Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Max Riesenhuber to have a conversation about the ethics and morality of artificial intelligence.Questions Covered in This Episode:What first interested you about neuroscience?Can you talk about recent advancement in AI and where we might go?Do we have a moral responsibility to artificial intelligence beings?What do you say to scientists who say that humans are just computers in a flesh case?What is moral truth?Do you think we need to be concerned about the ethical direction that AI’s are taking us?What is the good side of artificial intelligence?How did you become a Christian?Guest Bio:Max Riesenhuber is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Georgetown University Medical Center and Co-Director of the CNE. His research uses computational modeling, brain imaging and EEG to understand how the brain makes sense of the world, and how these insights can be translated to neuromorphic AI and augmented cognition applications. Max obtained his Master’s degree in physics from the University of Frankfurt, Germany, and his PhD in computational neuroscience from MIT. He has received several awards, including Technology Review’s “TR100”, one of the “100 innovators 35 or younger whose technologies are poised to make a dramatic impact on our world” and an NSF CAREER award.Resources Mentioned:“Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro“The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind” by Mark A. NollSponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Mark Shepard to discuss his story of how he started following Jesus.Questions Covered in This Episode:Tell us more about your upbringing when it comes to faith.Was there a time in your life where you just didn’t believe in God?Most of my Jewish friends identify with the cultural and tradition but don’t believe in God. Did you identify with that?How did you first become interested in Christianity?Was there anything in particular in the Bible that grabbed you?Tell us how you responded to the idea that you are actually deeply sinful?How have you found faith in Jesus has helped you navigate success and failure?How would you say that Christians can better understand the University? And how can we help people in the University who aren’t Christians understand Christianity?Guest Bio:Mark Shepard is an associate professor at Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). His research studies health care markets, with topics at the intersection of health, industrial organization, and public economics. Mark received a PhD in economics from Harvard University and an A.B. in applied math from Harvard.  He is married to Annetta Zhou and they have two daughters. Resources Mentioned:Matthew 5-7, Mark 10:41-45, Ephesians 2:11-22, Jeremiah 29:7Sponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Dr. Danielle Treweek to have a conversation about singleness and marriage.Questions Covered in This Episode:What is the spiritual climate of Australia?What are the health benefits of regular participation in church?What does the subtitle of your book, “Retrieving an Eschatological Vision for the Contemporary Church” mean?When you say “the life to come,” what do you mean?Why are you gonna be single forever?Help us understand how we got to our current viewpoint on singleness.How are we currently idealizing and idolizing marriage?What does the New Testament say about sexual immorality?How might those of us who are married help to reclaim the value of singleness?Guest Bio:Dr. Danielle Treweek is a Christian theological researcher, author and speaker whose ministry focus lies in resourcing Christian individuals & communities on biblical singleness, sexuality, theological retrieval, worldview formation & other related topics.Resources Mentioned:Matthew 22:30“The Meaning of Singleness” by Danielle Treweek “Marriage, a History” by Stephanie Coontz“No Greater Love” by Rebecca McLaughlin Sponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sam Allberry joins Rebecca McLaughlin to discuss the New Testament vision for friendship and the challenges faced by Christian men. They explore the importance of deep personal relationships, the dangers of seeking intimacy online, and the dynamics of male-female friendships within Christianity. They emphasize the need for vulnerability, intentionality, wisdom, and holiness in forming and maintaining friendships.

Teaser episode for Season 3 of a podcast discussing upcoming topics such as friendship, renowned guest speakers, and various interesting subjects.

