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 CultureHow Should Christians Engage in Politics? (Miranda Zapor Cruz)
In this episode, James talks with Miranda Zapor Cruz who is a professor of hisotrical theology at Indiana Weslyan University and author of Faithful Politics…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat Is Biblical Justice? (Michael Rhodes)
In this episode, James talks with fellow Old Testament scholar Michael Rhodes about biblical justice. Michael is the author of Just Discipleship: Biblical…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWorshipping God on Our Own Terms? The Cain and Abel Narrative
In this episode, James looks at Genesis 4. He discusses the tension between Cain and God, Cain's poor choice, and the resolution that God ultimately brings…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureFaith, Leadership, and Baseball (Dayton Moore)
In this episode, James and Nate sit down with Dayton Moore. In addition to holding various other positions in Major League Baseball, Dayton was a general…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureBuilding Resilience and Character in a Digital Age (Jay Y. Kim)
In this episode, James sits down with Jay Y. Kim, author of Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age. James and Jay…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Should Christians Think about Manhood? (Jake Hamilton)
In this episode, James talks with Jake Hamilton, author of Journey to Biblical Masculinity: 12 Paths Every Man Must Take. Jake is also the founder and CEO of…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureGod's Presence and Provision: A Devotional on David and Goliath
In this episode, James discusses 1 Samuel 17, the narrative of David and Goliath. He discusses the differences between David and the other characters in the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Can We Be Alert to God's Presence and Alive to God's Love? (Helen Cepero)
In this episode, James has a conversation with Helen Cepero. Helen is the author of Christ-Shaped Character: Choosing Love, Faith and Hope. She also started…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Should Christians Think about the Relationship between Church and State? Reflecting on the National Conservatism Conference
In this episode, James is joined by co-host Nate Giarratano. James and Nate discuss some of the conversations that occurred at last week's National…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat Does It Mean to Be a Christian Citizen? (David Koyzis)
In this episode, James sits down with David Koyzis author of Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement. He also writes a blog…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat Does It Mean to Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent As Doves?
In this episode, James considers Matthew 10. He talks about what Jesus is trying to teach his disciples (and us!) by sending them out on their initial mission…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Should Christians Think about America? (Paul D. Miller)
In this episode, James hosts Paul D. Miller author of The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism. Paul and James discuss…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat If Imitating Christ Became the Church's Central Focus? (Eun Strawser)
In this episode, James discusses discipleship with Eun Strawser, author of Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Can Christians Be Good Neighbors? Thinking through the Good Samaritan
In this episode, James considers the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. He discusses the Old Testament background of love for neighbor in Leviticus and…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Can Christians Think about Politics and Culture?
In this episode, James and Nate discuss a Pew Research study titled "Cultural Issues and the 2024 Election." They talk about how Christians might approach…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking Christian about Mental Illness and Suffering (Chris Morris)
In this episode, James welcomes Chris Morris author of Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons about Suicidality and Depression from the Psych Ward. James and Chris…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking Christian about Jesus's Temptation
In this episode, James discusses Jesus's baptism and subsequent temptation in the gospel of Matthew. He considers each of the temptation's Jesus faces and the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThe Ten Commandments in Public Schools? Louisiana's New Law
In this bonus episode, James considers the recent legislation passed in the state of Louisiana. He suggests that Christians recognize the challenges of…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureCritical Thinking and the Shortcomings of Christian Worldview (David Richardson)
In this episode, James speaks with David Richardson of The Assumptions Institute. James and David talk about critical thinking, the necessity of questioning…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Matthew 6 Can Help Us Think about the Things We Do (and How We Do Them)
In this week's devotional, James considers Matthew 6 and its potential to help Christians think through the various practices in which they are engaged. James…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking Christian about Social Media (and Technology) with the Surgeon General
In this episode of Thinking Christian, James interacts with an essay published on June 17, 2024, in which the surgeon general calls for warning labels on…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about Theology and the Creative Process (Jason Gray)
In this episode, James and Nate welcome Jason Gray. Jason is a Christian recording artist and deep thinker. James, Nate, and Jason discuss the creative…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about Distractions with Mary, Martha, and Jesus
