Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae
  • 5.0 (31)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 6 hrs ago

    Cultural Update: What Americans Think When No One Is Watching; Gen Z and Risk-Taking; High Schoolers and Turning Point USA; Hidden Awareness in Vegetative States

    What Americans Think When No One is Watching: Scott and Rick analyze "The Honesty Project" by The Free Press, highlighting the stark contrast between what Americans tell pollsters publicly versus what they actually believe in private.  Gen Z and Risk-Taking: Discussing an article on Gen Z's "great retreat from risk," Scott and Rick look at why fewer young adults are driving, dating, or working, and how a Christian worldview replaces fear with faith.  High Schoolers and Turning Point USA: Scott and Rick look at an article from The New Yorker exploring the organization's growing presence in public schools, sparking a deeper discussion on how tricky it is to define a "Christian nation".  Hidden Awareness in Vegetative States: Scott and Rick examine a neuroscientific study revealing conscious awareness in some coma patients and discuss the profound ethical implications for end-of-life care.  Audience Questions: Why Young People Are Attracted to Liturgical Services: Scott and Rick explore why many young Christians are moving away from modern, entertainment-driven church models in favor of the historical roots, structure, and deep reverence found in traditional liturgical services. Audience Question: Doing Good to All People: Answering a listener's query, Scott and Rick explain that despite the complexities of personal responsibility or societal expectations, the biblical mandate is that everyone is due Christians doing good to them when it's in their power. ========== 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 California.    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

    58 min

  2. 3 days ago

    The Vanishing Church (With Ryan Burge)

    Is it true that the moderates are a vanishing breed, both in the culture and the church? Who are the religious moderates and what are the implications of their disappearance? How has religion shifted from a faith journey to a tribal identity? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr Ryan Burge, from his new book, The Vanishing Church. Ryan Burge is professor of practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of 6 books and has written for the New York Times, POLITICO, and the Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared in a number of other media outlets including, the CBS Evening News, as well as 60 Minutes which called him, “one of the country’s leading data analysts on religion and politics." ========== 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 California.    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

    39 min

  3. 19 June

    Cultural Update: World Cup Faith; When Faith is Just an App; The No-Human Future

    Scott is joined by Greg Ganssle, Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, to discuss:  World Cup Faith Goes Public: World Cup stars from the U.S., Brazil, England, Belgium, and beyond bring Christian faith into the public spotlight with unusual openness and confidence.American Christianity Faces Its History: A New Yorker essay sparks a wide-ranging look at how revivalism, evangelicalism, politics, and cultural engagement shaped the church in America.When Faith is Just an App: Christian apps may help people start spiritual habits, but screen-based faith can also flatten worship, prayer, Scripture, and community into another consumer experience.The No-Human Future: Radical visions of a no-human future expose the stakes of human exceptionalism, transhumanism, and the Christian claim that people are more than machines.Listener Question: Does Church Discipline Still Matter?: A listener question wrestles with whether church discipline can still work when people can simply leave one church and find another.Listener Followup on Dad Brain Article: A physician listener challenges claims about fatherhood and brain health, prompting a careful reminder that good science depends on strong methodology.Listener Question: Detransition Questions Demand Courage: A final listener question raises concern about medical and cultural pressure around detransitioning and the need for careful, compassionate engagement. ========== 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 California.    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

    59 min

  4. 16 June

    Billie Jean's Daughter: How God's Grace Redeemed My Story (With La Nej Garrison)

    Most people recognize Michael Jackson’s 1983 mega-hit “Billie Jean,” but few know the human story behind the headlines. In this episode of Think Biblically, Sean sits down with Biola and Talbot graduate and educator La Nej Garrison, whose mother was a partial real-life inspiration behind the famous song. La Nej Garrison is a dedicated family woman, editor, senior writer, and minister deeply passionate about her faith, family, and fostering meaningful conversations around religion and ethics. She holds a degree in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot School of Theology. Professionally, she serves as an editor for one of the largest African American publishing houses in the United States and as a senior writer for Women In Apologetics. You can read more of her work and stay connected by visiting her website at lanejgarrison.org or by following her on Instagram @la_nejg. ========== 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 California.    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

