The Biblical Mind

What happens when we pray? Does prayer actually move God to action, or does it simply change us? In this episode of The Biblical Mind , host Dru Johnson speaks with Dr. John Peckham, theologian and author of Why We Pray , about the biblical foundations of prayer, God's nature, and the relationship between human freedom and divine sovereignty. Peckham challenges the idea that prayer is merely thera...

What is Christian Zionism, and how should Christians think about Israel, Palestine, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict? In this episode of The Biblical Mind , Dru Johnson speaks with Rev. David Pileggi, rector of Christ Church in Jerusalem’s Old City, who brings 46 years of experience living in Israel to a complex conversation about Zionism, Christian Zionism, Judaism, Christianity, Isla...

What can Bible translations from around the world teach us about Scripture that we might miss in English? In this episode of The Biblical Mind , Dru Johnson talks with Bible translation scholar Dr. Jost Zetzsche about the power of language, translation, and the global Christian community. Zetzsche introduces Translation Insights and Perspectives ( TIPs ) , a free online resource that allows pastor...

This episode explores the life, scholarship, and theological legacy of biblical scholar Michael Heiser , best known for his work on the Divine Council worldview and the biblical unseen realm . Dru Johnson speaks with Mike Chu about Heiser’s academic background, his work with Logos Bible Software, his approach to critical and evangelical biblical scholarship, and the development of AWKNG School. Th...

What does the Bible say about individual responsibility, corporate responsibility, and systemic sin ? Can someone be responsible for wrongdoing they did not personally commit? And how should Christians think about systemic racial injustice, repentance, and reparations? In this episode of the Biblical Mind Podcast, Mike Tolliver speaks with Dr. Andy Everhart about the biblical relationship between...

How should Christians think about war, conflict, justice, and peace in a world filled with competing narratives and seemingly endless complexity? In this episode, Dru Johnson talks with peacebuilding practitioner and political scientist Austin Knuppe about how Scripture, intellectual humility, lament, and Christian realism can shape the way Christians respond to global conflict. Knuppe explains wh...

In this episode, Dru Johnson continues a challenging conversation about Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Hamas, Zionism, and Christian Zionism with Bruce N. Fisk and Daniel Bannoura. The discussion examines competing narratives about the history of Israel and Palestine and asks how Christians should think about the ongoing conflict. Fisk and Bannoura critique what they describe as the dominant Israeli and...

What does it mean to be a good man? In this episode, Dru Johnson talks with Professor Nancy Pearcey about masculinity, toxic masculinity, feminism, fatherhood, Christianity, and the cultural forces that have shaped modern ideas about men. Pearcey explains why she wrote her book on masculinity after seeing increasingly hostile portrayals of men in popular culture and explores the deeper history beh...

What does it mean to believe something—and can we genuinely believe while also experiencing doubt? In this episode of the Center for Hebraic Thought and the Biblical Mind Podcast , Mike Tolliver talks with philosopher Dr. Joshua Mugg about his book From Human Reasoning to Belief and his alternative to the influential “dual process” theory of human reasoning. Mugg explains why he rejects the idea t...

How is technology shaping the way we live, relate to one another, and understand what it means to be human? In this episode, Dru Johnson talks with sociologist Dr. Felicia Song about digital technology, AI, social media, Christian discipleship, and the spiritual consequences of living in a world of constant connection. Song argues that Christians should resist both technological hype and fearmonge...

What did the Puritans really believe about the Old Testament, Mosaic law, Jews, and Israel? In this episode of the Biblical Mind Podcast, historian Dr. Yisroel Benporat explores the fascinating and often misunderstood relationship between Puritan theology and the Hebrew Bible. Benporat explains why Puritans attempted to apply biblical judicial laws to early American society, including laws concern...

How should Christians study the Bible? Does Scripture itself teach us how it should be read? In this episode of The Biblical Mind , Dru Johnson is joined by Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer, distinguished professor of Old Testament for Cairn Theological Seminary at Cairn University, to discuss his new book, Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture . Together they explore why the Bible shou...

