Denison Forum

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2D AGO

Rise of antisemitism, America's AI backlash & the heart problem underneath it all | Ep. 70

In this week’s Brief: Micah Tomasella and Dr. Ryan Denison tackle two pressing cultural conversations — and find a deeper spiritual thread connecting them both. First, they dig into a troubling trend: antisemitism is no longer lurking in the shadows. Drawing from pieces in The Free Press and Axios, they examine how weakly sourced accusations against Israel are quietly reviving ancient hatred in modern form, and how open threats against Jewish lawmakers are becoming disturbingly casual. They explore the historical and scriptural dimensions of why this hatred tends to rise in times of cultural pain — and why Christians should be paying close attention. Then Ryan unpacks a Wall Street Journal report showing that Americans' negative feelings about AI may be growing even faster than the technology itself. From graduation speeches getting booed to massive data centers reshaping rural America, they talk honestly about the anxiety AI is stirring — and what our reaction to it reveals about our hearts. The through-line? Whether it's antisemitism, AI, or any headline grabbing our attention, the deeper issue is the same: a culture losing its grip on truth, dignity, and trust in God. The invitation is to stop reacting and start surrendering. Topics(0:00) Introduction(0:47) Connor on vacation(2:07) Anti-semitism rising(14:55) Americans turning on AI(17:20) AI in daily life(21:53) Data centers and division(26:12) AI and surrender to God(28:33) Faith over control(31:48) Conclusion ResourcesSend us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: culturebrief@denisonforum.orgCulture Brief InstagramWatch on Youtube Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe Articles on this week’s top headlines:Jewish lawmakers face an explosion of antisemitismA Miscarriage of Journalism at “The New York Times”The American Rebellion Against AI Is Gaining SteamLet’s debate: Data centersFP Data CentersWhat Happens When a Data Center Comes to Town About Dr. Ryan DenisonDr. Ryan Denison is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum and the author of The Focus newsletter, contributing writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from B. H. Carroll Theological Institute and an MDiv from Truett Seminary. Ryan has also taught at B. H. Carroll and Dallas Baptist University. He and his wife, Candice, live in East Texas and have two children. About Conner JonesConner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son. About Micah TomasellaMicah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

2d ago

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33 min
MAY 14

Trump goes to China, summer box office predictions, Hantavirus & UFO files dropped | Ep. 69

In this week's Brief: Trump lands in Beijing for the most consequential meeting of his presidency. We break down what's at stake as the world's two superpowers sit down—from trade and AI to Iran, Taiwan, and religious freedom for persecuted Chinese Christians—and why we should all be praying for what happens in that room. Then we preview the summer blockbuster season—from “The Mandalorian and Grogu” to “Toy Story 5”, Christopher Nolan's “The Odyssey”, “Spider-Man”, and more. Conner is joined by guest competitor Anna Joy Baxley as Micah hosts them through predictions on which films will flop, break even, or bust the block in Year Two of our annual Bust the Block game. Plus, the Hantavirus scare hits American shores after a deadly cruise ship outbreak, the UFO file drop finally arrives and delivers… gray blurry videos, and a reminder that no matter what shakes the world this summer—our faith doesn't shake with it. Topics(0:00) Introduction(1:58) Trump heads to China(6:01) Pray and respond like Jesus(14:29) Summer movies kickoff(18:38) Mandalorian and Grogu(25:17) Toy Story 5 predictions(26:35) Screen addiction themes(27:31) Supergirl box office bet(31:17) Moana live action debate(33:03) Nolan Odyssey hype(40:32) Hantavirus cruise quarantine(44:33) UFO files faith check(46:32) ConclusionResourcesSend us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: culturebrief@denisonforum.orgCulture Brief InstagramWatch on Youtube Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe Articles on this week’s top headlines: 1 big thing: Trump's legacy weekXi’s China: Dazzling Technology, Military Muscle—and an Economic Mess2026 SUMMER MOVIE RELEASES: FULL CALENDARSummer 2026 movies: 12 of the biggest releases coming to theatresSummer U.S. Box Office Aims For The Sun With $4 Billion+, But Is Fewer Studio Films The Way To Go? – Season Preview About AJ BaxleyAnna Joy Baxley is a Graphic Designer at Denison Ministries and an artist who seeks to know the Lord more deeply and glorify him in all she creates. About Conner JonesConner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son. About Micah TomasellaMicah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

May 14

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48 min
3D AGO

The latest on Ebola and an unexpected path to hope

At least 136 people have died in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but health officials say the number could be much higher. The director general of the World Health Organization said he is “deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic,” which is being caused by a type of Ebola for which there are no vaccines or treatments. Reading bad news can steal your hope; however, the good news is that there is a way to navigate bad news with the best news of all. This week, we’re discussing finding hope in surprising places. Today, we’ll consider the most surprising place of all. About Denison Forum and The Daily Article Today's Daily Article was written by Dr. Jim Denison and narrated by Chris Elkins. You can read this article on our website. You may also receive it in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter. NOTE: Denison Forum is a fully donor-funded nonprofit ministry. To support our calling, please donate today.