In this first weekly devotional, James discusses distractions and the way they hinder us from listening to the teachings of Jesus. Considering Luke 10:38-42…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Should Christians Think About Human Flourishing? (Joshua Jipp)
In this episode, James welcomes Joshua Jipp. Joshua is Professor of New Testament and Director of the Henry Center for Theological Understanding. He is also…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureAnnouncement about Upcoming Episodes of Thinking Christian
Beginning June 17th, James will be releasing weekly devotionals every Monday as part of the Thinking Christian line-up. Subscribe to Thinking Christian on your…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about Our Fast-Paced Lives (Jodi Grubbs)
In this episode, James hosts author and slow-living activist Jodi Grubbs to discuss her book titled Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exale. Jodi and James…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Should Christians Think About the "Bro Code"? (Katelyn Beaty)
In this episode, James sits down with journalist, author, and podcaster Katelyn Beaty to discuss her series of essays on her substack "The Beaty Beat" about…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about the Awkward Conversation of Prayer (John Koessler)
In this episode, James sits down with his friend John Koessler to talk about prayer. In addition to being a retired faculty emiritus from the Moody Bible…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about Evangelizing and Discipling Men (Erin Alexandrino)
In this episode, James is joined by co-host Nate Giarratano and special guest Erin Alexandrino. Erin works with Chrisitan and non-Chrisitan men as part of his…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat Are We Missing About God? (Grace Ji-Sun Kim)
In this episode, James speaks with Grace Ji-Sun Kim, professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion, host of the Madang podcast, and author of When God…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhy the Basics of the Faith Matter (BMX Rider Vic Murphy)
In this episode, James and co-host Nate Giarratano sit down with Vic Murphy. Vic shares his story of getting invovled in skateboarding and BMX as a young man…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat Are the Biggest Questions Christians Are Asking? (Shea Houdmann)
In this episode, James sits down with president of GotQuestions.org Shea Houdmann. Shea and James talk about the genesis of gotquestions.org, how Shea and his…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Should Christians Think About Islam? (Jeff King)
In this episode, Jeff King, president of International Chrsitian Concern and author of Islam Uncensored, joins James to discuss Isalm. James and Jeff consider…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Do Faith and Fitness Relate? (Stephen Covert)
In this episode, James sits down with Stephen Covert, a natural bodybuilder and owner of Iron Thearpy Club, an explicitly Christian clothing brand and…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about God and Evil (Ingrid Faro)
In this episode, James discusses evil and suffering with Ingrid Faro, PhD. Ingrid is professor of Old Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, IL, and author…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat Does It Mean to Be a Person? (Paul Louis Metzger)
In this episode, James discusses personhood with Paul Louis Metzger author of More Than Things: A Personalist Ethics for a Throwaway Culture. James and Paul…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Should We Think About Kids and Technology? (David Eaton)
In this episode, James sits down with co-host Maggie Hubbard and special guest David Eaton. David is Co-founder and CEP of Axis, an organization that provides…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking Christian about Family and Technology Use (Krista Boan)
In this episode, James is joined by co-host Maggie Hubbard and special guest Krista Boan. She is a former middle school teacher and co-founder of Screen…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureA Fresh Way to Memorize Scripture (Natalie Abbott)
In today's episode, James is joined by co-host Maggie Hubbard and guest Natalie Abbott from Dwell Differently. They discuss Dwell Differently's ministry, as…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Can Christians Step Away from Technology: (Re)Introducing the Go Dark, Shine Bright Campaign
In this episode, James is joined by Maggie Hubbard to discuss the "Go Dark, Shine Bright" (GDSB) campaign. GDSB is a seven-day media fast that encourages…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat about Discipleship: A Conversation with Ron Tewson
In this episode, James discusses discipleship with Ron Tewson. Ron is a former pastor and president and founder of Therefore Project. Ron is also the author of…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about the Image of God: A Conversation with Carmen Joy Imes
In this episode, James sits down with Carmen Joy Imes, an Old Testament scholar and author of Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters. They discuss the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureConsidering the Power of God's Redemptions: A Conversation with Ryan Ries
In this episode, James sits down with co-host Nate Giarratano and special guest Ryan Ries to discuss Ryan's story. Ryan was a pro-skateboarder who gave his…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and Culture"The Chief" Legendary skateboarder Jamie Thomas shares his story and recalls what it was like to live in a small southern town to becoming one of the most famous street skaters in the world. Find out how God invaded his heart and life!
