Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Faith for the Curious (with Mark Matlock)

Sep 24, 2024

Mark Matlock, a senior fellow at Barna and author of Faith for the Curious, explores the fascinating world of spiritual curiosity. He reveals that around 54% of people are spiritually open, highlighting the importance of engaging them with understanding and dialogue. The discussion includes how Christians can balance certainty with curiosity for deeper faith. Mark emphasizes relational evangelism and shares personal anecdotes about connecting with skeptics through meaningful conversations. He also reflects on historical insights from early church thinkers like Augustine.

32:45

Episode guests

Mark Matlock

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Around 54% of Americans are spiritually curious, seeking genuine discussions about faith without feeling pressured for instant conclusions.

Practicing Christians often prioritize certainty, which can create a disconnect with the spiritually curious who thrive in open, exploratory conversations.

Deep dives

Understanding the Spiritually Curious

A significant portion of the American population, about 54%, falls into the category of spiritually curious individuals. These individuals are not dogmatic about their beliefs regarding the supernatural; instead, they entertain the possibility of a higher power or spiritual existence. This distinguishes them from both practicing Christians, who make up around 20%, and a small group of naturalists who deny any supernatural elements entirely. This demographic is characterized by a broad spectrum of beliefs, including those who are actively exploring spirituality, and those identified as curious skeptics who remain unsure yet open to discussions about faith.

Intro

4min

Exploring Spiritual Curiosity in Secular Culture

12min

Curiosity and Certainty in Christian Faith

3min

Nurturing Faith Amid Skepticism

10min

The Complex Relationship Between Curiosity and Faith

4min

Are there non-Christians who are genuinely open to hearing about the Christian faith? According to Mark Matlock, author of Faith for the Curious, there is a large segment of people who are genuinely spiritually curious. But, the key is to understand them accurately and to engage them in the right way. In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with Mark about how to understand and engage those today who are spiritually open and curious.

Mark Matlock is Senior Fellow at Barna and a facilitator of innovation and impact. He has been working with, and researching, young people for three decades. Mark is the Executive Director of the Urbana Student Missions Conferences. He attended Biola in the late 1980s.

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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.

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