Shows / Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and Culture
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and Culture
Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction. Thinking Christian is a podcast about the Bible, theology, and culture for Christians who sense that something in today's church isn't working and want to understand why.
Reading the Bible as the final authority for life and faith means questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision of reality than God's word offers. Each conversation goes past the headlines to the ideas and…
Episodes
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureCapitalism, Socialism, and the Christian's Hope: Reading the Gallup Poll
James and Nate unpack a recent Gallup poll on Americans’ views of capitalism—down from 60% (2021) to 54% (2025)favorable—and why that…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureLead with Prayer: Lessons from the Global Church (Ryan Skoog)
Dr. James Spencer welcomes Ryan Skoog—author of Lead with Prayer and president of Venture—for a wide-ranging conversation on prayer, discipleship…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureNo Elevator to Everest: Self-Awareness, Joyful Work, and Ownership (Will Acuff)
Dr. James Spencer sits down with Will Acuff—author of No Elevator to Everest: Shift from Survive to Thrive through Spirit-Led Self-Awareness and…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureSoundbites and Slogans: Thinking Christian in a World of Half-Truths
In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Nate Giarratano reflect on recent political commentary surrounding the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow to Die: Punk Rock, Monasteries, and the Scandal of Discipleship
In a culture obsessed with self-optimization and curated spirituality, Joshua S. Porter offers a counterintuitive call: come and die. In this episode, James…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureIdentity Beyond the Uniform: Faith, Trauma & Leadership (Jeremy Stalnecker)
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer hosts Jeremy Stalnecker of the March or Die podcast. They discuss Jeremy's ministry to veterans, the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThe Serpent's Craft: Unpacking the Ambiguity and Tragedy of Genesis 3:1-7
What makes temptation so compelling? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer takes us deep into one of Scripture's most…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureChristian Nationalism and the Church-State Divide: The PCA Vote
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Nate dive into the recent Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) vote addressing Christian…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureRethinking "Helper": Unpacking the True Meaning of Ezer in Genesis 2
What does it truly mean to be a "helper"? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer challenges common misconceptions…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureIn God's Image: Dignity, Dominion, and the Distorted Imago Dei
What does it actually mean to be made in the image of God? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer dives deep into one of the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureTemple, Eden, and the End of All Things: How Sacred Space Shapes Discipleship
What if the tabernacle, the Garden of Eden, and the Great Commission are all telling the same story? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series…
- Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and Culture
Away Game: Discipling Kids Through the Chaos of Youth Sports
In today’s episode of Thinking Christian, host Dr. James Spencer welcomes sports ministry veterans Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith to discuss their new book…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureBack to the Garden: Order, Obedience, and Being Human in Genesis
In this premiere episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer takes us to the beginning—not just of the Bible, but of everything…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureLosing the Signal: AM Radio and Christian Witness in a Digital Age
What happens when a culture unplugs from the constraints that once helped us listen well? In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer and Nate reflect…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureA Better Way to Read the Bible: Escaping Weaponized Scripture (Zach W. Lambert)
Can we read the Bible without reducing it to a rulebook, a road map, or a political weapon? In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer sits down with…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureDim Sum, Identity, and the Table of God (Jenn Suen Chen)
What does dim sum have to do with discipleship? In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, James Spencer talks with author and spiritual formation…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThe Phony Age: Navigating Digital Deception, Noise, and the Need for Wisdom
Can we still spot the truth in a world that specializes in counterfeits? In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer and Nate unpack the unsettling…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureBorders, Nations, and the Order of Love: Christians and Immigration (Alex Kocman)
In this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes Alex Kocman—missions leader and co-host of the Missions…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureIs Your Job a Calling? (Denise Daniels and Elaine Howard Ecklund)
What if the sacred-secular divide is more imagined than real? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with sociologist Elaine Howard…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureIntimacy, Identity, and the Church: Relationships and the Gospel (Erin Moniz)
What if our dating struggles, friendship breakdowns, and even church conflicts trace back not to technique—but to theology? In this episode of Thinking…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureYou Are Not Your Own: Resisting the Gospel of Radical Autonomy (Alan Noble)
What if the crushing weight of modern life isn't a bug in the system but a feature of a false belief? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureMore Than a Message: Dorothy Sayers, Film, and Christian Art (Chrystal Downing)
What do a detective novelist, a WWII radio drama, and a blockbuster film have in common? According to Dr. Crystal Downing — everything. In this episode…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureAI, the Imago Dei, and the Fight for Our Humanity (Paul Hoffman)
Is artificial intelligence just a tool — or are we slowly making it a partner in how we think, relate, and even worship? In this episode of Thinking…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureAI, Adolescents, and the Apocalypse? Discerning the Digital Age
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Nate Giarratano to unpack the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, a controversial…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureFormation at the Top: Catholic Healthcare and Mission Integration (Laura Richter)
What does it look like to lead not just with strategy, but with soul? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer speaks with Laura Richter…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureRevival Behind Bars: Prison Ministry and Discipleship (Romney Ruder)
What if the next revival didn’t start in a church... but in a prison? In this episode of Thinking Christian, I sit down with Romney Ruder, President of…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureAnxiety, Faith, Fear, and Finding Peace in Christ (Benjamin Matthew)
Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast with Dr. Benjamin Matthew, professor of clinical counseling, as they explore the complex topic of…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureFinding Jesus When Faith Is Hard (Kyle Norman)
Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast with special guest Reverend Kyle Norman, author of Alive, Loved and Free: Finding Jesus When Faith Is…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureEncountering Christ in Revelation (Shane Wood)
Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast with Dr. Shane J. Wood, author of Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book of…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureRestoring Fallen Leaders: Integrity, Platforms, and Moral Failure
Why do so many ministry leaders fall—and how should the church respond when they do? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and co-host…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureDEI and the Challenges of Meritocracy (Stanley K. Ridgley)
Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast as he sits down with Dr. Stanley K. Ridgely, author of "DEI Exposed," for a critical examination of…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureBiblical Discernment: How to Identify False Teaching in Today's Church
In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast, Dr. James Spencer and Nate Giarratano explore the critical difference between false prophets and false…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWorship, Grief, and the Grace of God (Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave)
This episode features Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave, who shares his remarkable 25-year journey in Christian music ministry. Mike reveals how God has…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureTheology for the Tenderhearted (Lisa Harper)
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes Bible teacher, author, and podcaster Lisa Harper for a rich, heartfelt conversation about her…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureJoin Me in Germany: 2025 Reformation Tour
In this special announcement, Dr. James Spencer shares details about the upcoming German Reformation Tour, running from October 30 to November 9, 2025. Explore…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureDiscipled Men: Rethinking Masculinity Through the Lens of Christ
In this episode, James Spencer and Nate Girarratano kick off a series on biblical manhood by asking a foundational question: What does it really mean to be a…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureFalse Religion, the Barmen Declaration, and the Church's Soul (Gregg Quiggle)
In this episode of Thinking Christian, I’m joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle for a deep dive into one of the most important yet often overlooked documents of…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureGender, Ordination, and the Pastor's Wife (Beth Allison Barr)
Historian and author Beth Allison Barr joins Thinking Christian to discuss her latest book, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureLionhearted Manhood: Strength and Submission (David and Brandon Lindell)
In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer is joined by David and Brandon Lindell—pastors at James River Church and authors of Lionhearted: A…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureMartin Luther's Legacy and the Chaos of Freedom (Gregg Quiggle)
Was the Reformation a spark for spiritual renewal—or the start of theological chaos? In this episode of Thinking Christian, I’m joined by Dr. Gregg…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureJoin Me in Germany: 2025 Reformation Tour
In this special announcement, Dr. James Spencer shares details about the upcoming German Reformation Tour, running from October 30 to November 9, 2025. Explore…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureFaith, Laughter, and Cultural Conversations (Danny Adams)
What does it take to bring faith-based comedy to life while navigating the ever-changing entertainment industry? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThe New Testament Canon: A Story of Covenant, Not Controversy (Levi Baker)
Many assume the New Testament canon was the product of centuries of debate and formalization, but what if the need for new scripture was as natural to early…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureSpurgeon, Prayer, and the Power of Preaching (Keeney Dickenson)
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Keeney Dickenson, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Crockett, Texas, and author…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureC.S. Lewis, the Last Romantic (Jeffrey Barbeau)
What made C.S. Lewis such a compelling thinker and writer? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau, professor…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureBreaking Free from the Messy Middle: One Choice Away from Change (Justin and Trisha Davis)
Are you feeling stuck in patterns of hurt, shame, or relational brokenness? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Justin and…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHandling Criticism and Accountability in Public Ministry (Angie Velasquez Thornton)
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Angie Velasquez Thornton to discuss the challenges of handling criticism, fostering…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureAnnouncement- Join Me in Germany: 2025 Reformation Tour
In this special announcement, Dr. James Spencer shares details about the upcoming German Reformation Tour, running from October 30 to November 9, 2025. Explore…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureReviving Mission: God's Movement in Everyday Life (Hietbrink, Rafferty, and Daniel)
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with authors Linson Daniel, Jon Hietbrink, and Eric Rafferty to discuss their new book…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureRace and Christian Discernment in a New Political Space (Ed Uszynski)
How should Christians think about race and justice five years after George Floyd? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes back Ed…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWalking Through Deconstruction: A Guide for the Church (Ian Harber)
Deconstruction is often misunderstood—some see it as a step toward renewal, while others fear it as a path to apostasy. But what if we’re missing…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThe Myth of Meritocracy? Moving beyond the Poles of Merit and Woke
In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer and Nate Giarratano take a deep dive into the complexities of meritocracy, systemic sin, and hiring…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHopeful Realism: Natural Law and Politics (Covington, McGraw, and Watson)
Can Christians faithfully engage in politics without compromising their convictions? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureTruth, Justice, and the Challenge of Christian Journalism
In this episode of Thinking Christian, James and Nate explore the razor-thin line Christian journalism walks between accountability and bearing false witness…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureDiscipleship & the Future of the Church (Ray Chang)
he church is at a crossroads. With rising disaffiliation and declining trust, how can we re-engage the next generation? How do we stop the drift and disciple…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHealthy Calling: Breaking Free from Workaholism (Arianna Molloy)
Is your work-life balance out of sync? Do you struggle with burnout, workaholism, or feeling like your job defines you? In this episode of Thinking Christian…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat Does It Mean to Be Human? Technology, AI, and the Image of God (Shane Wood)
As AI and digital technology become more embedded in our daily lives, what does it really mean to be human? Are we losing our sense of identity, community, and…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureChristian AI vs. Secular AI: Faith-Based AI in Ministry (Chase Cappo)
Will artificial intelligence shape the future of Christian discipleship, ministry, and outreach? Chase Capo, leader in AI relationship development for Glue…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureRestless Devices: How Technology Shapes Us (Felicia Wu Song)
Is technology shaping us more than we realize? Are we losing our ability to rest, reflect, and be present? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureFaith & Technology: Navigating the Digital Age with Wisdom (Derek Schuurman)
Technology is shaping our world at an unprecedented rate—but how should Christians respond? Are we thoughtfully engaging with the digital world, or are…