Theopologetics

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Dr. Glenn Peoples in part 2 of our discussion concerning Christian physicalism, challenging him with a number of biblical passages which seem to contradict his position. This second interview spanned 2 hours, so I’ve split it up into two parts, this being the second. See episode 15 for the first part.

Music

Deathcab for Cutie, Soul Meets Body, from the Plans album, 2005

Promoted Resources

Say Hello to my Little Friend, aka the Beretta Cast, with Glenn Peoples.

Glenn also created my podcast’s theme music, so visit his Theme Music New Zealand for all your theme music needs.

Biblical References

“Souls” in Revelation

Revelation 20:1-4

Revelation 6:9-11

“Today you will be with me in Paradise”

Luke 23:43

“Caught up into Paradise”

2 Corinthians 12:1-4

“Absent from the body and at home with the Lord”

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

“The time of my departure”

Philippians 1:21-24

2 Peter 1:14-15

2 Timothy 4:6

“Destroy both body and soul in hell”

Matthew 10:28

“Lazarus and the rich man”

Luke 16

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Dr. Glenn Peoples in part 2 of our discussion concerning Christian physicalism, challenging him with a number of biblical passages which seem to contradict his position. This second interview spanned 2 hours, so I’ve split it up into two parts, this being the first. See episode 16 for the second part.

Music

Sam & Dave, Soul Man, from the This is Sam & Dave album, 2009 (orig. 1967)

Survivor, Eye of the Tiger, from the Survivor: Greatest Hits album, 1993 (orig. 1982)

Promoted Resources

Unbelievable?, with Justin Brierley.

Available on Premier Christian Radio in the United Kingdom, Saturdays 2:30-4:00pm.

Also available in the Unbelievable? podcast (new episodes posted shortly after they air).

Say Hello to my Little Friend, aka the Beretta Cast, with Glenn Peoples.

Glenn also created my podcast’s theme music, so visit his Theme Music New Zealand for all your theme music needs.

Glenn’s podcast series, “In Search of the Soul”

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4 (in which Glenn addresses the metaphysical argument I bring up in this episode)

Part 5

Date Power!, my competitive powerlifting blog

Physicalism resources

Christian physicalists

Peter van Inwagen, Nancey Murphy, Joel Green, Warren Brown

Books: the Book Depository offers free postage worldwide, and buy purchasing books via these links you will help Glenn Peoples out at no extra cost via his affiliate account with the Book Depository

Whatever Happened to the Soul? Scientific and Theological Portraits of Human Nature

What About the Soul?: Neuroscience and Christian Anthropology

In Search Of The Soul: Perspectives Of The Mind-body Problem

Did My Neurons Make Me Do It?: Philosophical and Neurobiological Perspectives on Moral Responsibility and Free Will

Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible

“The Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting,” in Reason for the Hope Within

Terminology

Occasionalism: a philosophical theory about causation which says that created substances cannot be efficient causes of events. Instead, all events are taken to be caused directly by God himself.

Biblical References

Resurrection the only way to survive death

1 Corinthians 15:30-32

1 Corinthians 15:18 – Physicalists do not believe the dead have “perished”

1 Corinthians 15:19 – “Hope in this life” refers not to when hope is felt, but that in which hope is placed

“With all your soul”

Deuteronomy 4:29; 6:5; 10:12

Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27

“Soul and spirit”

Hebrews 4:12

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Mediums and “familiar spirits”

Leviticus 19:31; 20:6,27; Deuteronomy 18:11

1 Samuel 28:7-19

Appearances of the dead

1 Samuel 28:7-19

Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36

“Body and spirit”

Romans 8:10; 1 Corinthians 14:14; Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 7:34; 2 Corinthians 7:1

James 2:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5

“Receive my spirit”

Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59; Ecclesiastes 12:7

Hebrews 12:22-23

“My soul is troubled”

John 12:27; Luke 1:46-47

Genesis 35:18; 1 Kings 17:21

“Restores my soul”

Psalm 23:3; Psalm 19:7

“God of the living”

Matthew 22:31-32

“Has eternal life”

John 5:24

“Souls” in Revelation

Revelation 20:1-4

Revelation 6:9-11

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I discuss the sovereignty of God, demonstrating from Scripture that He is not only King over all but that He does what He pleases.

Music

Mariah Carey, Make It Happen, from the Emotions album, 1991

Promoted Resources

Say Hello to my Little Friend, aka the Beretta Cast, with Glenn Peoples.

Glenn also created my podcast’s theme music, so visit his Theme Music New Zealand for all your theme music needs.

