

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture
Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae
A weekly podcast that offers Christian perspectives on some of the most significant issues facing today's church and culture. In each episode, hosts Scott Rae and Sean McDowell — professors at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology — draw upon biblical wisdom and insights from guest experts as they explore how Christians can thoughtfully and faithfully engage with cultural trends and current events.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2020 • 35min
Free to Believe — The Battle Over Religious Freedom (with Luke Goodrich)
Conflicts over religious freedom have heightened especially in the last few years, and some maintain that religion is under assault in places where religious freedom has historically been protected. It’s not often we get the chance to hear from those who are on the legal front lines of these conflicts. Join us for this conversation as Scott and Sean talk with religious freedom attorney Luke Goodrich about his book, Free to Believe. Luke Goodrich is VP & senior counsel at Becket, where he represents religious organizations and individuals in religious liberty disputes in courts across the country, including in the Supreme Court. He was on the team that successfully defended Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters of the Poor, among others. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/free-to-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. 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.

Sep 24, 2020 • 33min
Seeing Jesus from the East (with Abdu Murray)
Without even realizing it, many Westerners fail to understand the Bible, and the larger Christian story, from an Eastern perspective. Yet doing so unlocks the Scripture in a fresh and insightful way. In this episode, Sean and Scott interview Abdu Murray about his recent book, which he wrote with Ravi Zacharias. This interview will help you look at the stories and teachings of Jesus with fresh eyes. If you want to see an additional interview, which goes into even more depth, check out this YouTube discussion between Sean and Abdu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMD82DiHUcY Abdu Murray is senior vice president with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. He's an attorney, international speaker, the host of the popular podcast The Defense Rests, and the author of multiple books including See Jesus from the East. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/seeing-jesus-from-the-east ==========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. 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.

Sep 18, 2020 • 31min
Foundations to Biblically Shape a Family (with Ruth Chou Simons)
Where do we begin in helping young children develop a vibrant faith? How do we declare the goodness and faithfulness of God to the next generation? In this episode, Sean and Scott interview Ruth Chou Simons, author of the new book Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family. They discuss practical strategies youth influencers can put into practice right away. Ruth Chou Simons is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and speaker. She shares her journey of God's grace intersecting daily life with word and paintbrush through her online shoppe at GraceLaced.com and her Instagram community. Her first book GraceLaced, won a 2018 Christian Book Award. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/foundations-biblically-shape-family ==========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. 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.

Sep 16, 2020 • 1h 18min
[Bonus Podcast] A Biblical Response to Social Justice (with Thaddeus Williams)
How should Christians think about social justice? What is a Christian response to Critical Race Theory? In this video, Sean interviews Biola professor Thaddeus Williams about his upcoming book: Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth. In particular, Sean and Thaddeus discuss how Christians can respond to present race relations. Dr. Thaddeus Williams is Associate Professor of Theology at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He holds MA degrees from Talbot and UCLA and a Ph.D. from the Free University of Amsterdam. He is the author of multiple books including Reflect and his latest: Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/bonus-biblical-response-social-justice ==========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. 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.

Sep 10, 2020 • 29min
Immigration and Public Policy (with Dennis Hollinger)
One of the most complex aspects of the immigration debate concerns what the law and public policy should be in this area. Join Scott for this stimulating discussion with Dr. Dennis Hollinger as he applies a Christian ethic to the public dimension of immigration. Dr. Dennis Hollinger is President Emeritus of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and one of the leading experts in Christian ethics. He is also the Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics. He is also Distinguished Fellow with The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity. He is the author of several books in Christian Ethics, including Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World. Head, Heart & Hands: Bringing Together Christian Thought, Passion and Action. The Meaning of Sex, The: Christian Ethics and the Moral Life. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/immigration-public-policy ==========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. 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.

Sep 5, 2020 • 31min
Something Needs to Change (with David Platt)
How can we motivate people to live passionately and compassionately in light of the gospel? Sean interviews David Platt about his latest book Something Needs to Change. David shares stories of his personal journey through the Himalayas, how it motivated him live out the gospel more deeply, and how he answers some of the toughest questions people are asking today about the Christian faith. Dr. David Platt serves as pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C., and he is the founder and president of Radical Inc., a global ministry that serves churches in accomplishing the mission of Christ. David previously served as the president of the International Mission Board, and he has authored several books, including Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, and Counter Culture. Along with his wife and kids, he lives in the Washington D.C. metro area. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/something-needs-to-change ==========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. 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.

Sep 2, 2020 • 1h 3min
[Bonus Podcast] Is The Atonement of Jesus Defensible? (with Willliam Lane Craig)
In this bonus podcast, William Lane Craig, an apologist and theologian, discusses the atonement of Jesus and defends it against common critiques. The conversation covers the multifaceted nature of atonement, different models of atonement in Christianity, the concept of legal fiction in relation to the atonement, theological discussions on the optionality of the cross, and the personal impact of studying the atonement. The host also promotes a book, educational programs at Biola University, and upcoming podcast episodes.

Aug 28, 2020 • 37min
Snowflake Babies and Embryo Adoption (with The Strege Family)
You may not realize it, but couples wanting to adopt a child can actually adopt embryos that have been placed for adoption by the couples who conceived them through advanced reproductive technology. The very first person in the world who was adopted as an embryo is current Biola student, Hannah Strege. Join Scott and Sean for a conversation with Hannah and her adoptive parents about their experience with embryo adoption. This episode was recorded prior to the coronavirus shutdown. The Strege family, the first family to adopt an embryo, lives in Southern California. Hannah, is a current Biola student. Her father, John, is long time writer for Golf Digest and author of five books on golf related subjects. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/snowflake-babies-embryo-adoption ==========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. 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.

Aug 25, 2020 • 38min
What is a Girl Worth? (with Rachael Denhollander)
In the past few years, sexual misconduct among leaders has been exposed in various sectors of society, including Hollywood, the church and youth sports. One of the most egregious examples occurred in youth gymnastics, resulting in the conviction and prison sentence of Dr. Larry Nasser of multiple counts of sexual abuse and assault of young girls. Listen in as Scott and Sean interview Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to come forward and testify against Dr. Nasser, which sparked over 250 other women to go public against Dr. Nasser. She tells her story in her book, What Is a Girl Worth? Rachael Denhollander is an attorney, author and speaker who writes and speaks widely on the issue of sexual abuse. She was the recipient of Sports Illustrated’s 2018 Inspiration of the Year award and was named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Persons in 2018. Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/what-is-a-girl-worth ==========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. 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.

Aug 19, 2020 • 38min
Sexual Violence Against Women and the OT Law (with Sandra Richter)
Many critics of the Bible hold that the OT views women as property and is demeaning toward women. OT scholar Dr. Sandra Richter looks at the parts of the Mosaic law that deal with sexual violence toward women and concludes that, "far fewer lives were ravaged by sexual misconduct in the central hill country of Israel in the Iron Age than in southern California in 2019." Join us as Scott interviews Dr. Richter on this fascinating topic. Dr. Sandra Richter, Ph.D (Harvard), holds the Robert H. Gundry Chair in Biblical Studies at Westmont College. She is recognized for her The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament and is currently working on a second in that series The Fifth Gospel: A Christian Entry into the Book of Isaiah (IVP Academic). Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/sexual-violence-against-women ==========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. 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.


