Episode 106 - Good Problems and Necessary Goods

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Episode Video

Show Notes

Books Referenced

Science and the Good by Hunter and Nedelisky

“Roughly put, moral laws flowed from the nature of things,” Page 28

“The ethical theories of the scholastics grounded morality in natural laws, which were alleged to be graspable by consideration of the essence of things – that is, by appreciating the ends to which things were made.” Page 32

“The resolution is found in the cultural logic they follow. As they would have it, even if there isn’t anything we objectively “ought” to be doing, we still have to decide, on some basis, how to live and what to do. Without any real ethical standards, we look to social objectives as guides. The project, then, it’s about how science and technology can help us achieve these social goals. The role of science is to reveal how our moral psychology and neurochemistry work—or can be put to work—towards achieving those goals.

The problem is that the social objectives are, in the end, morally arbitrary, reflecting either fluctuating social tastes or the whims of those in power.” Page 21.

Links and Media Referenced

Scriptures Referenced

  • John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

  • Mark 10:18 - And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Reid S. Monaghan

Reid Monaghan received a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science with a minor in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC he also competed on the wrestling team for the then perennial ACC Champion and top ten Tarheels. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Apologetics, a multidisciplinary degree involving Philosophy, Biblical studies, and Theology.

After college, he spent eight years serving alongside his wife Kasey on the college campus with the ministry of Athletes in Action. He pioneered the Athletes in Action campus ministry at Virginia Tech and was the director there from 1998-2004. During his final two years on AIA staff Reid also served as regional director for the Mid-Atlantic and Ivy League schools. From 2004-2008 Reid was on the staff of Fellowship Nashville where he started a work with young adults called Inversion, preached in the Sunday rotation and taught classes in theology and Christian Apologetics.

Along with a team of friends, Reid planted Jacob’s Well, a theologically driven and culturally engaged church in Central New Jersey. He also pioneered the Acts 29 Network in the state of New Jersey, served on the Northeast lead team, and as director for church planter assessment for the US South Central Network. Reid continues to consult and coach church planters as part of his ministry.

He is a traveling speaker where he addresses students and athletes on various campuses throughout the United States. He has spoken to college students at such institutions as Brown, Princeton, Yale, Wake Forest, Rutgers, UNC Chapel Hill, and Virginia Tech. In addition to his campus work he has spoken in chapel services for the Tennessee Titans, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the New York Football Giants.

He has long been engaged with the task of bringing the gospel to people in culture in clear, relevant and compelling ways combining theological vision, apologetics, Christian thought and popular culture.

Some of his greatest joys in life are from the gifts God has given him in his wife Kasey (married 1996), and his kiddos Kayla (arrival 2001), Kylene (arrival 2003), and Thomas Reid (arrival 2006).

Reid has a limited number of dates each year to speak in various venues. His areas of strength are with Christian apologetics, athletes, biblical preaching, family life and worship, college students, and ethnically diverse audiences. Please contact us via our Speaker Request Form if you would like Reid to come and serve with your church or campus ministry.