The Reed Thomist Podcast

Episode 12 — The Nature of Proof
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed explores the nature of proof, soundness, and what it means for an argument to truly establish truth.
You’ll learn:• The difference between validity, truth, and soundness• Why a sound argument is the goal of logic• How Scripture provides real examples of valid but unsound reasoning• How Christ Himself uses logical proof in debate
Key biblical case studies include:• The Sadducees’ argument against the resurrection (a valid but unsound argument)• Christ’s proof from Genesis defending the resurrection• Jesus’ argument about David’s Son and David’s Lord (Psalm 110)• A logical analysis of John 6 and the Bread of Life discourse
This episode shows that logic is not opposed to faith—Christ reasons, proves, and exposes false assumptions using sound arguments grounded in truth.

Episode 11 — Syllogisms, Validity, and Sound Reasoning
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the formal study of logic, focusing on how arguments actually work and how to evaluate them correctly.
This lecture introduces:• Hypothetical syllogisms (“if–then” reasoning)• Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens, with philosophical and theological examples• Disjunctive syllogisms (“either/or” reasoning), including biblical cases• Why arguments can be valid even when their conclusions are false• The crucial distinction between validity, truth, and soundness
Viewers learn why logic evaluates structure, not persuasion, and why the goal of logic is a sound argument—one with true premises and valid reasoning. The episode concludes with a Gospel example showing a valid but unsound argument about the resurrection.
🎓 Ideal for students of philosophy, theology, apologetics, and anyone seeking clear, disciplined reasoning.

Episode 10 — Logic, Arguments, and Validity
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the formal study of logic itself, focusing on how reason evaluates arguments and discovers truth.
This lecture explains:• What an argument is (premises and conclusion)• Why logic is reason examining itself• The difference between truth and validity• Why valid arguments can have false premises• What fallacies are (formal and informal)• Why invalid reasoning does not automatically mean a false conclusion
Logic is not about opinion or persuasion—it is the disciplined study of whether conclusions actually follow from the reasons given. Viewers are introduced to valid vs. invalid arguments, classical examples (including Aristotle and St. Paul), and the foundational role of deductive reasoning.
The episode concludes with an introduction to the syllogism, one of the most powerful tools in philosophy, theology, and clear thinking.

Episode 9 — Starting the Basics of Logic
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed begins formal instruction in logic by explaining what arguments are and why they matter. Logic is not debate, persuasion, or emotion—it is the disciplined study of reason ordered toward truth.
This lecture introduces:• What an argument is (premises and conclusion)• The difference between proof and persuasion• Why false beliefs are not the same as lies• The distinction between statements and other kinds of sentences• Why most important beliefs require reasonsLogic trains us to evaluate whether our conclusions truly follow from our reasons—especially in philosophy, theology, and everyday reasoning.

Episode 8 — Why Study Logic?The Laws of Thought & Christian Doctrine
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the classical discussion of logic and Christian belief, beginning with an important review of key distinctions that are essential for understanding logic rightly.
Review: Logic and GodThis episode opens by clarifying several foundational distinctions:• Order of knowing vs. order of being — Logic is first in how we know; God is first in what is. God is not under human reason, but our knowledge about God is judged by logic.• There is no “God’s logic” vs. “human logic” — Logic is logic. A contradiction is a contradiction for everyone. Statements about God must be logical, even though God Himself is not judged by logic.• Logically impossible vs. humanly impossible — Logical absurdities are not things at all and therefore are not objects of divine power.• Prescriptive vs. descriptive laws — Miracles may suspend laws of nature (descriptive laws) but never violate the laws of logic (prescriptive laws).
Do Christian Doctrines Involve Contradictions?The episode then addresses a common objection: Are Christian teachings logically contradictory?Dr. Reed shows that revealed mysteries are not contradictions, because contradictions require something to be and not-be at the same time and in the same sense.• God is three in Person, one in Being• Christ is two in nature, one in Person• Human freedom and divine predestination are compatible when eternity and time are properly distinguished
The Three Laws of All ThoughtThe lecture concludes with an introduction to the three fundamental laws of logic, which govern all thinking:1. The Law of Non-Contradiction — A thing cannot be A and not-A at the same time and in the same sense2. The Law of Excluded Middle — A statement is either true or not true3. The Law of Identity — What is, is; truth is truth
Through clear examples and everyday illustrations, the episode shows why difference, partial truth, or mystery are not the same as contradiction—and why these laws are unavoidable in every act of thought.
This episode lays critical groundwork for all future study in logic, philosophy, theology, and the defense of truth.

