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.

==========

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. 

==========

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

==========

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. 

==========

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. 

==========

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.  

The most fundamental question that our polarized culture faces is this — Who should be included in the human community? And on what basis? Should embryos, fetuses, the severely demented or the persons in a vegetative state? What does our view of a person suggest about how we care for people at the end of life? Taking Persons Seriously connects philosophy and bioethics—it’s a bit more technical discussion so hang in there with us and the dots will connect and the light will come on as we go along. It’s a book that Scott and Dr. Mihretu Guta edited together. Dr. Guta will be with us on this episode. 

Dr. Mihretu Guta is adjunct professor of philosophy in the Philosophy and Apologetics programs at Talbot.  He is the author of several high level philosophical books and numerous journal articles. 

==========

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: 

• Growing concerns about the rising potency and health risks of marijuana use, with increasing reports of psychosis and addiction.
• China reverses its one-child policy, now promoting larger families in a dramatic policy shift to combat declining birth rates.
• AI technology is advancing with automatically-generated podcasts, raising ethical questions about its impact on emotions, information accuracy, and human interaction.
• Listener questions on the challenges of politics in church and balancing celebration with sensitivity during holidays like Mother's Day.

==========

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.  

Why should Christians care about the conflict between Israel and Palestine? Why is there such a gap between Gen Z and other generations on viewing the conflict? Is Israel committing a just war, or is it genocide? In this episode, Sean and Scott address these questions, and more, with Dr. Jeff Myers, author of the new book Should Christians Support Israel? 

Jeff Myers, Ph.D. is the president of Summit Ministries, which has trained hundreds of thousands of young leaders to embrace God's truth and champion a biblical worldview. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Denver and is the author of 18 books including Understanding the Times. 

==========

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 is the state of assisted suicide/euthanasia in Canada today?; How significant are the financial pressures on the Canadian health care system and is that a reason that PAS/E is encouraged?; What is involved in a Christian response to PAS/E? We’ll address these questions and a few more with our guest Dr. Ewan Goligher, critical care physician and professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Toronto. 

Ewan C. Goligher (MD, PhD) is a physician and scientist at the University of Toronto. In the context of his practice of intensive care medicine, he often cares for patients at the end of their lives. He is author of How Should We Then Die?: A Christian Response to Physician-Assisted Death. He has authored more than 150 academic and medical papers. He serves as a ruling elder at Christ Church Toronto. 

==========

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 and special guest Erik Thoennes discuss: 

• Hillsdale College wins an important Title IX court decision on religious freedom.
• A new gender divide emerges in Gen Z: men seeking traditional roles, women pushing for progress.
• Elite college students struggle to read an entire book, raising concerns about deep reading skills.
• Discussion on how loving God with your mind relates to reading Scripture deeply.
• Listener questions addressed on topics like censorship in education and the future of intimacy with technology.

==========

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.  

Why is it often difficult to find pleasure and joy in God? If the chief end of man is to know and enjoy God, why do so many of us fall short? In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with Biola professor Thaddeus Williams about these questions and his new book Revering God. Dr. Williams argues that a deep-dive into the theological understanding of the reverence of God can transform our relationship with God and allow us to live in awe-inspired devotion. 

Thaddeus J. Williams (Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam) loves enlarging students’ understanding and enjoyment of Jesus at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, where he serves as associate professor of Systematic Theology for Talbot School of Theology. He has also taught Philosophy and Literature at Saddleback College, Jurisprudence at Trinity Law School, and as a lecturer in Worldview Studies at L’Abri Fellowships in Switzerland and Holland, and Ethics for Blackstone Legal Fellowship the Federalist Society in Washington D.C. He resides in Orange County, CA with his wife and four kids. 

==========

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: 

• Are conservative Christians losing political influence in America?
• The growing trend of children struggling to make friends raises alarming health concerns.
• Gen Z women are increasingly unaffiliated with religion—what's behind this shift?
• A Missouri man’s execution sparks questions about the fairness of the death penalty.
• Is working from home a moral issue, as Elon Musk claims?
• Listener questions on the return of Christ and how to approach political news from a biblical perspective.

==========

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.  

Are there non-Christians who are genuinely open to hearing about the Christian faith? According to Mark Matlock, author of Faith for the Curious, there is a large segment of people who are genuinely spiritually curious. But, the key is to understand them accurately and to engage them in the right way. In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with Mark about how to understand and engage those today who are spiritually open and curious.

