Middle knowledge in the Bible (?) 25:43 – Grace […]
Zach interviews Dr. Micah Green, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. The conversation ranges from the philosophy of naturalism, being a faithful Christian in the sciences, and historical Jesus studies. Music: bensound.com
In this episode, Andrew and Zach discuss what it means for the New Testament to be reliable. Music: bensound.com
On March 10, 2016, Ratio Christi TAMU was privileged to host Dr. George Yancey, a sociologist from the University of North Texas, to discuss racial problems in the United States and specifically what fellow Christians can do to reach racial reconciliation. If you enjoy this lecture and would like to participate in further discussions on […]
Ratio Christi helped host the 2016 Veritas Forum at Texas A&M University along with the Christian Faculty Network and Reformed University Fellowship. Dr. John Lennox discusses the Rationality of belief in God, miracles, and the supernatural.