Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

This week, Open Doors, the international ministry to the persecuted church founded by Brother Andrew, released its annual World Watch List—the list of the 50 countries that most deny religious freedom and persecute Christians around the world. Listen in as Dr. Scott Rae interviews Dr. Ron Boyd-MacMillan on the state of the persecuted church in 2018. Dr. Boyd- MacMillan is Director of Strategic Research for Open Doors, International, and Professor of Practical Theology and Persecution Studies at Lahore College of Theology, in Pakistan. His research is a major contributor to the annual World Watch List.  Dr Ronald Boyd-MacMillan is Director of Strategic Research for Open Doors International, the world's largest organization assisting persecuted Christians worldwide, and a Professor of Practical Theology in Pakistan. He has enjoyed contrasting careers as a Bible smuggler in Cold War Eastern Europe, a pastor in England, a journalist in Hong Kong, a trainer of underground preachers in China and President of a speech tuition agency. He is the author of several books including Faith that Endures: The Essential Guide to the Persecuted Church.   Additional Resources Mentioned in the Podcast  Open Doors World Watch List   Faith That Endures: The Essential Guide to the Persecuted Church    Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/the-world-watch-list-and-the-persecuted-church  ==========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.

In this stimulating conversation with Dr. Russell Moore, Talbot Professor Dr. Scott Rae explores how to navigate the difficult terrain of meaningful cultural engagement while staying faithful to the Bible. Dr. Moore is the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the public policy and ethics think tank for the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. Dr. Moore is featured regularly in various news media and has become one of the leading spokespersons for Christian faith in public life. Join us for this insightful discussion.  Russell Moore serves as the eighth president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.  Moore’s book Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel was named Christianity Today’s Book of the Year in 2015. He has also written Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches and Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ. He also serves as Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics at Southern Seminary, having been previously dean and provost there.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2017/engaging-the-culture-without-losing-the-gospel  ==========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.

In part two of our conversation on race and the church, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae talk with Pastor Chris Brooks about the Black Lives Matter movement, the protests at NFL games and the notion of white privilege. Brooks is pastor of Evangel Ministries, a large and predominantly African-American church in the heart of Detroit. He is also the author of Urban Apologetics and Kingdom Dreaming and serves as Dean of Moody Theological Seminary, Michigan extension.   Chris Brooks is the senior pastor of Evangel Ministries, a thriving 1600-member church in the heart of Detroit. He also serves as campus dean of Moody Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. A popular Detroit radio host since 2005, Chris is 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.    Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2017/race-and-the-church-part-2  ==========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.

Issues around race continue to be front-page news both in the culture at large and in the church. In this episode and the one that follows, Scott Rae and Sean McDowell interview Chris Brooks, pastor of Evangel Ministries, a large and predominantly African-American church in the heart of Detroit. Pastor Brooks is also the author of Urban Apologetics and Kingdom Dreaming and serves as Dean of Moody Theological Seminary, Michigan extension. Join us for this stimulating conversation on race and the church.   Chris Brooks is the senior pastor of Evangel Ministries, a thriving 1600-member church in the heart of Detroit. He also serves as campus dean of Moody Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. A popular Detroit radio host since 2005, Chris is 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.    Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2017/race-and-the-church-part-1  ==========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.

In the midst of an alarming loss of civility in discussing debated and controversial issues, what’s needed is a restoration of the art of persuasion and reasoned argument. This applies both to the discussion of controversial issues, but also to the gospel message itself. In this second half of a two-part interview, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae talk to Os Guinness about his book Fool’s Talk: Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion. Dr. Guinness is an internationally known author and lecturer, who has modeled the craft of gospel persuasion throughout his life and work.  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/2017/the-art-of-christian-persuasion  ==========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 doesn't take much to notice that there are deep divisions in our society, and discussions about controversial issues often sound like shouting matches that sometimes turn violent. In other parts of the world, religious differences are often destructive and lead to violence, persecution and sometimes even terrorism. In this first half of a two-part interview, Scott Rae and Sean McDowell talk to internationally known author Os Guinness about his book, The Global Public Square, in which he addresses what he considers the most critical question of the day: How do we get along despite our deepest differences?   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/2017/getting-along-despite-our-deepest-differences    ==========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.

On Oct. 31, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses on the door of his church in Wittenburg, Germany. Alan Gomes, professor of church history at Talbot School of Theology, explains some of the most important parts of the legacy of the Reformation for today. Listen in as Scott Rae and Sean McDowell interview Alan on the relevance of the Reformation for today.  Dr. Alan Gomes is Professor of Church History at Talbot. He specializes in the history of Christian doctrine and in the theology of American religious cults. Gomes is series editor of the 15-volume Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements, and wrote three books in the series: Unmasking the Cults (the introductory volume to the series), Unitarian Universalism and Truth and Error: Comparative Charts of Cults and Christianity. He also edited an updated edition of W.G.T. Shedd's Dogmatic Theology (Presbyterian and Reformed Publishers, 2004). He has contributed articles to numerous journals, including Westminster Theological Journal, Trinity Journal, Presbyterion, and Christian Research Journal. Gomes has spoken at churches throughout Southern California and has been a featured guest on radio shows across the U.S.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2017/500th-anniversary-of-the-reformation  ==========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.

In anticipation of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Nov. 5), Scott Rae interviews David Curry, CEO of Open Doors, USA, one of the leading ministries serving the persecuted church around the world. Join us for a very revealing interview about what’s happening to the Christians around the world. And be sure to pray for the persecuted church, especially on Nov. 5.  David Curry is president and CEO of Open Doors USA, a nonprofit organization focused on serving persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries around the world. He previously served as CEO of The Rescue Mission, in Tacoma, Washington.    Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2017/state-of-the-persecuted-church  ==========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.

Talbot School of Theology professor Brandon Cash has served as chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the past seven years. Listen in as Scott Rae and Sean McDowell interview Brandon about his experience in this key role with the Dodgers, and how he’s able to minister to the players and coaches, especially during the pressure-packed World Series.  Professor Brandon Cash is Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot and co-pastor of Oceanside Christian Fellowship in El Segundo, California.  He has been the chaplain for the Dodgers for the past 7 years.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2017/faith-at-the-world-series  ==========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.

Josh McDowell has long been one of the leading spokespersons and apologists for Christianity, having spoken to hundreds of thousands of students all over the world. He’s just as excited about the gospel today as he was when he began his ministry in his 20s. He’s a great example of sustained faithfulness and consistent impact for God’s Kingdom. Scott Rae and Sean McDowell interview Josh about his long-lasting impact.  Josh McDowell is the author of over 150 books, including Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World. Learn more about his ministry at josh.org.  Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2017/5-decades-of-faithful-apologetics  ==========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.