Dr. Robert Joustra joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to explore one of the most neglected questions in Christian ethics: What does the Bible have to say about international politics? Beginning with difficult questions like the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Joustra argues that Christians need more than political pragmatism—they need a distinctly biblical framework for thinking about war, diploma...

Faith deconstruction has become one of the defining conversations in modern Christianity—but what does it actually mean to deconstruct your faith? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast , Dru Johnson sits down with pastor, YouTuber, and book reviewer Joel Wentz to explore why so many Christians are questioning their beliefs and how those questions can lead to deeper spiritual maturity rather...

Dr. Michael W. Austin is a Professor of Philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University, an author, and a speaker. He has published 12 books; most recently, he co-edited and contributed to QAnon, Chaos, and the Cross: Christianity and Conspiracy Theories . Most of his teaching, writing, and speaking is focused on ethical questions related to character and human flourishing. He believes that philosophy h...

The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the world's most complex and emotionally charged issues—but how should Christians think about it with both historical honesty and theological humility? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast , Dru Johnson welcomes Robert Nicholson for a thoughtful response to a previous conversation about Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza . Together, they ex...

The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the world's most complex and emotionally charged issues—but how should Christians think about it with both historical honesty and theological humility? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dru Johnson welcomes Robert Nicholson for a thoughtful response to a previous conversation about Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza. Together, they expl...

Can Christians watch horror movies? Is horror merely entertainment, or can it reveal profound theological truths? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast , Dru Johnson sits down with theologian and film scholar Dr. Kutter Callaway to explore why horror has become one of today's most influential storytelling genres—and why Christians should take it seriously. Drawing from his new book, Be Afra...

Can Christians watch horror movies? Is horror merely entertainment, or can it reveal profound theological truths? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dru Johnson sits down with theologian and film scholar Dr. Kutter Callaway to explore why horror has become one of today's most influential storytelling genres—and why Christians should take it seriously. Drawing from his new book, Be Afrai...

What were synagogues actually like in the time of Jesus? Were they places of worship, centers of local government, or something entirely different? In this episode, archaeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Jordan Ryan joins Dru Johnson to challenge common assumptions about ancient synagogues. Drawing on archaeological discoveries, ancient texts, and the writings of Josephus, Philo, and the New...

What were synagogues actually like in the time of Jesus? Were they places of worship, centers of local government, or something entirely different? In this episode, archaeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Jordan Ryan joins Dru Johnson to challenge common assumptions about ancient synagogues. Drawing on archaeological discoveries, ancient texts, and the writings of Josephus, Philo, and the New...

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dru Johnson sits down with theologians Daniel Bannoura and Bruce Fisk, contributors to Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza , to explore the Israel-Palestine conflict through the lens of Palestinian Christian experience. Drawing on history, theology, and personal experience, Bannoura and Fisk argue that the crisis in Gaza cannot be understood apart from t...

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dru Johnson sits down with theologians Daniel Bannoura and Bruce Fisk, contributors to Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza, to explore the Israel-Palestine conflict through the lens of Palestinian Christian experience. Drawing on history, theology, and personal experience, Bannoura and Fisk argue that the crisis in Gaza cannot be understood apart from th...

What does the Bible actually say about politics, and how should Christians engage public life in an age of division and polarization? In this inaugural episode of Reimagining Biblical Politics, biblical scholar Michael Rhodes joins co-host Marshall Teague to explore the foundational claim at the heart of Scripture: God reigns. Rather than offering partisan talking points or commentary on current p...

What does it mean to truly live well in an age of loneliness, distraction, and endless self-improvement advice? In this episode, Dru Johnson sits down with Alan Noble to discuss his new book on the seven Christian virtues and why recovering ancient wisdom may be the key to human flourishing today. Together they explore how virtues such as courage, temperance, prudence, justice, faith, hope, and lo...