The Freed Thinker: Recent Episodes
Tyler Vela
A Tyler Vela Collection - Bringing you some of the best Biblical, Theological, Apologetical and Philosophical academic study from a Reformed perspective.
In this episode I move on from the biographical aspects of my recent deconversion to discuss the intellectual reasons for it. Enjoy the show!
The rumors are true.
While I hope you will all stick around and keep having discussions, I know for some thing means they will think all past content is "tainted" and all future content is worthless. I hope that is not most of you.
Let's keep walking on this journey to explore the truth together as we see it in our own ways.
In this episode I respond to the often stated "is means is" argument put forward by Lutherans to argue for the real (sic. bodily) presence of Jesus in the eucharist.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we discuss if Libertarian Incompatibilism really is the folk view, the view of common intuition or even, a properly basic belief.
Enjoy the show!
Part 2 of my debate with Dan Chapa on Libertarian Freedom which included my opening statement and cross examination.
I'm joined again by Colton Carlson as we review the recent video put out by Tim Stratton and JP Moreland to discuss (but not really) their upcoming version of the free thinking argument.
Enjoy the show!
I'm joined again by Colton Carlson as we review the recent video put out by Tim Stratton and JP Moreland to discuss (but not really) their upcoming version of the free thinking argument.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I'm joined by Will Duffy to discuss his recent debate on open theism with Chris Date.
In this episode I'm joined by Chris Date to discuss his recent debate on open theism with Will Duffy
Here I discuss a criticism of presuppositionalism with my good friend Eli Ayala.
Enjoy the show!
In this video I respond to atheist YouTuber Dallas Wade's top 10 questions for Christians.
Enjoy the show!
Here are my thoughts on why the freewill theodicy is really not that great of an argument to make.
Enjoy the show!
I'm joined once again by Colton and Vincent as we give our thoughts on the Stratton vs White debate on Molinism.
Enjoy the show!
I'm joined again by Colton and Vincent to continue our review of the Molinism debate between Tim Stratton and James White.
Enjoy the show!
I'm joined by Colton Carlson and Vincent the Fake Greg Bahnsen as we begin our review of the Tim Stratton v James White debate on Molinism.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we continue our walkthrough of the book of Judges and discuss the Sampson cycle.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I discuss a common error among Incompatibilists when trying to argue against Compatibilism and why their attempts at both internal and external critques often fail to even get off the ground.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I walk through the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, address the issue of who hardened it first and address the common ways that non-Reformed folks think this helps their argument against Reformed theology but ultimately why their argument fails even if we grant most of it for the sake of argument.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we talk about the parable of the sleeper (also called the parable of the knocker) and what it means for our prayer life. If you think this passage is exhorting you to annoy God with prayer enough that he gives you want you want, that you have to be persistent and knock and knock and knock to bang down the door of heaven and receive your blessings… you’ve radically misunderstood this parable.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I respond to John Cranman's question to me about how to understand 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a Compatibilist.
Enjoy the show! Discussion with Dan Chapa on Revealed Apologetics (John's question comes at the 1:23:19 mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icN_Kg1vLqA&t=1s Paul Manata's Paper: https://analytictheologye4c5.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/1-cor-10-13-and-will-setting.pdf Steve Hayes' Article: https://triablogue.blogspot.com/2012/08/1-cor-1013-redux_27.html
In this episode we continue our exposition of Judges and explore the Gideon cycle in chapters 6-9.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we continue the exposition of Judges through the first several cycles.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I am joined by Colin from the Consistent Calvinism podcast to discuss Provisionism. Enjoy the show!
In this episode I begin a series highlighting how a Historical-Grammatical and Redemptive Historical hermeneutic would be employed for a book study like the book of Judges.
Episode one covers introductory remarks and the historical backgrounds for the book.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I discussion the conceptual problems that arise when someone attempts to affirm both Libertarian Freedom and Divine Foreknowledge. Enjoy the show!
In this episode I discuss the often parroted objection that determinism is fatalism. Enjoy the show!
Does Jeremiah 19:5 count as a substantive critique of Reformed theology? Did sin really never enter the mind of God?
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I discuss if the objections that Calvinism undermines Christian assurance or makes Paul's statement on the on the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3 a "lie."
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I respond to an interaction I had with Tim Stratton from Free Thinking Ministries concerning his Free Thinking Argument Against Naturalism and why I think it not only does not work against naturalism, nor Christian Compatibilism, but also why the defenses of it typically fail as well.
Enjoy the show!
In this discussion with my friend Colton Carlson, we discuss Tim Stratton's article about robots that he wrote in response to us... We talk about heaven, freedom, robots, and why it all matters.
Enjoy the show!
Leighton Flowers responded to my episode on the fragility of Libertarian Freedom... after much demand I respond to him here.
Enjoy the show!
Leighton's Response: https://youtu.be/Kum_VxM6ft8
What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect and how does it impact how productive your conversations will be?
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I do an unscripted walkthrough of Romans 9 and Ephesians 1 to discuss if Reformed theology and Calvinists really just “ignore the text” or just impose their theology on these passages.
In this episode I try out a new "live" discussion format for the podcast - think highly structured audio version of a Facebook wall...
In this we discuss topics ranging from double predestination, equal ultimacy, the Reformed understanding of two wills, the nature of freewill, Christian assurance, cage-stage Calvinism, and even Spiderman makes an appearance.
Enjoy the show!
Study on the folk intuition of freedom which I discuss: Forget the Folk: Moral Responsibility Preservation Motives and Other Conditions for Compatibilism
Can a Calvinist know that they are saved? This objection, typically from Provisionists and Lutherans, is a common sticking point in soteriological discussions. But is it a good objection?
Enjoy the show!
In this episode, I discuss what I think is a strong defeater for the position of Libertarian Incompatibilism.
Enjoy the show!
A great discussion between Jimmy Stephens (Christian) and Ben Watkins on God, atheism, and morality.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I respond to Dallas Wade's 10 questions for Christians.
Enjoy the show!
Wade's Original Video
In this episode I update my opening statement from my debate with Matt Dillahunty and present an argument for reasonable belief in God.
Enjoy!
In this episode I give my rejoinders to a response article from TurretinFan where he gave objections to my work on Genesis 1.
My original article:
Text Version
Video Version
TurretinFan's Response: click HERE
(For more of my work on Genesis 1, CLICK HERE)
In this episode I discuss atheism, naturalism and if their epistemic standards of evidence insulate their worldview from falsification and create a question begging standard.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode, I give part two of my response to my friend Steve Scrhamm on some of my comments about Genesis 1 and Young Earth Creationism.
My original article: TEXT VERSION VIDEO VERSION
Steve's Response: CLICK HERE
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I give my rejoinders to a response article from my friend Steve Schramm where he gave objections to my work on Genesis 1.
My original article: Text: http://freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com/2017/11/responses-to-common-yec-arguments.html Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Ad9pC7x6s&list=PLu0kkCd7llwTWrm9tdct3NTHzoMTkWYp4&index=9&t=427s
Steve's Response: https://www.steveschramm.com/defending-a-young-earth-tyler-vela-1/?utm_campaign=defending-a-young-earth-a-response-to-tyler-vela-part-1&utm_medium=social_link&utm_source=missinglettr
In this episode I respond off the cuff to the follow atheistic objections:
“But you haven’t proven God is even a possible explanation!” "Oh yeah, well who created your God then?" "But the flying spaghetti monster!" "If you grew up in Iran you'd be a Muslim." "The Bible was written by bronze-age, ignorant goat herders ..." "Christian New Testament scholars are just biased." "There's no evidence Jesus ever existed!"
Enjoy the show!
Atheists will commonly assert that miracles are impossible because they violate the laws of nature. But is that true?
