Faith & Clarity - Biblical Perspectives and Biblical Wisdom on News & Cultural Issues

As Christians, have we lost our religion? Evangelical altar calls are urgent invitations to respond to the Holy Spirit and the truth of God with humility, repentance, trust, and renewed obedience. Why do American evangelical Christians need to hear and answer such a call? Have some evangelicals turned things like influence, authority, credibility, and stability into idols? How can Christians become better missionaries to our current culture rather than cultural warriors? Our guest Dr. Russell Moore deals with these and other questions in his newest book, Losing our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America. Dr. Moore also briefly discusses events happening in Israel. Topics (02:08) Defining evangelical and “altar call” (07:18) How do altar calls frame your book? (12:47) “What is not repaired is repeated” (18:36) When good becomes a god (24:11) Why we shouldn’t be culture warriors (32:10) On disagreement and dehumanizing (37:29) Are Christians moving away from seeking political power? (46:08) Moving past romanticized nostalgia (48:39) On the war in Israel Resources Transcript (PDF) Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, Russell Moore The best and worst of evangelical Christianity in America: An excerpt from Losing Our Religion by Russell Moore American Christians Should Stand with Israel under Attack, Russell Moore ‘Bothsidesism’ About Hamas Is a Moral Failure, Russell Moore About Russell Moore Russell Moore is Editor in Chief of Christianity Today and is the author of Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America and many other books. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

When your children ask hard questions about conflict in the Middle East, what will you say? Parents and grandparents may feel overwhelmed and underprepared when it comes to talking about the ongoing crisis in Israel, but children are still affected by what they see and hear—and they often see and hear much more than we think, especially in our media-saturated culture. So how much should you share? How can you educate yourself on the conflict to speak confidently about it? To speak biblically about it? And how can we encourage our children to make a difference where they live even when war seems so far away? Steph Thurling, Executive Director of Christian Parenting, talks with Denison Ministries CEO Dr. Jim Denison. Together, they offer keen biblical insight and practical ways to talk about this crisis with your children and grandchildren. Topics (01:48) A very short history of Israel and Palestine|  (04:21) Who’s occupying whom? (08:30) The difference between Palestine and Hamas (12:38) Why is Israel so important to so many? (14:43) What does the Bible say about the current crisis in Israel? (17:20) How can we talk with our kids about the Israel crisis? (24:10) How can families show support for Israel? (27:25) More resources on the crisis in Israel (29:54) A prayer for the Middle East Resources Transcript (PDF) Talking with your kids about the war in Israel, Steph Thurling The Christian Parenting Podcast Network The latest Denison Forum content on the Israel crisis Radical Islam: What You Need to Know, Jim Denison Texas Baptist Men Red Cross State Department Travel Advisories: Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Council on Foreign Relations A Middle East Wake-Up Call, (paywall) Walter Russell Mead About Steph Thurling Steph Thurling is executive director of Christian Parenting, host of The Christian Parenting Podcast, and a mom of three amazing kids! Steph has her master’s in youth, family, and culture from Fuller Theological Seminary and has a background in youth and children’s ministry. She is co-author of Raising Prayerful Kids, a book that shares easy, life-giving, and fun ways to teach kids to pray. She loves helping families grow closer to each other and to God through meaningful experiences and conversations. Steph is a frequent speaker at churches and mom groups and is known for her relatable stories, practical ideas, and gentle encouragement. About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.  

Dr. Jim Denison shares biblical insight and expert knowledge on the many questions swirling around the ongoing war in Israel: What is a kibbutz, and why was one so brutally attacked by Hamas? Is Hamas really a terror organization, or are they an oppressed group fighting for legitimate survival? Does Hamas truly and rightfully represent the Palestinian people, or are they self-appointed power mongers who refuse free elections and retain power by intimidation? If a group is oppressed or attacked, are all means of retaliation legitimate? Is all of history the story of one person oppressing another or one group or nation oppressing another? Does God love Palestinians and Israelites? Resources ●      Unedited transcript (PDF) ●      How can we pray for Israel? Foundations with Janet ●      Talking with your kids about the war in Israel, Christian Parenting ●      Current DF resources on the war in Israel About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.  

