Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture
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.
Weekly Cultural Update: Traditional Dating Apps; Jehovah's Witnesses Blood Policy Shift; Pope Leo in France; Smartwatches for Kids in China
Traditional Values in Dating Apps: The Match Group relaunched the Upward dating app for "next gen traditionalists" seeking marriage and family through modern courtship, reflecting a growing desire for stability and traditional relationship roles.
Jehovah's Witnesses Update on Blood Policy: The governing body of the Jehovah's Witnesses announced that accepting individual blood components—such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets—is now a matter of personal conscience, though their core prohibition on whole blood transfusions remains intact.
Pope Leo’s Reception in France: Pope Leo drew massive crowds in Franc...
J.P. Moreland on Suffering, Doubt, and Facing Death Without Fear
What has philosopher J.P. Moreland learned from two dozen surgeries? What does he consider the best evidence for the existence of God? How confident is he that heaven is real? And what is his advice for the next generation of leaders? In this frank conversation, Sean sits down with Talbot/Biola professor J.P. Moreland to talk about his life and faith.
J. P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He is a philosopher, author, and speaker who has authored, edited, or contributed to 95 books and published more...
Weekly Cultural Update: Is Scripture Outdated? The Rise of Polyamory; Worldview and AI Safety: UK's Assisted Dying
Are Biblical Truths Becoming Outdated? Sean and Scott analyze recent Lifeway research revealing that a growing number of younger churchgoers view certain biblical teachings as outdated, highlighting the need to help the next generation understand how Scripture promotes human flourishing.
The Rise of Polyamory: An article in The Christian Century addresses the rise of consensual non-monogamy, spurring analysis of how alternative relationship structures affect personal fulfillment, emotional stability, and the social frameworks supporting mutual care.
AI Safety and China's Worldview: While Western nations debate whether AI poses systemic risks...
The Centrality of Gratitude to our Spiritual Lives (With Kent Dunnington)
Is gratitude to God the heart of our spiritual formation? What do we make of the notion of a debt of gratitude? How was grace and gratitude viewed in the world of the New Testament? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, our Biola colleague in philosophy, Dr. Kent Dunnington, around his new book, Gratitude to God: The Heart of spiritual Formation.
Kent Dunnington is Professor of Philosophy at Biola University. He teaches and writes in the areas of virtue ethics, the philosophy of religion, and the philosophy of addiction. He is the author or...
Cultural Update: Free speech on college campuses; Does AI make kids worse at thinking?
Is free speech disappearing on college campuses? A new report gives nearly half of surveyed colleges an “F” for free speech, raising bigger questions about intellectual diversity, disagreement, and why Christians should value persuasion over coercion.
Could AI make kids worse at thinking? Early research suggests generative AI may help students get answers faster while short-circuiting the difficult mental work needed to actually develop critical-thinking skills.
A two-year-old was euthanized in the Netherlands. How did we get here? Sean and Scott examine this tragic case and the crucial ethical dist...
10 Prophecies for Jesus? (with Jeff Morgan)
What are the best Old Testament prophecies pointing to Jesus? In this episode, Sean talks with Jeff Morgan, who came to Christ out of a secular Jewish home, about his top ten prophecies that point to Jesus. We discuss how pointers to Jesus from a range of books in the Old Testament and how they are uniquely fulfilled in the person of Jesus.
Jeff Morgan is a Jewish believer in Yeshua, living in Israel, known for his bold and compassionate evangelism. Formerly with Jews for Jesus, Jeff is the founder of Highway 53 Ministries, a popular YouTube channel...
Weekly Cultural Update: 25th Anniversary of 9/11; Ukraine Legalizing Porn; Weaponizing Abortion Pills; The Insanity Defense
25th Anniversary of 9/11: Sean and Scott discuss Douglas Murray’s Free Press article marking 25 years since the September 11 attacks and examining the dangerous rise of 9/11 conspiracy theories. They highlight how fading historical memory among younger generations fuels postmodern skepticism, emphasizing the importance of preserving truth and naming evil.
Ukraine Legalizing Pornography to Fund War: The hosts analyze reports that Ukraine is considering legalizing and taxing online adult content, such as OnlyFans, to help finance its defense against Russia. They evaluate the moral versus legal dimensions of sex work, raising critical concerns regarding systemic expl...
Paul, PTSD and the Church Today (With Scot McKnight)
Did the apostle Paul suffer from PTSD? How did his experience with trauma shape his spiritual life and ministry as an apostle? What can we learn from his experience with trauma for the life of the church today? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Scot McKnight, around his new book, The Traumatized Church.
Scot McKnight is former Julius Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and a voluminous author, having authored or co-authored more than 80 books and numerous journal articles.
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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Cu...
Weekly Cultural Update: Self-Starvation Suicides; Gloria Steinem's Legacy; AI Sentience and the Singularity
Medical Ethics & Assisted Suicide: The hosts examine a National Review report on bioethical pressure to compel doctors to assist in self-starvation suicides (VSED), raising severe concerns over physicians' conscience rights. Scott emphasizes that forcing medical participation in deliberate starvation bypasses assisted suicide laws and undermines traditional medical ethics.
The Legacy of Gloria Steinem: Reflecting on the passing of feminist activist Gloria Steinem at age 92, Sean and Scott unpack her cultural impact and the mixed legacy of second-wave feminism. They contrast her secular views on autonomy and abortion with a biblical view of human v...
The Truth Behind 1 Enoch (with Joel Muddamalle)
The Book of Enoch has exploded in popularity. Some people claim it unlocks the Bible's greatest mysteries, while others say it shouldn't be trusted at all. So, what's the truth? Today we're diving into one of the most controversial ancient books ever written. Does it really explain the origin of demons? Can it help us understand the mysterious story of the Nephilim in Genesis—or does it raise more questions than it answers? Dr. Joel Muddamalle is the author of The Unseen Battle and he was both a friend and protege of the late Michael Heiser. He joins us fo...
Weekly Cultural Update: Political Violence Polls; Massachusetts Abortion Law; Gen Z Stress Crises; Flooding in Nepal
Voter Views on Political Assassination: Sean McDowell and guest host Thaddeus Williams react to alarming poll data showing 17% of voters view the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as acceptable. They examine how toxic cultural narratives, dehumanizing language, and self-righteous tribalism normalize political violence.
Massachusetts Extreme Abortion Law: The hosts unpack Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signing a bill that removes gestational age limits to allow abortion up to the moment of birth. They critique the underlying ideology, contrast it with biblical principles on protecting the vulnerable, and share global abortion statistics.
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Michael Heiser on Angels and Demons (with Joel Muddamalle)
Has the church largely misunderstood the nature and origin of angels and demons? Are there other heavenly divine beings that are not angelic or demonic, and if so, where did they come from and what do they do? Are demons really the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim as discussed in Genesis 6 and the Book of Enoch? Dr. Joel Muddamalle is the author of The Unseen Battle and he was both a friend and protege of the late Michael Heiser. He joins us for a deep-dive on these questions and more. Please join us for a LIVE discussion about this...
Weekly Cultural Update: Betting on the Palisades Fire; Meta Youth Lawsuits; Young Conservative Socialists; Building AI Influencers
Betting on the Palisades Fire: Scott and Sean examine the ethics surrounding Polymarket users placing financial wagers on the 2025 Palisades fire, asking where open market speculation crosses into exploiting human tragedy.
Meta Facing State Lawsuits: The hosts unpack a recent report detailing the major multi-state lawsuit against Meta, focusing on the legal and moral implications of algorithmic design and youth mental health.
The Rise of Young Conservative Socialists: Analyzing a thought-provoking Wall Street Journal report, the duo explores the growing phenomenon of young conservatives embracing socialist economic policies.
<...A Christian and Mormon Dialogue (with Grant Underwood)
Where do evangelicals and Mormons agree and where do we disagree? For this unique episode, Sean dialogues with BYU professor Grant Underwood about his new book Latter-day Saint Theology Among Christian Theologies. Dr. Underwood has been in dialogue with non-LDS people of varying faiths for decades. They discuss Jesus, salvation, scripture, and many more important theological and biblical issues that are at the heart of Christian and LDS discussions today.
Grant Underwood was a historian of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a professor at BYU when this was written. Dr. Underwood earned his...
Weekly Cultural Update: Michigan Pass/Fail Grading; AOC & Egg Freezing, AI Viruses, AI Pastor Twin; Canada's Military Prayer Ban
University of Michigan Pass/Fail Policy: Sean and Scott critique UMich's decision to shift first-semester freshmen to pass/fail grading, arguing that lowering academic expectations fails to fix root mental health issues or prepare students for real-world accountability.
AOC & Egg Freezing Trends: The hosts discuss Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sharing her egg-freezing experience, highlighting the moral distinction between unfertilized eggs and human embryos while raising downstream ethical concerns about IVF practices.
AI-Designed Viruses & Biosecurity: The hosts evaluate Stanford's synthetic virus research to stress the urgent need for human moral wisdom an...
Debating God's Existence (With Adam Lloyd Johnson)
What is the best evidence for God's existence and what are the toughest challenges against it? In this episode, Sean and Scott are joined by Christian apologist Dr. Adam Lloyd Johnson, who debates atheist Dan Barker in the new book Debating God's Existence. They discuss the fascinating story about how the debate and book came about, what Adam learned through his interactions with atheists, and how Christians can best make the case for God today.
dam Lloyd Johnson is the founder and president of Convincing Proof Ministries and a former campus missionary with Ratio Christi at the...
Weekly Cultural Update: Democratic Socialism; Weed Consumption; PowerWash Simulator; The Great Romance Slump
Shift Towards Democratic Socialism?: Scott and Sean discuss Muslim candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s Democratic primary victory in battleground Michigan, examining whether the rise of progressive candidates reflects a broader resurgence of democratic socialism.
The New Reality of Marijuana Consumption: Discussing a recent article on the use of marijuana, the hosts examine how daily weed use has surpassed daily alcohol and cigarette use. They contrast marijuana, cigarettes, and alcohol in terms health risks and spiritual implications of chronic impairment.
Why Millions Play PowerWash Simulator: Scott and Sean explore the strange popul...
The Most Important Muslim Convert to Christianity
What 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.
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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith an...
BONUS: A Jewish Thinker Challenges Christianity–Sean Responds
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...
The Moral Argument for God (With William Lane Craig & David Baggett)
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...
BONUS: 14 Questions with Stuart and Cliffe Knechtle
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...
My Apologetics Dinner Party (With Louis Markos)
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.
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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture...
BONUS: Why Todd McFarlane Denies God (but "loves" Spider-Man, His Family, and Life)
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...
Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet (With John Turner)
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...
BONUS: Why Skeptics are Taking Religion Seriously (with Charles Murray)
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 hes...
The Changing Moral Landscape (with Scott Rae)
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.
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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot...
BONUS: Bart Ehrman on the Moral Argument and the Teachings of Jesus
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 th...
Lovingly Confronting Silence & Arrogance (With Shane Idleman)
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 th...
Cultural Update: What Americans Think When No One Is Watching; Gen Z and Risk-Taking; High Schoolers and Turning Point USA; Hidden Awareness in Vegetative States
What Americans Think When No One is Watching: Scott and Rick analyze "The Honesty Project" by The Free Press, highlighting the stark contrast between what Americans tell pollsters publicly versus what they actually believe in private.
Gen Z and Risk-Taking: Discussing an article on Gen Z's "great retreat from risk," Scott and Rick look at why fewer young adults are driving, dating, or working, and how a Christian worldview replaces fear with faith.
High Schoolers and Turning Point USA: Scott and Rick look at an article from The New Yo...
The Vanishing Church (With Ryan Burge)
Is it true that the moderates are a vanishing breed, both in the culture and the church? Who are the religious moderates and what are the implications of their disappearance? How has religion shifted from a faith journey to a tribal identity? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr Ryan Burge, from his new book, The Vanishing Church.
Ryan Burge is professor of practice at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of 6 books and has written for the New York Ti...
Cultural Update: World Cup Faith; When Faith is Just an App; The No-Human Future
Scott is joined by Greg Ganssle, Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, to discuss:
World Cup Faith Goes Public: World Cup stars from the U.S., Brazil, England, Belgium, and beyond bring Christian faith into the public spotlight with unusual openness and confidence.American Christianity Faces Its History: A New Yorker essay sparks a wide-ranging look at how revivalism, evangelicalism, politics, and cultural engagement shaped the church in America.When Faith is Just an App: Christian apps may help people start spiritual habits, but screen-based faith can also flatten worship, p...Billie Jean's Daughter: How God's Grace Redeemed My Story (With La Nej Garrison)
Most people recognize Michael Jackson’s 1983 mega-hit “Billie Jean,” but few know the human story behind the headlines. In this episode of Think Biblically, Sean sits down with Biola and Talbot graduate and educator La Nej Garrison, whose mother was a partial real-life inspiration behind the famous song.
La Nej Garrison is a dedicated family woman, editor, senior writer, and minister deeply passionate about her faith, family, and fostering meaningful conversations around religion and ethics. She holds a degree in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot School of Theology.
Professionally, she serves as an editor for on...
Weekly Cultural Update: Peter Singer critiques the Pope; The Neurobiology of Fatherhood; Gene Editing; Gen Z Men Resisting Temptation
Peter Singer critiques the Pope on Human Dignity: Scott and Erik discuss philosopher Peter Singer’s reaction to the Pope’s recent encyclical, analyzing how a purely functional definition of human value leads to terrifying ethical conclusions.
The Neurobiology of Fatherhood: Discussing a recent New York Times piece, Scott and Erik break down the scientific evidence showing how active fatherhood positively rewires and protects a man’s brain as he ages.
Gene Editing and the Genetic Caste System: Analyzing a recent article on "base editing" technologies, the hosts explore the bioet...
The Desecration of Man (With Carl Trueman)
Has Western culture merely forgotten God, or is the problem even deeper? In his remarkable new book The Desecration of Man, Dr. Carl Trueman argues that we have reached a new point in which culture has not only rejected God, but now desecrates Him. We can see this in the "shout your abortion" movement or the reveling in the mistreatment of immigrants. In this episode, Carl discusses the common thread of dehumanizing people that we see in the Sexual Revolution, technology, and how Christians approach death.
Dr. Carl R. Trueman is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies...
Cultural Update: Rethinking Just War; Screen-Free Summer; Separation of Church and State
This week, we discuss:
Rethinking Just War: Pope Francis’s comments on just war theory spark a timely conversation about self-defense, civilian harm, AI warfare, and whether Christian ethics needs fresh application in modern conflict.
Marriage Shapes Young Men: New research suggests that having marriage on the horizon can motivate young men toward work, maturity, commitment, and lower-risk choices.
Church And State Confusion: A debate over “separation of church and state” opens up deeper questions about religious liberty, political power, and why Christians should care about protecting the chu...
Moral Choices (With Scott Rae)
Maybe you have heard some of these kinds of claims:
"Religious views don’t belong in politics." "Jesus said never judge–so don’t." "You can’t legislate morality." These are some of the most common moral slogans proclaimed today. But they are deeply misguided. Today, Sean interviews Scott to get his responses to the top ten misguided moral claims that need debunking! Scott deals with these objections in the first two chapters of his book Moral Choices, which is newly released in its 5th edition.
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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a...
Cultural Update: Pope's Encyclical on AI; Research on Politics in Church; Texas Creates Clinic for De-transitioners
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 p...
When God Seems Distant (With Kyle Strobel)
Why have we misunderstood what is normally involved in spiritual growth? What does it mean to say that our God is a withdrawing God?” And what do we do when the bible becomes boring and prayer seems pointless? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest Dr. Kyle Strobel around his new book When God Seems Distant.
Kyle Strobel (Ph.D. University of Aberdeen) is the director of Talbot's Institute for Spiritual Formation and Marriage and Family Therapy program. He is a systematic theologian interested in theological anthropology, Jonathan Edwards, spiritual formation and prayer. He writ...
Cultural Update: The Threat to Christian Colleges; Harvard's Reparations Collapse; Turning the Page on Campus Coddling; A Lesson in Political Shrewdness
The Financial Metric Threatening Christian Colleges: Rick and Erik discuss a new federal regulation requiring college degree holders to out-earn non-degree peers, explaining how it creates an "existential threat" by penalizing faith-based programs that prioritize service over high salaries.
The Collapse of Harvard's Reparations Initiative: The hosts explore why Harvard University’s $100 million plan broke down, detailing how a combination of resignations, researcher firings, and the sheer logistical nightmare of identifying descendants of American slaves halted the effort.
The Turning Tide on Campus Coddling: Rick and Erik examine how un...
The Devil Reads Nietzsche (With Greg Ganssle)
How do we live out our faith in a post Christian age? How do we react to thinkers who are aiming to undermine Christianity, such as Frederich Nietzsche? What is the enduring impact of someone such as Nietzsche on our culture today. We’ll discuss this and more around a new book entitled The Devil Reads Nietzsche, with our resident Nietzsche expert, our colleague in philosophy Dr. Greg Ganssle.
Greg Ganssle is Professor of Philosophy at Talbot. In addition to publishing about fifty articles, chapters and reviews, Greg has edited three books, God and Time: Four Views (IV...
