Theology for the Curious

Pete Goulding
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Debating theology that makes sense of life and faith. A team of regular people discuss issues of theology, faith and life. Uncovering bible thinking from cutting edge, to conservative, to all things in-between. A lively debate show that gets you thinking, challenging the relevance of God, scripture and faith to today's contemporary outlook.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 187 - Leiden, Dort & Beyond: Theology that would shape Europe and the World: PART TWO

    Click here to text us your thoughts and questions! For seven months, theologians gathered through a bitter Dutch winter to answer questions that had already spilled far beyond the walls of the church. A professor was dead. His followers were fighting for their theological inheritance. A powerful statesman awaited his fate. And delegates had travelled from across Europe to a small Dutch city to decide what Christians could — and could not — say about grace, freedom, election and the saving purposes of God. Four centuries later, the arguments have survived almost everything else about the controversy. Why does one person believe while another does not? Does God choose us because we believe, or do we believe because God has chosen us? Did Christ die in precisely the same sense for everyone? Can saving grace finally be resisted — and can somebody genuinely united to Christ ultimately walk away? Behind the familiar labels Calvinism and Arminianism lies a much more complicated and human story. This week the Curious team continue their exploration of the impact and reach of the teaching of Jacob Arminius as they enter the Synod of Dort and discover how five disputed articles helped shape a theological conversation that Christians are still having today. Further Reading Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode…. https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/confessions/canons-dort https://www.crcna.org/news-and-events/news/digging-history-synod-dort https://seedbed.com/a-primer-on-prevenient-grace/ What we’re reading? As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy!  W. Robert Godfrey— Saving The Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort  Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

  2. Sep 22

    Ep. 186 - Leiden, Dort & Beyond: Theology that would shape Europe and the World: PART ONE

    Click here to text us your thoughts and questions! It began with questions in a university lecture room. Before long, ministers were being driven from churches, congregations were splitting, pamphlets were flooding the streets and armed troops were facing one another across Dutch cities. Somewhere along the way, a dispute about predestination had become a struggle over who governed the church, who governed the nation — and perhaps even who governed history itself. At the centre of the storm was a theologian who had once been expected to defend the very doctrine he would later question. Jacob Arminius died before the controversy bearing his name reached its extraordinary climax, but his ideas survived him — carried forward by friends, politicians and theologians until the Dutch Republic stood perilously close to fracture. How did an argument about grace and election lead to soldiers in Utrecht, political prisoners in The Hague and theologians from across Europe gathering at Dordrecht? This week the Curious team begin the first of two parts on the history of Jacob Arminius and his ideas. The road to the Synod of Dort is considerably more dramatic than the five points it eventually produced. Further Reading Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode…. https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/arminius-and-remonstrants https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/defender-of-gods-justice What we’re reading? As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy!  Keith D Stanglin and Thomas H McCall— Jacob Arminius: Theologian Of Grace  Roger E Olson— Arminian Theology – Myths and Realities  Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

  3. Sep 15

    Ep. 185 - If Things Were Otherwise: The Mystery of Molinism

    Click here to text us your thoughts and questions! Imagine that before the first moment of creation, every road history might take lay open before God. Every decision you could make. Every decision you would make if your circumstances were different. Every conversation that never happened, every opportunity never presented, every alternative history never lived. Now imagine that God knew them all — and chose to create this particular world. Suddenly the familiar questions about providence and human freedom become considerably more intriguing. But hidden inside that proposal is a question that is surprisingly difficult to escape. If God knows what a genuinely free person would choose before that person even exists, what makes that knowledge true? Somewhere between God’s sovereignty and our freedom lies one of Christian theology’s most ingenious attempts to hold the two together — and perhaps one of its greatest philosophical puzzles. It’s called Molinism, and once you understand the problem it is trying to solve, you may find yourself looking at providence rather differently. Join the curious Team this week as they take a nose dive into the key players and ideas behind Molinism Further Reading Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode…. https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/molinism-101 https://academic.oup.com/mind/article/131/522/459/6382285 What we’re reading? As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy!  James R White— The Potters Freedom  William Lane Craig— The Only Wise God Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

  4. Sep 8

    Ep. 184 - Does God Know the Future: Understanding Open Theism w/prof. Bruce A. Ware

    Click here to text us your thoughts and questions! We trust God with tomorrow. We pray about decisions we haven’t yet made, circumstances we cannot control and dangers we cannot see. We take comfort from the belief that however uncertain the road ahead may appear to us, it is not uncertain to Him. But what if we have misunderstood that? What if some of tomorrow remains genuinely undecided — not simply from our perspective, but from God’s? It is an idea motivated by some deeply human questions about love, freedom, suffering and prayer. Yet follow it far enough and it begins to touch almost everything we believe about God. Can He be surprised? Can He discover something He did not previously know? Can He change His plans? And if the future contains possibilities rather than certainties, what does that mean for prophecy, providence and the promises on which Christians have staked their lives? In this episode, the curious team are joined by theologian Professor Bruce Ware to explore one of the most fascinating — and controversial debates about the nature of God: Open Theism. Further Reading Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles, for and against, that compliment this episode…. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/openness-theology-divine-omniscience/ https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/open-theism/v-1 What we’re reading? As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy!  Bruce A. Ware— God’s Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism Gregory A. Boyd —  God of the Possible: A Biblical Introduction to the Open View of God Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