The crisis between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas based in the southern region of Israel called Gaza is now in its fifth day. News media includes startling reports of horrific atrocities by Hamas. The Israeli government and military are mobilizing for a strong and significant response. Innocent people and children on all sides are caught in the middle. Countries around the world are on heightened alert as more violence is feared. Blame is being randomly assigned. How should Christians understand this conflict from a biblical perspective? How can people be so cruel and brutal to each other? Where can we find hope as we watch and pray and seek to help? Additional resources: Unedited transcript (PDF) Current DF resources on the war in Israel

As war in Israel begins, questions abound. What is the crisis in Israel? Who is Hamas, and why did they attack Israel? How is Israel responding? Why should Christians care, and how should we pray and help? What might this new conflict mean for larger nations? How is faith and religion sometimes used as a cloak to cover a relentless pursuit of power? Dr. Jim Denison discusses these and other critical issues connected to the new war between Israel and Hamas. Note: This episode was recorded on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Topics ●      Who is Hamas? | 03:02 ●      How does Hamas view Christians? | 05:15 ●      Understanding Israel’s geography | 07:21 ●      Defining “occupied territory” | 12:30 ●      Why did Hamas attack now? | 19:10 ●      What are the larger ramifications of war in Israel? | 21:59 ●      Defining radical Islam | 29:14 ●      Cloaking power in religious garb | 36:08 ●      How should Christians view this conflict? | 41:46 ●      A prayer for the crisis | 51:25 Resources ●     Unedited transcript (PDF) ●     War in Israel resource page ●     Hamas and Radical Islam: What Christians need to know ●     How did the war in Israel happen? Israeli intelligence failures and spiritual warfare ●     “This is our 9/11”: Why did Hamas attack Israel? What comes next? ●     How to think biblically about Israel About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.  

Can our faith be as bold as the first Christians’ faith? The Holy Spirit who moved through the first-century church is still the same today. God’s power is still just as powerful. So why aren’t most of us experiencing his power in our churches and in our personal lives? Dr. Jim Denison joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss Bold Faith: First-Century Lessons for Twenty-First-Century Christians, his biblical commentary on the Book of Acts. Topics How should we discuss the book of Acts? | 02:28 How do we discern abiding truth within the narrative parts of the Bible? | 03:49 Who should read Bold Faith? | 09:05 What is the kingdom of God? Why does it matter? | 11:28 The beauty and joy of obeying Christ as king | 15:37 Why does the Bible offer macro and micro stories? | 19:44 Do you believe in a big God? | 22:23 Every Christian needs an Acts 1:8 strategy | 24:30 What are we getting right, or wrong, about the Holy Spirit? | 30:05 On being Pentecostal, evangelical, and sacramental | 34:00 How does Acts 8 show God turning evil to good? | 42:00 Why God is concerned about all of us—and each of us | 49:30 Why the book of Acts is still relevant today | 55:10 Resources Unedited transcript (PDF) BOOK: Bold Faith: First-Century Lessons for Twenty-First-Century Christians, by Dr. Jim Denison ARTICLE: See the one: An excerpt from "Bold Faith" by Dr. Jim Denison BOOK: Evangelical, Sacramental, and Pentecostal: Why the Church Should Be All Three, by Gordon T. Smith PODCAST: “The most exciting moment in my lifetime for the gospel in Cuba”: A conversation with Proclaim Cuba About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

“The early church is still walking and running around the streets of my Cuba.” With a population of more than 11 million people just ninety miles off the coast of Florida, Cuba was once considered the "paradise of the Caribbean," welcoming tourists from around the world. Today, its history, culture, and faith are shrouded in legend and myth.  But God has not abandoned Cuba. He is present, active, and igniting both revival in the church and awakening across this beautiful island.  In this episode, we talk with Cuban natives Pastor Carlos Alamino and his son Carly about their thirty-plus years of planting churches and creating relevant gospel ministries to children, students, women, and sports enthusiasts.  You'll also hear about Proclaim Cuba's strong work in discipleship and ministry training and its vision to plant seven hundred new churches and eighteen ministry hubs across Cuba. Topics The best of Cuba | 02:09 How Dr. Denison met Pastor Carlos | 04:40 Spiritual awakening in Cuba | 08:03 The power of ideas | 09:53 Visiting Cuba | 12:05 How Pastor Carlos Alamino came to faith | 14:32 Proclaim Cuba and the Cuban church today | 19:55 Proclaim Cuba’s sports ministry | 21:19 What is seminary like in Cuba? | 23:00 Equipping Cuban Christians to share the gospel | 27:13 Church planting in Cuba | 31:24 Establishing ministry centers throughout Cuba | 37:26 On being Christian in Cuba | 39:37 How to pray for Cuba | 48:17 A prayer for Cuba | 51:11 Resources Unedited transcript (PDF) Proclaim Cuba Proclaim Cuba’s resources Denison Forum articles on persecution About Proclaim Cuba Proclaim Cuba’s “ministry divisions include a seminary, church planting, pastoring pastors, children’s and youth ministries, women’s ministry, sports evangelism, intercessory prayer, an institute for the arts, and international missions” in Cuba. Their mission is to “reach Cuba and the nations for Christ.  Because we are empowered by God, we empower others. Much work still remains, but we know that God has been and always will be faithful. ‘To God be the glory, great things He has done!’” About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

