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

When your children ask hard questions about conflict in the Middle East, what will you say? Parents and grandparents may feel overwhelmed and underprepared when it comes to talking about the ongoing crisis in Israel, but children are still affected by what they see and hear—and they often see and hear much more than we think, especially in our media-saturated culture. So how much should you share?...

Dr. Jim Denison shares biblical insight and expert knowledge on the many questions swirling around the ongoing war in Israel: What is a kibbutz, and why was one so brutally attacked by Hamas? Is Hamas really a terror organization, or are they an oppressed group fighting for legitimate survival? Does Hamas truly and rightfully represent the Palestinian people, or are they self-appointed power monge...

The crisis between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas based in the southern region of Israel called Gaza is now in its fifth day. News media includes startling reports of horrific atrocities by Hamas. The Israeli government and military are mobilizing for a strong and significant response. Innocent people and children on all sides are caught in the middle. Countries around the world are on heigh...

As war in Israel begins, questions abound. What is the crisis in Israel? Who is Hamas, and why did they attack Israel? How is Israel responding? Why should Christians care, and how should we pray and help? What might this new conflict mean for larger nations? How is faith and religion sometimes used as a cloak to cover a relentless pursuit of power? Dr. Jim Denison discusses these and other critic...

Can our faith be as bold as the first Christians’ faith? The Holy Spirit who moved through the first-century church is still the same today. God’s power is still just as powerful. So why aren’t most of us experiencing his power in our churches and in our personal lives? Dr. Jim Denison joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss Bold Faith: First-Century Lessons for Twenty-First-Century Christians...

“The early church is still walking and running around the streets of my Cuba.” With a population of more than 11 million people just ninety miles off the coast of Florida, Cuba was once considered the "paradise of the Caribbean," welcoming tourists from around the world. Today, its history, culture, and faith are shrouded in legend and myth.  But God has not abandoned Cuba. He is present,...

“I know people who are better apologists for the Dallas Cowboys than they are for their own beliefs as a Christian.” J. Warner Wallace’s enduringly popular book on apologetics, Cold-Case Christi anity , has been thoroughly updated and expanded for its tenth-anniversary edition. He joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss the book, how to read the gospels as an investigator, how conspiracy thinki...

When is enough enough? Art Rainer is the founder of Christian Money Solutions and the author of Money in the Light of Eternity . He joined The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss our collective money problems (and their solutions), seeking contentment in our finances and in our lives, the importance of giving to the church, and more. Topics Art Rainer’s testimony | 01:42 Why do Christians struggle to...

Christian, how now shall you vote? America is more divided and hostile along political lines and tribes than ever before. For some, politics may have become their substitute religion in place of a true faith in Christ Jesus as King of kings.  So how can Christians understand and engage in our political processes as culture-changing Christians who use their influence in redemptive ways for the glor...

“Gen Z will be suicide free” That’s Stay Here’s opening line on their website . As a "mental health organization and movement dedicated to ending suicide and healing the broken hearted,” Stay Here aims to lower the tragic suicide rate of one person every 40 seconds through “equipping millions of individuals in hope-filled suicide prevention training and awareness.” Founder Jacob Coyne joins Th...

Is the world a meaningless churning of random intersecting events or a beautiful place of genius that reveals the reality of God as the ultimate Genius?  Dr. Jonathan Witt joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss this central question of his book, A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature When we encounter, discover, or help to create things in our world that expr...

How the atheist writings of Richard Dawkins led Alister McGrath—and many other intellectuals—to the Christian faith Dr. Alister McGrath was an atheist when he entered Oxford University to study natural sciences. Through a series of influences he switched to theology and became a Christian. In his new book, Coming to Faith through Dawkins , coauthored with Denis Alexander, McGrath compiled twelve e...

In  Chasing Proof, Finding Faith , Dr. Tom Rudelius shares his story of doubt and faith. Dr. Tom Rudelius is a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical physics at UC–Berkeley and the author of  Chasing Proof, Finding Faith . In that book, he chronicles his conversion to Christianity while still wrestling with the doubt that science often bears upon faith. An excerpt from his book is available here ....

