

Digital Public Square
Jason Thacker
Conversations on theology, ethics, and philosophy in the public square hosted by Jason Thacker
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 27, 2021 • 37min
A conversation with Dr. Matthew Kaemingk about public theology and ethics
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Matthew Kaemingk, an ethics and theology professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and editor of Reformed Public Theology: A Global Vision for Life in the World. Today, we talk about a reformed vision for public theology and ethics.Meet Dr. Kaemingk: Dr. Matthew Kaemingk is a public theologian who explores questions facing Christians serving in politics, culture, and the marketplace. He teaches ethics and public theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he holds the Richard John Mouw Chair of Faith and Public Life. He also serves as a research fellow at the Center for Public Justice.Resources:Reformed Public Theology by Matthew KaemingkWork and Worship by Matthew KaemingkLectures on Calvinism by Abraham KuyperCalvinism for a Secular Age by Robert and Jessica JoustraAll That God Cares About by Richard MouwWhen the Kings Come Marching in by Richard MouwCulture Making by Andy Crouch

Sep 20, 2021 • 1min
The Digital Public Square Trailer
Starting September 27th, we are relaunching WeeklyTech as the Digital Public Square podcast. Starting next week, I will be joined by some of our society's most influential thinkers and leaders to talk about the pressing issues of theology, ethics, and philosophy in the public square. If you already have subscribed, you will automatically get the new episodes or you can subscribe here.

Sep 13, 2021 • 38min
A conversation with Jeremy Peckham on ethics and artificial intelligence
In this episode, I am joined by Jeremy Peckham, author of the recent book Masters or Slaves? AI and the Future of Humanity. We talk about ethics and artificial intelligence.Meet Jeremy: Mr. Peckham has spent much of his career in the field of artificial intelligence, and founded his first company in 1993 which was listed on the London Stock Exchange. He is part of a growing network of Christians in Europe and North America interested in AI and has spoken regularly at the Annual European Leadership Forum.Resources:Masters or Slaves? by Jeremy PeckhamMasters or Slaves? Study Guidejeremypeckham.com

Sep 7, 2021 • 32min
A conversation with Dr. David Koyzis on political ideologies and the Christian worldview
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. David Koyzis, a Global Scholar for Global Scholars Canada and author of Political Visions and Illusions: A Survey and Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies.Meet Dr. Koyzis: David T. Koyzis taught politics for thirty years at Redeemer University College. He is the author of the award-winning Political Visions and Illusions (also translated into Portuguese and shortly to be translated into Spanish as well) and We Answer to Another: Authority, Office, and the Image of God.Resources:Political Visions and Illusions by David KoyzisCreation Regained by Albert WoltersWhy Liberalism Failed by Patrick DeneenThe Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl TruemanA conversation with Dr. Carl Trueman on the modern self and the sexual revolution

Aug 30, 2021 • 30min
A conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro on how to read the news better
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, associate professor of English at Grove City College and the author of a new book entitled Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News.Meet Dr. Bilbro: Jeffrey Bilbro is the editor-in-chief of Front Porch Republic and associate professor of English at Grove City College. He holds a PhD from Baylor University. He has written for Christianity Today, First Thing, Comment Magazine, and The Gospel Coalition. He is also the author of Loving God’s Wildness: The Christian Roots of Ecological Ethics in American Literature and Virtues of Renewal: Wendell Berry’s Sustainable Forms.Resources:Reading the Times by Jeffrey BilbroBreaking Bread with the Dead by Alan JacobsThe Tech-Wise Family by Andy CrouchTools for Conviviality by Ivan IllichWalden or Life Without Principle by Henry David Thoreau

Aug 24, 2021 • 33min
A conversation with Dr. Evan Lenow and Dr. Mark Liederbach on ethics as worship
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Evan Lenow of Mississippi College and Dr. Mark Liederbach of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We talk about their new book Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship.Meet Dr. Lenow: Dr. Evan Lenow serves as the Director of Church and Minister Relations at Mississippi College. He also serves as the Director of the Clinton Extension of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to arriving at Mississippi College, he served as Associate Professor of Ethics and Director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian ethics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.Meet Dr. Liederbach:Dr. Mark Liederbach serves as Professor of Theology, Ethics and Culture, Vice President for Student Services, and Dean of Students at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a PhD from the University of Virginia. He is the author of Chasing Infinity: Discipleship as the Pursuit of Infinite Treasure; Defending the Faith, Engaging the Culture and True North: Christ, The Gospel, and Creation Care.Resources:Ethics as Worship by Mark Liederbach and Evan LenowIntroduction to Biblical Ethics by David W. JonesDoctrine of the Christian Life by John FrameChristian Ethics by Wayne GrudemCounter Culture by David PlattBasic Christian Ethics by Dan Heimbach (forthcoming)