3d ago

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6 min
2D AGO

Why “The Late Show” matters to our culture and our souls

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its last show tonight. Why should you care? The ending could be nostalgic if you’re old enough to remember when David Letterman started the show in 1993 after being passed over as Johnny Carson’s successor on The Tonight Show. You might care about the controversy over the show’s ending: some claim that CBS acted for political reasons, while others point to reports that the show had been losing $40 million a year. I think the show’s ending is relevant for a different reason. About Denison Forum and The Daily Article Today's Daily Article was written by Dr. Jim Denison and narrated by Chris Elkins. You can read this article on our website. You may also receive it in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter. NOTE: Denison Forum is a fully donor-funded nonprofit ministry. To support our calling, please donate today.

2d ago

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6 min
MAY 15

The high-stakes sinking of a Russian ghost ship: Did a Western torpedo stop a nuclear transfer to North Korea?

In 2024, the Russian ship MV Ursa Major sank about 60 miles off the coast of Spain. While the loss was noteworthy, the world moved on pretty quickly. However, CNN released new details on the incident that point to the nuclear nature of the ship’s true cargo and a Western plot to ensure that it never reached its final destination. The question remains who sunk the vessel in the first place, especially during a time when NATO was trying to avoid giving Russia a reason to push harder into Ukraine. But there are times when doing nothing poses the greatest risk. Some of the hardest times to follow God’s will are when we can think of all the ways doing so could go wrong. About Denison Forum and The Daily Article Today's Daily Article was written by Dr. Jim Denison and narrated by Chris Elkins. You can read this article on our website. You may also receive it in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter. NOTE: Denison Forum is a fully donor-funded nonprofit ministry. To support our calling, please donate today.

May 15

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8 min
MAY 13

Can America experience another Great Awakening?

As part of the ongoing America 250 series, this episode of Faith & Clarity features Dr. Mark Turman joined by Dr. Ryan Denison for a conversation about spiritual awakening—what it means personally, within the church, and across an entire culture. Drawing from Acts 2 and the recurring pattern of rebellion and return throughout the Old Testament, they reflect on the Holy Spirit’s sovereign role in revival and why true awakening cannot be manufactured through formulas or emotional moments alone. Together, they discuss the importance of repentance, discipleship, and genuine transformation, while cautioning against responses driven primarily by peer pressure or temporary enthusiasm. The conversation also explores the historical impact of the First Great Awakening, inspired in part by the film A Great Awakening and Ryan’s earlier discussion on Reconstructed Faith. Mark and Ryan highlight the influence of George Whitefield’s preaching, Benjamin Franklin’s friendship with Whitefield, and how a shared spiritual revival helped shape unity among the colonies and contributed to the ideas surrounding the American Revolution as America approaches its 250th anniversary. They also consider the mixed influence of modern media, the dangers of transactional faith, and close the episode with a lighthearted patriotic quiz. Topics(0:00) Introduction(3:16) Defining awakening(7:47) Biblical foundations(24:39) Great Awakening lessons(32:55) Awakening and revolution(35:34) Revival unites colonies(40:19) Reformation to Great Awakening(43:43) Back to the Bible(47:50) Transactional faith warning(52:54) Whitefield and Franklin friendship(57:54) Patriotic quiz finale(1:02:33) Conclusion ResourcesA Great Awakening Can It Happen Again? Lessons from the First Great Awakening with Ryan Denison, PhD & Jim Denison, PhD“A Great Awakening” and the future of AmericaAsk Us Anything: info@denisonforum.orgSign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribeAbout Dr. Ryan DenisonDr. Ryan Denison is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum and the author of The Focus newsletter, contributing writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from B. H. Carroll Theological Institute and an MDiv from Truett Seminary. Ryan has also taught at B. H. Carroll and Dallas Baptist University. He and his wife, Candice, live in East Texas and have two children. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries. Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco. Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

May 13

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1h 3m
4D AGO

Where will you place your hope today? Six bad options and one surprising fact

In the day’s news, we are invited to put our hope in religion, politics, medical science, artificial intelligence, or future generations—but each continues to reveal its limits. By contrast, Jesus never glossed over the cost of discipleship, warning, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” Yet “as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too,” as suffering drives us from self-reliance into deeper dependence on the Spirit. The more Christlike we become, the more we discover “him who is wholly lovable, wholly desirable.” About Denison Forum and The Daily Article Today's Daily Article was written by Dr. Jim Denison and narrated by Chris Elkins. You can read this article on our website. You may also receive it in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter. NOTE: Denison Forum is a fully donor-funded nonprofit ministry. To support our calling, please donate today.