  5. Sep 1

    Ep. 183 - What’s That All About? The Strange Road of Amyraldism

    Click here to text us your thoughts and questions! Who did Christ actually die for? Was the cross intended to make salvation possible for everyone, or did it actually secure salvation for a particular people? Few theological questions have generated more thoughtful debate within the Reformed tradition than this one. Standing between classic Calvinism and Arminianism is a little-known but highly influential position called Amyraldism—an attempt to uphold both the universal offer of the gospel and God’s sovereign election without surrendering either. In this episode, the Curious team travel to seventeenth-century France and the Academy of Saumur to meet Moïse Amyraut, the theologian whose ideas would challenge the Reformed world for generations. We explore the doctrine of hypothetical universalism, why it appealed to so many, how it differs from both classic Calvinism and Arminianism, and why theologians such as Herman Bavinck and John Owen believed it ultimately weakened the certainty of Christ’s saving work. Whether you’ve never heard of Amyraldism or have wrestled with the doctrine of the atonement for years, this conversation will help you understand one of the most significant and enduring debates in Reformed theology. Further Reading Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode…. https://www.modernreformation.org/resources/articles/amyraldianism https://wm.wts.edu/listen/the-church-in-the-modern-age-amyraldism---11-of-37 What we’re reading? As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy! John Owen— The Death of Death in the Death of Christ Anthony A. Hoekema— Saved by Grace Edited by David & Jonathon Gibson— From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective  Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

  6. Aug 25

    Ep. 182 - What’s That All About? God The Watchmaker; Understanding Deism

    Click here to text us your thoughts and questions! What if one of the most influential worldviews shaping modern Christianity isn’t atheism—but a subtle belief that God exists while remaining safely at a distance? A God who created the universe with breathtaking precision, yet never interrupts it. A God who inspires morality but never performs miracles, answers prayer, or steps into history. It sounds reasonable. It feels sophisticated. In many ways, it has become the default assumption of modern Western culture. But is it biblical? In this episode, the Curious team explore the fascinating rise of Deism—the “Watchmaker God” of the Enlightenment—and ask why its influence continues to echo through our churches today. From Isaac Newton and Voltaire to Thomas Jefferson’s remarkable “Jefferson Bible,” we uncover how reason gradually displaced revelation and how a God of design became separated from a God of relationship. Most importantly, we contrast the distant architect of Deism with the living God of Scripture: the God who speaks, sustains, intervenes, became flesh in Jesus Christ, and continues to work in His creation today. If you’ve ever wondered whether Christianity is merely about believing in a Creator—or about knowing a present, active and redeeming God—this conversation is for you. Further Reading Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode…. https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/field-guide-on-false-teaching-deism https://www.christianity.com/wiki/cults-and-other-religions/what-is-deism-what-are-deism-beliefs.html What we’re reading? As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy! Jen Wilkin— None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing) John Piper— The Providence of God Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

  7. Aug 19

    Ep. 181 - The Quiet Battles: Mental Health and Your Church! w/Steve Midgley

    Click here to text us your thoughts and questions! We all fight battles that other people can’t see. For some, it’s anxiety that never seems to quieten. For others, it’s the lingering effects of trauma, depression, grief or simply the relentless pressures of everyday life. Many Christians quietly wonder whether they should be coping better, praying harder or trusting God more. But what if those assumptions are part of the problem? What if the church could become a place where people no longer have to hide their struggles, but instead discover the hope of Christ through honest community and faithful care? In this deeply pastoral conversation, the Curious team sit down with pastor, counsellor and author Steve Midgley to explore how churches can respond to mental and emotional suffering with both biblical truth and genuine compassion. Together we discuss anxiety, stress, trauma, lament, the role of professional care, and how the gospel reshapes the way we understand suffering. Whether you’re walking through your own quiet battle, supporting someone who is, or simply wanting your church to become a place of greater grace and wisdom, this episode offers hope that is both realistic and deeply rooted in Scripture. Further Reading Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a few articles that compliment this episode…. https://bcuk.org https://www.cmf.org.uk What we’re reading? As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy! Steve Midgley— Understanding Trauma Mental Health and Your Church Kelly M. Kapic— You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

  8. Aug 11

    Ep. 180 - The Book That Won’t Go Away: Can We Trust The Bible? w/Prof. John D Woodbridge

    Click here to text us your thoughts and questions! Can I really believe the Bible? How do I know it’s reliable? Many people say they believe the Bible—but what exactly are they believing? Is Scripture only trustworthy when it speaks about salvation, or can it also be trusted when it records history, geography and the events of the real world? In an age when confidence in truth itself is being challenged, the doctrine of biblical authority has once again become one of the defining issues facing the church. If the Bible is only reliable where we choose it to be, who ultimately becomes the final authority—God or us? In this episode, the Curious team sit down with internationally respected church historian Professor John Woodbridge to explore one of evangelical Christianity’s most significant debates. Together they examine biblical authority, inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy, unpack the famous Rogers–McKim controversy, and ask whether denying inerrancy has deeper theological consequences than many imagine. Whether you’re wrestling with difficult questions or simply want a deeper confidence in God’s Word, this conversation will challenge, encourage and equip you. Further Reading Here’s a bit of homework for you….we’ve included a cross section of articles here for further reflection; https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/are-biblical-manuscripts-reliable/ https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-you-can-trust-your-bible/ https://rts.edu/resources/how-we-know-we-can-trust-the-bible/ What we’re reading? As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve browsed related to this episode…enjoy! John D Woodbridge— Biblical Authority: Infallibility and Inerrancy in the Christian Tradition Benjamin B Warfield— The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible Kevin DeYoung— Taking God At His Word  Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

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Debating theology that makes sense of life and faith. A team of regular people discuss issues of theology, faith and life. Uncovering bible thinking from cutting edge, to conservative, to all things in-between. A lively debate show that gets you thinking, challenging the relevance of God, scripture and faith to today's contemporary outlook.

Information

  • Creator
    Pete Goulding
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    189
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Theology for the Curious
  • Show Website
    Theology for the Curious