Aug 16, 2021 • 36min
A conversation with Dr. Keith Stanglin on christian ethics and technology
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Keith Stanglin of the Center for Christian Studies in Austin, Texas and the author of a new book entitled Ethics Beyond Rules: How Christ’s Call to Love Informs our Moral Choices.Meet Dr. Stanglin: Keith D. Stanglin (PhD, Calvin Theological Seminary) is Director of the Center for Christian Studies in Austin, Texas, and professor of theology at Heritage Christian University in Florence, Alabama. He is author of several books, including The Letter and Spirit of Biblical Interpretation, The Reformation to the Modern Church, and Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace.Resources:Ethics Beyond Rules by Keith StanglinWhat We Can’t Not Know by J. BudziszewskiThe Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl TruemanBrave New World by Aldous Huxley1984 by George OrwellFahrenheit 451 by Ray BradburyAmusing Ourselves to Death by Neil PostmanTechnopoly by Neil Postman“A conversation with Dr. Carl Trueman on the modern self and the sexual revolution“

Aug 9, 2021 • 31min
A conversation with Dr. Christian Miller on the virtue of honesty
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Christian Miller, professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University and director of the Honesty Project. We talk about his new book from Oxford University Press, Honesty: The Philosophy and Psychology of a Neglected Virtue.Meet Dr. Miller: Christian B. Miller is the A. C. Reid Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University. He is currently the Director of the Honesty Project. He is the author of over 100 academic papers as well as four books, including Moral Character: An Empirical Theory (2013), Character and Moral Psychology (2014), The Character Gap: How Good Are We? (2017), and Moral Psychology (2021). He is a science contributor for Forbes, and his writings have also appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News, Slate, The Conversation, Newsweek, and Christianity Today. Resources:Honesty by Dr. Christian MillerNichomachean Ethics by AristotleSelected Writings by Thomas AquinasThe Road to Character by David Brooks“A conversation with Dr. Matthew Arbo on public theology and virtue ethics”

Jul 6, 2021 • 27min
A conversation with Dr. Gregg Allison on human embodiment
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Gregg Allison, professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and we talk about his new book, Embodied: Living as Whole People in a Fractured World.Meet Dr. Allison:Gregg Allison received his PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of many books, including 50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith, The Baker Compact Dictionary of Theological Terms, Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine, and Sojourners and Strangers: The Doctrine of the Church. He serves as secretary of the Evangelical Theological Society and is a book review editor for the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. Gregg is also a pastor of Sojourn Community Church.Resources:Embodied by Preston SprinkleWonderfully Made by John KleinigLove Thy Body by Nancy PearceyFor The Body by Timothy TennantWhat God Has to Say about Our Bodies by Sam AllberryEmbodied by Gregg Allison

Jun 28, 2021 • 42min
A conversation with Patricia Shaw on AI ethics and online governance
In this episode, I am joined by Patricia Shaw, an AI ethics, strategy, policy, and governance consultant, who serves as CEO of Beyond Reach Consulting Limited based in the UK. We talk about AI ethics, digital privacy, and online governance.Meet Patricia:Trish has over 20 years’ experience as a Solicitor advising on data, technology, financial services, and regulatory/government affairs. As a writer and public speaker, Trish is an expert adviser on numerous governance initiatives and guidelines in the European Union.She is also the Chair of the UK’s Society for Computers and Law, on the Board of the iTechlaw, as well as Vice Chair of iTechlaw’s AI Committee, and is on the steering committee of Women Leading in AI. She has recently been listed as one of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics™.She is particularly concerned about the role AI and automated decision making can have on individuals, people groups, society, and the planet. As a Christian, she is passionate about raising awareness of AI and being an advocate of responsible AI, AI governance and AI ethics policy regulation mainly in and through the Homo Responsiblis Initiative.Resources:“Principled Artificial Intelligence” by The Berkman Klein Center at Harvard UniversityA conversation with Dr. Jacob Shatzer about transhumanism, technology, and parentingThe Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana ZuboffMasters or Slaves? by Jeremy PeckhamToo Much Information? by Andrew Graystone