Christ and Culture

We live in a culture of commodification. What challenges does this present to human personhood? Dr. Paul Louis Metzger has written extensively about the perils of otherizing, objectifying, and “thingifying” other people. But this conversation isn’t just theoretical for Dr. Metzger; it’s personal, as he’s navigated these questions with suffering in his own family. (The conversation starts at 4:45.)...

What are the benefits of learning through travel? Dr. Stephen Eccher joins us to discuss our Oxford Study Tour — a life-changing trip in which key moments in church history comes alive. (The conversation starts at 11:45.) Plus, in “Headlines” (1:15), Jessica Prol Smith recaps March for Life and her experience advocating for life. And in “On My Bookshelf” (38:15) Dr. Eccher tells us about his new b...

Sandra Peoples talks to us about disability, the dignity of all people, and how local churches can serve families with disabilities. (The conversation starts at 8:15.)    Plus, in “Headlines” (1:15), Dr. Quinn reflects on failure in sports. And in “On My Bookshelf” (30:45) Sandra shares a book she’s reading right now. Visit our website: https://cfc.sebts.edu/ Support the work of the Center: https:...

What is Critical Theory (CT), and how should Christians think about it? Drs. Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer join us to discuss their new book, 'Critical Dilemma,' which was named World Magazine’s 2023 Book of the Year. They explain why CT is so skeptical of received wisdom, how it’s different than critical thinking, the big emphasis on power plays, and whether it’s okay for Christians to use the phras...

The Christmas season is incredibly busy. How can families intentionally help their kids to remember Jesus in the midst of it? Today’s episode is designed to help you “prepare Him room” in your life and family this year! In “Headlines” (1:40), Amy Whitfield talks with Nathaniel Williams about her new children’s book on Lottie Moon — and what listeners can learn from Lottie’s life. In our “Christ an...

The evangelical church is finally talking about singleness, much to the delight of today’s guest Dani Treweek. What can we learn from church history about singleness? How can married couples can encourage single Christians? What truth do we often overlook in these conversations? And how should the church respond to the fact that 50% of all adults in America are single? Dani Treweek joins Dr. Ken K...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. What exactly is it, what challenges does it present? And (most importantly), how can we think Christianly about it? In today’s episode, we talk to three experts in the field of AI. They discuss these questions and more — including what new AI innovations may be on the horizon. (The conversation begins at 3:25.) PLUS, in “Headlines” (1:25), Nathaniel Will...

So often, Christian conversations about creation care are simply baptized notions of secular environmentalism. But Andrew J. Spencer thinks we can do better. In his new book, Hope for God’s Creation, he seeks to build a theological foundation for creation care. We talk to him about it today. (The conversation begins at 14:10.) PLUS, in “Headlines” (1:50), Dr. Spencer discusses innovations in energ...

Does criminal justice need reforming? How might the Bible inform the rule of law in the public square? Matthew Martens is a trial lawyer in Washington, DC. He has spent the bulk of his more than twenty-five-year legal career practicing criminal law both as a federal prosecutor and as a defense attorney. He joins us to discuss his new book, Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal. He highl...

Why does every human being have dignity and worth, and why is this so important to emphasize in this moment? Matthew Soerens of World Relief joins us to discuss the many humanitarian crises in the world right now — from Israel, to Ukraine, to other places few are talking about. Right now, 35 million people are refugees, and Matthew shares how people can pray and serve. Through it all, he explores...

If you could improve your body with technology, would you — or should you? These are the questions posed by the growing movement of transhumanism. Dr. Jacob Shatzer joins us to discuss this important topic, and the conversation touches on technology, artificial intelligence, ethics, and more. (The conversation begins at 8:50.) PLUS, in “Headlines” (1:35) Dr. Keathley talks with Dr. George Robinson...

What is the state of apologetics, and what kind of apologetics do we need right now? Dr. Gavin Ortlund returns to the podcast to discuss these important questions with Dr. Ken Keathley. What kinds of questions are people asking? What is the greatest challenge for apologetics today? What is deconstruction, and how should we respond to it? (The conversation begins at 10:20.) PLUS, in “Headlines” (1:...

What’s going on in Israel, and how can we pray? Today’s episode is devoted exclusively to the biggest headline in the world right now — crisis in Israel. And since this story is rapidly developing, we’re releasing this episode early. Here to discuss is our own Dr. Ant Greenham. Dr. Greenham served as a diplomat in the Middle East, and he joins us to explain what’s going on and why. Among the topic...

