The Evolution of the Free-Thinking Argument

While sitting next to Timothy Fox in Dr. Scott Smith’s classroom at Biola University the summer of 2012, something Smith said sparked a thought. I quickly scribbled down a three-step syllogism in the margins of my notebook and got back to paying attention to his lecture. After class I approached Smith to show him this … Continue reading The Evolution of the Free-Thinking Argument

A Moral Obligation to Vote for an Immoral Candidate

By Tim Stratton and Josh Klein We were recently disheartened to see Ron DeSantis and Nikki Hayley drop out of the presidential race. This effectively guarantees Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for 2024. Although I (Stratton) left the Republican Party during the George W. Bush era, I begrudgingly voted for Trump in 2016 and … Continue reading A Moral Obligation to Vote for an Immoral Candidate

A Question About Divine Hiddenness

Question: Hey, Tim. I recently read your paper against the hiddenness argument and I had an interpretation question. The first scenario you describe how “After coming to believe in God, a person may rebel against God and, in turn, damage the faith of other believers.” For me it wasn’t clear what you meant by faith. … Continue reading A Question About Divine Hiddenness

Justified Metaphysical Beliefs

Question Dear Dr. Stratton, I was watching a debate review where Taylor Cyr was talking about a revised Epicurean argument against determinism (pretty close to some of your Free-Thinking Arguments). While I don’t think he raised any good objections (he didn’t spend much time on it), his mention of it made me think of a … Continue reading Justified Metaphysical Beliefs

Alex Malpass vs Tim Stratton: A Debate on the Free-Thinking Argument

I recently had the honor of debating the well-known philosopher and atheist Dr. Alex Malpass on the Premier Unbelievable? YouTube channel. The catalyst of this event was the debate between Ben Shapiro and Alex O’Connor which took place a few weeks prior on the same platform. The topic of their debate was “Is Religion Good … Continue reading Alex Malpass vs Tim Stratton: A Debate on the Free-Thinking Argument

The Free-Thinking Argument for Beginners

The Free-Thinking Argument has been receiving much attention as of late. J.P. Moreland recently partnered with me to explain and defend the Free-Thinking Argument (FTA) in the academic literature (2022), I had the honor of presenting the argument at the Evangelical Philosophical Society (2023), the Unbelievable? show out of the UK, invited me to debate … Continue reading The Free-Thinking Argument for Beginners

Responding to Ben Shapiro and Alex O’Connor

Recently, on an episode of The Big Conversation from Premier Unbelievable?, the well-known Daily Wire host and political thinker extraordinaire Ben Shapiro debated against Oxford graduate of philosophy and theology, Alex O’Connor. The resolution of the debate was the question: “Is religion good or bad for society?” Ben Shapiro is a monotheist who believes that … Continue reading Responding to Ben Shapiro and Alex O’Connor

Panpsychism: Conscious Rocks and Socks

I recently read Galileo’s Error: Foundation for a New Science of Consciousness by Philip Goff. I actually listened to it on Audible over the course of four days (mostly while walking my dog or working out). After listening to the first few chapters I decided to purchase the hard copy in order to read it … Continue reading Panpsychism: Conscious Rocks and Socks

Why Are We Obligated to Follow God’s Commands?

“Why are we obligated to follow God’s commands?” To respond by saying, “we are obligated to follow God’s commands because God has commanded that we ought to follow His commands” is circular and does not work. It seems to me that the best way to answer this question is by noting that God’s commands correspond … Continue reading Why Are We Obligated to Follow God’s Commands?

Libertarian Free-Thinking and the Sapolsky Paradox

“I’ve decided that Sapolsky embodies a paradox: when you decide free will does not exist because you have weighed arguments for and against it, you prove free will exists.” – John Horgan (the science writer) Horgan is exactly right. These words are in response to neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky, who argues against free will in his … Continue reading Libertarian Free-Thinking and the Sapolsky Paradox

Objective Morality VS David Pallmann

Challenge For those who like the moral argument, here are my five challenges (framed as questions) for you. 1. Why think that moral realism is true? 2. Why think that moral facts/obligations need an explanation? 3. Why think that God would be able to explain the existence of moral facts/obligations? 4. What about non-theistic accounts … Continue reading Objective Morality VS David Pallmann

Reason and the Necessity of Libertarian Freedom: A Response to David Pallmann

Challenge Here’s a challenge for those who think that libertarian free will is necessary for rationality and/or knowledge (I am defining rationality as believing some proposition justifiably and I am defining knowledge as justified true belief). Imagine two worlds: world A and world B. In both worlds, John believes the same proposition on the basis … Continue reading Reason and the Necessity of Libertarian Freedom: A Response to David Pallmann

What Makes a Deity Deceptive?

The following is a recent conversation I had with a Calvinist. I enjoyed it because it was not emotionally charged even though he was asking questions in an effort to refute my arguments against Calvinistic determinism. His questions were thoughtful and allowed for clarification from which all can benefit. Please enjoy the following exchange (for … Continue reading What Makes a Deity Deceptive?

Epistemic Meltdown

Objection Dear Dr. Stratton, I saw the video An Epistemological Case Against Calvinism right when it came out. And I was surprised that the whole video you assumed that a determinist has to argue for general reliability. I can simply reject this premise and argue that God is absolutely reliable. Seems to me that you have … Continue reading Epistemic Meltdown

What If Aliens Exist?

Question: Dear Dr. Tim,  I’m interested to know if you have any biblical thought on the alien thing?!? Do you think there might have been sightings, contact, etc.? I was wondering if there is anything biblical in regards to that? With the recent government hearings on this and the conspiracy theories going around for some … Continue reading What If Aliens Exist?

Can Anything Good Come from Slavery?

Is slavery good?  Absolutely not! The first book of the Bible makes it clear that being sold into slavery against one’s will is the epitome of evil. Scripture also shows how this specific evil (as well as all evil, suffering, and affliction) will ultimately be used by God for good. In Genesis, chapters 37 through 50, … Continue reading Can Anything Good Come from Slavery?

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