AuthorCast
Authorcast #107: James McLachlan, editor of Element, journal for the Society of Mormon Philosophy and Theology March 11 2019
On this episode, we chat with James McLachlan, co-editor of Element: The Journal for the Society of Mormon Philosophy and Theology (SMPT). We discuss James's background, give a basic primer on a few schools of thought within philosophy and their relationship to Mormonism. We also discuss the origins of SMPT, the most recent issue of Element, and the upcoming 2019 SMPT Annual Meeting taking place March 14-17 at the University of Utah.
Click here for details about the 2019 SMPT Annual Meeting.
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Element: The Journal for the Society of Mormon Philosophy and Theology
Volume 8, Issue 1
$9.95 paperback
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AuthorCast #101: Interview with Blake Ostler July 11 2018
Episode 101: Interview with Blake Ostler
Hosted by Brian Whitney
Blake T. Ostler is an independent scholar residing in Salt Lake City, Utah,and the author of the multi-volume Exploring Mormon Thought series. Volume 1: The Attributes of God has recently been re-issued in paperback. In this interview, Blake discusses his background, the series, some of the key philosophocal discussions in The Attributes of God, such as the nature of free will, God's existence within time, and Mormon Christology.
“These books are the most important works on Mormon theology ever written. There is nothing currently available that is even close to the rigor and sophistication of these volumes.” — FARMS Review, Neal A. Maxwell Institute, Brigham Young University
AuthorCast #81: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 32 December 13 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 32: Soteriology in LDS Thought (Pt 1)- The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 5
By Corey Ostler
Topics Discussed:
• The Vision
• Faith unto Repentance
• Atonement
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #80: Exploring Mormon Thought, Grace vs Works December 06 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought: Grace vs Works short
By Corey Ostler
My father's voice is shot due to a cold so I wanted to share a talk I prepared a while back about Grace and Works in LDS thought. This talk is based closely on talks by Elder Uchtdorf and Brad Wilcox
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #79: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 31 November 21 2017
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.
AuthorCast #78: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 30 November 21 2017
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.
AuthorCast #77: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 29 November 07 2017
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.
AuthorCast #76: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 28 October 23 2017
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.
AuthorCast #75: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 27 October 16 2017
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.
AuthorCast #74: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 26 October 09 2017
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.
AuthorCast #73: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 25 October 03 2017
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.
AuthorCast #72: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 24 September 25 2017
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.
AuthorCast #71: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 23 September 18 2017
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.
AuthorCast #70: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 22 September 12 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 22: The Attributes of God - A Critique
By Corey Ostler
Back when the book was released in 2001 there was a Sunstone "Author Meets Critics" session for this book. The speakers took most of the time leaving my dad only a few minutes to reply to the critiques offered. Well obviously that isn't enough time so I thought we could go more in depth on answers to issues brought up as well as in some other sessions that are about the topics in the book.
Links:
God's Ultimacy:
sunstonemagazine.com/audio/SL00375.mp3
Author Meets Critics:
sunstonemagazine.com/audio/SL01231.mp3
God's Relation to the Universe:
www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2010…-or-with/1853/
Topics Discussed:
• God's Ultimacy
• God's Power
• God Knowing All Possibilities
• God and Time
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #69: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 21 September 05 2017
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.
AuthorCast #68: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 20 August 22 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 20: The Attributes Of God Ch 14 - A Mormon Christology (Part 1)
By Corey Ostler
Topics Discussed:
• Distinctive Doctrines of Mormon Scripture
• A Modified Kenotic Theory of Christology
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #67: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 19 August 17 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 19: The Attributes Of God Ch 13 - The Problems of Conventional Christology
By Corey Ostler
This week's episode explores what it means that Christ is both man and God. We talk about the different views on this and some of the problems that arise with conflicts with actual New Testament writing and logical issues. We talk about various traditional attempts to solve these problems and discuss their strengths and shortcomings.
