How does a Christian view of mental health compare and contrast with a secular perspective? Are we in a mental health crisis today? And how do we best love our family and friends who are suffering from mental illness. In this video and podcast, Sean and Scott talk with Rosemead Professor Chris Adams about these questions and more. Dr. Adams shares about the new Flourishing in Ministry resource that helps pastors and churches address mental health. See www.flourishinginministry.org . Rev. Chris A...
Mar 19, 2024•39 min•Ep. 324
This week, Scott Rae and guest co-host Rick Langer discuss: China's Baby Bust France Enshrines Abortion in Constitution Disturbing Leaks from WPATH New Tech May Allow Embryo from Two Men Listener Question: AI Pornography Listener Question: How will doctors leaving abortion banned states affect quality of medical care? Listener Question: Balancing the rights of adults to do drugs vs. the rights of children to be safe from drugs Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/thi...
Mar 15, 2024•51 min•Ep. 323
What exactly does it mean to say that we are in the image of God? How should that idea impact how we view things like our identity, our work, sexuality, body image, disability and transgender issues? We’ll talk about these and much more with our colleague Dr. Carmen Imes and her new book, Being God’s Image . Dr. Carmen Imes is Associate Professor Old Testament at Talbot . She brings a passion for helping students and other laypeople engage the Old Testament and discover its relevance for Christi...
Mar 12, 2024•39 min•Ep. 322
This week, Scott & Sean discuss: Four Ways of Looking at Christian Nationalism Over-the-counter abortion pills AI-generated deepfake nudes Political Divisiveness and Friendship Listener question: Should you politically advocate for all of your moral beliefs? Listener question: Are there moral differences between regulating drug use and regulating abortion? Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/cultural-update-christian-nationalism-otc-abortio...
Mar 08, 2024•52 min•Ep. 321
What is Humanism? How significant is the Humanist worldview today? And how can Christians best love their Humanist neighbors? In this podcast and video, Sean and Scott discuss the recent book Humanly Possible , written by Sarah Bakewell, which covers 700 years of Humanist thought up to the present. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/the-legacy-of-humanism . ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbo...
Mar 05, 2024•48 min•Ep. 320
This week, Scott & Sean discuss: Artificial Intelligence and Truth : Discussion on how AI, through deep fakes and misinformation, challenges our ability to discern truth, potentially leading to an era of distrust. Study on Gender Dysphoria : A Finnish study finding that gender dysphoria does not increase suicide risk and that gender-affirming care does not decrease it, challenging current narratives around transgender care. Gen X and Diversity : An analysis of generational perspectives on di...
Mar 01, 2024•49 min•Ep. 319
How should we view the war on drugs? Is it a failure and should we try something different? Or are drugs so dangerous that waging war on them is the only appropriate response? We’ll discuss these and more with our guest Christina Dent around her new book, Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction . Christina Dent is Founder & President of End It For Good, a nonprofit advocating approaches to drugs that prioritize life and the opportunity to thrive. Re...
Feb 27, 2024•33 min•Ep. 318
Today's topics: Amazon's New AI Model : Amazon's AI model showing emergent language abilities, sparking debates on AI's human-like intelligence. Alabama Supreme Court Ruling on Embryos : Examined the ruling that embryos are human beings, affecting the infertility industry. Justice Alito's Prediction on Religious Dissenters : Addressed how a prediction by Justice Alito regarding the treatment of religious dissenters to same-sex marriage has materialized. Analyzing Movies Biblically : Tips for ana...
Feb 23, 2024•50 min•Ep. 317
What is social justice and how does it compare and contrast with biblical justice? In this episode, Sean and Scott discuss the recent book by economist Thomas Sowell called Social Justice Fallacies . According to Sowell, many things thought to be true today about justice efforts do not line up with the facts. As a result, many social justice efforts have had catastrophic consequences. Join Sean and Scott for a provocative discussion. You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel: https:...
Feb 20, 2024•42 min•Ep. 316
Today, Scott & Sean discuss: Duo euthanasia of the former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt and his wife, Eugenie, and its implications for the euthanasia movement. Critique of the soulmate model of romance , focusing on its sustainability and impact on marriages. The shooting at Joel Osteen's church in Houston, discussing various aspects including the shooter's background and the debate on gun control. The aftermath of the after school Satan clubs, highlighting the community's response. Re...
