Ep. #135 – A Conversation with Dr. Ryan Mullins on DDS & Modal Collapse
Summary
What are models of God? What is neo-classical theism as opposed to classical theism? How should we think about the doctrine of divine simplicity? What is meant by ‘modal collapse’? How might classical theists answer modal collapse objections? Dr. Ryan Mullins joins the show to discuss some of his thoughts on these questions and more.
Guest Bio
R.T. Mullins (PhD, University of St Andrews). He has published over 30 essays on various topics in philosophical theology related to models of God, philosophy of time, personal identity, the problem of evil, disability theology, the Trinity, and the incarnation. He has published two books, The End of the Timeless God (Oxford University Press, 2016) and God and Emotion (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Mullins has held research and teaching fellowships at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Cambridge, the University of St Andrews, and the University of Edinburgh. When not engaging in philosophical theology, he is often found at a metal show.
Topics
- What is Dr. Ryan Mullins’ backstory theologically and with the Reluctant Theologian Podcast?
- What is meant by ‘models of God’?
- What’s at stake in the debate about classical theism, neo-classical theism, and different models of God?
- How should we think about the doctrine of divine simplicity?
- Do Scotus and Palamas count as proponents of DDS on Mullins’ view?
- What is meant by the claim that God has no properties?
- How should we understand the terminology behind the modal collapse objection?
- What are Mullins’ thoughts on how the ‘modal collapse’ objection has been answered in various places?
- Besides Aquinas, who are some other major classical theist thinkers we should look in to?
Resources Mentioned by Dr. Ryan Mullins
- God and Emotion by R.T. Mullins
- The End of the Timeless God by R.T. Mullins
- A YouTube dialogue between Ryan Mullins and Robert Koons on the Trinity and Divine Simplicity (hosted on Joe Schmid’s channel)
- RTmullins.com (Mullins’ website with links to his papers and podcast episodes)
- Perfect Being Theology by Katherin Rogers
- Anselm on Freedom by Katherin Rogers
- Creation and the Sovereignty of God by Hugh McCann
- Eternal God: A Study of God Without Time by Paul Helm
My 2 Favorite Episodes of Mullins’ Podcast
- God, Evil, and the Multiverse with Max Baker-Hytch
- Apophaticism and Classical Theism with Simon Hewitt
Other Resources
- Ryan Mullins & Steven Nemes discuss God on the Reluctant Theologian Podcast
- Dwight Stanislaw’s master’s thesis on a Thomistic Account of Creation
- Fr. Peter Totleben on Palamism from a Thomistic Perspective (on the Reason and Theology Show)
- On Capturing Christianity, Ryan Mullins & Steven Nemes discuss God
- Ryan Mullins & Steven Nemes discuss God on the On Script Podcast
- Joe Schmid’s Conversation w/ Christopher Tomaszewski on Divine Simplicity on the Capturing Christianity program
- A Further Reply to Mullins on Divine Simplicity (blog post) by Edward Feser
- A Reply to Mullins Reply to Feser (blog post) by John DeRosa
Related Episodes
Ep. #133 – Negative Theology and Philosophical Analysis w/ Dr. Simon Hewitt
Ep. #116 – The One Creator God w/ Fr. Michael Dodds O.P.
Ep. #101 – Does the Trinity entail Simplicity? w/ Tomaszewski
Ep. #100 – Divine Simplicity & the Holy Trinity w/ Fr. Thomas Joseph White
Ep. #92 – Simplicity Does Not Entail Modal Collapse w/ Steven Nemes
