Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

This week, Sean and guest co-host Thaddeus Williams discuss: 
AI Tests Academic Honor: Princeton’s return to proctored exams shows how generative AI is exposing deeper questions about virtue, trust, and human nature. 
China Rewrites Scripture: The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to reshape the Bible highlight the clash between state power and the lordship of Christ. 
Ben Sasse Faces Death: Ben Sasse’s public battle with pancreatic cancer becomes a powerful witness to Christian hope, resurrection, and true dignity in dying. 
Cutoff Culture Grows: Rising numbers of Americans, especially Gen Z, are going “no contact,” raising urgent questions about conflict, loneliness, and reconciliation. 
Listener Question: When Conversations Stall: Sean and Thad offer practical ways to recognize one-sided conversations and know when wisdom calls for stepping back. 
Listener Questions: Practices That Form Faith: Scripture memory and prayer for the Spirit’s fruit stand out as simple, steady habits for deepening spiritual life.

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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 [email protected].

What have modern Christians missed about spiritual warfare? Have we overly focused on demonic exorcisms and missed the cosmic worldview, as found in Scripture, and what that means for how we encounter the spiritual realm? In the spirit of Michael Heiser, Dr. Joel Muddamalle argues that there is an unseen battle taking place that helps us make better sense of evil powers and equips us to conquer them through Christ.
Joel Muddamalle, Ph.D. is the director of theology and research at Proverbs 31 Ministries and cohosts the Therapy and Theology podcast. He speaks frequently at churches, conferences, and events and has a significant ministry on social media, which can be found at @muddamalle or online at www.muddamalle.com

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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 [email protected].

Smartphone Bans in Schools: Scott and Sean discuss a new large-scale study revealing that while banning phones hasn't significantly boosted test scores, it has notably increased students' sense of well-being and encouraged more face-to-face social interaction. 
"Teen Takeovers": Cities are seeing a rise in spontaneous, large-scale youth gatherings organized via social media, leading to discussions on how to provide safe spaces for teens to socialize during the summer. 
Abortion Pill Legal Battles: The hosts discuss the potential impact of legal rulings regarding the abortion pill mifepristone and what it might mean for the broader abortion debate in the U.S.. 
Expansion of the Universe: New scientific findings on the rate of the universe's expansion are examined through the lens of the "cosmological argument," suggesting these discoveries align with a designed beginning. 
Audience Question: Faith Conversations with an LDS Fiancé: In response to a listener asking about their fiancé's beliefs, the hosts explore the nuances between historic Christian views and LDS theology, particularly regarding the nature of the Trinity and the person of Jesus. 
Book Recommendations for Teens: To help a parent engage their teenagers in spiritual matters, the hosts suggest starting with accessible resources like The Purpose Driven Life or More Than a Carpenter to spark meaningful theological conversations.

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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 [email protected].

How has Christianity been weaponized to harm black people? How is the gospel being distorted today to harm black people? How does the hope of the gospel lead to racial reconciliation? We’ll look at these questions and more with our guest Dr. and Pastor JP Foster around his new book The Gospel in My Black Skin.
Dr. JP Foster is senior pastor of Faithful Central Church in Inglewood, California and Ministry Affiliate Faculty member at Talbot/Biola. He is the author of Finding Freedom in Jesus, in addition to The Gospel in My Black Skin.
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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 [email protected].

The Ethics of AI and the Catholic Church: Silicon Valley is increasingly consulting the Catholic Church to address complex AI ethics through the "Minerva Dialogues," a partnership that has lasted for over a decade. While tech companies seek to rehabilitate their reputations, the Church aims to insert theological and ethical considerations into a field often dominated by transhumanist views. 
The Rise of "Microlooting": A new trend reveals that some individuals feel morally justified in stealing small items from large corporations, viewing it as a form of "theft as justice". This mindset often stems from the belief that corporations are inherently oppressive and that the cost of stolen goods is already factored into their bottom lines.
High IQ Political Attackers: Scott and Sean discuss a concerning emergence of highly intelligent individuals who use their intellectual capabilities to orchestrate sophisticated political attacks. 
Increasing Belief in the Afterlife: Recent data suggests that belief in the afterlife is on the rise in the United States, sparking a conversation on how this trend impacts modern culture and spirituality. 
Audience Question: Writing and Time Management: The hosts offer practical advice on how to balance creative pursuits like writing with the demands of a busy schedule, emphasizing discipline and priority-setting.
Audience Question: Follow-up on Catholic Schools and LGBTQ Parents: Building on a previous episode's article, the hosts address a listener's follow-up question regarding the Colorado case where a Catholic school denied re-enrollment to children of a same-sex couple, the hosts discuss the importance of schools being clear about their mission and religious convictions while acknowledging the difficulty of the situation for the child.
Humanization and Rights for AI: In a speculative look at the future, a listener asked whether AI models might eventually be "humanized" to the point of being granted legal or moral rights—a concept the hosts analyze through the lens of intrinsic human dignity and embodiment. 

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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 [email protected].