Mark Matlock is Senior Fellow at Barna and a facilitator of innovation and impact. He has been working with, and researching, young people for three decades. Mark is the Executive Director of the Urbana Student Missions Conferences. He attended Biola in the late 1980s. 

==========

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: 

• The Taliban imposes new, harsh restrictions on women in Afghanistan, raising concerns about women's rights and human dignity.
• Some Christians in Oklahoma and other states push back against mandatory Bible teaching in public schools, questioning its place in public education.
• Gen Z expresses significant regret over the invention of social media, with many users experiencing negative impacts on mental health and social well-being.
• DNA and ancestry testing uncover disturbing findings about the prevalence of incest in modern society, sparking difficult ethical and emotional 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 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.  

How should we approach the political arena as Christians? What exactly does the Bible give us when it comes to politics? How can we make sure that our conversations about politics are civil and respectful? Sean and Scott will answer these questions and more as they discuss the connection between Christian faith and politics.

It's National Voter Registration Day! Visit vote.gov to register to vote or check your registration status. You can also find information on how and where you can vote as a college student. 

==========

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: 

• Are political opponents really our enemies? We dive into a Wall Street Journal op-ed challenging partisanship and urging love across political lines.
• The ethics of emerging reproductive technologies like in-vitro gametogenesis (IVG) and the potential societal impacts.
• A New York Times article about humanity’s readiness for a world beyond IVF, asking if we're prepared for designer babies.
• How should we relate to "diverse intelligence" like AI, robots, and cyborgs? 
• Listener questions tackle sensitive topics such as retirement from a biblical perspective and the emotional and spiritual challenges of male infertility (book mentioned: The Infertility Companion). 

==========

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 people and events led Paul Newby to become the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina? What historical evidence originally led him to become a Christian, and how does he uniquely practice his faith as a Chief Justice? And what advice would he give to young Christians who want to serve God through the law? We had the unique opportunity to talk with Chief Paul Newby to hear him address these questions, and more, as well as talk about his personal journey to faith.

Paul Martin Newby is the 30th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. In addition to his service on the Court, Chief Justice Newby is an adjunct professor at Campbell University School of Law, where he teaches courses on state constitutional law and appellate practice. He is the co-author of The North Carolina State Constitution with History and Commentary (2nd ed. 2013) with Professor John V. Orth of the University of North Carolina School of Law. And he is a father, husband, elder, and Sunday School teacher.

==========

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:

• The funding disparity between baby boomers and younger generations in America.
• The ethical and moral concerns surrounding physician-assisted suicide and its rise in Canada.
• The emerging societal trend of "sologamy," or self-marriage, and its reflection of extreme individualism.
• The dangers posed by AI, including bots mimicking human intimacy and influencing democratic processes.
• Thought-provoking listener questions on forgiveness, Christian beliefs in liberal environments, and navigating controversial roles in acting.

==========

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 does it mean to submit your finances to the Lordship of Christ? What does that involve on a daily basis? What does it mean to baptize your money and treat tracking your spending as a spiritual discipline? How does your upbringing influence your attitudes toward money? We’ll answer these questions and more with our Crowell School of Business colleague, Shane Enete around his new book, Whole Heart Finances.

Dr. Shane Enete is Associate Professor of Finance at the Crowell School of Business, Biola University.  His research interests include how new developments in Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) alter investment practice, the theology of financial planning, and how to reconcile the natural tension of a Christ follower between sacrificial giving and shrewd saving. Enete currently holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations.

==========

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 & Sean's topics this week: 

• Failed rapture predictions once again made headlines, fueled by social media hype, raising questions about biblical teaching, authority, and how Christians should respond with truth and compassion
• Reflection on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the role of faith in politics, with insights from David Brooks’ concerns about blurring Christianity and partisanship
• A discussion on artificial intelligence entering personal and family life, from birthday planning to parenting, and why some areas should never be outsourced to machines
• Listener question: How to respond when Protestant Christianity is called a cult
• Listener question: How to comfort a grieving friend angry at God
• Listener question: How to process Charlie Kirk’s legacy in light of divisive rhetoric and martyrdom language
  
  
  

==========

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 & Scott discuss:

• The U.S. Surgeon General addresses the overwhelming stress faced by parents and the need for community and governmental support.
• The debate over whether Christian persecution exists in the U.S., comparing American religious freedoms with global persecution.
• A discussion on selective moral outrage, highlighting underreported global injustices.
• Examination of recent immigration policies and their implications for families and merit-based systems.
• Listener questions on moral outrage, mixed-faith marriages, and the implications of socialism from personal experiences.