Feb 16, 2024•45 min•Ep. 315
What can and should we do about the evil of human trafficking? What is the church’s responsibility and what can the church do to help combat this worldwide phenomenon? We’ll discuss this with our guest, Talbot colleague Dr. Eddie Byun around his newly published and revised book on the subject — A Light In the Darkness . Read a transcript of this episode at https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/a-light-in-the-darkness-of-human-trafficking . ========== Think Biblically: Conversations o...
Feb 13, 2024•45 min•Ep. 314
This week, Sean and Scott discuss: A New York Times opinion piece on transgender treatments and the emerging concerns and regrets from those who have undergone such procedures. A story of anti-Semitism in the context of sperm donation in Australia, where a couple rejected a Jewish sperm donor due to ethical concerns related to his identity. An Atlantic magazine article advocating for a more balanced view of the evangelical movement , highlighting the positive contributions alongside the criticis...
Feb 09, 2024•39 min•Ep. 313
Step into the captivating world of faith and advertising with Talbot Dean Ed Stetzer in this Think Biblically podcast episode. Explore the groundbreaking " He Gets Us " campaign, a visionary effort by Christian business leaders and marketing experts to reshape contemporary views of Jesus, fostering curiosity and dialogue among skeptics and believers alike. Stetzer delves into the campaign's strategic approach to reach a broader audience, its significant impact on engagement with the Bible and ch...
Feb 06, 2024•41 min•Ep. 312
This week, Scott & Sean discuss: After-school Satan clubs in South Orange County — has religious liberty gone too far? Ethical implications of law enforcement using DNA to predict suspects' facial features. A proposed bill in the Australia for voluntary assistance in dying (VAD) extending to children and people with dementia. Listener Question: Did homosexuality exist in biblical times? Listener Question: Attending worship services of other faiths Read a transcript of this episode at: https:...
Feb 02, 2024•40 min•Ep. 311
What does it mean to assert that animals have rights? Can Christians consume meat? How concerned should Christians be about the treatment of animals? In this episode, Sean and Scott discuss these questions, and many more, as they review the influential book by Princeton philosopher Peter Singer: Animal Liberation Now . Book mentioned by Scott: God, Humans, and Animals: An Invitation to Enlarge Our Moral Universe by Robert N. Wennberg. Read a transcript of this episode at https://www.biola.edu/bl...
Jan 30, 2024•56 min•Ep. 310
In today's episode, Scott & special guest Rick Langer from Biola's Talbot School of Theology discuss these topics: Michigan School Shooting Case : Discussion on a case where parents were charged with involuntary manslaughter linked to their son's school shooting, highlighting the negligence in ignoring warning signs and the legal and moral responsibilities of parents and schools in such situations. Post-Truth American Universities : Analysis of a Gallup poll showing declining confidence in h...
Jan 26, 2024•42 min•Ep. 309
Even in the aftermath of the reversal of Roe v. Wade, making the case for life is just as important as before. How do we make the case for life in the current cultural moment we’re in? We’ll take up this critical question with our guest, Scott Klusendorf, around his new book, The Case for Life , the best single resource out there for engaging the abortion discussion. We hope you enjoy this timely episode, since Sanctity of Life Sunday was just this week. Scott Klusendorf is Founder and President...
Jan 23, 2024•33 min•Ep. 308
In today's episode, Scott & Sean discuss these topics and articles: A recent issue of New York Magazine focused on the mainstreaming of polyamory. Potential advances in lab-grown human eggs. Church without God: How secular congregations fill a need for some nonreligious Americans New York Times Editorial Board piece on The Responsibility of Republican Voters . Listener Question: "Couple to Throuple" Dating Show Listener Question: Are Old Testament saints born again? Send your thoughts and qu...
Jan 19, 2024•36 min•Ep. 307
Why would an apologist write a book on friendship? What can we learn about friendship from the example and teachings of Jesus and Paul? How can we recover the lost art of friendship? In this interview, Sean and Scott talk with Rebecca McLaughlin about her new book No Greater Love: A Biblical Vision of Friendship . Rebecca McLaughlin holds a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature from Cambridge University. Her first book Confronting Christianity was named book of the year by Christianity Today. She is a...
Jan 16, 2024•35 min•Ep. 306
In addition to our regular weekly episodes, we're starting a new series where we discuss a few current cultural issues that are in the news — and also answer some listener questions. This week, we discuss: Kim Davis' legal fees Enforcement of Texas abortion law, particularly around children with birth complications Listener Question: Balancing the head & the heart Listener Question: Should churches be involved in politics? Let us know what you think by emailing thinkbiblically@biola.edu . ==...
