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

Latest Episodes:

The Bible and Borders (with Daniel Carroll Rodas) May 28, 2020

Show notes

Immigration continues to be one of the most divisive issues, both in the culture at large and in the church. Migration was one of the central concerns of the Bible since the people of God were a people on the move for much of biblical history. Join Sean and Scott for this stimulating discussion with Dr. Daniel Carroll Rodas, on what the Bible has to say about immigration.
Dr. M. Daniel Carroll, R.(Rodas), is Blanchard Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. He is the author of several books, including Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church and the Bible, and The Bible and Borders: Hearing God’s Word on Immigration. Dr. Carroll is half-Guatemalan and was raised bilingual and bicultural. In his youth, he spent many summers in Guatemala and later taught at El Seminario Teológico Centroamericano in Guatemala City for thirteen years. Dr. Carroll has been involved in Hispanic churches and teaching on the Bible and immigration for many years.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/bible-and-borders

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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.

God and Guns (with Mike Austin) May 21, 2020

Show notes

The issue of gun violence and gun control is one of the most divisive issues in the US today. Philosopher Mike Austin has written a provocative book that attempts to bridge a cultural divide on this controversial issue. Join Scott and Sean for this stimulating discussion of what the Bible contributes to the issue of gun control, gun ownership and the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution.
Dr. Mike Austin is Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of History, Philosophy and Religion at Eastern Kentucky University. He is an MA Philosophy graduate of Talbot with a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado. He is the author of 11 books, including, Being Good: Christian Virtues in Everyday Life, Conceptions of Parenthood: Ethics and the Family, and Football and Philosophy: Going Deep.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/god-and-guns

Suffering, the End of Life and Assisted Suicide — Part 2 (with Stephanie Gray) May 14, 2020

Show notes

Few issues are more difficult and controversial at the same time than the ethical issues around the end of life, particularly assisted suicide. Dealing with the inevitable losses and suffering that come at the end of life are often what motivates a request for assisted suicide. Yet there can be ways of dealing with suffering without eliminating the sufferer. Join Scott and Sean in part two of their interview pro-life advocate Stephanie Gray in a conversation about suffering and the end of life.
Stephanie Gray is a seasoned and international speaker who began presenting at the age of 18. She has given over 900 pro-life presentations across North America as well as in Scotland, England, Ireland, Austria, Latvia, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. She has spoken at many post-secondary institutions such as Yale University, George Washington University, and the University of California, Berkeley. In 2017, Stephanie was a presenter for the series "Talks at Google," speaking on abortion at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. Stephanie is author of Love Unleashes Life: Abortion & the Art of Communicating Truth as well as A Physician’s Guide to Discussing Abortion. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UBC in Vancouver, and a Certification, with Distinction, in Health Care Ethics, from the NCBC in Philadelphia.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/suffering-end-of-life-assisted-suicide-part-2

Suffering, the End of Life and Assisted Suicide — Part 1 (with Stephanie Gray) May 08, 2020

Show notes

Few issues are more difficult and controversial at the same time than the ethical issues around the end of life, particularly assisted suicide. Dealing with the inevitable losses and suffering that come at the end of life are often what motivates a request for assisted suicide. Yet there can be ways of dealing with suffering without eliminating the sufferer. Join Scott and Sean in part one of their interview pro-life advocate Stephanie Gray in a conversation about suffering and the end of life.
Stephanie Gray is a seasoned and international speaker who began presenting at the age of 18. She has given over 900 pro-life presentations across North America as well as in Scotland, England, Ireland, Austria, Latvia, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. She has spoken at many post-secondary institutions such as Yale University, George Washington University, and the University of California, Berkeley. In 2017, Stephanie was a presenter for the series "Talks at Google," speaking on abortion at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. Stephanie is author of Love Unleashes Life: Abortion & the Art of Communicating Truth as well as A Physician’s Guide to Discussing Abortion. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UBC in Vancouver, and a Certification, with Distinction, in Health Care Ethics, from the NCBC in Philadelphia.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/suffering-end-of-life-assisted-suicide-part-1