==========

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 can we learn from the history of euthanasia? What was the view of suicide and euthanasia in the ancient world of the Bible? How did the early church introduce a new ethic of life into that context? How did the modern euthanasia movement begin and what was the rationale for permitting it? How did the Nazi experience of euthanasia affect the movement? How has it regained traction today? We’ll answer these questions and more with our good friend and eminent historian, Dr. Richard Weikart, around his new book, Unnatural Death: Medicine’s Descent from Healing to Killing. 

Dr. Richard Weikart is Emeritus Professor of History at California State University, Stanislaus.  He is Senior Fellow at the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute. 

==========

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:

• Western civilization's need for Christianity
• The rising celebration of abortion as a social good reflects a dangerous shift in societal values
• Concerns grow over designer babies and the ethical implications of gene editing
• Listener question: Mixed-faith marriages
• Listener question: Navigating difficult family situations

==========

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.  

Humanity is perhaps the most pressing doctrinal issue today. Katie McCoy, co-author of the new book Humanity, believes that a proper understanding of humanity has massive implications for science, sexuality, race, economics and more. She and Sean discuss why God originally made us male and female, if the Bible teaches corporate responsibility for sins our ancestors committed, the state of the debate over evolution, and much more.

Katie McCoy serves as director of Women’s Ministry at Texas Baptists (Baptist General Convention of Texas). She holds a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she previously served on faculty. She is the author of To Be A Woman and the co-author of Humanity. 

==========

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:

• Olympians Who Share Their Faith 
• The Vatican Loosens Their Stance on Care for Patients in a Vegetative State
• Britain's Labor Party Changes Their Stance on Trans Rights, Ending the Country's Gender War
• Choices of a Pastor Puts a Man on Death Row
• Listener Question: How Do We Prepare Our Children for Emotional Stress
• Listener Question: Are Humans Mostly Good?
• Listener Question: How Should School Chaplains Approach Kid's Pronouns?

==========

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.  

How is AI transforming human sexuality? How will AI change the way people create and consume pornography? And is the church ready? We talk with businessman, AI specialist, and podcaster Christopher Lind about these questions and more. Prepare yourself, because some radical changes are coming in how our culture approaches questions of sexuality.

Christopher Lind is a Tech Analyst and Industry Advisor. He is the Chief Learning Officer at ChenMed. He Hosts the Future-Focused podcast. Christopher is a devoted husband and father of 7. He lives at the intersection of business, technology, and the human experience. 

==========

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:

• Birth rate decline: Is it a conservative or a progressive issue?
• Resurgence of syphilis in the U.S.
• Harassment of pregnancy resource centers by the New Jersey Attorney General
• Nature of biblical inspiration and the imputation of Christ's righteousness
• How to respond biblically to real-world situations, like interacting with transgender individuals at community events
• Balancing conservative perspectives with biblical principles 

==========

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.  

Usually we ask the question of how we got our Bible, but we rarely consider the question of why we got the Bible? Why did the various Biblical authors commit their contributions to writing and preservation? We’ll answer these questions and more and will look at a controversial new book, Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins, by Professor Jacob Wright, of Candler School of Theology at Emory University — we’ll discuss with this with our former colleague and good friend, OT scholar, Dr. Mike Thigpen.

Dr. J. Michael Thigpen is Professor of Old Testament at Phoenix Seminary and former Executive Director of the Evangelical Theological Society. 

==========

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.  

We're back with our Friday Weekly Cultural Updates. This week, Scott and guest co-host Rick Langer discuss a series of recent New York Times opinion pieces, including: 

• Faith vs. Conduct: Will the American church's destiny be defined by beliefs or actions.
• Sexual Orientation: Challenging the "born this way" narrative.
• AI Optimism: David Brooks argues that AI is an ally, not a rival, and highlights its potential to complement human capabilities.
• Market Fallibility: How the market doesn't always get it right, with a focus on universities and media prioritizing customer desires over quality.
• Listener Question: Christian Commitment: How to respond to those who follow Christianity only when convenient.
• Listener Question: Rights vs. Obligations: Discussion on prioritizing obligations over rights from a Christian perspective, advocating for a love-centered approach.
• Listener Question: Mental Health and Salvation: Consideration of the salvation of those with mental illnesses.