Enjoy the show!
Naturalism and Evidentiary Standards: https://youtu.be/S5zY4hN0uj4
What does it mean to know something? If an atheist is someone who lacks belief and is also an agnostic because they arent certain (i.e. dont know), then does that have any strange implications?
Enjoy the show!
"If you think about why you dont believe in all other gods, then you'll know why I dont believe in your god. I just go one god further."
Is this objection from atheists meaningful?
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I respond to atheist Matt Dillahunty and his objection that claims are not evidence.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I respond to an article by Cory Markum from the Atheist Republic which argued that God cannot be the ground of morality.
Enjoy the show!
Cory Markum's Article: https://www.atheistrepublic.com/blog/corymarkum/god-morality-why-god-cannot-serve-foundation-morality
In this short unscripted episode I deal with skeptical claims that the attributes of God entail logical contradictions.
Enjoy the show!
In this short unscripted episode I deal with skeptical claims that the attributes of God entail logical contradictions.
Enjoy the show!
Will Duffy, an Open Theist, makes an argument against classical Christian theism by making an attempted analogy between God and rocks (stone idols). In this episode I discuss why this argument is so bad that it becomes hard to take someone like Duffy seriously when he claims to have studied anything dealing with the nature of God.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I review my recent debate with Will Duffy on the issue of Open Theism and if the Bible teaches us that God has exhaustive knowledge of the future.
To watch the original debate, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uGLVXGhb3g&t=7994s
Enjoy the show!
I'm joined by atheist Ozymandias Ramses II to talk about the nature of atheism, atheistic claims and if atheists carry any burden of proof/justification.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I review a debate between two atheists (Ben Watkins and Tom Jump) on what the most reasonable use of the term atheism is.
Enjoy the show!
Aaron Brake for Part 3 of his series dealing with abortion - handling objections with grace and truth.
Enjoy the show!
I was given permission to share the audio from a Discord discussion that I had with The Philosophy Guy. We discuss our views, warrant, evidence, religious experience and so forth. This conversation went places that I've never had a conversation go so hope you all find it interesting!
Enjoy the show!
https://thephilosophyguy.fireside.fm/
Is there good evidence for the early dating of the Pentateuch and Israel in Egypt? Here I give some of the reasons to think so!
Enjoy the show!
In this quick reflection I talk again about burden of proof and defeaters, and if theists/Christians are rational when they ask atheists if they can prove God does not exist or that our beliefs are false.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I critique Molinism and it's use of feasibility as a metaphysical assumption.
Enjoy the show!
Matthew 24:34 reads, "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place." (NASB)
For many skeptics this shows that Jesus is a false prophet. Why? Well because they think that Jesus is predicting his second coming at the end of time within the 40 years of those listening to his sermon. But is that the only, or even best understanding of the passage? Or should we understand Jesus' sermon differently?
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I continue my previous episode with some musings on various issues related to Reformed Soteriology. In this episode I discuss a Warranted Case from the Bible for someone to affirm Reformed / Calvinistic Compatibilism (that we are both determined and free) as well as addressing the objection that Calvinism in someway makes God the "author if sin."
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I go on a little bit of a rant about when well meaning Christians say things like, "When the Bible and reason/science disagree... who wins!?" and intend you to feel bad if you side with science. This is a bad kind of argument for Christians to make and I hope my comments help show why.
Enjoy the show!
"Baptizo just means to fully immerse!" If you are a Presbyterian, you've heard this line 1,000 times. But is it true that the Bible always just means to fully immerse something when it uses the term baptizo?
Let's find out!
Enjoy the Show!
In this Freedway Thinker edition of the podcast, I discuss 3 different concepts that we need to be able to conceptually disambiguate if we are to have fruitful Biblical understanding of them. These concepts are:
-
Clean and Unclean (Pure/Impure)
-
Righteous and Unrighteous
-
Moral and Immoral
Hope this show helps clarify these concepts for some of you.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode, I continue my series responding to John Loftus' newest book, A Case Against Miracles.
Enjoy the show!
For the video version, SEE HERE.
The validity of appeals to mystery can be, well, mystifying. Are they are reasonable? When are they not rationally acceptable, and is there ever a time that one can be warranted in an appeal to mystery?
I discuss that in this short Freedway Thinker episode.
Enjoy!
In this episode, I start a series reviewing John Loftus' new edited anthology, The Case Against Miracles.
Enjoy the show!
Many struggle with understanding exactly what Paul means when he talks about our being slaves and freedmen. This is often because they assume a singular and consistent usage of the motif in Paul's writing, and indeed in the New Testament as a whole. However, is this the case? In this episode we explore the multivocal use of the motif in the Pauline corpus.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we explore the way that Paul references Hosea in Romans 9:25-26.
Enjoy the show!
In this short Freed Byte episode, I talk about two passages that make it nearly impossible for me to become a Dispensationalist. And yes... there is an easter-egg from my son at the end (thanks Uncle Fred!)
Enjoy!
A common Provisionist reading of Paul's use of the Potter/Clay Motif in Romans 9 relies on their assumption that the conceptual background to which Paul alludes to is that of Jeremiah 18. In this episode I explore far more plausible backgrounds for Paul's use of the PCM.
In this episode I give some critical comments about the method and argumentation of Alex O'Conner (CosmicSkeptic) in his recent debate with Jonathan McLatchie.
The basic points of contention - his failed epistemological standard and use of hyperskepticism as a method, and his advancement of the failed thesis of Jesus Mythicism and unchecked parroting of arguments made by the likes of unemployed blogger, Richard Carrier.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I give various Calvinistic musings, ranging from why Inspiration and basic Christian orthodoxy are good arguments for a kind of Calvinistic Compatiblism/Soft Determinism, thoughts on why discussions about sovereignty often fail before they get started, and if Calvinists can "know" that they are elect.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I present a paper I wrote breaking down what theologians have called the Munus Triples, or the Threefold Office of Christ - that is Prophet, Priest, and King. I explore how Christ is the fulfillment of each of the three Biblical offices and how he functions in each prior to his incarnation, during his earthly ministry, and in glory.
Enjoy the show!
Equivocations abound when discussing hermeneutics and whether a text is allegorical, metaphorical, symbolic, literal, historical and so forth. I try to quickly unravel the knot that many have made.
Enjoy the show!
In this sermon, I preaching on Romans 8 and the how we can have assurance of the sovereign plan and love of God despite going through suffering. Not because of our faithfulness, but because God is a God who keeps his promises.
In this quick episode I discuss the simple problem that plagues the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Invisible Teapot and yes, the Ultimate Burrito as a rival explanatory concept to God.
Drive Safe!
In this quick Freedway Thinker, I discuss some of the problems that occur when people attempt to make arguments from the early church fathers to support their theological or historical claims. I have been a pretty staunch advocate of doing so sparingly and with great caution. The methodology needed to discuss the early church and their beliefs if riddled with landmines. And most people step on the very first one they see.
Enjoy!
For some, God seems hidden. Some Christians have tried to respond to this objection by saying that if God would appear, it would some how "force our hand" to belief and this would be a tacit violation of free-will. Is this a good response to the challenge? Like with the problem of evil/suffering, I think the freewill defense is not only lacking, but downright demonstrably false. So what is a better way to respond to the challenge? Listen and find out!
In this quick episode I discuss the need to study and understand the views that you seek to engage with, even if you think they are false or dumb.
In this quick freedway reflection, I talk about an interesting problem that arises from those who want to argue that it is categorical ability and not conditional ability that is the necessary condition for moral responsibility.
Enjoy the show!
Do we really need philosophy to understand the Bible? Or do we just need the Bible and can write off philosophy as worldy? Can we even understand the Bible without philosophy in the first place?
