What does it mean to play sports for the glory of God? How do you keep someone from tying their identity to their success in sports? And why do parents sometimes have a greater interest in their child’s success in sports than the child himself/herself? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, our Talbot colleague in theology, Dr. Erik Thoennes. Erik Thoennes is committed to teaching theology so that he and his students love God and people more fully. He strives to make the necessary...
Sep 23, 2025•46 min
This week's topics: Police surveillance in New York – Sean and Scott discuss the rise of citywide tracking, privacy rights, and biblical perspectives on government power and personal freedom. Graphic killings on social media – They reflect on how viral videos of violent deaths, including Charlie Kirk’s assassination, can deaden our souls, dehumanize victims, and reveal troubling cultural values. Cancel culture resurfaces – A look at employees fired over mocking Kirk’s death online, raising quest...
Sep 19, 2025•59 min
What accounts for the dramatic growth of kids living without their biological father in the home? What are some of the social impacts of what is called “dad deprivation?” What is the effect of dads on the mental health of kids? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Anthony Bradley, well known scholar and author, current distinguished research fellow at the Acton Institute and professor at Kuyper College. Anthony Bradley serves as a distinguished research fellow at The Acton ...
Sep 16, 2025•41 min
This week, Sean and Scott discuss: How should Christians respond to the assassination of Charlie Kirk? Will the CDC recognize the suffering of individuals who've attempted to change their sex and regret it? A study across 5 continents finds that men and women with multiple sex partners are less desirable as long-term mates In an Atlantic essay, a high school student bemoans the effects of AI on their generation ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Tal...
Sep 12, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Whether in the occult, astrology, or New Age, interest in the supernatural has increased in the past few years. What can we learn about the spiritual realm, and spiritual warfare, from the letters of Paul? Talbot professor Clint Arnold is one of the leading New Testament scholars in the world. He joins the Think Biblically podcast to talk about his book Powers of Darkness and to answer some of the most common questions about demons and the supernatural realm. Dr. Clint Arnold is a professor of N...
Sep 09, 2025•47 min
Scott is joined by guest co-host Erik Thoennes this week to discuss: Marriage: A New Atlantis essay argues tech and economics have “unbundled” marriage; the hosts counter that a Christian vision roots love, covenant, and fidelity amid today’s easy-in/easy-out norms. Women’s happiness: An Atlantic/IFFS survey finds married mothers are about twice as likely to report being “very happy”; the conversation explores why (connection, purpose) while still affirming the goodness of singleness. Afghanista...
Sep 05, 2025•1 hr
Is it time for the church to set aside theological differences about the morality of same sex unions and gender identity and find common ground in the Gospel? Is same sex marriage a disputable issue that should not divide us believers? According to a new book, the answer to both these questions is yes. The book is called Christlike Acceptance Across Deep Difference and is co-edited by Ron Pierce , a non-affirming scholar who worked at Biola for five decades, and Karen Keen, an affirming scholar....
Sep 02, 2025•1 hr 19 min
This week, Scott & Sean discuss: A massive new government study challenges common narratives about climate change A new study shows that markers of adulthood are occurring later and later for millennials and Gen Zers A terrible school shooting at a Catholic elementary school in Minnesota Listener Questions ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern...
Aug 29, 2025•59 min
What’s a business for? Why is there skepticism about business among younger generations today? What do we say to the notion that business is based on greed, that it creates consumerism and contributes to growing economic inequality? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest Dr. Jim Otteson, professor of business ethics at Notre Dame. James R. Otteson is the John T. Ryan Jr. Professor of Business Ethics in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. He is also a co...
Aug 26, 2025•38 min
This week, Sean and guest co-host Rick Langer discuss: A growing trend of men becoming single dads by choice sparks discussion on meaning, technology, and the impact on children when family design is redefined. New research shows American millennials and Gen Z are dying at 2.6 times the rate of peers in other wealthy nations—raising questions about loneliness, disordered loves, and deeper spiritual needs. Costco’s decision not to sell the abortion pill is examined—what it reveals about business ...
