
Think Well
Training Christians to THINK WELL by curating conversations with Christian thinkers and giving a framework for engaging the culture with a biblical worldview.
Ryan Pauly has been working with students for over a decade as a high school teacher, missionary, and apologist. He is the Founder and President of Think Well, an organization focused on training Christians to engage the culture with a biblical worldview, and the Director of Immersive Experiences at MAVEN. Ryan holds a B.A. in theology and youth leadership from Vanguard University, an M.A. in Christian apologetics from Biola University, and is pursuing a doctorate in cultural engagement from Talbot School of Theology. Ryan lives in Southern California with his wife and two sons. He enjoys watching hockey, roasting coffee, and playing with his boys.
Latest episodes

Jun 4, 2024 • 1h 9min
Technology Challenges Our Ultimate Loves And Affections
Many believe the mistaken view that technology is neutral. It can be used for good or for evil, so technology itself must be neutral, right? The issue is that looking at the moral use of technology only considers one key factor. The moral question is important, but we also have to consider how technology is shaping reality and changing us. Today's episode will help you think well about technology from a biblical worldview.

May 28, 2024 • 58min
15 Life Lessons From True Crime (Cold-Case Homicide Detective J. Warner Wallace)
Cold-Case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace has been investigating murder cases for decades. What have these investigations taught him about life and the nature of people? What guiding principles help us to thrive and flourish as human beings? This conversation will look at valuable insights into our human condition that will help you better understand your own identity and the identity of your Creator.
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline-featured cold-case detective, popular national speaker, and bestselling author. Relying on over two decades of investigative experience, Wallace provides the tools needed to investigate the claims of Christianity and make a convincing case for the truth of the Christian worldview.

May 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
Making Sense of Scandals, Hypocrisy, and Doubt in the Church (Dr. Bobby Conway)
How do we make sense of Christianity? Why are there so many scandals in the church? Why is it filled with hypocrisy? Why do Christians struggle with mental illness instead of displaying the fruit of the Spirit? How can I believe in God or miracles today? Come join the conversation as we try to make sense of some of the most challenging questions related to Christianity.
Content Discussed:
0:00 Introduction
1:35 Why are so many struggling to make sense of Christianity?
5:02 Is deconversion more of a problem or is there hope with what you see?
9:15 How did your story influence this book?
13:05 What would you say to someone whose Bible reading is the cause of their doubt?
18:15 Are apologists setting up an unrealistic expectation with evidence?
22:33 Evidence and Experience are both necessary
24:00 Why are there so many scandals in the church?
26:41 What can we say to those who have been hurt by those in spiritual authority?
31:15 How do you make sense of the Holy Spirit changing hearts yet not seeing the change in Christians?
37:29 How do you speak to hypocrisy in the church?
41:14 Is there reliable evidence for God's existence?
47:18 How can Jesus be the only way to heaven when so many people haven't heard?
53:47 How can we believe in miracles today?
57:11 How would you encourage those who are struggling to make sense of Christianity?

Apr 11, 2024 • 1h 6min
God Exists Because I Experience Him (Atheist Book Response, Part 7)
Does your personal relationship with God count as evidence of His existence, or is there a natural explanation for what Christians experience? Do Christians only see what they want to believe and therefore support the beliefs they already hold? Atheist Armin Navabi addresses the argument "I feel a personal relationship with God, so I know that he is real" in chapter 7 of his book, "Why There Is No God." Today's show will consider his objections as we look at how our relationship with God can be evidence of his existence. Send in your questions for the Q&A at the end and enjoy the discussion!

