Faith & Clarity - Biblical Perspectives and Biblical Wisdom on News & Cultural Issues

Note: This episode was originally published on September 5, 2025 and was one of our most popular conversations over the last 12 months. We're currently taking a summer break for the month of July, but we will be back with new episodes starting on August 5th. In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Ryan Denison are joined by John Stonestreet, President of the Colson Cen...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by author and attorney Talmage Boston for a conversation on leadership, history, and faith, drawing on Talmage's book How the Best Did It , which examines eight of America's top-ranked presidents based largely on C-SPAN historian polls. Talmage explains why he studies history not just for facts, but for wisdom, and how that...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , part of our America 250 series exploring faith's role in shaping the American story, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Knox Thames, a human rights lawyer, former State Department special advisor under both Presidents Obama and Trump, and now executive director of the Everett Center for Global Religious Freedom at Dallas Baptist University, for a wide-rangi...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Ryan Denison and Conner Jones for a roundtable conversation on three of the biggest headlines shaping culture and faith today. The conversation covers the shifting narrative around artificial intelligence—from widespread fear to growing inevitability and profit-driven momentum—including potential public offerings, government...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Dr. Mike Williams of Dallas Baptist University to explore how Christian faith has shaped America's story as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. Mike shares his excitement about a renewed public interest in history while also raising concerns about false and distorted narratives that threaten to undermine our unders...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Ryan Denison and Dr. Jim Denison for a wide-ranging conversation about the hard questions of faith and how Christians can engage a skeptical culture with confidence and grace. Jim opens up about the spiritual questions that have shaped his life—from his father's WWII trauma and early doubts in the church pew to the transform...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Kevin Palau of the Luis Palau Association to explore what everyday evangelism can look like in your own neighborhood. Kevin shares how praying by name for his neighbors in unchurched Portland opened unexpected doors—leading to gatherings, shared meals, acts of service, and genuine spiritual conversations. Together, they unpack...

As part of the ongoing America 250 series, this episode of Faith & Clarity features Dr. Mark Turman joined by Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Ryan Denison for a conversation about America's 250th anniversary, God's providence, and what biblical and American history reveal about the nation's relationship with God. Jim walks through the nature of biblical covenants—conditional, parity, and u...

As part of the ongoing America 250 series, this episode of Faith & Clarity features Dr. Mark Turman joined by Dr. Ryan Denison for a conversation about spiritual awakening—what it means personally, within the church, and across an entire culture. Drawing from Acts 2 and the recurring pattern of rebellion and return throughout the Old Testament, they reflect on the Holy Spirit’s sovereign role...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Chris Elkins and Christie Erwin, founder of Project Zero, for a powerful conversation about foster care, adoption, and the role of the church. Christie shares how her years of fostering shaped a calling to serve vulnerable children and advocate for those still waiting for families. Together, they explore common misconceptions ab...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Jim Denison and Ryan Denison to explore how Christians can think about America’s upcoming 250th anniversary through a biblical lens. They discuss why history matters for believers, what it means to celebrate a nation while living as citizens of heaven, and how to approach ideas like American exceptionalism with both gratitude an...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Jurie Kriel of Shoreline Church and the global initiative NXT Move to explore how the church can reach emerging generations in a rapidly changing world. They discuss the growing challenges of declining trust, loneliness, and cultural change, and why collaboration among churches and leaders is more important—and more difficult—th...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Katie Frugé and Dr. Ryan Denison for a timely roundtable conversation on mental health, cultural trends, and the search for hope. They explore emerging challenges, from new forms of synthetic drug use to the growing reliance on AI chatbots for mental health support, highlighting both the risks and the deeper spiritual questi...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Bishop Mark Beckwith of Braver Angels to explore how Christians can engage a deeply divided culture with conviction, courage, and Christlike love. They discuss the rise of polarization and declining trust in America, and why rebuilding relationships is essential for a healthier public witness. The conversation highlights practic...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by pastors Sam Holm and Justin Hornsby to discuss why corporate worship matters and why many Christians struggle to make church a priority. They explore what worship truly is—centering our attention and affection on God—and why gathering weekly offers essential reminders of the gospel that shape our faith and fuel our mission. The...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Joel Penton, founder of LifeWise Academy, to explore a growing movement bringing Bible education to public school students during the school day through a unique, Supreme Court–recognized model. Together, they discuss how these programs are launching in communities across the country, how they navigate funding and school partner...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Botrus Mansour of the World Evangelical Alliance to explore why Christian unity matters and how it strengthens the church’s witness around the world. Together, they discuss how churches are partnering across 163 nations to support evangelism, discipleship, and global advocacy, while also addressing real challenges facing believe...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Gerald Griffin and Dr. Hormoz Shariat, founder of Iran Alive Ministries, to discuss the Iran–Israel–U.S. conflict and what’s happening spiritually inside Iran. Dr. Shariat shares how life in Iran has changed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and describes the growing persecution Christians face today. Yet amid the hardship, he p...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman welcomes Jay Greer and Chad Farmer of Mustard Seed Network to discuss what it looks like to share the gospel in Japan, where less than 1 percent of the population is Christian. They explore Japan’s complex history with Christianity, the cultural blend of Buddhism, Shinto, and secularism, and the deep skepticism toward organized religion shap...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Stephanie Thurling, Josh Miller, and Dr. Ryan Denison for a timely roundtable on authority, wisdom, and raising kids in a noisy culture shaped by influencers, AI, and declining trust in institutions. Together, they explore a four-phase parenting framework—caregiver, cop, coach, and consultant—and reflect on how authority is bein...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman sits down with filmmaker and Kingdom Story Company co-founder Andrew Erwin ( I Can Only Imagine, Jesus Revolution ) to talk about storytelling, faith, and the power of film to share God’s truth. Andrew reflects on how the Erwin brothers found their voice through underdog stories, the unexpected success of I Can Only Imagine , and how faith-b...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by economist and longtime professor Dave Arnott for a thoughtful conversation about how Christian faith intersects with economic realities. Drawing on decades of experience teaching economics and management, Dave helps frame complex economic ideas in accessible ways, inviting listeners to think more clearly and faithfully about mon...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Ryan Denison and Bobby Dagnel for a thoughtful conversation on the intersection of sports and faith. Together, they explore why sports hold such a powerful sway in our culture and how competition can reflect deeper themes of beauty, courage, sacrifice, and struggle that point beyond the game itself. The conversation touches...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman sits down with longtime Christian media voices Dawn Rae May and Steve Hiller to talk about faith, resilience, and what it looks like to trust God when life takes an unexpected turn. Dawn and Steve share their journeys into Christian radio, the challenges of live morning shows, and the sudden job loss that forced them into a season of deep un...

In this episode of Faith & Clarity , Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Ryan Denison for a thoughtful conversation about following Jesus faithfully in a confusing cultural moment. Together, they explore how Christians can seek wisdom, clarity, and hope when the questions feel complex and the headlines feel overwhelming. The discussion touches on faith and leadership, the role...