Aug 22, 2025•59 min
How can Christian parents and other Christian leaders best navigate youth sports? What are some of the toxic elements of youth sports that Christians can avoid, or strategically use as an opportunity for ministry and growth? Our guest today, Ed Uszynski, is the author of a new book Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports . Ed joins Sean and Scott to discuss how our perspective of youth sports needs to shift so we can better watch, coach, and help young people participate...
Aug 19, 2025•35 min
AI's takeover of education leaves rising seniors as the last students to remember high school before ChatGPT, raising questions about AI’s lasting impact on education. A Supreme Court case seeks to overturn same-sex marriage , prompting discussion on how Christians should respond culturally and theologically. Demand for euthanasia in Canada now outpaces available providers , sparking ethical debate on life, suffering, and medical limits. Listener questions on the forming of a will , convincing n...
Aug 15, 2025•53 min
Why is fertility in decline around the world? What is the long term social impact of this decline? And why is marriage so central to fertility rates? We’ll discuss these questions and much more with our guest, University of Mississippi economist Dr. Clara Piano. Dr. Clara Piano is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi. Her primary research areas are family economics, law and economics, and the economics of religion. She has won several grants and awards for...
Aug 13, 2025•28 min
Teen use of AI chatbots is on the rise , prompting concern over emotional dependency, harmful content, and the loss of real human connection. Cash aid to low-income families lacks results , challenging assumptions about poverty and flourishing. Canada pushes to expand euthanasia to mental illness , raising ethical alarms about autonomy, consent, and the value of life. Designer baby hype falls short , exposing the limits of genetic screening and the dangers of treating children as customizable pr...
Aug 08, 2025•59 min
Does God promise to always keep us safe? What does the Bible have to say about our pursuit of safety for ourselves and our kids? How can the pursuit of safety become a form of idolatry in our lives? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Talbot grad Jeremy Lundgren in his new book, The Pursuit of Safety: A Theology of Danger, Risk and Security . Jeremy Lundgren (PhD, Wheaton College) is director of Nicolet Bible Institute and coordinator of the MA in Biblical and Theological Stud...
Aug 05, 2025•31 min
Why would an abortion doctor change her mind about the morality of abortion and become a Christian? On this bonus episode of the Think Biblically podcast, Dr. Catherine Wheeler shares her compelling and powerful story of redemption and transformation from an abortionist to a pro-life activist. If you want to watch this episode in person, please visit Sean's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5kYzcQtlk8 Dr. Wheeler is an Ob/Gyn physician who practiced in Salt Lake City, Utah for 24...
Aug 01, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Screens and social media have reshaped the world and our minds, bringing an appetite for distraction, loneliness, and increased rates of mental health challenges. It is time for Christians to rethink their relationship with screens and to consider what it means to live faithfully in our screen-dominated world. Our guest today, Brett McCracken, is the co-editor of a helpful and insightful new book Scrolling Ourselves to Death . Brett McCracken is a senior editor and director of communications for...
Jul 29, 2025•35 min
Does the church need a "queer revolution"? Do we need a new reformation akin to the Protestant Reformation? In this discussion, Sean talks with author and progressive pastor Brandan Robertson about his new book Queer & Christian. They have a friendly debate about their different moral and theological frameworks and then discuss key biblical passages such as Genesis 2, Matthew 19, and Romans 1. If you want to see this discussion on video, visit Sean's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/...
Jul 25, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Has traditional faith become obsolete in America? And if so, what are the main contributing factors? Until now, there has not been a thorough sociological analysis of the various factors contributing to the demise of religion in America since the 1990’s. In this interview, rooted in his latest book Why Religion Went Obsolete , Dr. Smith offers a 30,000-foot analysis of why traditional religion has faded in America. Dr. Christian Smith is a highly influential sociologist and religious scholar. He...
Jul 23, 2025•33 min
What happens when a comic book legend sits down to talk about faith? Sean got to interview Rob Liefeld, creator of Deadpool, Cable, and many iconic Marvel characters, to explore the intersection of faith, creativity, and culture. Rob and I discuss his journey in the comic book world and the creation of Deadpool, how his Christian faith has shaped his life and career, what it’s like navigating Hollywood as a believer and how pop culture can open doors for deeper conversations about truth. To watc...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 28 min
What does it mean that the Christian is an outsider in one’s community? How do we engage our divisive culture well and faithfully at the same time? What might your particular style for cultural engagement be? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, pastor Patrick Miller, around his new book, Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture . Patrick Miller is a teaching Pastor and Director of Digital Relationships at the Crossing Church in Columbia, MO. He ha...
