Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture - podcast cover

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Raewww.biola.edu
A weekly podcast that offers Christian perspectives on some of the most significant issues facing today's church and culture. In each episode, hosts Scott Rae and Sean McDowell — professors at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology — draw upon biblical wisdom and insights from guest experts as they explore how Christians can thoughtfully and faithfully engage with cultural trends and current events.
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Episodes

Just Capitalism, Part 2 (with Brent Waters)

If you’re one of those people that think of economics as the "dismal science," or that economics has nothing to do with a person's day to day Christian life, you’re about to have those views challenged. Listen to the second of this two part fascinating conversation on the intersection of Christian faith and economics, as Scott interviews theologian, Dr. Brent Waters. Dr. Brent Waters is the Jerre and Mary Jo Stead Professor of Christian Ethics at Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinoi...

Feb 14, 201928 minEp. 65

Just Capitalism, Part 1 (with Brent Waters)

If you’re one of those people that think of economics as the "dismal science," or that economics has nothing to do with a person's day to day Christian life, you’re about to have those views challenged. Listen to the first of this two part fascinating conversation on the intersection of Christian faith and economics, as Scott interviews theologian, Dr. Brent Waters. Dr. Brent Waters is the Jerre and Mary Jo Stead Professor of Christian Ethics at Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois...

Feb 07, 201931 minEp. 64

Total Truth (with Nancy Pearcey)

Does truth matter anymore? How do we communicate truth in a “post-truth” world? Sean interviews Nancy Pearcey about her book Total Truth . She addresses these questions and makes the case that the church must embrace the faith as a totalizing belief system that shapes how we approach every aspect of life. Heralded as “America’s preeminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual” (The Economist), Nancy Pearcey is author of Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity. Pearc...

Jan 31, 201931 minEp. 63

From Islam to Christianity (with Florenc Mene)

Hear the remarkable testimony of Florenc (Lenci) Mene, who grew up in Communist Albania, and converted to Islam as a teenager, dropped out of school to attend a Muslim madrassa full time, and eventually converted to Christianity, making the decision to follow Jesus. Lenci is now a Ph.D. student at the University of Edinburgh in textual criticism. His goal is to be able to answer Muslim objections to Christian faith—particularly that the text of the bible has been hopelessly corrupted over the ce...

Jan 25, 201931 minEp. 62

Hope for a Racially Divided Culture (with Miles McPherson)

Issues of race and racial reconciliation are ongoing in many communities. Sean and Scott interview pastor Miles McPherson (The Rock Church in San Diego, California), about his book, The Third Option: Hope for a Racially Divided Nation . Miles refers to himself as a perpetual outsider, as a mixed race individual (Black, white and Chinese ancestry) who identifies as black. Join us as he shares his experience and his solutions to the problems of racial reconciliation. Read a transcript of this epis...

Jan 17, 201933 minEp. 61

Surviving Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (with Lisa Michelle)

Telling a remarkable story of healing and redemption, Sean and Scott talk with Lisa Michelle, who survived two decades of exploitation, and who now ministers to girls in the sex industry. She tells the story of her healing, her reconciliation with her abusers and her ministry to girls caught in human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/surviving-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation ========== Think Biblically: Conv...

Jan 10, 201933 minEp. 60

Science and Faith in a Secular Society (with J.P. Moreland)

Christian faith and science are often viewed as being in conflict in Western culture today. It’s important to understand that science is practiced within a worldview—a specific way of viewing the world, especially what counts for knowledge. Increasingly, people believe that the only things that count for real knowledge are those that can be scientifically verified. Scott and Sean interview Talbot philosopher JP Moreland about his new book, Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dange...

Dec 20, 201831 minEp. 59

Present Day Miracles (with Craig Keener)

We know God worked many and mighty miracles throughout biblical times, but for many Christians, we don’t see as much evidence for miracles in our lives as there was in biblical times. You won’t want to miss Scott’s interview with Dr. Craig Keener, renowned New Testament scholar, who has done in depth research on miracles today. This discussion is a summary of the high points of his 2 volume, over 1000 page books entitled, Miracles . Join us for this fascinating discussion of miracles today. Dr. ...

Dec 13, 201831 minEp. 58

Near Death Experiences (with Gary Habermas)

You may have heard of people who “came back” from being declared dead, or close to it, that report incredible things that they experienced while near death. Join us as Scott discusses the phenomena of near death experiences with world renowned expert on the subject, Christian philosopher, Dr. Gary Habermas. Dr. Gary Habermas is Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy at the Rawlings School of Divinity, Liberty University. He is an expert on both the resurrection of Jesus a...

Dec 07, 201834 minEp. 57

The Dignity Revolution (with Daniel Darling)

The idea of human dignity is at the heart of most major issues debated in our culture today. From bioethics (abortion, euthanasia, genetic technologies) to race and immigration, the notion of the dignity of the individual person is a central concept. Yet it is not often clear on what basis people have dignity, unless one acknowledges that persons are made in God’s image. Scott and Sean interview theologian Daniel Darling, Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Com...