==========

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 was it like for a teenage girl to escape from North Korea and make it to the US? How did she adjust to life in the US as compared to North Korea? How was her criticism of China received in the US? How did her experience at an elite Ivy League university remind her of life in North Korea? We’ll answer these questions and more as we discuss the new book from Yeonmi Park, While Time Remains.

==========

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 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 connections between the study of theology, obedience to Jesus and fulfilling the Great Commission. He has been teaching college students for over 30 years and has been a pastor at Grace Evangelical Free Church La Mirada since 2001. Erik is a frequent guest speaker at churches, conferences and retreats. He received the University award for faculty excellence and professor of the year twice. His research interests include godly jealousy, the atonement, the exclusivity of Christ and theology of culture, sport/play/competition, and humor. 

==========

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.  

Should Christians use preferred pronouns? What is at stake in this question? How can Christians navigate relationships when people want them to use preferred pronouns? In this longer-than-usual podcast, Sean and Biola communications professor Tim Muehlhoff discuss these questions and more. In co-writing their book End the Stalemate, Sean and Tim realized they have much in common, but also some practical and biblical differences about how and when to use (and not use) preferred pronouns. They aim to model a healthy dialogue about a contentious issue.

This episode is also available as a video on Biola's YouTube channel. 

==========

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.  

Why are healthy marriages so vital for a flourishing society? What factor best predicts a high-quality marriage? What are some of the most common myths people believe about marriage today and how can Christians make a difference to encourage a marriage-friendly culture? These are just a few of the questions Sean discusses with sociologist Brad Wilcox regarding his new book Get Married. Dr. Wilcox brings his years of studying marriage to respond to some of the biggest myths about marriage, but also give some practical insights about how to help create a marriage-friendly culture. 

Brad Wilcox is Professor of Sociology and Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, Future of Freedom Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. The author of Get Married: Why Americans Should Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families and Save Civilization (Harper Collins, 2024), Wilcox studies marriage, fatherhood, and the impact of strong and stable families on men, women, and children. 

==========

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, we have an excerpt of a recent event that Sean participated in with atheist journalist Adam Davidson. The two dialogued about their perspectives on issues like cancel culture, perceptions of evangelicals, and the importance of civil discourse. Highlighting areas of both agreement and disagreement, this episode demonstrates the value of thoughtful dialogue between differing worldviews.

This discussion was moderated by Sean's "End the Stalemate" co-author, Tim Muehlhoff.

==========

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 are the essential truths of the Christian faith? How do we know they are true, and how do we live them out in relationships? In this episode, Scott interviews Sean about his recent book 12 Crucial Truths of the Christian Faith. They discuss the core issues of Christianity, how we know they are true, and why they matter for our relationship with God and others.

==========

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:

• Current struggles and internal conflicts within the pro-life movement after the Dobbs decision
• Implications of a New York bill that could impact private and religious schools' policies on gender expression
• The rise of anti-Semitism on elite university campuses and its  effects on Jewish students
• Incident involving Venezuelan migrants in Texas and its impact on the immigration debate
• Listener Question: Women's Roles in Church Leadership
• Listener Question: God's Moral Character
• Listener Question: CRT and Diversity Training

Scheduling Note: Our Friday "Cultural Update" episodes will be on hiatus during the month of July, as we enjoy a bit of a summer break. Our regular episodes will continue to publish on Tuesdays.

==========

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.  

Why is it so important that we reclaim the historic Christian faith in a culture dominated by individualism and identity politics?

Join Sean for an interview with Carl Trueman, as they discuss how believers can use the traditional creeds to evaluate modern cultural questions.

Carl's new book is Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity.

==========

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: 

• Louisiana mandates public schools to display the Ten Commandments, sparking legal debates and opposition.
• A federal judge in Kentucky blocks Biden's Title IX rules, arguing gender identity and sex are distinct.
• The U.S. Surgeon General advocates for warning labels on social media to protect adolescents' mental health.
• Listener question: Navigating self-defense as a Christian in light of Jesus' teachings on non-retaliation.
• Listener question: Ethics of IVF and alternatives for pro-life couples concerned about genetic conditions.
• Listener question: Ethical considerations of using a pen name for publishing controversial religious content.

