Thinking Christianly

Paul Gould, Ph.D., philosopher specializing in metaphysics and theism, unpacks divine conceptualism and its ties to realism and nominalism. He explores abstract objects in the divine mind, divine exemplarism, and how Platonic ideas aid theological reasoning. The conversation also tackles divine simplicity, aseity, and what God’s creativity means for eternal truths.

Stan W. Wallace, Christian scholar focused on worldview and apologetics, and J.P. Moreland, philosopher-theologian known for metaphysics and mind, unpack nominalism vs realism. They define nominalism, trace its cultural ripple effects, contrast moderate and extreme forms, and probe problems like similarity and linguistic regresses. They also consider why people adopt nominalism and how Christians can engage differing views.

Stan W. Wallace, philosopher and podcaster who writes on realism and theology, and J.P. Moreland, philosopher and theologian noted for work in philosophy of mind and apologetics. They debate whether abstract things like numbers, relations, and essences are real. Short takes on math and logic as non‑sensory realities, universals in persons and roles, beauty and normativity, and theological stakes of realism.

Stan W. Wallace, a Christian educator and speaker, and J.P. Moreland, a prominent philosopher specializing in metaphysics, dive into the intriguing realism vs. nominalism debate. They explore what makes things what they are and how this understanding affects our lives. Key topics include the relationship between God and universals, the implications of Platonic thought on morality, and the necessity of careful philosophy for effective theology. They argue that universals are essential for grounding values and meaningful human flourishing.

In this episode, we continue our series by discussing the final chapter of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing. In this podcast, we discuss:  How does understanding what people are help us in proclaiming the Good News? How can we avoid the two extremes of only caring for the body or only caring for the soul in missional contexts? What does it mean to have confidence or trust in a belief? How does faith relate to certainty? How does a commitment to holistic dualism help us avoid dehumanizing others? How can holistic dualism help us integrate our faith and our professions? Resources mentioned during our conversation: Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds? Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website. A printable group discussion guide to Stan’s book can be found here.

In this episode, we continue our series by discussing Chapter 9 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing. In this episode, we discuss: What problems arise when we reduce spiritual formation to just the physical What problems arise when we reduce spiritual formation to just the immaterial How we should understand the unity of the body and soul as it relates to spiritual formation What it looks like to take a both/and approach to spiritual formation in our lives How this topic has impacted our churches How Dallas Willard’s model of growth in Christ differs from what neurotheologians offer God’s role and our role in spiritual formation Resources mentioned during our conversation: Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds? Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website. A printable group discussion guide to Stan’s book can be found here.  

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapters 7 and 8 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.   In this episode, we discuss: What is the difference between valuing science and scientism? Was Dallas Willard a neurotheologian? Does neurotheology help people grow in Christlikeness? For the sake of simplicity, why not just understand persons as material beings? How can the body and soul interact if they are such different types of things? Wait, does this mean animals also have souls? Is that Biblical?   Resources mentioned during our conversation: Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds? Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website. A printable group discussion guide to Stan’s book can be found here. Thinking Christianly Episode #32: Having Better Conversations by Avoiding Logical Fallacies Thinking Christianly Episode #40: “The Unity of the Soul and Body”: Chapter 6 of Have We Lost Our Minds?

In this episode we continue our series discussing Stan’s recent book Have We Lost Our Minds?, exploring the book’s themes with neuroscientist and apologist Sharon Dirckx, Ph.D. In this episode, we discuss: In what ways do we talk about the brain doing what persons do? How did Sharon’s experience in brain imaging research help her conclude that we are more than just our brains? What is the role of honest and open dialogue in finding truth in this and all other important areas? How does acknowledging the first-person perspective as a way of knowing change the conversation about mind-brain relations? Are there studies in neuroscience that suggest a soul? What are the most compelling objections to holistic dualism from the neuroscientific perspective? How could thinking Christians respond to these objections? Resources mentioned during our conversation: Sharon Dirckx, Am I Just My Brain? Find out more about Dr. Sharon Dirckx’s work on her website and through the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds? Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website. A printable group discussion guide can be found here. Thinking Christianly Episode #21: A Case Study in Thinking Christianly and Making a Difference: Edmund Husserl Thinking Christianly Episode #22: The Importance of Legacy: More Lessons from the Life of Edmund Husserl Premier Unbelievable?: Iain McGilchrist & Sharon Dirckx • Brain science, consciousness & God Michael Egnor and Denyse O’Leary, The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon’s Case for the Existence of the Soul Additional Resources:  Sharon Dirckx, “Christ Renews our Minds, not Our Brains“, Christianity Today, August 18, 2025

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 6 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing. In this episode, we discuss: What is the nature of the relationship between the body and soul? Do ears hear? How can we understand the way souls and bodies interact? What are the key differences between the various kinds of dualism? What is traducianism, and how is it different from creationism? What are some of the implications of holistic dualism in how we understand health? How should we understand the context of the conversations about the relationship of the body and the soul? What can Christian thinkers do to engage this topic well? Why do theologically trained scholars tend to have a difficult time with substance dualism? Resources mentioned during our conversation: Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds? Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website. A printable group discussion guide can be found here. Thinking Christianly Episode #7: What is the Soul, and Why Should We Care? (Part 1) Thinking Christianly Episode #8: What is the Soul, and Why Should We Care? (Part 2) P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Struggle of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace Lesslie Newbigin, Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel in Western Culture

In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 5 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing. We discuss: What is an “individuated human nature,” and why is each of these words important? Natures have capacities; the ability to manifest a capacity is a faculty. What kinds of faculties do humans have? What makes human consciousness unique? How can asking “What is it like?” questions help engage people in conversation about the soul? How do our human faculties interact? How do studies on near-death (or after-death!) experiences help us understand the nature of the soul? What does it mean to be a substance that has properties?   Resources and Citations: Find out more about Have We Lost Our Minds? Get the introduction to the book for free on the Global Scholars website. A printable group discussion guide can be found here. The Lausanne Movement’sThe Seoul Statement, Preamble to Section IV: “The Human Person: The Image of God Created and Restored” Thinking Christianly Episode #7: What is a Soul and Why Should We Care? (Part 1) Thinking Christianly Episode #8: What is a Soul and Why Should We Care? (Part 2) John Burke, Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God’s Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You Gary Habermas & J.P. Moreland, Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immortality Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy