Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

How can Christians think biblically about TV and movies? What kinds of entertainment should Christians consume? And can Christians survive and thrive in Hollywood today? These are the kinds of questions Sean and Scott ask their special guest, Biola professor and dean Tom Halleen, who has worked as an executive in Hollywood for over three decades. Tom Halleen, former executive vice president of pro...

This week, Scott & Sean discuss:  Biblical Perspective on Southern California Fires Exploring the theological implications of natural disasters, addressing questions about God's sovereignty and goodness amidst tragedy. Rising Global Anti-Semitism Report showing an alarming increase in anti-Semitic sentiments worldwide, especially among younger generations, and highlights the role of socia...

What does it mean to engage Jesus with our senses? What is an embodied approach to studying the life of Jesus as opposed to the way we normally read the gospel accounts? How could this change the way we encounter Jesus in the gospels? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Talbot colleague Jeannine Hanger in her new book, Engaging Jesus with Our Senses .  Dr. Jeannine Hanger is Ass...

For the first week of the new year, Sean & Scott discuss: Update on the wildfires in Southern California. Atheist author argues that true Christianity is key to saving America. The California Senate revisits expanding aid-in-dying laws to include dementia and Alzheimer's patients. AI’s role in selecting embryos raises significant ethical and moral questions about life and reproduction. Li...

What does it mean to say that we are body and soul both? Have the neurosciences done away with the soul? Are we little more than our physical stuff that is reducible to chemistry and physics? We’ll answer these questions and much more in our conversation with Stan Wallace around his new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology the Soul and Human Flourishing . Stan Wallace is Pres...

What new challenges have emerged to the family in the past few years? How is the family doing today versus in the past? What biblical principles must Christians keep in mind when thinking about the family today? These are a few of the questions we ask Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family. He discusses radical shifts in the modern family as well as gives practical ideas on how to pass on the...

Jordan Peterson is one of the leading intellectuals of our day. He is a mega-selling author, psychologist, and popular influencer. In this discussion, Sean and Scott review his latest book We Who Wrestle with God . They discuss key lessons and insights from the book, but also help listeners think biblically about some of Peterson's psychological insights.  ========== Think Biblically: Convers...

Topics this week:  Veterans are increasingly exploring psychedelic treatments in Mexico for trauma and brain injuries, raising medical, ethical, and spiritual questions. Syrian Christians face uncertainty and displacement following the rise of Islamist-led groups after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Over 1 million children in Nigeria are forced into hazardous lithium mining, sacrificing education an...

Who was the "real" Bonhoeffer and why has he left such an enduring legacy? What can we learn from his life today? And is the new film about his life, Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin, accurate? In this interview, we talk with Dr. Brant Himes, a professor and scholar who has studied the life and theology of Bonhoeffer for two decades. Brant is a full time faculty member at Los Angeles Pa...

This week, Sean & Scott discuss:  UK bans puberty blockers for children , citing insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy, sparking international comparisons and debate. OpenAI's new AI video generator, Sora , raises ethical and biblical questions about truth and technology's societal impact. Designer babies now teens , with many experiencing identity struggles, reveal the uninte...

The Barna Group has released a new alarming study about the extent and impact of pornography in the culture and the church . Some of the findings are truly eye-opening and disturbing. For example, 55% of practicing Christians reportedly believe that one can view porn and be sexually healthy. How did we get here, and what can we do about it? Sean and Scott discuss this new study and then give sugge...

This week, Scott and Erik Thoennes discuss:  IVF Mix-Up Drama: A heartbreaking in vitro fertilization mix-up forces two families to navigate moral, emotional, and relational challenges. Assisted Suicide Legalization: UK Parliament passes a bill legalizing assisted suicide, sparking debates on ethics, compassion, and the sanctity of life. Faith Amid Chaos: Players kneel to pray during a brawl after...

