Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Cultural Update: What Everyone Else Is Wrong About

Aug 2, 2024

Rick Langer, a thought-provoking co-host, dives into pressing cultural discussions. He and Scott analyze the tension between beliefs and actions within the American church. They tackle the complexities of sexual orientation, challenging the 'born this way' narrative, and explore AI's dual role as an ally and potential risk. The duo also scrutinize the influence of media and universities on public opinion, while addressing listener queries about faith, mental health, and the cost of true discipleship in Christianity.

01:00:04

Episode guests

Rick Langer

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The American church faces a critical tension between beliefs and actions, highlighting the need to prioritize virtue over divisive ideologies.

A nuanced perspective on sexual orientation challenges the 'born this way' narrative, emphasizing the influence of environmental factors alongside genetics.

The podcast critiques the notion that markets are infallible, advocating for institutions to uphold rigorous standards over catering to consumer preferences.

Deep dives

The Destiny of the American Church

The podcast discusses the critical tension between right beliefs and right conduct within the American church. It cites notable instances like the Robert Morris sexual abuse scandal and the enforcement of Louisiana's Ten Commandments law in public schools, illustrating how these issues highlight the divide between orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The emphasis is placed on the argument that having correct theology should naturally lead to ethical behavior, but historical evidence suggests this is often not the case. Conclusively, what should unify the church is a focus on virtue rather than divisive ideology.

Intro

4min

Navigating Faith and Morality

18min

The Complexity of AI and Humanity

16min

Cycles of Trust: Media and Higher Education

9min

Reassessing Prosperity: A Biblical Perspective on Suffering and Expectations

2min

The Cost of Discipleship

7min

Exploring Mental Health and Divine Judgment

4min

We're back with our Friday Weekly Cultural Updates. This week, Scott and guest co-host Rick Langer discuss a series of recent New York Times opinion pieces, including:

Faith vs. Conduct: Will the American church's destiny be defined by beliefs or actions.
Sexual Orientation: Challenging the "born this way" narrative.
AI Optimism: David Brooks argues that AI is an ally, not a rival, and highlights its potential to complement human capabilities.
Market Fallibility: How the market doesn't always get it right, with a focus on universities and media prioritizing customer desires over quality.
Listener Question: Christian Commitment: How to respond to those who follow Christianity only when convenient.
Listener Question: Rights vs. Obligations: Discussion on prioritizing obligations over rights from a Christian perspective, advocating for a love-centered approach.
Listener Question: Mental Health and Salvation: Consideration of the salvation of those with mental illnesses.

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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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