Published by Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae
A weekly podcast that offers Christian perspectives on some of the most significant issues facing today's church and culture. In each episode, hosts Scott Rae and Sean McDowell — professors at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology — draw upon biblical wisdom and insights from guest experts as they explore how Christians can thoughtfully and faithfully engage with cultural trends and current events.
Listen on Apple PodcastsWhat can a nineteenth-century Christian convert from Islam teach us about faith, truth, and one of history's most influential Christian–Muslim debates? Today, Sean is joined by an anonymous Christian scholar living in a predominantly Muslim context where openly following Christ can be life-threatening. Because of active persecution, our guest appears without revealing identifying details. Today, he will talk about his book The Great Debate , focused on the most important Muslim convert to Christianity, and explores the historical roots of modern Christian-Muslim engagement especially the often-overlooked Urdu apologetics tradition. ========== 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 .
In this engaging dialogue, Sean is joined by Shabbos Kestenbaum, a political commentator and graduate of Harvard Divinity School, to debate whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. They also discuss the growing anti-Semitism that is plaguing America (and beyond) and how Christians and Jews can work together against it. Shabbos Kestenbaum is an American-Jewish activist and graduate of Harvard Divinity School. He gained national attention as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in January 2024 against Harvard University, alleging the institution failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from antisemitic harassment and discrimination, particularly following the October 7, 2023, attacks. He is a regular contributor on national media, has testified multiple times in front of the United States Congress as well as the Israeli Knesset, and lectures internationally on American politics and Jewish communal issues ========== 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 moral argument for God? What is meant by the notion of moral realism? How do we respond to the claim that evolution can explain morality? We'll answer these questions and more as Scott interviews our guests, Dr. David Baggett and Dr. William Lane Craig around their new book Reasonable Moral Faith. Dr. David Baggett is former professor of philosophy and director of the Center for the Foundations of Ethics at Houston Christian University. He is the author of several books on the moral argument for God. Dr. William Lane Craig is Emeritus Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is the author of numerous books and articles in philosophy and apologetics. ========== 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 .
Cliffe and Stuart Knecthle are two of the most influential apologists today. As a father-son duo, they travel to college campuses to engage skeptical students today with their toughest questions. Along with being pastors, they have recently written a new book called " Demolishing Doubt ," in which they address the most difficult questions about God. In this special episode, Sean is also joined by his son Scottie, a Biola student, to ask Cliffe and Stuart questions that were raised by the Biola community. This first appeared on Sean's YouTube channel. You can watch it here . Cliffe and Stuart Knecthle are a father-son team who co-host the popular YouTube channel "Give Me An Answer." They are also both pastors at Grace Community Church in New Canaan, CT ========== 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 an apologetics dinner party look like? How do you develop an environment conducive to spiritual conversations? What are some of the most challenging apologetics issues that could come up in conversations? Scott and Sean address these questions and more with our guest Dr. Louis Markos around his new book-- My Apologetics Dinner Party: A Real Life Socratic Dialogue. Dr. Louis Markos is Professor English at Houston Christian University and holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities. He is the author of 26 books. ========== 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 .
Todd McFarlane is a legend in the comic world—co-creator of Venom, record-breaking Spider-Man artist, and the mind behind Spawn. But what does he really think about God? In this candid conversation, Todd opens up about his journey, his doubts, and why he once said, “I will never believe in God.” We also dive into creativity, comics, and the deeper questions behind the stories that shape culture. This conversation is a bonus on the Think Biblically podcast and first appeared on Sean's YouTube channel here. Todd McFarlane, the creator of Spawn, is a multi-faceted artist and businessman with a broad range of experience in entertainment, sports, and publishing. ========== 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 .