The Potter’s Freedom by Dr. James White

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Terminology

Soteriology: the study of religious doctrines of salvation

Regeneration: the transformation of an unbelieving, dead heart of stone in opposition to God into a believing, living heart of flesh inclined toward God

Total Depravity: the first “point” of Reformed soteriology which teaches that human nature is by nature opposed to God and that nobody left to their own devices chooses to turn to God

Unconditional Election: the second “point” which teaches that God chooses to save some people based solely and exclusively on His will, mercy and grace, and not conditioned upon any action of the one chosen

Limited Atonement: the third “point” which teaches that Jesus’ work on the cross was effective and brought about the salvation of specifically the elect

Irresistible Grace: the fourth “point” which teaches that God is irresistibly powerful to save the elect, that just as Lazarus had no choice but to rise from the dead when Jesus called him, so, too, are the spiritually dead unable to refuse to be brought to life

Perseverance of the Saints: the fifth “point” which teaches that those God regenerates and saves remain saved their whole lives, and can never lose their salvation

Historical References

Clement of Rome: Letter to the Corinthians

Theophilus of Antioch: To Autolycus (Book 1)

Irenaeus: Against Heresies 3:25

Eusebius of Caesarea: Oration in Praise of Constantine

Augustine: On the Predestination of the Saints (Book 1)

Biblical References

Psalm 148:8

Job 37:6-13

Job 38:22-30

Psalm 135:6-7

Psalm 104:4

Psalm 104:14

Job 38:32

Matthew 5:45

Psalm 104:27

Job 38:39-41

Matthew 6:26

Matthew 10:29

Proverbs 16:33

Job 12:23

Psalm 22:28

Acts 17:26

Acts 14:16

Daniel 4:34-35

Matthew 6:11

Philippians 4:19

Psalm 139:16

Job 14:5

Galatians 1:15

Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah 10:23

Proverbs 20:24

Proverbs 16:9

Proverbs 16:1

Psalm 75:6-7

Luke 1:52

Psalm 127:3

1 Corinthians 4:7

Psalm 18:34

Proverbs 21:1

Ezra 6:22

Ezra 1:1

Psalm 33:14-15

Philippians 2:13

Isaiah 14:27

Isaiah 46:9-10

Psalm 33:8-11

Jeremiah 18:4-6

Isaiah 29:16

Isaiah 45:9

Isaiah 10:5-7

Isaiah 10:12-17

Genesis 50:19-21

Acts 4:27-30

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Justin Brierley, host of the Unbelievable? radio program on Premier Christian Radio UK, discussing how hosting the show has impacted his Christian faith.

Music

EMF, Unbelievable, from the Schubert Dip album, 1991

Promoted Resources

Stand to Reasonwith Greg Koukl

The Stand to Reason radio program is live on the air every Sunday 2-5 pm PST AM on 740 KBRT.

Listen online using Flycast here.

Also available in podcast form; each episode is published to the podcast the day after it airs.

Unbelievable?, with Justin Brierley.

Available on Premier Christian Radio in the United Kingdom, Saturdays 2:30-4:00pm.

Also available in the Unbelievable? podcast (new episodes posted shortly after they air).

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Glenn Peoples, creator of the Say Hello to My Little Friend blog and podcast, discussing Christian physicalism, the view that man is not comprised of both a physical body and an immaterial soul, but of body only.

In this first of two interviews on the subject, we talk about physicalism in history, the modern evangelical response to physicalism, the biblical basis for physicalism and the metaphysical objection to it. In a future episode I’ll interview Glenn a second time, devoting the entire episode to biblical objections to his position, so email me at [email protected] if you would like me to include your challenge to physicalism in the second interview.

Music

Olivia Newton-John, Physical, from the Physical album, 1987

Promoted Resources

What Color is the Sky in Their World? Podcast, with Phil Naessens.

Also check out the blog of the same name.

Say Hello to my Little Friend, aka the Beretta Cast, with Glenn Peoples.

Glenn also created my podcast’s theme music, so visit his Theme Music New Zealand for all your theme music needs.

The Conditionalist Faith of our Fathers, by Leroy Froom, available for free in the DjVu format

More Show Notes Coming Soon…

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Michael Burgos, creator of the Grassroots Apologetics blog, discussing Oneness Pentecostals and how to witness to them.

Music

Phillips, Craig and Dean, In Christ Alone, from the Let the Worshipers Arise album, 2004

Promoted Resources

The Preterist Podcast, with Dee Dee Warren.

Check out the episode I guest-hosted, “Kicking Some Left Behind Pt. 5–Jesus, the Not-So Master Communicator.”