Topics Discussed:
• The Historical Problem
• The Logical Problem
• The Christological Controversy
* Traditional Responses
• The Kenotic Theory
• The Grace Theory
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #65: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 18 August 14 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 18: The Attributes Of God Ch 12 - Immutability and Impassibility
By Corey Ostler
The scriptures state that God does not change. We examine what some possible interpretations of this are. There is one extreme of Classical Theism where God cannot change at all and therefore can't really be affected by prayer or humanity. We discuss the option that perhaps this refers to God's Character and his resoluteness to fulfill his promises. We then turn to God and his ability to be affected emotionally. Can God suffer? Well Jesus did and we examine the implications of that and much more. Enjoy!
Topics Discussed:
• Defining Changelessness
• Immutability in Nature
• Immutability in Will
• Immutability and Mutability in God’s Knowledge
• Divine Passibility in Feeling
1. The Argument of Divine Love
2. The Argument from Immanent Omniscience
3. The Argument from Worshipworthiness
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #64: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 17 July 25 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 17: The Attributes Of God Ch 11 - Time, Timelessness, and Omnitemporality
By Corey Ostler
We discuss various ideas on what time is what it means, starting with Aristotle's thought. We then turn our attention to physics and how time is relative depending on one's inertial frame of reference. We summarize the implications of the concept of time from the general and special theories of relativity. We then turn to what it could mean for God to be timeless and problems with that. We then discuss possible issues of God having a body and if God can still be immediately immanent to all existence and implications from the Contingent Omniscience that we discussed last week.
Topics Discussed:
• Everlasting Time
• Measured Time
• The Theory of Relational Time
• Temporality
• The Theory of Absolute Time
• Simultaneity
• Relative Space-Time
• Defining Timeless Eternity
• Implications of Divine Timelessness
• Problems with Divine Timelessness
• Reasons to Adopt Divine Timelessness
• God’s Omnitemporality
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #63: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 16 July 17 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 16: The Attributes Of God Ch 10 - God's Contingent Knowledge
By Corey Ostler
Topics Discussed:
• Is Contingent Omniscience Consistent with Scripture?
• Is Contingent Omniscience Compatible with a Spatio-Temporally Limited God?
• Does Contingent Knowledge Entail Imperfection?
• Must God Know Future Contingent Propositions?
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #61: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 15 July 12 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 15: The Attributes of God Ch 9 - Denying That God's Past Knowledge is Fixed
By Corey Ostler
We talk about arguments that try to attack God's past knowledge/beliefs as fixed. We talk about the idea that a timeless God is exempt from past necessity, and even go over universal possibilism and the multiverse theory.
Topics Discussed:
• Distinguishing Logical and Theological Fatalism
• Argument D
• Hard Facts As Intrinsic Properties of Past Events
• Does The Doctrine of Timelessness Resolve the Incompatibility?
• Multiple Past Compatibilists
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #60: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 14 July 05 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 14: The Attributes of God Ch 8 - Denying Entailment
By Corey Ostler
We discuss different attempts by various philosophers/theologian who try to deny that God's knowing something about a future event in the past entails that God's knowledge can't be changed and therefore destroys Libertarian free will.
Topics Discussed:
• Molina's Response
• Power Entailment
• Criticisms of Power Entailment Principles
• Power to Bring About the Past
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #58: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 13 June 27 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 13: The Attributes of God Ch 7 - Divine Foreknowledge and the Mormon Concept of Free Agency (Part 2)
By Corey Ostler
Part two of our discussion of the Mormon concept of free agency and foreknowledge. We look at different views of free will and what it means to have the ability to 'choose otherwise.' We give several variations of a hypothetical situation and ask if one would still be truly free given the scenario. We then discuss how free agency is the crux of Mormonism and a truly beautiful opportunity to create ourselves with God.
Topics Discussed:
• Objections to Power to Do Otherwise
• Semi-Compatibilism
• Intervention after an Effective Interaction Is Formed
• Intervention before an Effective Intention Is Formed
• Is Intervention Possible before an Intention Is Effective?
• Is Causal Determinism Essential to Free Acts?
• A Mormon Concept of Free Agency
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #57: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 12 June 27 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 12: The Attributes of God Ch 7 - Divine Foreknowledge and the Mormon Concept of Free Agency (Part 1)
By Corey Ostler
Topics Discussed:
• Hypothetical Free Will
• Libertarian Free Agency
www.exploringmormonthought.com/
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
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