In this episode, Scott Rae and guest co-host Dr. Tim Pickavance tackle key cultural issues through a biblical lens: Are Traditional Wedding Vows Disappearing? A discussion on the enduring significance of wedding vows and their role in shaping lasting marriages. Free Speech in the Digital Age – How platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta are handling (or not handling) hate speech, and the tricky balance between free expression and content moderation. Is TikTok Killing Democracy? The impact o...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min
What is the state of Christian efforts to reach out to their Jewish friends and neighbors? What are the biggest barriers Jews have to considering the claims of Christ? And how can Christians lovingly engage their Jewish friends with the gospel? In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with Mitch Glaser, from Chosen People Ministries, to discuss these questions and more. Dr. Glaser gives practical, historical, and biblical insights to these questions. Even though he grew up in a nominally Orthodox Je...
Feb 18, 2025•33 min
This week, Scott and Sean discuss: Can AI feel pain? Scientists experiment with AI models simulating pain and pleasure to test for sentience—but are we just anthropomorphizing algorithms? AI relationships on the rise? One in four young adults believe AI could replace real-life romance , raising serious concerns about loneliness and human connection. Should AI make end-of-life decisions? Some experts suggest AI could help assess patient choices , but can it ever replace the wisdom of human caregi...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min
What is the contribution of the neurosciences to our understanding of gender? How does the study of the brain help us understand transgenderism? How, if at all, are male and female brains different? And would it be possible to have a male brain in a female body? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Stephen Willing. You can view a transcript of Dr. Willing's talk at the Evangelical Theological Society here . Steven Willing is board-certified in diagnostic radiology and neuror...
Feb 11, 2025•30 min
This Week, Scott and Sean Discuss: Dating is Dropping among Teenagers AI Generated News Articles have been Published The Super Bowl Removes "End Racism" Slogan A New Zealand Mountain is Granted Personhood Listener Question: If God allows something, does that mean He causes it? Listener Question: How should we think about animal violence? Listener Question: How should we refute the secular humanist argument that our human morals developed as humans evolved? ========== Think Biblically: Conversati...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr
What is the state of religious freedom in the US? What about those who claim that religious freedom is sometime seen as code for bigotry and discrimination, inconsistent with some trends toward justice? What are the main challenges to religious freedom in the West today? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest and good friend, Baylor University Professor Dr. Frank Beckwith. Dr. Frank Beckwith is Professor of Philosophy & Church-State Studies at Baylor University, where he also s...
Feb 04, 2025•35 min
Topics of discussion this week: 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz’s Liberation – Reflecting on the horrors of the Holocaust, the importance of remembering history, and the moral lessons Auschwitz teaches us today. School Choice on the Rise – 2025 may be the tipping point for school choice in the U.S., as more states adopt policies that expand educational options for families. The Decline of DEI? – Reports show that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are being reconsidered, with conce...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 3 min
What does it mean to have a healthy calling? Why are people who view their work as a calling more vulnerable to burnout? How do you know when your work has given way to idolatry? We’ll discuss these questions and much more with our Biola communications colleague, Dr. Ariana Molloy, around her new book, Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work . Dr. Arianna Molloy (Ph.D., University of Denver, CO) is an Associate Professor of Organizational Communication in the Division of Communic...
Jan 28, 2025•35 min
Scott is joined by Erik Thoennes to discuss: Religious Elements in Presidential Inaugurations : A discussion on the profound religious traditions embedded in the U.S. presidential inauguration, highlighting the inclusion of clergy, prayers, and hymns, and their connection to America's cultural and historical fabric. Christian Players in the National Championship : Exploration of faith in sports, as prominent Christian athletes publicly credited God , raising questions about divine intervention a...
Jan 24, 2025•59 min
How can Christians think biblically about TV and movies? What kinds of entertainment should Christians consume? And can Christians survive and thrive in Hollywood today? These are the kinds of questions Sean and Scott ask their special guest, Biola professor and dean Tom Halleen, who has worked as an executive in Hollywood for over three decades. Tom Halleen, former executive vice president of programming strategy, acquisitions and scheduling at AMC Networks, is the founding dean of Biola’s Snyd...
