The Freethinking Podcasts

It's Question Time, and today's episode features an engaging question from one of our listeners based on Tim's argument that animals (including beloved pets) go to heaven. If that's true, says this listener, then how is God good if my child who I love MORE than my pet might be going to Hell? Josh and Tim tackle this philosophically, theologically, and pastorally. Want to ask a question?

Go to our website: https://www.freethinkingministries.co...

Check out Tim's Second Edition of Mere Molinism: https://us.amazon.com/Freedom-Divine-...

Check out Josh's Novel: https://us.amazon.com/Fracture-Joshua...

Tim's Article and Argument for pets going to heave: https://www.freethinkingministries.co...

The full e-mail:

I love my dog, but I love my child more. The following may reveal my own selfishness in that I don't want my child to choose what he desires (a life without Christ). Though I believe in freewill, I am almost to the point where I wish God did not grant it. I'd rather have my child "a robot" in Heaven with God and me than have him freely choose his eternal destination. I am concerned for a day when my son's sin takes him to the point of a totally seared conscience.

Though my son is not a drug addict, a drug addict gets to the point of addiction when he knows not what he does in harming his own body, mind, etc. Isn't any sin this way? We know not what we do. We, as fallible creatures, don't know what's best for us. Only our Creator knows this, and yet He allows us to choose wrongly?!? Why?!? Why would God take an animal to heaven while allowing a mother or father who would die for their child (a human being made in God's image, unlike an animal, and "worth more than the birds of the air") to be separated from him for eternity?

It is said that to have loved and then lost is better than to have never loved at all, but I'm not so sure right now. Pictures and memories of my son's "innocence" in childhood haunt me. Yet some say God wipes away such memories in Heaven, but don't you think we will know more, not less, in Eternity? To wipe that child from one's memory seems diminishing. Even to suggest annihilation (a theory I don't favor) would not soften the wounds of loss to a mother's heart. No longer existing seems to delegitimize any life. Even the truth of someday having a better understanding of God's holiness and justice regarding my own flesh and blood is gut wrenching (I agree we all deserve Hell).

Why are we to lay down our lives for sinners now in reaching them for Christ but will eventually rejoice in jubilation when the time of their destruction comes? Why would God have fashioned such motherly sentiments to unconditionally love and sacrificially nurture if we were to suffer this pain of eternal separation? If God loves me and if God knew my child would not follow Him, why did He bring about a world allowing him to be created? Or to survive infancy? Theoretically, even abortion (God forbid!) would have been a better outcome as, if I'm correct in my theology, such would eventually reunite us. Is abortion a virtue in that all babes are saved from damnation? God forgive the thought!

We are told to be fruitful and multiply, but why even risk having children if there's a possibility of having even one child…or grandchild or great grandchild or a great-great separated from you forever? Obedience beyond understanding? I don't want one from my family tree or one acquaintance or even one stranger to be lost! The only remedy I see to this scenario as we are to love even our enemies is universal reconciliation, also a theory I do not favor...because of free will! Can you help me with these excruciating dilemmas? For my sanity's sake I have to believe all my children will be with God in eternity, but since I don't believe universalism is biblical, what of those others who will be separated eternally from loved ones? Is the only answer to trust God? Thank you greatly for your time; I appreciate any help you may provide this hurting mama.

➡️ CHAPTERS ⬅️

00:00 Introduction

04:00 What Led to An Argument About Animals Going to Heaven?

05:35 The Reasonable Hope That Pets Go To Heaven Argument

11:00 Introducing Kim's E-mail - I Kind of Wish My Child Was a Robot

16:48 Why Would God Take an Animal and not my Son?

38:55 Will We Not Remember Pain In Heaven?

47:52 We Will Rejoice with Jubilation When People Go to Hell?

53:13 Why Would God Give Me A Child He KNOWS Will Reject Him?

1:04:00 Why Even Risk Having Children If They COULD Go to Hell?

1:10:30 Is Universalism the Only REAL Hope?

1:19:23 Concluding Thoughts

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It is FINALLY here! The second edition ofHuman Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism, Second Edition: A Biblical, Historical, Theological, and Philosophical Analysis is LIVE on Amazon and anywhere you purchase books. While there are still a few edits to fix (we will speak about that in the livestream) this soft launch live stream will focus on the changes, new debates, and extended edition that the second edition puts forward. Join us and bring your questions!

Purchase book here: https://us.amazon.com/Freedom-Divine-Knowledge-Molinism-Second/dp/B0GYZV33PD/

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It seems our world is constantly moving towards conspiracy. Some are proven, others are not. How do we, as Christians, apply reason and sound theology without dismissing questions out of hand? Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens stand as the most prominent figures of the conspiracy laden right. Josh and Tim take a look at their claims, expose their tactics and encourage Colossians 2 thinking to stay above the fray.