I am also a guest author Dee Dee’s The Preterist Blog, and she has a ton of eschatological study material available at The Preterist Site.

Michael’s Grassroots Apologeticsblog

Michael’s article, “An Examination and Refutation of Modal Communication“

TheologyWebfor online Christian debate

Michael’s TheologyWeb nickname: MichaelB

My TheologyWeb nickname: Chris D

Dr. James White’s Alpha and Omega Ministries

“The Trinity, the Definition of Chalcedon, and Oneness Theology” by Dr. White

Let Us Reason Ministries

List of Oneness Pentecostal articles

A Definitive Look at Oneness Theology, by Edward Dalcour

Terminology

Oneness Pentecostalism: a grouping of denominations and believers within Pentecostal Christianity, deriving its name from the teaching that there is one God, a singular spirit who manifests himself in many different ways, including as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rather than one God existing as three separate, eternal and coequal persons or identities.

Sabellianism: also known as modalism, an ancient heresy similar to Oneness theology which taught that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are different modes or aspects of one God, as perceived by the believer, rather than three distinct persons in God Himself.

Chalcedonian Christology: the orthodox view pronounced at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451 which holds that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures, an entirely human nature and an entirely divine nature.

Nestorian Christology: the heretical view advanced by Nestorius but condemned at Chalcedon, holding that within Jesus are two distinct persons, one divine, one human, rather than a single human with both a divine nature and a human nature.

Unitarianism: the belief that God is one and only one, both in being and in person; in contrast with Trinitarianism which teaches that God is one being in three eternal, co-equal persons.

Tritheism: a belief in three gods, which is a mischaracterization of Triniarianism

Strategy

Red Flags to Watch For

One who claims to be an “Apostolic” Christian, or who claims his church is an “Apostolic” church

One who explains that the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit are “manifestations” or “modes” of God

Questions to Ask

“What kind of Christian are you?” or “What denomination of church do you attend?”

“Who is God?”

“What must I do to be saved?”

“Are you living up to the standards of holiness and the Law of God?” (tug at their conscience)

Biblical References

John 1:1-2

John 17:5

Philippians 2:5-11

Colossians 1:16-17

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Gene Cook, Jr., host of The Narrow Mind radio show, discussing the doctrine of baptismal regeneration, which teaches that water baptism is a prerequisite for salvation.

Music

The Exies, Baptize Me, from the Head for the Door album, 2004

Promoted Resources

The Whole Truthblog and podcast

Subscribe to the podcast

Available in the Zune Marketplace here

The Narrow Mindwith Gene Cook, Jr.

Subscribe to the podcast

Gene’s book, The Baptism Cult: Exposing the International Church of Christ

Download Gene’s debate with Bruce Reeves on baptismal regeneration here

Download Gene’s debate with David Brown on baptismal regeneration here

Redemption, Accomplished and Applied by John Murray

Check out other resources recommended by Gene here

Terminology

Pelagianism: the belief that original sin did not taint Human nature and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without special divine aid.

Total Depravity: the doctrine that mankind, by virtue of being tainted by original sin, is unable to do anything that pleases God without His divine enabling.

Biblical References

Salvation through faith alone after regeneration from God

Romans 8:2-10

Ephesians 2:8-10

John 6:44

Titus 3:5

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit saves

Acts 10:44-48

1 Corinthians 12:4-14

John 7:37-39

Romans 8:9-11,15-17

2 Corinthians 5:4-5, cf. Matthew 7:7-8

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Ephesians 1:13-14

Baptismal regeneration proof-texts

Acts 2:37-38

Acts 22:16

Hebrews 10:22

John 3:5

Titus 3:5

Romans 6:3-4

Galatians 3:27

1 Corinthians 12:13

1 Peter 3:21

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Mike Felker of The Apologetic Front blog, discussing how to reach out to Jehovah’s Witnesses with the truth of biblical Christianity.

Music

Marvin Gaye, Can I Get A Witness, from the The Very Best of Marvin Gaye album, 2004

Promoted Resources

Unbelievable?, with Justin Brierley.

Available on Premier Christian Radio in the United Kingdom, Saturdays 2:30-4:00pm.

Also available in the Unbelievable? podcast (new episodes posted shortly after they air).