Jul 15, 2025•32 min
In this bonus episode, Sean discusses the possibility of miracles with atheist professor Paul Rinzler. This conversation was part of the Veritas Forum at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the spring of 2025. McDowell and Rinzler discuss the evidence for miracles and whether or not it is reasonable to believe in the supernatural today. If you want to watch this exchange live, please check out Sean's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdIA5Cw21eI Paul Rinzler was Cal Poly Director of Jazz Studies ...
Jul 11, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Parents are spending more time with their kids than in the past, and yet kids are less happy and less healthy. Given that the population of children is shrinking at an alarming rate, we need to figure out what is going on. Could it be that our culture is making raising kids harder than it needs to be? That is the suggestion of our guest today, Tim Carney, parent of six kids, and the author of Family Unfriendly . Timothy Carney is a father of six children, a senior fellow at the American Enterpri...
Jul 08, 2025•32 min
How do we engage our friends, family and others around controversial issues, particularly those in science? Why do these controversial issues trigger emotional responses and how do we manage our emotions in these discussions? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Talbot colleague in philosophy, Dr. Tim Pickavance around some new research he and other Biola profs have been doing. Dr. Tim Pickavance is broadly interested in the core areas of analytic philosophy, though he speciali...
Jul 01, 2025•38 min
This week, Scott is joined by Talbot professor Thaddeus Williams to discuss: Why Don’t We Feel We're Thriving? — Despite living in the most prosperous era of human history, many Americans feel anxious and discontent . The End of Rainbow Capitalism? — Major corporations are backing away from Pride Month sponsorships . The discussion unpacks “rainbow capitalism,” shifting public opinion, and the limits of associating brands with social causes. A Democratic Socialist Wins NYC Mayoral Primary — Scot...
Jun 27, 2025•57 min
What is critical theory and why is it so vital for Christians to understand today? What are its historical roots and where do we see it manifest today? Carl Trueman is one of the leading Christian social critics today and he has a new book To Change All Worlds . Sean and Scott talk with him about the motivation behind the book, why it is so timely for Christians today, and offers ideas for navigating our cultural moment in light of this profoundly influential movement. Carl Trueman earned his Ph...
Jun 24, 2025•25 min
This week, Scott is joined by Erik Thoennes, Professor of Theology at Talbot School of Theology. Smartphone Regret Among Parents : A new survey reveals most parents regret giving their kids smartphones and social media too early—many now see platforms like TikTok and Snapchat as more harmful than alcohol or even guns. Assisted Suicide and the Slippery Slope : A New York Times op-ed warns that limiting euthanasia to the terminally ill won’t last; cultural emphasis on autonomy may push boundaries ...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Despite medicine’s remarkable advances, has it actually taken a wrong turn and lost something pretty important? What is the dominant worldview of medicine and health care today and how has that affected both patients and health care providers? What are the virtues that should govern health care to get it back on track? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Brent Waters, emeritus professor and founding director of the Stead Center for Ethics and Values at Garrett Evangelical S...
Jun 17, 2025•29 min
This week, Scott and guest host Carmen Imes discuss: Can AI romantic chatbots become dangerously addictive ? Exploring the emotional and ethical consequences of these pseudo-relationships. What do couples do with leftover embryos after IVF? A Psychology Today article opens a discussion on grief, responsibility, and the image of God. New genetic screening allows parents to select embryos based on up to 900 traits—raising urgent questions about modern eugenics and human worth. A report from The Ma...
Jun 13, 2025•57 min
How is work connected to one’s purpose and meaning in life? What can churches do to foster a biblical view of work? How do certain lower paying jobs contribute to a person’s sense of purpose? We’ll answer these and more with our guest David Bahnsen around his new book Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life . David Bahnsen is the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, a wealth management firm based in Newport Beach, California. The firm oversees $4 billion in client'...
Jun 10, 2025•36 min
