Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 31: Sin and the Uncircumcised Heart (Pt 2)- The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 5 By Corey Ostler Topics Discussed: • Ego Maintenance, Self-Deception, and Authenticity • The Bondage of Sin and Agency Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 30: Sin and the Uncircumcised Heart (Pt 1)- The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 5 By Corey Ostler Topics Discussed: • LDS Light on Original Sin • Epistemological Assumptions of Moral Obligation Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 29: The Implausibility of Original Sin - The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 4 By Corey Ostler Topics Discussed: • The Traditional Paradigms of Original Sin • Can We Be Guilty For the Acts of Another? Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 28: The Relation of Moral Obligation and God in LDS Thought (Pt 2) - Ch 3 By Corey Ostler We discuss different ethical theories and evaluate if they fit with the LDS commitments and doctrine. We layout the positive and negative aspect of each theory and come up with a theory of ethics that is scriptural and consistent with the LDS world view and revelations. Topics Discussed: • The Possibilities of Ethics in LDS Thought • An LDS Teleological Ethic? • The Human Rights Objection • The Distributive-Justice Objection • The Genuine Friendship Objection • A Duty-Based LDS Ethic? • The Overbroad Rule Argument • The Underinclusive Value Argument • An LDS Agape Theory of Ethics in Alignment with the Gospel of Christ Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 27: 027-The Relation of Moral Obligation and God in LDS Thought (Pt 1) - Ch 3 By Corey Ostler In his contribution to The New Mormon Challenge, Francis Beckwith argues that the LDS view of God(s) cannot explain the existence of objective moral obligation and that the “classical” view which he purports to defend can. www.amazon.com/New-Mormon-Challe…ith/dp/0310231949 Topics Discussed: • Beckwith's Argument • Why Beckwith’s Argument Necessarily Unsound • Are Moral Laws Logically Dependent On God’s Nature? • Is God a Morally Perfect Being? • Beckwith’s Equivocation in His Use of “God” Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 26: Providence & Prayer (Part 2) - The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 2 By Corey Ostler We discuss the problems with praying to a God who has All-Controlling power. We ask whether manipulation can ever be conducive to an authentic loving relationship. We overview the strengths of the Open Theism movement for relating to God through prayer. Finally, we discuss a Mormon view on the problem of prayer and what options are available and what unique solutions the LDS view of God can provide to this issue. Topics Discussed: • Prayer to an All-Controlling God • Manipulative Love? • Divine Openness and Petitionary Prayer • Mormonism and the Problem of Prayer Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 25: Providence & Prayer (Part 1) - The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 2 By Corey Ostler We discuss the problem of prayer. I may speak to God, but how could I impart any information that He doesn’t already know? I may ask God, but how could I ask for anything that he isn’t already dedicated to offering for my greatest good? I may seek God, but how could I ever suppose that he hasn’t already sought me? Topics Discussed: • The Problem of Prayer • A Relational Solution Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 24: Mormonism and the Nature of Divine Love - The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 1 By Corey Ostler Topics Discussed: • Mormonism and God's Love • The Logic of Love • The I-Thou Relation • Unconditional Love and Fellowship Links: Elder Nelson Article- www.lds.org/ensign/2003/02/divine-love?lang=eng Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 23: The Book of Mormon as a Modern Expansion of an Ancient Source By Corey Ostler The Book of Mormon has both obvious 19th century influences and anachronisms as well as very strong evidence for having ancient origins. The Expansion theory, introduced in an article by my father in 1987, looks at all the evidence and tries to come up with a solution that preserves both. I wanted to find out the nuances of the view and see if it still held up. Enjoy! Links: Original Article: www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/up…V20N01_68.pdf Update: www.timesandseasons.org/harchive/2005…nsion-theory/ Response to Criticism: blakeostler.com/docs/criticexpansionth.pdf Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 21: The Attributes Of God Ch 14 - A Mormon Christology (Part 2) By Corey Ostler This is the last episode covering Vol 1: The Attributes of God. Last week we laid out the unique Mormon commitments of a Christology and this week we see if it can hold up to scrutiny. We discuss how the Mormon view dissolves many of the issues in conventional Christology, but has its own set of challenges. Enjoy! Topics Discussed: • God's Necessary Existence • The Necessity of Condescension and Kenosis • Are Divinity and Humanity Compossible in Christ? • Time Indexed Properties of Divinity • Was Jesus Truly Human • The Problems of Identity • Was It Possible for Jesus to Sin? • Could Yahweh Be God If He Could Learn from Suffering? Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts