Podcast

Cultural Update: Free speech on college campuses; Does AI make kids worse at thinking?

Is free speech disappearing on college campuses? A new report gives nearly half of surveyed colleges an “F” for free speech, raising bigger questions about intellectual diversity, disagreement, and why Christians should value persuasion over coercion.

Could AI make kids worse at thinking? Early research suggests generative AI may help students get answers faster while short-circuiting the difficult mental work needed to actually develop critical-thinking skills.

A two-year-old was euthanized in the Netherlands. How did we get here? Sean and Scott examine this tragic case and the crucial ethical distinction between relieving suffering, allowing natural death, and intentionally causing death.

Are “designer babies” becoming more acceptable? A surprising study finds prospective parents may care as much about avoiding traits like low intelligence or antisocial behavior as they do about certain medical risks when choosing embryos.

Listener Question: Could legalizing something harmful actually reduce the harm? A listener pushes Scott on whether his harm-reduction argument applies not only to pornography but also to dangerous drugs such as fentanyl.

Listener Question: Can trauma-informed ministry go too far? The hosts explore how churches can take trauma seriously without allowing it to become someone’s defining identity—and how truth, compassion, healing, and personal agency can fit together.

Listener Question: Are we reading modern psychology back into the Apostle Paul? Responding to their recent conversation with Scot McKnight, Sean and Scott ask how confidently we can apply concepts like trauma, emotional regulation, and PTSD to a biblical figure living 2,000 years ago.

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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.  

Books

Apologetics for an Ever-Changing Culture

In a culture whose needs and obstacles to faith are continuously shifting, Christians are wise to ask themselves: How do we share and defend the gospel with relevance for today? Apologetics for an Ever-Changing Culture is a practical how-to guide for conveying and upholding the Christian faith in our contemporary cultural …more
AUTHOR, SPEAKER & BIOLA APOLOGETICS PROFESSOR
Dr. Sean McDowell is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. He connects with audiences in a tangible way through humor and stories while imparting hard evidence and logical support for viewing all areas of life through a Biblical worldview.

Where Is Sean?

Upcoming Event
Rise and Rebuild - Pure Desire Summit - 10/2/26
Nashville, TN
October 2, 2026
MN Christian Schools United Professional Development Day - 10/15/26
Brooklyn Park, MN
October 15, 2026
Substack

From Sean's Newsletter

Newsletter · September 12, 2026

Is There Really Legendary Development in the Gospels?

Skeptics often claim that we see legendary development and narrative progression within the four Gospels.

Read on Substack
Newsletter · July 11, 2026

Do You Love Truth? 7 Questions to Gauge the Truth.

A question I’ve been sitting with lately is surprisingly simple:

Read on Substack
Newsletter · May 12, 2026

What About Those Who’ve Never Heard?

Along with teaching writing and using social media and YouTube, I regularly speak on college campuses.

Read on Substack