Nov 29, 201832 minEp. 56

Walking with Loved Ones at the End of Life (with Doug Groothuis)

There are few things in life that are more gut-wrenching than walking with a loved one through a terminal illness. In this heart-rending interview, Scott and Sean talk with Christian philosopher Dr. Doug Groothuis, as he recounts his decade long journey with his wife, Becky, through terminal dementia, in his new book, Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness-A Philosopher’s Lament . Dr. Doug Groothuis is Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary and the author of numerous books and articles o...

Nov 21, 201831 minEp. 55

Fearless Prayer (with Craig Hazen)

If you’ve had doubts about the effectiveness of your prayer or wondered about how boldly you can pray, then our guest, Talbot Apologetics Director and Professor, Dr. Craig Hazen has wisdom about prayer that will surprise you. Sean and Scott interview Dr. Hazen and highlight his new book, Fearless Prayer: Why We Don’t Ask and Why We Should . Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/fearless-prayer ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith a...

Nov 15, 201828 minEp. 54

Heaven, Hell and the Afterlife (with Mike Fabarez)

What have you wondered about when it comes to the afterlife? Sean and Scott interview Pastor Mike Faberez, pastor of Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo, Calif., about his new book 10 Mistakes People Make about Heaven, Hell and the Afterlife . Join us as we talk about some of those things you may have wondered about the afterlife. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/heaven-hell-and-the-afterlife ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Fai...

Nov 08, 201832 minEp. 53

Race and Intersectionality (with Elizabeth Corey)

The concept of intersectionality is a recent and important contribution to the societal conversation on race and racial reconciliation. Join Sean and Scott as they talk with Baylor University professor, Dr. Elizabeth Corey, for her assessment of the intersectionality movement that is sweeping university campuses across the US. Dr. Elizabeth Corey is Associate Professor of Political Science at Baylor University and is affiliated with the Great Texts Honors College at Baylor. She holds a Ph.D. in ...

Nov 01, 201831 minEp. 52

Our Deepest Desires (with Greg Ganssle)

What would you think about a worldview that could satisfy your deepest desires? Talbot philosophy professor Dr. Greg Ganssle talks with Sean and Scott about his new book, Our Deepest Desires: How the Christian Story Fulfills Human Aspirations . He summarizes our primary aspirations around relationships, goodness, beauty and freedom and shows how the Christian faith provides the resources for fulfillment in all these important areas. Dr. Greg Ganssle is Professor of Philosophy at Talbot. Prior to...

Oct 25, 201830 minEp. 51

Last Call for Liberty?? (with Os Guinness)

Os Guinness , noted speaker, author and social commentator, maintains that in the aftermath of the contentious Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings, the polarization in the US seems greater than any time since the Civil War. Scott and Sean interview Os about his new book, Last Call for Liberty: How America's Genius for Freedom Has Become it's Greatest Threat . Join us for this stimulating conversation with one of the best at connecting Christian faith and culture. Os Guinness is an auth...

Oct 18, 201835 minEp. 50

Faith and the Baseball Playoffs (with Brandon Cash)

Join us as Scott interviews Talbot professor and Los Angeles Dodgers chaplain Brandon Cash, as he describes his ongoing ministry with the Dodgers' players and coaches, with a specific emphasis on the current postseason playoffs. Professor Brandon Cash is Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot and co-pastor of Oceanside Christian Fellowship in El Segundo, California. He has been the chaplain for the Dodgers for the past 7 years. Read a transcript of this episode at: ht...

Oct 11, 201830 minEp. 49

Faith and Bioethics (with Paige Cunningham)

Many of the most challenging ethical and social issues today are in the field of bioethics. Issues such as end of life care, reproductive technology, genetic and biotechnology, not to mention long standing issues such as abortion and assisted suicide. Join Sean and Scott as they interview Dr. Paige Cunningham, President of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity , one of the few Christian think tanks in this vexing field of bioethics. Dr. Paige Cunningham is Executive Director of the Center f...

Oct 04, 201829 minEp. 48

Redeeming Capitalism (with Ken Barnes)

With the popularity of Bernie Sanders presidential run in 2016 and the increasing embrace of forms of socialism by critics of capitalism, the time is right for a vigorous examination of the virtues and vices of market capitalism. Scott and Sean interview Dr. Ken Barnes , Director of the Mockler Center for Faith and Ethics in the Workplace , about his new book, Redeeming Capitalism . Join us for this stimulating conversation about the intersection of Christian faith and economics, from the perspe...

Sep 27, 201831 minEp. 47

Family Background and Spirituality (with Judy TenElshof)

Though we recognize that our family background has a major influence on the kind of person we all become, we don't often extend that to our spiritual formation and development. Talbot spiritual formation professor Dr. Judy TenElshof outlines how our family upbringing affects our journey toward spiritual maturity. Join us as Scott and Sean interview Dr. TenElshof on this important topic that affects everyone's spiritual journey. Dr. Judy TenElshof is Professor of Spirituality and Marriage and Fam...

