

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture
Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae
A weekly podcast that offers Christian perspectives on some of the most significant issues facing today's church and culture. In each episode, hosts Scott Rae and Sean McDowell — professors at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology — draw upon biblical wisdom and insights from guest experts as they explore how Christians can thoughtfully and faithfully engage with cultural trends and current events.
Episodes
Mentioned books

15 snips
Jun 8, 2023 • 48min
The Best Evidence for Jesus
What is the evidence, outside the Bible, that Jesus existed and was who He said He was? What is the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus? How was Jesus unique among other religious founders? And how do we know that the gospels are reliable records of first century history? Sean and Scott will answer these questions and many more as we discuss his new book, Evidence for Jesus.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/the-best-evidence-for-jesus ==========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.

Jun 5, 2023 • 55min
[BONUS] Christians and Pride Month
In this bonus episode, the host engages in a conversation with a lesbian YouTuber, discussing topics such as questioning alignment with the left, spiritual beliefs and views on Jesus, coming out as gay in a Christian family, the debate on whether Jesus was non-binary or transgender, self-love, spirituality, and comparative religion, and the possibility of genuine friendships between Christians and LGBTQ individuals.

Jun 1, 2023 • 44min
Can Basketball Save the World?
Have we been looking in the wrong place–politics and religion–when we should be looking to a sport to save us? In this (fun) episode, Sean and Scott discuss a recent book called How Basketball Can Save the World, by NYU professor David Hollander. They discuss certain life principles that can be garnered from basketball and assess the idea of whether or not basketball can save us.This episode is also available as a video on Biola's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/eF6TdBW_HusRead a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/can-basketball-save-the-world ==========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.

May 25, 2023 • 47min
Convictions and Kindness (with Russell Moore)
In our polarized culture, how do we hold our convictions with conviction, but also with kindness, so that our style doesn’t alienate people who might be open to a conversation about things that matter? In this joint podcast with the Winsome Conviction Project at Biola, Scott and WCP co-director, Dr. Tim Muehlhoff interview Dr. Russell Moore about his journey in this important area. Join Scott and Tim for this insightful interview with Dr. Moore.Russell Moore is Editor in Chief of Christianity Today and is the author of several books, including Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel, and the forthcoming book Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America (Penguin Random House). He was named in 2017 to Politico Magazine’s list of top fifty influence-makers in Washington, and has been profiled by such publications as the New York Times, the Washington Post, TIME Magazine, and the New Yorker.This episode is also available as a video on Biola's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/PocafOqMnEsListen to Russell Moore's previous episode on this podcast: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/convictions-and-kindness ==========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.

May 18, 2023 • 33min
Thinking Biblically About History (with Vern Poythress)
What is a biblical approach to history? While we often discuss contemporary cultural issues on this podcast, this episode we talk about how to think biblically about history itself by exploring what biblical principles approach how we think about the past. Our guest is Dr. Vern Poythress, author of Redeeming Our Thinking about History.Vern S. Poythress, Ph.D. Harvard University, is Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Biblical Interpretation, and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He has six academic degrees and has written numerous books and articles.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/thinking-biblically-about-history. ==========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.

May 12, 2023 • 45min
Jesus vs. Evangelicals
What is an evangelical? What does that term describe? Is it a movement that is contrary to the way of Jesus presented in the Bible? Has evangelical faith become too politicized? How should we understand Jesus’ saying that His Kingdom is not of this world? Join Scott and Sean for this important conversation, discussing the book Jesus v. Evangelicals by Constantine Campbell.This episode is also available as a video on Biola University's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/QE71cQ79i9URead a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/jesus-vs-evangelicals. ==========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.

May 9, 2023 • 34min
Apologetics in the City (with Chris Brooks)
What are the biggest barriers to faith in the urban setting? What are the most common counterfeit worldviews that are contending for the hearts and minds of people in the inner city? And how can Christians of all backgrounds partner with and learn from those doing apologetics in the city? These are just a few of the questions we explore with our guest, Chris Brooks, author of Urban Apologetics and grad of our Biola MA Apologetics program.Chris Brooks is the senior pastor of Woodside Bible Church, a multisite congregation across the Detroit metropolitan area. Chris served for 20 years as the senior pastor of Evangel Ministries, a thriving 1,600-member church in the heart of Detroit. He also served as the campus dean of Moody Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. A popular Detroit radio host since 2005, Chris is the author of Kingdom Dreaming and Urban Apologetics. He graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Finance, completed his MA in Christian Apologetics at Biola University, and graduated from the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Yodit, are the proud parents of six children: Christopher, Zewditu, Cameron, Judah, Sophia, and Christyana.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/apologetics-in-the-city. ==========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.

4 snips
Apr 27, 2023 • 29min
The Genesis of Gender (with Abigail Favale)
What is the difference between sex and gender? What does the Bible tell us about sex and gender? How is that different from the dominant narrative of our culture? How should Christians relate to those in the midst of gender dysphoria? Join us as we answer these questions and more with our guest, Abagail Favale and her new book, The Genesis of Gender.Dr. Abigail Favale is a writer and professor in the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. She has an academic background in gender studies and feminist literary criticism. Abigail's essays and short stories have appeared in print and online for publications such as First Things, The Atlantic, Church Life, and Potomac Review. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/the-genesis-of-gender. ==========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.

Apr 20, 2023 • 31min
Signals of Transcendence (with Os Guinness)
What happens to people when they start to wonder “is this is all there is to life?” Os Guinness calls that a signal of transcendence, but what exactly does that mean? How do the life stories of people like C.S. Lewis, G.K Chesterton, and Malcom Muggeridge provide examples of these small openings in the windows of the transcendent? Join us as answer these questions and more with our guest, Os Guinness, and his new book, Signals of Transcendence: Listening to the Promptings of Life.Os Guinness is an author, social critic, and great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer. Os has written or edited more than 30 books that offer valuable insight into the cultural, political, and social contexts in which we all live. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of London and his D.Phil in the social sciences from Oriel College, Oxford.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/signals-of-transcendence. ==========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.

Apr 13, 2023 • 50min
Book Review: A Transgender Man's Journey with Scripture
How can Christians best love their transgender friends, family members, and co-workers? How should Christians think about transgender ideology? In this discussion, Sean and Scott review the recent book, In The Margins: A Transgender Man's Journey with Scripture. They discuss gender stereotypes, preferred pronouns, and more.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/book-review-a-transgender-man-s-journey-with-scripture. ==========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.