What does science tell us about God? Dr. Stephen Meyer is a renowned philosopher of science and the author of "Return of the God Hypothesis." He joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss his latest book and insights on how scientific discoveries point to the reality of God as the creator of all things. From the Big Bang theory to the intricate code of DNA, Dr. Meyer presents a compelling...

Dr. Preston Sprinkle joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss his book Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage, how to have uplifting conversations about controversial issues, the Bible’s view of marriage, and common objections to the “historical” interpretation of marriage.    Show notes:    Dr. Preston Sprinkle covers his reasons for writing Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage, how to have a lovin...

Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman respond to popular reader questions, discussing the spectrum of positions on abortion, how to have honoring conversations about controversial subjects, homosexual attraction versus activity, and healthy church discipline.   Show notes:    Dr. Jim Denison unpacks the various positions on abortion and the spectrum between extreme positions (3:14). They consider th...

Jodie Berndt joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss why praying the Scripture helps draw us closer to God, uplifts our marriages, helps us get started talking to God in creative ways, and why Christians should pray with our spouses.  Show notes:  Jodie Berndt shares her testimony, how she met her husband, and how she became an author of the acclaimed series on praying the Scriptures (3:32). She reflects...

Nancy Pearcey joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the rise of secular masculinity, what makes a “good” man versus a “real” man, how Christianity makes men less misogynistic, not more, why young men are struggling, and how Christians can reclaim manhood.    Show notes:  Nancy Pearcey discusses why she wanted to write on masculinity, sharing her story of meeting Francis and Edith Schaeffer, converting...

Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Psalm 42, how we get the idea of the “soul” wrong, evangelicalism’s weak spot, why we should yearn for God, and how to start hungering for a relationship with Jesus.    Show notes:    Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the image of a deer panting after water in Psalm 42 (2:12). They talk about how evangelicalism can unhealthily swing the pendulu...

Scot McKnight, PhD, Cody Matchett, and Dr. Mark Truman discuss the flaws of dispensationalism, Revelation’s message for discipleship, the Christian life as a peaceful political dissident, how to read Revelation generally, and what this means for Christian worship today.    Show notes:    New Testament scholars Scot McKnight, PhD, and Cody Matchett explain their background with the book of Revelati...

Abdu Murray, JD, and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Murray’s conversion from Islam, ho the Bible is neither sexist nor racist, why Christianity historically propelled human rights, why he’s optimistic about race relations in the church, and the effect of Ravi Zacharias’ abuse.    Show notes:    Abdu Murray, JD, begins by talking about his upbringing as a devout Muslim in Detroit, Michigan, and how he cam...

Dr. Russell Moore and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Tim Keller's legacy, how to live in courage rather than fear, loneliness in standing for what’s right, cynicism inside and outside the church, and why the wedding of politics to Christianity is so disastrous.    Show notes:    Dr. Russell Moore and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Tim Keller, his impact, and Dr. Moore’s friendship with him (3:41). They disc...

Dr. Katie McCoy and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Dr. McCoy’s upcoming book, To Be a Woman, the origin of transgenderism, why so many more women and girls are transitioning, and how to practically, lovingly, engage with trans ideology.   Show notes:    Dr. Katie McCoy talks about why she wrote To Be a Woman and the definition of gender dysphoria (3:13). She discusses the history of ideas that led to the...

Chris Legg, LPC, joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss how psychology and faith integrate, how Legg works as a therapist and pastor, a biblical understanding of mental disorders, Jesus’ flawed but sinless life, and the need for a healthy community.    Show notes:    Chris Legg talks about his family and career, how he became a licensed counselor, owner of a counseling practice, and head pastor of South...

Curtis Chang joins Dr. Mark Turman to talk about his book, The Anxiety Opportunity, how anxiety affected Chang’s life, why anxiety is not a sin but a chance for spiritual growth, how anxiety reflects a fear of loss, and how Jesus speaks into our worries.    Show notes:    Curtis Chang begins by sharing a deeply personal story about struggling with his anxiety disorder as a senior pastor and how Go...