Episode 7 — Why Study Logic?
Why should we study logic at all?
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the classical introduction to logic by explaining why logic matters—especially for philosophy, theology, and the life of faith. Building on the previous discussion of order in reason itself, this lecture presents logic as unavoidable, grounded in reality, and indispensable for knowing truth.
The episode then turns to common objections to logic, many of them raised sincerely by people of faith. These concerns worry that logic somehow places human reason above God, limits divine omnipotence, or undermines mystery and miracle. Each objection is carefully stated and then answered from an Aristotelian–Thomistic perspective.
Key questions addressed include:• Is logic unavoidable in human reasoning?• Is logic grounded in being and reality?• Does logic “work,” and how do we know?• Does using logic put reason above God?• Is God subject to logic—or does logic come from God?• Can God do what is logically impossible?• Are miracles illogical?• Do Christian doctrines involve real contradictions?
The lecture clarifies the crucial distinction between logical laws and laws of nature, explains why logical impossibilities are not “things” at all, and shows how logic functions as a gift from God—an instrument for eliminating error and safeguarding truth in theology and philosophy.
This episode lays essential groundwork for understanding how logic serves faith rather than undermines it, preparing the way for deeper discussions of mystery, doctrine, and reasoned belief.

Episode 6 — The Start of the Logic Journey
What is logic—and why does it matter?
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed begins a classical introduction to logic through Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Logic is not debate tactics, everyday planning, or opinion-sharing. It is the study of right reason ordered toward truth.
This lecture explains:• What logic really studies• Why logic is about order in reason itself• How logic differs from science, art, and morality• Why logic is normative, unavoidable, and grounded in reality• Why Aristotelian (Western) logic still matters today
This episode lays the foundation for the entire logic series by showing how reasoning itself must be ordered if we are to know truth about God, goodness, beauty, and moral life.

Episode #5: The Church on Philosophy (Continued)
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed concludes the Church’s teaching on philosophy by examining Pope Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris and Pope St. John Paul II’s Fides et Ratio, before introducing the series’ next major focus: logic. The episode explains why philosophy is not optional for Christian thought, but an essential preparation for theology, catechesis, and evangelization.
Drawing on Leo XIII, the lecture shows how philosophy “smooths” and “fortifies” the intellect, enabling human reason to know God from creation and recognize that God is not merely true, but Truth itself. The Church is shown not only to recommend philosophy, but to command its use for those who teach the faith—especially when philosophy is pursued in obedience to Christian truth.
The episode also highlights the Church’s enduring esteem for St. Thomas Aquinas, whose work exemplifies the harmony of faith and reason, and concludes with John Paul II’s vision of philosophy as the “love of wisdom” and one of humanity’s noblest pursuits. Together, faith and reason form the surest path to truth and to a deeper understanding of God, the world, and the human person.

Episode #4: The Church on Philosophy (Continued)
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the Catholic Church’s teaching on philosophy, beginning with a short review of Episode 3 and returning to Christ as the Divine Logos (John 1:1)—the eternal Word, Reason, and Wisdom of God. Because Christ is God’s own Reason made flesh, philosophy is shown to be not opposed to faith, but rooted in its very foundation.
The episode examines authoritative Church teaching from Vatican I, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Pope Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris, which affirm that God can be known with certainty by the natural light of human reason. Dr. Reed explains how philosophy prepares the intellect for revelation by addressing moral relativism, materialism, and skepticism—worldviews that render the Gospel unintelligible.
Drawing on the conversion of St. Augustine, the lecture illustrates how philosophy “smooths and fortifies” the mind, enabling it to recognize truth, moral order, and the reality of a transcendent Creator. Philosophy is presented not as a threat to faith, but as its handmaid—clearing intellectual obstacles and leading reason toward God, who is not merely true, but Truth itself.

Episode #3: The Church on Philosophy
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed offers a brief review of key themes from Episode 2, including the biblical command to give reasons for the faith, the need to refute false ideas about God, and the importance of intellectual formation within the Church. Building on that foundation, the episode turns to a question that surprises many: the Catholic Church does not merely tolerate philosophy—she esteems it, teaches it, and in certain contexts obliges its study.
Grounding this teaching in Sacred Scripture, the episode presents Christ as the Divine Logos (John 1:1)—the eternal Word, Reason, and Wisdom of God. Because the Son is God’s own Reason made flesh, the pursuit of truth, logic, and intelligibility is not opposed to faith but flows from its very center. Philosophy, therefore, is shown to be a natural ally of theology and an essential preparation for understanding divine revelation.
The episode then examines authoritative Church teaching from Vatican I and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which affirm that God’s existence can be known with certainty by the natural light of human reason. This classical teaching challenges modern skepticism and calls Christians to recover confidence in reason’s ability to know objective truth. The lecture concludes with the Church’s historical witness—especially Pope Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris—and the enduring role of St. Thomas Aquinas in uniting faith and reason.