Journalist Marvin Olasky tells the story of his sometimes rocky relationship with his father, the product of a good deal of fascinating research on his father after his death. Join Scott and Sean for this interview as he reflects on this relationship and what it taught him about his own role as a father to his own children. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically
How do we know the Bible is trustworthy? Are the Gospels really written by the people who they are attributed to? What about contradictions? In this interview, Sean and Scott talk with professor Bill Mounce about his latest book Why I Trust the Bible. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically
Religious freedom is a universal freedom, grounded in the rights of conscience. Though it is true that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, they are not the only ones experiencing intense persecution. Join Scott as he interviews Rushan Abbas, a Uyghur Muslim, who will tell you about the experience of her people in China today, where she estimates that close to 3 million Uyghur Muslims are held in the equivalent of concentration camps in China today. Though you will not agree with everything that Rushan holds to theologically, there is common ground in our mutual desire to stand for religious freedom around the world. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically
On December 1, 2021, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, around a Mississippi law that restricts abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Pro-life advocates view this as the best opportunity in some time to see Roe v. Wade reversed, and pro-choice supporters see this as a threat to what they consider a fundamental right of a woman over her own body. Join Scott and Sean as they discuss the arguments being made by both sides and outline the possibilities that the future might hold for abortion law in the US. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically
Few subjects are more controversial today than immigration and the Christian debate reflects the discussion in the culture at large. There is still significant debate over what the Bible teaches on this subject and how the Bible's teaching should be applied. Markus Zehnder's new book, The Bible and Immigration, is a first rate resource not only on what the Bible says but how to properly use the Bible on subjects like this one. Join Scott and Sean for this interview with Dr. Zehnder, who brings his perspective from his European background to this issue. Markus Zehnder grew up in Switzerland and is an ordained minister of the Reformed Church of Switzerland. After the completion of his doctorate, he moved to Jerusalem and then to Boston for postdoctoral studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at Harvard University. He has held teaching positions in Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and Belgium. He has a passion to connect the Bible both with personal and societal issues. Questions relating to migration are at the top of the list of his research interests. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically
Should we be hopeful about the post-pandemic church or concerned? Are churches growing today or dying? In this episode, we talk with Sam Rainer, a pastor and church growth expert, about these questions and more. He gives specific ways to revitalize a church regardless of its current state. Sam Rainer is the lead pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church. He is a speaker, consultant, and the author of multiple books including The Church Revitalization Checklist. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically
The worldview of Gnosticism, which was one of the first heresies facing the first Christians, is alive and well today-and it has permeated the church. As a result, we end neglecting or disparaging our bodies, seeing them as holding us back from spiritual growth and longing for the day we will be free of them. In this episode, we talk with author and professor Greg Allison about his fascinating and timely new book Embodied. We discuss transgender ideology, plastic surgery, and many more issues that we face as embodied beings. Greg Allison is a professor of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He spent 18 years working with Campus Crusade (Cru) and is the author of many books including Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine, and Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically
Sarah Zagorski survived an abortion—that’s right, she survived an attempt to abort her, having been born alive as a result of a botched abortion, her mother refused to let the abortionist end her life. Join Scott and Sean for this amazing story, how that impacted Sarah and she has flourished in her life in spite of those circumstances. Her story comes from her chapter in the new book, Choose Life. Sarah Zagorski is an advocate for life, foster care and adoption. She serves as Adoption Education Director for Pro-Life Louisiana. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically
In his new book, co-authored with his wife and psychology colleague, Todd Hall and Liz Hall, lay out a new way of looking at spirituality that takes into account insights not only from the Bible, but also from psychology and the neurosciences. Join Scott and Sean for this insightful look at spiritual formation. Todd Hall is professor of psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University. He is the author of numerous journal articles, specializing in the spiritual formation of Christian college students. Show notes, including a full transcript, are available at: biola.edu/thinkbiblically