Cultural Update: Sociogenomics; New Study on Gender Affirming Surgery; Future of Faith in America

This week, Sean and Scott discuss: 

• New Study on Gender Affirming Surgery – A major peer-reviewed study finds increased psychological distress post-surgery, sparking discussion on long-term mental health effects and the importance of pre-surgical mental health assessments.
• The Future of Faith in America – Pew data suggests the rise of the “nones” (religiously unaffiliated) has plateaued, but experts predict continued secularization due to generational shifts.
• The Nature vs. Nurture Debate Evolves – A look at sociogenomics, a new field exploring how genes and environment interact, raising ethical concerns about genetic selection in reproduction.
• Listener Question: Does the Bible Actually Forbid 1st Cousin Marriage?
• Listener Feedback: Are Adoptive Parents Heroes? – A listener challenges the idea of calling adoptive parents "heroes," prompting a discussion on the bittersweet realities of adoption.
• Listener Question: Shifting Pastoral Expectations – A pastor shares struggles with evolving church leadership roles, leading to a conversation on how pastors can navigate changing responsibilities.

Join us for ANCHORED: A Conference for Pastors, Church Leaders and the Community June 9-11, 2025. Hosted by Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in Southern California. Learn more and register at https://www.biola.edu/anchored 

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.