The Apologetic Front, with Mike Felker

YouTube channels: http://www.youtube.com/entrsnm3 and Context Ministries

Also check out Mike’s band, The Status (MySpace)

Jehovah’s Witnesses official resources

http://www.watchtower.org/

What Does the Bible Really Teach (online)

David Reed’s books on the Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jehovah’s Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse

Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses Subject by Subject

How to Rescue Your Loved Ones from the Watchtower

Biblical References

1 Peter 3:15 – “always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you”

John 17:3 – “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christwhom You have sent.”

cf. Matthew 7:23 – “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…'” (to “know” is more than just gain knowledge)

John 3:3 – “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'”

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I discuss several alleged contradictions in Scripture, pointed to by theological liberals as evidence against the inerrancy of Scripture, and by skeptics as evidence against the overall reliability of the Bible.

Music

Green Day, Walking Contradiction, from the Insomniac album, 1995

Promoted Resources

Ligonier Ministries, with Dr. R.C. Sproul

Subscribe to the Renewing Your Mind podcast for free

Terminology

Contradiction: In classical logic, a logical incompatibility between two or more propositions. As Aristotle’s law of noncontradiction states, “One cannot say of something that it is and that it is not in the same respect and at the same time.”

Biblical References

Contradictory Accounts of Creation

Genesis 1:25-27 vs. Genesis 2:18-19 (humans after animals, or animals after humans?)

Genesis 1:27 vs. Genesis 2:18-22 (man and woman after animals, or man then animals then woman?)

Genesis 1:11,26 vs. Genesis 2:5-9 (plants before humans or after?)

Blog post refuting the alleged contradictions

Contradictory Accounts of the Triumphal Entry

Matthew 21:1-7 (cf. Zechariah 9:9)vs. Mark 11:1-7, Luke 19:29-36 and John 12:14-15

Blog post refuting the alleged contradiction

Contradictory Accounts of Paul’s Conversion

Acts 9:7 vs. Acts 22:9 (companions heard or didn’t they?)

Acts 9:7 vs. Acts 26:14 (they stood or they fell?)

Acts 9:8 vs. 1 Corinthians 9:1 and 1 Corinthians 15:8 (Paul saw Jesus or didn’t see Jesus?)

Blog post refuting the alleged contradictions

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I discuss Sola Scriptura, the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness, and that it is the ultimate authority and rule of faith for the believer. I look at what serves instead as the authority for Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons, as well as the view of some Christians, such as the Churches of Christ, who take Sola Scriptura to an unjustified extreme.

Music

Megadeth, Truth Be Told, from the The System Has Failed album, 2004

FLAME, Sola Scriptura, from the Rewind album, 2005

Promoted Resources

Unbelievable?, with Justin Brierley.

Available on Premier Christian Radio in the United Kingdom, Saturdays 2:30-4:00pm.

Also available in the Unbelievable? podcast (new episodes posted shortly after they air).

Terminology

Bibliology: the study of the nature of the Bible, the Word of God.

Roman Catholicism: Christians and churches belonging to the Roman Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See.

Mormonism: the most populous branch of the Latter Day Saint movement (LDS), founded by Joseph Smith.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: a pseudo-Christian nontrinitarian movement distinct from mainstream Christianity, directed by the Governing Body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Inspired: from the Greek theopneustos, meaning “God-breathed.”

Inerrancy: the view that as the recorded words breathed out by God, the Bible is without error as originally written, and that it has been transmitted reliably throughout the millennia.

Doctrinal Explanations

Catholicism

Catholic Encyclopedia: “Tradition and Living Magisterium“

Mormonism

www.mormon.org: “God’s Commandments“, “Follow the Prophet”

www.lds.org: “Prophets“; “Prophets of God“

Jehovah’s Witnesses

The Watchtower, Nov. 1, 1990; Feb. 15, 1983; Feb. 15, 1967

Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1939

Qualified to be Ministers, 1967

Biblical References

Testing false prophets

Deuteronomy 18:20-22

Deuteronomy 13:1-3

Galatians 1:6-7

2 Corinthians 11:2-4,13-14

Acts 17:1-12

Scripture is God-breathed

2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Samuel 23:1-2

Luke 1:68-70

Acts 3:17-18

Romans 1:1-2

2 Peter 1:20-21

Acts 1:15-16

Titus 1:1-2

Hebrews 6:13-18

John 17:17

Romans 3:4

Revelation 21:5

2 Peter 3:15-17

Ephesians 3:3-5

1 Corinthians 14:37

1 Thessalonians 4:15

1 Timothy 4:1

John 3:32-34

Matthew 5:17-18

Matthew 24:35

False prophets in the latter days

1 Timothy 4:1

2 Peter 3:1-2

Jude 17-19

1 John 4:1,6

Capacity to interpret through indwelling of the Holy Spirit

John 16:12-14

John 14:23

Teachers gifted by God to the Church

Proverbs 27:17

Ephesians 4:11-13

Romans 12:6-7

James 3:1