Thinking Christianly Stan W. Wallace

J.P, Stan, and Jordan discuss how to have better conversations. They discuss how three informal fallacies (the Red Herring Fallacy, the Genetic Fallacy, and the Ad Hominem Fallacy) can shut down healthy dialogue and how to develop habits that help us avoid using them.



In this episode, we discuss:



What is an informal logical fallacy?

What does the Red Herring Fallacy sound like in a conversation?

Practical ways to get a conversation back on track

What is the Genetic Fallacy? How can we avoid using it?

How do we evaluate ideas fairly, even if we don’t like the person?

What is the Ad Hominem Fallacy and how does it sabotage conversations?

How is the Ad Hominem Fallacy related to the Tu Quoque Fallacy?

Tips to encourage understanding in conversations and when to disengage

Making the distinction between “nice” and “kind” in best loving our neighbor



Resources and References:



Koh Ewe, “The Ultimate Election Year: All the Elections Around the World in 2024,” Time Magazine

A quick video explaining many informal fallacies

Stan Wallace, "Three Ways to Shut Down Healthy Conversations"

Wireless Philosophy, Lessons and quizzes on several informal fallacies via Khan Academy.

The Winsom Conviction Project Podcase

Stan, JP, and Jordan delved deeper into the concepts of libertarian free will, compatibilism, and determinism, extending their discussion beyond theological topics to many other important issues. In this episode, we discuss:Implications of our understanding of freedom related to law and politicsThe difference between freedom and determinism in the social sciencesUnderstanding counseling in light of our free willHow understanding the nature of free will helps us grow in ChristFree will as a reason to believe we have a soulThe theme of hope and redemption in Scripture, and why this should inform our views on freedom Resources and References:John Seale, The National Endowment for the HumanitiesMass Shootings: The Role of the Media in Promoting Generalized Imitation Peggy Noonan, "We're More Than Political Animals" - Wall Street JournalThinking Christianly #19: Finding Quiet When Experiencing Anxiety and DepressionDallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines

In a gracious spirit J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss the points of agreement and disagreement between the Calvinist and Arminian views of salvation (summarized in Calvinist theology by the acronym TULIP). This good-faith conversation will help listeners consider the implications of these beliefs, especially as they relate to our understanding of God’s nature, our nature, and the gospel message.* 

In this podcast, we discuss:



The TULIP acronym: where did it come from and what it does it mean?

Total Depravity: what is the difference between the extensive and intensive effects of depravity?

Unconditional Election: what does it mean to say God loves us?

Limited Atonement: what is the difference between a four or five-point Calvinist? Is the doctrine of Limited Atonement logically consistent with the whole of Calvinism?

Irresistible Grace: Is there evidence to support this position in Scripture?

Perseverance of the Saints: What is the difference between this and eternal security?



Resources and references:



The Canons of Dort

Roger E. Olson, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities

Stan Wallace, “Predestination or Free Will?”

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1960 ed)



*As always, the views expressed are those of the participants, and not necessarily those of the podcast’s sponsor Global Scholars. However, Global Scholars does encourage the study and discussion of important issues from the vantage points of theology, philosophy, and other related disciplines, as occurs in this podcast.

This is our first episode in a series about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism. Stan, JP, and Jordan start by clearing up some of the major confusions that plague this conversation. They share how to have this discussion with clarity and keep the focus on the claims and avoid confusion. They also spot some ideas about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism “in the wild.”  In this podcast, we discuss:What does it mean to be “free”?What are the major ideological camps in this conversation?Does the Compatibilist view of antinomy solve this logical problem?What are the most important distinctions in the Free Will and Determinism conversation?Where are the major pitfalls in this discussion? Where should we start the conversation if we want to gain understanding?What would evidence for Libertarian Free Will look like?A quiz and clues for JP and Stan on how to decipher what ideology an author or other content creator is communicating. Resources and references:William Lane Craig discusses his work on Systematic Philosophical TheologyP. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Struggle of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought PeaceWilder Graves Penfield - A Brief BiographyJohn Steinbeck, East of Eden

J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss engaging the Christmas story as thinking Christians and ways to live in light of the hope that the Incarnation brings.



In this podcast we discuss:



How does the humility of God bring wonder and awe to this season?

What does the quiet nature of Christ’s coming reveal about God’s character?

In what ways can we attempt to reclaim the season from consumer culture?

How should Christians handle “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas” conversations?

What is a “redemptive analogy” and how can looking for them help bridge cultural and relational divides?

What are the practical implications of the Christmas Story?



Resources and References:



Fun facts about “Hark the Harold Angels Sing”

Dallas Willard - God Wants to Be Seen

The Bible Project - Advent Season: What is it, and How is it Celebrated?

Movie - The Prince of Egypt

Don Richardson, Peace Child

Bobby Gross, Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God

Stan Wallace, “Christmas - The Day Jesus Moved into the Neighborhood”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Christmas Bells

In this episode, JP and Stan talk about different views of time and how they integrate with a Christian way of thinking about God and His relationship to time, the relationship of time to salvation, and the overall understanding of time and the nature of reality. They tackle common pitfalls in conversations about time and make distinctions that clear up the broader discussion.



In this podcast, we discuss:



Does this discussion matter?

Is tense real or not?

What is the difference between an A-Theory and a B-Theory understanding of time?

How do time and space relate to each other in different views of time?

What kinds of theological issues arise with the different views of time?

What is divine middle knowledge?

Will there be time in heaven?

“Is the world a bucket of sand or a bowl of molasses?”

Is time the same as its measurement? How can we understand the Theory of Relativity?

Do we have good reason to trust our experience of time?



Resources and citations:



William Lane Craig, God, Time, and Eternity

William Lane Craig, The Kalam Cosmological Argument

JP Moreland and William Lane Craig, “Philosophy of Time and Space” in Philosophical Foundations(Chapter 20 in the second edition).