Enjoy the reflections in this edition of the Freedway Thinker!
In this brief episode I discuss a common rejoinder to some arguments that falls back on a vague appeal to symbolism.
Enjoy the show!
In this edition of the Freedway Thinker, I reflect on some of the statements that Aron Ra has said in several recent engagements that remind me of the old analogy to God being like an invisible gardener... but is that analogy... analogous?
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I chat with Michael Jones from Inspiring Philosophy about his recent debate with atheist Aron Ra on the question, "Is Christianity Dangerous?"
Enjoy the show!!!
Here are some excerpts from peer reviewed articles on the role of Atheism in Albania and the former Soviet Union:
From the article, “Violations of Freedom of Religion in Albania” by Barbara Frey, OPREE, vol IX, no. 6. 1989.
“Belying the Constitution, however, anti-religious activity commenced almost immediately after the new government was formed. In August 1945, the government passed an agrarian reform law which deprived religious institutions of much of their property. A series of show trials and executions were held, following which the Jesuit order was banned in 1946 and the Franciscans in 1947. In 1946, all Catholic priests, nuns, and monks were expelled. Many priests were imprisoned, executed, or assassinated.” pp4-5.
“At about the same time, the Ministry of Education banned the teaching of religion in state schools. In April 1947, the Party of Labor recommended introducing anti-religious teaching in schools. The government also attempted to halt religious instruction by clerics and lay-people even in homes.” p5.
“Once the statues were passed, criminal penalties which had formerly protected the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion were removed from the Albanian Penal Code.” p5.
“Public meetings were held at which the public denounced the clergy and vowed never to practice religion again. People’s tribunals decided which public celebrations were religious in nature and how to replace them with appropriate national atheistic holidays. During public proceedings, crowds turned over their crucifixes, icons, bibles, and other religious items. Children whose fathers were priests denounced them as fakes, and “thunder sheets” (fletë-rrufe) were posted attacking those parents who had given religious names to their children.” p6.
“All possible signs of religion were eradicated. Graveyards and tombstones were cleared of religious symbols: only the Communist star was permitted. Religious phrases were attacked too: the term “P.K.” meaning Përpara Krishit (in English, B.C.) was replaced with “P.E.R.” for Para Erës Sëre (“Before the New Era)... Despite stated constitutional guarantees, the People’s Assembly passed Decree No. 4334 on 13 November 1967 (Published in Gazeta zyrtare on 22 November) which cancelled the legal status of religion... Radio Tiranë announced that Albania was now the “first atheist state in the world.” Religious freedom was removed from the statures; it would shortly be removed from the constitution as well.” p7.
Speaking of the 1976 Constitution:
“Article 37: The State recognizes no religion whatever and supports atheistic propaganda for the purpose of inculcating the scientific-materialist worldview.” p8.
“Article 55 of the 1977 Criminal Code: Fascist, anti-democratic, religious, warmongering or anti-socialist propaganda, as well as the preparation, distribution or the possession for distribution of literature with such a content in order to weaken or undermine the state of the dictatorship of the Proletariat are punishable by imprisonment of between three and ten years. If these actions occur in time of war or if they have caused particularly serious consequences, they will be punished with imprisonment of not less than ten years or with death.” p9.
“The government had already instituted another facet of it’s anti-religious campaign. On 23 September 1975, it passed administrative Decree No. 5339 (also the similar Legislative Decree No 5334...) which stipulated that, ‘Citizens who have inappropriate names and offensive surnames from a political, ideological, and moral standpoint are obliged to change them...’ therefore, it is legitimate to insist on the use of national names so that... the names of people do not become an indicator of the religious affiliations and divisions of yesteryear in the eyes of future generations.” p9.
From the article, “Soviet Books and Pamphlets on the Theme of Atheism: Statistics and Crucial Points” by Paul Roth, OPREE, vol V, no. 4. 1985.
“Indeed, the Soviet constitution permits public atheistic propaganda but not religious propaganda. A religious book offered to the public would be an offense against the constitution. Thus, it is not surprising the Soviet authorities consider so-called “illegal” importation of Bibles into the Soviet Union as an offense against the laws of the state.” p9.
“Those books and pamphlets which belong to the categories ‘Marxism-Leninism,’ ‘Social Sciences,’ and ‘Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology’ are based on atheism. Those which belong to the category ‘Atheism and Religion’ are anti-theistic, often militantly atheistic, with the exception of those texts which are intended for export to foreign countries.” p10.
“Most of the titles, 17, are concerned with ‘atheistic education of the population’ (total number of copies 761,000)... Some publications deal especially with the question of how a person can accomplish atheistic education goals in mathematic classes by using films.” p14.
“In connection with the previously discussed group, we must also observe the following thematic category which presents ‘Atheism as a provision for a fulfilling life’ to Soviet citizens... Religion is presented as the reason for spiritual and intellectual problems. Religion is to be replaced by a life based on atheistic principles with an atheistic value system and holidays and rituals free of religious content.” pp16-17.
“If we attempt to draw a conclusion from the statistic taken from “New Books,” which, we reiterate, are obviously incomplete, we can state the following: 1) Clearly, atheistic literature in the Soviet Union belongs to the category of prescribed literature, not popular literature.”
From the article, “The Current Situation of Religion in Albania” by Peter Prifti, OPREE, vol III, no. 3. 1983.
“Questioning the zeal, if not the integrity of critics of Albanian atheism, Hoxha said that there are hundreds of millions of people in the world who do not believe in religion. Why then all the astonishment at socialist Albania? He closed his defense by saying, ‘Our state is atheistic by the will of its people.’” p2.
From the article, “Grave Violations of Religious Rights in Albania” by Gjon Sinishta, OPREE, vol III, no. 5. 1983.
“Enver Hoxha again set the stage for action with his infamous speech of February 6, 1967, urging the Albanian youth to fight “religious superstitions.” A ruthless campaign against all religions followed. Everywhere churches were burned or turned into sports arenas, dance halls, movie theaters, apartments, etc. Priests and bishops were publicly beaten. The Franciscan church of Arrmadhe in Shkodra, together with the Friary, was set afire one evening and four elderly Franciscans were burned to death. During 1967, according to the journal of Albanian writers, Nendori (November), about 2200 mosques, churches, chapels, monasteries and other religious buildings were vandalized and closed. Of that number, 327 were Roman Catholic. On November 22, 1967, the government published Decree No. 4337 ordering the annulment of the religious charters and of all laws pertaining to state-church relationships. All religious rites were prohibited and grave penalties were imposed on violators. The remaining priests were sent to forced-labor camps for ‘re-education.’ The Albanian Party and government boasted that it had become the first totally atheistic state in the world.” p13.
“With these articles Albania became the only country in the world where the suppression of religion and the propagation of atheism have become a constitutionally mandated state policy... Prior to the actual enactment of such official acts, the government manifested the same kind of suppression of religion. Fr. Stephen Kurti was executed in 1972 for baptizing a child in a labor camp at the parent’s request. In 1974 the government also sentenced the three remaining Catholic Bishops to detention camps for conduction religious services in private. Following the constitutional outlawing of religion, in 1977 Fran Mark Gjoni of Shkodra was brought to trial for the possession of Bibles. Gjoni admitted, when presented with the Bibles taked from his home, that he had found them in parks and at the seashore where they had been left by tourists or floated in by sea. For his ‘crime’ Gjoni was sentenced to 12 years in prison... For religious criminals such as Gjnoi, according to reports from recent refugees, the government has at least six prisons, nine concentration camps and 14 areas of external exile.” pp14-15.