Who was Joseph Smith and what childhood experiences shaped his life, worldview, and the start of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? What are some of his positive characteristics that drew so many people to him and what were his flaws? How did his theology develop throughout his life? In this interview, Sean and Scott talk with John Turner about his fascinating biography: Joseph Smith: The Rise & Fall of an American Prophet. John Turner is a cradle-to-halfway-to-the-grave Presbyterian (straddling mainline and evangelical Protestantism) and belongs to Burke Presbyterian Church. He came of age in evangelical parachurch organizations, namely Young Life and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. One of the things that drew him to the study of U.S. History was a desire to understand the institutions and personalities that had shaped my own religious culture. His dissertation-turned-first book, Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ: The Renewal of Evangelicalism in Postwar America, won Christianity Today’s 2009 prize for best History / Biography. ========== 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 .
Charles Murray is a Harvard and MIT-trained policy analyst and the author of Taking Religion Seriously . He joins me to explore why many educated people never seriously consider God—not because they’ve disproven the supernatural, but because they’ve quietly learned to dismiss it. Charles describes his journey from “happy agnostic” to “Christian,” wrestling with questions like “Why is there something rather than nothing?” and “Why does consciousness seem to reach beyond the brain?” This isn’t the story of an aggressive atheist changing his mind. It’s about the subtle assumptions that shape what we think is reasonable and what we hesitate to question. This interview first aired on Sean's YouTube channel. You can watch the video here. Charles Murray is a policy analyst educated at Harvard and M.I.T. He first came to national attention in 1984 with the publication Losing Ground, which changed the national conversation about the War on Poverty and its aftermath. In 1994, the best-selling The Bell Curve, coauthored with Richard Herrnstein, argued that the increasing role of intelligence over the twentieth century was transforming America’s social structure. In 2012, Coming Apart documented the growing divide between a new lower class and a new upper class that foreshadowed the political polarization of the 2016 election. His other books include In Pursuit (1988), Human Accomplishment (2003), Human Diversity (2020), and Facing Reality (2021). He is currently the Hayek Emeritus Scholar at the American Enterprise 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 .
How has the ethical landscape changed over the past few decades? What new issues and technological challenges have emerged that Christians need to think about and respond to biblically? In this unique episode, Sean interviews Scott about the latest update (5th edition) of his best-selling book Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. They discuss Scott's journey to becoming an ethicist, whether there are any issues Scott has changed his mind about, and what he considers the single toughest ethical issue today. ========== 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 .
Did the teachings of Jesus actually transform the moral conscience of the West? And if they did… does that point to objective moral truth or just cultural evolution? Sean shares a bonus episode from his YouTube channel in which he invited Bart Ehrman, one of the leading atheists/agnostics today, to explore one of the most important questions in philosophy and faith: Is morality objective or is it simply a product of human development over time? Here is the link to watch the video on YouTube . Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of multiple New York Times best-selling books and he writes a popular blog at https://ehrmanblog.org. Through his writings, speaking, and online presence, Dr. Ehrman is one of the most influential modern atheists/agnostics. ========== 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 .
America is in a divided and angry moment. Should "niceness" be our goal? When is it right to confront another Christian and how should we do so? What is the key to balancing grace and truth? In this conversation, Sean talks with pastor and podcaster Shane Idleman about some of the toughest challenges Christian face today. Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship, in Lancaster, Ca. and now Leona Valley, Ca. He also began the Westside Christian Radio Network – WCFRadio.org – in 2019. His sermons, books, articles, and radio program have sparked change in the lives of many. ========== 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 Americans Think When No One is Watching: Scott and Rick analyze "The Honesty Project" by The Free Press , highlighting the stark contrast between what Americans tell pollsters publicly versus what they actually believe in private. Gen Z and Risk-Taking: Discussing an article on Gen Z's "great retreat from risk," Scott and Rick look at why fewer young adults are driving, dating, or working, and how a Christian worldview replaces fear with faith. High Schoolers and Turning Point USA: Scott and Rick look at an article from The New Yorker exploring the organization's growing presence in public schools, sparking a deeper discussion on how tricky it is to define a "Christian nation". Hidden Awareness in Vegetative States: Scott and Rick examine a neuroscientific study revealing conscious awareness in some coma patients and discuss the profound ethical implications for end-of-life care. Audience Questions: Why Young People Are Attracted to Liturgical Services: Scott and Rick explore why many young Christians are moving away from modern, entertainment-driven church models in favor of the historical roots, structure, and deep reverence found in traditional liturgical services. Audience Question: Doing Good to All People: Answering a listener's query, Scott and Rick explain that despite the complexities of personal responsibility or societal expectations, the biblical mandate is that everyone is due Christians doing good to them when it's in their power. ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically . To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu .
Is it true that the moderates are a vanishing breed, both in the culture and the church? Who are the religious moderates and what are the implications of their disappearance? How has religion shifted from a faith journey to a tribal identity? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr Ryan Burge, from his new book, The Vanishing Church . Ryan Burge is professor of practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of 6 books and has written for the New York Times, POLITICO, and the Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared in a number of other media outlets including, the CBS Evening News, as well as 60 Minutes which called him, “one of the country’s leading data analysts on religion and politics." ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically . To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu .
Scott is joined by Greg Ganssle, Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, to discuss: World Cup Faith Goes Public : World Cup stars from the U.S., Brazil, England, Belgium, and beyond bring Christian faith into the public spotlight with unusual openness and confidence. American Christianity Faces Its History : A New Yorker essay sparks a wide-ranging look at how revivalism, evangelicalism, politics, and cultural engagement shaped the church in America. When Faith is Just an App : Christian apps may help people start spiritual habits, but screen-based faith can also flatten worship, prayer, Scripture, and community into another consumer experience. The No-Human Future : Radical visions of a no-human future expose the stakes of human exceptionalism, transhumanism, and the Christian claim that people are more than machines. Listener Question: Does Church Discipline Still Matter? : A listener question wrestles with whether church discipline can still work when people can simply leave one church and find another. Listener Followup on Dad Brain Article : A physician listener challenges claims about fatherhood and brain health, prompting a careful reminder that good science depends on strong methodology. Listener Question: Detransition Questions Demand Courage : A final listener question raises concern about medical and cultural pressure around detransitioning and the need for careful, compassionate engagement. ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically . To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu .
Most people recognize Michael Jackson’s 1983 mega-hit “Billie Jean,” but few know the human story behind the headlines. In this episode of Think Biblically , Sean sits down with Biola and Talbot graduate and educator La Nej Garrison, whose mother was a partial real-life inspiration behind the famous song. La Nej Garrison is a dedicated family woman, editor, senior writer, and minister deeply passionate about her faith, family, and fostering meaningful conversations around religion and ethics. She holds a degree in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot School of Theology. Professionally, she serves as an editor for one of the largest African American publishing houses in the United States and as a senior writer for Women In Apologetics. You can read more of her work and stay connected by visiting her website at lanejgarrison.org or by following her on Instagram @la_nejg. ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically . To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu .
Peter Singer critiques the Pope on Human Dignity: Scott and Erik discuss philosopher Peter Singer’s reaction to the Pope’s recent encyclical , analyzing how a purely functional definition of human value leads to terrifying ethical conclusions. The Neurobiology of Fatherhood: Discussing a recent New York Times piece , Scott and Erik break down the scientific evidence showing how active fatherhood positively rewires and protects a man’s brain as he ages. Gene Editing and the Genetic Caste System: Analyzing a recent article on "base editing" technologies, the hosts explore the bioethical boundaries between curing diseases and pursuing human enhancements that threaten to create a permanent disparity between medical haves and have-nots. Gen Z Men Resisting Temptation: Highlighting an encouraging cultural trend reported in an article , the hosts discuss how young Gen Z men are actively navigating and resisting the omnipresent temptation to sexual sin enabled by modern technology through the power of community and fellowship. Audience Question: Is it Acceptable to Listen to AI-Generated Worship Music? A listener asks if it is morally or spiritually compromising to listen to classic, human-written hymns that are fully performed by AI voices and instruments. Applying Biblical Accountability (1 Corinthians 5) at Home: The hosts offer nuanced advice to a listener navigating how to handle the apostle Paul's strict instructions regarding unrepentant believers when that person is an immediate family member living under the same roof. What Alternative Careers Would the Hosts Choose? In a light-hearted closing segment, ethicist Scott Rae and theologian Erik Thoennes share what completely different career paths they might have pursued—such as athletics or screen printing—if they hadn't entered academia and ministry. ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically . To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu .
