Sean McDowell, Scott Rae | April 12, 2024

Cultural Update: Solar Eclipse and Intelligent Design; Racial Bias in Hiring; Vatican on Gender

Today, Scott and Sean discuss:

  • Solar Eclipses and Intelligent Design: Discussion on how solar eclipses demonstrate intelligent design, including the precise conditions necessary for a habitable planet and the unique positioning that allows for the observation of solar eclipses.
  • Racial Bias in Hiring: Insights from a study where researchers sent 80,000 fake resumes to gauge racial bias among large U.S. companies. The study found a 9.5% higher contact rate for presumed white applicants over black ones, suggesting ongoing racial bias, despite improvements over the past decade.
  • Vatican's Stance on Gender and Surrogacy: Vatican's declaration that gender fluidity, transition surgery, and surrogacy are affronts to human dignity, arguing for the irrevocable nature of sex as a gift from God. This section also touches on the implications for church teachings and societal views on sexuality.
  • 30th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide: Reflects on the genocide's 30th anniversary, focusing on reconciliation efforts and the personal stories of victims and perpetrators. 
  • Listener Questions: Answers to audience questions on topics like determinism vs. libertarian free will, and practical advice for a listener planning to teach young adults how to think biblically about cultural issues.

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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.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

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 [email protected].

Sean McDowell, Ph.D. is a professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, best-selling author, popular speaker, part-time high school teacher, and the Resident Scholar for Summit Ministries, California. Follow him on Twitter: @sean_mcdowell