Join the team! https://www.freethinkingministries.com/donate

Related Videos:

Tucker's Theology: https://youtu.be/eW8GcBP8CwE

Should Christians Support Israel: https://youtu.be/rkF1sH-f3oo

Seth Dillon on Candace Owens: https://youtu.be/zyO1hDHDE3c

Our Video on Charlie Kirk conspiracy theories: https://youtu.be/z5uHYULpC48

Related Articles:

https://www.freethinkingministries.com/post/why-christians-should-support-israel-but-not-blindly

https://www.freethinkingministries.com/post/lightning-heifers-eclipses-and-the-end-of-time

Check out the second edition of Mere Molinism: https://us.amazon.com/Freedom-Divine-Knowledge-Molinism-Second/dp/B0GYZV33PD/

➡️ CHAPTERS ⬅️

00:00 Introduction and Mere Molinism Second Edition!

02:50 Focusing on Truth Rather Than Tribe

08:38 The Allure of Secret Knowledge (Colossians 2)

14:11 Cynicism as a Response to Broken Institutions

16:24 Tucker: Claims of Hidden Demonic Influence

23:53 Tucker: "Institutions Are Liars" and Historical Examples (Pearl Harbor)

27:23 Candace: "We Don't Know, but We Know" Epistemology

33:34 Megyn Kelly: Claims About Islam and Israeli Propaganda (Analysis)

37:05 Candace: Always "So Close" to the Truth (But Never Arriving)

45:24 Tucker: The Motte-and-Bailey Pattern in Institutional Critique

56:43 Evaluating Claims: Who, What, Where, Why

1:00:44 Letting Your "Heroes" Be Fallible

1:06:20 Candace: Commit to a Process, Not a Conclusion

1:11:31 Tucker: Implied Spiritual Claims, Followed by Plausible Deniability

1:14:05 Concluding Thoughts

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#Apologetics #FreeThinking #Christianity

What's happening to the pro-life movement after Roe v. Wade was overturned—and why is public opinion shifting toward pro-choice? In this podcast, Dr Tim Stratton and Josh Klein break down the messaging crisis in the pro-life movement, examine recent data trends, and discuss how churches, leaders, and legislation (including Nebraska efforts) play a critical role moving forward.

Articles from Josh Referenced on program:

https://www.freethinkingministries.com/post/moloch-bruised-but-not-defeated https://www.freethinkingministries.com/post/after-roe-countering-common-attacks

Gospel Coalition Articles Referenced:

2022 Article: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/compassion-over-culture-war/

2026 Article: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/pro-life-kids-2026/

Choose Life Now Initiative: https://chooselifenow.net/the-initiative/

➡️ CHAPTERS ⬅️

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Abortion is NOT Just a Political Matter

06:24 What Alarming Trends Have We Found After Roe?

14:27 Culture War or Truth A False Dichotomy

19:12 A Lesson from John 8

22:41 What Role Should Pastors Play When It Comes to Pro-Life?

27:05 A New Nebraska Pro-Life Amendment - How Do we Navigate?

33:32 Fixing Wording In Current Amendment

39:16 Outlawing Abortion is Not JUST About Limiting Abortion

41:58 A Message to Pastors in Nebraska

43:09 Don't Overstate The Case

46:25 Concluding Thoughts

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#Apologetics #FreeThinking #Christianity #prolifemovement

Dr. Tim Stratton and Josh Klein are back and have Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Dr. Charles Liu on the docket. Recently the two colleagues had a friendly discussion concerning the existence of Free Will on the @StarTalk podcast. Tyson doubts the existence of Free Will but Liu tentatively embraces it. However, they BOTH get some important metaphysics wrong. Dr. Tim and Josh take a look and offer their own perspective on the episode.

Watch the full clip: https://youtu.be/LXvv6CbGg8A?si=I-m9ZguJr3q0OCZU

Join the FTM Team: www.freethinkingministries.com/donate

➡️ CHAPTERS ⬅️

00:00 Introduction

01:45 Defining Metaphysics

04:50 Defining Free Will

07:11 Stochastic Uncertainty, Chaos and Free Will

13:11 Influences Do Not Equal Causes

16:25 Do I Have the Freedom to Reach True Conclusions about Reality?

22:31 The Ability to Prepare Implies Free Will

32:45 Knowledge Cannot Cause Actions Nor Activate Free Will

39:04 Neil's Position on Free Will is Nonsensical

52:28 Charles' Position Has No Grounding

57:43 Why The Texas Shooter Example Actually Undermines Determinism

1:06:03 The Perimeter Of Ignorance Undermined

1:13:57 Concluding Thoughts

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#Apologetics #FreeThinking #Christianity #freewillvsdeterminism #freethinking #freewill

Dr. Joshua Ryan Farris of @soulsciencemin joins Dr. Tim Stratton and Josh Klein as the analyze @CosmicSkeptic 's recent interview with @Vsauce specifically about the "self." What did they miss? What did they get right? What did they get wrong? We break it all down in this episode.

