Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing World

In this episode, James welcomes Bill Nienhuis, CEO and President of Childcare Worldwide. James and Bill discuss the lives of children in various locations around the world. While children and families face pressures everywhere, there are also a number of lessons to be learned from the church overseas.  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 find ways to get involved at Childcare Worldwide at https://childcareworldwide.org/. Sponsor a child ($42/mo): https://childcareworldwide.org/sponsor?t=0154&c=0154 Send a child to Life Center ($25/mo): https://childcareworldwide.org/project/life-center-membership?t=0154&c=0154 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James and Nate discuss the politics of the day. They attempt to differentiate between civic and sacred acts in relation to voting, as well as encouraging Christians to recognize the symbolic "freight" that certain candidates carry for wins and losses.  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. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James welcomes Sarah E. Westfall. Sarah is the author of The Way of Belonging. James and Sarah discuss the idea of belonging, how it differs from fitting in, and the way that our relationship with God and our own self-awareness helps us cultivate a sense of belonging in the various contexts of our lives. 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 Sarah's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). To find out more about Sarah, visit www.sarahewestfall.com.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James welcomes Fred Pry, Vice President of Administration at Child Evangelism Fellowship. James and Fred discuss the ministry of CEF, the various resources CEF makes available to share the gospel with children, and the ways CEF has navigated legal obstacles and other forms of oppostion (including opposition from a Satanic Temple) to share the gospel with kids in public spaces.  For more from James, visit usefultogod.com.  To find out more about Child Evangelism Fellowship, visit https://www.cefonline.com/. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James welcomes David Koyzis back to Thinking Christian to discuss the use of the psalms in the liturgy of the church. Davis is affiliated with Global Scholars Canada and is engaged in an international academic ministry of writing, researching, lecturing, and conversing with readers of his books. He is the author of Political Visions and Illusions and We Answer to Another: Authority, Office, and the Image of God. He taught undergraduate political science for thirty years. In addition to his other work, David writes a blog and does on the liturgical use of the psalter. James and David discuss the importance of the psalms to the life of faith, the resources available to guide Christians through the psalter, and the various benefits of daily Christian prayer at the corporate level. To hear more from James, visit usefultogod.com. To purchase The Book of Common Prayer, visit amazon.com.  You can read more about David's work with the psalter on his blog at https://genevanpsalter.blogspot.com/p/koyzis-genevan-psalter-project.html.  For the specific resources noted in the podcast, see below:  For the specific resources noted in the podcast, see below:  Cranmer's liturgical legacy The Alter Psalter: a review Where Alter's Psalter falters The Daily Office Genevan Psalter Project (1985-2021) God as Judge: Praying the Imprecatory Psalms Gelineau psalmody Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, James looks at Genesis 11:1-9, which is often reffered to as the Tower of Babel narrative. After making several observations about the text, James offers an interpretation of the narrative that connects it to God's call of Abram in Genesis 12.  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. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James speaks with Caleb Campbell, author of Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor. James and Caleb discuss the various challenges associated with Christian nationalism, some of the theological errors associated with the movement, and how to go about interacting with Christian nationalists to encourage a more faithful perspective in which pointing to and glorifying the Triune God takes first place. For more from James on Christian nationalism and other topics, visit usefultogod.com or pick up his book titled Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness at amazon.com. Be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you don’t miss an episode! To purchase Disarming Leviathan, visit ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also check out disarmingleviathan.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, Carmen Joy Imes returns to talk about her book titled Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters. James and Carmen talk about the importance of the Old Testament, the way the Ten Commandments are often misunderstood and misapplied, and how bearing God's name shapes the message of the Old and New Testaments.  For more from James visit usefultogod.com or pick up James's new book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness at amazon.com. You can purchase Carmen's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also follow her on YouTube.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James talks with Miranda Zapor Cruz who is a professor of hisotrical theology at Indiana Weslyan University and author of Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. James and Miranda discuss various perspectives on Christians and politics, as well as the way Christian nationalism harms Christianity.  For more from James visit usefultogod.com or pick up James's new book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness at amazon.com. You can purchase Miranda's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also find her blog at https://mirandazaporcruz.com/.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James talks with fellow Old Testament scholar Michael Rhodes about biblical justice. Michael is the author of Just Discipleship: Biblical Justice in an Unjust World and Formative Feasting, Practicing the King’s Economy. He also has numerous articles in Christianity Today and The Biblical Mind. He spent more than fourteen years in community development in urban ministry work. He is ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and is currently a lecturer in Old Testament at Carey Baptist College. James and Michael discuss a variety of ideas associated with biblical justice including the interrelationship between the church and governing authorities, the narratives of Joseph and Daniel, and David's final words to Solomon.  To connect with James visit usefultogod.com. If you are interested in the interrelationship of Christians and politics, check out his new book titled Serpents and Doves on amazon.com or the Serpents and Doves course here. To purchase Michael's book visit 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.