4d ago

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6 min
MAY 6

What last night’s elections tell us about President Trump

As Politico reported yesterday, Indiana’s Republican primaries were “the first big test for whether the president still has an iron grip over his party.” The reason: last December, despite the president’s strong urging, nearly a dozen GOP state senators refused to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps. Seven of these lawmakers were targeted yesterday as Mr. Trump’s allies spent nearly $10 million combined against them; the president also endorsed a candidate running for an open Senate seat. Not in living memory has a single politician so unified both parties as Donald Trump has. However, I think there’s more at work here, a factor that applies to every Christian, whatever our political beliefs. Today, we discuss faith and the falsification principle. About Denison Forum and The Daily Article Today's Daily Article was written by Dr. Jim Denison and narrated by Chris Elkins. You can read this article on our website. You may also receive it in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter. NOTE: Denison Forum is a fully donor-funded nonprofit ministry. To support our calling, please donate today.

May 6

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7 min
2024-04-18

The power of Christ to change the culture - Part 3

In this third episode of our special eight-episode series called “Being Christian in today’s culture,” Dr. Denison discusses the necessity of faith in Christ as a pillar for biblical flourishing. He answers questions such as: What is faith? How can a life transformed by faith in Christ transform the culture? What is the difference between religion and morality? The conversation with Dr. Denison also covers the significance of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to live out their faith, the challenge of maintaining Christian beliefs in an increasingly secular culture, and the practical ways Christians can influence society positively. For more, read this episode’s accompanying article, “The necessity of personal faith in Christ.” Topics (00:31): Introducing the Series: Being Christian in Today's Culture (02:09): Defining Terms: Equipped vs. Armed (03:24): The Cultural Warrior vs. Cultural Missionary Debate (07:28): Exploring Worldviews and Metanarratives (11:10): The Impact of Technology on Storytelling and Worldviews (18:02): The Necessity of Faith in Christ for Personal and Corporate Flourishing (22:06): Understanding Biblical Flourishing in Marriage and Society (31:08): Exploring the Necessity of Faith in Christ (34:23): The Role of the Holy Spirit in Empowering Believers (39:34): The Impact of Faith on Morality and Democracy (43:52): Christianity's Unique Contribution to Moral Society (47:19): Navigating Faith in a Pluralistic Society (53:02): Living Out Faith in Today's World (01:01:24): Concluding Thoughts on Being Christian in Today's Culture Resources Episode Transcript (PDF) The necessity of personal faith in of Christ A pathway for becoming culture-changing Christians - Part 1 Live by biblical truth and authority- Part 2 About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

2024-04-18

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1h 4m
2024-04-11

Live by biblical truth and authority - Part 2

In part two of our special eight-episode series called “Being Christian in today’s culture,” Dr. Jim Denison explores the intersection of biblical truth, authority, and cultural relevance for Christians today answering questions such as: What does it mean to embrace biblical truth and authority in the modern world? What does it mean to love God with all your mind? What is truth? The conversation highlights the significance of understanding and adhering to biblical principles, not as mere beliefs but as authoritative guides for life's decisions. It emphasizes the transformative power of submitting to biblical authority and striving to live out one's faith authentically in society. Dr. Denison also discusses the role of education and critical thinking in faith, underscoring the need for discernment and engagement with culture without compromising biblical integrity. For more, read this episode’s accompanying article, “Why we should live by biblical truth and authority.” Topics (00:31): Introducing the Seven Pillars of Biblical Flourishing(08:21): The Importance of Loving God and Loving Others: A Deep Dive(11:26): Embracing Biblical Truth and Authority: A Rational Approach to Faith(12:12): Understanding the Mind in Faith: Rational, Practical, and Intuitive Knowledge(18:22): The Journey Between Head and Heart: Integrating Rational and Emotional Faith(26:16): Leveraging Our Minds for Faith: The Role of Thoughts in Spiritual Growth(29:47): Harnessing the Power of a Trained Mind(31:03): The Quest for Truth: A Philosophical Journey(32:34): Objective vs. Subjective Truth: Navigating Modern Challenges(45:09): The Impact of Academic Institutions on Cultural Perceptions of Truth(55:10): Embracing Biblical Authority: The Path to Flourishing Resources Episode Transcript (PDF)Why we should live by biblical truth and authorityHow to become a culture-changing Christian The Greatest Commandment CourseAbout Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

2024-04-11

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1h 3m

Denison Forum podcasts are here to guide you through top headlines from a Christian perspective. The Denison Forum team comes alongside Christian authors, commentators, pastors, theologians, and topical experts to bring a biblical worldview to news, politics, sports, pop-culture and any other current events at the center of our culture.

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