Sep 20, 201830 minEp. 46

Bonus Podcast: What Atheists and Christians Get Right and Wrong

Sean recently had a public discussion with Hemant Mehta, who is known as "The Friendly Atheist," and is an outspoken atheist blogger and YouTuber. They discuss common misconceptions each side has about the other, and then take live questions from the audience. This episode first aired on the Premier Christian Radio show Unbelievable? Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/bonus-podcast-what-atheists-and-christians-get-right-and-wrong ========== Th...

Sep 19, 20181 hr 28 min

Crisis Pregnancy Clinics and Free Speech Rights - The NIFLA Case (with Scott Waller)

In June, 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of California's crisis pregnancy centers protecting their free speech rights. California law required these pro-life centers to provide abortion referrals to their clients who came in seeking their services. The clinics sued, alleging that the law infringed on their free speech rights, forcing them to provide what their conscience prevented them from doing. Scott and Sean interview Biola political science professor Dr. Scott Waller, who comments...

Sep 15, 201832 minEp. 45

Learning from the Church Fathers (with Ken Berding)

The Church Fathers provide a vital link from the time of Jesus and the apostles to future generations. Who were they? What did they care about? And what can we learn for today? Sean and Scott interview Talbot professor Ken Berding with these questions and more. Additional Resources: The Apostolic Fathers: A Narrative Introduction Kenneth Berding's blog Kenneth Berding is a professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology . He is an author of various books, some academic (such as Polycarp ...

Sep 08, 201828 minEp. 44

Zombie Science (with Jonathan Wells)

What is the scientific evidence for evolution? How is the Darwinian paradigm faring? Sean and Scott interview Dr. Jonathan Wells about his recent book Zombie Science , which offers a critique of some of the most common arguments offered for evolution. Dr. Wells offers some perspective and insight from being engaged in discussions and debate over evolution and intelligent design for the past few decades. Dr. Jonathan Wells is a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and cul...

Aug 31, 201828 minEp. 43

Saving Truth (with Abdu Murray)

Do we really live in a post-truth culture? How do we effectively communicate truth in a world dominated by feelings? Scott and Sean interview speaker and author Abdu Murray (from Ravi Zacharias Ministries) about his new book Saving Truth . Murray offers some cultural insights and practical tips for evangelism and apologetics today. Abdu Murray is North American Director with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and is the author of three books, including his latest, Saving Truth: Finding Mean...

Aug 23, 201828 minEp. 42

Sharing the Good News with Mormons (with Eric Johnson)

Are Mormons Christians? Is the Mormon church aligning with historic Christian doctrine? And how do we best share the good news with our Mormon friends, neighbors, and co-workers? Sean and Scott interview author, scholar, and missionary Eric Johnson about these questions and more. Eric's latest book is Sharing the Good News with Mormons: Practical Strategies for Getting the Conversation Started . Eric Johnson serves with the organization, Mormonism Research Ministry, as a scholar, writer and spea...

Aug 16, 201830 minEp. 41

Love Thy Body (with Nancy Pearcey)

In her new best-selling book " Love Thy Body ," Nancy Pearcey argues that modern culture commits one huge fallacy--denigrating the value of the body. This mistake lies at the heart of how our secular culture thinks about some of the most common ethical issues of today, such as euthanasia, abortion, and transgenderism. Scott and Sean interview Pearcey about how the church can offer a humanizing worldview that embraces the value and dignity of the body. Best-selling author Nancy Pearcey has been h...

Aug 10, 201831 minEp. 40

Questioning the Bible? (with Jonathan Morrow)

Is the Bible racist? Sexist? How do we know the Bible contains the right books? In this episode, Sean interviews adjunct Talbot professor Jonathan Morrow about his book Questioning the Bible . Sean and Jonathan aim to offer answers to the toughest questions people are asking today about the Bible. Jonathan Morrow is the Director of Creative Strategies for Impact 360 Institute where he teaches in the college “Gap Year” program and high school summer Immersion experience. He is the author of Quest...

Aug 02, 201829 minEp. 39

Vincent Van Gogh’s Journey of Faith (with William Havlicek)

In this fascinating look at the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh, Sean and Scott interview Professor William Havlicek, one of the world’s leading experts on Van Gogh. William teaches at the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, California and has written Van Gogh’s Untold Journey , the story of the Christian faith of Van Gogh and how it is portrayed in his artwork. Join us for this conversation with Dr. Havlicek. Dr. William Havlicek is professor at the Laguna College of Art and Desi...

Jul 26, 201830 minEp. 38

Hitler’s Ethic and Religion and Eugenics Today (with Richard Weikart)

Scott and Sean interview Dr. Richard Weikart, professor of history at Cal State Stanislaus on the connection between evolutionary ethics and the re-emergence of eugenics in culture today. Dr. Weikart is the author of several books which he discusses in this podcast, including, Hitler’s Ethic , Hitler’s Religion , and The Death of Humanity , in which he shows the link between evolutionary ethics and the erosion of respect for the sacredness of life. He also dispels the notion that Christian faith...

Jul 19, 201828 minEp. 37
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