Ancient Biography and the Historical Jesus, Part II (with Dr. Craig Keener) Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

How should we assess the accuracy of the gospel record of the life of Jesus, since the conventions of history writing were somewhat different in the ancient world compared to today. In his massive study, Christobiography, NT scholar Craig Keener compares the gospel record to the way ancient biography was written. Keener insists that the gospels should be regarded as historically accurate biographies, not historical novels, as some critics have maintained. Join us for part two of this conversation on this critical topic.
Dr. Craig Keener is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of 28 books, six of which have won Christianity Today awards, in addition to numerous journal articles.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/ancient-biography-historical-jesus-part-2

Ancient Biography and the Historical Jesus, Part I (with Dr. Craig Keener) Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

How should we assess the accuracy of the gospel record of the life of Jesus, since the conventions of history writing were somewhat different in the ancient world compared to today. In his massive study, Christobiography, NT scholar Craig Keener compares the gospel record to the way ancient biography was written. Keener insists that the gospels should be regarded as historically accurate biographies, not historical novels, as some critics have maintained. Join us for the two part conversation on this critical topic as Scott interviews Dr. Keener.
Dr. Craig Keener is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of 28 books, six of which have won Christianity Today awards, in addition to numerous journal articles.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/ancient-biography-historical-jesus-part-1

Grace from the Rubble (with Jeanne Bishop) Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Twenty-five years ago, the Oklahoma City bombing became the worst act of terrorism on American soil. Yet out of this horrible tragedy, a story has emerged of remarkable redemption and reconciliation. Sean and Scott interview Jeanne Bishop, the author of a new book that chronicles the road to reconciliation of two unlikely fathers: Bill McVeigh (father of Timothy McVeigh) and Bud Welch (father of one of the victims). This is a moving podcast you will not want to miss.
Jeanne Bishop is a public defender and human rights advocate, who has written for online publications including the Huffington Post and CNN.com, magazines, newspapers, law journals and academic books. She has appeared in TEDx talks and several documentary films. She lives in Chicago's North Shore with her two sons.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/grace-from-the-rubble

Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith (with David Mishkin) Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

God is moving powerfully among the Jewish community in Israel. From the perspective of a Bible professor in Israel, Dr. Mishkin shares how the Jewish Messianic movement in Israel is growing and thriving. He shares his personal story of coming to the Christian faith, his assessment of Jewish-Christian relations, and how to lovingly talk about Jesus with Jews.
David Mishkin serves on the faculty of Israel College of the Bible in Netanya, Israel. He is the co-editor of Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith (with Craig Evans) and the author of Jewish Scholarship on the Resurrection of Jesus. He is helping to lead a movement of awakening in Israel through oneforisrael.org.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/jewish-roots-of-the-christian-faith

God, Greed and the Prosperity Gospel (with Costi Hinn) Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

One of the most destructive departures from biblical teaching spreading around the world today is what is known as the “prosperity gospel.” Scott and Sean interview pastor Costi Hinn, nephew of the well-known televangelist and proponent of the prosperity gospel, Benny Hinn. Join us for an inside look at the prosperity gospel from someone who has been on the inside and has re-examined it, and left the movement.

Costi's book is titled God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies
Costi Hinn is Executive Pastor of Discipleship at Redeemer Bible Church in suburban Phoenix, Arizona.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/god-greed-and-the-prosperity-gospel

[Bonus Podcast] An Outreach Presentation at Berkeley (by Sean McDowell) Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

While leading a recent student trip to Berkeley, Sean gave a pre-evangelistic message on the UC Berkeley campus. His approach was to give four reasons why a thought spiritual quest should begin with Christianity. And then he took live questions from students on a range of ethical, scientific, and theological issues. Enjoy this bonus episode of the Think Biblically podcast.

Our apologies for the poor audio quality — the audio was not recorded by Biola University.
Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2020/outreach-berkeley