Has Western culture merely forgotten God, or is the problem even deeper? In his remarkable new book The Desecration of Man , Dr. Carl Trueman argues that we have reached a new point in which culture has not only rejected God, but now desecrates Him. We can see this in the "shout your abortion" movement or the reveling in the mistreatment of immigrants. In this episode, Carl discusses the common thread of dehumanizing people that we see in the Sexual Revolution, technology, and how Christians approach death. Dr. Carl R. Trueman is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. He earned an MA in Classics from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. in Church History from the University of Aberdeen. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books, and is the co-host of “The Mortification of Spin” podcast. ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically . To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu .
This week, we discuss: Rethinking Just War : Pope Francis’s comments on just war theory spark a timely conversation about self-defense, civilian harm, AI warfare, and whether Christian ethics needs fresh application in modern conflict. Marriage Shapes Young Men : New research suggests that having marriage on the horizon can motivate young men toward work, maturity, commitment, and lower-risk choices. Church And State Confusion : A debate over “separation of church and state” opens up deeper questions about religious liberty, political power, and why Christians should care about protecting the church from corruption. Screen-Free Summer Reset : A radical family experiment in removing screens offers practical hope for helping kids rediscover books, outdoor play, creativity, and real-life community. Listener Question: AI Fear Or Wisdom : A listener question about Anthropic’s AI blackmail test raises the need for Christians to avoid panic while still taking the risks of human-made technology seriously. Listener Question: Sexuality And Church Leadership : A listener’s question about LGBTQ-affirming views in worship leadership leads to a nuanced distinction between disagreement among church members and qualifications for spiritual leadership. ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically . To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu .
Maybe you have heard some of these kinds of claims: "Religious views don’t belong in politics." "Jesus said never judge–so don’t." "You can’t legislate morality." These are some of the most common moral slogans proclaimed today. But they are deeply misguided. Today, Sean interviews Scott to get his responses to the top ten misguided moral claims that need debunking! Scott deals with these objections in the first two chapters of his book Moral Choices , which is newly released in its 5th edition. ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University , which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically . To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu .
The Pope's New AI Encyclical: The hosts discuss a groundbreaking 250-page encyclical from Pope Leo XIV that explores the intersection of Catholic faith and artificial intelligence. The encyclical calls for AI to serve humanity rather than displace it, emphasizing that our inherent human limitations and vulnerabilities are actually a good design by God. Pew Research on Church Politics: A surprising new poll reveals how much churches actually address political and social issues like abortion, immigration, and environment from the pulpit. The hosts unpack how these subjects are fundamentally theological and ethical rather than purely political. Texas Creates First Clinic for De-transitioners: The discussion turns to medical developments in Texas, where a first-of-its-kind clinic has been established specifically to help individuals who are de-transitioning. Highlighting cases like advocate Chloe Cole, the hosts touch on the courageous public stance of young people addressing the lifelong impacts of early gender procedures. Audience Question: Navigating the Holy Spirit Differently: The hosts answer a listener's question about how cessationists and continuationists can maintain charity despite theological differences over miraculous gifts. They advise focusing on core doctrines like the Trinity, extending mutual grace across different denominations. Audience Question: Turning to AI for Spiritual Guidance: Responding to a Barna report about Christians using AI for spiritual direction, the hosts weigh the legitimacy of the practice. They emphasize that AI should only serve as an efficiency tool to point users back to Scripture and local community, rather than replacing relational human mentorship. Audience Question: Critique of James Talarico's Theology: The hosts address a listener's question regarding guest-host Dr. Thaddeus Williams drawing a parallel between Texas politician James Talarico and Chinese communist state ideology. The hosts read a response from Williams and clarify that he was making a functional analogy about co-opting Scripture for state ideology, not directly comparing Talarico's personal character to a brutal totalitarian leader. ========== 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 .