In this freedway commute, I reflect and comment on some of the ways that ignoring the literary and historical context of texts can lead to superficial and misleading understandings of the text, as well as how this plagues common Atheistic tropes about various Biblical passages.
In this episode I present a paper that I completed for a Master's level course on the Gospels. In this paper, I analyze the miracle of the two part healing of the blind man found in Mark 8:22-26 from a literary and contextual framework and examine what role this parable may play in the broader "spiritual healing" theme found running through Mark's gospel.
In this brief reflection, I discuss the burden of proof and what makes someone shoulder it in a discussion.
Some thoughts from my commute on and episode of the Steve Schramm show dealing with YEC, hermeneutics and the book of Genesis. You can find his episode here: https://www.steveschramm.com/sss-089/
In this Freedway Thinker reflection, I look at the ways that quote mining can serve as a very misleading and troubling way to make an argument.
In this episode, we welcome back friend to the show Aaron Brake as he continues with his mini-series giving a philosophically robust defense for the pro-life position.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I reflect on some of the discussions around Romans 9 between Calvinism and Provisionism.
In this reflection during my commute, I talk about the difference between a position and it's entailments and how conversations and debates often derail because people fail to disambiguate them before engaging them.
The Freedway Thinker #1- unscripted, unedited and uncut! Are online skeptics really all that skeptical? Not in my experience.
In this episode, we discuss the accusation that Calvinism is semi-Gnosticism and whether or not that claim has any merit whatsoever.
Enjoy the show!
In this short episode I rebroadcast a segment I did several years ago when the movie Batman vs Superman was released. I have been trying to help people understand how internal critiques work and found this illustration to be helpful.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I give some preliminary thoughts on the question of homosexuality and the Bible, and then respond to an article by Harvard Hebraist, Dr. Idan Dershowitz dealing with Leviticus 18, which he argues may have originally condoned, rather than condemned, homosexual behavior.
Enjoy the show!
Article: http://www.academia.edu/36473338/Pre-print_Revealing_Nakedness_and_Concealing_Homosexual_Intercourse_Legal_and_Lexical_Evolution_in_Leviticus_18
Blog article adaptation: https://thetorah.com/how-the-prohibition-of-male-homosexual-intercourse-altered-the-laws-of-incest/
Digital Hammurabi short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hWiW8eooF0&feature=youtu.be
Digital Hammurabi long video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBx3EXg2ypk
In this special episode, friend of the show Aaron Brake, presents Part 1 in a series dealing with abortion and the right to life. For those who know me, you know that this is an issue that I am very passionate about but also passionate about presenting a cogent, rational, scientific case for the anti-abortion/pro-life position. Aaron does a truly excellent drop in this series in presenting a robust case for the right to life of the fetus.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I present my paper interaction with some of the issues that are raised from Jude' citations of and allusions to the book of Enoch.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode, I review the reasons why nearly all scholars do not think that the story of the woman caught in adultery (the Pericope Adulterae) is authentic to John's Gospel and why it should not be included in the New Testament.
Enjoy the show!
A common criticism of Christians is that we "cherry pick" from the Bible. We dont eat shellfish and we shave our sideburns, but we believe homosexual behavior is a sin and affirm the 10 commandments. Are we cherry picking or is something more theological going on?
In this episode I respond to this video by Brian at queertheology.com which claims that Jesus is polyamorous. While plenty of people will respond to the heresy and blasphemy of the claim, I wanted to go through some of the reasons why his statements and attempts to do "queer theology" are... well... queer (sic. strange). He make numerous hermeneutical and theological problems in his attempt to give a religious cover for his sin.
Enjoy the show!
Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG9-bgnVc1c
Text: 1 Timothy 2:5-6
Title: Better than the Blood of Abel
Topic: Solus Christus/Christ Alone
In this episode we explore the weird and wild world of pop atheism and it's claim that "faith" just is valuing belief without evidence. Is that the Biblical view? Is that even an accurate view of Christian belief? Let's find out!
Enjoy the show!
If you've spoken with atheists for any amount of time, you've likely heard this objection against the Bible - God is a moral monster because the Bible commands a rape victim to marry her rapist!
Well is that what the text says? Not even close. In this Freed Byte episode, we take a look at this passage and respond to the challenge.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I discuss many of the objections that I have to Molinism as a theological system and it's proposed benefits to the Christian apologist.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I present my research on the Servetus affair in the life of John Calvin. This event is used by anti-Calvinists typically as an ad hominem attack against Calvinism more general. Not only is such an argument logically fallacious, but in this instance it is built on clearly demonstrable revisionist history.
So did John Calvin have Servetus murdered? Let's find out and see why accurately handling history matters.
Enjoy the show!
We are told in the New Testament, " Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds". (Acts 7:22)
And yet for some reason when some of us present that idea that Moses wrote Genesis 1 in the same literary and cultural context that he was educated in, we are accused of denying inspiration or inerrancy. Here I continue my series that basically argues, “Yes… Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians… and he demonstrated his genius for it in his writings where he polemicized the very Egyptian worldview that he was raised in.”
In this episode I lay out some of the evidence that Genesis 1 was in fact a Temple Text.
Enjoy the show.
Here I present a sermon preached at my home church during a series on the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation. In this sermon on 2 Peter 1:16-21, I present Sola Scriptura and it's importance to the Biblical witness and the history of the church following the Reformation.
Enjoy!
In this episode I present my paper dealing the way that critical scholarship specifically from the Feminist Biblical Scholarship camp, has attempted to recast the role of Jezebel as a heroine of feminism. Enjoy the show!
In this episode I begin my long overdue treatment of the theological position known as Annihilationism or Conditional Immortality (Conditionalism). Part one of this series deals primarily with hermeneutical, verbal, and textual issues related to the case made by major proponents of the view.
Enjoy the show!
Major Sources:
For Conditionalism -
Rethinking Hell: Readings in Evangelical Conditionalism, ed. by Date, Stump, Anderson, and Grice
The Fire that Consumes by Fudge
Papers avail on request
Against Conditionalism -
Hell Under Fire ed. by Morgan and Peterson
"On Banishing the Lake of Fire," in The Gagging of God by Carson
Papers avail on request
I this episode I discuss a well known passage used by atheists and skeptics the world over to protest to Biblical Christianity. That is, the passage where they say the prophet Elisha murders a bunch of little kids for making fun of his baldness by calling some bears to attack them. But, is that really what the text says happened?
In this episode I present my paper dealing with the Noetic Affects and Effects of Sin and Grace and explore the ramifications of sin for the breakdown of what Brunner called the “I-Thou” paradigm. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Listen in and you will!
Enjoy the show!
For the full text of this paper including footnotes, citations, and bibliography please visit:
http://rts.academia.edu/TylerVela
In this episode I review an article by Clint Archer dealing with the issue of the 144,000 found in the book in the Revelation. This article is a good case study in the differences of hermeneutics between Reformed and Dispensational Christians.
You can find the text of this article here: https://www.academia.edu/32930724/144_000_Cattle_on_144_000_Hills_A_response_to_Clint_Archer_on_the_meaning_of_the_144_000_Sealed_in_Revelation_7_and_14
You can find Archer's artlce here: http://thecripplegate.com/why-144000-means-144000/
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I present my research paper on Psalm 137 (one of the so called Imprecatory Psalms) where I explore how it is to be understood and applied within it's historical and textual context, the Christian canon and should be applied to the Christian church despite its violent imagery.
You can find the paper HERE.
In this episode I present the content of one of my MABS research papers dealing with a rather strange law found in Numbers 5 - The Trial by Ordeal of the woman suspected of adultery.
This is a confusing passage for so many and I hope this episode helps many to think more clearly about it. I do not read the passage in the episode so please read it before diving into the content.
Enjoy the show!!