“I know people who are better apologists for the Dallas Cowboys than they are for their own beliefs as a Christian.” J. Warner Wallace’s enduringly popular book on apologetics, Cold-Case Christianity, has been thoroughly updated and expanded for its tenth-anniversary edition. He joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss the book, how to read the gospels as an investigator, how conspiracy thinking works, why the church should be overflowing with apologists, why we’re addicted to crime shows, and more. Topics Updating Cold-Case Christianity | 02:03 Reading the gospels as an investigator | 05:54 How the gospels’ differences show reliability | 13:02 Subjective truth vs. objective truth | 18:31 Proving Christianity | 26:02 If Christianity is true, then what? | 30:42 The necessity of humility | 35:34 Understanding evidence | 41:41 How conspiracy thinking works | 43:53 Determining reliability | 45:32 Employing common sense | 48:15 Cold-Case Christianity 10 years later | 53:09 The problem of being an abbreviated Christian | 58:43 Why are we addicted to crime shows? | 1:03:22 Resources Unedited transcript (PDF) ColdCaseChristianity.com Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospel The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life (May 2024) Person of Interest: Why Jesus Still Matters in a World that Rejects the Bible Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony, Richard Bauckham About J. Warner Wallace With a master’s degree in theological studies, J. Warner Wallace is an award-winning detective who has been featured on Dateline more than any other homicide investigator.  A popular national speaker and podcast host, he is the bestselling author of numerous books including Cold-Case Christianity, Person of Interest, Forensic Faith and God’s Crime Scene.  An adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University, a senior fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries, Jim and his wife live in Southern California. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

When is enough enough? Art Rainer is the founder of Christian Money Solutions and the author of Money in the Light of Eternity. He joined The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss our collective money problems (and their solutions), seeking contentment in our finances and in our lives, the importance of giving to the church, and more. Topics Art Rainer’s testimony | 01:42 Why do Christians struggle to honor God with their money? | 06:00 Why the rich young ruler walked away from Jesus | 11:22 Is enough ever enough? | 17:12 Art’s foundational Bible passages | 26:43 What common money problems do Christians often face? | 36:00 Building financial confidence | 47:00 The importance of generosity in the church | 48:57 How the “great wealth transfer” could reach every tribe with the gospel | 55:21 Resources Designed for generosity: An excerpt from Money in the Light of Eternity Unedited transcript Free resources at Christian Money Solutions Money in the Light of Eternity: What the Bible Says about Your Financial Purpose The Money Challenge: 30 Days of Discovering God's Design for You and Your Money ArtRainer.com About Art Rainer Art Rainer is the founder of Christian Money Solutions. He writes and speaks widely about issues related to finance, wealth, and generosity. He is the author of The Money Challenge: 30 Days of Discovering God's Design for You and Your Money. You can read and hear more from Art at ArtRainer.com. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

Christian, how now shall you vote? America is more divided and hostile along political lines and tribes than ever before. For some, politics may have become their substitute religion in place of a true faith in Christ Jesus as King of kings.  So how can Christians understand and engage in our political processes as culture-changing Christians who use their influence in redemptive ways for the glory of God and the good of others?  Dr. Jim Denison joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the presidential political season and the intersection of faith, hope, and love with politics, government, and power. Topics How did Denison Ministries start? | 03:01 “Use new words to communicate the same truth” | 8:26 Dr. Denison’s greatest hope in this political season | 12:03 Dr. Denison’s greatest fear in this political season | 18:58 How are AI, social media, and tech affecting politics? | 19:51 How can Christians prepare themselves well for voting? | 22:15 When politics is exhausting | 27:33 4 anchoring biblical truths for political engagement | 30:15 Billionaire political influence | 36:05 Are humans fundamentally good or as fundamentally flawed? | 39:44 What does it mean to be made in the image of God? | 43:56 Is politics our new national religion? | 46:49 The rise of secular religion | 57:16 Should Christians protest? | 1:01:08 Resources Download the unedited transcript Denison Ministries Denison Forum First15 Christian Parenting Foundations with Janet Podcast episodes How can doubt and disbelief become transforming faith? A conversation with Alister McGrath How the arts and sciences reveal God’s genius: Dr. Jonathan Witt discusses “A Meaningful World” What happens when a theoretical physicist meets God? A conversation with Dr. Tom Rudelius Books The Coming Tsunami Respectfully, I Disagree How Does God See America? Articles How do you spot a deepfake video? What does the Bible say about politics? What does the Bible say about religious liberty? “The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship” Citizens of two countries A majority of Americans aren’t proud to be American: Why the difference between pride and patriotism matters About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. Jim speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.