Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Peter Singer critiques the Pope on Human Dignity: Scott and Erik discuss philosopher Peter Singer’s reaction to the Pope’s recent encyclical, analyzing how a purely functional definition of human value leads to terrifying ethical conclusions. 
The Neurobiology of Fatherhood: Discussing a recent New York Times piece, Scott and Erik break down the scientific evidence showing how active fatherhood positively rewires and protects a man’s brain as he ages. 
Gene Editing and the Genetic Caste System: Analyzing a recent article on "base editing" technologies, the hosts explore the bioethical boundaries between curing diseases and pursuing human enhancements that threaten to create a permanent disparity between medical haves and have-nots.
Gen Z Men Resisting Temptation: Highlighting an encouraging cultural trend reported in an article, the hosts discuss how young Gen Z men are actively navigating and resisting the omnipresent temptation to sexual sin enabled by modern technology through the power of community and fellowship. 
Audience Question: Is it Acceptable to Listen to AI-Generated Worship Music? A listener asks if it is morally or spiritually compromising to listen to classic, human-written hymns that are fully performed by AI voices and instruments. 
Applying Biblical Accountability (1 Corinthians 5) at Home: The hosts offer nuanced advice to a listener navigating how to handle the apostle Paul's strict instructions regarding unrepentant believers when that person is an immediate family member living under the same roof. 
What Alternative Careers Would the Hosts Choose? In a light-hearted closing segment, ethicist Scott Rae and theologian Erik Thoennes share what completely different career paths they might have pursued—such as athletics or screen printing—if they hadn't entered academia and ministry.

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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.

Has Western culture merely forgotten God, or is the problem even deeper? In his remarkable new book The Desecration of Man, Dr. Carl Trueman argues that we have reached a new point in which culture has not only rejected God, but now desecrates Him. We can see this in the "shout your abortion" movement or the reveling in the mistreatment of immigrants. In this episode, Carl discusses the common thread of dehumanizing people that we see in the Sexual Revolution, technology, and how Christians approach death.
Dr. Carl R. Trueman is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. He earned an MA in Classics from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. in Church History from the University of Aberdeen. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books, and is the co-host of “The Mortification of Spin” podcast.
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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.

This week, we discuss: 
Rethinking Just War: Pope Francis’s comments on just war theory spark a timely conversation about self-defense, civilian harm, AI warfare, and whether Christian ethics needs fresh application in modern conflict.
Marriage Shapes Young Men: New research suggests that having marriage on the horizon can motivate young men toward work, maturity, commitment, and lower-risk choices.
Church And State Confusion: A debate over “separation of church and state” opens up deeper questions about religious liberty, political power, and why Christians should care about protecting the church from corruption.
Screen-Free Summer Reset: A radical family experiment in removing screens offers practical hope for helping kids rediscover books, outdoor play, creativity, and real-life community.
Listener Question: AI Fear Or Wisdom: A listener question about Anthropic’s AI blackmail test raises the need for Christians to avoid panic while still taking the risks of human-made technology seriously.
Listener Question: Sexuality And Church Leadership: A listener’s question about LGBTQ-affirming views in worship leadership leads to a nuanced distinction between disagreement among church members and qualifications for spiritual leadership.

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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.

Maybe you have heard some of these kinds of claims:
"Religious views don’t belong in politics." "Jesus said never judge–so don’t." "You can’t legislate morality." These are some of the most common moral slogans proclaimed today. But they are deeply misguided. Today, Sean interviews Scott to get his responses to the top ten misguided moral claims that need debunking! Scott deals with these objections in the first two chapters of his book Moral Choices, which is newly released in its 5th edition.
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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.

The Pope's New AI Encyclical: The hosts discuss a groundbreaking 250-page encyclical from Pope Leo XIV that explores the intersection of Catholic faith and artificial intelligence. The encyclical calls for AI to serve humanity rather than displace it, emphasizing that our inherent human limitations and vulnerabilities are actually a good design by God. 
Pew Research on Church Politics: A surprising new poll reveals how much churches actually address political and social issues like abortion, immigration, and environment from the pulpit. The hosts unpack how these subjects are fundamentally theological and ethical rather than purely political. 
Texas Creates First Clinic for De-transitioners: The discussion turns to medical developments in Texas, where a first-of-its-kind clinic has been established specifically to help individuals who are de-transitioning. Highlighting cases like advocate Chloe Cole, the hosts touch on the courageous public stance of young people addressing the lifelong impacts of early gender procedures. 
Audience Question: Navigating the Holy Spirit Differently: The hosts answer a listener's question about how cessationists and continuationists can maintain charity despite theological differences over miraculous gifts. They advise focusing on core doctrines like the Trinity, extending mutual grace across different denominations. 
Audience Question: Turning to AI for Spiritual Guidance: Responding to a Barna report about Christians using AI for spiritual direction, the hosts weigh the legitimacy of the practice. They emphasize that AI should only serve as an efficiency tool to point users back to Scripture and local community, rather than replacing relational human mentorship.
Audience Question: Critique of James Talarico's Theology: The hosts address a listener's question regarding guest-host Dr. Thaddeus Williams drawing a parallel between Texas politician James Talarico and Chinese communist state ideology. The hosts read a response from Williams and clarify that he was making a functional analogy about co-opting Scripture for state ideology, not directly comparing Talarico's personal character to a brutal totalitarian leader.

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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.