In this episode we explore Judges 11 and the objection that here the Bible "endorses child sacrifice" and try to better understand what is happening with Jephthah and his vow.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I do something a little different. Some good old fashioned Biblical exhortation and encouragement to brotherly love in the podcast.
In this episode I give my final thoughts on the debate that I had with Jason Mullett on our views of Genesis 1. If you have not listened to the debate yet, go back and listen to the last MEGA episode which contains the full debate, audience Q&A and after show.
Enjoy!
In this episode I air a debate I had with Jason Mullett of Logical Belief Ministries on our differing views of Genesis 1.
In this episode I present the final installment of my series on Genesis 1 and what I think is the best handling of the text - the Polemical Literary Framework. This is part 5 of the series so I recommend listening back to the previous episodes before jumping into this one.
Enjoy the show!
The Mentionables Conference 2018 registration: https://thementionables.org/
Sources:
John Walton
- “Reading Genesis Through Ancient Eyes” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci-6ekUmQFE
- Genesis 1 as Ancient Cosmology (Eisenbrauns: 2011)
- The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate (IVP, 2009)
- Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament (Baker: 2006)
- Ancient Israelite Literature in Its Cultural Context: A Survey of parallels between biblical and ancient Near Eastern texts (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989)“Creation in Genesis 1:1 - 2:3 and the Ancient Near East: Order out of Disorder after Chaoskampf,” Calvin Theological Journal 43 (2008): 48-63.
- “Interpreting the Bible as an Ancient Near Eastern Document” in Israel-Ancient Kingdom or Late Invention? Archaeology, Ancient Civilizations, and the Bible, ed. D. Block (Nashville: Broadman/Holman, 2008) 298-327.
Futato, Mark
- (Spring 1998)."Because it Had Rained: A Study of Genesis 2:5–7 With Implications for Genesis 2:4–25 and Genesis 1:1–2:3" (PDF). Westminster Theological Journal. Gordon. 60 (1): 1–21
Irons, Lee
- (January 2000)."The Framework Interpretation: An Exegetical Summary". Ordained Servant. Upper register. 9 (1): 7–11
Kline, Meredith
- (1996)."Space and Time in the Genesis Cosmogony". Perspectives on Science & Christian Faith (48): 2–15
Miller and Soden
- In the Beginning… We Misunderstand. (Kregel: 2012)
Currid, John
- Against the Gods (Crossway: 2013)
- “The Nature of Polemical Thought and Writing,” https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/polemic.html
Niehaus, Jeffrey
- Ancient Near Eastern Themes in Biblical Theology (Kregel: 2008)
In this drive by episode, I respond to a listener question about God and big rocks... you may be familiar with it.
Enjoy the show!
In this article, I respond to several of the most common YEC arguments given in favor of their reading of Genesis 1 against the views of others.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I conclude my series dealing with Genesis 1 as a Polemical Literary Framework.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I continue the series dealing with my view of Genesis 1 as a polemical literary framework opposing the Egyptian creation myths.
Enjoy the show!
For the full paper, visit:
https://www.academia.edu/29550502/A_Historical-Grammatical_and_Polemical_Reading_of_Genesis_1
In this episode, I will be presenting Part I of my paper on Literary Framework and Polemics in Genesis 1 from a Historical-Grammatical methodology. Enjoy the show!
For the full paper (including footnotes not in the recordings) and to sneak a peek at what is coming, you can find the paper here:
https://www.academia.edu/29550502/A_Historical-Grammatical_and_Polemical_Reading_of_Genesis_1
In this episode of the Freed Thinker Podcast, I start a discussion with Chris Date from Rethinking Hell, on his understanding of the Biblical view of the eternal destinies of the believer and the unbeliever - a view typically known as Annihilationism or Conditionalism.
Enjoy the show!!
For more on Chris and the whole Rethinking Hell crew and their work, you can visit rethinkinghell.com.
In this episode I respond to a Facebook interaction with an blog article by Dr. Jonathan Sarfati and what he thinks valid "refutations" of the Literary Framework interpretation of Genesis 1 would be.
Enjoy the show!
Article referenced in the show:
http://creation.com/is-genesis-poetry-figurative-a-theological-argument-polemic-and-thus-not-history
In this episode, we discuss David Hume's work "On Miracles" and whether his objection to the occurence of miracles holds any water.
Enjoy the show!
On this episode I have a very…. Well let’s just call it interesting conversation with David Smalley, the infamous host of Dogma Debate.... It started on the topic of if Atheism is a belief or a worldview then spirals from there. Have your popcorn handy for this one!
Toward the end of the discussion we start discussion Peter Boghossian and whether or not he said theism/Christianity should be classified as a mental illness in the DSM.
The quote in question was: "There is perhaps no greater contribution one could make to contain and perhaps even cure faith than removing the exemption that prohibits classifying religious delusions as mental illness. The removal of religious exemptions from the DSM would enable academicians and clinicians to bring considerable resources to bear on the problem of treating faith, as well as on the ethical issues surrounding faith-based interventions. In the long term, once these treatments and this body of research is refined, results could then be used to inform public health policies designed to contain and ultimately eradicate faith.” Peter Boghossian A Manual for Creating Atheists (Kindle Locations 3551-3555).
You'll here how that goes... but look, even Jerry Coyne read it how pretty much EVERYONE read it... oh and see the comments on this blog and you'll see all the atheists saying exactly what David claims to never see...
https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/the-bible-of-psychiatric-diagnosis-exempts-religion-from-delusions-even-though-it-is-one/
For a previous article I wrote on on David's views, visit http://freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-response-to-david-smalleys-top-10_9.html
Enjoy the show!
I this episode this episode I am rebroadcasting a discussion from the Council of Google+ in which Eric Hernandez and myself are joined by Johnny Sakr and Owen Paun to give the Molinists a chance to add some clarity to the discussion that Eric and I had over on Striving for Eternity that I aired on the last episode.
This was originally a video call so when I make reference to the slide, please see the attached graphics.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I discuss the issue of Molinism with Eric Hernandez and Andrew Rappaport on Andrew's show, Striving for Eternity.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I discuss my recent paper on polemics in Genesis 1 and some of the backlash that it has received.
Enjoy the show!
Link to the article:
https://www.academia.edu/29550502/A_Historical-Grammatical_and_Polemical_Reading_of_Genesis_1
Link to the articles I mention that I wrote previously:
http://freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com/2011/05/israel-in-egypt-historical-fact-or.html
http://freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com/2011/06/israel-in-egypt-historical-fact-or.html
In this rather LONG discussion with atheist and naturalist Benjamin Watkins we explore his defense of philosophical naturalism. This one gets philosophical and somewhat heated. We loved chatting though. Strap in and hold on... this is going to get philosophical!
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I am joined by Owen Paun from the Ask a Millennial Christian podcast - a sister podcast from the Christus Victor Network - to discussion Molinism and what exactly we find so problematic with it.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I present part 1 of a 2 part series responding to the doctrine known as Molinism, most famously defended by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig. Part 1 will be a direct response to a Q&A done by Craig on his website which you can find here: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/molinism-vs-calvinism. In this Q&A response, Craig presents what he thinks the problems are with Reformed Theology as part of the reason that he accepts Molinism. I take him to task for much of what he says here.
Part 2 will be a more broad engagement with the heterodox doctrine of Molinism and will attempt to expose many of its Biblical, theological, and philosophical shortcomings. I will be joined by Owen Paun for that discussion.
Enjoy the show!
This is Part 2 of my discussion with Dr. Charles Lee Irons on the issue of Theonomy.
Enjoy the show!
