Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture - Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae

Latest Episodes:

[BONUS] Does the Church Need "Queering"? (with Brandan Robertson) Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Does the church need a "queer revolution"? Do we need a new reformation akin to the Protestant Reformation? In this discussion, Sean talks with author and progressive pastor Brandan Robertson about his new book Queer & Christian. They have a friendly debate about their different moral and theological frameworks and then discuss key biblical passages such as Genesis 2, Matthew 19, and Romans 1. If you want to see this discussion on video, visit Sean's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXnEb04zXCw

Brandan Robertson is a progressive Christian pastor, writer, activist, and TikTok influencer. He has written on the subjects of millennials, social justice, and Progressive Christianity, and he is an LGBTQ activist.

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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.

Why Religion Went Obsolete (with Christian Smith) Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Has traditional faith become obsolete in America? And if so, what are the main contributing factors? Until now, there has not been a thorough sociological analysis of the various factors contributing to the demise of religion in America since the 1990’s. In this interview, rooted in his latest book Why Religion Went Obsolete, Dr. Smith offers a 30,000-foot analysis of why traditional religion has faded in America.

Dr. Christian Smith is a highly influential sociologist and religious scholar. He is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame. Smith received his MA and PhD from Harvard University in 1990 and his BA from Gordon College in 1983

[BONUS] Deadpool Creator Talks Faith and Comics (with Rob Liefeld) Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

What happens when a comic book legend sits down to talk about faith? Sean got to interview Rob Liefeld, creator of Deadpool, Cable, and many iconic Marvel characters, to explore the intersection of faith, creativity, and culture. Rob and I discuss his journey in the comic book world and the creation of Deadpool, how his Christian faith has shaped his life and career, what it’s like navigating Hollywood as a believer and how pop culture can open doors for deeper conversations about truth.

To watch this exchange on video, please see Sean's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kos8nXSmmd4

Living as Outsiders in Our Culture (with Patrick Miller) Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

What does it mean that the Christian is an outsider in one’s community? How do we engage our divisive culture well and faithfully at the same time? What might your particular style for cultural engagement be? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, pastor Patrick Miller, around his new book, Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture.

Patrick Miller is a teaching Pastor and Director of Digital Relationships at the Crossing Church in Columbia, MO. He has a master’s degree from Covenant Theological Seminary and he cohosts two podcasts: Ten Minute Bible Talks and Truth over Tribe, with Keith Simon. He and Keith are the authors of Truth Over Tribe, and their most recent book, Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture.

[BONUS] Debating Miracles (with Paul Rinzler) Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode, Sean discusses the possibility of miracles with atheist professor Paul Rinzler. This conversation was part of the Veritas Forum at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the spring of 2025. McDowell and Rinzler discuss the evidence for miracles and whether or not it is reasonable to believe in the supernatural today. If you want to watch this exchange live, please check out Sean's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdIA5Cw21eI

Paul Rinzler was Cal Poly Director of Jazz Studies 1997-2019. He earned his doctorate in theory/composition with a secondary emphasis in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado. He recently gave the keynote address at the first conference on jazz and philosophy. His talk outlined a humanistic philosophy of jazz.

Family Unfriendly (with Tim Carney) Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Parents are spending more time with their kids than in the past, and yet kids are less happy and less healthy. Given that the population of children is shrinking at an alarming rate, we need to figure out what is going on. Could it be that our culture is making raising kids harder than it needs to be? That is the suggestion of our guest today, Tim Carney, parent of six kids, and the author of Family Unfriendly.

Timothy Carney is a father of six children, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and a columnist for the Washington Examiner. He is also the author of Alienated America: The Big Ripoff.

Engaging Controversial Issues Without Getting Too Emotional (with Tim Pickavance) Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

How do we engage our friends, family and others around controversial issues, particularly those in science? Why do these controversial issues trigger emotional responses and how do we manage our emotions in these discussions? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Talbot colleague in philosophy, Dr. Tim Pickavance around some new research he and other Biola profs have been doing.

Dr. Tim Pickavance is broadly interested in the core areas of analytic philosophy, though he specializes in metaphysics. After completing his M.A. in Philosophy here at Talbot, he found himself in Austin at the University of Texas, where he earned his Ph.D. in 2008. He is thrilled to be a part of Biola and Talbot, contributing to the development of Christian philosophers who want to impact our culture in various venues, from academia to their churches to their personal friendships.

Cultural Update: Why Don't We Feel We're Thriving?; The End of Rainbow Capitalism; Democratic Socialism Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

This week, Scott is joined by Talbot professor Thaddeus Williams to discuss:

Why Don’t We Feel We're Thriving? — Despite living in the most prosperous era of human history, many Americans feel anxious and discontent.

The End of Rainbow Capitalism? — Major corporations are backing away from Pride Month sponsorships. The discussion unpacks “rainbow capitalism,” shifting public opinion, and the limits of associating brands with social causes.

A Democratic Socialist Wins NYC Mayoral Primary — Scott and Thaddeus examine the growing support for socialism among Gen Z and millennials, and how it may intersect with our biblical mandate to love others.

10 Years After Obergefell — Reflections on the legalization of same-sex marriage and how the rise of transgender ideology, especially with minors, has led to cultural backlash and renewed concern about protecting children.

Listener Questions:

Work as an Idol? — How to balance ambition and calling without making work your identity.
Pronouns and Christian Integrity — Can using “they/them” be a faithful alternative in gender conversations?
Cohabitating Before the Wedding Party — Is it OK for a couple to cohabitate after a courthouse wedding, but before celebrating with their family?

Understanding Critical Theory (with Carl Trueman) Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

What is critical theory and why is it so vital for Christians to understand today? What are its historical roots and where do we see it manifest today? Carl Trueman is one of the leading Christian social critics today and he has a new book To Change All Worlds. Sean and Scott talk with him about the motivation behind the book, why it is so timely for Christians today, and offers ideas for navigating our cultural moment in light of this profoundly influential movement.

Carl Trueman earned his Ph.D. at the University of Aberdeen and he currently is a professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College. He is the best-selling author of multiple books including The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self.

Cultural Update: Regretting Smartphones; Can Moms Have It All?; Assisted Suicide and the Slippery Slope Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

This week, Scott is joined by Erik Thoennes, Professor of Theology at Talbot School of Theology.

Smartphone Regret Among Parents: A new survey reveals most parents regret giving their kids smartphones and social media too early—many now see platforms like TikTok and Snapchat as more harmful than alcohol or even guns.
Assisted Suicide and the Slippery Slope: A New York Times op-ed warns that limiting euthanasia to the terminally ill won’t last; cultural emphasis on autonomy may push boundaries further.
Can Moms Really Have It All?: A new wave of voices—this time from the political right—encourage women to pursue careers and motherhood.
Listener Question: Can Biola Be Trusted?
Listener Followup on AI Chatbots in Medicine
Listener Question: Should I Be Worried That My Teen Is Drawn to Catholicism?