

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

Dec 5, 2022 • 34min
The Bible and Same Sex Marriage (with Rachel Gilson)
The Bible repeatedly uses the metaphor of marriage to illustrate the relationship between Christ and His church. How does that metaphor speak to the subject of same sex marriage? Does the use of that metaphor render same sex marriage impossible to harmonize with the Bible? Can transgender people fulfill the model of marriage laid out in Ephesians 5? Join Scott for this discussion with Rachel Gilson, author of Born Again This Way.Rachel Gilson serves on the leadership team for theological development and culture at Cru. She has an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and is working on her PhD at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of Born Again This Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith, and What Comes Next. Her writing has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Desiring God.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/the-bible-and-same-sex-marriage. ==========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.

Nov 17, 2022 • 40min
The Call to Follow (with Rick Langer)
There are lots of seminars on leadership but when is the last time you attended a seminar on “follower-ship?” Don’t we commonly think of followers as people who are not leaders? But that’s most of us, isn’t it? Maybe the Bible thinks of followership differently since all of are called to be followers of Jesus? Join Scott and Sean as they interview one of the co-authors, Rick Langer of the new book, The Call to Follow (co-authored with Joanne Jung).Rick is a Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology and the Director of the Office of Faith and Learning at Biola University. He specializes in the integration of faith and learning, and has also published in the areas of bioethics, theology and philosophy.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/the-call-to-follow. ==========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.

Nov 10, 2022 • 31min
Think Biblically about Think Biblically (Live Episode!)
At their recent live show, Sean & Scott discuss some of the thornier issues and questions they've run up against during their five years of recording the Think Biblically podcast.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/think-biblically-about-think-biblically. ==========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.

6 snips
Nov 3, 2022 • 44min
Thinking Biblically about Politics
Explore the fascinating intersection of faith and politics! The discussion delves into Christian responsibilities in civic engagement, emphasizing the moral framework for voting. It highlights the importance of compassion and empathy in political discourse, particularly on contentious issues like gun control and immigration. The relationship between biblical principles and modern political dilemmas is examined, along with the risks of political idolatry. Finally, a call for prayerful voting reaffirms allegiance to God and the common good.

Oct 31, 2022 • 1h 6min
[BONUS] Why Jesus Matters Today (with J. Warner Wallace)
Why did Jesus have such a big impact on history? How could one man so deeply influence art, architecture, history, music, and more? In this fascinating episode, Sean interviews cold case detective J. Warner Wallace about his latest book Person of Interest. This interview was first recorded on Sean's YouTube channel, which is in partnership with the Biola Apologetics program.J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He is an adjunct professor at Talbot School of Theology. He is the best-selling author of multiple books including Cold Case Christianity and Person of Interest.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/why-jesus-matters-today. ==========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.

Oct 27, 2022 • 32min
Live Episode! — Reaching the World for Christ (with Josh McDowell)
At a special event & live recording celebrating the 5-Year Anniversary of the Think Biblically podcast, Sean & Scott sit down with Josh McDowell to discuss his decades of legacy in reaching the world for Christ.This episode is also available as a video on Biola's YouTube channel.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/reaching-the-world-for-christ. ==========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.

Oct 20, 2022 • 31min
How to be a Patriotic Christian (with Richard Mouw)
What does it mean to love one’s country? If the powers that be are ordained by God, does that mean we should not criticize them? What about expressions of patriotism in our church worship? What about using religious language in celebrating national holidays? Is civil religion a bad thing? Join Scott and Sean for this discussion with Rich Mouw around his new book How to be a Patriotic Christian.Richard Mouw is President Emeritus and Senior Professor of Faith and Public Life at Fuller Seminary, and Senior Research Fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Religion and Politics at Calvin College. He is the author of more than 20 books including Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/how-to-be-a-patriotic-christian. ==========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.

Oct 17, 2022 • 1h 14min
[BONUS] Progressive Christianity vs. Evangelical Christianity
What is Progressive Christianity? Is it a branch of historic Christianity or something else? In this bonus episode, Sean has a conversation with Colby Martin, an author and progressive Christian pastor. They discuss how progressive Christians and evangelicals differ over the deity of Christ, nature of the Scriptures, and the resurrection of Jesus. This episode was first recorded on Sean's YouTube channel, which is in partnership with the Talbot Apologetics program.Colby Martin is Progressive Christian pastor and the author of multiple books including The Shift.Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/bonus-progressive-christianity-vs-evangelical-christianity ==========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.

Oct 13, 2022 • 34min
Finding Messiah (with Jen Rosner)
Jesus was a Jewish rabbi, who was the savior of the world but also celebrated Passover, taught in synagogues, wore Jewish vestments and ordered his life around the Jewish, not the Christian calendar. So what happened. How did the church forget that Jesus was an observant Jew? How has Jesus’ identity as Israel long promised Messiah become such a fuzzy concept in the church? How has Christianity wandered so far from the Judaism in which it was birthed? How does this Jewish background of Jesus help us understand the NT? Join Sean and Scott as they interview Jen Rosner about her new book, Finding Messiah. Jen Rosner is Affiliate Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. She also holds academic posts at the King’s University and the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute. She is the author of 4 books and speaks widely on the the Jewish background to Christian faith. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/finding-messiah ==========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.

Oct 11, 2022 • 27min
Strange New World (with Carl Trueman)
What is the heart of the sexual revolution and who are the key thinkers behind it? Given the tensions about sexuality and identity, how can Christians best respond in our cultural moment? In this episode, Sean and Scott interview Carl Trueman about his timely and important book Strange New World. Carl discusses key historical figures who have helped lead to the sexual revolution and how these ideas are practically manifest today. Carl Trueman is a professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College. He is a contributing editor for First Things, an esteemed church historian, and a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. He is the author of multiple books including Strange New World and The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2022/strange-new-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.