You can find more of Dr. Irons' work on his blog:
http://www.upper-register.com/
In this episode, he will specifically mention these two papers:
http://www.upper-register.com/papers/1788_theonomy.pdf
http://www.upper-register.com/papers/1788_revision.pdf
Here is a link to his latest book that I HIGHLY recommend to any student of the Greek NT:
https://www.amazon.com/Syntax-Guide-Readers-Greek-Testament/dp/0825443822/
This is Part 1 of my discussion with Dr. Charles Lee Irons on the issue of Theonomy.
Enjoy the show!
You can find more of Dr. Irons' work on his blog:
http://www.upper-register.com/
In Part 2 he will specifically mention these two papers:
http://www.upper-register.com/papers/1788_theonomy.pdf http://www.upper-register.com/papers/1788_revision.pdf
Here is a link to his latest book that I HIGHLY recommend to any student of the Greek NT:
https://www.amazon.com/Syntax-Guide-Readers-Greek-Testament/dp/0825443822/
In this episode we continue our discussion of the so called "misogyny" of the Bible by laying a hermeneutical foundation for how we are to read the Bible in a Redemptive Historical and how Jesus is the answer in the back of the book so to speak. We explore Paul's view that Jesus tore down social dividing lines and what this does to show the ultimate intention of God and his work of subverting Ancient Near Eastern cultural norms throughout the Old Testament.
Enjoy the show!
If you enjoy this content, please consider partnering with us by becoming a Sponsor here on Podbean or by finding us on Patreon.
In this episode I continue the discussion with atheists Cory Markum and Alex Starr about a wide ranging host of topics from Jesus Mythicism, Leprechaun defecation, to Richard Dawkins. I forgot to give the warning on the last episode so I will here... the really polite southern gentleman lets some expletives slip. And honestly... I'm too lazy to edit it.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode there is a discussion between two black sheep and one as white as snow... ;) And yes that was the title recommended by one of the atheists! Listen in to this wonderful lively discussion between myself and two atheists, Cory Markum and Alex Starr.
Please consider sponsoring the show by visiting us on Patreon or by following the Podbean Sponsor link in the blog.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we pick up part 2 of my discussion with atheist and historian Tim O'Neill.
Enjoy the show!
Tim's Links:
http://historyforatheists.blogspot.com/
http://armariummagnus.blogspot.com/
http://www.historyversusthedavincicode.com/author.html
https://www.quora.com/profile/Tim-ONeill-1
This episode is part 1 in a 2 part interview that I had with atheist Tim O'Neill on history and the New Atheism. For more on Tim, you can find his work at his many different projects such as History Versus The Da Vinci Code, and History for Atheists.
Enjoy the show!
Tim's Links:
http://historyforatheists.blogspot.com/
http://armariummagnus.blogspot.com/
http://www.historyversusthedavincicode.com/author.html
https://www.quora.com/profile/Tim-ONeill-1
In this episode we continue our series on the so-called "Bible Atrocities" and ask the question "Isn't the Bible Misogynistic?" This is Part 1 of a 3 part section seeking to answer that question.
Enjoy the show!
In this somewhat impromptu episode, I reflect on a bizarre conversation I had with a Jesus Mythicist. It was just delightful.
You'll see.
Enjoy the show!
Sources:
The thread is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unbelievablejb/permalink/862034720563712/?comment_id=862457950521389¬if_t=group_comment_follow¬if_id=1462116244926186
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Romulus*.html
http://www.ancient.eu/Romulus_and_Remus/
In this episode we spend some time talking with Nicholas Bruzzese about his transition from atheism to Christianity and some of his thoughts on the current religious debates.
Nicholas is the host of the Theosophy Podcast - another podcast on The Christus Victor Network.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we continue our series looking at the so-called "atrocities" in the Bible by exploring the question of whether or not God commanded genocide in the Old Testament when he ordered the Israelites to drive the Canaanites out of the land. I'm joined for this discussion by Dr. Matthew Flannagan.
For more on Dr. Flannagan, you can follow his work at www.mandm.org.nz. You can also check out his book on this topic, co-authored with Dr. Paul Copan, entitled Did God Really Command Genocide? Coming to Terms with the Justice of God.
Enjoy the Show!
P.S. I tried a new platform for recording and it did not turn out the best. Sorry for the poor audio on my side of the discussion!
In this final installment, my conversation with my friend and atheist Cory Markum comes to a conclusion with our talk on God and the problem of evil. If you have not yet listened to the previous two episodes of my discussion with Cory, I recommend starting with those.
You can stream the content here or download it on iTunes, Stitcher, or at the Christus Victor Network. Please consider partnering with us financially and sign up to be a patron here or on Patreon.com.
Enjoy the show!
For Cory's blog visit: http://www.atheistrepublic.com/blogs/cory-markum
In this episode I continue my discussion with my friend and atheist Cory Markum on what he thinks a possible foundation for morality might be from within a non-theistic worldview. At the end of this I ask the audience to weigh in if Cory has met his burden of proof to demonstrate that such a thesis has been demonstrated. Feel free to comment with your thoughts!
For this episode and more, visit iTunes, Stitcher, or The Christus Victor Network.
Please consider partnering with us here on Podbean or through our Patreon account.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode I begin my discussion with friend and atheist Cory Markum on the issue of objective moral realism and if it is possible to ground morality within a non-theistic worldview. This is part 1 in a three part series.
For more information on Cory, visit his blog at http://www.atheistrepublic.com/blogs/cory-markum or you can probably find him lurking (because don't you know that all atheists are lurkers) in The Freed Thinker Podcast Facebook group page.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we wrap up our discussion of the Doctrines of Grace by showing how Calvinism is relevant in the discipline of apologetics and why Calvinism is a more helpful response to the problem of evil and the problem of divine hiddenness than that of typical responses to those arguments.
For more content you can visit the blog at www.freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com or visit the Freed Thinker Podcast group page on Facebook.
Please consider being a sponsor here on Podbean or on Patreon.
Enjoy the show!
In this first episode of 2016 we look at the final Calvinistic doctrine known as the Perseverance of the Saints. It is the final layer of the Russian Nesting Doll and addresses the question of if a Christian can lose their salvation and fall away from the grace of God. Enjoy the show!
Merry Christmas!
This episode we complete the interview with philosopher of religion Graham Oppy.
For more information, visit www.freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com
Enjoy the show!
In this episode of the show I start part 1 of a discussion that I had with renowned atheist philosopher of religion Dr. Graham Oppy on some of his work within the field. I hope you all enjoy the discussion.
In this episode we continue out look at the Reformed Doctrines of Grace, also known as Calvinism. We have been working our way through the Russian Nesting Dolls and have now gotten to the question of how God applies the atonement of Christ to his elect people. Can people by the working of their own free will reject the gospel call of God when he has elected and atoned for them? Of does the work of the Spirit happen in a way that cannot be repelled?
That is the question for this episode of The Freed Thinker Podcast!
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we continue our discussion of the Doctrines of Grace (also known as Calvinism) by exploring the doctrine of Limited Atonement. For more information visit the blog at www.freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com, for find us on Facebook.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we continue our series looking at the Reformed Doctrines of Grace otherwise known as the doctrines of Calvinism. Next time we will be looking at the doctrine known as Limited Atonement so for this episode we are looking at the intent of the atonement. I argue that we cannot understand the EXTENT of the atonement unless we understand the INTENT of the atonement.
Enjoy the show!