What makes Jesus so different than other religious leaders? How can you prove Christianity is true? How should we evaluate the claim that “Jesus changed my life.” We’ll answer these questions and much more as Sean and I discuss the revision that he and his dad, Josh McDowell recently did to the bestselling and impactful book, More Than a Carpenter .  ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on F...

With the Thanksgiving season upon us, we thought it fitting to do some theological and psychological reflection on gratitude. Join us for this stimulating conversation with Rosemead Professor Dr. Stacy Eltiti, as we explore dimensions of gratitude that you might not have thought about before. It can be applied all year round, not just during the Thanksgiving holiday. Dr. Stacy Eltiti is Associate...

This week, live from the Evangelical Theological Society Conference in San Diego, Scott & Sean discuss:  West Virginia amends its constitution to ban physician-assisted suicide, sparking a larger discussion on bioethics and cultural trends. Harvard's controversial " Sex Week " and a student's bold critique highlight the cultural longing for deeper meaning in human relations...

Is it really true that no area of culture, politics or economics where we prioritize what is best for children? What are some of the biggest cultural lies about masculinity and femininity that impact children? What are some of the main cultural misconceptions about the family that harm children? And how does green energy subsidization negatively impact children? We’ll answer these questions and mu...

Topics this week:  Scott & Sean dive into genetic discrimination, exploring gaps in U.S. laws that leave people vulnerable to genetic privacy violations by insurers.  Australia plans to ban social media for minors under 16, sparking debate on mental health vs. freedom and enforcement challenges.  Justin Welby resigns as Archbishop of Canterbury amid allegations he mishandled abuse reports, rai...

How should we think biblically about morality in today’s culture? What do we way to the skeptic who insists that morality is nothing more than a matter of one’s opinion? What is the moral argument for God’s existence? Why is God critical for a coherent view of morality? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, our colleague Dr Dave Horner around his new book with JP Moreland, (don’t l...

Topics this week include:  Reflecting on living with one another post-election , focusing on maintaining relationships amidst political differences . Discussion of a recent article exploring the challenges and necessity of unity within the church despite diverse political beliefs. Insights on balancing truth and grace in conversations, especially when discussing sensitive issues like abortion or d...

What do we mean by the phrase, sola Scriptura? What does it mean that the Bible is our authority for life today? How does that fit in a culture that emphasizes “my truth?” We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Dr, Ben Witherington around his new book Sola Scriptura: Scripture’s Final Authority in the Modern World .  Bible scholar Ben Witherington is Amos Professor of New Testament...

This week, Sean and Scott discuss:  A murdered teenager was resurrected as a chatbot , raising ethical and theological concerns about AI misuse. A Harvard study suggests that race matters less than it used to for achieving the American dream, with economic mobility improving for Black Americans. Young men in America are falling behind in education, employment, and mental health, facing a crisis of...

This week Sean and Scott continue the conversation about the morality of IVF. Don't forget to listen to Part 1, last week, when they defined and explained the nature of IVF and began the conversation about the moral permissibility of practicing it. This week, we uncover further differences and clarify the moral issues beneath the debate.  ========== Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith an...

This week's topics:  A tragic story about a 14-year-old's suicide raises questions about the role of AI in human relationships. Exploring the possibility of a religious comeback: Are we seeing signs of renewed interest in faith? Political word games and the language used by both sides to shape public perception. Listener questions on bridging ideological divides with family and engaging...

Is IVF ever morally permissible for Christians? And if so, what conditions must be met? Is it ever morally justified to freeze embryos? These are just a few of the questions Sean and Scott discuss in this first part of a two-part discussion on the morality of IVF. If you are looking for a substantive discussion about the case for and against IVF, you will enjoy this first part.  Join us next week...

This week, Scott & Sean discuss:  Italy criminalizes surrogacy abroad for its citizens, sparking controversy on LGBTQ rights and ethical surrogacy practices. The University of Michigan invests $250 million in DEI initiatives, but faces increased discord and skepticism over their effectiveness . A new prenuptial agreement feature introduces embryo clauses, addressing legal issues in the event o...