Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

The guest in this episode is Matt Fradd, an author and speaker on the cultural analysis of porn. They discuss the impact of porn on relationships, debunk myths about it, and offer practical steps for parents. Topics include Matt's personal journey, societal pressures, and the importance of parental conversations about pornography.

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with Judge Ken Starr and Dr. Thomas Farr about the state of religious liberty today in America and beyond. How concerned should Christians be? What big issues are on the horizon? And how can Christians respond? Starr and Farr bring remarkable perspective and wisdom for thoughtful Christians today.  Thomas Farr is President of the Religious Freedom Institute and Director of the Religious Freedom Research Project at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center. He is associate Professor of the Practice of Religion and World Affairs at Georgetown’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.  A senior fellow at the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University, and at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton, N.J., Farr received a B.A. from Mercer University, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina.  Dr. Farr served for 28 years in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Foreign Service. In 1999 he became the first director of the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom. He subsequently directed the Witherspoon Institute's International Religious Freedom (IRF) Task Force, was a member of the Chicago World Affairs Council’s Task Force on Religion and U.S. Foreign Policy, and served on the Secretary of State’s IRF working group.  Ken Starr has had a distinguished career in academia, the law and public service. For six years, he served as the 14th president of Baylor University. He served as both President and Chancellor for three of those years. He currently is practicing law, writing articles of interest and serving as a guest commentator for various news programs.  Ken has argued 36 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including 25 cases during his service as Solicitor General of the United States from 1989-93. He served as United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1983 to 1989, as law clerk to Chief Justice Warren E. Burger from 1975 to 1977, and as law clerk to Fifth Circuit Judge David W. Dyer from 1973 to 1974. He was appointed to serve as Independent Counsel for five investigations, including Whitewater, from 1994 to 1999.  Judge Starr previously taught constitutional law as an adjunct professor at New York University School of Law and was a distinguished visiting professor at George Mason University School of Law and Chapman Law School. After graduating from San Antonio's Sam Houston High School, he earned his B.A. from George Washington University in 1968, his M.A. from Brown University in 1969 and his J.D. degree from Duke University Law School in 1973. He is admitted to practice in California, the District of Columbia, Virginia and the United States Supreme Court.   ==========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.

Sean recently had a public discussion with Bart Campolo, former evangelist and Christian social worker, who is now a leading secular humanist. They share and contrast their stories and discuss whether Christianity or secular humanism is the best explanation for moral values.  This is a bonus episode that first aired on Unbelievable? at Premier Christian Radio.  For more from Unbelievable?, be sure to check out their podcast, book, and upcoming conference.  Bart Campolo is an American humanist speaker and writer. He is the son of Tony Campolo, and was a pastor before transitioning from Christianity to secular humanism. Campolo is the co-founder of Mission Year and the author of several books including Kingdom Works: True Stories of God and His People in Inner City America and Things We Wish We Had Said, which he co-wrote with his father. His most recent book, Why I Left, Why I Stayed, also co-written with his father, is a reflection on both men's "spiritual odysseys and how they evolved when their paths diverged." He was the first Humanist Chaplain at the University of Southern California. Campolo hosts a podcast called Humanize Me.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/bonus-podcast-losing-faith-and-keeping-faith-sean-mcdowell-and-bart-campolo  ==========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 worldviews are competing for the hearts and minds of today’s students? What is unique about this generation? Sean interviews Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries, about how the church can best understand and reach Generation Z.  Dr. Jeff Myers is president of Summit Ministries, a highly respected worldview training program whose tens of thousands of graduates are making a difference in politics, law, academics, medicine, science, and business. In the last twenty years, Dr. Myers has become one of America's most respected authorities on youth leadership development.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/unique-worldview-challenges-for-students-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.

How does economics shape what it means to “love our neighbor”? How should theology shape our view of economics? In this episode, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae interact with Dr. Tom Nelson, who is the head of Made To Flourish, a network of pastors and local churches committed to integrating theology and work for the common good. They discuss pastor Nelson’s excellent book The Economics of Neighborly Love.  Dr. Tom Nelson is founding pastor of Christ Community Church in the Kansas City area and President of Made to Flourish, a pastor and church network committed to the integration of faith, work and economics for human flourishing and the common good.  He is the author of Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work, Five Smooth Stones: Discovering the Path to Wholeness of Soul, Ekklesia: Rediscovering God’s Design for the Church, and The Economics of Neighborly Love: Investing in Your Community’s Compassion and Capacity.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/economics-and-the-christian-faith  ==========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.

Christians find themselves today in an increasingly secular culture, which is sometimes even hostile to the faith. In this setting, what is the most biblical and effective means of persuasion? In this episode, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae talk with author of Winsome Persuasion and Biola University professor Tim Muehlhoff about what it means to communicate winsomely today. Tim offers practical ideas for having difficult and controversial conversations.  Dr. Tim Muehlhoff is Professor of Communication Studies at Biola. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina and is the author of seven books and has contributed chapters to six others.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/winsome-communication  ==========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.

Did God use evolution? Should Christians embrace evolution? In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with the leading intelligent design proponent Stephen Meyer about the new book Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique.  Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D. in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. A former geophysicist and college professor, he now directs Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture in Seattle. He has authored the New York Times best seller Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design (HarperOne, 2013) as well asSignature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design (HarperOne, 2009), which was named a Book of the Year by the Times (of London) Literary Supplement in 2009.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/theistic-evolution  ==========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 special release, Sean joins John Stonestreet, president of The Chuck Colson Center, and co-host of the BreakPoint Podcast, to discuss the Bible and homosexuality. John interviews Sean about his recent public dialogue with one of the leading “Gay Christian” voices in America.  John Stonestreet is President of the Colson Center and co-host (with Eric Metaxas) of the Breakpoint daily radio program. He is the author of five books on culture and a Christian worldview.  A Dialogue Between Sean McDowell and Matthew Vines on the Bible and Homosexuality   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/bonus-podcast-sean-discusses-the-bible-and-homosexuality-with-john-stonestreet  ==========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 second half of this two-part series, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae continue their conversation with pastor and author Caleb Kaltenbach. In this episode, they focus on Caleb’s new book The God of Tomorrow, which is about how trusting God’s sovereign plan for tomorrow while living with boldness and hope today.  Caleb Kaltenbach is the Lead Pastor of Discovery Church in Simi Valley, CA. He’s the author of Messy Grace and God of Tomorrow. In Messy Grace, Caleb writes about growing up in the LGBT community, finding Jesus, and learning that love doesn’t require a shift in theology.  He holds an MDiv from Talbot.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/christians-and-the-lgbtq-community-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.

There is often great fear, mistrust, and tension between the church and the LGBTQ community. How can Christians posture themselves in a biblical manner? In this episode, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae talk with pastor and author Caleb Kaltenbach about his book Messy Grace. As the son of two gay parents, Caleb has a unique voice on this issue today.  Caleb Kaltenbach is the Lead Pastor of Discovery Church in Simi Valley, CA. He’s the author of Messy Grace and God of Tomorrow. In Messy Grace, Caleb writes about growing up in the LGBT community, finding Jesus, and learning that love doesn’t require a shift in theology.  He holds an MDiv from Talbot.   Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2018/christians-and-the-lgbtq-community-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.