For more resources I recommend:
Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray
The Atonement by Leon Morris
From Heaven He Came and Sought Her ed. by Jonathan Gibson and J.I. Packer
https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/introduction-to-pastoral-theological/id378878956?mt=10
https://itunes.apple.com/us/course/introduction-to-pastoral-theological/id534630011
In this episode we continue the discussion of the Reformed Doctrines of Grace, also known as Calvinism, but looking at the "U" in TULIP - Unconditional Election.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode of the show, we start a series dealing with the Doctrines of Grace (typically called Calvinism). Getting some of these concepts in place will not only help resolve some of the recent debates on Molinism that the apologetical world has been engaged in, but also sets the stage for what I think are more robust and biblical answers to objections based on the problem of evil, suffering, and the "God is a moral monster" brand of argumentation.
For more information visit the blog at www.freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com or visit the Freed Thinker Podcast group on Facebook.
Enjoy the show!
Happy Reformation Day everybody!
In this edition of the show, we are actually a Part II of a conversation I had with Rob Johnson of the Apologetics105 blog and podcast. We discuss everything from our eerily similar conversions, to atheistic fundamentalist David McAfee, but the main topics for the show are Molinism, Arminianism and Calvinism.
You can catch Part I of the show by listening to Apologetics105 on iTunes or streaming it from Podbean. For more information on his show, find him on the Apologetics105 Facebook group or from his blog at www.apologetics105.com.
And for those Apologetics105 listeners who are finding The Freed Thinker for the first time, Welcome home to our freed thinking embrace!
Enjoy the show!
For other great podcasts, head on over and visit our friends at The Christus Victor Network at www.christusvictornetwork.com.
In this episode, I circle back to some of the things that I discussed with Thomas Smith on his podcast Atheistically Speaking. I wasn't entirely happy with some of my responses so I wanted to flesh them out a little more here. I discuss everything from the literary master of the Bible to the Bible's polemical use of the Enuma Elish.
I also discuss my views on the ever controversial Genesis 1 creation account - this will be a delight to YEC and OEC alike!
If you want to discuss the show you can do so in the comment, visit the blog at www.freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com or join the Facebook group page.
Also please consider becoming a sponsor!
As I mentioned, here are some of the sources you can use to look into what I discussed. In addition to these, I recommend looking up a lecture by John Walton called Reading Genesis Through Ancient Eyes.
Enjoy! Various Views:
Genesis Debate: Three Views on the Days of Creation edited by David Hagopian
Reading Genesis 1-2: An Evangelical Conversation by J. Daryl Charles
Did God Create In Six Days edited by Joseph Pipa and David Hall
Four Views on the Historical Adam edited by Ardel B. Caneday
Old Earth Views
Genesis One: A Scientific Perspective by Hugh Ross
In The Beginning by E. J. Young
7 Days that Divide the World by John Lennox
God's Pattern for Creation: A Covenantal Reading of Genesis 1 by W. Robert Godfrey
A Biblical Case for an Old Earth by David Snoke
Young Earth Views
The Genesis Record by Henry Morris
In the Beginning of the World: A Scientific Study of Genesis 1-11 by Henry Morris
Literary/Historical Views
In The Beginning We Misunderstood by Miller and Soden
Kingdom Prologue by Meredith Kline (Framework Model)
The Lost World of Genesis One by John Walton
Genesis 1 As Ancient Cosmology by John Walton
Last Things First by J.V. Fesko
In the Beginning: The Opening Chapters of Genesis by Henri Blocher
Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary by C. John Collins
In this episode I discuss the philosophical concept of disambiguation and the need to be able to disambiguate important concepts when engaging with a different worldview or belief than our own. When atheistic fundamentalists compare God to a Flying Spaghetti Monster, have they made a valid point or are they showing an inability to disambiguate? We will see in this episode of the Freed Thinker Podcast!
Enjoy!
In this episode I interview Albert McIlhenny of labarum.net on the issue of Jesus Mythicism. We discuss everything from Zeitgeist to Richard Carrier.
I do want to apologize for the sound quality on this episode. For some reason the call recorder for Skype recorded it really choppy. But I think you will get a kick out of it anyway!
If you want to help improve the show, feel free to become a contributor. You $5 monthly donation would help a ton!
Enjoy the show!
In this episode we continue our series on the supposed atrocities that are found within the Bible. We have looked at slavery in the past two episodes dealing with the Ancient Near Eastern cultural context and the casuistic laws found in the Old Testament. In this episode we move into the 1st century and explore how Jesus and Paul interacted with the topic of slavery.
In this episode, we continue our look at the Old Testament laws regarding slavery and respond to critical views that say that the Bible condones slavery and the abuse of slaves.
In this episode, I review some recent interactions on various Facebook threads in which the rise and intensification of Atheistic Fundamentalism and Anti-Intellectualism were demonstrably observed.
Here are the links to various lectures and articles referenced in the episode:
Links to the lectures on the history of Science and Religion:
Lawrence Principe - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XFVARio4pAk
Ronald Numbers - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BliF1xcToPk
Allan Chapman – https://vimeo.com/22188636
David Lindberg – https://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/videos/florentine-heretic-galileo-church-and-cosmos
Edward Davis – https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/center-for-research-in-science/id421902830?mt=10
(That is the link to the iTunes section. I have in mind his lecture “Why History Matters.” I haven’t listened to all or most of the lectures there so I cannot vouch for the quality of the lectures as a whole.)
Link to the Faraday lectures:
https://www.faraday.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/Lectures_old.php
Links to Polemics in the Old Testament:
Currid’s book on polemics in the OT - http://www.amazon.com/Against-Gods-Polemical-Theology-Testament/dp/1433531836
Excepts from Currid’s book - http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/polemic.html
An interview with Currid - http://reformedforum.org/ctc281/
Currid’s lectures on iTunes U - https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/crass-plagiarism/id378879778?mt=10
Other Lectures that I have posted in the thread which they refused to listen to because they are by “creationists”:
Science and Secularization, A discussion between Lawrence Princepe, Ronald Numbers and John Brooke: https://vimeo.com/54400918
Philosophical Breakfast Club and the Invention of the Scientist – A lecture by Laura Snyder: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HY27DpJUF8A
Scientism and the Humanities – A lecture by Roger Scruton: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zF5X9amkH2s
Philosophy and Scientism – A lecture by Peter M.S. Hacker: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jjAFqo67yuU
Science, Scientism and the Public Good – A lecture by Daniel Robinson: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWHZfOGpn8
We return in this episode to the series we had started on the so called Bible Atrocities and will start to address the question, "Doesn't the Bible condone slavery?!" Answering this question may take 3 to 4 episodes as we explore the cultural and historical contexts of Ancient Israel, examine some of the casuistic (case) laws in the Pentateuch, investigate how the New Testament addresses the issue of slavery and servitude in light of the person and work of Jesus Christ found in the Gospel and then wrap up considering the role that Bible played in the New World African slave trade.
For more information you can visit the blog at freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com, email me at freedthinkerpodcast@gmail.com or visit the Freed Thinker Podcast group page on Facebook.
If you like what you hear, subscribe and share it with a friend!
In this episode we respond to an article by Atheistic Fundamentalist blogger Greta Christina on just what would make her lose her belief in atheism and acquire a belief in God.
In this special edition of the show, we interview Nick Peters from Deeper Waters about his book review of atheist apologist David McAfee.
For more on Nick and his ministry, you can visit his website at deeperwaters.ddns.net or subscribe to his podcast on iTunes.
In this episode we begin a new series dealing with the so called "atrocities" of the Bible and the arguments that God is a "moral monster." This introductory episode deals with the issue of the nature of these kinds of argument and ask the question that Abraham asked, "Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just?"
Enjoy the show!
In this final episode responding to the Thinking Atheist Radio show on Counter Apologetics, I am joined again by my good friend Nicholas (NJ) Bruzzese.
In this episode we continue our analysis of The Thinking Atheist Radio Show episodes on Counter Apologetics with his guests Matthew Dillahunty and Tracie Harris from the Atheist Experience and atheist blogger Aron Ra. The focus of this segment primarily deals with what is known as Pascal's Wager.
