Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing World

In this episode, James and Nate welcom Sean McNamara, Chief Sports Officer for FCA. They discuss the ministry of FCA and the expanding arena of sports ministry. Sean talks about the changes he is seeing in the mission field, as well as offering insight into the ongoing importance of Christian coaches and players in taking Christ to the world.  If you are interested in supporting the Thinking Christian podcast or just getting a unique, seven lesson resource on Christian decision-making, click here.  You can also find more resources at usefultogod.com. You can find out more about FCA at fca.org. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does Job teach us about suffering, trauma, and faith? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes Dr. Michelle Keener, Associate Research Fellow at the Kirby Laing Center for Public Theology and Director of Discipleship at her church in Las Vegas. Dr. Keener is the author of Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors, and together, they dive deep into: 📌 Key Topics:✅ Why Job’s story is one of the most misunderstood books in the Bible✅ How trauma studies help us understand Job’s suffering✅ What Job’s friends got wrong—and how we often do the same✅ Why God’s response to Job is NOT what we expect✅ How churches can better support trauma survivors✅ Discipleship beyond conversion: What we’re missing✅ Balancing personal faith with Christian community 🎧 If you’ve ever wrestled with suffering, questioned God’s justice, or wondered how to support those in pain, this episode is for you. 🔗 Resources & Links:📖 Get the Book: Comfort in the Ashes –ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount).  🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com 📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation! For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes back Dr. May Young, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Biblical Studies at Taylor University, to discuss her newly published book, Walking with God Through the Valley: Rediscovering the Purpose of Biblical Lament. Together, they explore the ancient Near Eastern context of lament, its unique role in Scripture, and its relevance for modern Christians. Discover how biblical lament contrasts with the practices of Israel’s neighbors, emphasizing a direct and intimate relationship with God. Learn why lament is essential for cultivating hope and resilience and how neglecting it can subtly erode our faith. Dr. Young also shares practical insights on engaging with lament personally and communally, and how this spiritual practice can deepen our intimacy with God—even in life’s mundane and difficult moments. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation about rediscovering lament as a vital part of the Christian life. Plus, find out how to get 20% off Dr. Young’s book through InterVarsity Press using the exclusive discount code below.  To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here. You can purchase Dr. Young's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James welome Joe Beckler, Vice President of Development, Marketing, and Communications for Christian Business Men's Connection (CBMC). James and Joe discuss the unique work that Chrisitan executives and business men do, as well as the ongoing need for discipleship. They also consider the nature and process of discipleship as they think about how the body of Christ can be a light for the gospel in a fallen world.  If you are interested in supporting the Thinking Christian podcast or just getting a unique, seven lesson resource on Christian decision-making, click here.  You can also find more resources at usefultogod.com. You can find out more about CBMC at cbmc.com. They have a free discipleship resource available here.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of Thinking Christian, James and Nate reflect on their deep dive into the intersection of faith and politics throughout 2024 as we look ahead to the presidential inauguration. They explore how Christians can engage in politics while brining politcs under the authority of Christ. From insights on civil religion and Christian nationalism to the problem of making baseless theological assertions this conversation offers a biblical perspective on navigating politics in a broken world. Tune in to discover why discipleship, not division, should guide our response to political challenges. Links to past episodes on politics and faith and articles from James are included below. Articles: "We're On a Mission from God" (read here) "Is America a Christian Nation?" (read here) On boundaries and distinctions see "How Does Genesis 6 Explain the Mysterious Sons of God" (read here) Episodes: "Examining Christian Nationalism" (listen here) "Co-Opting Christ" (listen here) "How Christians Should Think about America: A Conversation with Peter Miller" (listen here) 🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com 📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation! For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James welcomes Brandon Robbins. Brandon is a pastor and YouTube content creator. James and Brandon discuss his forthcoming book titled The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus, the TV series The Chosen, and the way he thinks about pastoral ministry. Brandon offers encouragement for those who might be "on the fence" about The Chosen noting that he is seeing the show uncover a hunger for deeper biblical study.  If you are interested in supporting the Thinking Christian podcast or just getting a unique, seven lesson resource on Christian decision-making, click here.  You can also find more resources at usefultogod.com. To connect with Brandon visit https://www.brandonrobbinsministry.com. To pre-order his book, visit https://www.brandonrobbinsministry.com/book. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Show Description:In this episode of Thinking Christian, we explore the deeper purpose behind New Year's resolutions from a Christian perspective. Should Christians make resolutions? How can we align our goals with biblical wisdom and cultivate lasting transformation in the new year? Join host Dr. James Spencer as we dive into scripture, unpack common cultural views on resolutions, and discover how to set intentions that honor God. Tune in for a thoughtful and faith-driven approach to the New Year. 👉 Listen to more episodes: [Your Show Link]📖 Subscribe for biblical insights on living out your faith daily.🔗 [Link to your website or social media for further engagement] Keywords/SEO Focus:New Year's resolutions, Christian perspective on resolutions, biblical New Year goals, Christian living, faith-based self-improvement, Biblical wisdom for 2025, Christian mindset for the New Year. This description uses relevant keywords for both Christian-focused and resolution-based searches, while also offering clarity on what the episode will provide. It encourages engagement with clear calls to action (like subscribing or checking out more content). Let me know if you need any adjustments or additional details! If you are interested in supporting the Thinking Christian podcast or just getting a unique, seven lesson resource on Christian decision-making, click here.  You can also find more resources at usefultogod.com. You can also find James' article on New Year's resolutions on his author page at christianity.com. If you are interested in hearing more about the beatific vision, check out this episode of Thinking Christian.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This episode is a replay from last year's conversation between James and Richard Beatty about New Year's Resolutions. They discuss how to think about New Year's resolutions from a practical, goal-oriented perspective, as well as how to approach successes and failures. This episode is aimed at offering tips about pursuing behavior change and habit formation.  If you are interested in supporting the Thinking Christian podcast or just getting a unique, seven lesson resource on Christian decision-making, click here.  You can also find more resources at usefultogod.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James discusses New Years resolutions through the lens of Psalm 1. He describes the difference between approaching resolutions from the perpective of changing our behaviors or ourselves and positioning ourselves so that God can transform us. He also describes what he'll be doing over the next few episodes.  If you are interested in supporting the Thinking Christian podcast or just getting a unique, seven lesson resource on Christian decision-making, click here.  You can also find more resources at usefultogod.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, Dr. James Spencer considers Philippians 2. While it isn't a traditional "Christmas" text, Phillippians 2 offers some important backgrount regarding Jesus's decisions prior to the incarnation. The text offers insights into the nature of the incarnation and the characteristics Christians should adopt as they model their lives after Christ.  If you are interested in supporting the Thinking Christian podcast or just getting a unique, seven lesson resource on Christian decision-making, click here.  You can also find more resources at usefultogod.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.