Check out full Alex O'Connor and VSauce Interview here: https://youtu.be/fvpLTJX4_D8?si=qAPyHX1FdLYnyZMU

The Clip We Reacted to from that podcast: https://youtu.be/sBj-m-acPqY?si=3Z5jv6tDLNgsmW86

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➡️ CHAPTERS ⬅️

00:00 Introduction

03:15 The Growth in Alex O-Connor

06:32 The Elephant in the Room

07:37 Maximum Amputation, Potentialities and the Self

26:50 Does the Self Cease to Exist at the Stop of the Heart or the Brain?

34:11 Losing Memory, is the Self just Awareness?

40:45 Would You Love Me if I Was a Worm?

53:00 The *Necessary* Connection Between Soul and Body

1:03:34 Does Consciousness Simply Equal the Potentiality to Do Things?

1:12:40 Consciousness Is Grounded in Being

1:20:21 Forthcoming Books On This Topic

1:22:59 Concluding Thoughts

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#Apologetics #FreeThinking #Christianity #consciousness #atheism

​ @TuckerCarlson recently had Nathan Apffel on to discuss Paula White's influence (among other things) on Trump's White House, but they also made some audacious theological claims. Dr. Tim Stratton and Josh Klein analyze a specific claim and explain why this, among other issues, discredits Tucker's theological and political prowess.

Full Episode: https://x.com/TuckerCarlson/status/2041268132304540110?s=20

Join the FTM Team: https://www.freethinkingministries.com/donate

➡️ CHAPTERS ⬅️

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Why We've Moved Away from Tucker

13:00 Summarizing Tucker's Interview with Nathan

16:58 Christians Shouldn't Have Anything to Do With Capitalism?

20:52 What Was the Early Church in Acts REALLY Doing?

27:00 Capitalism Is the Best Option and is Based in OT Law

30:46 The Truth About Ananias and Sapphira

32:28 Substance Dualism Points to Private Property

37:30 Scriptures that Point To Merit Based Economics

40:28 The Problem with Tucker is His Influence

45:18 Concluding Thoughts

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#Apologetics #FreeThinking #Christianity #tuckercarlson

On a recent MAVEN immersive experience in Utah, we had the pleasure of meeting a few philosophically inclined young men from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Far too often, conversations between Christians and Latter-day Saints remain at a surface level—talking past one another rather than reasoning together (Isaiah 1:18). Recently, @LetsTalk-HaydenCarroll released a book (and podcast) on the Creation Dilemma. It's a good argument, but does it dismantle credal Christianity? Join Dr. Tim Stratton, Josh Klein, and Will Hess from @TheChurchSplit as they dissect the argument and prove that Molinism remains unscathed and Mormonism collapses on its own argument.

Article referenced during live stream: https://www.freethinkingministries.com/post/a-friendly-response-to-philosophically-minded-latter-day-saints-on-creation-hell-and-the-limits-o

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There's a lot of uncertainty in our time and culture today. A lot of discouragement... we all feel it. But today, let's be encouraged because God is doing something with young people to embolden their faith and spread the gospel. Josh Klein interviews Dr. Tim Stratton and Will Hess of @TheChurchSplit about a @we_are_MAVEN trip that changed teens' lives forever.

Check out their stories! And make your own!

Visit maventruth.com to schedule your own trip.

To support more of these trips go https://www.freethinkingministries.com/donate

➡️CHAPTERS ⬅️

00:00 Introduction

02:20 What is Maven?

06:45 Teens Are Hungry for Depth and Truth

09:00 Dice's Maven Story

14:30 Kayleigh's Maven Story

17:18 Why Allowing Teens to Ask and Explore Questions is Paramount for their Faith

18:25 Quincy's Maven Story

21:30 Izzy's Maven Story

24:34 Keira's Maven Story

28:42 Sam's Maven Story

35:55 Emmy's Maven Story

43:39 Lindsay - A Story About Discovering Maven

46:47 Lantin's Maven Story

49:52 Why Apologetics Group Trips Matter for Teens

1:00:40 Concluding Thoughts

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#Apologetics #FreeThinking #Christianity #missiontrips

Dr. Joshua Ryan Farris stops by with Dr. Tim Stratton, and they provide a one-two punch, destroying the assumptions of naturalism. For the first time ever hear Dr. Farris and Dr. Stratton share two forthcoming academic papers (one from a book) arguing for the destruction of naturalistic assumptions in favor of theistic convictions regarding reason and the soul. You won't want to miss it!

Check out Soul Science Ministries: https://soulscienceministries.com/

Check out Josh's book: https://a.co/d/0hYPA6ds (God, Souls, and Consciousness: Deconditioning the Mind from Naturalism )

➡️ CHAPTERS ⬅️

00:00 Introducing The Topics

01:57 Deconditioning the Mind from Naturalism - Dr. Farris

29:53 Deconditioning Naturalism via Reason - Dr. Stratton

53:40 The Cultural Assumption of Naturalism

1:10:30 You Are NOT Your Brain

1:27:45 The Pseudo-Naturalism Movement and Its Problems

1:44:12 Can Artificial Intelligence Ever Gain Human-like Consciousness?

1:57:47 Concluding Remarks

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#Apologetics #FreeThinking #Christianity #Naturalism #atheismdebate #theism #philosophy