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

Join Denison Forum’s podcast host, Mark Turman, as he engages with author, pastor, and speaker Skye Jethani in a profound discussion about justice, faith, and the teachings of Jesus. They explore the theme of taking Jesus seriously, particularly in the context of the Sermon on the Mount. Skye shares insights from his book, What If Jesus Was Serious About Justice? , highlighting the biblical princi...

Join host Mark Turman and Dr. Ryan Denison on the Denison Forum Podcast for a compelling conversation with Ross Douthat, New York Times opinion columnist and bestselling author. In this special episode, they dive into Douthat’s latest book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious . Explore the dynamic relationship between faith and reason, the impact of secularization, and the crucial role of co...

In this podcast episode, Mark Turman discusses the importance of serving in the Christian faith, highlighting the work of Mercy Ships, an international ministry that provides surgical care to the world's forgotten poor. Raeanne Newquist shares her personal journey with Mercy Ships, detailing the transformative impact of their work on patients and the community. The conversation emphasizes the...

Join Dr. Mark Turman, executive director of Denison Forum, as he interviews Pedro Reyes about his extraordinary journey from Cuba to the United States, his battle with sexual addiction, and his ultimate redemption through faith. Pedro shares his heartfelt story of dealing with childhood abuse, the struggles of addiction, and how he found freedom and healing. Learn about the transformative power of...

In this episode, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Ryan Denison to explore topics ranging from biblical leadership principles, modern temptations, faith, and rationality to the geopolitical implications of Islamic eschatology.  They discuss how to balance shepherding and equipping within the church, the importance of rational faith, and how temptation works in our lives today....

In this episode of the Denison Forum Podcast, host Mark Turman kicks off 2025 by introducing listeners to the new Culture Brief podcast. Joined by Connor Jones and Micah Tomasella , the discussion covers the objectives and format of Culture Brief, highlighting its focus on news, sports, entertainment, and technology from a biblical perspective. The trio dives into current topics like the fall of t...

Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman explore how Christians have lived faithfully in their cultural moment for thousands of years, how we must break free from the Sunday/Monday heresy, the importance of a personal relationship with Christ, how Christianity is a bad religion without such a personal relationship, and how the culture has created a new religion of humanism and self-affirming authentici...

In this episode, Mark and Jim begin by giving a personal biography of their lives and testimonies. In this, Jim explores how several key people who were faithful with their gifts helped bring him to trust in Jesus as his savior. Jim discusses how the term theological middleman began to define his ministry calling, with a clear, strong conviction from the Lord. A large part of Denison Ministries’ n...

Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the sexual revolution and its implications for today’s culture. They discuss how the church’s witness is hurt by its bad example, how biblical morality is going to be persecuted, the implications of the Equality Act, how US laws should legislate certain moral judgments and not others, and how the world’s understanding of sex ultimately leads to harm. Fir...

Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the foundation for Denison Forum by first unpacking apologetics ("to make a defense"), which has its roots in the book of Acts. Cultural apologetics refers to giving a defense of biblical truth in the context of cultural issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, or euthanasia. They discuss starting points for those conversations, which need to beg...

Faith & Clarity goes beyond the headlines, helping you think biblically about the news and cultural issues shaping our world. Join Dr. Mark Turman and his guests for insightful conversations that combine intellectual depth with real-world application, equipping you to respond to current events and trends with wisdom and faith. Drawing from his nearly forty years of leading churches, Mark make...

Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman talk about the origins of Jim’s book, The Coming Tsunami, and God’s calling on Jim’s life to cultural apologetics. In this first episode, they cover: how Christians should engage the culture newfound unity between denominations rising atheism how to turn the cultural tide and hope for a new awakening  In part 1, Jim and Mark delve into Jim’s life and upbringing....

In this episode of the Denison Forum Podcast, Dr. Mark Turman engages in a deep conversation with Robin Pou, an executive coach and author, about the complexities of leadership. They explore Robin's personal faith journey and the importance of listening to God's voice. They discuss the significance of relationships in faith, the purpose of vocational work, and the role of doubt in leadersh...

This conversation explores the current situation in Israel, focusing on the aftermath of the October 7th attacks by Hamas. The speakers share personal experiences and insights into the existential threats facing Israel, including external enemies and internal divisions within society. They discuss the resilience of the Israeli people amidst ongoing conflict and the impact of hostage situations on...

In this episode of the Denison Forum podcast, host Mark Turman engages in a deep conversation with Mike Cosper, creator of the Mars Hill podcast and author of The Church in Dark Times . They explore Mike's background, his journey in church planting, and the impact of the Mars Hill story on contemporary church dynamics. In this conversation, Mike Cosper and Mark Turman explore the complex inter...

In this episode of the Denison Forum podcast, Dr. Mark Turman and Steph Thurling discuss Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation, examining the impact of technology on parenting and childhood development. They cover the shift from play-based childhoods to phone-centered experiences, the mental health crisis among youth, and the role of community in addressing these challenges. The conversatio...

In this episode of the Denison Forum podcast, Dr. Mark Turman talks with Mark Jones, Micah Tomasella, and Conner Jones about the dynamics of intergenerational discussions, particularly around controversial topics like politics and faith. They share insights on meaningfully engaging younger generations, especially Gen Z, who are characterized by their spiritual curiosity and unique perspectives sha...

In this episode of the Denison Forum Podcast, Dr. Mark Turman engages in a clarifying conversation with Chris Sadler, acting CEO of My Faith Votes. They discuss the importance of Christian participation in the democratic process, the origins of My Faith Votes, and the barriers that prevent many Christians from voting. Chris shares his personal faith journey and emphasizes the need for Christians t...

In this episode of the Denison Forum podcast, Dr. Mark Turman and Josh Miller discuss the intersection of peace and politics, emphasizing the importance of faith over fear. They explore the role of fear in our lives, the significance of community, and the current political landscape. The conversation highlights the need for vulnerability and honesty in addressing cynicism in politics and the churc...

In this episode of the Denison Forum podcast, host Dr. Mark Turman converses with Dr. John Inazu, the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. They discuss his new book Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect . Dr. Inazu emphasizes the need for Christians to engage in nuanced disagreeme...

In this conversation, Dr. Mark Turman interviews Preston Perry, a poet, performance artist, teacher, and apologist, about his new book, How to Tell the Truth . They discuss the importance of sharing the truth with gentleness and respect, the role of Christians as witnesses, apologists, and evangelists, and the significance of authenticity and boldness in sharing one's faith.  They also explore...

In this final episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman and Curtis Chang discuss the intersection of faith and politics, particularly in the context of the upcoming election. They explore the implications of political violence, the role of the church in political discourse, and the importance of character in political candidates.  The conv...

In this seventh episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman discusses the sanctity of life and the issue of abortion with Dr. Katie Fruge and Dr. Ryan Denison. The conversation explores the cultural and political landscape surrounding abortion and the challenges faced by the pro-life movement. They emphasize the importance of approaching the...

In this sixth episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman discusses the importance of being salt and light for Christ in uncivil times and navigating the political season. He is joined by Carmen LaBerge and Patrick Miller, who share their insights on echo chambers, media consumption, and the role of Christians as cultural missionaries. They...

In this fifth episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Micah Tomasella to discuss the complex relationship between faith and politics, particularly in the context of families, churches, and society at large. They explore how political issues have become increasingly divisive within families and church communities, especially...