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Sherelle Ducksworth to talk about the holiday Juneteenth.Questions Covered in This Episode:How did you become a Christian?What is systematic theology?What is Juneteenth?Can you help us understand anthropological distortions?How would you respond to someone who looks at history and say that how Christians treated black people shows that Christianity isn’t true?How do Christians typically view or treat injustice?How can Christians be different than the culture in loving ways?How do we think about Juneteenth as an opportunity to point to Jesus?Guest Bio:Sherelle Ducksworth serves as a Christian Studies professor at Anderson University. She holds M.S in sociology with a concentration on social stratification from Mississippi State University and a M.A. in theology from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. She is currently working on a Ph.D. In systematic theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Resources Mentioned:Acts 8:26-40, Isaiah 61:1What Is Juneteenth, And Why Should We Celebrate It? By Sherelle DucksworthFollow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting PlaceConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kyle Worley and Rebecca McLaughlin talk about how Confronting Christianity has evolved over time, why Kyle will be stepping away from the podcast, and what to expect in the fall!Questions Covered in This Episode:Why did we start this podcast?How have we experienced hosting this podcast?Kyle, why are you leaving the podcast?Are you excited about the future of the show?What are some future topics we can expect?Resources Mentioned:Training the ChurchStarting PlaceTiny Theologians PodcastFollow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting PlaceConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Rachel Gilson and JD Greear to answer the question, what does someone do when they become a Christian and they are married to someone of the same sex?Questions Covered in This Episode:Rachel, can you share a little of your story?Why do you think it's important for people to hear from people like Rachel on this topic?How would you respond to someone who would think that the Bible is wrong on this one because they can’t believe that God wouldn’t want someone to not be happy?JD, why would you choose to address this issue in your book?What about somebody that becomes a Christian and they are married to someone of the same sex? Isn’t it worse for them to get a divorce?How do we help and care for people in this specific situation?What can be helpful and unhelpful in this conversation?Guest Bio:Rachel Gilson is on the leadership team for theological development and culture for Cru. She is the author of Born Again This Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith, and What Comes Next. Rachel has a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is pursuing a Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is married to Andrew and has a daughter.J.D. Greear is the pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Pastor J.D. Greear has authored several books, including but not limited to; Essential Christianity, What Are You Going to Do with Your Life?, Gaining by Losing, Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart. Pastor J.D. completed his Ph.D. in Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Chick-fil-A since January 2022 and recently served as the 62nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor J.D. and his wife Veronica are raising four awesome kids: Kharis, Alethia, Ryah, and Adon.Resources Mentioned:1 Corinthians 7:12–13, Matthew 19:1-12, Ephesians 5:22-33, Matthew 13:44-46“Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis“Essential Christianity” by JD GreerFollow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting PlaceConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kyle Worley and Rebecca McLaughlin are joined by Esau McCaulley to have a conversation about Easter and why it is important. Questions Covered in This Episode:What is your new book, “Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal” about?What would you say to someone who does not fully understand what Lent is?Is Easter Sunday just another Sunday? Isn’t every Sunday an opportunity to celebrate the risen Lord? What’s so special about Easter?What difference does it make that Jesus rose from the dead?What about the resurrection of the body?A number of years ago, in a wonderful article for the New York Times, you talked about the unsettling power of Easter and you said: “Easter is a frightening prospect. For the women, the only thing more terrifying than a world with Jesus dead was one in which he was alive.” What do you mean by that?What does the resurrection mean for us?What do you make of Judas?Guest Bio:Dr. Esau McCaulley is associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and theologian in residence at Progressive Baptist Church, a historically Black congregation in Chicago. He is the author of the award-winning book Reading While Black and the children’s book Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit. He is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times. His writings have also appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Christianity Today.Resources Mentioned:Mark 16, John 6:25-58, John 13:1-30“Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal” by Esau McCaulley‘What Good Friday and Easter Mean for Black Americans Like Me” by Esau McCaulley“The Unsettling Power of Easter” by Esau McCaulleyFollow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting PlaceConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our  Patreon Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kyle Worley and Rebecca McLaughlin answer questions submitted by listeners! Questions Covered in This Episode:How would you counsel a Christian who is invited to the gay wedding of a close relative or friend?How should Christians understand God's sovereignty and the image of God in the case of a person born with a physical and/or mental disability? Is disability a product of the Fall that God allows to remain in us, as in the case of other diseases that develop over our lifetimes? Are we "knit together in our mother's womb" with a disability, just as the Lord creates us male or female?What are some resources that may be helpful to me as I seek to learn more about critical race theory?Would love your insight on how to connect with people at church.Why do you believe the resurrection actually happened?Resources Mentioned:John 9, Romans 8:28“Biblical Critical Theory” by Christopher WatkinJoni & Friends“Reading While Black” by Esau McCaulleyThe Inner Ring by CS LewisFollow Us:Instagram | TwitterProduced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