Jan 21, 2025•59 min
This week, Scott & Sean discuss: Biblical Perspective on Southern California Fires Exploring the theological implications of natural disasters, addressing questions about God's sovereignty and goodness amidst tragedy. Rising Global Anti-Semitism Report showing an alarming increase in anti-Semitic sentiments worldwide, especially among younger generations, and highlights the role of social media in spreading these views. Pharmacists Prescribing Abortion Pills Examines the new policy in Washin...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr
What does it mean to engage Jesus with our senses? What is an embodied approach to studying the life of Jesus as opposed to the way we normally read the gospel accounts? How could this change the way we encounter Jesus in the gospels? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Talbot colleague Jeannine Hanger in her new book, Engaging Jesus with Our Senses . Dr. Jeannine Hanger is Associate Professor of New Testament at Talbot. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, and is ...
Jan 14, 2025•31 min
For the first week of the new year, Sean & Scott discuss: Update on the wildfires in Southern California. Atheist author argues that true Christianity is key to saving America. The California Senate revisits expanding aid-in-dying laws to include dementia and Alzheimer's patients. AI’s role in selecting embryos raises significant ethical and moral questions about life and reproduction. Listener Response to Jim Daly on singleness Listener Question: Responsibility to leave inheritance to a chi...
Jan 10, 2025•57 min
What does it mean to say that we are body and soul both? Have the neurosciences done away with the soul? Are we little more than our physical stuff that is reducible to chemistry and physics? We’ll answer these questions and much more in our conversation with Stan Wallace around his new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology the Soul and Human Flourishing . Stan Wallace is President and CEO of Global Scholars. He is a MA Phil graduate of Talbot School of Theology . ==========...
Jan 07, 2025•34 min
What new challenges have emerged to the family in the past few years? How is the family doing today versus in the past? What biblical principles must Christians keep in mind when thinking about the family today? These are a few of the questions we ask Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family. He discusses radical shifts in the modern family as well as gives practical ideas on how to pass on the faith and engage others in the culture who view the family differently. Jim Daly is president of Foc...
Dec 31, 2024•31 min
Jordan Peterson is one of the leading intellectuals of our day. He is a mega-selling author, psychologist, and popular influencer. In this discussion, Sean and Scott review his latest book We Who Wrestle with God . They discuss key lessons and insights from the book, but also help listeners think biblically about some of Peterson's psychological insights. ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers...
Dec 24, 2024•57 min
Topics this week: Veterans are increasingly exploring psychedelic treatments in Mexico for trauma and brain injuries, raising medical, ethical, and spiritual questions. Syrian Christians face uncertainty and displacement following the rise of Islamist-led groups after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Over 1 million children in Nigeria are forced into hazardous lithium mining, sacrificing education and health for survival. Listener question: balancing faith with worldly pressures. Listener question: ...
Dec 20, 2024•59 min
Who was the "real" Bonhoeffer and why has he left such an enduring legacy? What can we learn from his life today? And is the new film about his life, Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin, accurate? In this interview, we talk with Dr. Brant Himes, a professor and scholar who has studied the life and theology of Bonhoeffer for two decades. Brant is a full time faculty member at Los Angeles Pacific University (part of the Azusa Pacific University System), teaching online courses in Bible, theology, an...
Dec 17, 2024•39 min
This week, Sean & Scott discuss: UK bans puberty blockers for children , citing insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy, sparking international comparisons and debate. OpenAI's new AI video generator, Sora , raises ethical and biblical questions about truth and technology's societal impact. Designer babies now teens , with many experiencing identity struggles, reveal the unintended consequences of parental expectations and genetic tailoring. The legacy of Hal Lindsey , author of The Lat...
Dec 13, 2024•58 min
The Barna Group has released a new alarming study about the extent and impact of pornography in the culture and the church . Some of the findings are truly eye-opening and disturbing. For example, 55% of practicing Christians reportedly believe that one can view porn and be sexually healthy. How did we get here, and what can we do about it? Sean and Scott discuss this new study and then give suggestions for how we move forward in our lives and relationships. ========== Think Biblically: Conversa...
