Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

As a former atheist from the Pacific Northwest, Mary Jo Sharp thought religion was for the weak-minded. But she was transformed by encountering Jesus in the New Testament. In this episode, Sean and Scott interview MJ about her latest book Why I Still Believe. She shares her journey to faith, including some difficult experiences she had adapting to church culture. Professor Sharp offers some powerful wisdom for engaging non-believers today.  Mary Jo Sharp is one of the leading apologists today. She travels and speaks widely, blogs regularly at confidentchristianity.com, and is the author of the new book Why I Still Believe. She holds a Masters in Christian Apologetics from Biola University and teaches at Houston Baptist University.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/why-i-still-believe  ==========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.

What are the most powerful ways culture influences the beliefs and behaviors of students? Should parents and other youth influencers be concerned, in particular, about the influence of the occult? Sean and Scott interview youth ministry guru Walt Mueller about the most pressing areas of concerning for both reaching and equipping the next generation. And they offer practical tools for any concerned adult for how to engage young people today.  Walt Mueller is the founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU) and has been working with young people and families for over 35 years. As a result of his work with CPYU, Walt has become an internationally-recognized speaker and author on contemporary youth culture. He has many resources on student culture available at CPYU.org.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/student-culture-and-the-occult  ==========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.

The end of life is not normally a subject we talk about that much, but it’s rare that we have someone who can approach it with the insight and sensitivity of our guest—Dr. Katie Butler. She approaches and clarifies many issues around the end of life from the perspective of a biblically centered physician who has specialized in critical care surgery in her practice. Join us for this helpful and practical discussion about something that we all will face.  Dr. Katie Butler is a trauma and critical care surgeon, who trained at Columbia and practiced for many years at Harvard. She is now home schooling her kids and writes for Desiring God, the Gospel Coalition and her own blog at Oceans Rise.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/between-life-and-death-reflections-on-the-end-of-life-from-a-trauma-surgeon  ==========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.

Progress in the development and application of artificial intelligence is coming at a rapid pace today, and is challenging not only our view of work in the future, but also our view of human persons. Can machines have consciousness like a person does? How about rationality? Moral reasoning? Creativity? Join us for this fascinating discussion with philosopher Dr. Mihretu Guta as he explains what artificial intelligence involves and how it impacts our view of what constitutes a human person.  Dr. Mihretu Guta is adjunct professor of philosophy at Biola University and Azusa Pacific University. He holds an MA in Philosophy from Talbot and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in the UK. He is the author/editor of several philosophical works, including, Consciousness and the Ontology of Properties. He has presented papers all over the world and published in several high level philosophical journals.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/artificial-intelligence-and-our-view-of-human-persons  ==========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.

Churches in North America today have over $1 trillion in assets that are significantly underutilized. The subtitle for this stimulating book is the topic of our conversation on this podcast — "Why tithes and offerings are no longer enough." Join us for this fascinating conversation about how churches can leverage their assets to serve the community and contribute to their financial sustainability.  Mark DeYmaz is pastor of Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, in Little Rock, Arkansas and president of the Mosaix Global Network and the convener of the National Multi-Ethnic Church Conference. He is the author of Disruption: Repurposing the Church to Redeem the Community, and Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/the-coming-revolution-in-church-economics  ==========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.

The wage gap between men and women in the workplace is the subject of ongoing debate and controversy. This gender wage gap is actually larger for older workers and there is a greater disparity in some specific industries. In addition, the "glass ceiling" for women in the executive suite is still a matter of intense discussion. Listen as economist Dr. Angela Dills explains the data behind the discussion and helps put this difficult issue in perspective.   Dr. Angela Dills is Professor of Economics and Gimelstob-Landry Distinguished Professor of Regional Economic Development at Western Carolina University. She is a specialist in the intersection of economics and social issues, as well as labor economics.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/the-gender-wage-gap   ==========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.

There seems to be a wider gap with this younger generation, dubbed Gen Z, than previous generations. This brings unique challenges to those who care about engaging the next generation. Sean and Scott interview Steven Argue about his new book Growing With. They discuss what makes engaging and reaching this generation so tough and offer some practical strategies for doing so effectively.  Get a free sample chapter of Steven's new book here: https://growingwithbook.com/think-biblically/   Steven Argue is an Associate Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University and has also worked in youth ministry and pastoral positions at the local church. Along with Kara Powell, Steven is the co-author of the recent book Growing With: Every Parent's Guide to Help Teenagers and Young Adults Thrive in their Faith, Family, and Future.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/growing-with-the-next-generation   ==========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.

It seems that every time an election season comes around, candidates decry growing economic inequality and demand for solutions to "make things more equal." In addition, it is not uncommon to hear about our economic system being rigged to favor the rich and powerful. Join us for this stimulating conversation with economist Dr. Anne Bradley, who put inequality in theological perspective and addresses the problems associated with crony capitalism.  Dr. Anne Bradley, Ph.D. is Vice President for Economic Initiatives for the Institute for Faith, Work and Economics in Washington, DC. She also serves as visiting Professor of Economics at Georgetown University and George Mason University. She the author/editor of Counting the Cost: Christian Perspectives on Capitalism, For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty and Be Fruitful and Multiply: Why Economics is Necessary for Making God-Pleasing Decisions.  Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/economic-inequality-and-crony-capitalism  ==========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.

After the sudden death of her husband, former major league pitcher and radio host Frank Pastore, his widow Gina Pastore was faced with how to pick up the pieces of what had become a shattered life. In her book, Picking Up the Pieces of My Shattered Life, Gina tells the fascinating story of their life together, and how she moved forward with her life after her loss. Join us for this touching conversation with Gina as she gives clues to recovering from devastating loss.  Gina Pastore is the host of her own Los Angeles based radio show, Real Life with Gina Pastore and David James, on KKLA Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. She speaks widely at churches telling her compelling story of her life with Frank and how she has moved forward after losing him.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/picking-up-the-pieces-of-my-shattered-life  ==========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.

What is the role of contemplation in the Christian life? In our busy and distracted age, how can we find time to connect with God through both prayer and reflection? In this interview, Sean and Scott talk with theologian Kyle Strobel about his book Embracing Contemplation. Strobel clears up some confusion about the nature of contemplation and offers some biblical and practical insights for embracing contemplation as part of the Christian life today.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2019/embracing-contemplation  ==========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.