Jan 12, 2024•36 min•Ep. 305
The fastest growing “religious” group in the US is the “nones”, those with no religious affiliation. Who are these “nones” and what accounts for their religious disaffiliation over the last 30 years? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, political scientist and pastor, Ryan Burge from his updated book called “ The Nones .” Ryan Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author of numerous books and journal articles and is a past...
Jan 08, 2024•32 min•Ep. 304
What is humanity’s oldest lie? And how is it freshly emerging to steal the hearts and minds of a new generation? Our guest today, Biola professor Thaddeus Williams, has a new book out called Don't Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship . Join Scott and Thaddeus as we dissect his “ten commandments” and talk about how to be a cultural heretic today. Thaddeus Williams is Associate Professor of Theology at Biola University and the author of several books and numerous...
Jan 04, 2024•47 min•Ep. 303
Evil. Slavery. Contradictions in the Bible. How can we best answer the top objections to the Christianity? Greg Koukl has taught numerous people how to defend the Christian faith against the toughest questions. His earlier book, Tactics is a must-read book. In fact, we have Greg teach a full class for our Biola MA apologetics program on that book. He has a new book out called Street Smarts , in which he offers even further strategies for navigating spiritual conversations. Join Scott and Sean fo...
Dec 28, 2023•32 min•Ep. 302
We’re more than 2 months into the Israel-Hamas war? What has happened since the start of the war on October 7? What are some of the ways Christians are responding to this war? How should believers think about this war given that there are so many casualties of innocents on both sides? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Darrell Bock, Executive Director for Cultural Engagement at the Hendricks Center at Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Darrell Bock is Executive Director of C...
Dec 21, 2023•35 min•Ep. 301
We're trying something different today! A new bonus series where we'll discuss a few current cultural issues that are in the news — and also answer some Q&A sent in by listeners. A brief programming note: Our regular weekly full-length episodes — where we do a deep dive on a topic or have an in-depth discussion with an author — aren't going anywhere! We'll still be releasing those weekly. This new series will be an additional episode in your podcast feeds each week, starting in the new year....
Dec 15, 2023•36 min•Ep. 300
Who counts as a person? The severely mentally challenged? The elderly person at the end of Alzheimer’s? The unborn? On what basis do we decide this critical question? How do we know that we have a soul? Hasn’t science decided that all of what the soul does actually occurs in the brain? Join Scott as he tackles these questions and more with our colleague and guest, JP Moreland, and co-author of a new book, The Substance of Consciousness . P Moreland is Distinguished Professor Philosophy, Talbot S...
Dec 07, 2023•45 min•Ep. 299
How can we best understand and engage younger generations today? Our guest today, Dr. Jean Twenge, is a professor of psychology at SDSU and the author of Generations . She has been one of our go-to scholars on generational trends and has just released a 500-page book that traces generational changes from Silents (b. 1925-1945), Boomers, Xers, Millennials, Gen Z, and up to the newest generation emerging today (polars). Join Scott and Dr. Twenge as they discusses the research on Gen Z and what it ...
Nov 30, 2023•30 min•Ep. 298
How many people are really leaving the church today? Who are the people leaving and why are they “Dechurching”? According to our guest today, Dr. Ryan Burge, the shift away from religion is as large as the First and 2nd Great Awakenings combined, but in the opposite direction. Dr. Burge explains why this issue is so pressing today and how we can best respond. Ryan Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author of numerous books and journal a...
Nov 23, 2023•32 min•Ep. 297
During the Senate Confirmation hearings of the latest Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson was asked to define the term “woman.” Her answer reflected the confusion in the culture about gender. How would you define what a woman is? On what basis would you make that determination? How should we think about the number of minor children undergoing gender affirming treatments, and those who are de-transitioning? Join Scott as he discusses these questions and more with his guest Katie McCoy an...
Nov 16, 2023•34 min•Ep. 296
Where Are Critical Theory and the Social Justice Movement Taking Us? Sean shares a bonus episode on critical theory where its expression in fields such as critical race theory, critical pedagogy, and queer theory are having a profound impact on our culture. Contemporary critical theory’s ideas about race, class, gender, identity, and justice have dramatically shaped how people think, act, and view one another—in Christian and secular spheres alike. Authors Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer illuminate t...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 295