Dec 10, 2024•36 min
This week, Scott and Erik Thoennes discuss: IVF Mix-Up Drama: A heartbreaking in vitro fertilization mix-up forces two families to navigate moral, emotional, and relational challenges. Assisted Suicide Legalization: UK Parliament passes a bill legalizing assisted suicide, sparking debates on ethics, compassion, and the sanctity of life. Faith Amid Chaos: Players kneel to pray during a brawl after the Ohio State vs. Michigan football game, showcasing the counter-cultural impact of faith. Hunter B...
Dec 06, 2024•59 min
What makes Jesus so different than other religious leaders? How can you prove Christianity is true? How should we evaluate the claim that “Jesus changed my life.” We’ll answer these questions and much more as Sean and I discuss the revision that he and his dad, Josh McDowell recently did to the bestselling and impactful book, More Than a Carpenter . ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degre...
Dec 03, 2024•49 min
With the Thanksgiving season upon us, we thought it fitting to do some theological and psychological reflection on gratitude. Join us for this stimulating conversation with Rosemead Professor Dr. Stacy Eltiti, as we explore dimensions of gratitude that you might not have thought about before. It can be applied all year round, not just during the Thanksgiving holiday. Dr. Stacy Eltiti is Associate Professor of Psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology , Biola University. She has a Ph.D. in cogn...
Nov 26, 2024•27 min
This week, live from the Evangelical Theological Society Conference in San Diego, Scott & Sean discuss: West Virginia amends its constitution to ban physician-assisted suicide, sparking a larger discussion on bioethics and cultural trends. Harvard's controversial " Sex Week " and a student's bold critique highlight the cultural longing for deeper meaning in human relationships. The Texas Board of Education backs an elementary school curriculum incorporating biblical content, raising question...
Nov 22, 2024•51 min
Is it really true that no area of culture, politics or economics where we prioritize what is best for children? What are some of the biggest cultural lies about masculinity and femininity that impact children? What are some of the main cultural misconceptions about the family that harm children? And how does green energy subsidization negatively impact children? We’ll answer these questions and much more with our guest Katy Faust, founder of the children’s advocacy group, Them Before Us, around ...
Nov 19, 2024•35 min
Topics this week: Scott & Sean dive into genetic discrimination, exploring gaps in U.S. laws that leave people vulnerable to genetic privacy violations by insurers. Australia plans to ban social media for minors under 16, sparking debate on mental health vs. freedom and enforcement challenges. Justin Welby resigns as Archbishop of Canterbury amid allegations he mishandled abuse reports, raising questions of accountability in church leadership. Listener questions on vasectomies, moral obligat...
Nov 15, 2024•51 min
How should we think biblically about morality in today’s culture? What do we way to the skeptic who insists that morality is nothing more than a matter of one’s opinion? What is the moral argument for God’s existence? Why is God critical for a coherent view of morality? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, our colleague Dr Dave Horner around his new book with JP Moreland, (don’t let the title throw you) Metaethics —or how to think about morality and ethics. Dr. Dave Horner is Pr...
Nov 12, 2024•37 min
Topics this week include: Reflecting on living with one another post-election , focusing on maintaining relationships amidst political differences . Discussion of a recent article exploring the challenges and necessity of unity within the church despite diverse political beliefs. Insights on balancing truth and grace in conversations, especially when discussing sensitive issues like abortion or differing political opinions. Analysis of a controversial U.S. startup offering embryo IQ screening , ...
Nov 08, 2024•57 min
What do we mean by the phrase, sola Scriptura? What does it mean that the Bible is our authority for life today? How does that fit in a culture that emphasizes “my truth?” We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Dr, Ben Witherington around his new book Sola Scriptura: Scripture’s Final Authority in the Modern World . Bible scholar Ben Witherington is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews Unive...
Nov 05, 2024•34 min
This week, Sean and Scott discuss: A murdered teenager was resurrected as a chatbot , raising ethical and theological concerns about AI misuse. A Harvard study suggests that race matters less than it used to for achieving the American dream, with economic mobility improving for Black Americans. Young men in America are falling behind in education, employment, and mental health, facing a crisis of purpose and increasing isolation. Listener question: ethical dilemmas around IVF, including the mora...
Nov 01, 2024•56 min