Mar 27, 2024 • 1h 5min
Answered Prayer As Evidence For God (Atheist Book Response, Part 6)
Can answered prayers be used as evidence for God's existence, or is prayer nothing more than an illusion or placebo effect? Does it help or does it have harmful effects? We continue our series with chapter 6 from Armin Navabi's book, "Why There Is No God."
Content:
0:00 Intro
2:25 What have we covered before?
3:50 The big objection against prayer
5:50 Can prayer be used as evidence for God's existence?
9:38 What do scientific experiments show us about the effectiveness of prayer?
22:15 Why is it problematic to study prayer scientifically?
28:35 Do Christians suffer from confirmation bias?
31:20 Looking for scientific evidence presents a narrow view of knowledge
33:30 Is prayer self-contradictory?
34:45 Does God care about the small problems in your life?
42:04 Why doesn't God always answer prayer?
49:10 When prayer can be used as evidence for God
52:15 Are there harmful effects of prayer?

Feb 27, 2024 • 1h 6min
Faith and Culture with A Deconstructed Christian (Tim Whitaker of the New Evangelicals)
How should Christians think about cultural issues, and how can we have better conversations with those who think differently? The goal of today's show is to give you different perspectives on cultural issues while modeling a healthy disagreement. Come join the conversation and bring your questions!
Tim Whitaker is the creator and facilitator at The New Evangelicals. Growing up, Tim always felt at home in evangelical spaces – until years later, when his studying and questions caused him to no longer be welcomed at in his church community. Brokenhearted, but undeterred, Tim continued to pursue a deeper understanding of faith, history, theology and the evangelical church. The more he uncovers, the more he realizes the importance of advocating for the marginalized in the church, exploring the full depth and breadth of Christian faith traditions, and holding toxic churches and leaders accountable.

Feb 21, 2024 • 56min
Your Beliefs Do Not Change Reality (Atheist Book Response, Part 5)
The majority of people around the world believe in some sort of god. Can this be used to show that God exists? Does the fact that religious beliefs are so widespread prove that something about religion is true? Atheist Armin Navabi addresses these questions in chapter 4 of his book, "Why There Is No God." Let's take a deep look and see if the spread of religion means that God exists.

Feb 17, 2024 • 1h 3min
Can Atheists Be Good People? (Atheist Book Response, Part 4)
Atheist Armin Navabi writes that "moral standards, as we understand them, are social constructs. They are tied intimately to cultural circumstances and can change over time." Christians claim that morality comes from God. Which is true?
Let's take a deeper look at chapter 4 of "Why There Is No God" by Armin Navabi and see how Christians and atheists approach the topic of morality.

Feb 7, 2024 • 1h 4min
Are Miracles Only Cheap Magic Tricks? (Atheist Book Response, Part 3)
Atheist Armin Navabi writes that "a person surviving a disease believed to be terminal only shows that the disease may not be fully understood or that the prognosis was not accurate." Using miracles as evidence for God would be an argument from ignorance. Because, "no matter how unlikely an event is, it doesn't mean that a supernatural explanation would be more likely." to claim that the Bible is evidence for God is the fallacy of begging the question and is no different than saying, 'This is true because I believe it." He goes on to say, "Just because something is written in a book does not mean that it's true." Is this what Christians are doing when they claim that God's existence is proven by Scripture? Can the Bible be used in our case for God's existence?
Let's take a deeper look at chapter 3 of "Why There Is No God" by Armin Navabi and see how we can better understand his points and respond to his arguments. I hope to show you how Christians can use miracles as evidence for God. An open Q&A will follow my discussion of the chapter.

Jan 27, 2024 • 58min
Why Christians Can Use The Bible As Evidence For God
Atheist Armin Navabi writes that to claim that the Bible is evidence for God is the fallacy of begging the question and is no different than saying, 'This is true because I believe it." He goes on to say, "Just because something is written in a book does not mean that it's true." Is this what Christians are doing when they claim that God's existence is proven by Scripture? Can the Bible be used in our case for God's existence?
Join the show as we discuss chapter 2 of "Why There Is No God" by Armin Navabi. In this book, Armin gives simple responses to 20 common arguments for the existence of God. This series will cover all 20 arguments, one chapter at a time. Do his objections stand up to cross-examination? Join me and find out. An open Q&A will follow my discussion of chapter 2.