In this episode, James and Nate sit down with Jamie Thomas. Jamie shares his testimony and how he got involved in skateboarding as a teenager. Thomas is a…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking Christian about Religious Influence
In this episode, James discusses the recent research concerning perceptions of religious influence in the United States. While the report offers many reasons…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureFor King and County’s Story: An Interview with Luke Smallbone
In this episode, James and Nate sit down to talk about the origin story Grammy award winning band for King & Country. Luke Smallbone shares some inside info on…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureSpeaking with Unspoken: Talking Ministry and Music with Chad Mattson and Jon Lowry
In this episode, James and Nate sit down with the two founding members of Unspoken. Chad Mattson and Jon Lowry talk about their history together, the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureDefending Religious Rights: A Conversation with Brad Dacus
In this episode of Thinking Christian, James sits down with Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute. Brad shares his testimony and describes the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureCreativity and Mission: A Conversation with David Zach from Remedy Drive
In this episode, Nate and James host David Zach from Remedy Drive. They discuss the creative process and how there is no realm of the "mundane." David also…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureDwight Moody's Evangelism and Social Action: An Interview with Dr. Gregg Quiggle
James sits down with Dr. Gregg Quiggle, author of the forthcoming book titled Bread and Bibles. They discuss Dwight Moody's enduring impact on the world, the…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking Freely (and Christianly) with Darren Mulligan of We Are Messengers
In this episode, James and Nate have a very real and transparent conversation about life and what that looks like in comparison to America and Ireland. It is…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow to Live Boldly for Christ: An Interview with Shayna Rattler
It was a pleasure to welcome Shayna Rattler from A God Shift to Thinking Christian. Shayna talks about the trajectory her ministry is taking and how every…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureDid the Biblical Flood Really Happen? An Interview with Dan Biddle, Executive Producer of The Ark and the Darkness
In this episode, James speaks with Dan Biddle, executive producer of The Ark and the Darkness. In addition to discussing the new film, James and Dan consider…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Should Christians Respond When Slighted or Gaslighted? A Reflection on Easter and the Transgender Day of Visibility
In this episode, James discusses the convergence of Easter and the Transgender Day of Visibility that occured this March 31st. After clearing some ground about…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureChris Worthington- Multiplied Movie
In this episode, James sits down with Chris Worthington. He is the director of the movie "Multiplied" coming to theaters for two days only. May 20th and 21st…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about God and Evil
In this episode, James offers a brief discussion of God and evil. He provides a description of evil as disorder based on Genesis 1-3, as well as considering…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureWhat Can We Learn from the Persecuted Church?- A Conversation with Jeff King
In this episode, James talks with Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (persecution.org) and author of a new book titled The Whisper. They…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureHow Can Churches Protect the Vulnerable? A Conversation with Theresa Sidebotham
In this episode, James speaks with Theresa Sidebotham from Telios Law. They talk about the necessity of caring for the vulnerable in the context of the local…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureThinking about Israel- Proclaiming the Gospel as the Best Way We can Support Israel
In this episode, James discusses the modern state of Israel. He considers some of the challenges associated with eschatology and encourages Christians…
Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and CultureA Legacy Beyond Baseball: A Conversation with Darryl Strawberry
In this episode, James and his guest host Richard Beatty sit down with Darryl Strawberry. Darryl shares his testimony, talks about his ministry, and offers…