==========

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.  

Why do conversations today so often descend into unhealthy arguments and cancellation? Is it possible to have meaningful, positive conversations on difficult topics with people who see the world differently? And if so, how do we do it? Sean talks with Tim Muehlhoff, Biola communications professor, about these questions and more. They discuss their latest co-written book End the Stalemate and offer some biblical insights for effective conversations across worldview divides.

Tim Muehlhoff (Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) is a Professor of Communication at Biola University in La Mirada, California where he teaches classes in conflict resolution, apologetics, gender, and family communication.  He is co-director of Biola’s Winsome Conviction Project that seeks to reintroduce compassion and civility into our disagreements.  He’s the co-host of the Winsome Conviction Podcast where people with differing viewpoints are brought on for engaging dialogue.

==========

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 & Scott discuss: 

• Canada's Online Harms Act: Potentially draconian free speech restrictions and the debate on its implications for political activism and public discourse.
• Compassionate Transfer in IVF: Addressing the moral dilemma of excess embryos through a controversial medical procedure aimed at unsuccessful pregnancies.
• Toxic Masculinity and Boys: Exploring the cultural impact of toxic masculinity on boys, including gender disappointment and the need for meaningful human connections.
• Listener Questions: Insightful discussions on the ethical considerations of contraception in Christian marriages and the age of the Earth debate among Christians.
• Upcoming Book: Sean McDowell and Tim Muehlhoff's new book, "End the Stalemate," focusing on building bridges and understanding in a polarized culture.

==========

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 does it mean to be an evangelical? What do non-Christians think about the evangelical movement? Is it a movement worth saving? These are some of the questions Sean discusses with our guest Thomas Kidd, Research Professor of Church History at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They briefly discuss the history of the evangelical movement and its core beliefs. Whether you are part of an evangelical movement or not, this episode will help you understand one of the most significant religious movements in American history.

Dr. Thomas S. Kidd serves as Research Professor of Church History at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has written multiple books including Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh (Yale University Press, 2022), Who Is an Evangelical? The History of a Movement in Crisis (Yale University Press, 2019), Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father (Yale University Press, 2017). Kidd has written for media outlets including the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, and he also blogs at “Evangelical History” at The Gospel Coalition website.

Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/who-is-an-evangelical.

==========

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:

• 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 questions about free speech, company reputation, and the lack of forgiveness in cancel culture.
• Spiritual chatbots – Millions are turning to AI-driven faith apps. The hosts consider whether they nurture spiritual hunger or risk replacing biblical truth with feel-good validation.
• Listener questions – Advice on handling a child’s relationship with a transgender partner, leaving a church where the pastor embraces progressive views, and whether combat sports like MMA are ethically problematic.

==========

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:

• AI and Virtual Companions: Discussion on potential radical changes in AI, with OpenAI and Apple possibly announcing a partnership to integrate advanced virtual companions into devices.
• Sports Gambling: Examination of the impact of legalized sports betting on the integrity of professional sports and the pressures it places on athletes.
• Fidelity Month: Introduced by Professor Robert George, the concept encourages a renewal of commitment to faith, family, and community values.
• Racial Discrimination in Real Estate: A story about a Black woman facing discrimination when attempting to purchase a condo, highlighting ongoing racial bias in housing.
• Questions from Listeners: Answers to listener questions about managing relationships with people practicing polyamory, navigating workplace diversity groups, and the appropriateness of praying to saints in Christian practice.

==========

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 is cancel culture and why has it burst on the scene so dramatically the past few years? How can Christians best navigate our current cultural moment of canceling people with whom we disagree? In this episode, Sean and Scott discuss the recent book The Cancelling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott. You can also find this discussion on video through the Biola YouTube channel.

Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/clarity-on-cancel-culture.

==========

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:

• Marijuana has Surpassed Alcohol as the Most Frequently Used Drug
• How Hamas Refers to Female Captives
•  The Non-Religous May Have Stopped Growing in Number
• Listener Question: How Can I be a Fulfilled Christian if I Can't Have a Family
• Listener Question: Should I publish Christian Media if it will affect my carreer?

==========

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.