Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture – Details, episodes & analysis

NYC’s New Mayor: Sean and Scott discuss the election of progressive Muslim democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor—exploring socialism’s renewed appeal, the moral framework behind market economies, and biblical principles of work, property, and caring for the poor

Surrogacy in Crisis: Troubling trends in the surrogacy industry—lack of oversight, exploitation of low-income women, legal gray areas, and moral implications of turning children and motherhood into commodities

AI Erotica Launch: Sean and Scott react to ChatGPT’s announced “erotica” feature, warning that it normalizes digital pornography and creates the illusion of emotional connection while eroding real-world relationships

Listener Questions:

• Coping with chronic pain and finding God’s presence through suffering.
• Clarifying democratic socialism vs. authoritarian socialism.
• How Sean and Scott read and evaluate books differently depending on purpose and genre.

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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.  

Tim Tebow is known for being a Heismann Trophy winner and an NFL quarterback. But he also spearheads one of the most influential anti-trafficking organizations today. He has a new book out, Look Again, in which he talks about the importance of understanding human value and caring for the vulnerable amongst us. Sean and Tim have a fun, intense, and impactful conversation. 

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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.  

Scott is joined by colleague Rick Langer to discuss: 

• Faith and Politics after the Kirk Shooting – A provocative article on whether Christians should see themselves as warriors or servants, contrasting combative approaches with Dallas Willard’s vision of gentleness in apologetics and civil discourse
• Abortion Statistics: Good News and Bad News – New data shows reduced abortions in some states with restrictions, but also a troubling rise in overall numbers due to abortion pills, raising questions about law, intention, and outcomes
• Human Eggs from Skin Cells – Recent breakthrough in creating eggs from skin cells, its promise for fertility, and its troubling ethical implications around commoditization of human life
• Pregnancy Robots and Artificial Wombs – A look at claims from China about developing robotic artificial wombs, and the broader concerns about manufacturing babies and eroding human dignity
• Listener Question on End-of-Life Care – Response to a heartfelt question about “minimal comfort feeding” in hospice, reflecting on the distinction between preserving life and prolonging death

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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.  

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, raising ethical questions around genetic enhancement.
• Addressing listener questions about intrauterine devices (IUDs) and their effects, as well as guidance for teaching about the Bible’s reliability to young students.

==========

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.  

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 University in Scotland. Witherington has written over sixty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top biblical studies works by Christianity Today. He also writes for many church and scholarly publications, and is a frequent contributor to the Patheos website. 

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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.  

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 moral treatment of frozen embryos.
• Listener question: How Christians can uphold Sunday worship in light of the Sabbath command being fulfilled in Christ. 

The short film Scott mentions can be viewed here. 

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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.  

This week Sean and Scott continue the conversation about the morality of IVF. Don't forget to listen to Part 1, last week, when they defined and explained the nature of IVF and began the conversation about the moral permissibility of practicing it. This week, we uncover further differences and clarify the moral issues beneath the debate. 

==========

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.  

This week's topics: 

• A tragic story about a 14-year-old's suicide raises questions about the role of AI in human relationships.
• Exploring the possibility of a religious comeback: Are we seeing signs of renewed interest in faith?
• Political word games and the language used by both sides to shape public perception.
• Listener questions on bridging ideological divides with family and engaging with differing religious views.

==========

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.  

Is IVF ever morally permissible for Christians? And if so, what conditions must be met? Is it ever morally justified to freeze embryos? These are just a few of the questions Sean and Scott discuss in this first part of a two-part discussion on the morality of IVF. If you are looking for a substantive discussion about the case for and against IVF, you will enjoy this first part. 

Join us next week for part 2. 

==========

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.  

This week, Scott & Sean discuss: 

• Italy criminalizes surrogacy abroad for its citizens, sparking controversy on LGBTQ rights and ethical surrogacy practices.
• The University of Michigan invests $250 million in DEI initiatives, but faces increased discord and skepticism over their effectiveness.
• A new prenuptial agreement feature introduces embryo clauses, addressing legal issues in the event of divorce or death.
• The Catholic Archdiocese of LA agrees to a record $880 million settlement with sex abuse victims, pushing total payouts above $1.5 billion.
• Listener questions explore challenges of gender identity, relational dynamics, and the importance of seeing identity in Christ.

==========

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.