For this episode and others, including articles, visit us at freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com or check us out on Facebook.
In this episode, we continue our interaction with The Thinking Atheist Radio show as he discussed Counter Apologetics with Matt and Tracie from the Atheist Experience and atheistic blogger Aron Ra.
Enjoy!
We begin a new series responding to the Thinking Atheist Radio show and their episodes on Counter Apologetics.
freedthinkerpodcast.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/groups/thefreedthinkerpodcast/
In this episode, I discuss an epiphany I had while listening to a debate between Dan Barker and Dinesh D'Souza on the kind of Christianity that atheists often rail against. during the debate, it struck me that Dan Barker was an explicitly Pelagian Pagan and that he thinks Pealgianism just is what Christianity is and was to him.
Enjoy the show!
We are finally back after a long hiatus. And we are back with a bang. In this episode we look at whether or not atheists should even want to define atheism as "lack of belief" and why I think not defining it as such actually makes atheism a much stronger position.
In this edition of The Freed Thinker Podcast we respond to a meme that has been making its way around the atheistic blog-o-sphere and on the Facebook threads dealing with the supposed “monsters” in the Bible. How accurate is the meme? Does the Bible affirm the real existence of Dragons and Cockatrices and Sea Monsters?
We will see.
In this episode of the Freed Thinker Podcast (in conjunction with the Skeptics Testament) NJ, Brandon, and myself continue to explore the topic of moral philosophy. Brandon begins to present his somewhat idiosyncratic position on Moral Nihilism and I think what follows is a very interesting discussion. In fact we had so much fun that we recorded for way too long and we needed to split it up into two different episodes.
This edition we continue our joint discussion with Nicholas Bruzzese and our friend Brandon Christen. We continue with my presentation of Theistic Objective Moral Realism in which we touch on: Divine Command Theory, Divine Attribute Theory, The Rebuff of Nihilism, The Price Tag of Rejecting Theistic Objective Moral Realism, Nihilism and Cognitive Dissonance.Enjoy the show!
This edition of The Freed Thinker Podcast we take a break from our presentation of my response to Jim Merrit's list of Bible contradictions and continue with the second part of what will ultimately be multipart series on the questions of moral philosophy. I am joined by my friends Nicholas Bruzzese from The Skeptics Testament (and who has been a guest on the show before) and Brandon Christian, who many of your may recognize from the TST facebook page.
In this second episode, is part 1 of a discussion that we had about my position - Theistic Objective Moral Realism.
For resources on this book I recommend the following books (later episodes I’ll recommend books, podcasts, and online articles for a little more variety)
Moral Philosophy: A Reader ed. by Pojman
Moral Relativism and Moral Objectivity by Gilbert Harman and Judith Jarvis Thomson
Enjoy the show!
In today’s episode we begin a new series dealing with Jim Meritt’s list of Bible Contradictions found at the Internet Infidels webpage. We begin by looking at the introductory remarks by the II editor of the post as well as Meritt’s own opening remarks.
Click it! Subscribe to it! Love it!
In this episode of The Free Thinker Podcast we wrap up the presentation of my book review of David McAfee’s book Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings. We start with his chapter entitled Atrocities and Absurdities, move on to the conclusion of Part 1 of the book then finish up by looking at the handful of small secularist reflections (really more anti-theistic than strictly secular).
This edition of The Freed Thinker Podcast we take a break from our presentation of my book review of David McAfee’s book Disproving God and give the first part of what will ultimately be a 5 part series on the questions of moral philosophy. I am joined by my friends Nicholas Bruzzese from The Skeptics Testament (and who has been a guest on the show before) and new comer to the show Brandon Christian, who many of your may recognize from the TST facebook page.
In this first episode we introduce ourselves and give some of our background and then we survey some of the preliminary concepts that will be needed to navigate through this series.
As a sneak preview this is the content for the next 4 shows:
Episode 2: Tyler argues for Objective Moral Realism
Episode 3: Nicholas argues for Contextualism
Episode 4: Brandon argues for Nihilism…ish.
Episode 5: We respond to YOUR comments and questions! (so keep them coming!)
For resources on this book I recommend the following books (later episodes I’ll recommend books, podcasts, and online articles for a little more variety)
Moral Philosophy: A Reader ed. by Pojman
Moral Relativism and Moral Objectivity by Gilbert Harman and Judith Jarvis Thomson
Enjoy the show!
This edition of The Freed Thinker Podcast we take a break from our presentation of my book review of David McAfee’s book Disproving God and give the first part of what will ultimately be a 5 part series on the questions of moral philosophy. I am joined by my friends Nicholas Bruzzese from The Skeptics Testament (and who has been a guest on the show before) and new comer to the show Brandon Christian, who many of your may recognize from the TST facebook page.
In this first episode we introduce ourselves and give some of our background and then we survey some of the preliminary concepts that will be needed to navigate through this series.
As a sneak preview this is the content for the next 4 shows:
Episode 2: Tyler argues for Objective Moral Realism
Episode 3: Nicholas argues for Contextualism
Episode 4: Brandon argues for Nihilism…ish.
Episode 5: We respond to YOUR comments and questions! (so keep them coming!)
For resources on this book I recommend the following books (later episodes I’ll recommend books, podcasts, and online articles for a little more variety)
Moral Philosophy: A Reader ed. by Pojman
Moral Relativism and Moral Objectivity by Gilbert Harman and Judith Jarvis Thomson
Enjoy the show!
In this episode of the Freed Thinker Podcast I continue my review of David McAfee's book Disproving Christianity and Other Secular writings. We discuss the chapter entitled "Minor Contradictions" and talk about why I think this chapter fails on nearly all counts.
You can also join us on facebook on our group page at www.facebook.com/groups/thefreedthinkerpodcast
On this episode of The Freed Thinker Podcast we continue the presentation of my book review of David McAfee's book Disproving Christianity and Other Secular writings. We discuss his chapter entitled Contradictions in Scripture and in Practice in which McAfee attempts to show contradictions in the Biblical texts. To no avail.
In today's episode we continue the review of David McAfee's book Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings by examining his chapter "Mainstream Theories of Disapproval."
As many of you know I am still trying to get the podcast to come up under the search function on iTunes but to no success yet.
Yes it is an excellent week... TWO episodes this week! You all are so lucky. This episode we continue our review of David McAfee's book Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings, 2nd Edition and discuss his chapter "Morality verses Worship".
You can also find the new episode on iTunes by searching for The Freed Thinker Podcast in the iTunes store.
I look forward to hearing your responses and comments!
Click it! Subscribe to it! Love it!
In today’s episode we continue our presentation of my book review of David McAfee’s book Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings, 2nd Edition. We discuss his two chapters “Cultural Christianity” and “Christianity in America.” I hope you enjoy!
In this episode of The Freed Thinker Podcast I begin a series in which I present my book length book review of David McAfee’s book Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings, 2nd ed. This first episode contains the Introduction to the 2nd edition of the book review, the Introduction to the Book Review and the Preface.
Thank you all for your continued support and I look forward to hearing your comments and questions with this new series!
In this episode of The Freed Thinker Podcast, we take a break from our examination of the Kalam Cosmological Argument to spend some time talking to one of my all time favorite skeptics, Nicholas Bruzzese, host of The Skeptics Testament Podcast.
The discussion ranges from Biblical illiteracy, the historical critical method, scientism, and a whole host of other interesting topics.
As always you can download the episode on Itunes - just search for Freed Thinker Podcast. Or you can stream it here on the podcast feed.
Click it! Subscribe to it! Listen to it! LOVE it!