“Vulnerability breeds vulnerability.” In this first installment of Roundtables on Challenges to Humanity, Megan Dickerson talks to Dr. Kristin Kellen, Jenn Hesse, and Kelsey Hamilton about infertility and miscarriage. It’s a weighty but important conversation (which starts at 8:00). In it, you learn: * Important statistics * Tips for caring for people dealing with infertility and miscarriage * Sug...

In response to the challenge of poverty and global needs, many of us default to humanitarianism as a solution. But should we? Dr. Luke Bretherton of Duke University joins us to discuss this important question. We discuss the need for a shared life, neighbor love, the importance of listening, and Dr. Bretherton’s latest book, Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and The Case for Democracy...

Are we only our brains? Or are we more than the sum of our parts? Dr. Paul LaPenna is an award-winning neurologist in Greenville, SC and Associate Professor of Neurology. More importantly, he’s a Christian. Dr. LaPenna tells us about his conversion, how he as a neuroscientist makes sense of the soul, and how this understanding affects his care. (The conversation starts at 7:25.) PLUS, in “Headline...

How do we respond to a changing culture? Maybe we can learn something from Augustine. Joshua Chatraw and Mark Allen join Ken Keathley to talk about two of Augustine’s most important works — Confessions and The City of God. On the surface, these books are wildly different. But what do they teach us about how we can defend the faith today? And how was Augustine’s world much like our own? (The conver...

If you could edit your DNA, would you (or should you)? This question used to be the stuff of science fiction, but no longer. Genetic engineering is here. Dr. Jeff Hardin is a genetic engineer. We chat with him about where the science of genetic engineering is right now. What are the positives? What are the dangers? Should we concerned about the pairing of radical individualism and the increasing a...

In the past century, few evangelical women have been more influential than Elisabeth Elliot. Lucy S. R. Austen has written a new biography called 'Elisabeth Elliot: A Life,' and we’re delighted to have her on the podcast. How should we view her life and work? How do we make sense of her and Jim’s roller coaster courtship? Why couldn’t she and Rachel Saint get along? How did her ideas about womanho...

Gen Z faces unique challenges, especially regarding technology and sexuality. They face mounting pressure to conform to prevailing cultural winds. For these reasons, we hosted “Re-Forming Gen Z: Technology, Sexuality, and Human Formation” at this summer’s Southern Baptist Convention. Attendees heard from key leaders serving college students — such as Rachel Gilson, Jason Thacker, Jacob Shatzer, an...

Gregg Davidson teaches geology and geological engineering at the University of Mississippi. But he’s also a faithful Christian. In this conversation, we discuss how he integrates faith and science, the pushback he receives from religious and scientific communities, and how parents can cultivate an interest in science in their children. Visit our website: https://cfc.sebts.edu/ Support the work of...

It's a summer bonus episode of Christ and Culture! Dr. Carmen Imes returns to the Christ and Culture to discuss the topic of tattoos. Is it okay for Christians to get tattoos? What role does the Old Testament Law play in the conversation? Drs. Benjamin Quinn and Carmen Imes have a lively discussion about these questions and more. Visit our website: https://cfc.sebts.edu/ Support the work of the Ce...

What hath the brain to do with spiritual formation? Dr. Erin Smith of California Baptist University returns to discuss what the latest in psychology teaches us about our Christian life. She highlights attention, neural circuits, the Holy Spirit, and whether we can change our brains. (12:05) Also, in “Headlines” (1:50) Dr. Anna Daub highlights summer movies in light of our Christian faith. And in “...

What does faith have to do with finance? Dr. Finny Kuruvilla of Eventide talks with Benjamin Quinn about a Christian approach to investing. Dr. Kuruvilla discusses his interesting journey to investing, living a life of integrity with finances, and how to leverage our resources to advance the common good. Plus, he explains why it’s sometimes important to start new instutions, and he highlights “gre...

“Will we ever again bother with scripture?” Dru Johnson recently posed this provocative question, and he joins Drs. Ken Keathley and Benjamin Quinn to discuss the growing crisis of biblical illiteracy. He explains why we our devotional practices are failing us, how we have a pidgin understanding of Scripture that lead to a “creolized” theology, and why listening to the Bible matters. The conversat...