    1hr 16min

  5. 12 June

    Weekly Cultural Update: Peter Singer critiques the Pope; The Neurobiology of Fatherhood; Gene Editing; Gen Z Men Resisting Temptation

    Peter Singer critiques the Pope on Human Dignity: Scott and Erik discuss philosopher Peter Singer’s reaction to the Pope’s recent encyclical, analyzing how a purely functional definition of human value leads to terrifying ethical conclusions.  The Neurobiology of Fatherhood: Discussing a recent New York Times piece, Scott and Erik break down the scientific evidence showing how active fatherhood positively rewires and protects a man’s brain as he ages.  Gene Editing and the Genetic Caste System: Analyzing a recent article on "base editing" technologies, the hosts explore the bioethical boundaries between curing diseases and pursuing human enhancements that threaten to create a permanent disparity between medical haves and have-nots. Gen Z Men Resisting Temptation: Highlighting an encouraging cultural trend reported in an article, the hosts discuss how young Gen Z men are actively navigating and resisting the omnipresent temptation to sexual sin enabled by modern technology through the power of community and fellowship.  Audience Question: Is it Acceptable to Listen to AI-Generated Worship Music? A listener asks if it is morally or spiritually compromising to listen to classic, human-written hymns that are fully performed by AI voices and instruments.  Applying Biblical Accountability (1 Corinthians 5) at Home: The hosts offer nuanced advice to a listener navigating how to handle the apostle Paul's strict instructions regarding unrepentant believers when that person is an immediate family member living under the same roof.  What Alternative Careers Would the Hosts Choose? In a light-hearted closing segment, ethicist Scott Rae and theologian Erik Thoennes share what completely different career paths they might have pursued—such as athletics or screen printing—if they hadn't entered academia and ministry. ========== 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 California.    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

    1hr 1min

  6. 9 June

    The Desecration of Man (With Carl Trueman)

    Has Western culture merely forgotten God, or is the problem even deeper? In his remarkable new book The Desecration of Man, Dr. Carl Trueman argues that we have reached a new point in which culture has not only rejected God, but now desecrates Him. We can see this in the "shout your abortion" movement or the reveling in the mistreatment of immigrants. In this episode, Carl discusses the common thread of dehumanizing people that we see in the Sexual Revolution, technology, and how Christians approach death. Dr. Carl R. Trueman is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. He earned an MA in Classics from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. in Church History from the University of Aberdeen. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books, and is the co-host of “The Mortification of Spin” podcast. ========== 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 California.    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

    48 min

  7. 5 June

    Cultural Update: Rethinking Just War; Screen-Free Summer; Separation of Church and State

    This week, we discuss:  Rethinking Just War: Pope Francis’s comments on just war theory spark a timely conversation about self-defense, civilian harm, AI warfare, and whether Christian ethics needs fresh application in modern conflict. Marriage Shapes Young Men: New research suggests that having marriage on the horizon can motivate young men toward work, maturity, commitment, and lower-risk choices. Church And State Confusion: A debate over “separation of church and state” opens up deeper questions about religious liberty, political power, and why Christians should care about protecting the church from corruption. Screen-Free Summer Reset: A radical family experiment in removing screens offers practical hope for helping kids rediscover books, outdoor play, creativity, and real-life community. Listener Question: AI Fear Or Wisdom: A listener question about Anthropic’s AI blackmail test raises the need for Christians to avoid panic while still taking the risks of human-made technology seriously. Listener Question: Sexuality And Church Leadership: A listener’s question about LGBTQ-affirming views in worship leadership leads to a nuanced distinction between disagreement among church members and qualifications for spiritual leadership. ========== 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 California.    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

    1hr 1min

  8. 2 June

    Moral Choices (With Scott Rae)

    Maybe you have heard some of these kinds of claims: "Religious views don’t belong in politics." "Jesus said never judge–so don’t." "You can’t legislate morality." These are some of the most common moral slogans proclaimed today. But they are deeply misguided. Today, Sean interviews Scott to get his responses to the top ten misguided moral claims that need debunking! Scott deals with these objections in the first two chapters of his book Moral Choices, which is newly released in its 5th edition. ========== 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 California.    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

    43 min
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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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